Public Library Association
The PLA (Public Library Association) is a division of the ALA specifically for public librarians. It is the largest public librarian network and helps with professional development and networking. The PLA holds a yearly conference as well as a JobLIST to find library opportunities and other PD throughout the year. This is certainly an association that I will join as a public librarian, especially for connecting with other librarians across the country.
Public Library Association. (n.d.). Public Library Association [Logo]. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/pla/.
Virginia Library Association
The VLA (Virginia Library Association) supports librarians in Virginia. The VLA is open to any person, library or organization and it has a council, who is the governing body. The VLA advocates for funding of libraries and has been helping libraries with their funds for many decades. The VLA also advocates strongly against censorship and for intellectual freedom. It seems like the type of organization that I would like to align myself with.
Virginia Library Association. (2017). Virginia Library Association [Logo]. Retrieved from https://www.vla.org/.
The Association for Library Service to Children
The Association for Library Service to Children is a network of children, youth librarians and other people that support libraries and what they can do for our children. ALSC, which is a division of ALA, seems to have a big initiative about multicultural inclusion.. ALSC’s core values include collaboration, inclusiveness, innovation, leadership, responsiveness, integrity, and respect. I plan on continuing my work with children as I transition to the public library and appreciate their core values.
Association for Library Service to Children. (n.d.). Association for Library Service to Children [Logo]. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/alsc/.
Super Library Marketing
Super Library Marketing is a blog created by Angela Hursh, a content team leader for the Public Library of Cincinnati. She is passionate about marketing ideas for all different types of libraries. Angela Hursh writes about things like library websites, YouTube for libraries and COVID’s effects on libraries. She seems smart, spunky and includes some awesome information on her blog.
Super Library Marketing. (n.d.). Super Library Marketing [Logo]. Retrieved from https://superlibrarymarketing.com/librarymarketingshow/.
Did You Ever Stop to Think?
Did you Ever Stop to Think & Forget to Start Again? is a blog by L. Johnson about children’s literature, graphic novels and other book related topics. She includes things on her blog such as what to buy lists, reviews of some older books and many new book reviews. She seems to love literature and I love knowing about new releases and what someone else thinks about them.
https://didyoueverstoptothink.com/blog/
Did You Ever Stop to Think. (n.d.). Did You Ever Stop to Think. [Logo]. Retrieved from https://didyoueverstoptothink.com/blog/
Librarian by Day
Librarian by Day is a blog from Bobbi Newman, who is a librarian, speaker and writer. She advocates from libraries in big ways and has a recent focus on wellness in the library. She also writes about library sustainability and the challenges of being a librarian from home. Bobbi Newman also has current and past project lists that make finding information easy. I will enjoy learning more from such an accomplished librarian.
Librarian by Day. (2017). Librarian by Day [Logo]. Retrieved from https://librarianbyday.net/.
The American Library Magazine
The American Library Magazine website is an incredible resource and comes from ALA. I saved it to my favorites because it is helpful for all types of librarians as well as library users. I was able to find current events such as holiday gift guides, COVID questions and dealing with racism in the library. I found the website to be very easy to navigate and nice to read. I will be using this now as a school librarian and in the future as a public librarian.
American Libraries. (n.d.). American Libraries [Logo]. Retrieved from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/.
School Library Journal- Makerspaces
Makerspaces are a subject that I am very interested in. Though this article is about a school library makerspace, it can also be applied to a public library maker space. This article by Laura Fleming talks about what is needed to keep makerspaces viable and exciting for our students or patrons. I want to continue to use makerspaces in the public library and to see this trend grow and expand.
Fleming, L. (2018, May 3). Laura Fleming: Don’t let makerspaces be a passing trend.
School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=laura-fleming-dont-let-makerspaces-passing-trend.
School Library Journal. (n.d). School Library Journal [Logo]. Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/.
New York Times- Short Reads
Short reading is another trend that I think is very interesting. As librarians, we want our students and patrons to be reading but time seems harder to come by these days. I think we will begin seeing short reads more in the future and I want to continue to learn more about it. This article is about James Patterson and how he is working on BookShots, which are short reads that are encouraging readers to read something.
Alter, Alexandra. (2016, March 21). James Patterson has big plans for small books. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/22/business/media/james-patterson-has-a-big-plan-for-small-books.html
The New York Times. (n.d.). The New York Times [Logo]. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/.
*I will continue to look for short reads websites that will be updated. I didn’t find any, but want to remember my interest in them. This one is technically extra.