The AASL National Conference is the only national conference devoted solely to the needs of school librarians. In 2021, concurrent sessions focused on AASL's National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries, giving school librarians and other educator attendees an opportunity to dig deep into the guiding document of the profession.
The Librarian/Principal Partnership: Breaking Through Misperceptions
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Relationships between school librarians and principals should be shining examples of collaboration, targeted success and comprehensive provision. Unfortunately, many librarians and administrators find their alliances fall short of this standard. This session, presented by a librarian and principal, will examine misperceptions and other possible reasons for ineffective librarian/principal relationships. Participants will gain insight on how to build a better partnership.
Speaker(s):
The Boldness of Collaboration: A Librarians' Guide to Connections, Creativity, and Community
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Collaboration via the school library program is key to building and sustaining a thriving learning community within a school, where students problem-solve, interact with diverse perspectives, and excel as learners. Collaboration requires planning, engagement -- and a bit of boldness. Attendees of this lively session will view examples of successful large and small collaborations, model collaboration through hands-on activities, and develop strategies for collaborative work in their own school.
Speaker(s):
How Genrefying Made My Life Easy
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
A 12th grade English teacher wanted to promote reading as a lifelong habit. A new (solo) librarian wanted to shake things up a little bit. Together they created an environment that is impacting the entire school. This program will explain the process of genre-fying a fiction collection on your own, and how it has drastically enhanced how students choose their books.
Speaker(s):
Innovative Library Programming! Advocate and Market your Library!
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Are you a school librarian looking for some new, innovative and creative programming to pique the interest of your students, faculty and staff? Look no further! Learn how you can both connect with your pubic librarian and empower yourself to build upon existing programming in your library. You'll learn about some amazing programs to take back to your library and easily implement. You'll be given a detailed road map to successful library programming! You will not go away disappointed.
Speaker(s):Credits: None available.
Do you want to connect with your limited English proficiency students but don't know how? Are they hesitant to come to the school library? Are you at a loss for how to help them find the books and information they want and need? This session will provide proven tips and tools on how to make your library a welcoming place and an information hub for Newcomer students. Bonus: These strategies and collection suggestions are great for reluctant readers of all ages!
We Don't Shush Here: Student Voice in the Library
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Student voice is the notion that since students have the greatest stake in what happens on campus, they can and should have the greatest say in what happens there. Participants will understand student voice and the positive impact it has on students and school communities, see examples of student voice in action in Elizabethton, Tennessee and Manson, Iowa, and will create a plan to encourage student voice in their own school libraries.
Credits: None available.
What factors impact school librarian staffing and how might roles be changing to meet district decision makers’ expectations? An analysis of national data, state requirements for school librarians, and perspectives from school administrator interviews are presented as gathered for an IMLS grant project, SLIDE: The School Librarian Investigation—Decline or Evolution? Attendees can share how school librarian staffing is impacting equitable learning opportunities for K-12 students in their regions.
Facilitating Student-Directed Research through National History Day
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
The presenters will share an overview of what History Day is and what students think about it as well as examples of projects created by students of several different levels. Attendees will participate in a primary source analysis much like an experience students would have. We will share our successes from the past six years of promoting this event in our district, and we will share any tips and tricks that we have learned along the way. We are certain that others will see the value in this opportunity to help students engage in authentic hands-on research.
Twitter- https://twitter.com/nationalhistory
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UtahHistoryDay/
The School Librarian as a Game Changer: Innovative Strategies to Inspire Teachers and Learners
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Discover how school librarians can become the “head coach” while serving a diverse community of learners and cultivating a team of teacher leaders. Explore creative strategies to be your best cheerleader and demonstrate your value while growing your fan base, resulting in additional support and growth of resources for your library. Actively participate in crafting strategic plays that correlate with core content areas using a variety of innovative equipment suitable for every budget.
Reaching Out: Professional Development for Rural School Librarians
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
How do you advocate for your library? Integrate more technology? Become an instructional leader in your district? Join us to learn how a cohort of school librarians from South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming have been successfully implementing a professional development process through the Reaching Out: Meeting the Needs of Rural School Librarians project. View the IMLS Grant project’s how-to guidebook and hear first-hand accounts from participants at all K-12 levels.
