If you missed me in the library or in the carpool line or at GMB March 17-20, then you should know I was the annual Texas Library Association General Conference in Houston, TX.
As a certified school librarian with a master’s degree, it is my professional responsibility to be a member of professional organizations like TLA (Texas Library Association) and ALA (The American Library Association). As a member, it is also my responsibility to continually learn and grow as a librarian.
So, in order to learn and grow, I attend conferences. At these conferences we attend professional development seminars, meet authors, go to presentations by authors and publishers, meet and get to know other librarians, and get LOTS of ideas about how to serve students and make school library program effective and imperative!
This year I had many valuable experiences:
- I went to a session on Leadership where I was able to meet with liaisons and chair people from my TLA District and
Round Tables. I was able to learn more about how to become a leader in the TLA organization. - I met with the Texas Association of School Librarians so I can be more involved in this branch of TLA that I am a member of that serve the needs of school librarians.
- I attended the Children’s Round Table Executive Board Meeting so that I can better understand what they do and I can serve TLA through more active participation with them.
- I used my Twitter account (this is a professional resource for me where I also am involved in a Professional Learning Network) and I tweeted to my followers throughout the conference.
- I met several authors and got books signed by them. I also was able to find out which ones are willing to do FREE Skype visits for next year.
- I purchased some books for the library and got them signed by the authors. How neat for students in our school to get to read a book and see the signature of the author on it!
- I acquired 32 Hardback Books to go into the library
- 11 of the books were Signed by Authors
- I loved learning from other librarians about what they are doing to meet the challenges of the 21st Century learner, how to connect with families of all cultures, how to get kids excited about books and reading, how libraries are managing and providing digital content for their patrons, and how to promote the library so that it becomes a part of the community in which we serve.
