Alabama LM Update December 2025
đź“… First Fridays Continue December 12th!
We’re excited to keep the momentum going with our monthly First Fridays professional learning sessions designed for librarians!
Join us for two engaging sessions on December 12th:
If the direct link for registering in PSPL doesn't work, you can search by the session number. All registration details are available on the First Fridays website, and you’ll also find a graphic showing all of the First Fridays sessions. Let’s keep growing together through collaboration and shared learning!
Important Reminders:
âś… Register in PSPL before attending to receive credit
âś… If joining with a group, enter your name in the chat
âś… If your display name differs from your PSPL registration, enter your name in the chat
âś… 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
This fall, we successfully completed part 1 of our hands-on Resource Development Summits, featuring engaging sessions filled with learning, collaboration, and curriculum support! These sessions brought librarians together to share ideas, strengthen instructional practices, and create meaningful standards-based resources. Here are links to the primary presentation, a spreadsheet for submitting completed resources, and an optional survey for attendees.
Our New Librarian Institute was a standout success, featuring phenomenal presenters who provided early-career support, networking opportunities, and practical strategies for success. Here is the document with a link to all presenters.
The Resource Development Summit and New Librarian Institute materials will help keep the momentum going as we continue building a strong professional community.
What’s Next?
In the spring, we’ll host Part Two of the Resource Development Summit, where we’ll review and refine the resources created during these sessions. Stay tuned for details!
Thank you to everyone who has participated so far—you’re helping us build a stronger, more connected library community!
Resources Aligned with Social Studies Standards
Children’s literature and picture books serve as a gateway into learning social studies at the elementary level. With their mesmerizing illustrations and engaging narratives, these books provide students with a foundation for conceptual learning, an introduction to multiple perspectives, and a spark that leads to further inquiry.
To curate book possibilities for these explorations, two lists have been generated, pairing possible elementary books with the new 2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies standards:
We are 2 months away from our annual Alabama School Library Association Conference. Join us February 2-3, 2026, at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL, for 2 full days of learning and networking with librarians from across the state. This year we are offering more concurrent sessions than ever!
Candace Fleming will be joining us on Monday, February 2, for our opening keynote. Candace Fleming is the author of more than fifty books for children and young adults. Amanda Hunt, aka TheNextGenLibrarian, will be speaking at our closing session.
Official conference and Yellowhammer t-shirts are now on sale. You will have the option to ship the shirts to your house or you can pick them up at conference.
Don’t forget to register for the conference online or by check. The last day to mail checks will be Friday, January 2, 2026. Our block of rooms is filling up fast. Be sure to book your room by calling the resort at 1-800-634-8001. Visit our conference website to stay up to date on all things related to the conference. Email Jacquelyn Wilson at aslalibconference@aslalib.com if you have any questions regarding the conference.
Are you ready to showcase the deep impact your library has on student learning and achievement? National Board Certification for Library Media is the professional marker for accomplished school librarians.
The NBCT process guides you through reflecting on your practice in relation to the Five Core Propositions. It helps you systematically analyze your impact on literacy, information access, student engagement, and the library's impact across your entire school community.
➡️ Ready to start your journey? Connect with your regional inservice center for support and resources NBCT Support Opportunities.
As part of the requirements set forth in the FOCUS Act, and referenced in Memo FY25-1010, ALSDE has partnered with the National Governor’s Association and Dr. Angela Duckworth to conduct a survey to assess compliance with the Act. We are requesting participation and feedback from each school principal, as well as other educators throughout the state.
The Phones in Focus Survey is a five-minute survey. Responses will be kept confidential and only reported in summary form. The information gathered will be reviewed as part of the process for carrying out the requirements of the Act.
Enjoy this book review from Phenicia Nunn, AMSTI Math Specialist Grades 9-12
A Cloak for the Dreamer By Aileen Friedman Summary: A Cloak for the Dreamer, by Friedman and Howard (1994) is a wonderful story to read to students to teach about two-dimensional geometry, spatial sense, and tessellations. A Cloak for the Dreamer tells a story of a tailor being hired by the Archduke to design and sew three new cloaks for himself and three dresses for his wife. The Archduke requires the cloaks to be very colorful, use shapes so that there are no gaps or overlaps so that he will not be cold, and no material will be wasted. The tailor has his three sons help him out with this task. This book explores tessellations which address so many other concepts like transformations, symmetry, and congruence.
