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Membership in the AASL Chapters Forum is open to all and may include the state-level school library association’s president/chair, other officers, conference chair, etc. Past Delegates and other interested stakeholders from the association may join the forum. This space provides an opportunity to share, discuss and ask questions from chapter colleagues across the country.

AASL Digest | February 2025

  • 1.  AASL Digest | February 2025

    Posted Feb 04, 2025 03:38 PM

    AASL empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

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    February 2025

     

    Association News

     

    ALA Announces 2025 Youth Media Award Winners

    ALA announced the top books, digital media, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24-27 in Phoenix.

     

     

    New ALA Initiative Asks Advocates to "Show Up for Our Libraries"

    ALA has launched Show Up for Our Libraries, a campaign to harness the collective power of library advocates to influence elected leaders and policymakers. The campaign was kicked off with a proactive call for library advocates to get their elected leaders on the record about how they plan to protect the freedom to read and how they will support federal funding for libraries.

     

     

    ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book Bans Are Real

    Released a statement in response to the January 24th announcement that the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is arbitrarily dismissing student and parent complaints arising out of public schools' documented acts of censorship and discrimination. It reads in part, "Book bans are real. Ask students who cannot access literary classics required for college or parents whose children can't check out a book about gay penguins at their school library. Ask school librarians who have lost their jobs for protecting the freedom to read. While a parent has the right to guide their own children's reading, their beliefs and prejudices should not dictate what another parent chooses for their own children."

     

    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.

     

    National Conference

     

     

    Steve Hofstetter to Deliver Keynote Address at AASL National Conference

    Steve Hofstetter, celebrated comedian, acclaimed author, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his impactful charity work within the comedy community, will headline the opening general session of the 2025 AASL National Conference. "The school library was a refuge for me," Hofstetter shared. "It's where I learned my love for the written word, for clever phrasing, and for a good plot twist." Hofstetter is donating copies of his book, Grape Expectations, to conference attendees, ensuring children across the country gain valuable lessons on inclusion, resistance, and support.

     

     

    Save $90 on AASL National Conference Registration

    Register today to attend three days packed with education, networking, and new discoveries surrounded by other school librarians from across the country. Highlights include keynotes, 140+ sessions including author panels and research presentations, IdeaLab and Posters, 100+ exhibitors, and endless networking opportunities. Use promo code AASL90 before February 28 and save $90 on full conference registration!

     

    Concurrent Session & Research Empowering Practice Session Proposals Due March 1

    Submitting a confereence proposal is a fantastic opportunity for school librarians to share their insights, innovative practices, and research with peers from across the country. We encourage you to take this opportunity to submit your proposals and contribute to the growth of the school librarian community. Your insights and experiences can make a significant impact on the profession!

     

    Member Spotlight

     

    Becky Calzada, Carolyn Foote, and Amanda Jones Appear on Sundance Film Festival Red Carpet for the Premiere of "The Librarians"

    Submit a Member Spotlight or Member Current for the next issue of AASL Digest.

     

     

    AASL Chapter News & Events

     

     

    February 1

    LASL Professional Development Day (Louisiana)

    February 3-4

    ASLA 2025 Annual Conference: Libraries Champion the Future (Alabama)

    February 5

    AASL Chapter Assembly

    February 17

    NJASL "Winter Warm-up" Virtual Mini-Conference (New Jersey)

    February 19

    SIFnet (State Intellectual Freedom Network) Meeting*

    February 25

    State Legislative Discussion*

    February 27

    Chapter Advocacy Workshop Virtual Gathering*

    February 28

    USLA Northern Mini Conference: The Next Chapter (Utah)

     

    Calendar

     

    February

    Black History Month

    February 1

    AASL Awards/Grants Application Deadline

    February 4

    AASL Board of Directors Meeting

    February 5

    AASL NSLY Award Committee Meeting*

    February 11

    AASL Standards Committee Meeting*

    February 11

    Member Engagement Committee Meeting*

    February 11

    Connecting Stories and Legacies: A Conversation with author Gordon Korman and Rachelle Goldstein (Webinar, Anti-Defamation League Education)

    February 12

    Bylaws and Organization Committee Meeting*

    February 12

    ISS Book Club: Leading a Culture of Reading (Session 1)

    February 12

    SPVS Winter Learning Event

    February 13

    ESLS Virtual Meeting

    February 13

    AASL Gathering

    February 17

    ALA/AASL Offices Closed

    February 20

    School Library Event Promotion Committee Meeting*

    February 20

    AASL National Conference Committee Meeting*

    February 26

    Bylaws and Organization Committee Meeting*

    February 26

    AASL90 Code Expiration (Save $90 off AASL National Conference registration)

     

    * Indicates group membership required.

     

    To receive upcoming AASL events and deadlines on a weekly basis, subscribe to AASL Friday Forecast.

     

    AASL Partner News

     

    The Human Rights Campaign Foundation Releases a "How-To" Guide on Advocating with School Boards

    The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF)'s Welcoming Schools Program, in conjunction with the School Board Integrity Project, is announcing a "how-to" guide on effectively advocating with local school boards for change. "School Boards Matter: A Guide to Effectively Advocating at the School Board Level", walks advocates through the process of lobbying their school boards for crucial policies that ensure all students can learn in a safe and welcoming environment.

    Unfinished Business: Understanding the Digital Use Divide in American Schools

    This second report in the special series from Project Tomorrow examines how digital tools and resources are used within America's classrooms to create active learning experiences which help students develop learner self-efficacy and agency, as well as critical workplace skills.

    Three New Get Caught Reading Posters Feature Drag Story Hour NYC Artists

    Every Child a Reader, an initiative of the Children's Book Council, and Drag Story Hour NYC are proud to announce three new Get Caught Reading posters featuring storytelling artists Yuhua Hamasaki, Harmonica Sunbeam, and Oliver ThePlace. Drag Story Hour NYC produces storytelling and creative arts programs for children and teens, presented by local drag artists, in libraries, schools, and other community spaces in all five boroughs of New York City, and virtually.

    Playing with Hate: How Online Gamers with Diverse Identity Usernames are Treated

    Previous research by ADL and others has repeatedly suggested that online games are spaces where hate and harassment are rampant. In this report, ADL shares the findings when they set out to examine what happens when gamers express pride in different religious, ethnic, and national identities while playing online competitive multiplayer games. 

    2025 Children's Book Week Poster by Julie Flett Revealed

    The Children's Book Council and Every Child a Reader has named Julie Flett, a Cree-Métis artist based in British Columbia, as the illustrator of the 2025 Children's Book Week poster. Having selected Flett as this year's artist is a natural extension of the CBC's ongoing cataloging of new and backlist books by Indigenous authors and illustrators. 

     

    KQ Blog Posts

    Video Corner

     

    #aasl25 Exhibits: Where Leaders Fuel Creativity

     

     

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