The Roald Dahl Story Company, recently purchased by Netflix, has agreed to change the wording in 17 of Roald Dahl’s written works, after suggestions by consultants from Inclusive Minds, an organization that aims to represent a diverse society through books that foster “inclusivity, diversity, equality, and accessibility in children’s literature.” [Article here.]
Poetry Programs for the Reluctant Poet
April is National Poetry Month! Many people find poetry intimidating. Between meter, rhyme scheme, teachers overly focused on anything written prior to 1900, and words like “troche” and “anaphora,” the language of poetry can seem complex. But it is not too late – or too hard – to unlock your inner poet. Consider adding one of the following poetry programs to your calendar. They all use common library or household supplies, take no special knowledge or skill to lead, and can be put together in an hour or less. Gather ye thine quills and parchment!
Coding and Beyond: Inspiring young girls to pursue technology careers
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, women are underrepresented in the technology industry – comprising just 25% of the workforce. These careers are often higher-paid, and technology skills are in high demand, so it should be an important mission of libraries to help ensure that young girls have opportunities to explore technology-related careers. (In this article, “girls” refers to all who identify as girls and is inclusive of gender-nonconforming children.) Many librarians are intimidated by the prospect of creating STEM programming for young children, but it can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, with benefits that go beyond simply learning how to code.
Standing for Election: 2023-24 ALSC Board of Directors
In an effort to help ALSC members make an informed decision before they vote, today’s blog post consists of statements from the six candidates standing for election to the 2023-24 ALSC Board of Directors; three candidates will be elected.
Julie Roach: ALSC Division Councilor Candidate
In an effort to help ALSC members make an informed decision before they vote, today’s blog post consists of a statement from the candidate for ALSC’s 2023-24 Division Councilor, Julie Roach. The candidate submitted a written statement. Voting begins Monday, March 13th. It is an honor to stand for election to the ALSC Board in the role of Division Councilor. I have been an active member of ALSC for 21 years. During that time, I have served in various ways and on a range of committees, most recently as chair of the 2020 Caldecott Selection Committee. I also served as a member of the ALSC Board from 2014-2017. I manage Youth Services for the Cambridge Public Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I lead an outstanding youth services team in a busy public library. I review children’s literature for the Horn Book Magazine and teach as an adjunct instructor for Simmons…
Robert Bittner: 2023-24 ALSC Vice President/President Elect Candidate
In an effort to help ALSC members make an informed decision before they vote, today’s blog post consists of a statement from the candidate for ALSC’s 2023-24 Vice President/President-Elect, Robert Bittner. The candidate submitted a written statement. Voting begins Monday, March 13th.
Add Your Voice to the ALSC Chorus!
Serving as the ALSC President for 2022-2023 has been a humbling experience in many ways, not the least of which is because every day I have reminders that it is the dedicated work and input of members–all volunteers!–that allows us to set, work toward, and accomplish our goals. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the ways in which members add their talents and voices to the whole–and I want to invite YOU to add your voice to the chorus as well!
BIPOC Librarians Mentoring Membership Group: Sunset to Sharpening the Impact
In 2020, the American Library Association (ALA) implemented a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by opening the door to three things: