We hope you plan to join us on Sunday, November 17 for the Pre-Conference Sessions in the Illinois Street Ballroom (East & West), sponsored by Baker & Taylor. For only $125, the schedule includes:

  • 10:00am - 12:00pm ET - Morning Session
    • Title: The Science of Reading for Public and School Libraries
    • Presenters: Tara White, Tammie Buchanan, and Baker & Taylor
    • Session Description: Explore the Science of Reading from different perspectives. From the perspective of a previous elementary teacher, we will begin theoretically by looking at how teaching reading has changed over time. We will investigate current practices for teaching reading and research that has been done into how we learn to read. Recent legislation and inequities in instruction will be highlighted as well. From the perspective of an elementary school librarian, we will explore how we can support teachers and students in this initiative. From the perspective of a public librarian, we will explore how we can support students and families with developing readers. We will highlight things that public libraries throughout the country are doing to support the recent shift in reading instruction. Finally, from the perspective of the school library, at the secondary level, we will consider how reading aloud can help students tackle the many texts they are faced with. We will explore how the Read Aloud supports fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Thinking practically, we will look at how picture books, middle grades books, and Young Adult titles can be used in classrooms to both tie into curriculum and support our students as they continue to develop as readers.  
  • 12:00 - 1:00pm ET - Lunch
  • 1:00 - 4:00pm ET - Afternoon Session
    • Title: Law in Libraries: Making Your Case
    • Presenters: Diane Rogers, Julie Wendorf, and Amelia Aldred of the American Library Association (ALA)
    • Session Description: This session will discuss the legal basis of intellectual freedom principles. Participants will learn about First Amendment legal cases and how those rulings affect censorship challenges. Included in this session will also be information about the limits of free speech and how the First Amendment affects your library policies and practices.

Please CLICK HERE to register for the Annual Conference. If you have already registered and would like to add these sessions as an add-on for $125, please email us at [email protected] and we will update your registration and issue an updated invoice.