Dear Members, This is my final post as ALSC Past-President—I know my term technically ended on June 30th, but I wanted to take a moment to say a few things now that I have cycled off of the Board. First, I want to acknowledge the challenges that the last few years have brought for both ALSC and YALSA. When I first began my term in 2023, I was not expecting anything out of the ordinary to take place, but as we all know, that was not in the cards. And that brings me to my second point. It takes a village to undertake such a gargantuan task: I also want to thank all of you, our members, and everyone who came out to the various member engagement opportunities at Annual and in the months leading up to it. This includes those who came tothe virtual Town Halls, the “huddle” in…
Category: Leadership
“A very exciting time to consider running for the board!”
An Interview with Incoming ALSC Board Member, Heather Love Beverly Are you interested in learning more about running for a leadership position in ALSC? In this blog post, Heather Love Beverly shares her experience serving in YALSA, what excites her about serving on the ALSC Board, and advice for those interested in serving in a leadership position within the association.
Screen Time for Library Staff
One of the most important parts of managing youth librarians is balancing everyone’s workload. Between preparing programs, collection development, overseeing public spaces, and professional development, youth librarians are busy. There’s so much to do, especially now when we are in the thick of summer reading. Managers are always trying to find new ways to make sure workloads stay manageable, and front line staff are always trying to make prioritize to stay on top of their workloads. Yet there’s one issue that can get in the way of workflow: the cell phone.
Serving on the ALSC Board = Career Development
Summer isn’t just about school breaks and summer reading for youth and teen librarians–it’s also the season to consider serving on the ALSC Board! The Nominating Committee wants to hear about youth and teen library workers who are interested in serving on the ALSC Board.
Bookmark this Blog Post: When You’re Feeling Down, Here’s Some Youth Staff Inspiration!
Librarians are a passionate group of people. I think I speak for all of us when I say we didn’t get into this job for the glamour or the paycheck; we got into it for love of our communities and a genuine passion for literacy. That passion can carry you a long way, but there are always unexpected detours and bumps in the road. Maybe you’re dealing with budget cuts. Maybe your building is under renovation. Maybe you’re facing censorship attempts, staffing shortages, or a team with conflicting personalities. Maybe programming isn’t landing the way you hoped or you’re feeling pressure to justify your department’s value. Maybe you’re burnt out from wearing too many hats or frustrated by the gap between what your community needs and what you have resources to provide. Whatever it is, you’re not alone. I’m the Assistant Children’s Director at Rogers Public Library in Rogers, Arkansas….
Wintering: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Winter came early here in Ohio, with an early snowfall and snow days, January-like temperatures in November and December so far (5 degrees and 5+ inches of snow as I write.) The Dark is Rising indeed. Is it any wonder that so many celebrations this time of year incorporate light? I am grateful for bright lawn decorations and candles in windows on my dark drives home each night. I love the Winter Solstice as from now on, each day will have more light. What ways do you take comfort or recharge this time of year? Does that sound impossible in a season of busyness? After a year in which just surviving can be considered an achievement? The end of the year is also often the season of evaluations and goal setting for the year to come – how do you do that when you are tired? If you are a…
My ALSC Board Lessons: Growth, Service and Leadership
For the past three years, I served as the new-to-ALSC Board Member. It was perhaps the most humbling, amazing, and unexpected experience of my professional career. Looking ahead to the transition of new Board members at ALA in Philadelphia, I’m incredibly grateful. Today, I’m sharing a few lessons from my Board tenure.
Building Connections and Fostering Leadership: How ALSC Members Can Get Involved
At the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), we’re committed to fostering connections, creating valuable resources, and developing new leaders in the field of children’s library services. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer, there are countless opportunities for ALSC members to get involved, grow their skills, and contribute to our mission! The Membership Committee’s goal is to ensure that we’re supporting new members and also nurturing the active engagement of our existing ones. Here are a few ways you can take part in ALSC’s vibrant community and make a lasting impact. 1. Volunteer for a Committee or Task Force ALSC is powered by the energy and dedication of its member leaders. Volunteering for a committee or task force is an excellent way to contribute to the development of programs, resources, and initiatives that support children’s librarians and the children they serve. By volunteering, you’ll not only help…