ALSC - The Association for Library Service to Children

Did you know you can add accessibility tags to PDFs for patrons who use screen readers? Learn more on the ALSC blog!

Make a Difference with Web Accessibility: Adding PDF Accessibility Tags - ALSC Blog Learn some quick steps to add PDF Accessibility Tags to make PDFs on your library's website meet accessibility standards.

As we await the announcement of the 2026 Children's Literature Lecture this Monday at the YMAs, don't forget to your tickets to 2025's lecture with Kyle Lukoff, this year hosted by Multnomah County Library at The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts in Portland, OR.

The event takes place on March 20, 2025 from 7-8:30pm PDT. Register for your FREE ticket at multcolib.org/lukofftickets

"You may picture advocacy efforts as writing letters to legislators or marching for a cause. However, it can also include going to community events to share the importance of library services, or speaking to others one-on-one about how their own library can help them achieve their own goals and resolutions."

Learn more about ALSC's Everyday Advocacy resources on the blog!

Resolve to be an Everyday Advocate - ALSC Blog I am the kind of person who likes to create New Year’s resolutions. Things like: stretch for 10 minutes after working out, make one night per week phone free, or solve the global climate crisis. After creating these resolutions, I immediately forget about them and go on living my life without stre...

YMA announcements are less than a week away! If you're holding a mock election, remember to submit your results to the ALSC blog.

2025 Mock YMA Elections Results Page - ALSC Blog 2025 Mock YMA election results! Check in here for results from Mock Caldecott, Mock Newbery, and more Mock elections from around the world.

"With a wider range of voices in the room, ideas were approached from fresh angles, and opportunities for cross-departmental synergy became obvious."

Learn how blogger Sarah Flathman's library fostered collaboration between Youth Services and Adult Services staff on the ALSC blog!

Collaborating Across Departments - ALSC Blog Sometimes, missed opportunities are hiding in plain sight, waiting for a shift in perspective to uncover them. That was the case at our library, where adult and children’s librarians excelled within their areas but worked largely in isolation when it came to programs, collections, and outreach. Th...

"Some people love to make New Year’s resolutions. Others are firmly in the no-resolution camp. I’m more a One Word kind of person."

Gather some inspiration for making your own new-year goals from blogger Kary Henry!

New Year...One Word - ALSC Blog Choosing one word for 2025 can help create a sense of intention in both our personal and our professional lives.

"Beyond being part of ALSC’s core competencies, respect for diversity fosters belonging. And I want every young person to know the library belongs to them."

Learn more how to break down the abstract idea of "belonging" into actionable steps from blogger Erika Hogan.

Big and Small: Building Belonging - ALSC Blog What does it mean to foster belonging? This reflection centers small steps that contribute to a welcoming environment.

"One of the great joys of being a working librarian during your service on an award committee is getting to excite and fascinate your young readers with the promise of an exciting new medal on a book cover come January."

Ahead of next week's YMAs, learn more about how blogger Aryssa Damron teaches students about the Sibert medal.

Teaching the Sibert Medal - ALSC Blog Learn how one librarian created a Sibert Medal unit to help her students learn more about quality informational children's books

Looking to get some new ALSC merch for the new year? Now through January 28, the ALA Graphics Gift Shop is offering free standard shipping!

Shop now at bit.ly/graphics-gift-shop

Learn more about the upcoming 2025 Notable Children’s Recordings online discussions on the ALSC blog!

2025 Notable Children's Recordings - January Discussion - ALSC Blog The 2025 Notable Children's Recordings committee invites you to listen in on their final discussions. This post includes the discussion list.

Don't forget to register for the ALSC Membership Committee's virtual social next week! On January 22 at 3pm ET/2pm CT, come discuss your Youth Media Award predictions. Even if you're not an ALSC member, you're welcome to take part!

Register here: https://ala-events.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwoc-irqD0rHdB27Wf1xV6L-0HzI5E3AYQY #/registration

In this month's ALSC staff blog, learn more about ALSC's Awards Coordinator Ana Cackley ahead of the YMAs!

Learn More About Ana Cackley, ALSC’s Awards Coordinator - ALSC Blog Ana Cackley is ALA ALSC's Award Coordinator. She coordinates with committees and works with all ALSC's award-related work.

"What happens when the state takes control of your collection? Librarians in Tennessee are currently facing that challenge."

Learn more about the July 2024 updates to the Age Appropriate Materials Act in Tennessee and how organizations and individuals are taking action from ALSC's Intellectual Freedom Committee.

The Challenges Facing School Librarians in Tennessee - ALSC Blog Collection development and management has always been a significant part of the work of school librarians, but these days that work is complicated by outside efforts to censor those collections. So much of the advice around managing book challenges focuses on things within a librarian or school boar...

Learn more about ALSC’s Membership and Marketing Specialist Gavin Damore, who started in his new role in November!

Meet ALSC's newest staffperson: Gavin Damore - ALSC Blog Learn a bit more about ALSC's newest staffperson, Gavin Damore. Gavin joined the ALSC staff in November of this year.

"As library professionals, we are uniquely positioned to support youth and their families by fostering media literacy and providing guidance for safer digital engagement."

In her blog, Dr. Jo Phillips provides actionable steps for creating safer social media experiences for young users.

Staying Safer on Social Media: Suggestions for Media Mentors - ALSC Blog As library professionals, we are uniquely positioned to support youth and their families by fostering media literacy and providing guidance for safer digital engagement. In this post, you'll find three actionable recommendations to help families create safer social media experiences for young users.

Looking to make your story times more accessible? Blogger Anna Melvin shares three steps you can take!

Accessible Story Times in 3 Easy Steps - ALSC Blog To aid other public librarians, I have compiled a list of my top three tips to make your story time programming just a bit more inclusive!

"Graphic novels are wildly popular with kids–and librarians also know that they can help build visual literacy skills, increase reading confidence and strengthen vocabulary knowledge."

If you're thinking of starting a graphic novel book club at your library, start with blogger Jackie Partch's latest blog!

Starting a Graphic Novel Book Group at Your Library - ALSC Blog Graphic novels are wildly popular with kids–and librarians also know that they can help build visual literacy skills, increase reading confidence and strengthen vocabulary knowledge. Kids who read graphic novels also show increased reading motivation. So why not offer a graphic novel book group at...

Are you holding a mock YMA election with your library, school, or book group? Be sure to send us the results!

Learn more about how on the ALSC blog, and see the results of groups who have already submitted for this year.

2025 Mock YMA Elections Results Page - ALSC Blog 2025 Mock YMA election results! Check in here for results from Mock Caldecott, Mock Newbery, and more Mock elections from around the world.