It’s almost that time of year again when library workers from all over the country flock to the American Library Association (ALA) annual conference to learn about fresh ideas and new resources that they can implement at their libraries. As a member of the ALSC Programming Committee, I had the amazing opportunity to be involved in selecting sessions that will be held at the 2024 ALA Conference. This year in San Diego, attendees seeking fresh ideas, new learning experiences, and building connections in libraries will be in for a memorable conference.  There are a variety of sess ..read more

In 2021, I had been an ALSC member for 4 years, but I never joined a committee or filled out the volunteer form. I was a student member for three of those years. I wasn’t sure what I was allowed to do as a student member (Spoiler: anything and everything!). But then, I graduated from grad school, started working…and the pandemic happened.  I was ready to spread my professional wings, but they were confined to my computer. So I finally looked into what I could do as an ALSC member. I filled out my form, and I was offered a chance to be an administrative assistant to the ALSC Notable Child ..read more

You never signed up to work with kids, you never expected to work with kids… and yet, here you are, covering the Children’s Department. This is a pretty common scenario, and it can be frustrating for people who worry they’re out of their depth or those who just feel rusty or out of place. Even for people who have had children of their own, suddenly dealing with strangers’ children can be an alarming experience! The good news is it doesn’t have to be! Here are some tried-and-true tips for working with children that will help you feel more prepared, more confident, and more versatile within your ..read more

I look at the calendar and I inwardly shudder. T-minus twenty-three (23) days until summer reading begins! Scholastic boxes are arriving. We are actively training new staff. We are brainstorming decoration ideas to the theme “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” It is an exciting time to be in a library. However, I personally always have an existential crisis when it comes time to a formal summer reading program. It’s not that I do not support having a program. I firmly acknowledge the summer slide and what the lack of consistent reading and learning does to a children’s educational progress. I ..read more

While Summer Reading is certainly on the forefront of every children’s librarian’s mind right now, Fall is also just around the corner and we should start to think about how to make Fall just as special as Summer. One idea that I am working on is a Dinovember Fest! Throughout the month of November, I will put on dinosaur programs for children of all ages. Here are some programs I will be hosting this Fall! Dinosaur Storytime and Egg Hunt When it comes to big programs, such as Dinovember Fest, I always try to make sure that there is a special program just for my youngest patrons. For storytime ..read more

Taylor Swift has captivated the hearts and minds of people around the world, and this ALSC blogger! It makes sense that she would find her way into libraries. In celebration of her new album, I threw a Swiftie karaoke program at the library! In the past, the Swift events have been more geared towards teenagers and that has left a lot of younger patrons out of the fun, so I wanted to correct that. I opened it up to all ages, and it was super popular with the under nine year old patrons and teens. Things you may want to buy/borrow/make: Karaoke machine: I splurged for a nice one because I plan ..read more

Every program, every time. We know it. Numbers are a big deal. But also, even with a click counter in hand I’m not a machine. And kids of all ages, like crowds, move pretty quickly and can be hard to tally. Libraries need good data for meaningful reports, but it’s not just about the numbers. Good data also hides in the stories, and I love finding ways to collect a good story (or ten). That’s the fun part of data. That’s the data can be kind of inspiring. Image created using Canva Yes, inspiring! I think of data as a programming librarian’s best friend. Why? Because it helps me understand what ..read more

Have you ever wondered about the internal workings of ALSC? How are ALSC strategic priorities developed? What the heck does a Fiscal Officer do? Who can serve as a “New to ALSC Board Member”?  What are the responsibilities of Vice President/President Elect? What is the time commitment of ALSC board members?  Image created by Peter Blenski, Member, ALSC Nominating Committee The ALSC Nominating Committee wants to help you get answers! We will be hosting a Community Forum on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at Noon CST on Zoom to learn more about ALSC leadership roles, the nomination process, an ..read more

Diversity Insights from ALSC’s EDI Committee Co-Chairs Mai Takihashi and Ayn Reyes Frazee We are Ayn Reyes Frazee and Mai Takahashi, co-chairs of the newly formed Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee for ALSC, we recently had the opportunity to record a podcast with the Oregon Library Association’s EDI & Antiracism Committee OVERDUE: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries podcast. The conversation delved deep into the heart of our new committee’s mission, the challenges we’re facing, and the inspiring motivations that keep us moving forward. We’re excited to share more about our n ..read more

Whether you are a school librarian getting ready for the end of the year or a public librarian gearing up for summer reading, late spring is a busy time in children’s services. Passive programs are a great way to keep kids and families engaged when you have more things on your to-do list than hours in the day.  Reader’s Advisory – Flipped When Chloe Foulk started working at the Edmondson branch of Enoch Pratt Free Libraries in Baltimore, Maryland, she wanted to get to know the kids in the community and to become familiar with the library’s children’s collection. So she came up with a way ..read more