After working 7 years as a children’s librarian, I took a new role as a regional services librarian in 2023. It was a move I made for my librarian career, although I loved my time as a children’s librarian. In my new job, it has been hard to remain relevant in the field since I don’t plan children’s programs regularly and no longer am involved in children’s collection development. As I adjusted to my new role and learned new skills, I felt like I was losing my sharpness as a children’s librarian. I heard similar concerns from other former children’s librarians who took on new jobs outside of the children’s department. We still want to remain relevant in children’s librarianship, but how can we do that? The answer is staying relevant through and with an ALSC membership. Here are at three ways ALSC can help you learn about up-to-date trends…
Tag: ALSC membership
What ALSC Membership Means to Me
Learn about the value of ALSC Membership from Amberdenise Puckett.
PLA Visitors: Welcome to Columbus Libraries!
Are you attending the 2024 Public Library Association Conference? I might just see you there! Welcome to Columbus, Ohio – the 14th most populous city in the United States. We might be pretty well known for the Ohio State University’s football team – but we are also home to some pretty incredible library systems. While visiting (or while following along from home!) learn about some of the various libraries filling Columbus and the surrounding suburbs: And more! With just a bit longer drive, you can also visit Alexandria Public Library, Fairfield County District Library, Granville Public Library, London Public Library, Marysville Public Library, Pataskala Public Library, Pickaway County District Library, Plain City Public Library, and the Wagnalls Memorial Library. I like to leave conferences with pictures and tangible ideas of things I can replicate at home – and what better way to do that than visiting our area libraries while…
New Year, New Goals
We are almost two weeks into 2024 – how are you feeling about those New Year’s resolutions? I made a new goal for myself last year – not to make New Year’s resolutions on the first day of the year. The first few weeks bring post-holiday catch-up projects that make new priorities hard to accomplish. Instead, I like to spend January thinking about what I want to accomplish this year, and make a goal by February 1. What is something you want to try to accomplish this year? Consider some of these ideas: No matter what your goal is for 2024 (or your lack of a goal – no goal is okay too!), the ALSC Membership Committee wishes you all a great year of books, kids, and libraries (and hopefully a little less pivoting in 2024 – let’s leave that behind in 2020-2023). Annamarie Carlson is the Youth Manager at…
What Can I do at LibLearnX 2024?
Can you believe how quickly this year has gone by? I feel like it was only last week that I was thinking about LibLearnX 2023, and here we are in December 2023 gearing up for LibLearnX 2024!
Spreading Book Joy All November Long
Book joy! Yes…I know you are thinking…at the end of every library…there is book joy. These familiar lyrics are from the theme song of Reading Rainbow, a children’s television series featuring stories from around the world. From 1983 to 2006, Reading Rainbow was dedicated to encouraging the love of books, reading, and exploring the world through books. As November arrives with falling leaves, changing temperatures, and picturesque landscapes, society’s tumultuous relationship with books stays at the forefront of our minds. It behooves us to continue to stand together in celebration and praise for all libraries are, have been, and will continue to be. Check out these November events to reclaim the joy in libraries by partaking in these literary celebrations. National Author’s Day (Nov. 1) originated in 1928 but has been formally acknowledged since 1949. Readers use this day to show appreciation for the authors that color their bookshelves with…
Connecting with ALSC Members at #alaac23
One of the highlights of Conference for me is the ALSC Membership meeting. It’s a space for members to come together and learn more about the direction and work of the Association. Not able to join us at Conference this year? Good news: Our work is member-driven and there are always opportunities for you to engage when you’re ready. Here are some opportunities highlighted from today’s membership meeting:
What Does a Longtime ALSC Membership Look Like?
Over her career in librarianship, Susan Dove Lempke has been a children’s librarian, department manager, library director, and respected mentor to many. She is currently the Executive Director of the Niles Maine District Library in Niles, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.