Alabama LM Update March 2026

📅 First Fridays Continue March 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 – Cultivating Curiosity by Early Exposure to Academic Research: 539776
• 1:30 PM – Get Going with Gale in Context: High School!: 539779

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:
✅ 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

The implementation of the Alabama Focus Act is transforming school libraries into vibrant hubs of social and academic engagement. According to recent survey data from over 250 Alabama librarians, nearly 47% report an increase in book circulation, while over 46% have observed a significant rise in student engagement. Beyond the numbers, librarians are noting a cultural shift: students are returning to the library to play chess, browse physical books, and study together rather than disappearing into their screens. As one librarian noted, "Students are learning to interact with each other again. It's getting back to how it was when I was in school."

This trend in Alabama mirrors national conversations about the benefits of phone-free learning environments. In the NPR report, "What worked and what didn't with a cellphone ban at a Kentucky school," educators found that while logistics like parent communication required adjustment, the reduction in digital distraction led to more meaningful peer connections. Alabama’s library data reinforces this finding, with over 50% of surveyed librarians reporting a positive impact on student-to-student interaction. By limiting digital noise, the Focus Act has allowed library resources and human connections to take center stage once again.

View the Full Survey Results Here (identifying school information has been redacted)

As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, I am seeking input from school librarians across Alabama to help shape our monthly First Fridays professional learning sessions. These trainings are designed to address timely and relevant topics in public school librarianship-- from instructional strategies and collaboration to collection development, technology integration, advocacy, and alignment with the Alabama Course of Study. Your feedback will help ensure that our sessions remain practical, forward-thinking, and responsive to the real challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your schools. Please take a few minutes to share your ideas and topic preferences so we can build a professional learning plan that truly supports your work and strengthens library programs statewide. The deadline for completion of the survey is April 3, 2026.

ACCESS THE SURVEY HERE.

Genrefication in libraries is trending, but there could be some things about it that are holding you back. The idea of reorganizing the entire library may be too overwhelming and goes against your OCD tendencies, many books fall into different genres, and genres aren’t always clearcut for pictures books and lower-level titles. One alternative could be to add photographic shelf marking that makes favorite authors and characters easy to find, even for non-readers, without changing the library organization.

One example of this system was found on Etsy. There are shelf markers already created for popular authors and characters for $6.00. You purchase, download, print on card stock, laminate, and tape on inexpensive magazine holders. I purchased mine from Amazon for $21. It is an inexpensive way to make the library more user-friendly. I even used Canva to edit and create characters and authors that I needed that weren’t included in the set. There is an option to create a shelf divider that sticks out from between books if you prefer that option. Many of these can be utilized in multiple areas for picture books, graphic novels, and chapter books for the same series or characters and may even bridge some readers from graphic novels into chapter books. Some examples are Disney, Babysitters Club, Big Nate, or Magic Treehouse.

Foldable Desk File Holder Organizer Sturdy Cardboard Magazine Storage Box Document Rack

Nonfiction and Fiction Library Shelf Dividers

Carrie Layfield, Ragland High School

The Alabama Educational Technology Conference (AETC) is returning to the Von Braun Center in Huntsville from June 16–19, 2026, with the theme “Learning Without Limits: On the Fast Track to Learning and Innovation for All.” We are thrilled to announce that we will once again feature a dedicated Library Track specifically designed for our state's librarians. This track is not limited to technology integration. We welcome any topic related to libraries, librarianship, or creative library programming. Whether you are exploring new ways to engage readers or managing a modern media center, your expertise is a vital part of this "fast track" to innovation.

We are currently looking for presenters to help make this track a success, and we want to hear from you! If you presented at the Resource Development Summit this past fall or at ASLA, we strongly encourage you to bring that session to the broader AETC audience. Every session this year was exceptional, and your peers across the state would benefit greatly from your insights. Even if you didn't present at those events, please don't hesitate to apply. The deadline for presenter applications is March 23rd. I am available to hop on a virtual meeting and help you brainstorm your ideas to ensure your proposal is ready for takeoff, if desired.

Beyond the main conference schedule, make sure to mark your calendars for a special pre-conference day on Tuesday, June 16th. We are currently planning exciting collaborations with ALSDE departments and organizing tours of local Huntsville school libraries to provide a "behind-the-scenes" look at programs in action. Stay tuned for more details as we finalize the schedule. We can't wait to see the Alabama library community lead the way in Huntsville as we explore what it truly means to learn without limits!

The Alabama School Library Association recently wrapped up our Annual Conference, and it’s safe to say we made history together. We were blown away by our record-breaking turnout of 340 attendees. It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces from all across the state! With 49 concurrent sessions to choose from, there was something for everyone, whether you were diving into the world of AI, rethinking your library space, or finding creative ways to tie fun library lessons to state standards. We also had the privilege of supporting our own by awarding four scholarships. Our keynote speakers left us feeling completely inspired and energized. Award-winning author, Candace Fleming, gave us a fascinating look at writing nonfiction for kids and teens. Amanda Hunt got us all fired up to "Ride the Innovation Wave" in our schools. We all left the beach with our batteries recharged, carrying suitcases full of resources, and hearts full of new connections. It was a huge success, and we can’t wait to see how you bring that spark back to your libraries!

PD opportunity on March 10, 2026 at 9:30 am. For questions, email Janet Burnett at janet@bookcreator.com.

Book Creator is an intuitive, web-based creation tool that can be used by teachers and students to create interactive digital books. Yes...it can be used for beautiful creative writing projects to share with others, but new features have improved what was once considered an end-of-the-unit creative project tool...so it's now a part of daily routines and tasks through exit tickets, reading journals, stations, science notebooks, and other formative assessments.

CONTINUED HERE.

Bring the new Alabama Course of Study (ACOS) Social Studies to life with PermaBound's curated list of picture books, designed to help students connect with new ACOS standards.

As Alabama continues strengthening implementation of the Alabama Multi-Tiered System of Supports (AL-MTSS), library media specialists play a critical role in cultivating one of the most powerful drivers of learning. Engagement through curiosity. Supported by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) AL-MTSS emphasizes strong Tier 1 instruction, proactive supports, and meaningful access for all learners. The school library is uniquely positioned to lead this work.

What Brain Research Means for the Library

Research in neuroscience confirms that curiosity enhances learning. When students are genuinely interested:

• Dopamine increases, strengthening motivation and focus
• Memory systems activate more deeply, improving retention
• Students show greater persistence with challenging tasks

Continued here.

Enjoy this book review and lesson plan from Jennifer Harden, AMSTI Elementary Math Specialist, 3-5

Harlem Grown

Author: Tony Hillery

Target grades: 3-5

In this inspiring true story, discover how a littered, empty lot in New York City is transformed into a lush city garden with the help of a neighborhood man and the children at a local school. Harlem Grown tells of how one man made a big difference in a neighborhood. After seeing how restless they were and their lack of healthy food options, Tony Hillery invited students from an underfunded school to turn a vacant lot into a beautiful and functional farm.

Continued here.

Have questions about school library programs, compliance monitoring, curriculum integration, or best practices? Join me for monthly Office Hours—a relaxed, open forum designed for K–12 librarians and their administrators to connect, ask questions, share ideas, or simply listen in.

We typically meet on the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between morning and afternoon sessions to fit a variety of schedules. No registration required—just drop in using the WebEx link provided.

📅 Next Office Hours: Tuesday, March10th from 1:30-2:15 PM

Let’s keep the conversation going and support each other in the great work we’re doing!

https://alsde.webex.com/meet/susanne.estes | 25981914173

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