This archive was originally posted at serrc.org/schoollibraries
December 3rd – In This Issue…
SAYL News in Brief
ESSA Passed by Congress Includes Provisions Related to School Libraries, Moves on to Senate.
On December 2nd, Congress passed S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Schools Act (ESEA, also known by it’s 2001 reauthorization title, the No Child Left Behind Act). If approved by the Senate and signed into law, ESSA would support effective school library programs with a dedicated source of funding.
ESSA includes these provisions [.pdf] related to libraries.
For more on ESSA, see Fact Sheet: Congress Acts to Fix No Child Left Behind
Anchorage School Librarian Among the 10 Winners of the “I Love My Librarian Award”
Three school librarians were among the 10 winners of the “I Love My Librarian” Award,” granted to individuals showing “exceptional public service to the community and ongoing commitment to transforming lives through education and lifelong learning,” according to a press release from the American Library Association (ALA). [Continue at SLJ]
Alaska Library Network to Purchase School Library Connection Professional Development Subscriptions.
The Alaska Library Network will be purchasing subscriptions to ABC-CLIO’s School Library Connection/Reviews+ online professional development. These subscriptions will allow school librarians to select features, columns, workshops, lessons and more from content areas of “Organization & Management”, “Instructional Leadership”, “Library in Context”, book reviews and collection development materials.
The distribution and application process for these seats will be announced soon. Potential applicants are encouraged to preview the service, with a 30-day free trial.
Annual Creative Writing Contest Announced
The Alaska Center for the Book hopes you can encourage students and writers of all ages to submit their best writing in the Annual Creative Writing Contest sponsored by the University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Dispatch News. The deadline for this year’s contest is February 12, 2016. Find full prize listings, contest rules, electronic submission instructions and the entry form here.
This contest offers such a great opportunity for students to really focus on the process of writing and editing a piece for possible publication. Winning entries are awarded cash prizes, announced in the Alaska Dispatch News and selected entries are published in the Alaska Dispatch News print and electronic editions and posted on the online edition of the newspaper and on LitSite Alaska.
2016 Creative Writing Contest Poster [.pdf]
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Announces the Best Books of 2015
CSMCL has announced the 2015 list of the best multicultural books and materials which affirm the lives of the multicultural community. As of today, the CSMCL website has not been updated with this list, but it is available in PDF format:
CSMCL.BestMulticulturalBks.2015 [.pdf]
University of Minnesota Conducting Research on Librarians’ Experience with Negotiating Compensation in Libraries
UMN is conducting a research study about librarians’ experience with negotiating for compensation and benefits in the library hiring process. You are invited to participate in the study by answering multiple choice questions in an online survey. It should take about 15 minutes to complete.
Scholarships, Grants, and Awards Opportunities
Closing December 14th — Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. For first-time recipients. Staffed, designated, and established school libraries with at least 85% Free/Reduced Lunch are eligible. Up to $7,000.
Closing January 15th – AkLA has established a scholarship program to support the education of librarians by providing financial assistance to worthy students pursuing graduate studies in Library Science. Guidelines and application forms are available online.
Closing February 1st – AASL Awards season is open. Ten awards open to school libraries and related programs/faculty ranging from $1,250 to $10,000.
Closing March 1st – Pat Carterette Professional Development Grant. Up to $1,000 to attend a continuing education event in 2016-17.
Training and Continuing Education Opportunities
Opportunities not fitting your schedule? Many of these webinars will later be available as archives.
Monday, December 7th, 4pm – TLCafé Smackdown!
Wednesday, December 9th, 10-11am – Joining Forces to STEAM Ahead Further and Faster
Wednesday December 9th, 1:30 – 2:30pm – “The Irresistible Library: Renovate and Rejuvenate!”
Friday, December 11th, 11am-noon – STEM-pendous: STEM Programming @ Your Library
Wednesday, December 16th 1-2pm – Virtual Instruction: Teaching without Time and Space Constraints
Monday, December 21st 4-5pm – This Month in School Libraries
Wednesday, December 23rd, 7-8am – Best New Teen Books of 2015 .
[Additional and up-to-date Library Development Training and Continuing Education Calendar]
[su_frame]Spring Share’s “SpringyCamp 2015” Recordings and Resources are now available. If you use LibGuides at your library, get the most out of your tools and design with these archived webinars.[/su_frame]
As Seen on Alaska School Librarians Facebook
A roundup of resources shared and questions asked on the Alaska School Librarians Facebook group. This is intended to give readers the chance to access resources at work if Facebook is filtered. Only timely questions, announcements, and links to non-Facebook resources are listed here.
11/25 – Check out this site for a grant opportunity for $1,000 to fund a teen tech week program at your library. Even if you don’t apply for the grant, there are links to research, activity ideas, as well as a webinar that is coming up December 15.
11/26 – [The Gift of Reading]
11/27 – I’ve never seen anything like this! [The Edges of these Pages Contain a Beautiful Illustration]
12/3 – Congratulations Dona Helmer!
12/3 – ~100 ILL mail zipper pouches up for auction, currently at $5.
Almanac
December is Read a New Book Month
December 5th is Walt Disney’s birthday (1901)
December 6th -12th is Computer Science Education Week. Celebrate with your Hour of Code Event. Tips: here and here.
Something You’d Like to See in SAYL Mail?
To share news, success stories, resources, and opportunities, please contact Jared Shucha. The next issue is December 16th.