I attended AASL Affiliate meetings on Saturday and Sunday.  I also volunteered to represent VSLA in the exhibit hall  on Saturday morning for 2 hours.

Close to 12,000 people attended.

Judi Paradis, MSLA, and I are in the exhibit hall.  It was an amazing experience.  School librarians from all over the country stopped by to visit and exchange ideas.

Meeting authors is always something I enjoy.  Ken Burns has a new, soon to be published, book;  Grover Cleveland, Again!  

Mark Kurlansky is a  former correspondent for the International Herald Tribune, and the Chicago Tribune, and the Miami Herald, and the Philadelphia Inquirer, and an award winning author of several books, including Salt: A World History.

The ALA lounge area is always a good meeting spot, or just a place to relax and figure out what comes next.

AASL Mission Statement

The American Association of School Librarians empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

AASL affiliate meetings

Region 1 Rep Shelley Stedman -  CT

Region 1 Director - Pam Harland - NH

- Sat. 1-3  Leadership -

Working groups were formed by having all from the 9 regions write one thing they excel at and one thing that is the hidden; nobody really knows about talent.  You then walked around the room to find the people/table you fit in with.

The discussion focus was on building capacity, improving the organization, evolving to better meet user needs - like holding virtual meetings and webinars.

Sunday - 8-1

We went over the revised delegate handbook.  More information was added and roles were clarified.

There is a new form and procedures for concerns.  These will be taken to (for VSLA) NESLA and compiled.  Our regional rep will then submit them to AASL for consideration.

Discussion on leadership:  hold sessions at state conferences

have a check off box on membership form for volunteer positions

have a retreat for new up to 3 yrs school librarian session or imbed at conference

personal ask

AASL is celebrating 65 years!  

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is celebrating 65 years of service to the school library profession with a giving campaign to help ensure the future of the school library profession. Campaign funds will support scholarships to student members and the development of an AASL Induction Program.  You can make a donation:  http://www.ala.org/aasl/65th

ESSA:  

AASL has a task force working on a  plan.

Meanwhile we can write thank-you letters to our congress rep and senators and start by setting up meetings with principals and district title people.

The bill is nearly 5,000 page so they would not necessarily know about the library language that is included.

The bill goes into effect OCT 1

To follow more Washington legislative ALA news you can subscribe to the District Dispatch    http://www.districtdispatch.org/

Collaborating with outside organizations - We were encouraged to reach out to partner with local businesses and organizations. It gives us good, positive visibility in the community.

Diversity in AASL/ALA was discussed.  There is an ongoing problem of not attracting a more ethnic and diverse mix to the profession

ALA Annual Orlando June 23-28

Senator Cory Booker spoke at the ALA President’s Program.  Senator Booker makes the case through his work and in his forthcoming book, United, that connections and compassion must guide our nation toward a brighter future.  He is a strong advocate for libraries.

The book awards were announced on Monday morning. The recording is now available.

http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/presskits/youthmediaawards/alayouthmediaawards

And of course, the exhibit hall always has plenty of new books, programs, furniture, and fun!