SC&I faculty, students, and staff will attend this year’s New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) convention at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City from December 5–7. The theme for the annual convention is “Courage, Connection, Compassion,” and the keynote speakers are Ibi Zoboi, Daniel Naveri, and Don Vu. To view the NJASL 2021 Conference website, click here.

NJASL is New Jersey’s only statewide organization for school librarians and includes over 800 members. As noted on their website, they advocate for high standards for librarianship and library media programs in the state’s public, private, and parochial schools to inspire excellence in school librarianship and learning. NJASL provides school library media specialists with educational opportunities and current information aligned with state and national learning standards to ensure that all school libraries empower students, faculty, and staff to become effective and ethical users and producers of information.

Associate Professor of Practice, Library and Information Science Marc Aronson and Chair and Professor of Library and Information Science Marie Radford will present the panel, “Opening the World to Young Readers: The International Youth Literature Collection at Rutgers.” Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Ross J. Todd will present “Information Everywhere: From Advocacy to Advancement: Shifting Times, Shifting Narratives.” Associate Teaching Professor of Library and Information Science Joyce Kasman Valenza, along with colleagues and her research team, will present two sessions: “InfoEquity: An Issue of Privilege vs. Poverty” and “First Years Meet the Frames: Preliminary findings from the Librarians/Alumni/First Years Surveys.”

During the conference, NJASL’s president will present the prestigious 2021 President’s Award to Tricina Strong-Beebe, “who has demonstrated excellence and has advanced the profession of school library media specialist.” Strong-Beebe holds a K-12 Makers Certificate, Education/STEM from Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Come visit us in the exhibit hall, booth #116.

Image credit: NJASL Conference website