With another day of AASL in the rear-view mirror, I find myself at an odd crossroads. On the one hand, the days have been jam-packed with chances to learn and connect, and each day has seemed to stretch to accommodate it all. On the other hand, it’s the eve of the final day of AASL, and it seems like I just arrived minutes ago.
A slide from Kathryn Maahs’ presentation, “Joy in Practice: Cultivating Curiosity, Creativity, and Community in the Library”
My brain is clearly reaching its overload point, as I misread schedules multiple times, sending myself running around the massive convention center as I tried to figure out which of the three (or four, or five) sessions I’d bookmarked in the AASL 2025 app I wanted to attend. It was a bit like trying to pick a favorite child, or a favorite book – they’re all so good!
I ended up learning about using digital escape rooms to help teach copyright; how and why to genrefy my graphic novels collection; tips for making the library a space for authenticity and joy; and ways to channel my inner Gilmore Girl to encourage my students in their independent reading.
A slide from Kathryn Maahs’ presentation, “Joy in Practice: Cultivating Curiosity, Creativity, and Community in the Library”
Between the many incredible sessions, the exhibit hall was rocking and rolling, with vendors and authors and gadgets aplenty to take in. Plus there were great presentations happening at the Page to Practice Stage – I managed to get my copy of Elevating the School Library signed by both Sara Kelly Johns and Susan Ballard!
And the day was capped off with a showing of The Librarians, the documentary that has been earning rave reviews. I was fortunate enough to catch a showing at ALA 2025 in Philadelphia, and it is a truly moving film.
The past few days have been an exhausting, uplifting, exhilarating whirlwind. I’m sad that tomorrow is the final day – but I’m going to sleep for a week when I get home!
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