The AASL conference is by far the professional learning event that I look forward to more than any other. I forget how many I’ve been to, but this is the first time I’ve been part of the planning committee, specifically the programming committee. I read every proposal, and it was so hard for the committee to choose because they were all so relevant and vital to school librarianship. Below are just a few of the ones I’m looking forward to the most.

These will be over by the time this is published, but for future conferences, make sure you go on a tour. Yesterday, I was so lucky to see two libraries and hear about all of the ways their librarians are impacting their students. Tom Bober, a librarian I’ve looked up to since forever, has such a welcoming and open library at Captain Elementary. Tom has the most creative programming and the best author visit wall! Victoria Jones’ library is beautiful and unique. Mullanphy is a magnet/choice school that focuses on plants and gardens. It was so cool to hear her students present their experiences in the library.

The poster sessions and idea lab are a must-see. Really, for any conference, this format gives you so many ideas and contacts in such a short space of time. It can feel fire-house level overwhelming, but the energy and ideas are invaluable. Don’t miss these next time!

Sessions… This is the hard part. Having read all of them so closely, I hate that I can’t clone myself to see them all, but I want to share just a few that I’m looking forward to.

Fighting AI Slop: Media Literacy in the Age of Misinformation. Dr. Mattson is a digital citizenship expert, and I look for her resources any chance I get. We are in some bizarre and wild times in all the ways, but the media landscape is one we must help our students with as best we can. This session at 10:00 on Friday is one you should definitely consider.

Let the Numbers do the Talking! How one district is working toward data-driven advocacy to guide meaningful conversations on collection development, collaboration, budgets, staffing, and more. This session at 11:00 on Friday is part of the Leadership & Advocacy strand. I love learning to tell our library stories through data and look forward to picking up some new ideas in this session. Thank you in advance to Becca Munson for presenting on this important topic.

Who Blamed the Cow? News literacy is such a complicated and nuanced topic. I’m always looking for ways to help school librarians assist their students in navigating the intense news cycle we have to live through. I’ve seen Dr. Robbie Barber present before, and I love that she is in the trenches, trying new techniques, and is willing to share with us what works and what does not. If you don’t have a session picked for Friday at 4:20, definitely consider this one!

Booked for Fun: Library Strategies That Work (and Delight!) Leah Talbert’s session title and description have me sold. I’m a huge proponent for play, fun, and ‘surprise and delight’ in the school setting, especially in the school library. I will be taking some careful notes in this one to share back with my Kentucky school librarians.

Seriously. I could write up my excitement for every single session, but I will leave it here. On behalf of the programming committee for #AASL25, thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal, and thank you to every presenter willing to stand up in front of their peers to share. It’s sometimes awkward and often difficult to present your work and ideas in conferences, but without our friends’ willingness to take this risk, our National Conference would not be possible. I hope you have a spectacularly refreshing and energizing AASL and wish you all the best in your own school libraries!