One of the best ways to stay current with current events and technological advancements as an information professional is to network. The American Association of School Librarians is an excellent organization to be a part of because it focuses on national standards with a learner framework that targets inquiry, inclusion, collaboration, curation, exploration, and engagement (American Association of School Librarians, 2018).  I look forward to attending AASL conferences in the future to stay connected with LIS professionals.

American Association of School Librarians. (2018). AASL standards framework for learners. https://standards.aasl.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/AASL-Standards-Framework-for-Learners-pamphlet.pdf

The VAASL aims to be the “voice for excellence in Virginia’s school libraries” (Virginia Association of School Librarians, 2021). Because of this, their website can be counted on to provide access to resources for librarians, seminars, research articles, and annual conferences.This is also a great place to inquire about funding through academic scholarships and grants for school libraries.

Virginia Association of School Librarians. (2021). Mission. https://vaasl.memberclicks.net/mission-and-strategic-plan

Edtech Magazine is my go-to resource for technological trends in the school library. Not only does it keep me abreast of trends in K-12 settings, but also trends in higher education, which will certainly come in handy as I’m preparing my students for life after high school. The school librarian is often the first to be informed of new technology coming to the classroom, and with this website, I can stay ahead of the game!

This online journal of peer reviewed articles covers a wide array of topics, some quite controversial, relevant to the field of librarianship. Not only is it a great way to stay current on library events and the political climate’s effect on the field, but it’s also a great way to expand your resources. The site exposes you to several qualified and passionate information professionals.

This site serves as a one stop shop for school and public librarians in search of a little bit of everything including news, funding, curriculum, book reviews, advocacy, resources, rewards, articles, blog posts, and much more. I would especially recommend this website for librarians in search of new literature to add to their collections. 

One to one technology in schools is common as most schools are ditching traditional textbooks and assigning students their own laptops instead. Free Technology for Teachers is a great resource to help school librarians equip students and especially their teachers, with the right tools to effectively use those devices. With Youtube tutorials, a blog, and a newsletter, Richard Byrne keeps educational staff up to date on best practices for technology in the classroom.

This nonprofit organization advocates for inclusive literature for children. The blog features Q & As with children’s literary authors, book reviews, and curation suggestions. The website also features resources for parents, educators, and librarians, and grants for educators, librarians and interns, and minority creatives. This website is ideal for librarians looking to expand their literature collections to improve cultural representation.

This blog, run by Naomi Bates and Lyndsey Thomas, is a great resources for school librarians. It offers reviews of young adult literature and technology for the classroom and library. Bates and Thomas, who advocate for inclusive representation in school libraries, have a strong social media presence and also share reviews on YouTube and Twitter.