AASL book discussion turns the page in anticipation of national conference

CHICAGO – As part of the countdown to the 15th National Conference and Exhibition Oct. 27-30 in Minneapolis, the  American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will host a 10-week book discussion group on the One Book, One Conference read, “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr. Led by AASL President-Elect Carl Harvey, the discussion, which begins Aug. 10, will cover one chapter each week and take place on the conference’s Ning at aasl11.ning.com.  It will culminate in an opportunity for attendees to share their thoughts with Nicholas Carr as he joins the One Book, One Conference event onsite in Minneapolis on Friday, October 28, 2011.

“I'm excited about the opportunity for discussion and ideas to be flowing from our conference Ning as we prepare for the National Conference in Minneapolis,” said Harvey.  “Nicholas Carr's book will be a great way to get the conversation started!”

In “The Shallows,” Carr asks the question: “As we enjoy the Net’s bounties, are we sacrificing our ability to read and think deeply?” Carr then describes throughout the book how human thought has been shaped through the centuries by “tools of the mind” — from the alphabet, to maps, to the printing press, the clock and the computer. Our brains, the historical and scientific evidence reveals, change in response to our experiences. The technologies we use to find, store and share information can reroute our neural pathways.  A preview of “The Shallows” is available via the AASL conference website, www.aasl11.org.

“The co-chairs are very excited that Carl Harvey, who will be AASL president during the conference, has agreed to lead the One Book, One Conference discussion on the Ning,” said Ty Burns, national conference co-chair. “We are pleased that he is taking such an active role in preparing the membership for this excellent professional development opportunity.”

The AASL 15th National Conference and Exhibition, "Turning the Page," is the only national conference dedicated solely to the needs of school librarians and their roles as educational leaders. Taking place Oct. 27-30, 2011 in Minneapolis, the AASL National Conference will feature preconferences, numerous concurrent sessions, more than 200 exhibiting companies, educational and school tours, a storytelling festival and special appearances by award-winning authors. Registration is now open at a discounted "early bird" rate. For more information or to register, visit www.aasl11.org.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.