Megan McDonald speaks for school libraries in new PSA

CHICAGO – A new PSA featuring Megan McDonald, author of the beloved Judy Moody and Stink books and spokesperson for the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2016 celebration of School Library Month, is now available. In the PSA, McDonald speaks to how school librarians transform learning by inspiring and feeding the curiosity of their students. The PSA and instructions on how to embed the video on school library websites can be viewed at www.ala.org/aasl/slm/2016/psa.

“We are thrilled to have Megan McDonald as our spokesperson,” said Suzanne Dix, committee chair. “As a former children’s librarian, she knows about the magical connection between librarian and student and how beneficial that role is to the success of both the school and the child.”

McDonald began her career as a children’s librarian at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. During one story hour, McDonald read her own story about a hermit crab. After the program, parents asked her where to find the book. She had to confess: the book wasn’t published – yet. Encouraged by the parents’ and children’s feedback, her story became her first book, "Is This a House for Hermit Crab?"

To date, McDonald works include 60 books for children and young readers, including the popular Judy Moody series. The series shares the adventures of the feisty (and moody) 3^rdgrader and has won many awards including the Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, an International Reading Association Children’s Choice and the first-ever Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award. The series is so popular, McDonald’s hometown of Sebastopol, California, declared May 14, 2006, "Judy Moody Day."

“I have been so grateful to work with such a dynamic group of school librarians on the School Library Month committee,” said Dix. “We have put together what we hope will be an exciting month to celebrate all the wonderful things taking place in school libraries – and we are so happy Megan is helping us share our message with this PSA! We know that you are transforming learning every day in your schools and hope our ideas and suggestions give you a few more tools for your arsenal. Happy School Library Month!”

Resources and more information on the 2016 School Library Month celebration can be found on the AASLwebsite at www.ala.org/aasl/slm.

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

Related Links

www.ala.org/aasl/slm

www.judymoody.com

www.stinkmoody.com