

DASL Update
November 2024
Delaware Association of School Librarians
Delaware Diamonds
I am writing to encourage participation in the Delaware Diamonds Student Choice Book Award program for secondary students. The program helps promote reading among grade 6-12 students by allowing students who have read at least 3 of the nominated books (attached) to vote on their favorite book. The adult librarian or teacher who is organizing participation at each school volunteers to hold a simple election at their school in the spring and report the results to me so that we can award a state wide winner. For more information, please see: https://education.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/digital_de/delaware-diamonds-2024.pdf or reach out to me with any questions.
If you think you might like to participate, fill out this simple Google Form (https://forms.gle/zvbNNpp6XEPrjuA89) so that I know to contact you for voting in the spring.
Each school can work with their students the way they see fit – it can be a simple library promotion/display, a book club, a class assignment, an extra credit assignment, etc. Be creative! Also, don’t forget Sora as a source to get books in kids’ hands! Feel free to circulate this information to Delaware secondary librarians I may have missed plus any interested ELA teachers, reading specialists, etc.
Thank you!
Kelley S. Wilson
Library Media Specialist Brandywine High School
Tips to advocate for your school library
Find empty spaces not used in your school and place displays that will advocate for your school AND library (aka - empty bulletin boards, display cases, lobby spaces, cafeteria spaces, hallways corners, etc.) to entice students/faculty to get into monthly, quarterly library happenings!
Utilize your media departments and produce mini commercials, morning announcements, end of the day videos, etc. to promote literacy in a variety of ways!
Pick a different student each week/month to get to know a legislator and write a letter of what is happening in your school library and let them know all year long! Invite legislators to your school library during School Library Month to give away prizes to readers/patrons for various library recognition events!
Create a myth or false fact every 2 weeks and place on the announcements - and then dispel this with the facts to show how libraries are a source of accurate information in many ways!
Create a weekly podcast, IN your school library, to host individuals that will help advocate for an aspect of your school library in some fashion and post on various outlets.
Which one will you try in December?
Stay tuned for more tips and insights on how to make your school library the hub of your school!
School librarians with 5 yrs or less experience: Apply for the Frances Henne Award
If you are a school librarian who has five or less years experience and have never been to an ALA or AASL conference, you should apply for the Frances Henne Award!
The deadline is February 1, 2025 but the application is open now!
Click this link for more information and feel free to contact me (Harry Brake) with any questions: Frances Henne Award https://www.ala.org/aasl/awards/henne
Calling All Artists
Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition for 2025!
See here:
Spring Conference
Join other school librarians from Delaware and Maryland as we gather in Ocean City, MD from May 7-9. Public and school librarians are invited to listen to various speakers at different sessions while networking with peers in a beautiful, ocean front property. Stay overnight at one of the beach hotels nearby so you can enjoy some evening social events, too! Information about registration, hotels, sessions, and more will be available soon.
Registration coming soon!
Book Flood Podcast: Amy Hermon (School Librarians United Podcast)
Our guest this week is Amy Hermon. As host of School Librarians United Podcast, Amy has interviewed more than 150 school librarians in 33 States, Canada, UK, Ghana, Australia and New Zealand. Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts. Weekly episodes covering the issues and challenges we face everyday. 291 episodes downloaded in all 50 States and over 153 countries.
https://goldenlibraries.com/amy-hermon-on-the-school-librarians-united-podcast-e16/
Book Reviews đź“š
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Review by a Woodbridge Student)
The Natural is a part of a series of young adult novels by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I first heard about this series while scrolling through Tik-Tok. What caught my attention was the fact that the main character was the same age as me and was being contracted by the FBI. The most interesting things about the novel was not the fact that each teen contracted by the FBI had their own special ability. But that in each chapter there is a page of a journal that the serial killer they are hunting written. I was glued to this novel the moment I got my hands on it in the library. The was my first time reading a psychological thriller book and I full heatedly recommend to read it at least once in your life.
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus (Review by a Newark High School Student)
“One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus is the first book within the “One of Us Is Lying” book series. It tells the story of four high school students who are under investigation for their possible involvement in the death of their classmate. I read this book for the first time during my freshman year and the second time during my senior year of high school. It still feels like the first time I read it. McManus wasted no time in getting to the “good” part. Many authors spend the first few chapters getting to the part that intrigues readers. They usually try to fit as much information as they can before introducing the main ideas. McManus intentionally provided little information about the characters during the first few chapters. In order to get more information about the characters, we have to continue reading. We watch as they grow and learn from the consequences of their actions. I remember reading it for the first time. I never wanted to stop reading. I wanted to continue reading until the end. The only free time I had was during class. I used every single bit of free time to read the story. My favorite genre to read is mystery and this book was full of it. I loved connecting the pieces of evidence given throughout the story. I never expected the ending, and it made me love it even more. I haven’t read a book that made me feel the same way until only recently. Overall, “One of Us Is Lying” is a great book to read with different perspectives, mystery, and even romance. It gives a good perspective on how different people struggle and the truth behind their facades.
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly (Review by Stephanie Saggione)
Erin’s newest book is getting lots of attention from many places- it’s even a finalist for the National Book Award! The book is set right here in Delaware back in 1999- the year of Y2K panic…. Travel back in time to re-experience the worries, the Chistopher Pike books, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Christiana Mall. The FIrst State of Being is part mystery, part historical fiction, and part sci-fi fantasy. It’s perfect for ages 10 and up.
Michael is the narrator - he is a twelve year old boy living in Fox Run Apartments with his busy, hard-working mom and few friends. He avoids the neighborhood bully, hangs out with the complex’s custodian, crushes on his babysitter, Gibby, and quietly stockpiles canned goods against the Y2K apocalypse. Early in the story, he meets a time traveler from the future. Ridge has come back to 1999 to see what it’s like (and prove to his scientist family that he is just as smart as them). When Ridge befriends Michael and Gibby, all of their lives are changed in ways they could not have imagined.
Your Book Review Could be Right Here
Share book reviews with us.
Shelf Talkers
Jennifer LaGarde posted these cute shelf tokkers last year. They are a fun and colorful way to bring attention to books that may not get noticed otherwise.
December Events and Contests
IMAZINE
IMAZINE Volume 14 is now open for submissions through December 31st.
Submission deadline: December 31, 2024
Open to youth aged 12-19 at time of submission who live in or go to school in Delaware.
- All work submitted should be appropriate for viewing by a teen audience.
- We are accepting both written submissions and artwork, including drawings and photography. Examples of written material include short stories, poems, book reviews, and nonfiction articles.
- There is a 1,500 word limit on written submissions. All written submissions must be in Microsoft Word or accessable through a Google Doc.
- You may submit up to 3 pieces per category (art & writing).
- If your submission is fan fiction or fan art you must tell us what intellectual property it is based on (i.e. a TV show or graphic novel).
- Fill out a quick Google form then email all magazine submissions to imazine@lib.de.us
- The print magazine will show the top Library staff-selected submissions. The online magazine will show all accepted submissions. You will be notified if your submission is accepted.
Reviewer Opportunity
The Journal: New Review of Children's Literature and Librarianship is looking for peer reviewers. Serving as a reviewer is a great way to give back to our professional community, stay current with the latest research, and enhance your resume.
As a reviewer, you'll receive requests based on your expertise and can accept or decline as your schedule allows. Reviews have a four to six week turnaround time, and while this is a volunteer role without monetary compensation, your contributions are highly valued.
Please email me at Arlene.Laverde@gmail.com for more information if you are interested.
Arlene
------------------------------
Arlene Laverde
Librarian
Queens College/Townsend Harris High School Library
She/Her/Hers
Opening The Dialogue: Helping Young People Navigate Antisemitism Webinar December 5th
ALA and AASL News
AASL Opens Call for Proposals for National Conference
AASL has opened the proposal submission site for its 2025 national conference. AASL invites proposals for concurrent sessions and research empowering practice sessions to be presented Oct. 17-18, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. Complete session proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. Central on Sat., March 1, 2025. More information is available at aasl.secure-platform.com/2025.
~
Applications Open for 2025 AASL Awards
Applications are open for AASL's 2025 awards and grants. AASL members are encouraged to nominate a colleague or themselves to be lauded for their outstanding talent and dedication to the profession as part of this prestigious awards program. AASL awards and grants recognize excellence and showcase best practices in the school library field in categories that include collaboration, leadership, and innovation. For a complete list of AASL's Awards & Grants with criteria, application, and deadline for each award/grant, visit www.ala.org/aasl/awards.
CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARDS ROUND TABLE American Library Association
The Nominating Committee of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART) invites nominations for service on the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury, the Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement Jury, and in offices of vice president/president-elect, treasurer, secretary, and corresponding secretary for terms beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2027. This year the ALA general election is scheduled to take place April 2025.
Nominees for the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury must have experience in the evaluation of children's and young adult literature and attend all meetings of the jury. Individuals interested in serving on the CSK Book Awards Jury are to compile applicant packets containing the following: a biographical sketch including a statement of interest and summary of involvement with the CSKBART Community (250 words or less), a curriculum vita, and book reviews or writing related to the evaluation of children's literature. Self-nominations are welcome.
Nominees for governance positions must submit statements of interest and involvement in the CSKBART Community.
Those who wish to be considered for candidacy must submit their packets and statements to the Nominating Committee, by November 30, 2024, to Brenda Pruitt-Annisette, Chair of the Nominating Committee, at annisettes@gmail.com. Candidates for election whose names will appear on the ballot will be notified by December 15, 2024 and must complete the process by submitting additional information in the ALA elections system, by December 31, 2024.
Since 1969, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards have been given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults who demonstrate an appreciation of Black culture and universal human values. The jury selects meritorious literary works deserving of such recognition.
First presented in 2010, the Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement is named in memory of beloved children's author Virginia Hamilton. The award, given annually, recognizes the work of African-American authors and illustrators as well as those individuals whose ongoing advocacy introduces the work of African American authors and illustrators to children and young adults.
Members of the Nominating Committee are Dr. Pauletta Brown Bracy and Kim Patton. Direct any inquiries to: annisettes@gmail.com.