Concurrent Sessions
Friday, October 20 & Saturday, October 21
The listing provided below may differ from content presented at the AASL National Conference as presenters, sessions, etc., may have changed or cancelled since their original acceptance. AASL provides this listing as an example of the professional development school librarians can expect at the event.
Tracks:
- Authors
- Collaboration
- Collection Development
- Design & Create
- Leadership & Advocacy
- Literacy
- Other
- Research Empowering Practice
- Teaching & Learning
- Vendors
Conference attendees may use the AASL2023 app for an up-to-date and comprehensive listing of all conference events. The app will launch in early October.
Track: Collaboration
Being the Only: The Intersection of POC and School Librarianship
School Librarianship can be an isolating experience. Compound that experience with also being the only Black person, the only Native American, the only gay, lesbian, bisexual or non-binary in your place of work. What are the physical, mental and emotional consequences? What are the mitigating factors that can help to sustain this unique position? Part of the purpose of this workshop will be to provide space to share experiences and identify protective measures to sustain a career in libraries.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Community and Collaboration: Leveraging Partnerships to Grow Powerful Libraries
This session will be led by a school librarian and her superintendent, spotlighting best practices and models for building powerful and lasting partnerships for your library and developing a robust school library. Participants will come away with a set of tools, models and resources for cultivating strong partnerships within their school community, their district and the wider community. This session is for anyone who wants their library to go beyond the status quo and really shine.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Curating Your PLN: Supercharge Your School Library Practice
5 Panelists will share how they connect with school librarians all over this country and around the world. Surround yourself with support, strategies, resources and, most importantly, people who understand EXACTLY what it is like to be a school librarian. Create a network with library professionals who will empower you to take chances and step outside of your comfort zone. Share your own must-follows and resources on a crowdsourced deck and grow your PLN!
Grade Level: Not grade specific
A Dynamic Duo: School Librarians & Teachers Working Together Can Provide Powerful Learning Opportunities for English Learners
A Dynamic Duo: School librarians working with teachers can provide powerful learning opportunities for English learners. This session will give school librarians the opportunity to expand their understanding of Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education (CRSE) and learn strategies to help them build a teaching partnership that will benefit English learners and enrich the library program. Participants will leave with ideas they can use to get started, and templates for planning and organization.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Kick the Canon to the Curb: Super Courageous and Contagious Collaborations to Change the Culture of Reading
This session will focus on creating a culture of reading that centers around student book selections, student choice, and student’s voice. We will explore how one high school transformed the culture of reading in the building which then spread district wide. Join us in learning how a faculty book study of Penny Kittle’s Book Love, the use of the book club model in English courses, and self-selection transformed the relationship that our students have with reading.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
Let’s Change the World! Cultivating Sustainable School Library Programming with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
The UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals are a fantastic vehicle for school libraries and librarians to promote sustainability, inclusivity, and social responsibility. This session provides a toolkit for participants to immediately implement in their libraries, including a full calendar of SDG-inspired school library programming across the K-12 curriculum, a list of physical and digital books and other materials for K-12 audiences, and proven strategies for increasing administrator buy-in.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Libraries, Not Just For Books Anymore
Find out how the school librarians and the principal collaborate to implement the AASL Standards to ensure Osbourn Park High School students graduate on time and are future ready. Highlights include lessons, activities and resources we provide to our students, staff, and community.
Grade Level: 9-12
Making your School No Place for Hate
How can schools create brave learning spaces for students to explore and challenge bullying? During this session, the Anti-Defamation League Education team will share some valuable resources and programs that will help schools and districts engage in creating an inclusive campus for all learners.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
The Reading Challenge: Getting High School Students (and others) Excited About Reading Again
In 2009 Kelly Gallagher defined readicide as follows: Read-i-cide n: The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools. Add on to this dilemma the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down our schools and limited our students access to books. Reading has become just another chore for our students to plow through. It is time to bring back reading joy to our school community. That challenge was accepted and it was successful!
Grade Level: Not grade specific
ReNew, ReThink, ReImagine!
Gather inspiration and ideas for rethinking your role from an administrative-library leadership team that fosters collaboration and innovation to “fail forward,” enabling YOU to impact all learners in your school! Tim Salem was named the AASL 2022 Distinguished School Administrator and is a member of the 2022-24 AASL School Leader Collaborative. Janine Johnson and her team earned the AASL 2018 Collaborative School Library Award.
Grade Level: 6-8
The School Library as an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom: Using Books and Library Resources to Develop a Global Perspective
Explore how Lower School Librarian, Soline Holmes, and Division Head, Shara Hammet, collaborate to assist students to investigate the world with intellectual curiosity, recognize and value diverse perspectives, communicate with agility, engage in respectful dialogue, and take responsible action to promote peace and justice. Through the intentional integration of mission and goals, we have been able to scaffold and build a global pedagogy into our curriculum and extracurricular actitivities.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Science, Social Studies, and Math, Oh My! Library Collaboration Beyond the English Classes
If you’re a secondary librarian with an English background, you need this session filled with refined social studies, science, and math resources. Join science teacher turned librarian and the librarian who shared her buffalo chip activity on Jeopardy! as they share their immersive collaborative lessons: games, breakouts, learning stations, Ebooks, makerspace integrations, robotics, and more! Leave with tangible resources that can be used when you return to your building.
Grade Level: 6-8
Start at the Beginning: Teacher Preparation Programs & University Libraries as Catalysts for Collaboration
What if every new teacher across the country sought to collaborate with their school librarian from day one? This session demonstrates how librarians in university curriculum materials collections can ensure new teachers become confident collaborators with school librarians. Join us for hands-on examples of how our center promotes school librarians as game changers for beginning teachers – through faculty collaboration, literacy and technology kits, makerspace experiences, and curated text sets.
Grade Level: Pre-2|3-5|6-8
Successful School Connections: Seven Strategies for Strengthening Your Collaborative Superpowers
Collaboration is an essential element to a vibrant community of learners, but school librarians are often shut out of the process. How do we position ourselves to create the partnerships necessary for authentic collaboration? How do we navigate time constraints and reluctant colleagues? What are the ways in which Librarians can design and create collaborative units centered on student learning? Join this lively session to learn seven solid strategies for building extraordinary collaborations.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5|6-8
Track: Collection Development
Collection Development in Restrictive Environments: Navigating State and Local Challenges
This panel highlights the experiences of two school library media supervisors currently working within Florida’s restrictive collection development policy environment, and is framed by how these restrictive laws are impacting collection development diversity and implications for the future. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss their own experiences with each other and will come away with at least three strategies for working within restrictive collection development environments.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
DEI Collection Analysis for Displays, Programming, Classrooms, & Smallish Collections
Library staff know the impact of their collections and displays—and strive to empower young readers by providing vetted materials that respect their differences and similarities. Join this hands-on session to learn how to analyze collections of children’s and young adult titles for a myriad of diverse measures, including cultural representation, reading level, recency, and beyond. Attendees will leave with an actionable plan to help all of the readers in their community feel seen and included.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Ditching the Decimal: Our Process for Reorganizing our Non-Fiction Section
Tired of a dusty and underutilized non-fiction section? Ready to pull those war books together or find fixes for some of those problematic sections that you just don’t feel right about anymore? Frustrated when the decimal places don’t even fit on the sticker? Then join us for Ditching the Decimal where we will share our process for overhauling our non-fiction section. We will give you our tools that made this undertaking easy and the opportunity to jumpstart your plan!
Grade Level: 6-8
Dynamic Shelving: Creating More Accessible, Engaging & Independently Browsable Library Collections via Non-Traditional Organization Techniques
Join high school librarian Kelsey Bogan to learn about Dynamic Shelving, the collective shelving, display, & organization strategies she uses to provide a more accessible, engaging, and user-friendly library collection for her students. Explore a variety of techniques you can use to break up monotonous & uninspiring rows of spines and to help your students more successfully (& independently!) engage with, and navigate, the library collection.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
Follow your Favorite Characters Up the Reading Ladder
Join an eclectic and informed group of panelists as they share the benefits of students engaging with book characters at a young age. We will discuss the growing list of authors and illustrators who have seen stamina grow when readers can follow their favorite characters up the reading ladder. An author, illustrator, literacy coach and two librarians provide a comprehensive approach to help librarians as they rally to find books that will engage readers in a post-pandemic environment.
Grade Level: Prek-2 | 3-5
GYO eBook Consortium: What we’ve learned from 3 years of the Kentucky Shared Collection
How does a group of plucky school librarians from Kentucky provide colleagues across their state with over $130,000 worth of high quality digital ebooks & audiobooks for an average annual cost of $800 or less? Lots of collaboration, a willing vendor partner, and a whole lot of spreadsheets, for starters. Join KSC Selection Coordinators as they share the challenges and rewards of starting a grassroots ebook consortium, powered by and designed for P-20 educators and librarians.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Jewish YA Literature Beyond the Holocaust: Combatting Antisemistism in Your School Community
Antisemitism is on the rise in the United States and one great way to combat this is to have a robust collection of Jewish voices in school library collections. In this session, we will explore current awareness of Judaism as part of a diversity initiative and develop a list of contemporary Jewish young adult novels to enhance and expand any middle or high school library collection.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
MG Lit: When “Grit” isn’t a Choice
Explore books that will help children struggling with difficult personal issues feel seen and heard! Education consultant Aliza Werner will moderate a discussion with middle grade authors Nicole D. Collier, Chrystal D. Giles, and Jessica Vitalis, focusing on how difficult experiences from their childhoods shaped their journeys and their books, offering readers tangible evidence that no matter how hard life may currently seem, there is always room for hope and healing.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8
Organizing Collections for our Youngest Readers
How can we organize our collections to promote choice and independence for our youngest readers? Explore the information-seeking behaviors of young children and how that should inform the way we design our picture book and early reader collections. See the process I used to transform my own collection, and get a start planning your own transformation.
Grade Level: Prek-2
Professional Practice for Inclusive Collection Development
Recent challenges to school library titles have caused professional librarians to re-examine their inclusive collection development practices. In this session, we will consider how personal bias can lead to soft-censorship and how librarians can guard against those practices while also navigating the unprecedented challenges and ensuring our collections remain inclusive while not violating new legislation.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
What’s Love Got to Do With It? Why Reading Romance is Good for You and Your Students!
Romance is the most popular genre and a billion-dollar industry. Yet it suffers from stigma and students are shamed for this reading choice. Examine why you should embrace this genre that is both feminist and diverse. Survey the changing landscape of romance. Learn how to run a successful romance book club. Obtain collection development tips for YA and adult romance. Whether you are a romance veteran or romance virgin, this session is for you.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Track: Design & Create
Check Out our Check In
Come to this exciting and joyful session to see how we’ve improved our circulation process. Learn practical ways to increase student engagement and encourage responsibility as learners connect with the practical aspects of library life. You’ll walk away inspired to try these ideas in your library as soon as you return from the conference.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Creating a Culture of Creation Literacy in the School Library
Libraries are at the heart of their communities, and have the opportunity to foster a culture of creativity and innovation. As the role of the school library evolves to meet the changing needs of students and educators, it is important to consider the value of creation literacy in the library setting. By providing students with the skills and resources to create and share their own content, we can empower them to be active participants in their own learning and to make a positive impact.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Creating Joyful Library Experiences: Engaging Students and Building Community
Libraries are more than just places to check out books – they can be hubs of learning and engagement for students of all ages. In this session, we will explore the concept of joy in library programs and its connection to student engagement and learning. We will discuss the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in the library, and provide practical examples and resources for incorporating joy into library programs.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Don’t Forget the Littles!: Building a Library Program That Respects Our Youngest Learners
Lively. Honest. FULL of questions. Primary students are distinct patrons of school libraries who deserve special consideration in program design! Join us as we discuss how intentional programming, displays, language and more can inspire library engagement. We’ll also explore ways to address the fountain of questions that spring from these enthusiastic young souls. Time will be devoted to examining your current library program and identifying changes you can make as soon as you return to school.
Grade Level: Prek-2
Eco-Hub: Incorporating the SGDs to Save the Planet One Library at a Time
As school librarians, we desire to make a difference and build a better future. In this session, you will learn how to make a global impact by incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into your practice. Discover strategies for achieving a better world and promoting environmentally friendly practices. Then, we will demonstrate how to integrate the SDG into your library programming. Together we will explore how to become agents of change and make a global impact one library at a time.
Grade Level: 9-12
Engaging Evening Family Events: Connecting the library to the school community
Looking for an enjoyable, inexpensive way to engage your school community? Join us as we discuss how to plan and host a fun evening tied to some great books. We will share how to make a hedgehog from a book, how to make a snowman and a giant snowflake, how to build forts with different materials, host a poetry slam, and so much more!
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Looker Studio in a School Library
We would like to share our experiences using Looker Studio in a school library. If you use Google Forms to track things like a reading promotion or a micro-credentialing program, then it is well within your power to create super slick reports that can be set to act as customized dashboards, made into leaderboards, or become powerhouse advocacy tools. Come learn how to use Looker Studio practically within a school library!
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Makers on a Mission: Transform Your Library Maker Programs into Service Learning Opportunities
Are you looking to add service opportunities to your STEM programming and connect with library patrons through 3D design and printing? Learn how our middle school students use their 3D design skills and design thinking to learn not just how to design and print in 3D, but use those skills in service of others. Turn your makers into service learners as they choose to make for others and draw new students into your library programming by welcoming them as partners and supporting their SEL needs.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Reading Challenges: Between the [Google] Sheets
Are you struggling to come up with a reading challenge for your school or district? Think it’s impossible? Make it “NPossible” using Google Sites, Google Looker Studio, Digital Badging, and a few more resources the DLMS of Nelson County Schools have used to build the NPossible Book Challenge. In this session we will discuss how two people can run a district-wide reading challenge with minimal effort!
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Reimagining Your Library Space: How to Increase the Vibes in Your Library No Matter What Your Budget
Librarians are leading the way in creating future-ready schools – now we need to update our spaces to match. In this session, attendees will get inspiration for transforming their library spaces. You’ll learn how to survey students, create a focus group, and use design thinking to brainstorm ideas for your space. We’ll discuss budget friendly ways to change your space as well as how to find funding. No matter where you’re at, you’ll find ideas for reimagining your space in this session.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Robotics and Reading: How to introduce coding and robots with literature for elementary students
In this session we will introduce the concept of using coding and robots with literature for elementary students. We will explore different ways to integrate coding, robots and literature, such as using robots to act out scenes from books and even programming a story online. Teachers will then have the opportunity to move around the room and try some robots out for themselves. Teachers will leave the session with copies of these lessons to start using.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
There’s a Primary Source for That!: Bring Your Library to Life with Primary Sources
Bring your library to life with Primary Sources! When students and library patrons work with digitized materials, they can become “detectives” as stories and historical figures come to life. Interaction with primary sources helps develop critical thinking, observation, and visual and information literacy skills as well as build empathy. The Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Teachers’ Network is a free resource and community focused on primary sources.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Unleash the Power of Canva in Your Library: Tips, Tricks and How to Jump Start Student Success
Have you heard of Canva but aren’t quite on the Canva train yet? Have no fear! This session will guide you into how to get started, common uses for librarians and how to introduce this creation tool to your students. Attendees will leave with some of the latest updates and hacks in Canva, integrations ideas with other platforms and the enthusiasm to get started sharing with their staff as soon as they return home!
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
Virtually Vibrant! Creating a Virtual Tour of Your Library Space
What better way to market your library program than empowering users to virtually experience all it has to offer 24/7? Increase patron confidence and comfort when browsing your library through an interactive 3-D virtual tour, embedding audio, video, helpful links, and even surveys and online chats so that all readers – avid, occasional, struggling, reluctant – can be fully immersed in the library experience.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Visual Book Lists: Using Canva to Diversify Readers Advisory
Students need responsive, timely book recommendations, but as a busy school librarian that can prove difficult if not impossible! Learn how to develop your own highly visual book lists on almost any topic using Canva templates. Special attention will be paid to basic Canva techniques, including layout, design, and sharing of templates. Methods for collection analysis will be shared with an emphasis on identifying diverse categories of books.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Track: Leadership & Advocacy
Accessibility in the School Library: Creating Inclusive and Welcoming Spaces for All
This presentation will identify ways to ensure that the school library is fully accessible to all. Participants will learn about ways to ensure physical accessibility and technology accessibility in the library. At the completion of the session, participants will have a deeper understand of why accessibility is important for meeting the needs of the school community. Participants will exit the session with the tools, strategies, and knowledge of how to check for & assure accessibility.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Advocacy 101 with ALA’s Committee on Library Advocacy: Where to Start, What to Do
Did you know that ALA has a member committee focused on building state and local resources to help you build relationships and tell your story across your community and state? ALA’s Committee on Library Advocacy has updated advocacy resources to turn passive support for school libraries into informed action. Participants will leave with a variety of resources for action, plans for action in their own communities, and ideas for collaborating with your administrators for immediate advocacy wins.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
ALA Ecosystem in Action: Implementation and Successes
The Library Ecosystem is an interconnected network of all types of libraries: academic, public, and school libraries. Learn how the ecosystem initiative has been used in several states for legislative cohesiveness and advocacy effectiveness. Then, take back practical steps and tools to build cohesion and activate advocacy partners in your community. This session will provide attendees with details about the One Voice: Library Ecosystem Toolkit that the ALA Library Ecosystem Task Force developed.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Building A High Performing District Library Team: Able to Collaborate, Build-Consensus, and Expand Their Capacity to be Change & Challenge Ready
Pandemic upheaval has left many educators feeling battered and in need to repair and rebuilding. The same is true of our district library team. In this session, district library leaders will share how we are establishing a baseline of performance and bolstering our team, while advocating for much needed resources and support from district administrators.The presenters will share a resource toolkit to support attendee’s ability to translate learning into action for their teams.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Cha-Cha-Cha Changes! Achieving a Successful Transition and Thriving in a New Position
School librarians are fortunate that our certification span the distance from K-12. With this comes the opportunity to make changes, whether changing grade levels or districts entirely. Join us as we discuss when to know the time is to make a change and how to thrive when you do make the leap. We will give you resources and challenge you to think about how to find your best fit through conversations, real-life experiences, and some interactive surprises.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Designing School Librarianship Curriculum for Graduate Preparation Programs
Tired of writing graduate school library courses by yourself? Ever want to peek at similar courses taught elsewhere? Curious to know if you’ve accurately embedded the standards 2019 into rubrics? Access course content, suggestions to improve rubrics, and current readings into graduate courses. For the first time ever, AASL and Mona Kerby are providing graduate instructors with all this and more − in AASL’s first e-book that is entirely free.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
District Library Supervisors: Leading in Challenging Times
Join four district leaders from diverse districts across the country as they share their experiences, strategies for leadership, and advocacy successes in the changing school library landscape as they addressed intellectual freedom challenges in their school districts. Resources will be shared and participants will collaborate to discuss experiences and curate strategies for local and statewide advocacy.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Do Your Circulation Policies Stack Up?
Ever wonder what happens in other school libraries, what their circulation policies look like? So did we. That’s why we surveyed 426 school librarians and 205 former students. Join us to learn about the survey results, compare notes with other school librarians, and engage in some honest discussion about equitable practices.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Elevating the School Library: Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior
The development of a brand is a crucial business concept that helps to convey the entire experience users and prospective users can expect in a school library. We can ensure our individual school library “franchises” flourish by understanding the why and how of developing the school library brand. Authors of the 2023 book Elevating the School Library: Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior will center discussion and activities on examination of the school library relative to branding.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
ENGAGE! EMPOWER! IGNITE! Seeds of Inspiration for Your Learning Community!
We hear a lot about empowerment, but what does that mean? Why is creating a learning community where people are encouraged, included and empowered important? What are the positive ripple effects that come from this type of stakeholder buy-in? Current practitioners share experiences and ideas, and then facilitate speed-dating protocols allowing session participants to dive deeper to envision and plan empowering learning opportunities of their own. Be ready to be engaged and to leave EMPOWERED!
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5|6-8
Esports – A Good Fit for Librarians
Esports programs consist of online competitive gaming. Many (if not most) of the students who participate in Esports either can’t, or have no interest in competing in contact sports. Esports programs in high schools give these kids a place to form friendships, a sense of belonging within the school community, and a true competitive outlet where they learn to work together as a team. In my experience, the kids who participate in Esports have never belonged to a school club or competitive sport.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
How Safe Are Your Students’ Data?: What You Need to Know to Advocate for Student Data Privacy
As your school’s expert on information literacy, you already have more tools for understanding data privacy than most educators. That might sound scary, but don’t be afraid. In this session we will look at the limits of FERPA and COPPA for protecting student data. We will go over what to look for in your district/school policy, and discuss strategies for collaborating with administration and IT to make sure software is evaluated with students’ interests in mind. Are you up for the challenge?
Grade Level: Not grade specific
IStaff: Amplifying Student Leadership Through the Library
Do you need a bigger team to grow your library program? Does it seem nearly impossible to accomplish the never ending “to do” list? Are you surrounded by students who have incredibly fresh ideas or aren’t afraid to speak up? Got those students who would prefer to spend the day in the library more than anywhere else? Are you maximizing their talents through authentic leadership? Ever feel inspired but tired? Let’s talk student leadership in library for some win-win solutions.
Grade Level: 6-8
Leading From the Library
Does your school administration recognize you as a leader? School administrators face educational challenges including academic achievement, technical knowledge, and social emotional learning. Have they looked in your library for answers? Librarians at every level can be leaders in their buildings. Learn how to connect your library program to your school’s goals. Help administrators to recognize that your skills, resource knowledge, and technology expertise impact student success.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Leading Through Adversity: How One Florida District Is Coaching and Leading Media Specialists Through Adversity
School librarians, school adminsitrators, and district-based leaders are invited to learn how one urban district in Florida provides year-round leadership, coaching, and support to its 180 media specialists even in times of adversity. Participants, regardless of role, will learn how the district has organized its team, what type of support is provided to school librarians, when support is provided, and gain access to resources that make the day-to-day work of school librarians just a bit easier.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Library Ambassador Programs: Empowering Student Leaders & Library Advocates
Want student helpers in the library, but don’t know where to begin? Learn how two librarians implement Library Ambassador programs in their school libraries and how its become a sought activity for students led by students. Attendees will learn different methods and strategies for developing a Library Ambassador program in their libraries. Librarians will learn how to expand on new or existing library helper programs implemented in their school libraries.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Mentoring Educators through the Copyright Maze
Are you charged with training and mentoring teachers on copyright and fair use? Do colleagues come to you with specific questions? All educators must have an understanding of copyright, fair use, terms of service, and licensing agreements in the digital age.This session will build your foundation of knowledge and provide you with resources to confidently train your teachers and administrators on these concepts. Learn to navigate the copyright maze and help your staff do the same.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5|6-8|9-12
School Librarians and Selection Policy. What Is Our Challenge?
What happens when district policy is not followed when challenges arise? This session will review research and information on district selection policy and how it impacts equitable access. Participants will gain ideas for how to advocate for the school library before an issue arises, and where to go for help when district policy is not followed.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Shifting Mindsets: How a Common Framework for Inquiry, Leadership, Learning, and Advocacy Amplified Student Voice in a K-12 School
Does your school have a curriculum-aligned research program? Is there a shift in mindset that you’d like to facilitate & encourage in order to make this happen? This session will outline how a PK-12, independent school established a student-led, inquiry based framework in support of the school’s strategic initiatives effectively shifting the way(s) we collaborate to conduct research in the classroom and library. Join us as we share our story, leadership/advocacy strategies, & student samples.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Show Off!: Using visual End of Year Reports for Advocacy
Creating a visually dynamic End of Year Report can be one of your BEST tools for advocating for yourself and your library program! During this hands-on session you will see some great examples of EOY Reports, hear success stories, get tools and tips for collecting data, and then start building your own impressive EOY Report. By the end of the session you will be on your way to showing off all that you do, advocating for what you need, and impressing your admin!
Grade Level: Not grade specific
State Library Organizations Respond to State Legislation
In states across the country, state legislators have passed laws that restrict students’ rights to read. In those same states, school library organizations have stepped up to support students’ rights along with the rights of school librarians and their collections. In this panel, state school library leaders will share how state laws have impacted students, school librarians, and library collections and how their respective organizations have responded.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Supporting Our Libraries: An Administrator’s Perspective
Now more than ever libraries need support from school administrators. In this interactive session for school administrators, participants will hear from a past AASL School Administrator Award recipient on what administrators can do to best support their libraries. Participants will brainstorm and share best practices for administrators regarding library support. Subjects addressed will include policy, advocacy, funding, and
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Telling Our Story in Challenging Times: FReadom Fighters Share Tips on Fighting Censorship
After two years of fighting for intellectual freedom, what can we do going forward? Join two of the FReadom Fighters for an update on the impact of what’s happening around the country and tips on moving forward. To support students’ intellectual freedom, learn effective and targeted messages for your unique situation, build strategies for communicating clearly and consistently, find other partners in the fight, and share what you are doing in your own environments to support #FReadom.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Tools for School Librarians: Addressing Challenges on the Local and State Level
Join ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read Foundation for an overview of what’s being challenged in schools and school libraries, how these attacks have changed in recent years, and the rights of librarians and students. In addition to understanding the attacks on intellectual freedom, participants will also leave with tools and resources that can be used to address censorship attempts in our school libraries, our communities, and our states.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Training Session for the National Recognition Accreditation Process using the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards (2019)
Want to volunteer your time by evaluating graduate programs? Have you been charged with writing a successful report seeking National Recognition for your program using the ALA/AASL/CAEP School Librarian Preparation Standards (2019)? Come to the AASL/CAEP Coordinating Committee training session for volunteer reviewers and SPA report writers. We will share tips for reviewers and writers, including the latest guidelines for program reviewers and examples of successful assessments with rubrics.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Voices of Decision-Makers about School Librarian Employment
Learn the priorities of school administrators in staffing school libraries based on confidential interviews conducted in the IMLS-funded SLIDE School Librarian Investigation-Decline or Evolution? project. That school librarians are declining nationally is not new but SLIDE uncovered data that spotlights the inequities to marginalized student groups and revealed staffing decisions to add, reduce, or eliminate librarians that goes beyond funding. Interactive data tools will also be shared.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Track: Literacy
AI, Chatbots, and ChatGPT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatBots are all over the news, but what are they, and how do they impact school libraries? In this session, learn about this latest trend, how ChatBots work, and how students are using them for productive (and unproductive!) purposes. Explore ChatGPT, gather ideas for embracing and using this high-tech tool in your school library, and brainstorm ways to use it to elevate student learning.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Beyond “Fake News”: Updated Strategies in Digital Literacy, Misinformation, and Bias Instruction
Today’s digital information environment is ripe with misinformation and disinformation. Are you concerned with how your students identify, find, evaluate, and apply information? Engage in an online digital investigation, gamification of online spaces, and group exercises to identify triggers and personal bias. Leave this session with concrete hands-on activities that support information literacy.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Books That Are LIT
Join us for a high-energy, fast-paced presentation covering 100 amazing books for middle and high school students. You will leave with a list of popular titles to include in your library.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Building a Culture of Empathy With Responsive Read Alouds
Great book discussions don’t just happen without planning! Please join me to learn how to become an expert in designing engaging culturally responsive discussions using picture book read alouds. I’ll show you how to find great picture books for read alouds as well as give specific suggestions for titles of picture books that are perfect for getting students involved in meaningful conversation. We will also examine and engage in our own empathy-focused discussion using a picture books.
Grade Level: Prek-2 | 3-5
Catching the Light of Our Past and Finding Strength in Family and Personal Stories
Five authors share stories aimed to expand and enrich young readers’ views of the world and of themselves while creating empathy and showing how similar we all are in spite of our origins, our histories, and our cultural backgrounds. They will also share ideas for incorporating these books into lessons on teaching immigration, life near the U.S.-Mexico border, and cultures within the U.S.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
How to Highlight Your Elementary Nonfiction Collection
Does your elementary nonfiction not circulate well? Do students only get excited about the fiction in their library? Do you have nonfiction books that would be perfect for supporting curriculum units- if only you could convince teachers to use them? This session explores a variety of ways, big and small, that elementary librarians can increase interest and circulation of nonfiction. Learn and share in this session that explores how to get amazing nonfiction into students’ and teachers’ hands.
Grade Level: Prek-2 |3-5
Inquiring Minds: Nonfiction Author Panel
It is more important than ever for children to have access to high quality nonfiction texts to foster their curiosity and to help them learn about the world. A panel of award-winning nonfiction authors will discuss their craft, the research process, and the importance of informational books for children. Authors will also highlight their recent books and will answer questions from the audience.
Grade Level: Prek-2 |3-5|6-8|
Librarians as Leaders and Collaborators: Building Empathy through Literacy
Greece CSD re-envisioned classroom book approval with a collaborative process that provides students with award-winning engaging texts from BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and diverse ability authors. As literacy leaders in schools, librarians have excellent insight into books and reading interests making perfect partners. Having a clear transparent process in place with policies that follow ALA guidelines can be a powerful tool against book challenges. Join our session and get a chance to win books.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Rainbows, Glitter & Cochlear Implants: Books That Explore Joy, Conflict & Change in Respectful, Engaging & Entertaining Ways
Unity doesn’t mean uniformity, and having varying views doesn’t have to be volatile! Join this conversation with authors whose newest books show readers how to find balance, engage in community, and come to greater understandings about new topics. Learn how Hear Me, Glitter Everywhere! and Green offer entries into discussions with readers about listening respectfully, giving fair consideration to varying viewpoints, inspiring compassion in each other, and being engaged with the world around them
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Redefining Literacy: Leveraging AI to Enhance Information Access and Analysis
AI is changing how our world functions. As librarians, we must understand how to leverage this technology to enhance information access and analysis. Digital literacy is being redefined because of AI, and future-ready librarians should begin to address what these changes mean for our students. During this presentation, attendees will discuss the applications of AI in education as well as the ethical challenges our society faces as AI evolves.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
The Sequel Is You: From Empathy-Building to Taking Action With Alan Gratz’s Novels
Join #1 NYT Bestselling author Alan Gratz, a school librarian, and an environmental scientist/educational technologist to explore how Gratz’s books can be used for content & curricular objectives, analyzing storytelling & research, and building empathy. Dive into activities for school libraries & PBL explorations that are tied to standards in ELA, social studies, science, etc. Books build empathy, empathy leads to understanding, and the ‘sequel’ happens when understanding inspires action.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Starting This on Monday: Quick Ways to Build Reading Culture
Are you looking for practical ways to build a reading culture in your school? Are you looking for ideas you can take away from the conference and do right away? In this session, presenters will provide easy tips and tricks to implement in your school library as soon as you return.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5|6-8
Teaching Media Literacy Using Graphic Novels
Did you know graphic novels can be used across all content areas to teach essential media literacy skills? Because of its multimodality, the graphic novel is the perfect vehicle to guide readers to slow down, self pace, and more critically consume visual messages across media, from television to memes to infographics and more. Featuring examples of practical lessons and student work, this session will offer multiple strategies for using this medium to foster media literacy across the curriculum.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Tips & Tools for Nonfiction Read Alouds
Reading aloud has a powerful positive effect on student engagement, thinking, and reading achievement. Although research shows that many K-5 students enjoy nonfiction and some prefer it, many educators are hesitant to read nonfiction aloud. To change that, nonfiction author Melissa Stewart provides tips and tools for (1) identifying appropriate nonfiction titles, (2) reading nonfiction in a way that engages students, and (3) facilitating student responses to nonfiction texts.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5|6-8
Track: Other
Embracing Culturally Responsive Practice in School Libraries
Using the book Embracing Culturally Responsive Practice in School Libraries as a guide, this presentation will offer school librarians a toolkit for crafting inclusive spaces and better serving their communities. Attendees will leave with a sense of community and new tools to continue working toward inclusive school libraries, including a framework aligning culturally responsive practices with the AASL Standards.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Today’s Library/Educator Professional Responsibility
Please join Dr. Lewis Brooks, Superintendent for Shelby County Schools, Alabama and school librarians from his district as they facilitate timely conversations centered on the current social and political climate impacting school libraries. Participants will engage in a dialogue around what are our professional responsibilities in these times and complete a related document.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Track: Other, Engagement
Author Visits After Covid (and Everything Else!): What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, How to Host Them Well, and Why You Should
Hosting authors is a great way to inspire students and promote literacy, but many librarians haven’t had an author visit since 2019-if ever. Both veteran hosts and first-timers will learn the best ways to use author visits to engage students and faculty alike. An experienced librarian and four popular authors will discuss what’s changed since in-person visits resumed as well as best practices for successful visits for students, teachers, administrators, booksellers and authors themselves.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Track: Teaching & Learning
Allies in the School Library: Amplifying Black Voices Through Instructional Activities
Go beyond Black History Month in your school library and amplify African American voices year round. Our goal in this session is for you to feel better equipped to do anti-racist work in your libraries. We will discuss and consider the issues around teaching about diverse perspectives when we ourselves do not represent those voices. You will learn how to implement activities such as an African American Literature Read In and a robotics project honoring the inventor of the Motion Sensor.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Being Essential: Developing an Elementary Library Curriculum that Showcases the Vital Role of Librarians in our Schools
What do other curriculum areas have that elementary library classes are missing? Detailed and specific learning objectives aligned to national standards. This makes it easy for district leadership to view library as an accessory rather than a necessity! Learn how we created a continuum of specific library objectives and skills, high-quality resources, and detailed lesson plans. You will have access to all of these in a one-stop shop that you can use and adapt to your own library program!
Grade Level: Prek-2 | 3-5
The Best Part of My Week: Life Skills (Special Ed) Reading Classes
Any school librarian who works with special education students with significant learning needs can easily begin supporting them tomorrow by curating materials from a variety of resources, flexing their creativity (or leaning on the creativity of others), and working closely with the special educators to determine best approaches for each student. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas on where to get started, lesson plan examples, and a plan for a hands on lesson of their own.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Chat GPT for Students and Me: Building Awareness of AI in the Classroom
Introducing ChatGPT, a cutting-edge language model that has the potential to revolutionize the way we learn. Through building awareness of AI, this presentation will expand your toolbox of using ChatGPT with your students as well as enhance your professional practice. With its deep learning algorithms and access to a massive corpus of text data, ChatGPT can generate human-like responses to a wide range of questions and topics.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Creative Programming: Learning Centers and Project-Based Learning
Looking to shake up your school library or find new ways to engage learners? The author of Learning Centers for School Libraries and Project-Based Learning for Elementary Grades will discuss how to implement these fun and flexible concepts in a variety of settings. Participants will leave with ideas they can bring back and use right away in their school libraries.
Grade Level: Prek-2 |3-5|6-8
Death Becomes Them: The Curious Intersections of Death and Grief in Historical Children’s Literature from the Baldwin Library at the University of Florida
As the 2022 ALSC Bechtel Fellow, Joe Prince researched death and grief at the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature. He will share his experiences, present his findings, and recommend contemporary and historical books about death and grief. As the Baldwin curator, Ramona Caponegro will share a history of the library and collaborations with school librarians. Together, they will highlight the benefits historical children’s literature can have for school librarians.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
DEI Lesson Building Workshop for K-5
Wendy Garland and Laura D’Elia created their own equity and inclusion (DEI) library lessons, K-5, which incorporate the Learning for Justice Standards, AASL Standards, and recommended picture books from the Diverse BookFinder. First, the presenters will share their experience of teaching the lessons with students. Then, the presenters will guide participants in building DEI lessons including how to use the Diverse BookFinder to identify specific books to align with each lesson.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Easy Ways to Integrate Computer Science with Little Learners
Computer Science skills are essential for being marketable in today’s workforce. Often, computer science courses are only available to high school students. Come to our session to learn effortless ways to incorporate Computer Science into the K-5 classroom and library. We will be highlighting ready to use strategies, activities, and tools to integrate computer science into your elementary library lessons.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Finding Their Place: Helping Students Belong in the Library
What does it mean to belong? How can you intentionally create a sense of belonging for students in the library? Come to this session to share your ideas and explore new ways to foster all students’ sense of belonging. Attendees will connect, discuss, and leave with practical strategies for their spaces.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Flipping the Script on School Library Orientation
School library orientation usually means two things: rules and catalog tutorials. For my students, this model was ineffective, so I reworked my orientation to emphasize how students intuitively use the library to give them the skills they need to be successful and independent. I flipped the script to emphasize efficient browsing and being a reflective reader rather than policies and procedures. I’ll share how I start my year and build library visits to foster independent library users.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
From STEM to Storytelling: Versatile Unit Plans for Elementary Libraries
Life moves fast and sometimes writing plans can feel tedious and isolating. We’re here to be your lesson planning partners! With 4-week unit plans for grades K-5 that we have ready to share, you’ll be ready for anything! Lessons integrate coding, video creation, games, podcasts, art-ivism, STEM, food, yucky critters, and all the fun stuff that make “specials” special. We’ll share all our parts for at least 25 units: objectives, lesson summaries, slides, parent notes, shopping lists, and more.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Growing Inquiry Through Practice
Building a practice of inquiry in your library will increase student learning through stimulating curiosity and maintaining engagement with high level texts and content. You will leave this session with simple ways you can implement principles of inquiry into your library lessons and examples to draw inspiration from!
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5|6-8
Homegrown History Leading to Civic Engagement
This session will explore how schools can partner with museums, and other cultural institutions to move beyond the traditional field trip model and create unique opportunities for students to discover the history of their communities and develop student led civic engagement projects. Participants will be provided with strategies, templates, and resources.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
How Can Children’s Literature Help Teach Tough Current & Historical Topics?
Teachers are looking for ways to use children’s literature and strategies to open conversations about tough topics that are either historical or current events. Children’s literature is an excellent way to do so. During this session, there will be opportunities for participants to share their own knowledge and experiences, work in small groups to develop teaching ideas, engage in small and large group discussions and participate in conversations on certain questions and relevant topics.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
Inform, Empower, & Play With the New York Times: A Hands-on Workshop to Help You Bring the New York Times Into Your Classroom
Join us as we dive into the power of The New York Times to fuel student learning, literacy, and well being. With hands-on exercises, we’ll explore New York Times News, Games, Cooking, and The Athletic, and equip everyone with the tools they need to confidently bring The Times into their schools, libraries, and classrooms. Each attendee will receive a free trial to New York Times News, Games, Cooking, and The Athletic.
Grade Level: 9-12
Is Your Search Engine Is Manipulating You? Examining Search Engine Bias Using Guidance From the Book, Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Umoja Noble
When we use Google, or other sponsored search engines, do we understand the fundamentals behind the algorithms? If not, we may be susceptible to the biases of the predominant culture, despite having knowledge of how to find and use credible sources. What impact does this have on our teaching, and what do we want to reflect in our own search practice? If you’ve ever been curious as to how Google’s search results are presented (beyond the advertiser’s influence) you may be surprised and shocked.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Leading an Inquiry-Based School: Discovering the Promise
Lead your school to discover the promise of inquiry – that all learners develop an inquiry stance on the world and learn to think independently both within school and beyond! In this session, you will explore the essential ingredients of a successful inquiry-based school: an inquiry stance, inquiry skills taught within an inquiry process, and integration of skills with important curricular content through collaborative planning and teaching.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Learning from The Best: Developing a Mini-Conference Featuring Your District’s Librarians
Learn about a district’s Share and Learn mini-conference for and by district librarians. A mini-conference is a great experience for learning and sharing, but it is also a way to cultivate leadership and enhance the library experience district-wide. I will detail each step in the planning and implementation process, including resources used, lessons learned, community partnerships, and strategies for gaining support. You will walk away with tools and the motivation to develop your own!
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Leveraging Literature: Teaching for Anti-racism and Global Competence
This presentation describes the work a team at George Mason University is undertaking, with the support of a Longview Foundation Grant, to support the development of understanding of global issues surrounding refugees and racism, specifically through the use of children’s and adolescent literature. The goal is to engage educators with research-based strategies for teaching for global competence and anti-racist education, attending specifically to global thinking routines.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Making History Local: Bringing the Library of Congress to Local History Research
Are you helping teachers develop local history lessons? Have you considered the Library of Congress online collections as a resource for local history research? Participants will have the opportunity to engage with Library of Congress primary sources and explore ways to use these resources to help students do a deeper dive into their state and community histories and become more engaged in their communities.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
ML3: Librarians as Leaders for Media Literacy – a National Model
This interactive session will give school librarians the theory, models, materials, and inspiration to lead their students and their schools in integrating habits of critical thinking about media throughout the curriculum at all grade levels. By transforming the use of media in our libraries and classrooms to include student-centered, curriculum-driven, inquiry-based analysis – school librarians can prepare a civic-ready generation to habitually question media messages and their own thinking.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
More than Citation Style: Using ENGAGE to Create an Inclusive, Informed, and Innovative Learning Environment
Misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda are pervading the United States’ communication landscape leading to escalating book bans, narrowing of the curriculum, and a crisis in learners’ information and media literacy. Within the National School Library Standards, the Shared Foundation Engage challenges learners to manage, interpret, use, and create knowledge while navigating a plethora of information. Join us to focus on the Engage Shared Foundation to explore strategies and best practice.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Music and Movement in the Elementary Library: Engaging and Empowering Students
In this session, a teacher-librarian with 25 years of experience will share practical strategies, lessons and activities that can be used immediately. Topics include: songs and fingerplays, Storybook STEM, poetry, Library Olympic games, and other kinesthetic activities. We will also explore technology tools Novel Effect and Chrome Music Maker. Be ready to sing, rhyme, and dance along as you learn strategies for engaging your students by empowering them through active learning techniques.
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Painting our Learners’ Portraits
Every school library space, program, resource, and instructional activity is focused on empowering students to be successful and motivated learners. Participants will examine portraits of engaged and empowered learners at grades 2, 5, 8, and 12 and will recognize the school librarian’s role in enabling students to grow academically, socially, personally, and culturally. Participants will leave the session ready to start painting the portraits of successful learners in their own schools.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Picture Books and Problem-Solving: The Coding Connection
Can picture books teach coding concepts? Absolutely! In this session, we’ll take a look at multiple picture books that provide a segue into coding. Participants will explore whole group hands-on unplugged coding for beginners. Sequencing, stacks and queues, conditionals and events are just a few coding concepts that can be introduced through picture books. Then, extend students coding knowledge with free digital tools. Links, resources, and ideas to get you started will be shared!
Grade Level: Prek-2|3-5
Pre-Searching: Helping Goldilocks Find Just the Right Topic
In this session, we will discuss pre-searching approaches to support teacher-generated research projects and research projects that include student-generated topics. We will demonstrate strategies that allow students to explore topics, assess their own interest, and select a topic. Attendees will also see how we adapt these structures to different grade levels and differentiate based on ability level.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Spark Collaboration, Inquiry, and More with Infographics
How can you inspire inquiry, critical thinking, visual literacy, and creativity in one colorful package? Infographics are visual representations of information, offering innovative and creative learning opportunities in all content areas. Attend this session to learn more about infographics and explore how to integrate them into current or new collaborative lessons in innovative ways. Leave with tools and examples to use with your students and staff immediately.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Sparking Individual Learning Through Inquiry: Implementing School-Wide Research Projects
Have you ever considered implementing a research project for an entire grade level? Perhaps you’re interested but aren’t sure where to start, how to organize such an undertaking, or even how to justify the need for such a project. Join school librarian Jamie Gregory as she shares the results from her first year of implementing Senior Capstone, which requires all seniors to engage in a year-long research-based inquiry project. She will also share approaches to the Inquire Shared Foundation.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
Strategies to Support English Learners in Your Library Classroom
This session focuses on the unique needs of our English Learners (ELs); whether they are recent immigrants or born in the US. Participants will connect with other librarians who teach ELs in their schools, and learn best-practice strategies to apply to their lessons. We will discuss the importance of building relationships EL students and their families, and consider ways to make our libraries more inclusive, supportive learning environments for students with diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Grade Level: Prek|3-5|6-8|9-12
Student Led EdCamp: Empowering Students to Teach
Come learn how to make Digital Learning Day a K-12, community-wide event that promotes the amazing work and learning taking place in your library.Students become teachers and share with small groups of participants their favorite digital tools, activities, and learning experiences. Stemming from a complete miscommunication, our digital learning evening attracts over 800 participants and allows the community to explore the learning taking place in my library.Come learn how to plan your own event.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
Students as Community Problem Solvers
Join 2021 LJ Mover & Shaker Dustin Hensley and on how you can use your school library to equip students to become community problem solvers. This includes successful student projects and skills taught through the library such as design thinking and human-centered design. Support student agency, social capital, and developing solutions-oriented skills through the library.
Grade Level: 6-8|9-12
Using AI Resources in Instructional Spaces: Opportunities and Challenges
As schools embrace technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing instructional practices. However, using AI responsibly and ethically in instructional spaces is a challenge, and it’s the responsibility of school librarians. This session will empower participants to navigate the complexities of AI, help students benefit from this technology, and ensure their safety.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
What’s Your Point? Gamification for Professional Development & Student Engagement with TheNextGenLibrarian and CuetheLibrarian
In this session participants will learn the process of gamification and how to apply it to professional development with their peers, in training sessions and with student leaders in the library and beyond.
Grade Level: Not grade specific
A Whole New World: Using Virtual Reality to Teach Global Consciousness
Global consciousness is an invaluable skill which allows us to better understand others’ perspectives in order to be more compassionate, action-oriented individuals within the global community . This session will show you how you can harness the power of virtual reality (VR). Participants will learn about free and paid tools used by librarians for both consumption and creation of VR content across a variety of platforms to develop students’ empathy and understanding.
Grade Level: 3-5|6-8|9-12
225 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601