GameRT presented examples for virtual gaming, as well as resources and tips for introducing them to patrons. Our presenters were Dan Major of Orion Township Public Library (adult services), Erica Ruscio of Ventress Memorial Library (teen services), Rebecca Strang of Naperville Public Library (children’s services), and Jeff Pinsker of AMIGO Games (CEO).
Category: ALA Virtual Midwinter 2021
ALSC Membership Committee at #alamw21
With every conference, I like to give a shout out to ALSC’s Membership Committee. From planning informal gatherings to coordinating and participating in other engagement opportunities, this committee truly blows me away. For Midwinter, the committee planned a Pre-YMA ALSC Mixer, which you can read about in Abby’s blog post. Amy Seto Forrester and Allison Knight from the committee also participated in a virtual student networking session in the “Librarian Lounge”. Amy and Allison offered their insight on children’s services and gave advice to students pursuing their MLIS degrees. So much of the welcoming events and initiatives come from the creative minds of those on the Membership Committee and I am grateful to experience their passion for youth services and ALSC. If you are a member interested in volunteering for an ALSC process (non-book award) committee, please fill out a volunteer form as ALSC Vice-President, Lucia Gonzalez, will be making…
Singing Along to the Song of Change in Our Libraries at #alamw21
In the fourth day of ALA Midwinter, the themes of flexibility and planning continued with the panel, The Road Ahead: Libraries in an Uncertain Future. Speaker Zoe Dunning began her presentation by saying, “You can’t predict the future, but you can plan for it.” What a way to summarize the past year and many of the ideas of this conference! Throughout every panel that I attended in the past few days, there is an undercurrent of change happening. 2020 certainly gave us all new perspectives about how libraries can work. While sometimes we found ourselves drained thinking of how to best serve our communities, there were also pockets of light when new ideas came into focus and practice.
Virtual Celebration of Last Year’s Schneider Award Winners at #alamw21
On Sunday, before the excitement of the next day’s 2021 YMA announcements, it was nice to reflect on some of the winners from last year by attending the 2020 Schneider Award Virtual Celebration. It was lovely to hear each of the winning authors and illustrators from last year as they spoke of their winning titles. On Sunday, before the excitement of the next day’s 2021 YMA announcements, it was nice to reflect on some of the winners from last year by attending the 2020 Schneider Award Virtual Celebration. It was lovely to hear each of the winning authors and illustrators from last year as they spoke of their winning titles.
Coming Together for the #ALAYMA While Apart at #ALAMW21
Did you tune in for the live Youth Media Award announcements this morning?! It’s one of my favorite conference activities, whether I’m attending in person or not. I wasn’t sure what it would be like without the reactions from the crowd, so I made my own crowd!
Dr. Jill Biden speaks at #alamw21
So thrilled to hear Dr. Jill Biden talk about her work as an educator. She told us, “I am ready to get to work with you.” The possibilities of where a librarian partnership with our new First Lady can take education and literacy look limitless. “Loving to read equals loving to learn.” She sees the strength and resolve of librarians across the country in cities and in rural areas. So great to be seen and so great have a champion of books in the White House. Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
Dr. Jill Biden Inspires at #alamw21
Dr. Jill Biden inspired the Midwinter crowd by providing a mirror of ourselves as educators, guides, and facilitators of welcoming communities. Provoking confidence that our actions truly do make a difference in the lives of those around us, Dr. Biden expressed the need for literature for our youngest patrons because reading helps children understand feelings and situations better than we can explain them ourselves. The First Lady recommends creative outlets for recording memories, personal reflection, and working through emotions (especially during a difficult time like this pandemic). Dr. Biden keeps a stack of books next to her bedside and currently one of them is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. A wonderful wrap to my first ALA Midwinter, I’m feeling inspired to work on my own creative hobbies! Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
Today’s Youth Media Awards at #alamw21
The ALA Youth Media Awards were announced this morning. Minus the intense excitement – and enthusiastic applause – of an in-person announcement, the virtual announcements were still thrilling to participate in. Here is the press release announcing all the winners: