Jan
10
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Join the PSLA Book Club!
Category: News
Jan
10
"When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another." -Kate DiCamillo
Join the PSLA Book Club: Monday, 1/24, at 6:30 PM
Order (or borrow) your copy of A Sitting at St. James by Rita Williams-Garcia, and join us on Monday, 1/24, at 6:30 PM, as Erin Bechdel leads a PSLA Book Club discussion. This is an exclusive PSLA members-only event, so register now! If you are not a PSLA member, click here to join PSLA and access this discussion and other activities and professional development!
All registrants will receive a zoom link 24 hours prior to the event. We look forward to seeing you on January 24!
Cookies and Convo with Laura and Aimee
Category: News
Nov
22
Join Laura Ward, PSLA President, and Aimee Emerson, President-Elect, for an evening of laughter and conversation on what PSLA means to them. They will also share their experiences as PSLA delegates at the AASL National Conference. Click here to register.
We will all end the evening with a warm batch of cookies. The cookie recipe and ingredient list will be sent separately. (Cookie baking is optional.) Everyone is welcome to attend! You do not need to be a member to join in on the fun!
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Nov
17
"When I think of all the books still left for me to read, I am certain of further happiness. -Jules Renard
What have you been reading? Join us on Monday, 12/13, at 6:30 PM, as Erin Bechdel leads an informal conversation about what you've been reading recently. This is an exclusive PSLA members-only event, so register now! If you are not a PSLA member, click here to join PSLA and access this discussion and other activities and professional development!
All registrants will receive a zoom link 24 hours prior to the event. We look forward to seeing you on December 13!
Leading at Any Level
Category: News
Nov
12
Join us for the 2022 Leading At Any Level: Leadership Development for Pennsylvania School Librarians. The Leadership Development for Pennsylvania School Librarians experience is an initiative of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association’.
Leading At Any Level, created and presented by lead instructor David Bendekovic of the B. A. David Company, is a one-day workshop designed to develop leaders at every level: school librarians, administrators, paraprofessionals, educators of school librarians, and students in school library programs. The workshop will focus on taking ownership of thinking, feeling, and actions for personal and career development.
Virtual Dates:
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Oct
31
"Books are a uniquely portable magic." -Stephen King
What have you been reading? Join us on Monday, 11/15, at 6:00 PM, as Maryalice Bond leads an informal conversation about what you've been reading recently. This is an exclusive PSLA members-only event, so register now! If you are not a PSLA member, click here to join PSLA and access this discussion and other activities and professional development!
All registrants will receive a zoom link 24 hours prior to the event. We look forward to seeing you on November 15!
Collection Development Discussion
Category: News
Sep
15
Collection Development Discussion
We hope that you have had a great start to the school year. And now that we are underway with all that a new school year brings, we need to talk about Collection Development!
When was the last time you discussed it with a fellow colleague? Where do you find your recommendations for purchases? What are some key ideas that help speed up the process? Bring all your ideas to our discussion on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19 at 7 p.m. This is an exclusive PSLA members-only event, so register now!
All registrants will receive a zoom link 24 hours prior to the event. We look forward to seeing you on October 19!
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Be Part of PSLA Leadership!
Category: News
Sep
08
Be Part of PSLA Leadership! |
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Do you want to join the ranks of PSLA Leadership? PSLA is looking for candidates willing to serve in the following open positions for 2022:
For a description and responsibilities of the PSLA officer positions, please click here: https://www.psla.org/assets/docs/policies/Responsibilities%20of%20Officers%20and%20Directors-Administrative_Final_06_15_20.pdf The deadline to apply is October 15, 2022. Self-nominations are accepted. Thanks for considering giving back to the organization that supports you and advocates for our profession! |
Sep
08
Register for Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely - Virtual Event |
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Attention all PSLA Members! There is still time to register for this EXCLUSIVE MEMBER ONLY Event. Please join us in this virtual event with award winning authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. This virtual presentation is our capstone event of our 2020-21 Equity Diversity and Inclusion training. Limited space is available. This event is open to PSLA Members only.
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm |
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Maximizing Your PSLA Membership
Category: News
Aug
23
Meet the Candidates 2021 Election
Category: News
Jan
19
Here's your chance to meet the candidates that will be on the PSLA ballot. We are hosting a zoom meeting where you can hear their goals and priorities for PSLA. This event is open for PSLA members with voting privileges only. Click here to register now!
The "Meet the Candidates" event is on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at 7 p.m.
The PSLA Board approved the 2021 Slate
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PSLA Lit Review Best of 2020 Sneak Peek
Category: News
Dec
21
Join members of the PSLA Literature Review on Tuesday, January 26, from 6-7 PM for a sneak peek at our best titles of 2020. We've already reviewed 330+ titles for K-12 this year and want to share even more favorites than we present annually at the conference. With grade level breakout groups, you'll learn about new titles for your next order and TBR lists. You can follow our reviews throughout the year on the blog: https://pslamediaselectionreview.edublogs.org/.
This is FREE to PSLA members. Click here to register: https://psla.memberclicks.net/lit_review_sneak_peek_best_of_2020.
Hosted by:
PSLA Lit Review Committee
PSLA Teaching & Learning
Dec
03
Pennsylvania School Librarians Association is proud to announce that we are accepting applications for the School Librarians Leadership Academy 20/21 (SLLA).
PSLA members have an opportunity to apply for SLLA and engage in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work with a mentor from February - September 2021. SLLA leaders will participate AT NO COST in one of two Equity, Diversity and Inclusion individual, online training events - these are normally $225 per person. Either online training event can be done asynchronously also.
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Equity in Action: Fostering an Antiracist Library Culture; 2/23/21 - 3/9/21 - 3 sessions; 2-4 pm; Library staff at all levels within their organizations have the power—and the responsibility—to help cultivate an antiracist culture, from evaluating spaces, programs, services, and collections to examining policies and practices to reflecting on one’s own implicit biases. Creating an internal culture founded on principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion is essential to building a community-centered library that meets the needs and expectations of its users.
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Equity in Action: Building Diverse Collections; 4/27/21 - 5/11/21; 3 sessions; 2-4 pm; For libraries to effectively meet their mission of serving the educational, informational, and entertainment needs of their communities, their collections must be diverse and inclusive, offering windows into and mirrors of the vast array of perspectives and stories that make up our world.
All School Librarian Leadership Academy participants will be assigned a mentor and meet regularly to develop and carry out a focused EDI goal for their school library or school building.
Applications are due Friday, January 29, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. to Dr. Yvonne English, Project Director, at [email protected]. You must be an active PSLA member to apply and through the duration of the leadership project.
Applications and Administrator Endorsement forms are attached and can be found on the PSLA website. 
We look forward to the learning and growth that our PSLA members can use to impact our students and our schools.
This project is made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.
The PSLA LSTA Steering Group
Dr. Yvonne English Roebuck, LSTA Project Director
Cathi Fuhrman, PSLA Immediate Past President
Robin Burns, PSLA President
Jayne Downing, PSLA Member
Molly Magro, PSLA Member
Lauren Strohecker, PSLA Board
Laura Ward, PSLA President-Elect 
PSLA Holiday Open House
Category: News
Dec
03
Grab your favorite holiday treat (homemade or purchased), and join us for a (virtual) Holiday "Open House" on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:00 pm!
This social event is being co-sponsored by the PSLA Teaching & Learning and Operations Committees and is open to all who are interested in attending. Click here to register: https://psla.memberclicks.net/virtual_holiday_open_house
Consider sharing a favorite holiday recipe here: https://jamboard.google.com/d/121utm_qtooJ4Vj-jnKQZduP50M0YN1h2GRGKlwc-lBY/edit?usp=sharing
PSLA Slate for 2021 Election
Category: News
Dec
03
The PSLA Board approved the 2021 Slate
**Resumes are hyperlinked to each candidate’s name**
If elected, all terms will begin on July 1, 2021.
President-Elect (3-year presidential track term)
Treasurer (1-year term)
Secretary (2-year term)
Director (1-year term)
Director (two positions available - 2-year terms)
If you have any questions about the slate, please contact the Operations Co-chairs at [email protected]
Trivia Night & Networking
Category: News
Dec
03
Aug
10
Interested in joining PSLA Leadership as a board member or officer? Complete the form no later than September 30, 2020.
This year, there are seven positions to be filled: Two Director positions (2 yrs), One Director position (1 yr), One Secretary (2 yr), One Treasurer (1 yr), One Vice President (4 yr commitment), and One President Elect (3 yr commitment).
Description of Officer Responsibilities: https://www.psla.org/assets/docs/policies/Responsibilities%20of%20Officers%20and%20Directors-Administrative_Final_06_15_20.pdf
Guidelines for selecting Officers: https://www.psla.org/assets/docs/policies/Officers-Administrative_Final_06_15_20.pdf
The Nominations Task group will evaluate and submit the ballot to the PSLA board, per the bylaws. If you have questions, please reach out to the PSLA Operations co-chairs (Bob McConnell and Vickie Saltzer) at [email protected]
Aug
10
Outstanding School Library Paraprofessional
The Outstanding School Library Paraprofessional Award honors recognize the exemplary performance of a school library paraprofessional who directly supports the school library at the school or district level.
Eligibility
No school district, individual school, or individual is eligible if any librarian or individual is on the Awards Committee, a member of the PSLA Board of Directors, or an elected officer of PSLA. The nominee must currently be a school library paraprofessional. Nominations must be completed by a current PSLA member.
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PSLA Statement Condemning Violence and Racism Towards Black Americans and People of Color
Category: News
Jul
21
PSLA Statement Condemning Violence and Racism Towards Black Americans and People of Color
The Board of the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) stands in alignment with the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the American Library Association (ALA) condemning violence and racism towards Black people and all people of color.
We will continue to work as an organization to break down racial barriers and provide an equitable education for all students. Please reference the links included for more information from ALA and AASL.
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Behind the Scenes: Change is Mandatory
Category: News
Jul
01
Behind the Scenes - Change is Mandatory - Growth is Optional
“Change is Mandatory, Growth is Optional.” (Author Unknown although many have used this quote.)
This has always been one of my favorite quotes. One that I have to say aloud for myself many times as well. When I was thinking back to June 20, 2019, I had expectations and visions of what my presidential year in PSLA would be like. But as in all things - it’s never quite as you imagined.
Our world is nothing like we could have ever even guessed or planned for. Our schools, our libraries, our families, our communities, our social circles, our profession, our association - our world has changed.
My heart aches with that our students missed this school year. It aches for the students who were and continue to be impacted by the pandemic - academically, socially, emotionally, physically and financially. Their families and all around us are impacted each day.
