Vote today for the NCYA and NCMiddle Book Awards. 

bit.ly/ncmiddle2021

Congratulations to our new

President-Elect - Jen Abel

Piedmont West Director - Amy Ralph

Coastal Director - Sara Levin

Vote now in the 2021 NCSLMA Elections. Click HERE and read the bios of the candidates, then click the Election Link at the top of the page to submit your vote. Voting is open only to registered NCSLMA members. 

Redfin Blog

Keith Curry Lance and Debra E Kachel are proud to announce the launch of the https://libslide.org website. The State Intermediary Survey reports are finished as well and posted on the STATE SURVEYS webpage. Keith and Debra want to thank all of you who participated and provided data for these reports. It is our hope that you find the information useful to promote school library programs in your states and would love to hear how you plan to use the information.

Additionally, please follow our Twitter so you can learn of our latest updates, publications, and conference presentations. @lib­_slide

Watch the recorded ALA Midwinter Conference session from January 23, 2021, as Keith and Deb present the background of the SLIDE project, its methodology, and some preliminary findings. https://libslide.org/presentations

PUBLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Contexts of School Librarian Employment (2021, January 26). https://libslide.org/pubs/contexts.pdf

This report summarizes responses to nine questions asked of school library leaders in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) to determine state support of school library programs. Questions address standards and guidelines, certification and staffing requirements, and direct funding and provision of statewide e-resources.

Appendix to Contexts of School Librarian Employment (2021, January 26). https://libslide.org/pubs/contextsappendix.pdf

This document is the Survey Monkey report of individual state responses to the State Intermediary Survey. These are the data on which the Contexts report is based. The responses appear in the order received; but, a table of contents page lists states alphabetically and indicates the pages on which their responses appear.

Requirements for School Librarian Employment: A State-by-State Summary (2021, January 27). https://libslide.org/pubs/requirements.pdf

This report summarizes legal requirements for school librarian staffing in the 50 states and D.C.

NCSLMA's first Winter Tune-Up mini-conference is coming!  Join us to recharge your battery and add new tools to your educator toolbox.  We're excited to offer pre-recorded virtual sessions with expert presenters for NCSLMA members beginning at 8:00 am daily, the week of February 22-26. Sessions will last a maximum of one hour, with presenters taking questions via social media platforms- check out details on the Winter Tune-Up Infographic. Each NCSLMA Regional Director will lead a live session after the Tune-Up Week to provide members an opportunity to meet and greet friends and share ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Directors will share links to their sessions with members in their regions. Certificates of Attendance for the Winter Tune-Up and regional sessions will be provided for attendees to submit to their LEAs for renewal credit. Depending on your participation, there are 6 contact hours available. Remember to REGISTER. It's FREE!  Session topics were chosen based on the highest number of votes by NCSLMA members from a poll conducted last fall. Questions? Email robinrhodes@ncslma.org.

Register here for the sessions. 

Congratulations to the following NCSLMA members who have been chosen to participate in the 2021 Leadership Academy! The 2020 Leadership Academy is excited to guide you through this experience and we can't wait to get started!

NCSLMA joined AASL and shared a letter to the Biden transition team stressing how school librarians are an equity-oriented solution to some of the most pressing concerns facing educators at this moment. The letter was co-signed by ALA, the AASL Chapters Coordinating Team, and AASL Chapters. This strong support voiced for the necessity of qualified school librarians is a direct result of your affiliation and membership with AASL.

Great news! NCSLMA has extended the due date for BOB Compliance Forms! The new deadline is November 30, 2020. Remember in order to submit your BOB Compliance Form, your NCSLMA membership must be up-to-date. 

NCSLMA Leadership Academy is currently taking applications for our 2021 cohort and we’d love to have you join us!

What is the Leadership Academy?  

It’s a group of Library/Media up-and-comers with an interest in leading, whether in their schools, districts, or even in NCSLMA. We meet online once a month to discuss different topics, share ideas and opinions, and learn from each other. You will also be encouraged to get to know one another and build relationships as a PLC that you turn to when you have questions or need ideas.

Guests such as Board Members or authors are sometimes invited in to meet the group, join our discussions, and share their expertise.

How much of my time will it take?

The Leadership Academy does require a 2-year commitment. The first year is spent participating in the group discussions and in the second year you help facilitate these chats. Because you are striving to improve your leadership skills, you are also encouraged to participate in NCSLMA activities, like presenting at the Summer Learning Series or the Annual Conference.

It may sound like a lot, but it really boils down to little more than a few hours or so a month, and the time invested is generously rewarded with new friends and opportunities for personal and professional growth. You get out of it what you put into it.

Who can apply? 

Anyone with an interest in improving their leadership skills, developing relationships with like-minded people, and who would care to learn more about how they can become more active within NCSLMA. We do hope you have your MLS degree and have completed 2 years in a library setting, as we are looking for those who are ready to take their experience further.

How do I apply?

Just go to bit.ly/Leader21 and click the “Register” button to access the application.

We are accepting applications through the end of October, and our newest members will be notified in December.

Check out Bitsy Griffin's article "Behind the Scenes at NC's State Conference" posted on the Knowledge Quest website. 

Click HERE to view the article. 

I know I enjoyed the virtual aspect, especially the live sessions where we could connect with others. I also love that we can view all the sessions at our convenience through the end of September. What were your thoughts about the conference? Leave comments below!