Congratulations to our 2025 VAASL Election Winners. These members will be inducted into their new positions at this November's Annual Conference in Williamsburg. Thanks to the VAASL membership who participated in this election and thanks to the exceptional candidates who accepted their nominations to run.
Each year, members vote for Director-elects representing the seven regions, as well as the President-Elect and two board positions. This year, members will also vote for Secretary and Legislative Coordinator. To participate, please log into your account on our website and select “Election Ballot” in the announcements section. Voting is open through May 15.
School Library Month - Advocacy Committee Challenge #2
#VAASL SmallSteps25
The Concurrent Session Proposal Form for the 2025 Fall Conference is now open! We’d love for you to share your knowledge with us. Please consider applying to present a session this year in Williamsburg. The most requested topics from the wish list form are as follows:
- BOOKS (new, award winners, diverse, what you use for lessons, etc)
- Lessons (all levels)
- Collaboration ideas
- Grants
- Reading Promotion
- Makerspace ideas
- Technology / Apps
- AI
- Student volunteers
- Book clubs
April is School Library month and Governor Youngkin has signed an official certificate of recognition for Virginia.
Dear VAASL members and supporters,
On March 14, an Executive Order from the White House called for reductions to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), among other cultural institutions.
Also, our voting has wrapped up for the next round of VAASL Book Clubs and the results are below! Thank you all to who voted and helped with these decisions.
VAASL Book Club April 1st
VAASL is now using One Click Politics to bring legislative updates and opportunities for you to advocate to your email inbox. Sign up below or on the homepage to join and show your support for school libraries in Virginia!
Join us at Scope Arena as the Norfolk Admirals face off against the Wheeling Nailers on January 3rd for Teachers and Educators Night! We’re excited to honor the incredible contributions of teachers and educators in our community. This thrilling game promises to bring excitement and energy, and we invite all educators to come out for a night of fun and camaraderie. Enjoy special activities and recognition throughout the evening as we celebrate the hard work and dedication of those who shape our future. Connect with fellow teachers and hockey enthusiasts while cheering on your team!
Thank you all so much for joining us last week in Williamsburg for VAASL 2024. It was so exciting to have over 700+ school librarians in one space learning, sharing, and growing as professionals. We hope you had a wonderful time.
As we begin to think about the 2025 conference, we would love your feedback. Please fill out this short 10 question survey about the conference. The information will be useful to our Conference Planning Committee as they begin to work on our 50th Anniversary Conference – Nov. 5th-7th, 2025 in Williamsburg, VA.
Over the summer, the VAASL Board worked on various important librarian topics to start creating helpful one pagers for our membership to use. Check out the first ones here. They can be navigated to selecting "Resources" and then "One Pagers." Note: You must be logged in to view this content.
Stay tuned for more to be added!
You can now purchase books online before the conference and simply pick them up at our booth (402) during VAASL. No need to worry about books selling out—secure your copies in advance!
Vote on Proposed Changes to Constitution and By-Laws |
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Dear VAASL members,
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Administrator of the Year: MJ Rodney |
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Mr. MJ Rodney currently serves as the Principal of Providence Middle School in Chesterfield County, Virginia. He has previously served as an associate and assistant principal, SOL coach, social studies, and CTE teacher. MJ is in his third year as a student in VCU's Doctorate of Educational Leadership program. When not supporting his school or writing a dissertation, MJ enjoys volunteering at the YMCA as a youth coach and at his church in various education and youth ministry roles.
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The Future of Learning with Germanna College
Germanna is collaborating with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to offer free workshops across the Commonwealth that advance the use of Generative AI in K-12 classrooms. Participants will explore how to revolutionize the classroom and empower students with cutting-edge AI technology.
AASL Commends the Free to Read Project
AASL commends Virginia Local Kate Lindley for her Free to Read Project to create free banned books libraries. Read more about this awesome project at: https://www.ala.org/news/2024/08/aasl-commends-free-read-project
VAASL is pleased to share resources to support you as you plan for continuing library services in on-site, blended, and virtual learning environments.
VAASL in Action: Speaking up for School Librarians
Patrice Lambusta, VAASL President
Pride Month
by Stacy Gilbert, member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee
-Beth van Kan, PWSLA President
On March 13, 2020, our school in Woodbridge, Virginia, went through the day at less than half the student capacity of an average school day. The night before, an official announcement had been made informing parents that if they chose to keep their students home that day because of the outbreak of Covid-19, it would be an excused absence.
