| MLIS Candidate
Resources
This page is a collection of resources I have found to be helpful in my efforts of professional development and anticipate will continue to be useful in my pursuit of life-long learning.
Professional Organizations
American Library Association. (2022). [American Association of School Librarians Logo]. Retrieved from https://www.ala.org/aasl/
The American Association of School Libraries (AASL) is a division of the American Library Association (ALA). They author the National School Library Standards, host biannual conferences, and provide professional development. This resource will help me as a school leader and professional to be well informed regarding current issues on the national level within the field of school librarianship.
Virginia Association of School Librarians. (2019). [VAASL Logo]. Retrieved from https://www.vaasl.org
The Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) is a state affiliate of AASL. VAASL facilitates collaboration, host an annual conference, grants several awards, and advocates for support of the school library as a learning community to ensure students succeed academically. Members are often colleagues and mentors experienced in applying both AASL standards and VA Standards of Learning. This resource will help me network, develop greater community relationships, and remain connected locally.
American Library Association. (2022). [Association for Library Service to Children Logo]. Retrieved from https://www.ala.org/alsc/
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is another division of the American Library Association (ALA). They curate book lists, designate several book and media awards, host a national institute, and offer tools for everyday advocacy. This resource will be invaluable to me in future collection development and enhancement efforts. It will also help me to participate in advocacy at the grassroots level.
The International Society for Technology in Education. (2022). [ISTE Logo]. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/
The International Society for Technology in Education (ITSE) is a global organization that promotes technology use in classrooms. Their vision includes empowering educators and accelerating innovation to inspire learners. Furthermore, ITSE standards are fairly aligned with AASL standards. This resource will help me continue learning best technological practices, and how to successfully integrate technology into lessons while remaining focused on student learning.
Publications
American Library Association. (n.d.). [Knowledge Quest: Official Journal of the American Association of School Librarians Logo]. Retrieved on May 3, 2023 from https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/
Knowledge Quest is the official journal published by AASL bimonthly September thru June. Additionally, they publish an online blog across eleven topics that are highly relevant to school librarians, like: equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), intellectual freedom, makerspaces, and STEM/STEAM. I have found the blog content to be helpful while completing assignments in the program, and am sure this resource will continue to serve me in my professional development.
School Library Journal. (2023). [SLJ Logo]. Retrieved on May 5, 2023 from https://www.slj.com/
School Library Journal (SLJ) is a publication focused on journalism and reviews targeted to librarians that serve children and teens. Their reviews cover print and digital resources, from books to databases. I particularly like the classroom section of the website that has subcategories like: classroom & curricula, ed tech, and elementary. This resource will be a helpful tool for evaluating new children’s literature and offers another touchpoint for remaining current on news in the profession.
Websites
George Lucas Educational Foundation. (2022). [edutopia logo]. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/
Edutopia is an online community dedicated sharing and promoting tools and methods that are most successful in pre-K-12 education. I appreciate that they focus on, “core strategies that educate the whole child: project-based learning, comprehensive assessment, integrated studies, social and emotional learning, teacher development, and technology integration” (George Lucas Educational Foundation, 2022, para. 5). This resource will help me to be an effective educator librarian across all grade levels.
George Lucas Educational Foundation. (2022). Frequently Asked Questions [website]. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/about/contact/faq
Follett Content Solutions, LLC. (2024). [Titlewave logo]. Retrieved from https://www.titlewave.com/main/home
Follett's Titlewave is a resource vendor that many public school districts utilize (including Suffolk Public Schools) to order new materials, both physical and digital. They curate helpful thematic lists, including Virginia state authors and award winners. I have found it immensely helpful to be able to browse by topic and having a specific book’s reviews all compiled in one place. Additionally, I appreciate that users can filter by criteria including number of authoritative reviews.
People of Interest: Blogs & Social Media
Rawls, M. (n.d.). [The Book Wrangler Logo]. Retrieved from https://thebookwrangler.com/ *Please note this website is no longer active*
The Book Wrangler (Mike Rawls) has more than 100K followers on Instagram, and was a classroom teacher for 18 years before becoming an elementary school librarian. He creates beautiful book guides, interactive posters, and activities for elementary level library classes focused on current events and diversity. He also has 200+ created materials available for purchase thru the teacherspayteachers website, which I am sure will be helpful as I cultivate displays and lesson plans in the future.
Willett, R. (n.d.). [photograph]. Retrieved on January 20, 2024 from https://ischool.wisc.edu/staff/willett-rebekah/
Willett, R. (n.d.). [Academic Blog Partial Header]. Retrieved from https://rebekahwillett.wordpress.com/
Dr. Rebekah Willett is a faculty professor at the Information School (iSchool) at UW-Madison with fascinating and innovative research focused in Childhood Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, Education, and Girlhood Studies. She also has interest in Children’s media cultures, new literacies, digital cultures, play, and public library makerspaces. Her website will help me to follow her relevant research and stay up to date with her findings, that I can then apply in my practice.
Storybookmaze TikTok. (n.d.). [Screenshot by Kiley Miller]. Retrieved on July 30, 2022 from https://www.tiktok.com/@storybookmaze
Storybook Maze (Araba Maze) is a self-proclaimed “Radical Street Librarian” working to eliminate Baltimore’s book deserts. She has 63K+ followers on Instagram and 178K+ followers on TikTok. Maze’s work has won funding awards and been featured on Good Morning America due to Maze’s enthusiasm and unique techniques. Though Maze is not a school librarian, her dedication to children’s access and innovation are inspiring and can be applied in school libraries.
McCoy, A. (n.d.). [photograph]. Retrieved on January 20, 2024 from https://www.ahoymrsmccoy.com/home
@AhoyMrsMcCoy-cb5tr. (n.d.). [Youtube channel partial header screenshot]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBO4LXxeXQmTsZTYfwLVZXw/videos
Amanda McCoy is an enthusiastic elementary school librarian sharing ideas and successes on her website (Ahoy Mrs. McCoy!), X/twitter (750+ followers), and YouTube (with more than 50,000 views). Her practical videos are grouped into series like “library things to know” or “Mrs. McCoy’s Hot Tips”, and offer inspiration on a variety of topics. Her videos can be shared directly with learners, and I see her approach being recreated in my future library.
Podcasts
Herman, A. (2022). [Partial Header Screenshot by Kiley Miller]. Retrieved on July 30, 2022 from https://schoollibrariansunited.libsyn.com/
School Librarians United with Amy Hermon is a podcast that focuses on the practical details that go into running a successful school library. Each episode addresses real-life or day-to-day type issues and challenges faced by school librarians. Coverings include topics like: collaboration, annual evaluations, job interviewing, story-time strategies, inclusion, programming, censorship, parental outreach, and so much more! I personally found the “Preparing to Interview” episode helpful recently in my own job interview preparations.
Kappa Delta Pi (2023). [Logo Screenshot by Kiley Miller]. Retrieved on January 5, 2023 from https://open.spotify.com/show/7kLnVUF6zACjacii9wWUGI
The Rooted Teacher by KDP (Kappa Delta Pi) is a relatively new podcast that supports educators seeking pragmatic strategies, inspiring stories, and personal growth support. Hosted by Cavalyn Day, the podcast covers relevant themes like avoiding compassion fatigue and creating work life balance. I found these episodes particularly helpful, and I believe that continuing to listen to this podcast going forward will help me lead a more balanced life while teaching.
Header Featured Image Citation: qiangxuer. (2020, November 4). [two young girls reading photo]. Pixaby. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/girls-books-reading-read-library-5711423/