MSLA 2025 Conference

No more blame and shame; let's get curious about teens and screens. We'll discuss mental health, sleep, distraction, the importance of boredom, and how we can help kids and teens have more TRUE FUN by looking at 8th grade survey data. Participants will brainstorm strategies they can take back to their own school communities to start productive conversations with students around screen time, social media, and more.

Join an elementary Library Teacher, a Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, and a Science Curriculum Coordinator as we share how we completely revamped two traditional units: the first grade National Symbols unit and the second grade Rocks, Landforms, and Mapping units. We incorporated inquiry elements, Breakout Boxes with specifically designed puzzles that align with the unit, and video challenges all tied together with a narrative story that anchors the learning and generates excitement and engagement. Presenters will share both of these units and give participants time to try some of the Breakout Box puzzles.

In 2024, two groups of Massachusetts school librarians participated in a nonfiction-focused personal learning community that met monthly via Zoom. In this panel presentation, discover how they supported one another as they curated their collections and implemented new programming to increase student awareness of and access to a broad array of nonfiction books. We will share our ideas, projects, goals, and a few of our favorite nonfiction read-alouds!

There is nothing like the experience of hosting an author or illustrator at your school. Students (and teachers!) are inspired by connections with book creators, and a visit brings a surge of vitality and visibility to your library program. Let's talk about planning, preparing, and funding a visit to your school - even if you think you can't afford the price tag!

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