December brings with it a sense of finality, an impending fresh start as January looms in the distance. In our Nebraska school library, faces press against the glass in search of the first flake of snow. Noses sniff at the outside air for a hint of the snow that some adore and others loathe. Our attention turns outward, ready for a winter break from the school bells and passing periods.

Your AASL School Library Event Promotion Committee has turned its focus to the coming year, eager to provide you with resources you can use and inspiration to carry your ideas forward. Our passionate committee members spend countless hours refining event pages before passing them on to our AASL web editor. Before I joined this committee, I had no idea of the work that went into each page. Now that I’m here, I see why these volunteers commit their time and effort—it’s fun, it’s challenging, and it matters.

This December, we have one featured event: International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on December 3rd.

Please allow me to take you on a short tour of the event page.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Description and History

Why It’s Here: To set the stage for why this day matters and what it’s all about.

What You’ll Learn: This section explains how December 3rd became a day to celebrate the rights and achievements of people with disabilities. Started by the UN in 1992, its goal is to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and take action to make the world more accessible for everyone. It’s a reminder to support equal opportunities and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities.

Professional Learning Resources

Why It’s Here: To give librarians awesome tools to grow their skills and create more inclusive libraries.

What You’ll Find: Looking to deepen your understanding of accessibility and inclusion in library spaces? We’ve compiled some incredible resources to support your growth. This section is packed with webinars, articles, and blog posts designed to help you make your library a welcoming place for everyone. Whether it’s tips on creating accessible makerspaces, serving neurodiverse patrons, or designing disability-inclusive programs, there’s something here to inspire and teach you how to better meet the needs of all learners.

Learner Engagement Resources

Why It’s Here: To help you bring the event to life for your students in fun, interactive ways.

What You’ll Find: Need some cool activity ideas? This section has you covered! From heartwarming YouTube interviews on Special Books by Special Kids to guides for hosting a schoolwide disability awareness day, the goal is to get students thinking about inclusion and accessibility. You’ll also find creative makerspace challenges that encourage students to solve real-world problems.

Booklists

Why It’s Here: To help you stock your shelves with books that represent a variety of disabilities and inspire understanding.

What You’ll Find: Get ready to add some powerful reads to your library! This section includes award-winning books (like the Schneider Family Book Awards) and curated lists featuring stories that explore disabilities and differences. From picture books to young adult novels, these books will help your students see the world through new perspectives.

Promotional Resources

Why It’s Here: To make it super easy for you to spread the word about IDPD!

What You’ll Find: Need help getting the buzz going? This section gives you hashtags like #IDPD and #AccessibilityInAction to use on social media. Encourage your school community to share stories, promote awareness, and celebrate this important day. It’s all about making some noise and showing how much libraries care about inclusion!

December is the perfect time to showcase your library’s role in fostering inclusion and accessibility. Whether you introduce learners to new books, host a makerspace activity, or simply spark conversations, your efforts can create meaningful change.

Many thanks to the School Library Event Promotion Committee for curating these fantastic resources and to you, the school librarian, for the difference you make every day. Don’t forget to bookmark our Event Promotion page—we’ll have fresh resources ready for you each month!

Let’s make December 3rd a day to remember.