Alabama LM Update February 2026
đź“… First Fridays Continue February 6th!
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 February 6th:
- 9:30 AM – Get Going with Gale in Context: Elementary: 539766
- 1:30 PM – Get Going with Gale in Context: Middle School: 539771
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
If you are a public school K-12 librarian in Alabama, you are invited to join our statewide Schoology Group. This space is designed just for you, and it provides a convenient place to collaborate, learn, and share ideas across the state. To receive login information, simply email susanne.estes@alsde.edu and you will receive the information to join the group.
Inside the Schoology Group, you will find several sections that support your daily work. The “Updates” area features a wide range of information, including curriculum support resources from me, posts across many types of media, questions from colleagues, and helpful reminders that may support your library program. The “Discussions” area includes six topic sections: Library Enhancement Funds, Library Scheduling, Library Website, Seasonal Celebrations and Special Events, “This, that, and the other”, and DLCS Integration. These topics allow you to ask questions, exchange ideas, or simply learn how others are approaching similar opportunities for growth.
This community is a great way to build relationships, engage with fellow librarians, and discover new ways to support all of our library learners. Whether you need practical advice, inspiration for programming, or a place to share your expertise, the Schoology Group offers a supportive and collaborative environment. We hope you will join us and add your voice to the conversation.
Please note that this group is intended exclusively for librarians. At this time, it is not open to other school, district, or regional roles. Thank you for understanding.
As this February newsletter goes out, many of us are attending the Alabama School Library Association Conference at the beautiful Perdido Beach Resort. We are looking forward to learning, connecting, and gathering new ideas to support the work happening in school libraries across the state.
Look for a conference recap in the March edition of the newsletter, where we will share key takeaways and general updates from this year’s event. Whether you joined us in Orange Beach or were unable to attend, we will make sure you stay informed.
We invite everyone to join the conversation using #ASLA2026 for conference posts and our regular ASLA hashtag, #ALLibraries.
I’ve created a special survey just for Alabama public school K–12 librarians regarding the impact of the Focus Act. After speaking with many librarians across the state, we’ve heard reports of increased circulation and engagement since the Focus Act went into effect.
We would like feedback from all public school K-12 librarians in Alabama. Please take a few minutes to complete this librarian-specific survey by February 28. Your feedback will help us understand any impact the Focus Act may have had on your library and its services.
We are thrilled to announce a special learning opportunity in collaboration with the Library of Congress. On April 22 at 9:00 a.m., Alabama educators are invited to join a one hour webinar that highlights the incredible digital collections available on loc.gov.
During this session, Library of Congress education specialists will demonstrate how to find and use millions of digitized primary sources, along with free teacher tools that support instruction across content areas. Participants will explore the "Finding Primary Sources" page, learn practical search strategies, and discover new resources they can use immediately with students.
Do not miss this chance to learn directly from the Library of Congress and bring high quality primary sources into your library and classrooms.
The session will be recorded and posted on the ALMO website for later viewing. Please note that PSPL credit is available only to those who attend live.
Kristie Shankles, MTSS Education Specialist, recently highlighted this academic strategy in her MTSS Sway.
Collaborative learning helps students build understanding by talking through ideas, hearing different perspectives, and making meaning together. Research shows that structured student talk and cooperative strategies improve comprehension, engagement, and retention. One effective approach for guided reading is the Say Something strategy.
How it works:
Students work in pairs and take turns reading short passages aloud. After each section, the partner must “say something” that shows active thinking, such as:
- asking a question
- identifying a confusing part
- predicting what comes next
- visualizing a scene
- making a connection
If a partner has nothing to say, the reader rereads the passage to support comprehension. Teachers circulate to observe and guide, and students benefit from repeated practice with this routine. Say Something is especially helpful for readers who struggle to focus or need structured support.
ACT, Inc. (n.d.). ACT educator’s toolkit. https://www.act.org
Alabama Library Media Online (ALMO) is your one-stop site for everything library media. From guidance to professional learning, ALMO keeps you informed and supported.
What’s Inside ALMO?
- Library Handbook & Guidelines – Current standards and resources.
- First Fridays & Office Hours – Stay connected and get real-time help.
- Library Enhancement Funds – Clear usage guidelines and examples.
- Compliance Monitoring – Policies, schedules, and support documents.
- Shoutouts – Recognize outstanding libraries and librarians.
- Newsletter & PL Opportunities – Subscribe and grow professionally.
Why ALMO?
It saves time, answers questions, and connects you with statewide initiatives. Bookmark ALMO today and make it your go-to resource!
Enjoy this book review and lesson plan from Amara Alexander, AMSTI K-5 Science Administrator
The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons
Author: Natascha Biebow
Illustrator: Steven Salerno
The Crayon Man tells the exciting story of Edwin Binney, the inventor who gave the world Crayola crayons. It highlights his collaborative experiments and dedication to affordable, safe art supplies for children. Edwin loved colors and wanted kids to have safe, bright crayons to draw and create. At first, classrooms only had chalk and dull pencils, but Edwin experimented with wax and pigments to make crayons that were colorful, easy to use, and affordable.
