American Libraries Magazine
This magazine is the publication of the American Libraries Association and serves as a voice for libraries. I have utilized many of the articles when researching trends and issues in the field of librarianship. This magazine is so informative and provides information about so many relevant topics. I definitely can see this magazine being a resource no matter the type of library I end up working in.
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/
Association for Library Service to Children Blog
The ALSC is a wonderful chapter of the American Library Association that focuses on children. This is a great blog because it discusses trends and issues related to children. I find this blog helpful since I currently work in Youth Services, and I enjoy reading about different issues and well as program ideas.
Jbrary
This blog was created by two children’s librarians, Dana and Lindsey, and it has been a go-to for me for a while. They offer storytime ideas, songs, rhymes, and so much more to help make your early literacy programs even better. This resource has been amazing because I have been working in Youth Services over 10 years and can see this being helpful in the future.
Library Think Tank
I absolutely love the Library Think Tank Group on Facebook. It is the perfect space for library staff to chat about all thing libraries. You can get resources, tips, program ideas and so much more from those working in the field. This group is beneficial now and will be in the future because it allows me to see what others are doing as well as tell others what my library is doing.
Public Library Association (PLA):
This organization is a division of the American Library Association. It is important to me now and for the future since I plan to continue to work in Public Libraries. They provide resources and training specific to public libraries which has beneficial to me. They provide in-person and virtual opportunities to keep public library professionals performing at their best.
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a wonderful resource for anyone working in the library field. It serves as a wonderful tool for collection development for children and teens as well as providing news coverage information on a variety of topics. This journal will be helpful to me in the future when doing collection development for children and teens and when I want to read about libraries in the news.
Virginia Library Association (VLA):
The Virginia Library Association has a goal of developing, promoting, and improving library and information services in order to advance literacy and learning in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This association allows me to connect and network with other library professionals in Virginia while also gaining tools to serve the public more effectively.
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
YALSA is a division of the American Library Association that focuses on teen services in libraries. They have a mission to “develop and deliver resources to libraries that expand their capacity to support teen learning and enrichment and to foster healthy communities (YALSA, 2022).” YALSA is a wonderful resource because I work with teens and because of the book and grant recommendations, continuing education opportunities, information about current issues affecting teens and so much more.
We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is a nonprofit organization that strives to create a world where every reader can find themselves within the pages of a book. This organization offers resources and programming initiatives that help spread the word about the importance of diversity in books. I have found this website and organization to be helpful when trying to diversify my book collections at the library. I have always been a huge proponent of diversity so this nonprofit has truly been beneficial for my work.
https://diversebooks.org/resources/
American Library Association
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association. They promote libraries and work to ensure that they remain vital centers of literacy, access, and opportunity. Becoming a member of the American Library Association connects you to a world of resources and knowledge pertaining to libraries. This organization is truly a resource because it gives me access to all things libraries especially since I am use to working in a public library.
Project Outcome
Project Outcome is a free toolkit to help libraries show the impact of their programs and services. The toolkit offers ready-to-use surveys for libraries to gain feedback from their patrons. Once the data is collected and entered into the system, Project Outcome creates charts and graphs based on the data. This service is definitely a resource that I will be utilizing because it will lessen the workload when trying to gather data for stakeholders and other decision makers.
https://www.projectoutcome.org/
Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has a mission to “advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development” (IMLS.gov, n.d.). This organization has already been helpful for me when searching for grants for one of my previous courses. I feel that this website will also be beneficial in my future no matter what type of library I end up in due to the resources and grant opportunities and assistance that they provide.
STAR Library Network
The STAR Library Network is a hands-on learning network for libraries. They provide resources, professional development, STEM exhibits and events. Star Net is also built on partners and collaborators such as the Space Science Institute and the National Center for Interactive Learning. This resource has already proven beneficial in coming up with ideas for STEM and space programming and I am sure I will be able to continue to use this wonderful resource in the future.
