Not surprisingly, I spend a lot of time thinking and talking about school libraries. New friends can tell within a few minutes that I am passionate about my job, school libraries, and the librarians that keep them running. I'm also passionate about our NC professional organization, NCSLMA, and the support it provides us. So it was with interest that I read this AASL Connect gem of a post from Dr. Maria Cahill (UKY). I'm reposting here with her permission: Hello all,     I just came across this quote and thought some of you might see the wisdom of it:   "Your professional organizational dues are the rent you pay for taking up space in the profession. Harsh? Perhaps, but think of the backstory. We all need support and cannot succeed on our own. Organizations… seek our participation, ask our opinions, and develop policy statements and practice guidelines that we depend on and use to promote our practice ideals..." (Kienle, 2019, p. 222). If you aren’t currently ...

Did you know that @NCSLMA’s awards and grants applications are open RIGHT NOW? Go take a look! Don’t know where to start on action research? Take a look at  Larry Ferlazzo’s   THE BEST RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ABOUT TEACHER ACTION RESEARCH

One of the highlights of the trip was the  AASL Awards Ceremony. We got to meet our digital leaders, grant winners, and librarians of the year. This year, the AASL Distinguished School Administrator award went to Mike Daria , Superintendent of Tuscaloosa City Schools. Last week I was at ALA in the humongous conference center in New Orleans! Always a great event. Although the conference center was so very large, that I didn't see many folks from NC. I wouldn't have even known they were there except for Facebook. Dr. Daria understands the value of school libraries to the culture of classes, schools, and districts at a level that is rarely seen. Please read what he says in a recent edition of  Knowledge Quest . I talked with him for a few minutes after the awards ceremony. I repeated what he already knew - that so many in the upper ranks of education have no idea what a difference a good librarian can make in a school. He told me that he didn't either, until he li...

NCSLMA annual conference is this week! We have awesome speakers, authors, vendors. We get to see much missed friends. We get to talk library talk and know everyone will understand! A ton of effort goes on behind the scenes making this event a happening. Many associations have a paid administrative assistant and may even have a director. NCSLMA is run 100% by volunteers. These volunteers are active in their own libraries and give enormous amounts time to help improve our profession. Thanks to their efforts, we have an exceptional organization to represents us! I want to especially thank Brene Duggins, president-elect and conference chair, and Sedley Abercrombie, president. I've learned so much from both and am looking forward to serving with them again next year. This year, NCSLMA, AASL, and NCLA all have vendor booths. Please stop by and say hello!  

For the last several years, I've written a "what I did on my summer vacation" post. Mainly to show that it's no 3 month vacay. (And 3 months!? Really?) So here goes. Week long training at UNCG for clinical teachers. Had my "read and ride" donors choose grant funded. Went through the TED-X application process. (Accepted btw) PD on Exploring NC Digitally. Thanks to NCSLMA. Worked on campus about 20 days. I lost track. I was in more than I intended. Wrote 2 math books for Carson Dellosa - a 4th and a 5th. This took up the majority of summer. Went to the mountains for a few days with my girlfriends. Attended multiple meetings for school or NCSLMA. Applied for an admin program and scheduled a retirement meeting. The coupling of these two is bizarre, but I'm planning for every contingency. Mwahahaha What I planned but didn't do: Rework my school web page. Practice my Spanish. Plan like a library demon. Read a book a week. I re...

We had a NCSLMA board retreat this May 6-7. It's always great to see everyone, get caught up on old business, and start new things. One of our ongoing projects is a second cohort of emerging leaders. We pulled together a strong team of facilitators to lead our next cohort through the program. AND an amazing program is taking shape! If you have been a school librarian in NC for five years or less, please take a look at our emerging leaders page to see if it is something that interests you. What we need: Application Resume (google doc link) Principal Recommendation Dates: Application due 7/31/17 Notification will be 8/31/17 Plans are to have a cohort of Emerging Leaders every other year, so if you will be in year four or five next year, this is the cohort for you!

Yesterday, I did seriously write before and after church. I have approximately 4 more pages of content (unless I decide one of these last topics needs more, then I have to discard earlier work). It was exhausting and extremely satisfying. I'm in a Smart Notebook workshop Tues & Wed. I've got to go in today and get the program loaded on my computer. I'll think I'll stay and work a while. Always something to do donchano! I started a Longmire book,  The Cold Dish.   Having just finished a Dan Brown book, these chapters are really meaty! Surprisingly, it's terribly funny in parts. Last night, I was in a twitter chat. Sedley Abercrombie (another NCSLMA Emerging Leader ) founded this Sunday night chat. 7:30 pm. #NCTLchat . Topic is different each week. Don't have to join in the conversation, but you'll have a hard time not jumping in! You don't have to be in NC to participate. This week was on Promoting the Library with Elissa Malespin a .  Edie Crook s...