Alabama LM Update August 2026
We know how busy the beginning of the school year can be, so we're giving everyone a little extra time to settle into routines before launching this year's First Fridays professional learning series. Our first sessions will be held on Friday, September 4, and we have two informative topics to kick off the year.
📋 AM Session (9:30-10:30): Compliance Monitoring Updates and Guidance (563393)
📚 PM Session (1:30-2:30): What's New in TeachingBooks (563397)
All registration details are available on the First Fridays website, and you’ll also find a graphic showing all of the First Fridays sessions. If the direct link doesn't work, you can search by the session number. We hope you'll join us as we begin another year of learning, collaboration, and professional growth together!
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
Are You Receiving My Emails? If not, check these three items:
✅ 1. EdDir Classification
All librarian communications are pulled directly from EdDir (Education Directory). If you're not listed as Librarian in the staff position field, you will not receive these emails.
🔹 Some librarians are listed as Teacher for evaluation purposes. If that's the case, ask your school administrator or district technology coordinator to update your EdDir record so that Librarian is also included. (You're allowed to have more than one staff position designated in EdDir.)
📝 2. I Cannot Update EdDir
I am often asked to add someone to the librarian mailing list or update their classification. Please note that I do not have access to edit your district's EdDir records. Any changes to staff positions must be made by your school administrator or technology coordinator.
📧 3. Safe Sender Settings
To help ensure my emails reach your inbox:
- Add my email address to your safe sender list.
- Add S'more, the platform used for newsletters, to your safe sender list.
A quick check of these items can help ensure you stay informed about resources, opportunities, and important updates throughout the year.
Are you a public school K-12 librarian in Alabama? Join our statewide Schoology Group, a collaborative space designed exclusively for school librarians. To receive joining instructions, email susanne.estes@alsde.edu.
The group serves as a central hub for updates, resources, announcements, professional learning opportunities, and discussions with colleagues across the state. Dedicated discussion areas cover topics such as Library Enhancement Funds, scheduling, library websites, special events, DLCS integration, and general idea sharing.
Whether you're seeking advice, sharing resources, or looking to connect with fellow librarians, the Schoology Group offers a supportive professional community focused on helping library programs thrive.
Please note that membership is limited to Alabama public school librarians.
Looking for answers, resources, and professional learning opportunities? Alabama Library Media Online (ALMO) is your one-stop destination for information that supports Alabama school librarians throughout the year.
ALMO provides easy access to guidance on Compliance Monitoring, Library Enhancement Funds, professional learning opportunities such as First Fridays, parent and family resources, curriculum support materials, and much more. Whether you're searching for requirements, planning for the school year, or looking for new ideas to strengthen your library program, ALMO is designed to help you quickly find the information you need.
Visit ALMO regularly to stay informed, discover new resources, and keep up with the latest opportunities for Alabama school librarians.
School: Montevallo Elementary School, Shelby County Schools
Mrs. Lackey recently collaborated with her school's Literacy Coach to bring standards-based poetry instruction to every grade level during weekly library sessions. By front-loading high-quality poetry and introducing students to powerful mentor texts, she provided invaluable support to homeroom teachers and ignited a passion for writing in her students.
This six-week deep dive into the world of poets resulted in a significant increase in student pre-to-post test data. This unique partnership between a librarian and a reading specialist culminated in a beautiful "Poe'Tree" display, where student-authored poems served as the "fall leaves."
Interested in learning more about this coaching cycle? Connect with Andrea at hfranks@shelbyed.org or tlittlejohn@shelbyed.org.
To submit a Librarian Shout-Out, please fill in this form.
By Dorothy Lancaster, Library Media Specialist, Academy for Academics and Arts, Huntsville City Schools
When educators think of professional development, they often picture conference rooms, PowerPoint presentations, and note-taking. However, the Huntsville Space & Rocket Center’s Educator Space Camp, held June 10–15, redefined what professional learning can be. This was not simply a science workshop—it was an immersive, hands-on adventure that challenged participants to think, collaborate, problem-solve, and explore the possibilities of space exploration in ways that can only be described as unforgettable.
For five full days, educators from across Alabama participated in authentic astronaut-style training experiences, engineering challenges, simulations, and team-building activities. From launching rockets and designing mission plans to experiencing simulated space missions, every moment was filled with discovery and excitement. Participants worked together as crews, learning firsthand the importance of communication, leadership, and perseverance—the very skills we strive to teach our students every day.
Reflections from the American Library Association’s 150th Anniversary Celebration
By Dr. Cindy Jones
Library Media Specialist, Westhills Elementary School, Bessemer City Schools
First, I give all honor and glory to God for blessing me with the chance to attend the American Library Association’s (ALA) 150th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago, Illinois. This extraordinary event was not just a conference; it was a historic celebration that recognized 150 years of the American Library Association’s commitment to promoting literacy, supporting libraries, and empowering communities through access to information.
Founded in 1876, the American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world. For a century and a half, ALA has supported the belief that libraries are key to education, democracy, lifelong learning, and fair access to knowledge. Throughout its history, the organization has helped librarians by providing professional development, advocating for strong library programs, promoting authentic literature, encouraging innovation, and defending everyone’s right to read and learn.
Enjoy this book review and lesson plan from Leslie Hughes, AMSTI Elementary Math Administrator
A Million Dots
Andrew Clements
Developing a conceptual understanding of large numbers, scale, and data organization through vivid, real-world visualizations.
Andrew Clements’s A Million Dots is an outstanding literary tool for breaking down abstract mathematical concepts into concrete realities. The book starts with a single dot and climbs sequentially, placing dots alongside fascinating, child-friendly facts. Did you know there are 996,480 still pictures in Disney’s The Lion King? You can count those still photos, represented as dots!
For families, summer enrichment group directors, after school clubs, and classroom teachers, this book serves as a perfect launchpad for cross-curricular STEM exploration.
