Amy Hermon and Steve Tetreault pose at their Idea Lab session, “The Power of Podcasts”.
Although AASL 2025 didn’t officially get rolling until afternoon, I got started a bit earlier than that. As my state’s AASL Chapter Delegate, I was invited to a State Policy & Advocacy Training session. AASL members from all over the country volunteered their time and effort to share tips, suggestions, and resources that every state chapter can use to help them advocate for their members on local, county, and state levels.
Immediately after this session wrapped, I had an opportunity to dash through the amazing Poster Sessions on my way to the Idea Lab. There, Amy Hermon and I dished on the Power of Podcasts. I was floored by both the number of folks who stopped by our table, as well as by the huge number of other Idea Lab sessions going on around us! It was such a vibrant, joyful learning opportunity as school librarians learned from their colleagues and peers, and friends reconnected.
Suddenly, it was time for the Opening Ceremony and Keynote, which was fabulous, featuring wonderful addresses from AASL President Amanda Kordeliski and Past Presidents Becky Calzada. There was a rousing address from ALA’s incoming Executive Director, Daniel Montgomery, who acknowledged the importance of school librarians as teachers, and recognized many of the issues facing us in our professional lives.
This was followed by a joy-filled “Parade of States” as a small cohort of members from each AASL chapter were welcomed to walk across the stage, often while festooned in fun outfits, frequently with unexpected props, and one featuring a member in an inflatable bumblebee costume (did you know Utah is the beehive state? I didn’t!)!
NJASL members ready for the Jersey Shore with their beach balls, shades, and beach towels.
This wonderful opening was capped off by a great address/stand-up set from comedian Steve Hofstetter (who commented on how nice it was to have an audience who could catch his many literary references).
And then the exhibit floor opened!
It was a long, full day that left me feeling exhausted, but also buoyant. It was truly a day of the best of what AASL has and does – members sharing their knowledge and coming together in support and friendship. Challenges were acknowledged, but in a way that made it clear we are not alone in facing those challenges. Many laughs were enjoyed. Many friendships were kindled -or re-kindled. A million hugs were shared. It was a wonderful start to the conference.
And it was also a reminder that, while this conference is all of these things concentrated like frozen orange juice, the things themselves – the knowledge, the sharing, the connecting – all happen year-round. I can’t wait for tomorrow – and also for all the days ahead!
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