AASL - Top 10 Takeaways

This week we are excited to have a guest post from one of our HVLA scholarship winners, Christina Karvounis!

The week of November 13-17, I attended the bi-annual American Association of School Librarians conference in Hartford, CT. This was my first library conference and it was outstanding. I attended 1 pre-conference leadership workshop, 8 topical workshops on topics ranging from choosing multicultural titles to utilizing iPads in the library to guided inquiry in research and beyond, visited with many booksellers and vendors, and added many new professional contacts to my #PLN.

TOP TEN THEMES/THINGS LEARNED AT AASL13

10. Only 10% of books published in the last decade were authored by people of color - be aware and continue to be a champion for change.

9. Consider creating a MakerSpace in your library. Or become one.

8. Curiosity and creativity are essential 21st century skills - deepen them - offer opportunities for students to deepen them - in your library.

7. Create/cultivate a culture of collaboration!

6. Scaffold opportunities for regular, meaningful, reflective inquiry.

5. Create library centers: Lego poetry, read to self, puzzles, word building, draw an ad for a favorite book, bookmark creating.

4. Essential Applications: Scratch, Animoto, VoiceThread, iMovie

3. Rudine Sims Bishop: "Mirrors, Windows, Sliding Glass Doors" is a must read.

2. Keep ear to the classroom for 'just in time' learning.

and the top theme I gathered from AASL13 was:

1. Jump in with both feet! Try new connections, technologies, styles, collaborative techniques, applications for sharing -- challenges always present themselves; get going!

I came home energized by the experience but also concerned about ways to implement ideas. At Brooklyn Friends School, Kathy and I work together in the PS/LS library - and we've already implemented many of the strategies we learned at the conference and are in conversation on others. It was an excellent conference and I highly recommend it!

Greetings from AASL 2011

There's so much going on at AASL 2011 in Minneapolis, MN.  Lots to learn and absorb!  Here are a few highlights that I've picked up in the last day and a half:

• HVLA members Angela Carstensen and Laura Pearle presented (along with a few others) on collection development in the 21st century.  Check out their pre-conference wiki for valuable links and resources.
  
• Angela Carstensen is also presenting on Outstanding Books for the College Bound which ties in perfectly with the book she recently edited for ALA. (Check back later for more links to presentation resources.)
  
• Did you know that you can get a free download of the eBook "School Libraries: What's Now, What's Next, What's Yet to Come", a collection of over 100 essays from around the world about the latest trends in school libraries?  (Also, special thanks to overseas member Maria Falgoust for the heads up on this great resource!)
  
• The Learning Commons (formerly Blogger's Cafe) is in full swing with links to shared resources and links to liveblogging, livestreaming and and archived video.  Check it out!
   

• There's still time to tune in to the virtual conference and check out some great live webcast events.
  
• Twitter is also a great way to stay connected to the conversation.  Search the official conference hashtag #AASL2011.  (UPDATE:  Oops!  The official hashtag for AASL 2011 is #AASL11--visit the twitter archive here.)
  
• And, of course, you can always network online with others at the conference--virtually and in real life--on the AASL Ning.

This post was brought to you by HVLA president, Anglela Ungaro.

Conferences and Festivals in Fall...Oh My!

Fall is here and that means school librarians have a plethora of literary and library-related events to consider attending.  The following conferences and festivals range from absolutely FREE to just a few hundred dollars; from virtual to IRL (in real life); and from local to national to worldwide.  There truly is something for everyone.  We hope you give (at least) one a try! [Note: All these events and more can be found on HVLA's google calendar.]

Brooklyn Book Festival
Date of Event: September 18, 2011
Location: Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street)
About: Brooklyn presents the largest free literary event in New York City featuring "literary stars and emerging authors who represent the exciting world of literature today."
Don't Miss Out:  As part of Brooklyn Book Festival's "Bookend Events" the Brooklyn Public Library is hosting a Librarian Mingle on Saturday, September 17, with Marilyn Johnson, author of "This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All."

BookFest @ Bank Street
Date of Event: October 29, 2011 (Registration begins September 12, 2011)
Location:  Bank Street College of Education
About:  This event is dedicated to the celebration and discussion of books for children and teens.  The day includes conversations with kidlit luminaries Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer, and Leonard Marcus as well as panel discussions, break out discussion groups, and a delicious lunch catered by 'witchcraft.
Don't Miss Out: With only 150 spots open for registration, the event fills up quickly.  Check out their facebook page for a link to register to this year's BookFest today.

Library 2.011 Worldwide Virtual Conference
Date of Event: November 2-3, 2011
Location:  Everywhere
About:  HVLA is partnering with this free worldwide online conference.  The conference co-chair, Steve Hargadon, describes it as a "unique chance to participate in a global conversation on the current and future state of libraries."
Don't Miss Out: HVLA members are encouraged to submit proposal ideas about the "Evolving Professional Roles of Librarians in Today's World" to HVLA vice-president and Library 2.011 liaison, Judy James at Judith_James [at] fa.org before September 15, 2011.

AASL 15th National Conference & Exhibition: "Turning the Page"
Date of Event: October 27-30, 2011 (Advance Registration ends September 29, 2011)
Location: Minneapolis, MN 
About: "This conference promises to provide you with thought-provoking sessions, discussions, (in person and virtually) with colleagues and friends, time to investigate new materials and resources in the exhibit hall, and the opportunity to get invigorated with a big dose of energy to help you and your program turn the page." -- Ty Burns & Cheryl Steel, Conference Cochairs 
Don't Miss Out: The Independent School Section Networking Event will take place on Thursday, October 27, 8-10pm.  Be there!

This post was brought to you by HVLA President, Angela Ungaro.