MSLA 2025 Conference

Explore how creating Anti-Bias Bookshelves are essential and highlight some guiding principles–possibilities when leaning into this work of creating stories that can be a mirror, window, or sliding door for others to see themselves or other identities and communities through a more just lens. Being conscious of the identities we hold can help us understand our proximity to the power we have in different spaces, specifically when we are telling stories. Explore how creating Anti-Bias Bookshelves are essential and highlight some guiding principles–possibilities when leaning into this work of creating stories that can be a mirror, window, or sliding door for others to see themselves or other identities and communities through a more just lens.

Come and hear how Dr. Bishops language of windows and mirrors can anchor a library program in the important work of fostering an environment belonging and compassion.

Students often say, “I like books with photos because then I know it’s real,” but most high-quality nonfiction picture books feature illustrated artwork. Learn how to enhance read alouds by sharing photos. Then discover how giving students access to a range of still and moving images can help them craft more engaging and precise informational writing.

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!

Do you wish you could share book recommendations with students and families even when they aren't in the library? Learn how to use Canva to make a digital newsletter of book recommendations, complete with book cover images and links to your catalog, Sora, or other online resources. Then share your newsletter with your school community using a public link. Familiarity with Canva is not required but recommended.

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!