Alabama LM Update September 2026
First Fridays for the 2026-2027 school year kick off this week, and I hope you'll join us!
📚 9:30 AM – Compliance Monitoring with Susanne Estes: PSPL 571843
📚 1:30 PM – Fresh Features on TeachingBooks with Crystal from TeachingBooks: PSPL 563397
⚠️ Important Registration Update:
If you registered for the Compliance Monitoring session before Wednesday, you will need to register again. A message was sent through PSPL yesterday to all registrants explaining the change, and the previous session has been canceled in PSPL. The new registration allows you to receive 1 hour of Ethics PL for recertification.
Whether you're looking for guidance on compliance requirements or want to explore exciting new TeachingBooks features, there's something for everyone. We look forward to learning with you and starting another great year of First Fridays together!
All registration details are available on the First Fridays website, and you’ll also find a graphic showing all of the First Fridays sessions. If the direct link doesn't work, you can search by the session number. We hope you'll join us as we begin another year of learning, collaboration, and professional growth together!
Important Reminders:
✅ Register in PSPL before attending to receive credit
✅ If joining with a group, enter your name in the chat
✅ If your display name differs from your PSPL registration, enter your name in the chat
✅ Otherwise, no need to enter your name to avoid duplicate entries
✅ Platform login information is available in the “Notes” section of PSPL when you register
Looking for more professional learning opportunities? Check out this spreadsheet!
This fall, join us for a new series of regional professional learning sessions designed specifically for school librarians! We'll be traveling to Tuscaloosa, Mobile, Auburn, and Birmingham to bring learning, networking, and inspiration closer to you.
Each session will include:
ALSDE updates and announcements
A hands-on AMSTI engineering activity led by the same popular presenter from our recent WORMS! Session, Britney Fureigh
Guided tours of both an elementary and a secondary school library
Opportunities to connect and learn with fellow librarians
Space is limited at each location, so don't wait to register. We hope to see you there as we learn, share ideas, and explore exemplary library programs from around the state!
Upcoming Sessions:
September 9, 2026 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | PSPL 349004
September 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | PSPL 342610
October 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | PSPL 565223
October 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | PSPL 571944
Seats are limited. Register today! 📚✨
Want to explore even more ways to grow this season? Dive into our full calendar of Fall 2026 professional learning sessions! Check out this comprehensive spreadsheet for all the details and additional opportunities!
Elementary, K-5
Secondary, 6-12
In the age of Generative AI, our job as librarians is to equip students with the AI literacy skills they need to leverage these tools. One important skill is AI prompt engineering. GenAI prompt engineering encourages more accurate and higher quality GenAI interactions, improves critical thinking, teaches clarity in goal setting, and strengthens a future-ready skillset. Join UAB Libraries for a free virtual workshop on October 1 to learn frameworks that are helpful for teaching prompt engineering in K-12 education. Brooke Becker, Media Literacy Librarian, and Summer Upton, Reference Librarian for Education and Educational Technology, will focus on connections to ALSDE standards and practical demonstrations as well as opportunities for attendees to sharpen their own prompt engineering skills.
This Zoom webinar is offered twice on October 1, 2026. Click here to register for the 10-11:30 am session. Click here to register for the 3-4:30 pm session. If you have any questions, reach out to Brooke (babecker@uab.edu) or Summer (srupton@uab.edu).
We are excited to announce our annual ASLA EdCamp will be Thursday, September 24, from 8:30AM-2:30PM. EdCamp is a professional development opportunity that is virtual and completely FREE. You do not have to be an ASLA member to attend. At EdCamp, participants get to create the sessions. Sessions are organized by interest and are conversational in nature, where participants can talk, ask questions, and discuss their own practices. If you plan to attend, please complete this registration form. The zoom link and details will be sent out to those who register, later. We look forward to seeing you there!
ASLA Annual Conference registration is now open. The conference will be in Huntsville, February 4-5, 2027. We are looking for presenters to share great ideas. Please visit our website for more information.
Collaboration ideas from Jennifer Northrup, LMS at Gwin Elementary:
“Let me know if you need anything!” How many times have you said that to a teacher? Or put it at the bottom of an email? How many times does someone actually take you up on it? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
The Alabama Guidelines for Exemplary School Libraries give us a clear picture of what collaboration should look like. “An exemplary school library program supports the curriculum through strong, strategic collaboration between the school librarian, building-level teachers, instructional partners, administrators, and staff.” So, what does this look like on a Tuesday morning at school?
Entry Form
Contest Rules
Enjoy this book review and lesson plan from Britney Fureigh, AMSTI Science Education Specialist, Grades 3-5.
Wildlife Crossings: Protecting Animal Pathways Around the World
Author: Catherine Barr
This book activates curiosity and empowers readers to connect classroom learning with real-world problem-solving. Instead of dwelling on habitat loss, this book highlights how clever engineering helps wildlife such as Asian elephants, hedgehogs, salmon, cougars, and grizzly bears navigate human-made obstacles. It turns curiosity into action, empowering students to connect classroom learning with real-world solutions.
Teachers can use these stories to inspire young learners to think like real-world conservationists, analyze real threats to biodiversity, and design innovative solutions that help wildlife survive alongside their growing communities.
