At the AASL National Conference in St. Louis, I had the amazing experience of attending with my building administrator. Our time together at the conference strengthened both our personal and professional relationships. My principal gained valuable insight into the work of school librarians, learned about what matters to us, and developed a new understanding of the concerns and challenges we face.
I also got to speak to two other librarian-principal duos from my home state of Kansas attending the conference together. After asking for some reflections on the experience from a principal’s vantage point, here is what I learned.
1. Why did you attend the AASL National Conference?
I attended the conference as a sub for the administrator who was slated to attend. However, the real reason I chose to fill in is to support our librarian and to find out more about what’s important to her and her world. I feel like I’m better at what I do when I understand our teachers/staff and what they do. I’ve attended national cheer and dance as well as KMEA [Kansas Music Educators’ Association convention] with our music people. I’ve traveled nationally with our music staff. I have a much better feel for them as people, but also for their programs and what they need.
2. What surprised you?
I was pleasantly surprised at how passionate everyone I met was about helping kids with someone else’s content area. Everything was how to help students be better in school. It was fun.
3. What challenged, changed, or confirmed your thinking?
I was definitely challenged to think about things from the perspective of the librarian. I won’t always be able to side with any one group as an administrator; however, it makes me a better decision maker when I can put myself in their shoes.
4. What did you learn or gain?
First and foremost I was able to create a positive, professional relationship with our librarian. That was the best part: listening to her talk about her passions and dreams. I also learned about podcasting which is something I want to dabble into.
The author visit [hearing Amanda Jones, author of That Librarian, speak in conversation with Missouri librarian and author Tom Bober] was eye opening as well. Hearing her story [about the abuse she endured from book banners, who spread lies about her and harassed her] was both gut wrenching and informative. It was a good reminder to me that, in my role, how I respond to situations matters.
5. Do you have any other thoughts to share?
It was a fantastic experience. It was very well organized and informative. I appreciated the passion the attendees had and how welcoming they were to me. Lots of people I talked to were very impressed I was there.
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I can think of no greater advocacy tool than attending an AASL National Conference with your administrator. I encourage you to put Oct. 14-16, 2027, on your calendar and work toward making conference attendance in Portland, Oregon, a reality.
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