Following an amazing morning accepting the Toor Scholarship as well as attending an amazing workshop session on Echoes and Reflections – An AASL Author Talk on Collection Development was offered – which was my current class at Florida State University as I was creating a Collection Development Policy for my own High School Library. I wanted anything I could obtain regarding constructing a solid Collection Development plan. Her session was EXCELLENT.

The AASL Opening was phenomenal. There is a huge reminder that school libraries should definitely apply to the National School Library of the Year by January 01. Calvert County, Maryland’s Public School system in 2021 won, and no winner in 2022 (travesty) – so APPLY!

Sylvia Knight Norton- Executive Director of AASL helped encourage the phrase “Let’s Try This!” when it came to initiatives that school librarians are always willing to take on – as a characteristic of the determined school librarian. She reflected on being in this position 10 years ago and how so much has occurred in that time. 

2023-2024 AASL President, Courtney Pentland was recognized for the incoming year as well as being part of the Oregon State Library Conference October 13th and 14th. The question about how much support has been given and needed from library associations was emphasized, and it was awesome to see a land acknowledgement was given for the location in Tampa recognizing the original inhabitants of the Tampa Bay area. 

ALA President Emily Drabinski discuss the need to advocate and bring up over and over the need for Every School to be staffed by a certified librarian. The long-term impacts are priceless as I know, and many know, but many more are unaware of this fact. It is our job to inform on that fact and enable this asset.

It was AWESOME to see and hear from Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) President, Kathleen Daniels. and the announcement of the Right to Read Rally at 5:30 PM this evening.

It was exciting to see the decisions made to travel to AASL in Florida to push forward one of the most vital assets we have, litereacy.

Yet, leading up to the key note speaker, Nikkolas Smith, ARTivisit, would be mind-blowing and energizing. Stay tuned for that information coming shortly!