As a librarian, educator, and life-long student, I am committed to the growth, evolution, and exploration of ideas. Below you’ll find resources that have supported me throughout my graduate school program — and will continue to strengthen and grow my expertise as a librarian.
associations
American Association of School Librarians
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is a branch of the American Library Association, focused on school librarianship. AASL hosts an annual conference, an AASL e-learning library, and a popular listserv, among other resources for school librarians. AASL also publishes standards for school librarianship. Continually returning to the AASL standards will deepen and enrich the ways our library’s learners engage in the inquiry and knowledge construction process.
American Association of School Librarians. (n.d.). Home [Website]. Retrieved April 23, 2021 from http://www.ala.org/aasl/.
Virginia Association of School Librarians
The Virginia Association of School Librarians (VASL) supports school librarians within the state of Virginia through library advocacy, two annual conferences, a digital publication, and multiple ways for librarians to network with each other. Networking within the VASL will connect me with colleagues and informal mentors who have experience blending the VA SOLs and AASL standards while meeting the needs of the communities we serve here in Virginia.
Virginia Association of School Librarians. (n.d.). Home [Website]. Retrieved April 23, 2021 from https://www.vaasl.org/.
publications
In the Library with the Lead Pipe
In the Library is an open access, peer reviewed publication with articles about library and information science across library types. They focus on publishing diverse perspectives that connect to the ways libraries can “change the world for the better”. Previously published articles include topics such as disability justice, culturally responsive programming, and language ideologies in the library. In the Library will continually push me to become a better librarian for my students, challenging me to think creatively as I provide equitable services to all students.
up//root: a we here publication
up//root is a publication that centers Black, Indigenous, and people of color’s knowledge about library spaces and services. They explicitly state “this is not the oppressor’s publication”. These are voices that have historically and continue to be under-represented in mainstream publications, textbooks, and leadership positions due to systemic bias. I find it incredibly important for me, as a white educator and librarian, to seek out these voices to listen and learn.
Journal of Research on Libraries & Young Adults
Journal of Research on Libraries & Young Adults (JRLYA) is another open access, peer-reviewed journal, but with a focus on theory, research, and practice surrounding young adult library services. This includes a wide range of topics, with recent articles discussing gun violence in youth literature, supporting the health needs of teens, and social media practices. Reading JRLYA will connect me with the latest research about youth development, programming, and literature as related to youth services in the library space.
Young Adult Library Services Association. (n.d.). Journal of Research on Libraries & Young Adults. Retrieved April 25, 2021 from http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/
Collection Management is a peer-reviewed journal that features topics related to collection management, such as digital resources in the collection, training staff, licensing and financial issues, and many more. Recent articles also focused on equity in the collection, such as diversifying digital collections. In this fast-paced, technological era, it is important for me to stay current on collection practice changes, as well as to continually reflect on whether our library’s collection is serving our community’s needs.
education
Project READY is a series of online professional development modules for librarians and library administrators who serve youth in school and community settings. The goal is to improve library practice for serving Native youth and youth of color. There are 27 self-paced modules. These modules are part of my ongoing plan for professional development, both for initial training and as a resource to return to time and again.
Institute of Museum & Library Services, UNC School of Library and Information Sciences, Wake County public school system, & North Carolina Central University. (n.d.). Project READY: Reimagining equity & access for diverse youth. Retrieved April 23, 2021 from https://ready.web.unc.edu/.
Similar to Project READY, Project enable is a series of training modules and a set of resources to support librarians, but with a focus on accessibility and inclusion for library patrons with disabilities. There are several video series for specific concerns that libraries have faced as well. Although my background experience is in special education and universal design, these resources have been invaluable in translating that practice to the library environment.
Syracuse University, Infopeople, Burton Blatt Institute, & Institute of Museum & Library Services. (n.d.). Project enable: Expanding non-discriminatory access by librarians everywhere. Retrieved April 22, 2021 from https://projectenable.syr.edu/.
blogs
We Need Diverse Books is an organization that was started in response to the under-representation of Black, Indigenous, and authors of color, disabled authors, LGBTQ+ authors, and other diverse stories in the book industry — publishing companies, book conferences, libraries, etc… The WNDB blog highlights diverse books from early childhood through young adult, with cover reveals, author Q&A, and other pieces that center equity and representation. WNDB will continue to build my knowledge of diverse books to meet my community’s needs, respond to reader advisory requests, and connect every reader to their book. It will also build my skills in evaluating portrayals of diverse characters and cultures in literature.
We Need Diverse Books. (n.d.). Blog. Retrieved April 19, 2021 from https://diversebooks.org/blog/.
social media
Project Lit is grassroots literacy movement that develops reading lists and supports book clubs within schools across the country. They are an excellent resource for diverse reading materials that will engage a variety of upper elementary, middle school, and high school students. They also host author conversations and a conference for participating schools, connecting our school to a wealth of knowledge.
Project Lit [@ProjectLitComm]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
Dr. Subramaniam is an associate professor in the UMD’s library science program, with a focus on youth experiences. She tweets presentations, interviews, and articles that are relevant to librarians serving youth in school and community library spaces, supporting me to stay updated on best practices in serving youth in libraries.
Mega Subramaniam. [@mmsubram]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
Dr. Hughes-Hassell is a professor in the UNC LIS program, as well as a past president of YALSA and co-creator of Project READY. She tweets presentations, resources, and articles relevant to social and racial justice within libraries. Equity and accessibility are core values of librarianship for me; Dr. Hughes-Hassell’s tweets will challenge me to continue developing these skills.
Dr. Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Ph.D. [@Bridge2Lit]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
The Brown Bookshelf elevates the writings of Black children’s authors or illustrators on social media and their website. These are voices that historically have been underrepresented in our libraries. I find it important to specifically focus on following and reading these works.
The Brown Bookshelf [@brownbookshelf]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
Vera posts frequently to highlight new picture books that feature diverse characters, including race, religion, gender and sexual identity. She also writes about using these texts in early childhood environments, highlighting conversation starters, curricular or craft connections, and equitable pedagogical practices. This another resource for ensuring I am aware of newly published, diverse books that may not be highlighted in other resources.
The Tutu Teacher. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved April 19, 2021 from https://www.facebook.com/TheTutuTeacher/.
Clip-Art Credit: ArtCreationDesigns. (2021). Book reader [Clip art]. Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/873308639/watercolor-book-reader-clipart