AASL invites communities to 'belong' during School Library Month

CHICAGO – Recognizing school libraries as the centers of the school community where learning, research and collaboration happen and technologies and information resources are available 24/7, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) invites all to celebrate School Library Month (SLM) during the month of April. The 2012 theme, You belong @ your library®, will highlight the role strong school libraries play in a student’s educational career. More information and resources can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/slm.

Select activities and resources for the month include:

• Announcement of winners of the “You Belong @ Your School Library” Student Video Contest.
  
  Students have through March 29 to submit a video via SchoolTube.com detailing how their school library is (either physically or virtually) the place to be. More details can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/slmvideocontest.
• Interview podcast with Lucille Thomas.
  
  Lucille Thomas, chair of the inaugural SLM committee which planned and launched the first national celebration in April of 1985, will talk with SLM committee member Susan Hess.
• Resources to help school librarians celebrate.
  
  The SLM website plays host to many different resources school librarians can use to invite stakeholders into the library and celebrate their programs during the month of April. Coming soon, School Library Month chair and Past President of AASL, Cassandra Barnett will present a webinar on navigating the AASL website and using these SLM resources.

During School Library Month, school librarians are encouraged to create activities to help their school and local community celebrate and should visit the SLM Web pages regularly to find continuously updated resources and information. Other announcements are forthcoming, such as an exciting new professional development archive for AASL members, how to participate in Virtual Library Legislative Day and winners of AASL awards. AASL members will also receive periodic emails as the month progresses, updating them on these events and resources.

School librarians are also encouraged to take part in AASL’s social communities on Facebook, Twitter, and ALA Connect where library professionals will be sharing information about the activities happening in their school library programs.

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.