Alabama LM Update November 2025
đź“… First Fridays Continue November 7th!
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 November 7th:
- 9:30 AM – Learning Languages with Pronuciator: 539727
- 1:30 PM – Collection Development with Mackin: 539730
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. 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
We’ve had a strong start to our hands-on workshop series with four engaging sessions in September and October—full of learning, collaboration, and resource development!
There’s still time to join us in November at one of our statewide locations. Morning sessions focus on using the ALEX protocol to build standards-based lesson plans, and afternoon sessions offer two tracks:
- Lesson Development using the ALEX framework
- New Librarian Institute for early-career support and networking (self-designated)
Completed lessons will be shared online and later added to the ALEX website.
đź“Ś Registration is available in PSPL.
Please refer to the provided handout to select the date, time, and location that works best for you.
Let’s continue working together to strengthen library instruction and share resources that benefit students across Alabama!
Checkout this spotlight from Dr. MĂłnica Farris, ALSDE Educational Specialist, English Learners
Nestled in the banks of the Tennessee River in the northwest corner of the state, L.E. Willson Elementary School’s library has become a hub of learning, curiosity, and connection. Over the past six years, Emily Smith, the school librarian, has engaged in a thoughtful reorganization of the library turning it into a space that reflects both student interests, modern library trends, and cultural responsiveness.
Smith looked at circulation statistics and realized that the biography section was barely touched. As a result, Smith reorganized the shelves, intentionally turning books forward-facing to catch students’ attention and removing outdated material. Her efforts to make nonfiction more accessible through forward-facing bins proved beneficial as students began to check out the many titles available. She then decided to genrify the fiction section, building a collection of engaging and relevant titles based on students’ interests.
Available for grades 7–12 and beyond
Southern Gothic literature has a remarkable way of lingering — not just in setting or atmosphere, but in emotion. Its power lies in the way it blends mystery, history, and humanity, revealing what time, memory, and silence sometimes leave behind. Even outside of “spooky season,” these stories remain meaningful companions for readers who crave both tension and tenderness — and for teens who are beginning to ask deeper questions about legacy, identity, and courage.
The Cursed Keepsake, the debut novel by Alabama school librarian and author Dr. Mary Alice Pouliot, enters this tradition with a modern yet classic tone. Set on Mississippi’s Cat Island in 1938, the novel follows a young woman who begins experiencing haunting dreams after entering an abandoned manor — and a skeptical radio host known as “Mr. Mystery,” who arrives to debunk the ghost story. What unfolds is a suspenseful mystery grounded in coastal Southern atmosphere, intergenerational echoes, and the slow burn of trust and partnership.
The Yellowhammer Book Awards, created by the Alabama School Library Association (ASLA), spotlight new titles with literary merit, instructional value, and strong student appeal.
Register your school to become an official Yellowhammer School—only registered schools can submit student votes!
On November 20, join Wendy Post, Summer Upton, and Jacquelyn Wilson for two engaging sessions divided by grade band:
- 9:00 AM – Picture Books
- 10:00 AM – Middle Grade/YA
Discover the 2025–2026 Yellowhammer selections, explore activities and resources, and connect titles to ACOS standards to enrich your library.
đź“Ś Click the flyer below for session details and registration info.
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 Christy Dark, K2 AMSTI Science Specialist
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf is a beautiful early nonfiction picture book that follows the life of a sugar maple tree through the eyes of a child who cherishes it. Using her signature collage-style artwork, Lois Ehlert brings the story to life with textured layers of seeds, roots, fabric, and natural materials. Readers watch as a tiny winged seed drifts from a forest maple, sprouts into a sapling, and is eventually planted in the child’s yard. Through vivid illustrations and simple yet poetic language, Ehlert captures the tree’s growth and transformation across the seasons—from its fresh green leaves in spring to its brilliant red and yellow canopy in fall. This book is a wonderful introduction to nature’s life cycles and a celebration of the bond between children and the natural world.
