NEWS For Immediate Release March 26, 2013

Contact: Jennifer Habley

CHICAGO – Concurrent sessions offered at the AASL 16th National Conference Exhibition will empower school librarian professionals to take charge during this pivotal moment in education and position themselves as educational leaders. The conference, “Rising to the Challenge,” taking place Nov. 14-17, 2013, in Hartford, Conn., will feature more than 130 concurrent sessions designed to position school librarians as the core component of 21st century teaching and learning. A complete listing of concurrent sessions is available on the conference website at national.aasl.org/concurrent-sessions.

No matter what stage of their career, national conference concurrent sessions will prepare attendees to “rise to the challenge.” School library professionals ranging from students to retirees will find sessions presented by experts in the field dedicated to their individual needs. Additionally, building-level school librarians will find topics specifically suited to cover the challenges faced at each grade.

Concurrent session topics include implementation of the AASL learning standards and program guidelines along with the Common Core State Standards, promoting school librarians as partners in the teaching process and addressing the needs of a new generation of students. This year, a new series of author sessions will be available for conference goers at no additional cost.  These sessions, led by authors, focus on hot topics in school library programs today. 

Registration for the AASL 16th National Conference Exhibition is now open at national.aasl.org. Those wishing to join their colleagues for dedicated learning and networking are encouraged to register before the Aug. 22 early bird deadline to save $100 on registration rates.  Concurrent sessions are available to all full and one-day conference registrants.

The AASL national conference is the only national conference dedicated solely to the needs of school librarians and their roles as educational leaders. The 16th National Conference Exhibition, Rising to the Challenge, taking place Nov. 14–17, 2013, in Hartford, Conn., will feature preconference workshops, concurrent sessions and an exhibition featuring companies relevant to the school library profession.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.

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