CHICAGO – Scott Beck, head principal at Norman (Okla.) High School, will conclude the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Awards Ceremony & President’s Program taking place at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, as part of the 2017 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.
“As school librarians, we know how critical it is to the success of our library programs to have a supportive administrator,” said AASL President Audrey Church. “I am very excited to have Dr. Scott Beck as my President’s Program speaker. Dr. Beck knows what a 21st-century library program that contributes to student learning looks like and understands the key role that today’s school librarian plays in instruction in his/her school. We look forward to him sharing his perspective on how school librarians transform student learning.”
Beck is currently the head principal at Norman High School, serving 2,000 students in grades 9-12. Over the course of his 17-year career in education, Beck has also served as an assistant principal and a National Board Certified social studies teacher. As principal, Beck has overseen a 30-million-dollar renovation at the high school, including a state-of-the-art learning commons and a 1:1 laptop initiative.
Beck presents nationally and internationally on educational issues. Past presentations include “Library as School Hub” and “Building the Eclectic High School” presented at the 2012 and 2013 High Schools that Work National Conferences. He holds a Master’s degree in education administration, curriculum and supervision and a Ph.D. in education leadership and policy studies from the University of Oklahoma.
The AASL Awards Ceremony and President’s Program is an annual event featuring prominent experts on issues relevant to school librarianship and is open to all registered conference attendees. For more information about this and other AASL programs at the 2017 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, visit www.ala.org/aasl/annual.
The American Association of School Librarians www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.
Estimated Hours of Learning: 30
Certificate of Completion available upon request.
School librarians are worried about their jobs, and with good reason. Budget cuts have taken many jobs, and those who have retained their jobs find their resources stretched thin. In this eCourse, respected authority Weisburg gives school librarians concrete strategies for demonstrating and proving their worth through clear, focused leadership.
Showing you how to focus and strengthen your programs and articulate those strategies in ways that build support for yourself and your library within your institution, she leaves no stone unturned. This eCourse teaches you how to lead; how to identify the people you need to influence; and how to influence them on paper, in person, and during meetings.
Learning outcomes
Making the case for the vital role school librarians play in learning
Identifying your mission/vision in order to focus your program and be able to prioritize efficiently
Building a solid base of support among stakeholders who hold the power over your future
Creating and preparing to carry out plans targeted to strengthen your programs
eCourse outline
Part 1: Positioning Yourself
Qualities of a leader (your strengths and weaknesses)
Mission and vision statements
Core values and tag lines
Part 2: Reaching the Power Stakeholders
Connecting with administrators (superintendent, principals, BOE, and the central office)
Connecting with the community (parents, business owners, the public library, and others)
Part 3: Reaching Priority Stakeholders
Connecting/cooperating/collaborating with teachers
“BestPrep is still accepting registration for its Technology Integration Workshop. From July 31 – August 3, the University of St. Thomas in downtown Minneapolis will serve as our host.
The four days will be filled with keynote and breakout sessions that inspire, motivate, and educate. Topics discussed will be wide-ranging: how to use and apply educational technology, ways to engage students, and skills students will need when entering the workforce. Additionally, participants will have time to apply their knowledge and the information learned by updating a unit plan.
And of special note, one afternoon will be spent off-site at a local business in a job shadow. Job shadows help today’s educators prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Volunteers from various businesses discuss the skills employers are looking for and help draw parallels between class curricula and students’ careers. Continue reading Summer PD from BestPrep→
“The days of posting important announcements on a library bulletin board and hoping someone might see them are ending. Today’s digital signage offers many more visible and effective options. Using technologies such as LCD, LED, projection, and tablets to display content as digital images, video, streaming media, and other formats, digital signage can be found in more and more libraries today. The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) will present “Signs of the future: Using Digital Signage in Your Library,” on Wed., May 24, at 1:30 – 3:00 pm (Central time). Join us to learn tips and tricks for how to create digital signage using best practices, and how to make a case for adding affordable digital signage to your library. Continue reading LLAMA Webinar: “Signs of the future: Using Digital Signage in Your Library”→
May 11, 2017 live, and available as a recording later
“In this webinar, learn strategies from two LJ Movers & Shakers who help new immigrants feel welcomed by library and community.
There is much more to supporting immigrants and refugees than hanging out a “welcome” sign at your library. Successful programs and services are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the range of populations who may come through your doors. Hear from Movers & Shakers who work with communities to empower vulnerable and often underserved populations with a sense of belonging and self-reliance. Learn innovative approaches to identifying and celebrating immigrant leaders; how to foster networking between native-born and newcomer populations and between immigrant groups of varying national origins; how to highlight immigrant-positive narratives; and more. You’ll be sure to find practical ideas among the multi-pronged strategies that these librarians have used to ensure that new immigrants really do feel welcomed by the library and the community.
This webinar is part of a series highlighting the work of recent LJ Movers & Shakers and is hosted in collaboration with Library Journal.
