PSLA Conference
The PSLA Conference is THE annual event for school librarians in Pennsylvania. Whether this is your first conference of you are just new to PSLA, welcome. The annual conference is a great place to learn, relax and see friends, but there are a few things you should know before you come.
Learn more about this year's conference at PSLA's official site. The PSLA FAQ site is good to view for any questions you may have about the organization.
Also check out this year's Conference Weblog before and after the conference for all the nitty gritty details and notes.
To learn more about the basics of the conference, about how to register and what to expect before you get there please read below.
For even more detailed and better introduction to the conference plan to attend Conference 101 at PSLA. This informative session will introduce you to PSLA Leadership, explain how to navigate and make the most of the conference, explain THE BAG and introduce you to PSLA's unique exhibits.
Conference Basics
Where? State College, PA
When? April 30 - May 2, 2009
Who? ANY librarian or anyone interested in school librarianship is welcome. This years annual conference speakers are Dr. Ross Todd, Adam Rex and Rick Riordan.
ACT 48? Current teachers and school librarians are required to earn ACT 48 credits to demonstrate professional development. PSLA is proud to offer ACT 48 credit for conference sessions attended. Please make sure to completely fill out the ACT 48 card provided with your registration materials, get it stamped after each session and turn it in at the end of the conference. Late or mailed cards are not accepted. If you do not yet have your teaching certificate you do not need to complete this card because PDE will not give you credit for hours earned until you have your certificate.
Check out the Student Committee's official FLIER about the conference!
How to register
You can find the official regisitration form and the mini session registration form HERE, at PSLA's offical site. Make sure you print and complete both forms and mail them to the designated PSLA officer. This will ensure that you are registered for mini-sessions, have a conference bag and meal tickets waiting for you when you check in at the PSLA registration booth. You can also register when you arrive at PSLA's Conference, however many sessions fill up fast with pre-registered attendees AND there is a $25 fee for registrations after 4/3/09, so this is not recommended. To qualify for member rates dues must have been paid by December 1, 2008. To qualify for student rates you must be currently enroled in a library science program full-time.
Please make hotel reservations by calling the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel toll free reservation number(800-233-7505) or by registering online. Once the Penn Stter has filled, rooms will be booked at the Nittany Lion Inn,a ten minute drive away.
What should I register for
The conference booklet explaining all of the great sessions is mailed out in January or February and it can also be found HERE on the PSLA Website. All sessions are outlined with a brief description of their content in this booklet. All PSLA sessions are worthwhile and good choices, but some are more appropriate for special subsets of school librarians so choose the ones that are best for you. For example, all sessions note which school level they are most appropriate for (elementary, middle or high school). The sessions we highly recommend for student and new members are Conference 101, Help! I'm the New School Librarian! and Who? Me? The New School Librarian?! (Double session).
What to expect at the conference
PSLA’s annual conference is held over a 3 day period every year. The conference unofficially begins with Pre-Conference excursions which offer some great extra choices to enhance your conference experience but are not part of the official conference. On Thursday the conference kicks off with Conference 101 and evening workshops, but first you need to check-in at the registration table to get your envelope and bag, both are important (to learn more about these come to Conference 101 Thursday night and bring your bag!). Friday traditionally starts with the awards breakfast which is well worth waking up early for and then continues with mini-sessions, a general session and the conference banquet in the evening. Although hours have varied over the years, the exhibit hall is another place that you want to stop in and spend some time in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Saturday will begin with a breakfast buffet and business meeting which is a little drier than Friday’s breakfast but just as important and then continue once again with mini-sessions and then the conference concludes with the Conference Luncheon.
What to bring
For those of you staying overnight at the conference hotel or nearby pack as you would for any stay away. The dress code at the conference is that there isn’t one. You will see some librarians in jeans and t-shirts relaxing away from school, you will see some of us in our business casual clothes and there are also some that bring their suits and professional attire. Wear what you feel most comfortable in. However, the Friday Banquet does tend to be a little dressy….this event at one time was a big-to-do and there are still some that dress like they are going to prom, there are others that bring out their nicest dresses, suits, or at least business casual wear.
Make sure you bring a pen and notepad to write all that you learn. More importantly bring address labels (or business cards if you have them!) for all the nice vendors you meet who want to enter you in drawings and give away their products or for when you actually want them to contact you. This will save you a lot of time and writing. Check out the authors and illustrators who will be coming to PSLA ahead of time and bring their books to be autographed. Most of all come ready to enjoy yourself, relax, meet some great people, learn many new things and bring your appetite because whether its’ at Hershey or State College there is always something good to eat!
Help make PSLA even better
Want to help make PSLA even better? PSLA is a volunteer run organization and most of the organization is run by volunteers with other full time jobs. You can become a more active PSLA member in many ways. The simplest is simply to attend the PSLA Conference and promote the organization with your colleagues. To have more input in the way the organization is run and what we do you are HIGHLY encouraged to join a PSLA committee. See the list of committees and committee chairs here, complete the form in your bag at the conference or e-mail the committee chair to volunteer. Each committee is unique and requires different levels of commitment and participation.
New members should also consider applying for the new Leadership Program. The purpose of this program is to find and encourage the growth of new leaders within the structure of PSLA. The program includes several segments and all applicants must agree to complete all elements of the program. Those chosen to participate are expected to put their leadership skills to use by completing a project from thelist developed by the PSLA Board of Directors and to serve on a committee of PSLA for no less than a two year term of service. All PSLA members with less than 5 years experience OR who are younger than 35 years old are encouraged to apply. To find more information click here.
Autographing
Please note that locations are to be determined for some sessions, and there may be additional ones
Books will be available for sale at all signings, for cash and checks made payable to PSLA only.
Thursday, April 30
4:00 - All the participating authors in the Author’s Round Table will be available for autographing in President’s 2. This includes Lee Bennett Hopkins winner Helen Frost, PA Young Reader’s Choice authors Catherine Murdock, Maya Gottfried and her illustrator partner Robert Zakanitch, Outstanding PA author Katherine Ayres, Billy Staples, Carmen Ferreiro, Chrysa Smith, Sahil Asthana, Janice McElhoe, Betty Tatham, Martha Freeman, and Erinn Bateykeefer.
9:30 PM - Billy Staples in Room 104
Friday, May 1
9:00 AM - Katherine Ayres, Billy Staples, Helen Frost Location: PSLA Autographing tables
10:00 - 11:30 - Dr. Ross Todd Location: PSLA Autographing tables
10:30 - Catherine Murdock Location: PSLA Autographing tables
12:00 - Betty Tatham, Room 205
Maya Gottfried and Robert Zakanitch, Room 108
Janice McElhoe, Room 202
Saturday, May 2
9:00 - 10:30 - Rick Riordan, Adam Rex, Mona Kerby, Robert Bender,
Trinka Hakes-Noble Location: PSLA Autographing tables
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