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By: Chris Barton,
on 10/25/2015
Or, more formally, “A Comprehensive List of U.S. College- and University-Sponsored or -Hosted Children’s and Young Adult Literature Conferences, Festivals, and Symposia.” (All of them that I could find, anyway). A few years ago, I was looking for such a list, wondered why I couldn’t find one, and decided to just go ahead and make […]
By: Dan Bostrom,
on 9/18/2014
Enjoying happy hour on the patio at the Oakland Marriott (photo courtesy of ALSC)
Hello Institute goers! Thanks to everyone who joined us last night at the happy hour. We had great weather and even a chance to spend time outside on the patio.
If you weren’t at the happy hour, don’t worry. There are still plenty of opportunities to interact with your colleagues including the upcoming ALSC Connection events. At 12:15, we’ll be hosting a condensed, but exciting version of ALSC 101.
It sounds cliche, but getting to know people from across the country is a big part of the Institute. You never know who you’re going to meet! Personally, I’m really looking forward to the ALSC Connection and getting to know more about the people and representative of ALSC!
By: Dan Bostrom,
on 9/14/2014
2014 ALSC National Institute (photo courtesy ALSC)
So you’re going to the 2014 ALSC National Institute in Oakland, California. Or…you’re not.
Either way, you can participate. The conversations that happen at the Institute will inevitably spill over into social media and that is a beautiful thing. We put together a do’s and don’ts list to help those participating on both sides: on-site and online:
Do: Check out this Steve Sheinkin video from the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting
Yup. He’s our Thursday evening opener!
Don’t: Be Timid About Becoming a Live-Blogger
We’re still looking for live-bloggers for the Institute! Don’t be shy. There are people out there depending on you to report your favorite programs, speakers, moments, places to eat, and exciting new ideas. You can participate by simply emailing ALSC Blog Manager Mary Voors.
Do: Join the Conversation
We’ll be tweeting, posting information to Facebook and live-blogging via the ALSC Blog. A few hashtags for your consideration: #alsc14, #alscleftbehind, #CCSS, #oakland. Also look for some pictures that we’ll post to the ALSC Facebook page.
Don’t: Miss the site selection for the 2016 National Institute
Already thinking about 2016!? Are you crazy? Nope, just preparin’. At the 2014 ALSC National Institute, we’ll be announcing the location for the 2016 ALSC National Institute. Keep an eye out for that announcement.
Do: Bring the ALSC14 Recommendation Map
The National Institute Task Force has done the dirty work for you. They’ve scoped out all the best restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. They put all of these great tips into the ALSC14 Local Recommendations map. Remember to keep this map handy and don’t miss everything that Oakland has to offer!
Don’t: Forget to Bring Your Pirate Gear
Friday, September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. There no will be no formal acknowledgement of this day at the Institute. But, please don’t that stop you…
Har! See you in Oakland!
By: ALSC Institute,
on 6/17/2014
What do Daniel Handler, gender identity and children, puppets, inclusive practices, and wine have in common? The ALSC Institute fieldtrip to Children’s Fairyland! That’s right, attendees have VIP access to Oakland’s storybook theme park for an afternoon of witty banter, professional development, and play.
Mac Barnett with his father at Children’s Fairyland (photo courtesy of Mac Barnett).
Mac Barnett, Daniel Handler, and Jennifer Holm kick off the event in Aesop’s Playhouse. Be sure to ask Mac about his early days at Children’s Fairyland.
Following, experts in the ALSC community lead small group discussions and interactive breakout sessions on hot topics related to youth services. Sessions range from STEAM activities, Mock Caldecott, storytime innovations, impactful outreach, old-school string stories, and more. The event concludes with a light reception, award winning puppet show, and exploration of Children’s Fairyland.
Wanna learn more about Children’s Fairyland? Check out Institute Task Force Member Penny Peck’s blog about the history and connection with Walt Disney and Frank Oz.
Remember the early bird registration for members ends Monday, June 30. Members save $35 on the cost of registration with early bird pricing.
See you in Oakland!
Christy Estrovitz, Institute Task Member and Youth Services Manager at San Francisco Public Library
By: Dan Bostrom,
on 5/25/2014
The Friends of ALSC are offering two scholarships to the 2014 ALSC National Institute (image courtesy of the Friends of ALSC)
The ALSC National Institute, devoted solely to children’s and youth library services, offers a small, intimate setting for participating in programming and getting to know colleagues. Programs will delve into some of the most important topics in library service to children such as using technology in programming, what’s hot in children’s spaces, working with underserved populations and using local partnerships to improve programming. Participants are sure to go home feeling reinvigorated about the profession and more connected to others in the field.
The online application must be submitted before midnight on Friday, May 30, 2014. Prior to submitting the application, seek permission from current supervisor for time off to attend the Institute. Winners will be notified by Friday, June 13, 2014. For more information on the Institute scholarship including requirements and a link to the application form, please see the ALSC National Institute site.
By: Beth,
on 1/9/2011
YALSA Midwinter Institute
The Whole Library Experience was the theme for the YALSA Midwinter Institute in San Diego. The morning got underway with Paige Battle’s ice-breaker activity. She asked participants to come and select adjectives on strips and then sort ourselves into two groups according to whether we thought the adjective described a teen or a librarian. Actually, a third group formed for those who thought their adjectives could describe either teen or librarian. There was quite a bit of laughter as we talked about the stereotypes both groups have.
Our first speaker was Linda Braun, former President of YALSA, who has just written a white paper on this topic of Whole Library Experiences for YAs. Her suggestions included not forgetting the parents of the teens, working with circulation and reference staff about the needs and interests of YAs. We who work with YAs need to be aware of “those who are not us” and how we can assist them in offering services and materials to teens.
Sara Ryan was the second speaker of the morning and offered a wide array of resources for those working with YAs who want to do some training of others on the staff. She mentioned the 40 developmental assets, the ages and stages of YA and more. We need to document what we DO with teens each and every day to demonstrate, especially to the administration, our value. Teen friendly is synonymous with people friendly, too. She recommended the PAIN IN THE BRAIN online class from YALSA.
Lunch was a short walk into the Gaslamp District. Participants returned for an afternoon full of information.
A panel of folks from the San Diego library systems with Jennifer Lawson as moderator tackled topics about the whole library experience. These panelist suggested YA staff provide reading lists and other suggestions to them on a regular basis. After the panel, Penny Johnson discussed good management and administrative tips with the acronym PLEASE.
P=PROPOSALS AND NOT PROBLEMS
L=LIAISONS
E=EXPERTISE
A=AVOID ARGUMENTS
S=SHARE SUCCESSES
E=EXEMPLARY EXCELLENCE
The day ended with two interactive sessions. Part One provided each team of participants with a case study to “solve.” Part Two asked participants to list out an action plan for implementing the whole library experience in their own institutions when they returned from conference.
By: Beth,
on 1/17/2010
The YALSA Board had a very full agenda yesterday for their first meeting of Midwinter and several important decisions were made, including:
The Board also voted on several actions in order to begin implementing the changes to YALSA’s selected lists. Chairs to those committees affected will be contacted by their Board Liaison to go over the details of the new and/or expanded work of the group. The Organization and Bylaws Committee will work on updating the charges of selected list committees where needed. And, the Board also voted that after one year of the revised and expanded lists, they will evaluate the success of the changes and make any necessary adjustments.
The Board also directed the Organization and Bylaws Committee to continue their work related to creating consistency, where possible, in the policies and procedures of YALSA’s selected lists committees. Information on these changes are also available on the YALSA web site.
While committees will become 100% virtual, if members think it necessary to meet face-to-face at Midwinter or Annual they will be able to arrange for that. The full proposal is available on the YALSA web site and was developed in response to changes in ALA’s virtual committee membership policies and YALSA member needs. With more committees allowing for more virtual members, those YALSA members who can not attend face-to-face events can now participate in the Association in this way.
