ALSC Institute Shines in Oakland

Penny Peck introduces authors Tim Federle, Rita Williams-Garcia, Pamela Munoz-Ryan, and Gene Yang at the Breakfast for Bill, ALSC Institute in Oakland, CA,  Sept. 19, 2014.

Oakland, CA was the site of the three-day ALSC Institute, a whirlwind of workshops, author panels, speeches, and events celebrating children’s books and library service to children. The Breakfast for Bill (pictured above) focused on literature for tweens (grades 4-8) reflecting cultural diversity; other workshops offered tips on storytimes, services to children with special needs, and other related topics. Speeches by authors Steve Sheinkin and Andrea Davis Pinkney book-ended the conference, and the afternoon session at Children’s Fairyland was a triumphant success.

Many members of the Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California were in attendance, serving as volunteer ushers and assistants, and presenting several of the workshops and breakout sessions. Nina Lindsay of Oakland Public Library was the chair of the task force that organized the ALSC Institute, motivating all of us to show the many talents and skills of local children’s librarians. For more on the Institute, be sure to check out the ALSC Blog: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting on the Institute, especially the gracious Nina, and thanks to everyone who volunteered to help make it a ringing success!

For ALSC Institute Handouts, check out: www.ala.org/alsc/institute-handouts