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The Friends of ALSC is accepting tax-deductible donations (image courtesy of the Friends of ALSC)

It’s not too late to become a Friend of ALSC!

Friends’ projects have a powerful impact not only on our members, but also on their larger communities as a whole. Friends of ALSC support activities such as innovative conference programs and institutes, 21st century challenges, professional development and early literacy projects.

As you are making your plans for the holidays and your final year-end donations for the 2015 tax year, we hope that you will include Friends of ALSC in those plans and show your continuing support for creating a better future for children. Every contribution helps ALSC support the work of our members and meet new challenges.

Be sure to check out the new 2015 Friends of ALSC Annual Report as well to read about all of the great things the Friends did in 2015.

The post Join the Friends of ALSC appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Chicago still has long coffee lines, it’s really snowing, and ALA staff is just an L ride away, but it’s just not the same around here without all of you! (I think most planes, trains, and cars have finally made it out, am I right?)

It really was another magnificent Midwinter and my yesterday, Monday, was a great way to wrap it up.

The Youth Media Awards, obviously! Congrats & thanks to all of the committees and staff who made it a reality. Well done, also, to the folks on the podium with the early morning responsibility and thrill of telling the world! Afterwards, I was reunited with my ALSC Budget Committee compatriots as we tied a bow on the preliminary proposed budget for FY16, which the Board later approved. We also recommended applying some of the generous Friends of ALSC donations to supporting early literacy work and connecting babies and words. Also approved!

The second ALSC Board meeting from 1:30-5:45 was one of the most productive I’ve ever seen! We made changes to the Annual conference schedule so that there aren’t any ALSC committee conflicts with the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast, moved forward with a strategy for the strong future of ALSC’s Online Continuing Education, adopted a proactive conflict of interest policy, and built on our commitment to diversity by enhancing our Day of Diversity action plan. There are many great things to come!

Then some relaxation at the joint ALSC & YALSA reception, thanks to 3M, and a toast to fantastic times ahead and a better future for kids through libraries. Cheers!

The post Missing You #alamw15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Last month I was lucky enough to attend the 2014 ALSC National Institute in Oakland, California thanks to a generous scholarship awarded to me by the Friends of ALSC. I am so grateful for the time spent at the Institute last month and would like to thank the Friends for enabling me to participate in such a stellar weekend of learning and fun. And a huge thanks to everyone at ALSC who worked hard to put together the Institute!

Fairyland Reception (Photo by Nicole Martin)

Some of my favorite moments from the Institute have to be the wonderful author presentations and panels, especially the hilarious author panel that took place at Children’s Fairyland with Jennifer Holmes, Daniel Handler and Mac Barnett. The crowd was filled with giggling librarians and even a few fairy wings! After our breakout sessions at the park, a reception awaited us in the Emerald City. There was even a yellow brick road! I excitedly stood in a lengthy line so Barnett and Handler could sign some favorite books for me. It was well worth the wait (and the cost to ship my book haul back to Ohio!). I also loved the Closing General Session, during which Andrea Davis Pinkney presented on her work and even sang a bit. She was so energetic and inspiring, truly closing the 2014 Institute with a high note.

Closing Keynote Speaker (Photo by Nicole Martin)

I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of which I found myself navigating the conference center. I have attended two ALA Annual Conferences and I have yet to not find myself, at least once, mildly lost in a massive conference center trying to find a workshop. It was so great to be able to attend a workshop, drop off handouts in my hotel room and then make it back for another workshop session without getting lost or feeling rushed. This might seem trivial, but it made an impression for me!

I was especially impressed with the wealth of relevant workshop topics available throughout the Institute. Some of my favorite workshops were “Be a Winner! Inspired Youth Grant Writing”, “Tech Access on a Budget” and “Summer Lunch at the Library”. Each of these workshops offered me incredibly practical information and insight that I brought back to my library to share with administration and fellow librarians. I feel confident that our 2015 summer lunch program will be more successful than last year’s because of what I learned at the ALSC Institute. I returned to Ohio knowing that other librarians struggle with shoestring technology budgets and there are various routes to find grant funding.

Oakland farmer’s market (Photo by Nicole Martin)

In addition to the great learning and networking opportunities at the Institute, I was happy to spend some time exploring the neighborhood and even managed to squeeze in time for sleep (a sometimes difficult endeavor!).  A wonderful farmer’s market was happening in the neighborhood adjacent to the conference center and I spent my lunch hour meandering the stalls and munching on delicious shrimp tacos.

I would highly recommend any librarians with an interest in serving youth to attend the next ALSC Institute. You won’t regret it! I would also encourage anyone who might be deterred by travel costs and registration fees to apply for the Friends of ALSC Scholarship. I applied rather humbly not expecting to win, and here I am writing my very own recap as a scholarship winner. The next recipient could be you!

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Nicole Lee Martin is a librarian at the Grafton-Midview Public Library and a 2014 Friends of ALSC Scholarship recipient.  You can contact her at [email protected] .

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.

‘Tis the season for making lists!

I am an inveterate list maker and reader.  As a seasoned pro, (-crastinator, that is), I rely on them as valuable tools to organize and prioritize tasks that require attention, (and those that provide distraction). I have even made lists of the lists that I need to make!

December, with its flurry of both personal and professional activity, provides expanded opportunity for their implementation and perusal. In addition to the usual daily to-do lists, there are the “best” lists of books and other media, shopping lists for holiday gifts and meals, and, of course, the ever growing list of all the loose ends to finish up by the end of the year.

One item on the latter list is to send in my contribution to Friends of ALSC.  Friends of ALSC was founded to enhance both our established programs and to support growth and innovation in the organization. Funds are used for organizational support and to provide scholarships for individuals.  If desired, donations may be designated for one or more of the following areas of ALSC’s efforts: Professional Development, Early Literacy Projects, Innovative Conference Programs and Institutes, and 21st Century Challenges.  For more details visit http://www.ala.org/alsc/donate.

Contributors to Friends of ALSC receive a special listing in, ALSConnect, and on the ALSC. Members of the Friends of ALSC President’s Circle receive an invitation to the VIP reception preceding the Newbery/Caldecott banquet. Additionally, donors are recognized in the slide presentation at the Newbery/Caldecott banquet.

But truly, supporting Friends of ALSC enriches the experience and expertise of our membership, thus ultimately effecting service to the children and families we serve as we work together creating a better future for children through libraries.  The effect is exponential and the list of possibilities is endless!

Krista Welz’ entry “ALSC Cloud,” was selected by voters

Welz is the winner of a Nook and a Book from the Friends of ALSC. Her design will be featured for ALSC members to display on their blogs or email signature lines. Rick Samuelson (“I Empower Kids”), Youth Services Librarian, Washington County (Ore.) Cooperative Library Services and Margaret Stawowy (“Growing Minds”), Children’s Librarian, San Rafael (Calif.) Public Library were the two runners-up. Both will receive ALSC gift bags.

The Friends of ALSC and the ALSC Membership Committee hosted this contest to help display the creativity of ALSC members. With over 260 voters, ALSC thanks all the participants and everyone who voted.

Friends of ALSC was created to ensure excellence in the Association’s traditional programs and services and to support growth in new directions as our profession meets the exciting challenges of the 21st century. For more information and to learn how to become a Friend of ALSC, please visit http://www.ala.org/alsc/donate.