Random Acts of Writing

Authors & Autism, Etc.

 Oh happy day! Just got the news that at program I pitched to the AASL National Conference Committee for the big school librarian conference in Minneapolis this October was accepted! Authors and Autism will feature the fabulous Nora Baskin and Tom Angleberger, as well as at least one other to-be-determined writer.

Plus, I'll also be a panelist for the program Do We Need Books in K-12 School Libraries?

Big fun all the way around!(I guess I better go ahead and regeister for the conference...)

 

One More Last Time

That's what my now-grown daughter used to say when she wanted just one more push on the swing, or to stay with her blocks just a little longer before supper.

Well, for better or worse, I'm throwing my proverbial hat in the ring "one more last time" for a shot at serving as a Councilor-at-Large for the American Library Association.  My thanks to Steve Matthews, executive board member and independent school librarian, who keeps urging me to run, and orchestrated my petition campaign.

Here's what I just submitted as my statement of professional concern:    

Why vote for me? Because I have a combination of experience, commitment and love (yes, the L word) of the library profession to be an effective ALA Councilor-at-Large. Working with groups of librarians for a common cause, whether it’s planning a regional conference, or slogging through committee work some might find mind-numbing, is my idea of a good time. I have the proven ability to clarify issues, zeroing in on what’s important, and framing opinions and decisions in light of guiding principles of library practice. I have served as a public library director, most recently a high school librarian for over a decade, and just last year launched a consulting practice focused on assisting libraries and librarians to provide exceptional service. I have experience with multitype libraries, and am a strategic planning/implementation geek who believes and acts on putting our professional principles into practice. Please vote for me.  Thank you.

So, we'll see how this goes...

What Makes a Writer a Writer?

It's probably more honest to title this musing "What makes me a writer" or "What should/am I doing to be a writer", even "...to become a published writer" (cuz inclusion in my college and high school literary magazines doesn't really count.)

As of this afternoon, here are my answers:

1) Write

2) Revise

3) Read writing by good/great writers (and/or if I don't like the writing I'm reading, think about why.)

In supplement to these basic practices, the following seem to be helpful as well:

a) Connect with other writers

b) Critique their work, and be critiqued by them

c) Attend select writers conferences and/or programs. (I recently had a great week at Vermont College's Postgraduate Writer's Conference, and plan to attend SCBWI Michigan's event in October)

I hesitate to add d) Read books about writing, because for many many years I read writing books but didn't write. Okay, I journaled, but didn't take the next step.  So, approach the reading about writing with caution.

Your thoughts?

- aae

Special Guest for Autism Preconference

I am thrilled to announce that Nora Baskin, the award-winning author of Anything But Typical will join me and Patty Saidenburg in presenting the Library Service for Preschool through Elementary Aged Children along the Autism Spectrum preconference at ALA on June 25.

 The hardcover edition    The new paperback

There's still time to register for this program at The American Library Association's annual conference in Washington, DC!

Friday, June 25, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

As a follow-up to the ALA 2009 program "Serving Students along the Autism Spectrum" this preconference will focus on specific activities for librarians working with ASD children, in both school and public library settings. This hands-on interactive workshop will feature the following:

·       An overview of the Autism Spectrum Disorder, and related behaviors seen in children

·       General guidelines of creating programming for ASD children

·       Specific examples of programs and activities for ASD children in libraries

·       Discussion of support of ASD children’s families and caregivers in the library setting

 
 

Are you an ALA member? If so, it's time to VOTE!

This is a challenging time for libraries of all types. Budgets are shrinking, librarians are losing their jobs, branches and sometimes even main libraries are closing.  Our professional organization, the American Library Association, may not be able to stop the bleeding. ALA can, however, continue to provide a national voice for the support of libraries and librarians.  No organization is perfect and/or problem free. But ALA exists to help us librarians continue to fight the good fight. I for one want and need a strong ALA to help me keep on keeping on.

If you are an ALA member, and have not voted yet, please do participate in this all electronic election. All candidates are willing to provide valuable community service by participating actively in our professional association.  So do your part to help select who gets to volunteer their time for American libraries and librarians.

For a list of council candidates, see the following for a link to a pdf of President-elect, Treasurer and Councilor-at-Large. http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/alaelection/index.cfm

Please vote. Even if you don't vote for me (councilor-at-large), please vote.

There's not much time left. Polls close April 23, 2010.

Thank you for your consideration.  - aae

Holly Black at the ISS Social

Attention independent school librarians, and/or people who like to hang out with independent school librarians:

At the ALA conference, where the tribe gathers annually to bond, debate, and grab as many ARCS as possible, the Independent School Section (ISS) of AASL is hosting several greatevents, including a tour of local schools, a dinner out, an autism preconference, and the ever popularISS Social. Which brings me to the point of this post.

The fabulous and prolific author Holly Blackwill be a guest speaker at the ISS social, Sunday 6/27 - 1:30 - 3 p.m.  Ms. Black has written middle grade stories, YA novels, short stories and graphic novels. She's also served as editor of story collections. Her books include the Spiderwick Chronicles, The Good Neighbors graphic novel series, Geektastic, and newly released, The Poison Eaters.

So, if you are an independent school librarians, or just want hang out with us and hear Holly, please be sure to preregister for this special event. 

 


 
 

Autism Preconference at ALA Annual 2010 in DC

Attention librarians working in school or public libraries:

Are some of your young users along the Autism Spectrum Disorder?  Have you been yearning for a program to help you work effectively with these children with mind differences and developmental challenges?  Please consider attending the following preconference program at the American Library Association's annual conference in Washington DC this summer. 

Library Service for Preschool through Elementary Aged Children along the Autism Spectrum
led by Alison Ernst and Patty Saidenburg
Friday, June 25, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

As a follow-up to the ALA 2009 program "Serving Students along the Autism Spectrum" this preconference will focus on specific activities for librarians working with ASD children, in both school and public library settings. This hands-on interactive workshop will feature the following:

• An overview of the Autism Spectrum Disorder, and related behaviors seen in children

• General guidelines of creating programming for ASD children

• Specific examples of programs and activities for ASD children in libraries

• Discussion of support of ASD children’s families and caregivers in the library setting

The program fee varies depending on your ALA membership level (if any) and ranges from $79 - $184. 

Click here for more American Association of School Libraries preconference offerings 

For more information please see the ALA Annual Conference Registration site.

Please also share this information with others who might be interested.  Hope to see you in DC!

Why I'm a strong match for ALA Council service

Reasons to vote for me:
- I am passionate about and committed to facilitating exceptional library services.
- I have experience using ALA principles and policies to guide my library practice.
- I am big-picture thinker as well as a practical realist regarding the hands-on real-life of library work.
- I am a multi-type library thinker, interested in how different kinds of library institutions can learn from each other with the goal of continually developing exceptional library service.
- I am a fierce believer and practitioner of strategic planning as a tool for continually developing exceptional library service.
- I am willing and able to serve the library profession by participating actively and fully on the ALA council. 

Please vote for me when the ALA polls open in March.

ALA 2010 Election Statement Update

A slight revision of my candidate statement for an audience of librarians:

We are part of a community committed to education and access, whether we serve as a children’s librarian providing fabulous pre-school story times, a community college librarian helping a non-native speaker locate resources, or a regional library administrator advocating for the best possible services for all constituents. Early in my library work I connected with the mission of bridging the gap between the information “haves and have nots.” I also experienced the benefits of multi-type library collaboration and witnessed positive outcomes for end user constituents from cooperative efforts. One of my strengths as a librarian, and a potential ALA Council member, is experience creating policies grounded in library principles and providing library services guided by these policies. I work with big picture strategic vision, as well as the hands-on daily realities of librarianship. Thanks for your consideration.

Pecan Pie Lava - A Thanksgiving Hazard

It is only Thanksgiving eve, and the dinner preparation mishaps have already begun.

It started benignly enough. I thought there were two pie plates in my cupboard. Alas, there was but one. Undeterred, I pressed a tart pan into service, the kind with the bottom that pops out. The pumpkin pie, which takes longer to bake, would go in the official pie plate. The pecan would bake in the tart pan. I dutifully put cookie trays (ones with no edges) under the baking pies to keep any filling spilling contained.

It turns out that the pecan pie did not want to be in the tart pan. The crust (a gluten-free attempt at dough) combined with the corn syrupy filling to produce a substance similar to molten lava. Copious amounts of this matter flowed to the bottom of the oven. I could almost hear it gloat “Cookie sheet? I laugh at your cookie sheet!” as it had its way with the heating element.

I removed the pecan tart/pie (with cloth potholders) and thought it would be a good idea to separate the pan from the cookie sheet (to which is was firmly adhered). I was wrong. Oh folly! Oh frizzle! Oh fudge! I now have some impressive blisters along the side of my left thumb, where the filling/lava and my skin connected for far to long.

Oh what will tomorrow, the day of cooking the 15-pound bird, crafting stuffing, smashing potatoes, bring? I really will try to be careful…