SLJ Summit 2024

Join us December 6-8 for the 2024 SLJ Summit: “All Together Now.”

Convening in Raleigh, NC—live and in person—the Summit will assemble school library leaders and community stakeholders to consider the challenges and opportunities surrounding major topics in the profession, from applying AI in library services and mentoring the current generation of school librarians, to the finer points of collection development in divisive times.

Rooted in SLJ’s award-winning coverage at the convergence of K–12 and libraries, the Summit—now in its 20th year—welcomes the community to gather in an especially critical moment for the profession, and the students and families that you serve.

Over the two-day program:

Get hands on with artificial intelligence and receive practical guidance on the tools available and how to apply AI to library tasks, from book recommendations and social media posting to recommendation letters.
Learn activities toward restorative library practice, including circulation circles and strategies to address reading trauma. Suggested approaches to bring administrators on board with equitable programming will help you navigate a fraught environment for librarianship and maximize service to students.
Practice “all together now” with your colleagues in some high-energy brainstorming on: the librarians role in the Science of Reading; marketing the school library and idea sharing, from AI to collection development, weeding. All facilitated conversations in our Breakout Sessions.
Celebrate books with a panel featuring Family Stories.

This year, attendees will get a chance to take the mic in lightning sessions, fast-paced five-minute presentations on a topic of their choice.

More details will be released as our program develops, so keep an eye on your inbox. In the meantime, take a look at last year's packed program to begin planning your trip. See you in Raleigh!

Please note: Space is limited at this event, so if you've registered and cannot attend for any reason, please let us know.
No-shows exact a cost for planners, sponsors, presenters, and most importantly your peers - there's always a waitlist for this event.
By notifying us, you open a spot for a fellow librarian to attend the SLJ Summit, which remains free, thanks to our sponsors.

Who should attend: school and district level librarians, library leaders and K-12 administrators.

Hotel information: Hotel reservation information will appear on your confirmation after registering.

Interested In Sponsoring? Please contact Advertising Director Roy Futterman: rfutterman@mediasourceinc.com

Friday, December 6, 2024 - Pre Conference Events

3:00 - 5:00 PM | Focus groups

5:30 - 6:30 PM | Welcome reception

Saturday, December 7, 2024

7:30 - 9:30 AM | Focus groups

8:15 - 9:45 AM | Breakfast

8:30 - 9:45 AM | Registration

9:45 AM | Welcome
Randal Heise, Co-owner, Mackin
Kathy Ishizuka, Editor in Chief, SLJ

10:00 - 10:45 AM John Schu | Keynote
Author and Library Journal Mover & Shaker John Schu's most recent book is Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick, 2024)

10:45 - 11:00 AM | Break

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | Beyond Talking Points: Smart Inoculation and Strident Mitigation through Active Participation
(Presentation, followed by small group discussion)

In the current social and political climate, school library leaders must become experts in education policy and public policy - as well as experienced actors in the legislative, post-legislative, and rules-making processes - in order to thrive. The difference between the states is stark, and each state is its own political ecosystem. In states experiencing great challenges to education policy, our community needs new skills and approaches to preventing or blunt the next crisis. In states where the discourse is less fraught, our community should be leveraging opportunities for positive education policies. EveryLibrary Executive Director John Chrastka will lead a workshop session that is focused on helping you and your colleagues begin to review, evaluate, and engage a state-specific and state-relevant strategy for the next legislative session.

Speaker:
John Chrastka, Executive Director, EveryLibrary

12:15 - 1:00 PM | Lunch

1:00 - 1:45 PM | For Inclusive Libraries, Heal Reading Trauma
Ensuring our libraries are inclusive is a core principle. What are actionable ways to achieve this? In this session, learn the background of what Julia and Julie refer to as reading trauma, caused in part by high-stakes testing, lack of meaningful representation, and trauma-centered narratives. Discover strategies to address and heal damaging reading practices. Included, too: suggestions on using/adjusting language to bring administrators on board with equitable library programming in these divisive times.
Julie Stivers, Upper School Librarian, Carolina Friends School, Durham, NC, 2023 School Librarian of the Year
Julia Torres, Public Teen Librarian, Denver, CO
Introduced by Sarah Bayliss, Senior Features Editor, Features, SLJ

2:00 - 2:45 PM | Breakout Conversations | Session 1

Science of Reading vs. Joy of Reading: Librarians don't teach reading, but rather inspire avid readers. So what is the library's involvement in SoR?
Conversation facilitators: Jonathan Hunt, coordinator, library media services, San Diego County Office of Education; Kerry Townsend, library media coordinator, Columbia (MO) Public Schools

Advocacy in action: Let's talk about strategic advocacy for the freedom to read and share helpful tips and resources.
Conversation facilitators: Carolyn Foote, retired school librarian and co-founder, Texas FReadom Fighters; Kathy Lester, advocacy co-chair, Michigan Association of School Librarians
Marketing the school library: Marketing serves a different purpose than advocacy. Within context, marketing should engage stakeholders, create awareness, and highlight immediate benefits related to the library program. Conversation facilitators: Tom Bober, school librarian and district library coordinator, Clayton, MO; Donna Gray, library coordinator, New York City School Library System

2:45 - 3:00 PM | Break

2:45 - 3:45 PM | Family Ties: Drama, Trauma, and How Family Stories Shape Young People’s Identities (author panel)
From graphic novels to YA, these titles (and their authors) explore all types of families and the ways children survive and thrive because (or in spite) of them.
Speakers:
Jennie Liu, author of Girls on the Line and The Red Car to Hollywood (Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab)
Natalie Lloyd, author of A Snicker of Magic and The Witching Wind (Scholastic)
Jandy Nelson, Printz winner and author of I’ll Give You the Sun and When the World Tips Over (Penguin Young Readers/Dial)
Jose Pimienta, author of Twin Cities and Halfway to Somewhere (Random House Graphic)
Sherri L. Smith, author of Flygirl and Pearl: A Graphic Novel (Scholastic)
Moderated by Shelley Diaz, Reviews Director, SLJ

3:45 - 4:30 PM | Autographing session

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Dinner

Sunday, December 8, 2024

8:00 - 8:45 AM | Breakfast

8:45 AM | Welcome

9:00 - 9:30 AM Library Joy
Speaker:
Mychal Threets is a librarian, literary ambassador, and the library’s number one fan (according to himself, admittedly). Recipient of a 2024 “I Love My Librarian” award from the American Library Association, Threets is among TIME Magazine's 2024 Next Generation Leaders.

9:30 - 10:15 AM | AI in the Library
Learn about AI education tools and how to use them within a broader conversation of the technology and its value amid concerns. The presentation will be followed by a workshop on using those tools.
Speakers:
Todd Burleson, library media specialist, Skokie School, Winnetka, IL
Elissa Malespina, school librarian, New Jersey
Introduced by Kara Yorio, Senior News Editor, SLJ

10:15 - 10:30 AM | Break

10:30 - 11:15 AM | Breakout Conversations | Session 2

AI Workshop: Continue the conversation and learn how to put the platforms and LLMs to use for you.
Conversation facilitators: Todd Burleson and Elissa Malespina
Mentors needed: How to be a mentor
Conversation facilitator: Becky Calzada, District Library Coordinator, Leander ISD, TX
Phones in the Library- Navigating the Digital Wild West
Should students be able to bring their own devices to the library? How much online access should they have in the space? Participants will discuss the use of personal devices, share their experiences, case study examples of usage or bans of devices, and explore the benefits, drawbacks of students' device use in school libraries.
Conversation facilitator: Sarah Steiger, Manager, Libraries & Digital Media, Chicago Public Schools
The allure of “edgy” books for children and teens
What really happens when students read what rattles some adults? Librarians can help elevate the conversation on controversial books with knowledge about the social, emotional, moral, intellectual, and academic benefits of meaningful engagement.
Conversation facilitator Gay Ivey, William E. Moran Distinguished Professor in Literacy, University of North Carolina-Greensboro

11:15 - 11:55 AM | Lightning Sessions
Attendees take the mic in these crowd-sourced sessions—fast-paced, five-minute presentations on a topic submitted in advance by audience members.

Make the Most of Adobe Express Amanda Hunt, Library Media Specialist, New Braunfels (TX) ISD
It's Getting Hot in Here: MG and YA Romance RA Lori Lieberman, M.Ed., JD, Teacher Librarian, Lincoln High School, Portland, OR
Women, Lead with a Birds-Eye View Monifa Robinson, Leadership Coach, Within Your Reach Consulting, Raleigh, NC
Teach Copyright with Flair Kristy Sartain, School Librarian, Olympic High School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Schools
Bring on the Tabletop Games! Carolyn Vibbert, School Librarian, Northern Virginia
Max Out Wakelet to Curate, Captivate, and Connect Deborah Zeman, High School Librarian, Lewisville (TX) ISD
Moderated by Sarah Bayliss, Senior Features Editor, SLJ

11: 55 | Closing

SPEAKERS
	Sarah Bayliss -Senior Features Editor, SLJ
	Tom Bober is a school librarian at Captain Elementary in St. Louis, MO. He is a Library Journal Mover and Shaker, former Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress, and author of the books Building News Literacy, Elementary Educator's Guide to Primary Sources, as well as his newest co-written title, Literature and Primary Sources: The Perfect Pairing for Student Learning. He is a member of teacher advisory boards for the National Portrait Gallery and the American Archive of Public Broadcasting. Tom has written the popular Picture Books and Primary Sources posts for AASL’s Knowledge Quest blog and hosts The Primary Source Podcast. Tom works with students and educators to promote the love of nonfiction, information literacy, and historical literacy. His foundation is built on over twenty years in public education as a classroom teacher and school librarian.
	Todd Burleson is an accomplished school librarian and author currently serving at the Skokie School in Winnetka, Illinois. With over 32 years of experience in education, he is a certified school librarian who holds both a master's degree and a bachelor's degree in education. Known as the "Willy Wonka of school librarians," Burleson has transformed traditional library spaces into dynamic learning environments, including the creation of the IDEA Lab at Hubbard Woods School, which emphasizes project-based learning in STEAM disciplines. He has presented at conferences around the world, sharing his innovative practices and insights. A lifelong learner, Burleson is continually exploring, reading, and discovering new ways to inspire students and educators alike. Honored as the 2016 School Librarian of the Year by School Library Journal, he remains deeply committed to fostering a love of reading and integrating technology into learning in his current role.
	John Chrastka is co-founder and executive director of EveryLibrary, the national political action committee for libraries, and the EveryLibrary Institute, a public policy and education policy think tan for libraries. Since 2012, EveryLibrary has supported public libraries in numerous funding negotiations, politicized challenges, and over 130 election days, winning over $2.8 billion dollars in stable tax money for libraries. Its SaveSchoolLibraians.org campaigns help ensure the future of school library work, and its FightForTheFirst.org site supports over 100 local and statewide anti-censorship and anti-discrimination campaigns. The EveryLibrary Institute supports funding-focused research and training for library leaders and outreach to the public about librarians.
	Shelley Diaz is School Library Journal’s reviews director. She began at SLJ in 2011, while studying for her MLIS at Queens College, NY. With a brief tenure as a selector at BookOps, the technical services for NYPL and Brooklyn Public, she returned to SLJ in 2020 as the reviews editor. Shelley chaired the 2022 Pura Belpré Award committee and is currently serving on ALSC’s 2025 Children’s Literature Legacy Award committee.
	Donna Gray is currently the chair of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association & School Library Journal’s Children & Young Adult Literary Awards, an executive committee member of Project Cicero, and an adjunct at St. John Fisher University. She holds master’s degrees in Library Science from Queens College and Educational Leadership from Bank Street College.
	Amanda Hunt, aka TheNextGenLibrarian, is a 6th-8th middle school librarian in New Braunfels ISD and is the Secondary Lead Librarian for NBISD. She’s been a librarian for 14 years at both elementary and secondary campuses. She was the chair for the Mavericks Graphic Novel Reading List Committee for TLA from 2021-2023 and is presently the TxASL Councilor through 2025. She is also on the AASL Standards Committee for the new book releasing in 2025. Amanda is a certified Apple Teacher and Apple Learning Coach, as well as a Google certified Trainer and Coach. She is also an Adobe Innovator and Trainer. Follow her across social media @thenextgenlibrarian
	Jonathan Hunt is the Coordinator of Library Media Services at the San Diego County Office of Education and the Teacher Librarian Program Coordinator at San Jose State University.
	Gay Ivey, PhD, is the William E. Moran Distinguished Professor in Literacy at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She studies reading engagement among children and young adults and the consequences of meaningful literacy experiences on their academic lives and wellbeing. She has written about her research in journals such as Reading Research Quarterly, Journal of Literacy Research, The Reading Teacher, Language Arts, and Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. Her most recent book (with Peter Johnston) is Teens Choosing to Read: Fostering Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Growth Through Books (2023, Teachers College Press). She is a recipient of the P. David Pearson Scholarly Influence Award, a past president of the Literacy Research Association, and an elected member of the Reading Hall of Fame.
	Kathy Ishizuka is Editor in Chief of School Library Journal and directs partnerships and innovation for both SLJ and sister publication Library Journal. She was named among FOLIO's Top Women in Media in 2019, A member of the Asian American Journalists Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, Ishizuka is a graduate of AAJA’s Executive Leadership Program.
	Jennie Liu is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and was brought up with an ear to two cultures. Her work includes the young adult novels The Red Car to Hollywood, Girls on the Line, and Like Spilled Water and the middle grade novel Enly and the Buskin’ Blues. She lives in North Carolina with her family. www.jennieliuwrites.com
	Natalie Lloyd lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She collects old books, listens to bluegrass music, and loves exploring quirky mountain towns with her dog, Biscuit. She is the author of A Snicker of Magic and The Key to Extraordinary.
	Elissa Malespina is an award-winning school librarian in New Jersey, an educational consultant, and certified special education advocate. She writes The AI School Librarians Newsletter, where she shares insights on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance library services and educational outcomes. Known for her innovative approach, Elissa has successfully implemented technology-driven initiatives that enrich student learning, such as virtual debates. Her work in educational equity includes a role as a school board member. Elissa is also featured in the book "Trouble in Censorville: The Far Right's Assult on Public Education and the Teachers Who are Fighting Back." Additionally, she runs her consulting company and provides professional development. Learn more about Elissa and her contributions at elissamalespina.com.
	Jandy Nelson is the New York Times bestselling author of I’ll Give You the Sun, which received the Printz Award, was a Stonewall Honor Book, and was named one of TIME’s 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Her critically acclaimed debut, The Sky Is Everywhere, is now an AppleTV+ and A24 original film starring Jason Segel and Cherry Jones, for which Jandy wrote the screenplay. Together, Sun and Sky have sold well over a million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than thirty-eight languages. Both have been YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults picks and on multiple best of the year lists, have earned many starred reviews, and continue to enjoy great international success. Her latest novel is When the World Tips Over. Currently a full-time writer, Jandy lives and writes in San Francisco, California, not far from the settings of her novels.
	Jose Pimienta was raised in Mexicali, Baja California and now resides in Los Angeles, CA where they work on comics and storyboards for animation and film. Suncatcher was their debut YA graphic novel and ended on many 'Best of' lists. Their second graphic novel, Twin Cities received four starred reviews and Jose's work with students, in both English and Spanish, has made they a great guest at many school across the US. In their stories, they focus on the importance of Latinx culture and the experience of growing up on the border.
	Monifa Robinson ~ Leadership Coach \| Speaker \| Author ~ As owner of Within Your Reach Consulting Services, Monifa brings a unique perspective and wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of capacity building and executive-level coaching. She is dedicated to helping industrious professional women discover and ascertain CLARITY, BALANCE, and PURPOSE and is dedicated to helping leaders experience internal and visible transformation. Her desire is to empower women to become ethical leaders and agents of change.
	Sherri L. Smith is the prolific author of multiple award-winning children's books, including The Blossom and the Firefly, Flygirl, Orleans, and several books in the Who Was series. She has written for Bart Simpson comics, James Cameron's Avatar comics, and Wonder Woman. Her books have been named as Junior Library Guild, Children's Book Council, and American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults selections. She lives in Los Angeles with her partner and a disreputable cat.
	Sarah Steiger-With 15 years of experience in teaching & learning, instructional technology, and strategic messaging in librarianship, Sarah is constantly looking for ways to evolve and grow the library to be culturally responsive in collections, space, policy, programming, and hiring practices. When Sarah is not working with colleagues to break down systems of oppression in our libraries, I’m foraging and identifying mushrooms in the wild!
	Julie Stivers is the Upper School Librarian at Carolina Friends School in Durham, NC. Her work has been published in Knowledge Quest, School Library Journal, and YALS. She is the author/editor of Include (ALA, 2022) and a co-author of the upcoming Manga Goes to School (ALA, 2024). As an ALA Emerging Leader, she helped develop AASL’s Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries. She's the 2022 North Carolina School Library Media Coordinator of the Year and the 2023 School Librarian of the Year. Her research and practical interests center inclusive library spaces, culturally sustaining pedagogy, reimagining school book fairs, and exploring the power of manga and anime with her students.
	Mychal Threets is a librarian, literary ambassador, and the library’s number one fan (according to himself, admittedly). He was raised in his local library as a home-school kid. He got his first library card at the age of five and was hooked on libraries from there. He got his first library job as a library shelver at the library he grew up in and worked his way up to become Supervising Librarian of that very same library. He talks about mental health in hopes that it’ll help others in their mental health journey. He is a recipient of the 2024 “I Love My Librarian” award from the American Library Association, is one of Library Journal’s 2024 Movers and Shakers, and is one of TIME Magazine’s 2024 Next Generation Leaders.
	Julia E. Torres is a nationally recognized veteran language arts teacher, librarian, and teen programs administrator in Denver, Colorado. Julia facilitates teacher development workshops rooted in the areas of anti-racist education, equity and access in literacy and librarianship, and education as a practice of liberation. Julia's work has been featured on NPR, AlJazeera’s The Stream, PBS Education, KQED’s MindShift, Rethinking Schools, Learning for Justice Magazine, School Library Journal, American Libraries Magazine, and many more. Her co-authored title Liven Up Your Library: Design Engaging and Inclusive Programs for Teens and Tweens is just the first of many forthcoming publications for librarians and educators.
	Kerry Townsend is the Library Media Coordinator for Columbia Public Schools in Columbia, MO and a former middle school librarian. She is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Missouri with a focus on effective school libraries, media and digital literacy and mediated communication. She holds graduate degrees in Education Technologies (MEd) and Educational Leadership (EdS) from the University of Missouri. She loves learning and hopes you do too.
	Kara Yorio, Senior Editor, News, SLJ