Read about what your peers think about the correlation between a thriving library and student success, the importance of administrators’ support for certified librarians, and more.
Rally the Cause: Thriving libraries Equal Student Success | Feedback
By on August 14, 2013 1 Comment
ALA: ARCs
By on July 14, 2013
One of the panel discussions I was on at ALA was All About ARCs: “Librarians may have heard of Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs), but do they actually know how to acquire or use them? Why do publishers create these unsaleable copies? Have you seen them at used bookstores, Friends book sales, and should they really be there? [...]
ALA’s Launches “Liberty” and the Privacy Toolkit
By on July 12, 2013
In a powerful, proactive reminder of the principles for which our profession stands, yesterday ALA announced the launch of ALA Liberty, a new website that contains tools libraries can use to host educational sessions and public forums that help Americans understand their First and Fourth Amendment rights. ALA Liberty offers guides and tip sheets for libraries as [...]
ALA: New Adult
By on July 8, 2013
And SexyTimes was had by all! Um, no, not really, but based on the twitter stream for the New Adult Conversation Starter that Sophie Brookover, Kelly Jensen and myself did (Twitter hashtag #ALA13NA), I apparently used that term a lot. As a recap, the three of us did a Conversation Starter on New Adult Fiction at [...]
Celebrating another meaningful declaration
By on July 4, 2013
It’s the 4th of July and I am delighted to share another important declaration. Our new ALA President, friend, former school librarian, and Syracuse iSchool professor, Barbara Stripling declares that libraries are essential to a democratic society. She shares: My presidential initiative, entitled Libraries Change Lives, will focus on increasing public understanding of the value of libraries, [...]
Best Websites for Teaching and Learning 2013
By on June 29, 2013
Here in Chicago, AASL’s Best Websites for Teaching & Learning Committee just released its standards-aligned 2013 list. (Don’t miss AASL’s inaugural, Best Apps For Teaching and Learning list, also just released at ALA!) Sites and tools are selected because they engage users through innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration. Honored websites, tools, and resources will provide exceptional value [...]
ALA
By on June 13, 2013
ALA Annual is just around the corner, which means, OH NO SO MUCH TO DO. The highlights of my schedule, so far: Saturday, June 29th All About ARCs: The Ins and Outs of Requesting, Using and Abusing Advanced Reading Copies, where I’m co-presenting with Kelly Jensen and Kristi Chadwick. 10:30 to 11:30, McCormick Place Convention [...]
A Guide to Chicago’s Best Kept Secrets | ALA 2013
By on June 10, 2013 2 Comments
Suggestions for places to eat in Chicago, along with recommended bookstores, bars, city landmarks, and concert venues.
Choices, Choices… For the Tech-Minded, ISTE May Be More Useful Than ALA
By on June 10, 2013 Leave a Comment
This month, librarians are gearing up for the American Library Association annual conference in Chicago. But some question whether “annual” really serves their professional development needs. In a time of contracting budgets, layoffs, and demands for tech expertise in the library, is ALA still the must-attend event for all? Or is ISTE (the International Society for Technology in Education conference) in San Antonio a better choice?
ALA, It’s Time to Step Up for School Libraries | Editorial
By on June 4, 2013 9 Comments
What if ALA leadership fought for school librarians like it fought for access to ebooks?
Five Simple Things It’s Easy to Overlook About Comics
By on April 25, 2013
At ALA Midwinter, one of the people in attendance asked how many librarians in the audience still encounter opposition from parents, teachers, or school administrators in promoting and collecting comics. I was astounded to see the majority of the librarians in the audience raise their hands.
2013 ALSC & YALSA Audio Picks: The year’s best notable recordings and amazing audiobooks for children and teens.
By on April 16, 2013 Leave a Comment
It’s time to update your audiobook collection, so don’t miss ALSC’s Notable Recordings and YALSA”s Amazing Audiobooks lists for 2013.
ALA 2013 Conversation Starters!
By on March 5, 2013
Dear ALA Members: Now is the time to vote! To vote for what you want to have happen at ALA Annual! As explained at this ALA News Press Release, voting is open until March 31, 2013 for Conversation Starters and Ignite Sessions. “Conversation Starters” are “fast-paced 45-minute sessions intended to jumpstart conversations and highlight emerging [...]
New Bites: American Indian Youth Lit, Gryphon, & CBC Awards Announced
By on February 7, 2013 1 Comment
Following 2013 ALA Midwinter, many awards for children’s literature were announced, including the American Indian Youth Lit, Gryphon, and the Children’s Book Committee Awards.
Interview: Jen Wang
By on February 7, 2013
On Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, while attending the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, I ran around to as many of my favorite kids comics creators as I could and asked them all the exact same questions. Keep in mind, exhibit halls are crazy loud and crazy busy, so there [...]
The Art of the Caldecott: At 75, the powerful award keeps proving the value of librarians’ expertise | Editorial
By on February 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
There’s nothing quite like the run-up to the announcement of the Youth Media Awards at the American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting.
Interview: MK Reed
By on January 31, 2013
On Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, while attending the American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, I ran around to as many of my favorite kids comics creators as I could and asked them all the exact same questions. Keep in mind, exhibit halls are crazy loud and crazy busy, so there [...]
ALA Midwinter 2013: In Pictures
By on January 30, 2013 1 Comment
Scenes from this year’s Midwinter meeting, from the Youth Media Awards to the National Forum on Libraries & Teens.
New Bites: Cast Your Vote for Free Expression in NCAC’s Teen Film Contest
By on January 29, 2013 Leave a Comment
Check out the latest News Bites for information on the National Coalition Against Censorship’s FIlm Contest, books for GLBTQ Youth, and the latest ebook news.
SLJ Reviews for Top Youth Media Award Winners
By on January 28, 2013 2 Comments
Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan and Jon Klassen’s This Is Not My Hat may have won the Newbery and Caldecott on Monday, January 28, but they were already stellar titles for School Library Journal’s Book Review editors. Both books made SLJ’s Best Books of 2012 list, as well as many of the other ALA’s Youth Media Award-winners. Check out SLJ’s reviews for the top prizes.
