The Future is @ Your Library

The 13th National American Association of School Librarians (AASL) conference held in Reno, NV was a fantastic experience. Daniel H. Pink, as the Keynote speaker for the Opening General Session, kept everyone’s attention focused on what the future can hold. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind - Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future discussed the rise of right-brain thinking in modern economics and explained the six abilities individuals and organizations must master in an outsourced and automated world. If you haven’t read the book yet, I suggest you do so! A record number of attendees packed the sessions that heavily emphasized Web 2.0 and its application to learning -- our culture and the changes in the world.

Reno as a destination was not necessarily where most would have chosen to vacation, but there were so many wonderful meaningful conference activities, that Reno’s presence became minimum. I heard lots of rumors of attendees who tried to “get rich quick” – and did —but just as quickly, lost it . But that’s what happens in a gambling town. The important thing was everyone had fun along with full days of enriching programming. Those that had the time to come early or extend their trip found Lake Tahoe a beautiful respite from gambling and the run down town of Reno.

Prior to the AASL Conference, AASL President, Sara Kelley Johns, AASL Board member Robbie Nickle and I were invited to the local NBC affiliate to talk with Sam Shade on libraries and NCLB. Here is the link to the video from Nevada Newsmakers. Scroll down to October 29 which was when the program was broadcast. Nevada NewsMakers - Oct 29 - Nov 1‎(7KB)‎
Even though this was an AASL conference, the content would bring exciting ideas and quality staff development to anyone attending. The sessions covered online learning to successful summer reading programs to collaboration, working with principals, and storytelling, including a session on NCLB presented by Emily Sheketoff, Melanie Anderson, both from the ALA Washington Office and myself. The PowerPoint and handouts from all the sessions are available at http://www.ala.org/aasl as well as the ability to purchase a CD of all the presentations. There were tours to schools and libraries in the area, as well as local attraction tours, preconferences, author sessions, a great bookstore and lots of vendors.

Did you happen to miss this one? – don’t let this opportunity pass again – make plans now to attend the 14th AASL conference November 5-8, 2009 in Charlotte, NC and then the 15th in Minneapolis, MN in November 2011. See you there!

Candidate for ALA President

I am deeply honored to announce that I am a candidate for President of the American Library Association. It is an honor to be nominated and I would work to serve the membership of ALA and all librarians. As an ALA member for 30 years I have a deep commitment to the ALA and feel I can make a significant contribution in advancing its mission and goals . My web site is under construction where my platform, complete biography and other areas will be available. For now the press release is on the ALA web site. http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=167189 Please feel free to contact me through this blog or at lwilliams@aacps.org Thank you in advance for your support and please let me know your concerns and thoughts.

Time Out!

I have been away from my blog for a while, but my thoughts were still very much on school libraries and the SKILLs Act -- even while conquering Mount Everest -- or riding at lightening speed to get to an Areosmith concert -- which by the way were two of the best roller coaster rides I've taken! Yes, I was at Walt Disney World in Orlando enjoying being a kid and trick-or-treating at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. "Boo to You!" Now, back to reality!