Collection Development

The session listing provided below may differ from content presented at the AASL National Conference as presenters, sessions, etc., may have changed or cancelled since their original acceptance. AASL provides this listing as an example of the professional development school librarians can expect at the event.

Conference attendees should use the AASL21 Mobile App and/or its online component for an up-to-date and comprehensive listing of all conference events.

Concurrent Sessions

Ditching Dewey: Building a Nonfiction Section that Reflects Secondary Students’ Learning Needs

Presenter(s): Laura Graves Massey, Jennifer Powell

Many librarians use the dewey number listed in the MARC record to classify their books. But does that placement always make sense for YOUR library?

Many librarians use the dewey number listed in the MARC record to classify their books. But does that placement always make sense for YOUR library? This session will identify the issues and limitations within the Dewey Decimal Classification System, introduce the need for a more student-centered organizational system for school libraries, and present a framework for assessing and reorganizing a collection that meets the learning needs of each individual school.

Increased Access Through Open Educational Resources (OER)

Presenter(s): Melissa Johnston, Angela Branyon

Come learn how you can leverage Open Educational Resources (OER) and your professional expertise to increase access to resources for teachers and students.

Come learn how you can leverage Open Educational Resources (OER) and your professional expertise to increase access to resources for teachers and students. This interactive session will focus on locating, evaluating, and curating OER, along with strategies to use with teachers to revise and remix OER to create engaging learning experiences for all learners.

Manga in the School Library: What, Why, & How?

Presenter(s): Emily Ratica, Sara Smith

Have you wanted to add manga to your library collection but don't know where to start?

Have you wanted to add manga to your library collection but don't know where to start? Are you overwhelmed by the available manga series that are unreviewed? This introduction to manga will help you get started on what manga is, why you should make space for it on your shelves, what titles you should purchase to develop your collection, and how to catalog, process, and protect your books. Manga newbies and otaku welcome!

Leveraging Collections to Support Instructional Needs

Presenter(s): Heather Adair, Ashley B. Crane

Looking to better connect your collection to your campus’ instructional needs?

Looking to better connect your collection to your campus’ instructional needs? Join us on a collaborative journey exploring opportunities to position your collection to support diverse learners, learning environments, and instructional goals and ways to celebrate the collection’s impact. Along the way, three librarians will share their experiences and tips for success. An electronic resource recording and continuing the conversation will be provided.

Graphic Novels are For Everyone!

Presenter(s): Karen Scott

Come join me as we go on a tour of the best graphic novels you can add to your collections.

Come join me as we go on a tour of the best graphic novels you can add to your collections. We will explore fiction and non-fiction graphic novels and ways you can incorporate them in your libraries and classrooms. We will combine the best graphic novels along with the best tech tools to really make engaging lessons for all students.

The Power of Manga + Anime in our Libraries

Presenter(s): Julie Stivers

Manga or Japanese comics have worldwide appeal. Nowhere is this more evident than with learners of today!

Manga or Japanese comics have worldwide appeal. Nowhere is this more evident than with learners of today! However, there is sometimes reluctance or uncertainty in school libraries to fully embrace the manga format, which is ultimately damaging to our learners and their interests in literacy. In this session, we’ll dive into various aspects of manga and anime—from basic definitions and genres to collection development and readers’ advisory to working with learners to start your own manga/anime club. Manga for different grade levels will be addressed. Learner voice will be included throughout—Anime Club members will be co-creating the presentation content! We’ll center why a strong and vibrant manga collection is essential to Shared Foundation Include and a pro-BIPOC, pro-Queer, disability-positive, mental health sensitive library.

Dual Language Libraries: Philosophy, Collection & Instruction

Presenter(s): Melissa Snider

Dual language librarians face unique challenges when creating and maintaining collections that serve their staff and students.

Dual language librarians face unique challenges when creating and maintaining collections that serve their staff and students. This session will give librarians a chance to connect with other dual language colleagues, provide them with resources for collection development, and generate ideas for integrating language, literacy and library instruction. The session would also be appropriate for librarians seeking resources to develop or maintain world language collections in their libraries.

You Can't Read Them All - Resources for Readers Advisory

Presenter(s): Cindy Mitchell

As much as we'd like to read every book ourselves, we just can't.

As much as we'd like to read every book ourselves, we just can't. Come and explore the why's and how's of reader advisory and go away with a wealth of resources for book recommendations and ways to curate your lists.

How Genrefying Made My Life Easy

Presenter(s): Rachel Rich, Amanda Berry

A 12th grade English teacher wanted to promote reading as a lifelong habit. A new (solo) librarian wanted to shake things up a little bit.

A 12th grade English teacher wanted to promote reading as a lifelong habit. A new (solo) librarian wanted to shake things up a little bit. Together they created an environment that is impacting the entire school. This program will explain the process of genre-fying a fiction collection on your own, and how it has drastically enhanced how students choose their books.

We Need (Neuro)Diverse Books!

Presenter(s): Adriana White

According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children have been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental condition such as autism.

According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children have been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental condition such as autism. Most of us already serve these patrons in our libraries! How can we update our collections to better represent this diverse group? How can our programming promote empathy and acceptance? An autistic librarian will share strategies and book recommendations, and you'll leave with resources that will help you keep up with this growing subsection of children's literature.

A Shift To Cultural Relevance in the School Library - A Three Prong Approach

Presenter(s): Emily Porter, Sara Spachman

Learn how to...

Learn how to:

  • De-Colonize the data by analyzing a school library's cataloging metadata
  • Calibrate Grading Practices and Instructional Moves through Collaboration with Classroom Teachers --- and----
  • Use Strategic Collection Development to transform your print collection

Inclusive Collections By Design

Presenter(s): Suzanne Tonini, Amanda Samland, Terri Faulkner, Lori Micho

Learn how to boost authentic, equitable representation in your library collection through selection auditing, weeding, and marketing.

Learn how to boost authentic, equitable representation in your library collection through selection auditing, weeding, and marketing.

Books that are LIT!

Presenter(s): Brandi Young, Ashley Aldrich

We've curated a list of 100 diverse books across all genres to get your students excited about readings and stories.

We've curated a list of 100 diverse books across all genres to get your students excited about readings and stories. Based on research, reviews, and personal experience we build a list of books that appeal to the widest range of students and offer amply opportunities for librarians and teacher to collaborate. Synopsis of each book are given as well as activities to garner student interest and tips for utilizing social media to promote the library and meet students where they are.

Bigger is Not Always Better

Presenter(s): Laura Mann

Is your library's average age older than you? Are your shelves too crowded to add new materials?

Is your library's average age older than you? Are your shelves too crowded to add new materials? Are afraid to remove materials because you cannot afford to replace them? Join Laura Mann as she discusses techniques used in her five libraries to determine when weeding needs to happen, what to do with discarded materials, and how to get it all done with faculty, staff, and administration on your side.

Inclusive Collections: A Frank Conversation about Diversity in Library Resources

Presenter(s): Nancy Jo Lambert, Lesley Roane

Building collections that are inclusive with representation of diverse voices provides authentic stories that share the wealth and richness of other cultures, lived experiences, and traditions

Building collections that are inclusive with representation of diverse voices provides authentic stories that share the wealth and richness of other cultures, lived experiences, and traditions. Auditing libraries is vital work and ensures that stories captured within the collection create positive views, showcase many perspectives, and celebrate what makes all humans unique. School librarians serve as gatekeepers and must connect patrons to a variety of resources through collection development.

Making LGBTQ+ Students Proud of Their Library

Presenter(s): Stacy Gilbert, Rachel Grover

Almost 2 million teenagers, or about 10%, identify as LGBTQ+. How might your library enhance its support for these students and their needs?

Almost 2 million teenagers, or about 10%, identify as LGBTQ+. How might your library enhance its support for these students and their needs? Learn more about strategies to better include and welcome LGBTQ+ students in your library and common mistakes to avoid. This session will also incorporate crowdsourced suggestions. Come prepared to share ideas, questions, or experiences from your own practice. Let’s help your library have more pride!

Diversity Audit: A Practical Guide

Presenter(s): Kelsey Bogan

No one can deny that a diversity audit is an invaluable tool for analyzing your collection for good representation of diverse voices, but how exactly does one go about beginning and completing such a process?

No one can deny that a diversity audit is an invaluable tool for analyzing your collection for good representation of diverse voices, but how exactly does one go about beginning and completing such a process? Join me to learn about how I tackled this project and how I'm now using the data collected for advocacy and collection development. You'll leave this session with a practical step-by-step guide for how to complete a comprehensive diversity audit on your library collection.