MLA/DLACon2025

There is only one national association dedicated solely to the unique and essential role of the school librarian in K-12 education – the American Association of School Librarians. Since 1951, AASL has provided professional development, networking, advocacy, research, tools, and resources to meet the needs of school library professionals and advance the profession. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from AASL President Becky Calzada and how AASL builds a community of passionate, like-minded professionals dedicated to empowering their learners.

Everybody eats…so everyone needs agriculture. Come learn about free resources to connect learners to the world around them and how agriculture plays a part in their daily lives. You will learn how to identify agriculturally accurate books within your library and how to use them to engage and excite learners (of all ages). You’ll discover a multitude of books relating to a variety of agriculture-related topics (from seed to store and everything in between) along with how to access 100’s of FREE hands-on lessons, activities, & resources to increase reader learning and engagement.

The pressure to generate unique, community-centered programming can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when juggling other job responsibilities. If you are feeling at sea on what programs to offer or are simply looking to explore uncharted waters, join us for an exciting 90 minutes of creativity. This fast-paced, highly interactive session includes several hands-on activities where participants think through the process of taking ideas to execution. Our sandbox environment grants participants the freedom and creativity to explore without the fears and anxieties of the real world, while still preparing for the unexpected.

Students in high school redefine what a Reading Club can do in a high school library beyond the school library setting, while pulling reputable authors and literacy organizations together, creating amazing "sandcastle"-like results. Using creativity, advocacy, and defying obstacles, students show how they utilize the school library reading club to develop literacy festivals, bring in authors as well as legislators, and how they double the number of students into their school library, while connecting to their local public libraries. Discover the often unseen and unknown achievements of a student reading club that advances librarianship among all.

In America’s history, there were anti-literacy laws that prevented Blacks and, in some states, anyone who was non-white from reading, writing, as well as being taught to read and write. These laws applied to enslaved and free people of color.

Reimagining the field of library science means refocusing our efforts on increasing Black library science practitioners and resetting our agendas to be intentional about the allocation of funds.

In this presentation, you will learn about the history of anti-literacy laws and what Black representation in the field of library science could mean for our domestic and global communities.

Leisure reading and programming in academic libraries is frequently on the chopping block. Academic libraries need to support all the information needs of students, faculty, and staff including materials for their recreation, so that patrons can learn through their preferred methods. The SU Libraries’ Leisure Committee has navigated everything from creating innovative programming and a curated selection, to collaborating with varied groups to achieve mutual goals. SU's Leisure Committee will share the big picture of their struggles and successes in providing extracurricular materials to meet recreational needs instead of only scholarly.