Every committee chair has heard it: “It’s really not that much work!” This is the phrase we’re told when an outgoing chairperson is recruiting new committee leadership. Every incoming chairperson knows it’s a lie, but we tell ourselves it’s true when we say yes. This was certainly the case when my co-chair, Julia Nephew, and I agreed to take on the ALSC Intellectual Freedom Committee, but we didn’t anticipate the roller coaster of a year the committee would have!
Tag: ALA
Public Awareness and Advocacy at #ALAAC
The Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee didn’t formally meet at ALA Annual in Chicago this year but there were many opportunities for public awareness and advocacy throughout the conference experience that I am rounding up here with links to ALSC bloggers fabulous write-ups. Mental health is important: in the workplace, in personal life and for your patrons. While there’s much debate on how much mental health services libraries should provide- there’s no question that mental health resources are important for all. View Lacy Wolfe’s blog about how graphic novels are “medicine” for mental health and Jaime Eastman’s blog posts about building joy and taking time for self care. When meeting friends old and new at conference, I try to delve beyond the “how are you/ where do you work,” and ask more pointed questions like, “what challenges are you facing right now?” and “is there any way I can support…
Black Lives Matter: ALSC’s Call to Action and Endorsement of BCALA and ALA Recent Statements
Dear ALSC Members and Friends, I am writing to you today on behalf of the ALSC Board of Directors. Along with the ALA Executive Board, the ALSC Board endorses BCALA’s statement condemning increased violence and racism towards Black Americans and people of color and stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, BCALA, and those working for racial justice and dismantling racial capitalism and white supremacy in all of its forms.
Geeks Win During COVID
Winning During COVID So, winning a major award at just about any other time would come with a different set of emotions. Winning during COVID is like holding our breath all over again. The news, alerts and aid during COVID of course takes complete precedence. But, you know, we geeks really can’t wait to celebrate with everyone!
It’s All Fun and GAMES at ALA Play #ALAac19
I just got in from ALA Play, An Evening of Gaming, Maker, & STEM, sponsored by the Games and Gaming Round Table at #ALAac19. Attendees got to watch demonstrations of and PARTICIPATE in different board games and card games. There were games for young children as well as for adults. We also got to paint our own Warhammer miniature. (This was very relaxing and a good way to meet and interact with other librarians from around the country!) There were also ten or more raffle prizes given out at the end of the evening. It was great learning about the new games that are available. I was excited to see that a lot of the games for younger children incorporate STEM and problem-solving while making it fun–what kid wouldn’t love solving crimes committed by cats or designing their own working mini-rollercoaster?! I got some great ideas for game nights(/afternoons!) at…
The energy from Hillary Clinton at #alaac2017
When the announcement that Hillary Clinton would be speaking during the closing session of ALA Annual 2017 librarians across the world exploded on social media and elsewhere, changing their flights and ensuring a packed house for the final session. And deliver she did with a thought provoking and inspiring speech on the importance of libraries.
Touring the Thomas Hughes Children’s Center at #alaac17
On my first day of #alaac2017 I had the privilege of touring the Thomas Hughes Children’s Center at the Harold Washington Center. It recently had a soft opening and I fell in love at first site. (Cheesy, but true).
What does ALA mean to you? #alaac17
As I woke up at 7:20 am on a Saturday, and walked to my 8 am meeting… I thought a lot of things… why did I go to sleep so late last night? Why do librarians wake up so early? Is there such a thing as a night time librarian? Etc.