ALSC - The Association for Library Service to Children

03/06/2025

Mark your calendars for "How to Identify Community Stakeholders and Form Partnerships," a We Are ALSC Zoom Chat hosted by the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee! On March 26 at 2pm ET/1pm CT, come share your community partnership successes and learn from peers.

Register here: https://ala-events.zoom.us/meeting/register/D_xuqfXsQ0KtHftqiGRf6w #/registration

03/05/2025

Learn how to keep up with the children's services field, even when your career takes you on a different path, from blogger Hyunjin (Jin) Han.

After working 7 years as a children’s librarian, I took a new role as a regional services librarian in 2023. It was a move I made for my librarian career, although I loved my time as a children’s librarian. In my new job, it has been hard to remain relevant in the field since I don’t plan chil...

03/05/2025

Tickets are going fast for the 2025 Children's Literature Lecture on March 20, hosted by Multnomah County Library and featuring Newbery Honor and two-time Stonewall Award winner Kyle Lukoff. Get your tickets now!

If you can't make it in-person to the event, a livestream will also be available here: https://www.youtube.com/

Newbery Honor and two-time Stonewall Award winner Kyle Lukoff presents "What Do We Ask Books To Do?"

03/04/2025

Applications are now open for the Talk Story Grant.

Who's eligible? Libraries and community organizations that serve AANHPI or AIAN children and their families are eligible to apply for micro-grant.

Sounds great. Where do I apply?
Here, by March 15: www.apalaweb.org/talkstorytogether/grant

How do I find out more?

Through our press release: https://www.apalaweb.org/talk-story-grant-is-now-open-for-applications/

And by contacting [email protected] or
[email protected]

03/04/2025

"A good set of expectations lets families know what is and isn’t okay. In addition, it empowers caregivers (and you) to manage disruptions."

Blogger Jaime Eastman shares tips for managing meltdowns during storytime on the ALSC blog.

Managing meltdowns during storytime? Discover five practical tips to handle disruptive behavior and create a welcoming environment for all.

03/04/2025

It's the last day of our free shipping promotion on the ALA graphics shop - get your orders in at bit.ly/graphics-gift-shop!

03/03/2025

What are your leadership aspirations - and is management actually the best path for you?

Join us for the ALSC member-exclusive webinar "Climbing the Leadership Ladder: What You Need to Know Before Starting and How to Decide Where to Stop" this Thursday, March 6 to learn what to expect in a leadership role.

This webinar is part of our "Best of National Institute," a series of professional development presentations that happened at 2024's National Institute and were highly rated by attendees.

Come learn how your work changes when you move into management, how to effectively navigate the transition, and tips for determining both if management is the best path for you and where to stop on the ladder.

03/03/2025

"Remember that your goal isn’t just to present content in two languages, but to create an environment where both languages are celebrated and valued equally."

ALSC's Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee provides tips for a successful bilingual storytime on the blog.

Creating an inclusive and engaging bilingual storytime program is a wonderful way to serve diverse communities and foster language learning from an early age. Whether your library serves a large population of native speakers, second-generation families, or language enthusiasts, a thoughtfully design...

02/28/2025

"Now, Science of Reading is a hot topic both in the district and beyond. But what does it really mean?"

Learn more about the Science of Reading from blogger Annaliese Melvin.

Effective March 2021, the District of Columbia enacted Law 23-191 to address dyslexia and other reading difficulties which required the Office of the Superintendent of Education to provide support to public schools in identifying and preventing reading difficulties in students. As a result of this l...

02/28/2025

". . . play spaces have emerged as a critical element of youth services, offering children and their caregivers valuable avenues for learning, creativity, and social interaction."

ALSC's Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee explores the importance of play spaces in libraries on the blog.

Why Play Matters Research shows that brain development during the first years of life is incredibly rapid. During these formative years, children learn and grow in the context of personal relationships, with their early experiences shaping their future health, behavior, and learning.  Public librar...

02/27/2025

Add some ALSC flair to your wardrobe! Shipping is free February 27 through March 4 on the ALA graphics gift shop (bit.ly/graphics-gift-shop).

02/27/2025

Learn more about the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee's upcoming We Are ALSC Chat on March 26!

Partnerships are a key component to fostering and strengthening our library communities. They take time, but once you have them, those partnerships can grow into a wealth of resources and shared commitment. Where do you start and how do you build a sustainable, reciprocal relationship?  Last year m...

02/26/2025

ALSC is now on LinkedIn! Be sure to follow us for the latest updates from the association.

Association for Library Service to Children | The world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. | ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. ALSC’s robust network of...

02/26/2025

Start planning for Women's History Month with these book suggestions from blogger Maria Trivisonno!

Women’s History Month is around the corner, and it’s time to get your displays ready so children can learn the fascinating and sometimes little-known stories captured in the following children’s books.  Dig in and enjoy! Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples by Mavis Staples, w...

02/25/2025

Learn about ALSC's new partnership with the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award on the ALSC blog!

ALSC is excited to announce a new partnership with the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Learn more about what this means

02/25/2025

"Although intended for library personnel, most actions are for anyone and everyone who loves libraries."

Learn more about ALA's Show Up For Our Libraries campaign on the ALSC blog.

The American Library Association provides advocacy materials and ways you can take action to support libraries.

02/24/2025

"If you are like me, you look at award-winning children’s books and wish, 'One day I want to be on the Newbery or Printz or (insert award name here) committee.'"

Learn from a member of this year's Newbery Award committee about their professional journey that led them to serve on the committee!

If you are like me, you look at award-winning children’s books and wish, “One day I want to be on the Newbery or Printz or (insert award name here) committee.” In 2024, I was honored and thrilled to be placed on the 2025 Newbery Award committee. It was the most amazing and fulfilling experienc...

02/21/2025

"We can’t fix chaos. We can have small, positive impacts on the human beings who rely on us for leadership and stability."

Blogger Mary Fellows provides strategies for leading during times of chaos on the ALSC blog.

Perhaps you’ve noticed: there seems to be a lot of chaos around just now. Considering AI alone, a sense of upheaval seems fitting. But when disorder and confusion build up in the workplace and negatively impact our team, managers have to step up to help. Chaos comes to the library workplace in var...