MSLA President Jen Varney is the Librarian at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School in Cambridge, MA
Well, what a year, huh? As I sit down to write this column and reflect on the past year, I am almost at a loss for words. Welcoming students back into school buildings and into our libraries after 18 months of pandemic disruption would have been more than enough of a challenge. But of course, the universe thought that throwing relentless COVID surges at us would be an added bonus, and hey— how about some book challenges and ominous censorship news coming in from other parts of the country while we’re at it? Educators are feeling more burnt out than ever, and school librarians have every reason to feel this way.
Yet, I find it important as ever to celebrate important successes and strides.
Yet, I find it important as ever to celebrate important successes and strides.
Nationally, AASL hosted a successful in-person conference last fall and ALA will follow suit in June. ALA has formed Unite Against Book Bans to combat the well-organized book challengers and dozens of national organizations have signed on. Individuals can add their names too— you can join the fight! The International Literacy Association recently released a brief, “The Essential Leadership of School Librarians,” which seeks to clarify the role of the school librarians for administrators and reinforces our value to an entire school community. Closer to home, the Massachusetts Library System published their LibGuide Intellectual Freedom Guide for Massachusetts Libraries. More resources than ever are available to help us provide access to books for our students. Boston and several other school districts are expanding their school library programs. We must remember that good things happen alongside the bad. We learn from the bad, celebrate the good, and look at the balance as a symbol of hope.
Your MSLA Board worked hard during the school year on responding to challenges through informational events that gathered us together. The board will be hard at work over the summer, too, this time with an internal focus. We are implementing new Membership Management software, Wild Apricot. Initially, Wild Apricot will take the place of CVent for registrations and credit card processing. Down the line, Wild Apricot will allow MSLA members to reach each other online in new and exciting collaborative ways. We look forward to an in-person conference in the Spring of 2023 (with our fingers crossed), are evaluating our awards processes, and are also working on a new five year strategic plan, slated to begin in 2023.
Planning the next five years requires ideas, rethinking, and proactivity; it is about starting new initiatives from the ground up. When one adds the endless news cycle that is always in the background of our initiatives and challenges, I am suddenly not at a loss for words. The word is “daunting,” but an exciting opportunity at the same time. MSLA members who volunteer on boards and programs know the work we do is essential. Many hands make light work. Now is a perfect time to become involved with MSLA if you’ve never been before. Come join us! If you have any questions about becoming more involved with MSLA, you can reach me at jvarney@maschoolibraries.org.
Enjoy the summer - rest, relax, and rejuvenate and know that you have much to look forward to next year!
Your MSLA Board worked hard during the school year on responding to challenges through informational events that gathered us together. The board will be hard at work over the summer, too, this time with an internal focus. We are implementing new Membership Management software, Wild Apricot. Initially, Wild Apricot will take the place of CVent for registrations and credit card processing. Down the line, Wild Apricot will allow MSLA members to reach each other online in new and exciting collaborative ways. We look forward to an in-person conference in the Spring of 2023 (with our fingers crossed), are evaluating our awards processes, and are also working on a new five year strategic plan, slated to begin in 2023.
Planning the next five years requires ideas, rethinking, and proactivity; it is about starting new initiatives from the ground up. When one adds the endless news cycle that is always in the background of our initiatives and challenges, I am suddenly not at a loss for words. The word is “daunting,” but an exciting opportunity at the same time. MSLA members who volunteer on boards and programs know the work we do is essential. Many hands make light work. Now is a perfect time to become involved with MSLA if you’ve never been before. Come join us! If you have any questions about becoming more involved with MSLA, you can reach me at jvarney@maschoolibraries.org.
Enjoy the summer - rest, relax, and rejuvenate and know that you have much to look forward to next year!