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Do you run any book clubs at your library? Who are they for, adults, teens, tweens, elementary aged readers? Maybe they are even intergenerational? You may be saying “yes” to all of these. At my library we have a number of well established book clubs for adults, who really run things on their own. But kids need a littl
Every year, National Grandparents Day is celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day. This holiday is not as popularly celebrated as Mother’s or Father’s Days, but that gives libraries an opportunity. More of our families might be available to attend a program honoring grandparents and other close older adults because
The most common response we get from kids, when they say “I’m bored”, is to try and fix the problem. What if we didn’t always have to? When kids feel bored, they often wander into areas of the library they wouldn’t typically enter. Boredom itself is unlikely to serve as a learning opportunity; but what kids do after th
It’s September, a month filled with fun celebrations like Hispanic Heritage Month, the start of a new school year, and the return of fall beverages to coffee shops everywhere. But this year, there is another great reason to celebrate. Phoebe Bridgers starts her new tour, The Lost Tour, to celebrate the release of her l
My name is Dr. Emily Aguiló-Pérez, and I am the proud chair of the 2027 Pura Belpré Award Committee. Our committee is now accepting suggestions for the 2027 Pura Belpré Award, and we would love to hear from ALSC and REFORMA members as we undertake this exciting work. The Pura Belpré Award is presented annually to a Lat
This will be my first time attending ALSC National Institute and I couldn’t be more excited that the first day is dedicated to teen services development. As a former elementary school teacher and now an early literacy researcher, I feel confident navigating the landscape of children’s literature. But as my work expands
The school year is upon us! As the seasons shift, so do our roles as literacy guides. In a previous post, Joannie Lauria beautifully outlined how librarians become the intermediaries between school learning and reading for pleasure. No one has a finer grasp on this balance than School Librarians! I am constantly inspir
As we embark on the new academic year, many school librarians will be thinking how they can expand collections and program events to celebrate diversity in the community, global and local. If this is you, we’ve got you covered, because September is World Kid Lit Month, an annual celebration of international literature
For most people, having a massive to-do list can feel extremely overwhelming. As summer comes to a close and the hectic back to school season begins, our daily to-do lists must pivot while we switch gears. Changing routines, schedules, and tasks can impact our responsibilities, projects, and daily duties. Having a syst
The 2027 Geisel Committee welcomes ALSC membership to suggest titles for consideration for this year’s award. The Geisel Award is to be given annually to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature that encourages and supports the beginning reader publ
A teen volunteer arrives for a scheduled shift, but the planned assignment cannot begin. Supplies may still be in another office, the work may already be finished, or the intended supervisor may be helping a patron or leading a program. Staff want to use the teen’s time well without inventing work under pressure. Stron
Autumn is my favorite time of year, and I always look forward to the “ber” months, but this year arrives with a touch of sadness. Starting September 1st, YALSA will no longer be its own standalone division, as it reunites with ALSC. On the eve of this reunification, I took advantage of a day off to go hiking—a perfect
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