Now more than ever, we are looking to make connections and feel inspired. Personally, I’m feeling this way in regards to my own connections with families at work and in my own relationships with colleagues and friends. As my work setting feels smaller, the more I look to ALSC and the greater library world to inspire me in my work. Committees and conferences are a great way to build community but I have found there are many other ways to make the most of your membership. No matter if you are doing committee work now, taking a break, or haven’t had the chance to serve, there are many other ways to grow and connect. ALSC workshops and webinars: Is there a topic you would like to learn more about? Maybe advocacy, programming, community outreach, or collection development? Check out upcoming workshops (including a course called “The Library in the Middle:…
Contribute to Children and Libraries
Have you done something cool at your library? Coordinated a research project with implications to youth librarianship? Have something to say but not sure where to share it? Look no further than Children and Libraries, the quarterly journal published by ALSC. Children and Libraries (affectionately called CAL) is always on the lookout for articles of interest to ALSC members. Have you done something cool at your library? Coordinated a research project with implications to youth librarianship? Have something to say but not sure where to share it? Look no further than Children and Libraries, the quarterly journal published by ALSC. Children and Libraries (affectionately called CAL) is always on the lookout for articles of interest to ALSC members.
Overwhelmed By: Researching Your Community
Reaching traditionally marginalized or underserved communities is overwhelming. We don’t want to make this work look easy; it truly isn’t. However, we believe library staff at all levels can do this work with the right tools and support. This year, we’re bridging the gap between tangible resources and getting started. Today, we’ll focus on researching your community.
#WorldKidLitMonth – A Celebration of World Literature for Kids and YAs
World Kid Lit Month is an annual celebration of world literature for children and teens, especially fiction and nonfiction translated to English from other languages.
Bechtel Fellowship Application Open!
Is it time for a “sabbatical” to recharge your experiences at work? You should consider applying for the Bechtel Fellowship. Note the change in terms. It is now for study “up to four weeks” and prorated at $1,000 per week up to $4,000.
Royal Picks: Book Recommendations Fit For A Princess
Children’s librarians hear a lot about princesses. “Do you have any princess books?”, “My child will only read princess books”, “Princesses books are silly, I need a real book for my child.” We can answer most of these questions pretty easily. But what about the harder question, what books would you recommend to a princess? Below are some picture book recommendations that I believe princesses might enjoy.
Student Digital Library Cards: A School/Library Partnership
Now more than possibly ever before, folks are exploring the digital resources our libraries have to offer. Public librarians, now’s the time to think about partnering with your schools to offer digital library cards to students. As we enter Library Card Sign Up Month, it’s the perfect time to start this conversation. Many libraries offer this service and there are lots of ways to do it. Our program is a work is progress (more on that below) and I’m happy to share how we got it started and what we’ve learned.
Social Ties: A Community Art Project
Each year at the Simsbury Public Library, CT we create our own Summer Reading theme. By creating our own unique theme, we can reflect our community and to be responsive to trends and themes that are important locally. Our 2021 Summer Reading theme was “Reading Reconnects Us,” which coincided well with the expanded library hours and services we were able to offer this summer. Our community was eager to return to in-person browsing, programs and volunteer opportunities and it was clear they were looking for opportunities to connect with others.