AASL seeks proposals for concurrent sessions at the AASL 16th National Conference in Hartford, Conn.

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) invites proposals for concurrent sessions to be presented during the AASL 16th National Conference & Exhibition. Concurrent sessions will be held on Friday, Nov.15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. The submission deadline has been extended until 11:59 p.m. Central time on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. More information is available at www.ala.org/aasl/aaslrfp.

Concurrent sessions during the conference are 75 minutes in length. Proposals should focus on one of the content strands, including Common Core State Standards; leadership; literacy and reading; program administration; teaching and learning; or authors. Proposals should include up to three learning objectives and should address how the session supports the AASL strategic plan, the AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, and/or Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs. The AASL national conference committee will evaluate proposals for clarity, originality and timeliness. Consideration will be given to submissions that incorporate one or more of these characteristics:

• Demonstrates innovative thinking and/or new perspectives;
• Presents strategies for effectively implementing new ideas and technology;
• Incorporates at least one active hands-on learning exercise;
• Design includes activities that will incorporate various learning styles;
• Demonstrates how learning outcomes will be achieved.

Submissions will only be accepted via online form. Email, mail or fax submissions will not be accepted. All questions regarding programming at the AASL 16th National Conference and Exhibition should be directed to Melissa Jacobsen, AASL manager of professional development, at mjacobsen@ala.org or (800) 545-2433, ext. 4381.

The AASL National Conference and Exhibition, "Rising to the Challenge," is the only national conference dedicated solely to the needs of school librarians and their roles as educational leaders. Taking place Nov. 14–17, in Hartford, Conn., the AASL national conference will feature preconference workshops, concurrent sessions and an exhibition featuring companies relevant to the school library profession. More information on the conference, including special events, author appearances, and keynote presenters will be available on or before January 2013.

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.