Alabama LM Update May 2026
đ First Fridays Continue May 1st!
Weâre excited to keep the momentum going with our monthly First Fridays professional learning sessions designed for librarians!
Join us for two engaging sessions on Friday, May 1st:
- 9:30 AM â Tony Weaver: Unlocking the Hero in Every Student: 539796
- 1:30 PM â AETC 2026 Overview: 539797
To receive PowerSchool Professional Learning credit, participants must register for each First Friday event prior to the session. The login information is located in the Notes section of PSPL. Credit cannot be awarded if registration is not completed in advance.
We are currently building the First Fridays line up for the 2026â2027 school year and are excited about the sessions already taking shape. At the time of publication, we still have 10 presentation slots available, and librarians who are interested in presenting are encouraged to submit a proposal by completing this form.
You will notice that the draft schedule includes more than 10 blank areas. Some of these slots are reserved for sessions that have been confirmed but not yet titled, while others are awaiting final date confirmation. A draft of the First Fridays 2026â2027 schedule is available for your review. Once the schedule is finalized, PSPL sign in information will be published on our First Fridays website. At this time, we do not anticipate any changes to the listed dates.
At Beauregard Elementary, Media Specialist Mrs. Candy Crance has reimagined the media center as a dynamic hub for literacy, technology, and student engagement. Through her leadership, initiatives like the Thirty Book Questâa schoolwide reading challengeâencourage students to set goals, explore diverse genres, and celebrate their progress, fostering a strong culture of reading across campus.
Mrs. Crance also empowers students through a student-led media team that produces the daily news program, The Beauregard Buzz, highlighting school events and student achievements while strengthening school culture. Her integration of coding and instructional technology into media lessons provides students with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that build critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
In partnership with her special area team, she brings learning to life through engaging events such as âSpooky Specialsâ and by transforming the media center into themed, welcoming spaces that captivate students and families. Mrs. Cranceâs innovative approach exemplifies the powerful role school libraries play in supporting student success.
Looking for ways to promote titles on the Yellowhammer Award lists? Explore TeachingBooks for ideas to excite, engage, and enhance reading activities with thoughtfully curated resources.
You can also share these lists with your community using the share tool- bookmarks, flyers, email, and more!
Need more information? Contact Crystal Ballard at cballard@overdrive.com
Enjoy this book review and lesson plan from Jennifer Trott, AMSTI K-2 Math Specialist
The Quiltmaker's Gift
Author: Jeff Brumbeau
Target grades: K-5
A greedy king has demanded that all of his subjects supply him with gifts, and he has rooms and rooms of rare and unique items. The king lacks one thing, however- a beautiful quilt from the quiltmaker who lives in the mountains. The quiltmaker refuses him the gift, as she only makes quilts for those who need them. The king and the quiltmaker make a deal. He will give away all his possessions, and she will make a quilt for him, adding one piece for every possession he gives away. Upon giving away his possessions, the king discovers that true happiness comes not from what you have, but from the happiness that you can bring to others.
