My 1st VAASL Conference
Rebecca Caufman
This year’s Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) Conference was held in Williamsburg, Virginia on November 29 through December 1st. Attending this conference is a requirement for each graduate student in Longwood’s School Librarianship program. Since it was my first time attending the conference I got a special tag for my name badge and invitation to a tea where I got free breakfast and free books! The first day was jammed packed with activities that started at 9am and went to 9pm. I got ideas on being a first year librarian, makerspaces, digital resources, copyright law, and video projects. I ended that day at the Longwood University alumni gathering in a room that was jammed packed full of Lancers. My second day at the conference I learned more about makerspaces, how to have a student driven library, and met some amazing authors – Alan Gratz and Victoria Jamieson. Hearing these authors’ stories was my favorite part of the conference. I am thankful that Longwood requires students to attend this conference. I see the conference as an important way to get inspired, encouraged, and connected with others in the field.
VAASL Conference 2018
I attended the VAASL Conference for School Librarians on Saturday December 1st, 2018. I benefited a lot from attending this conference to help prepare me to come a school librarian in the near future. The first session I attended was about a Britannica Online, a reference site that is very user friendly for students to navigate and find reliable research resources. The website offers accommodations for students who are visually and hearing impaired, as well as ESL students. The second session I attended was all about pre-created lessons that I now have access to. These lesson plans are for the librarian to use in all subject areas, including choir, art, and health/PE. This conference was beneficial and I hope to attend again in the future.
VAASL Conference 2018
This past week I was honored with the opportunity to attend the VAASL (Virginia Association of School Librarians annual conference in Williamsburg. Though this was not my first year as as an attendee, it was my first time ever as a presenter at a conference; it was so exciting while also a bit nerve-wracking! The best part was getting the opportunity to network with amazing librarians across the state as well as coming away with so many wonderful new ideas that I can’t wait to implement in my library. Several of the sessions that I attended focused on utilizing the newest Virginia Reader’s Choice selections across the curriculum which I think will be very beneficial for my students and teachers. Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend this worthwhile conference!
VA Association of School Librarians Conference
I attended one day of the VAASL Conference on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. I was immediately amazed by the enthusiasm and excitement that each person had for their jobs! The presenter in the first session I attended discussed her first year as a school librarian and all the wonderful things she did. The keynote speaker was amazing and her focus was on Maker Space and STEM in the library. All of the sessions I attended were informative, but I think the most beneficial to my future as a librarian was the one entitled “Connecting the Dots.” This session connected many picture books with STEM activities to use with younger students.
I left the conference with many great ideas and increased enthusiasm for completing the school librarianship program! Below is a picture of me with the presenters of the “Connecting the Dots” presentation, one of whom is a Longwood student also!
VAASL 2018 Annual Conference
(Sorry about the crazy pictures…they wouldn’t rotate for some reason!)
From November 29 through December 1, I had the great opportunity to attend the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) 2018 Annual Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. The event was held at the historic Williamsburg Lodge right in the middle of colonial Williamsburg. The conference was my first of many (hopefully) as an aspiring school librarian. Perhaps I will BE a school librarian in my district by the next time I attend!
I was able to travel with a fellow alumni, Ashley Barker, who is the school librarian at my school, Tunstall Middle in Pittsylvania County. She goes every year, and she was excited to be able to bring me along and show me the ropes. The weekend was jam-packed with classes and large group sessions where we could hear from Virginia librarians and authors. One of our main group sessions was with Leslie Preddy, librarian and co-editor of School Library Connection. She spoke to us about maker spaces and how to make our libraries more exciting. During the other main group session, author Alan Gratz spoke to us about his novels and how he came to be an author. He was also around all day to sign his books. We also had a dinner where librarians throughout the state were honored, a School Librarian of the Year was awarded, and we heard from author April Henry. She is known for her mystery/thriller young adult novels, and she was fascinating.
Attending this conference taught me so very much. I was given useful, applicable tools to use in my classroom as a teacher and as a future librarian. I went to sessions that taught us how to set up a Battle of the Books and an effective book club. I learned how to help my special needs learners in the reading classroom. Librarians and professors showed up the most valuable web sites for teachers and librarians, and those chosen by the AASL for usefulness. I was inspired to come back to my classroom and emphasize all that I learned to help my students be more successful in their reading, but also in school in general. I also heard what it takes first hand to make a library an interactive learning space that helps the entire school, including faculty and staff.
I hope to make this conference an annual event to stay up on the newest developments in the school library, and to network and stay in touch with other librarians that want the best for their students just like me. Thank you so much for the opportunity to go!
