ALA Editions/Neal-Schuman

AASL’s guide to project-based learning for elementary grades

CHICAGO — Published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, Maura Madigan’s book “Project-Based Learning for Elementary Grades” delivers flexible, interdisciplinary, learner-driven projects that support the National School Library Standards. Readers will find background on project-based learning (PBL), a breakdown of the essential parts of a project, and ready-made PBL projects that can be used with minimal preparation.

New book spotlights ways to advance entrepreneurship in public libraries

CHICAGO — Libraries have a distinctive role to play in the small business ecosystem and can effectively partner to complement existing business services in the community. A nationwide initiative that launched in 2020, Libraries Build Business (LBB) aims to build capacity in libraries offering programming or services to local entrepreneurs and the small business community, prioritizing low-income and underrepresented entrepreneurs. And libraries have already begun to transform communities.

Save 50% on more than 400 products during the ALA Store Spring Sale

CHICAGO — Spring has sprung and ALA would like to put a spring in your step with savings on a wide range of materials. Now through June 3, head to the ALA Store and save 50% on more than 400 products, including professional development books, posters, bookmarks, gift items, t-shirts, and more.

Learner-centered techniques for academic library instruction

CHICAGO — When you stand alone in front of the class, being in command of your content is only the first step. Knowing how to engage students’ participation in ways that foster “ownership” ensures that learning is both active and lasting. In her new guide “Practical Academic Library Instruction: Learner-Centered Techniques,” published by ALA Editions, Jo Angela Oehrli shares tried and tested techniques honed from 20 years of practice in both traditional and nontraditional settings.

Readers’ advisory to genre blends for children and young adults

CHICAGO — It’s no wonder that genre blends are some of most popular books for children and teens. When you mash up two different traditional genres, it’s like doubling what makes each one pleasurable on its own. The first of its kind, “The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Blends for Children and Young Adults,” published by ALA Editions, will help public and school librarians, teachers, and collections staff identify genre blends for readers' advisory, curriculum development, or creating core collections.

Academic libraries supporting students academically, socially, and financially

CHICAGO — Academic libraries are confronting a myriad of challenges, including consequences stemming from the pandemic, the changing demographics of student bodies, and the financial obstacles that many students are struggling to overcome. What’s needed is practical guidance on how to effectively serve students’ needs amidst rapid change.

Designing student-created media for authentic learning

CHICAGO — Reinforcing the ACRL Framework’s calls for information creation in a range of formats, a 2020 LinkedIn survey rated “video production” as a top 10 skill sought by employers. “Student-Created Media: Designing Research, Learning, and Skill-Building Experiences,” published by ALA Editions, guides librarians, learning technologists, and their faculty partners in designing assignments that showcase students’ ideas, research, subject knowledge, and media literacy skill set development.

Beyond basic skills in information literacy instruction

CHICAGO — Librarians know that information literacy is much more complex and nuanced than the basic library research skill that it's often portrayed as; in fact, as outlined by the ACRL Framework, research is a contextual activity. But the settings in which we teach often constrain our ability to take a more layered approach.

Teaching research data management

CHICAGO — The usefulness of research data management skills bridges numerous activities, from data-driven scholarship and open research by faculty to documentation for grant reporting. And undergrads need a solid foundation in data management for future academic success. Edited by Julia Bauder, “Teaching Research Data Management,” published by ALA Editions, gathers practitioners from a broad range of academic libraries to describe their services and instruction around research data. Readers will learn about such topics as: