| April is School Library Month! April is School Library Month, a time to celebrate the vital role school libraries and librarians play in transforming education! This month-long event encourages school librarians to engage their schools and communities with activities that highlight the power of strong school libraries. This year's celebration features exciting author and networking events. AASL also offers free resources, including professional learning, student engagement materials, and promotional graphics to help you spread the word. Visit www.ala.org/aasl/slm to access materials and make this April a powerful showcase of the impact school libraries have on student success! 🌟Graphic Novelist Superstars for School Library Month
Celebrate School Library Month with 7 superstar graphic novelists! Join us April 3 at 6:00 p.m. Central for an engaging hour-long discussion of visual storytelling. Wahab Algarmi, Nidhi Chanani, Laura Gao, Briana Loewinsohn, Thien Pham, Jason Shiga, and Gene Yang will discuss their latest works, the creative process, and the role school libraries play in supporting all forms of literacy. 🌟Young Adult Authors for School Library Month
Join us April 8 at 2:00 p.m. Central us for an engaging hour-long discussion of storytelling with Mindy McGinnis and Margaret Peterson Haddix. Our panel of talented authors will delve into their newest projects, reflect on the creative journey, and discuss how school libraries foster diverse literacy skills.. 📚AASL Connect & Collect: Graphic Novels
On April 10 at 6:30 p.m., you're invited to join us and connect with other school librarians and collect titles for your school library! Join us at 6:30 p.m. Central on April 10 for this informal discussion and build your collection based on the advice of the best reviewers – your peers! 🦋School Library Month BlueSky Meetup
Join us April 22 at 7:30 p.m. Central on Bluesky to chat, connect, and meet each other. Use the hashtag #AASLslm to find us and answer some fun questions to get to know each other and exchange ideas. 🌟Elementary Authors for School Library Month
On April 23 at 10:00 a.m. Central, hear from Sandra Nickel, Mae Respicio, Saadia Faruqi, Vicky Fang, and Varsha Bajaj who will share insights into their latest works, explore the creative process, and highlight the impact of school libraries on literacy. 🌟Middle Grade Authors for School Library Month
Join us on April 28 at 12:00 p.m. central as Daniel Nayeri, Chris Baron, Elizabeth Uhrig, Reem Faruqi, and Cathy Carr discuss their recent works, examine their creative approach, and discuss the vital role of school libraries in promoting literacy.
| Sylvia Knight Norton Announces Retirement as AASL Executive Director Sylvia Knight Norton, AASL executive director, has announced her retirement effective April 11, 2025. Since 2013, Norton has overseen the division, driving the restructuring of the AASL Board of Directors and association governance, developing inspiring programs, and launching initiatives that have positioned AASL as the leading organization for school librarians in advocacy, leadership, and professional standards. | Free Zoom Event: School Libraries and Youth Services Roundtable Join the authors of AASL publications Manga Goes to School, Growing Teen Engagement, From Learners to Leaders, and Leveraging AI in School Libraries for a lively discussion of solutions to contemporary problems facing school and youth services librarians. This School Libraries and Youth Services Roundtable is a free one-hour Zoom event beginning at 1 PM CT on Wednesday, April 16th. Q&A with the audience will follow the 45 minute discussion, which will be recorded for registrants and posted to the main ALA YouTube channel later the week of the event. Apply for the Annual $5,000 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award The award recognizes humanities programs that expand student horizons beyond "basic education." A humanities program can focus on many subject areas, including but not limited to social studies, poetry, drama, art, music, language arts, foreign languages and culture. U.S. school libraries, public or private, that serve children in any combination of grades K-12 are eligible, provided a state-certified librarian staffs the library. Nominations will be accepted until May 1, 2025. Volunteer for an AASL Committee or Work Group
Engage with your national association! Sharing your passion for school librarianship not only benefits the profession, but benefits you as well! Appointments for the 2025-2026 AASL governance year starts in the spring! Share your interests today - your colleagues value the unique perspective you bring. |