Random Acts of Writing

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.

Live from "Partnership for 21st Century Skills" program @ AASL

Rumor has it Mark Twain said something to the effect of "don't let your schooling get in the way of education"

Are our students:

-       critical thinkers

-       problem solvers

-       good communicators

-       good collaborators

-       information & technology literate

-       flexible & adaptable

-       innovative & creative

-       globally competent

-       financially literate

For more info see: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

AASL is Imminent!

The American Association of School Librarians 14th National Conference is on!  This coming weekend thousands of librarians will descend upon the sleepy hamlet of Charlotte, North Carolina. Once there, the hordes will meet and talk and learn and hobnob and recharge and get overwhelmed and reflect.

I have the honor and pleasure of participating in providing several conference activities.  I'll be wing-woman to ISS chair Cheryl Steele, who is hosting the Independent School Section's Social on Thursday 11/5.  Over 100 people have registered for this event!  On Saturday 11/7 I'll participate in two programs, the first with Patt Moser and David Loertscher:

Learning Commons, Information Commons, Library Media Center - What's in a Name? 

What is an Information Commons? A Learning Commons? And is there any difference between these and the Library Media Center?  What library models currently used in Higher Education are applicable to the K-12 world? What does all this have to do with Information literacy? Join your colleagues for a spirited discussion about the evolution and possibilities of "The Library" in our schools.  

And the second with a whole bunch of folks, led by Dorcas Hand, our fearless editor:

INDEPENDENCE: Leadership to Learning, Information, and Access in Independent School Libraries 

Program to feature ten chapter authors for a forthcoming Libraries Unlimited book on Independent School Libraries, topics include Library 2.0, accreditation issues, advocacy in a broader context, library communities of support, bridging library skills between levels, and programs beyond the curriculum. Author/speakers are all practicing librarians in independent schools nationwide who will offer a breadth of experience to support their insights in to best practices as we look  further into the 21st century.

Let the learning continue!

I'm on the ALA 2010 Ballot

I received word this week that The American Library Association's Nominating Committee has selected me as a candidate for Councilor-at-Large in the 2010 election.   Yay!  I am a policy geek, and ALA Council is all about policy. This will be my second time on the ballot as Councilor-at-Large. A few years ago I did not receive quite enough votes to prevail, but was encouraged by a seasoned councilor to throw my hat in the ring again, as I had not lost by that much.  (I don't recall the numbers.)

One of my coworkers asked very sensibly "What does a Councilor-at-Large do?" after assuring me the question was not facetious.  This prodded me to find the official job description for council members, which begins with:

"The ALA Council is the governing body of ALA.  It delegates authority to the divisions of the Association to plan and carry out programs and activities in accordance with policy established by Council.  Council determines all policies of the Association and its decisions are binding unless set aside by the membership."

It's involves going to a lot of meetings.  Also from the job description:

"The ALA Council normally meets four times during the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference [three Council sessions and a Council/Executive Board/Membership Information Session].  All Councilors are expected to attend each of the scheduled meetings.  In addition, Councilors are expected to attend two Membership Meetings at the Annual Conference.  While it is not mandatory, many Councilors choose to attend Council Forum meetings held at both the Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference.  New Councilors will be asked to attend orientation sessions at the Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting
following their election."

Connect to the document on the ALA website by clicking here.

Suffice it to say, only folks who are really interested in and committed to the American Library Association need apply.  Which I am. Interested in and committed to. 

Here's my Statement of Professional Concern which will appear on the ballot:

"I initially became a librarian because of commitment to life-long learning. I believe 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, we are a part of a community committed to education and access.   Early on in my library work I connected with the mission of bridging the gap between the information “haves and have nots.” I also experienced the professional 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 my experience creating policy 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, day-to-day realities of library work. I look forward to the opportunity to represent varied library constituents by serving on ALA’s Council.  Thank you for your consideration."

Polls open March 16, 2010. 

School Library Journal Article About Autism

A day or two before facilitating the Serving Students Along the Autism Spectrum program at ALA 09 in Chicago, I received a call from SLJ reporter Debra Lau Whelan. She was working on a piece about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and got wind of the ISS/AASL program.  I was very glad to talk with Deb, and to put her in touch with Bernadette Nowakowski, director of children’s and young adult services at the Chicago Public Library, who is doing great work with the TAP program training librarians in the CPL system.

Check out the School Library Journal Article: The Equal Opportunity Disorder by Debra Lau Whelan, in the August 1, 2009 online issue.

The stars are aligning, or more accurately, interested librarians all over the US are doing the footwork necessary to develop and provide responsive services to individuals and families impacted by the Autism Disorder Spectrum.

Battle on!