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Finding new and innovative ways to implement the Common Core was one of the hottest programming themes during the recent American Association of School Librarians conference. During the event, the nations' media specialists showed they have the will and the knowledge to lead the conversation on academic rigor.

How do you get tweens and teens to be interested (and stay interested) in reading?

At the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 16th National Conference in Hartford, CT, common themes and hot topics of discussion emerged. One popped up numerous times—"genrefication," the reorganizing of one’s collection away from Dewey Decimal Classification.

Passionate school library advocacy takes many forms, though all too often these efforts don’t reach the district and state level. This can change once stakeholders start working together to improve student outcomes. That’s the goal of Project Connect, a national initiative bringing thought leaders to the same table to support the needs of 21st century schools.

The American Association of School Librarians's 16th National Conference closed with an author-led breakfast that featured bestselling children's graphic novels creators Faith Erin Hicks, Jennifer and Matthew Holm, Jarrett Krosoczka, and Raina Telgemeier—dressed in pajamas.

School library professionals converged in Hartford, CT, November 14–17 for the 16th National Conference of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). During the event, media specialists explored their evolving role as education and technology leaders through concurrent sessions; an intense, late-night unconference; and an elearning commons of continuous how-to learning.

Of the numerous concurrent sessions at the American Association of School Librarians' National Conference focusing on strategies for creating culturally diverse collections and serving the needs of all kids, “Queer Library Alliance Goes to School,” was a memorable one.

In an August issue of SLJTeen, we covered a program run by University at Buffalo’s Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction that matched graduate students with 180 elementary school students to advance their reading and writing schools over the summer. We asked readers to tell us about other programs like it, and the Southeast Regional Library (FL) stepped up with their collaboration with University of North Florida's education undergrads.

Do you know of an an outstanding educator whom you'd like to send to the head of the class? The International Reading Association (IRA) is now accepting applications for both its Arbuthnot and Jerry Johns Award.