Wow! What an Opening!

Opening Day Magic at AASL: It Did NOT Disappoint! In fact, it UPLIFTED!

There’s something magical about the opening day of the AASL Conference. There is an energy, almost a buzzing,  that can’t be replicated anywhere else. From the amazing library themed t-shirts, to the sea of backpacks, it was apparent there was a lot of library joy in our opening day.

From the second I walked into the the St. Louis venue, I was surrounded by the a sea of my wonderful library colleagues. I witnessed hugs, squeals of joy, and the happiness that comes with being with my school librarian family. While we are scattered  across the country, we come together every other year like no time has passed. This year’s opening day reminded me just how powerful that reconnecting with our peers can be.

As Arlene, Carolyn and I stood on the stage, rehearsing our lines and the doors to the venue opened, we saw you streaming in!  We could feel the excitement in the air  It’s hard to describe just how uplifting it was for us as part of the conference committee to be in a space where everyone understands why we do what we do. For us, the committee members, this is not just a conference, it is a celebration of the work we put in coming to life.

One of the traditions of the AASL opening session is the Parade of States, and this year’s procession did not disappoint. Watching everyone proudly represent their states, waving flags, tossing candy, t shirts, stickers, carrying Dolly Parton, and hopping along like a bee was a highlight. It’s a fantastic reminder to celebrate our state chapters and it brings a sense of unity that goes beyond professional development we came for.

 But perhaps the most unforgettable part of the day came from our opening keynote speaker: comedian Steve Hofstetter. Steve is known for his sharp wit and quick comebacks. He delivered a stand-up set that had the entire audience roaring with laughter. I was sitting next to Arlene Lavarde and her laughter just made my laughter even better.  His comedic timing was as always, incredible. His observations about parenthood, anxiety, and the world in general had us all in stitches. There’s something uniquely wonderful about laughing together after challenging years we’ve had lately and Steve gave us that gift.

What I loved the most was how Steve shifted gears in the second half of his talk to share a message about resilience, the importance of empathy, and the role that school librarians play in being champions of literacy. He challenged us to continue to be the “dangerous” people in the room, who stood up for the right to read and continued to push back against censorship. He spoke about his own experiences in the library, his appreciation how libraries were a safe place for him in his childhood.

Opening day at AASL reminded me why I volunteer with AASL and why it is a wonderful thing that we come together every two years. I’m so grateful to be part of this community. If today was just the start, imagine how fabulous the next two days will be.