What do you need?

By Crys Bauermeister, NSLA President-Elect

Originally I was supposed to write an article advocating for all of the amazing school library sessions available at NETA (more about these later in the article). While many wonderful sessions are planned with school librarians in mind at NETA, this year will not be the same as years past. 

So what can we do to continue with our professional (and even personal) growth in the school library? I don’t know about you, but I’m TIRED of online meetings and zoom. I knew before the pandemic that I’m a people person, but I’ve reaffirmed that I. NEED. PEOPLE. 

Looking at the past to further our future, the founding principles of NEMA (Nebraska Educational Media Association), the association that has now become NSLA, said the objectives of the organization was to fulfill “The need to have trained media specialists recognized as contributors to school/educational systems and the desire to bring several media organizations with similar goals together in one association.” Although the year was 1968, our goals are still similar 53 years later. 

As your president-elect, what type of new or repeated programming would you like us to bring you? Rest assured, our scholarships & awards, professional development, and all of our current advocacy measures will continue, as will School Librarians Day in the fall. However, as our world grows and changes, what can we do for you to grow and gain in the school library profession? Would anyone be interested in a summer face-to-face? Please let me know your thoughts by clicking here. 

...and now, more about NETA. All NETA sessions will be available to view until May 1. If you had registered for last year’s (2020) conference, you have automatically received an invitation to view this year’s information. The conference is on the hopin platform. 
School Library presentations to watch: 

Keep the Doors Open! School Libraries and Covid by Cynthia Stogdill
MacGuyver Ed: Building Interactive Lessons for Your Student by Jenna Krambeck-Reeh
Ignite: our Go To Tools for Pandemic Teaching in the Library, NSLA board members Courtney Pentland, Mandy Peterson, Crys Bauermeister, & Kelly Kenny