Connections

Volume 7 Issue 2

This issue looks ahead to our summer leisure with suggestions of how to spend that time with book suggestions and professional development of special interest to librarians. We have a profile of Ashlee Nishiya (whose newsletter we shared in our previous issue) and the wonderful work she does for Ventura County schools and librarians.

In other news, this is my last issue as editor, so if you are interested, please email general.niesl@gmail.com.

Thank you, and may your books be returned on time and shelved by sprites, your news literacy lessons positively impact the next generation, and your most reluctant teacher reach out to you for collaboration next year.

Happy summer to all.

Anne Hebert

• Primarily, I work as Librarian of Record for 16 out of the 20 school districts in Ventura County so they can meet the ed code requirements of having a certificated Teacher Librarian.
  
• I support classified staff in a variety of things from training new staff, conducting PD, helping with weeding projects, developing book lists, and even helping with library redesign projects.
  
• I also coordinate all Library & Literacy related events at VCOE- from Library & Literacy Day to Battle of the Books and everything in between.
  
• I run the Learning Resource Display Center (curriculum library) and support districts with textbook adoption.
  
• I even drive a school bookmobile- a partnership with the public library in my county.
  

Ashlee believes she was “fated to go into teaching MS & HS English and eventually librarianship” because of the role of libraries in her life as a third space, refuge, and resource. “I already loved reading and learning, so it was the perfect place to get out of the summer heat and pull books off the shelf, read, dream, look things up in the encyclopedia, etc. I remember checking out a stack of books, taking them home, and reading all day. There were so many beautiful memories associated with books and libraries.”

In her county position, Ashlee helps librarians by creating structured opportunities through professional learning sessions, Library & Literacy Updates, and countywide events like Library & Literacy Day. “I also support collaboration through my Librarian of Record work, where I connect staff across districts who are working on similar projects such as weeding, redesign, programming, or collection development. These connections help librarians share ideas, problem-solve together, and build a strong professional community across the county.”

For two years (2024 to 2026) Ashlee served on the executive board of California School Library Association (CSLA) as the VP of Professional Development and this work with the state organization impacts her county work as well. “[It] allows me to bring statewide resources, advocacy efforts, and professional learning opportunities back to Ventura County. Through my role in professional development, I was able to stay closely connected to trends, challenges, and best practices across California. I share that information with local librarians through updates, trainings, and events, helping ensure they have access to current resources and a broader professional network beyond the county.”

While there are many obstacles facing librarians, a commonly expressed belief is the misunderstanding that school libraries and librarians are no longer needed in the digital age. Ashlee believes a “lack of perceived value and professionalism for what we do" is the biggest challenge. “I think it’s a marketing/branding issue- no one really knows what we do and there is a stereotype that we just sit behind a desk all day doing nothing or reading books all day. I have never been busier on a campus than when I was a teacher librarian, but for some reason, people have a hard time seeing our value and impact, even when we shout it from the roof tops. This translates to staffing and hours being cut on campuses, which makes it even harder for us to show our value when we are trying to do impossible things with not enough money, time, or resources.”

Looking ahead, [Ashlee’s] hope is “that school librarians are recognized for the essential role they play in supporting literacy, instruction, and student achievement. I would love to see every school staffed with trained library professionals and supported by strong, well-resourced programs. I hope continued advocacy helps elevate the profession, strengthen staffing, and ensure all students have access to vibrant, welcoming library spaces.”

"Librarians truly make magic and do so with very little resources or support. It’s kind of amazing when you think about it."

The most recent edition of Ashlee Nishita's fabulous newsletter is below. Contact her at ANishiya@vcoe.org to subscribe.

NIESL is looking for a newsletter editor. Please share with other librarians who might be interested in joining and contributing to a grassroots librarian organization.

Email Angela Corbett at general.niesl@gmail.com if interested or for more information.

On April 28, NIESL hosted a Virtual Meet Up to share our own pleasure reading - what we recommend and what we are looking forward to reading this summer. In no particular order, these were the titles recommended and discussed:

Summer Reading List

Sunrise on the Reaping

Suzanne Collins

The 5th installment of the Hunger Games series. A prequel and sure to me the next movie, Haymitch's Story returns to District 12 where Haymitch Abernathy has been chosen a tribute to compete in the games. in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes have been chosen including Haymitch's sister-friend, an oddsmaker, and a stuck up girl from his district. All he wants is to go home to the girl he loves.

Dolly All the Time

Annabelle Monaghan

“This book is like a spicy margarita…sweet and a little salty, tart and hot…I have fallen in love with Dolly and with funny, fizzing Annabel Monaghan!” —Catherine Newman, New York Times bestselling author of Sandwich

The Missed Connection

Tia Williams

Sasha Cruz is a talented casting agent but unsuccessful in casting a partner. While on a trip to Paris she finds herself seated next to an interesting attractive man who she shares instinct chemistry. She didn't exchange information with him. She enlists the help of her friend at work to find the mystery traveler and accidentally emails her entire company ! To further complicate things, Sasha hires a PI to find the man and adds another layer to her search for love.

Theo of Golden

Allen Levi

Theo, an elderly gentleman arrives in the southern town of Golden and visits the local coffee shop where he sees pencil portraits of locals on the walls. Theo goes about making a connection with each of the people in the portraits and finds that each one has a special story. Theo also has a story. This book about love, loss, forgiveness, and the power of human connection and kindness were never more beautifully written. Levi's words read like poetry. If this book were music, it would be one of the most lovely melodies ever heard.

Not Quite Dead Yet

Holly Jackson

A New York Times best seller and mystery/thriller. Jet Mason is the 27 year old daughter of a wealthy family in Vermont. She is attacked on Halloween and suffers catastrophic head injuries. Doctors estimate she has a week to live. Jet never thought of herself as having enemies. But now, in the one week she has left, she looks at everyone in a new light: her family, her former best friend turned sister-in-law, her ex-boyfriend. As her condition deteriorates, she reconnects with her childhood friend Billy, the only one willing to help her. With Billy at her side, she’s absolutely determined to finally finish something:

Jet is going to solve her own murder.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

V.E. Schwab

This is a story about hunger, love, rage, and life's beginning and ending. 1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

A young girl grows up wild and wily―her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets. "Schwab has impressively woven a compelling character drama and feminist critique into a horror thriller...sumptuous descriptions of place and time, and the slow-burn melodrama between each of the women... a tale told sharply but sweetly enough it goes down as easy as that happy-hour cocktail that, surprisingly, knocks you flat." ―The New York Times

A New Earth Awaking to Your Life's Purpose

Eckhart Tolle

An Oprah book pick from 2008 and 2025. A New Earth is a spiritual manifesto on being present, relinquishing ego, and tapping into your greater purpose.

The Compound

Aisling Rawle

Lily—a bored, beautiful twenty-something—wakes up on a remote desert compound, alongside nineteen other contestants competing on a massively popular reality show. To win, she must outlast her housemates to stay in the Compound the longest, while competing in challenges for luxury rewards like champagne and lipstick, plus communal necessities. When the unseen producers raise the stakes, forcing contestants into upsetting, even dangerous situations, the line between playing the game and surviving it begins to blur. If Lily makes it to the end, she’ll receive prizes beyond her wildest dreams—but what will she have to do to win?

Everything is Tuberculosis

John Green

In 2019, author John Green met Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient at Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. John be­came fast friends with Henry, a boy with spindly legs and a big, goofy smile. In the years since that first visit to Lakka, Green has become a vocal advocate for increased access to treatment and wider awareness of the healthcare inequi­ties that allow this curable, preventable infec­tious disease to also be the deadliest, killing over a million people every year. In Everything Is Tuberculosis, John tells Henry’s story, woven through with the scientific and social histories of how tuberculosis has shaped our world—and how our choices will shape the future of tuberculosis. AN ACCLAIMED BEST BOOK OF 2025: NPR, Scientific American, Science News, Booklist, Bookpage, Chicago Sun-Times. Goodreads Readers' Choice Nonfiction Winner.

Finding Me: A Memoir

Viola Davis

As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you. - Viola Davis

by Angela Corbett

LACOE Library Services Event: Rethinking Media & Literacy

Join LACOE Library Services for a powerful day dedicated to school libraries, literacy, and student success. Featured keynote speaker Jennifer LaGarde will present 'Hooked By Design: Teaching Mindful Media Habits in the Age of Algorithm,' exploring how digital platforms fuel misinformation and how educators can equip students with critical information literacy skills.

The day also includes engaging breakout sessions on Canva, media literacy, poetry, makerspaces, and more—offering practical strategies you can bring back to your school right away.

Register: https://lacoe.k12oms.org/2759-278172

Educator Day 2026: AI, Innovation & Impact

School librarians are invited to Educator Day on July 30, 2026 (9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) at Hans Christensen Middle School in Menifee for a dynamic day of learning centered on AI in education.

Keynote speaker Jessie Lubinsky (Adobe) will lead the conversation on using AI thoughtfully to enhance teaching and learning. With 30+ educator-led workshops, participants will explore practical ways AI can support instruction, boost engagement, and personalize learning—while keeping the focus on creativity, relationships, and meaningful student experiences.

This conference is ideal for librarians looking to strengthen information literacy, digital fluency, and innovative programming in an AI-driven world.

💡 Fee: $150 (includes meals and materials)
🗓 Register by: June 22, 2026
🔗 Learn more: https://events.rcoe.us/Grounds4Innovation

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how AI can elevate your library’s impact on teaching and learning!

Library Camp 2026: Learn, Collaborate, Inspire

Mark your calendar for August 26–27 (8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) at the Santa Clara County Office of Education for this dynamic two-day mini-conference designed just for educators and librarians.

Highlights include:

• Keynote conversations featuring Neal Shusterman and Erin Entrada Kelly with Joanna Ho

• A wide range of sessions focused on strengthening your library program

• Opportunities to network, collaborate, and recharge your passion for librarianship

Register:: https://www.sccoe.org/libraryservices/Pages/LibraryCamp.aspx

Don’t miss these opportunities to spark new ideas, strengthen your practice, and bring fresh energy to your school library!

A Little Q & A about NIESL

What is NIESL?

NIESL is an organization focused on helping librarians discover their potential. It's an organization for librarians and library stakeholders, created and run by librarians, for librarians.

What is NIESL's mission?

NIESL seeks to empower school library staff in the Inland Empire with support, resources, and professional development opportunities to strengthen library programs, promote literacies, and nurture life-long learners.

How do I become a member?

Visit our website, NIESL.org, and fill out the Join the Network form. Be sure to let us know if you would like to volunteer and in what areas you would like to share your talents.

Do I have to work in a library to become part of the network?

Although the core of the content shared by NIESL is for school library staff, anyone who wishes to support and learn more about school libraries is encouraged to join. Future articles and information will include content for the different library stakeholders.

NIESL has virtual meet-ups planned. What are virtual meet-ups?

Just as the name suggests, the meet-ups will be online, using the Zoom meeting app. Each meet-up will focus on a library topic that is relevant to the current situation and provide opportunities for all participants to share and discuss the day's topic. Bring your cup of coffee or tea and join the conversation.

How does NIESL share out news? Visit us on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/niesl/

Twitter: Username: @NIESLorg #NIESLinfo

Instagram: niesl_org

Visit www.niesl.org to find out more and browse through our shared content.

Contact us at general.NIESL@gmail.com

Make sure to add Connections in the subject line.

Email: general.NIESL@gmail.com
Website: www.niesl.org
Location: Inland Empire, CA, USA
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/niesl
Twitter: @NIESLorg