AASL National Conference Closing Session Live Recording of The Reading Culture Podcast with Mychal Threets

CHICAGO—Mychal Threets, the Mr. Rogers of school librarians, will conclude the 2025 AASL National Conference, which will take place October 16-18 in St. Louis, Missouri. Host Jordan Lloyd Bookey of the Reading Culture podcast, sponsored by Beanstack, will offer attendees a unique live recording of the podcast.

“Joy is not just a feeling, it’s a foundation, and something that we choose to embrace,” said conference co-chair Jennifer Sturge. “As school librarians, we strive to bring joy into and flow out from our school libraries. To close the AASL National Conference with a message of joy is a wonderful reminder to stay grounded in what matters most.”

"We [librarians, library workers, library supporters] always fight together," Threets said. "We hear about these things happening all over and we're all in this fight; we're all here to meet this challenge. We all believe everyone has the right to read, and the right to see themselves in that book on the library shelf. Libraries are meant for anyone and everyone."

“It’s so easy to forget to take care of ourselves as we take care of our learning community,” said conference co-chair Arlene Laverde. “Mychal’s open, honest, and personal stories of prioritizing mental health remind us that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. Let's remember that when we take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally we are giving our best to the children and community we serve.”

“We’re so excited to have Mychal Threets join us as we conclude three days of amazing learning, networking, and synergy,” said conference co-chair Carolyn Vibbert. “His passion for libraries and joyful inspiration is the icing on the cake of a great conference as attendees head back to their learning communities.”

“The Reading Culture Podcast is where stories come to live, and the love of reading becomes a movement- one conversation at a time,” said Jordan Lloyd Bookey, Beanstack co-founder and host. “We are thrilled to bring Mychal Threets to the AASL National Conference to share his book joy and self-care with school librarians from across the country.”

Beanstack is a web and mobile app that helps schools and families track independent reading and foster a strong culture of reading in the classroom and at home. Learn more at www.beanstack.com

The Reading Culture podcast, hosted by Beanstack co-founder Jordan Lloyd Bookey, features conversations with celebrated authors and reading advocates. Each episode reveals the personal stories behind the storytellers, their early reading inspirations, and what makes their work connect with young readers. It also features reading lists to deepen engagement and extend the reading experience

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

The 2025 AASL National Conference is taking place October 16-19 in St. Louis, Missouri. Visit national.aasl.org for more information.