Lunch & Learn Webinars

by Brandi Rosales-Dawson, Library Systems Administrator in Richardson ISD, and Stacy Cameron, Coordinator of Library Services in Frisco ISD

The Texas Association of School Librarians (TASL) Lunch & Learn webinars are back for another year with timely topics including scheduling, collaboration, communication, programming, and more. The webinars began last year after the TASL executive board saw a need for additional professional learning specifically for Texas school librarians, since not all school librarians are able to attend the annual TxLA conference. Through the support of former TLA Executive Director Dana Braccia, TASL Lunch & Learn webinars were created in a weekend and launched in December of 2018. 

We knew we wanted the series designed around Texas educators presenting the content for several reasons. First, we have amazing school librarians across this state doing great things on their campus, and we want to highlight and lift up their hard work so others can learn and implement those ideas. Second, presenters need to be accessible to those attending or watching the recording. While there is value in seeing national speakers present, we want an attendee to feel they could contact a presenter for additional tips and tricks as they move through their own implementation. Lastly, as we know school librarianship can make us feel like islands, and this is one way to help school librarians connect with each other across the state. 

During the initial year, presenters were selected by word of mouth and their online reputation for innovative implementations on their campus. The Lunch & Learn webinars were such a hit last year with the average registration for each webinar being about 80 and live attendees around 25. This year we opened it up to any Texas librarian/educator who wants to share library programming implementations or instructional practices they are doing on their campus and/or with their community. At this time we are still looking for presenters to fill weekly webinar offerings through the end of the year. If you have a great programming or lesson you would like to present, please fill out the following form so we can get you on the schedule. 

Webinars are free to all TASL members, but registration is required. Each webinar lasts only 30 minutes, but if you’re unable to attend live, you can access the recording once it has concluded. 

To register for a September webinar, click here. 

September 4 - Flexible Scheduling in the Elementary Library

September 11 - Library Ambassador Customer Service Program

September 18 - Upgrade Your Secondary School Library

September 25 - Level Up Your Staff Newsletter

For future webinars, keep an eye on your inbox for emails from TASL or you can find registration links on the Texas Library Association website! 

We're Still Promoting Libraries, But We Need Your Help!

by Brooke King, Middle School Librarian in Humble ISD, TxASLTalks Editorial Board Chair

The "Let's Promote Libraries!" social media campaign is back for the third year and better than ever! The campaign began with the TxASL Legislative & Advocacy Committee with the hopes of encouraging school librarians to promote themselves, their programs, and their instruction. TxASL is continuing the campaign this school year with a few minor changes.


It is still organized around the revised Texas Library Standards, and each month’s topic is framed as a question. Each question begins with, “Did you know that school libraries…,” followed by one of the standards.


The date has been changed to the 1st of each month in hopes that it will be easier to remember to participate. On the first day of each month, September through May,  we’re asking school librarians to send a social media message about what we do. You can post on any social media outlet or even send an email to a stakeholder. We want to focus on local stakeholders first, and then at the state and national levels.

The hashtags have also been simplified. Please use #TxASLTalks so it is easy for all of us school librarians to find and help share our messages. Then use #Txlege to share our message of the important role school libraries have with students and learning with our state legislators.


It’s easy to participate!


Step 1: Look at the current month’s question.


Step 2: Snap a photo and write your message showing how your library shows that standard.


Step 3: Post your message and photo on any/all platforms of social media.


Step 4: Be sure to use the hashtag #TxASLTalks and #Txlege along with other key hashtags.


Step 5: Repost/retweet/share


There are two infographics to guide you. One explains the full campaign. The other shows only the monthly topics.


So gear up and get ready to showcase those great programs, instruction, and collaboration that contributes to the success of students and your school!

A Message From Your TxASL Chair

by Richelle O'Neil, TxASL Chair and engage2learn coach, trainer, and facilitator

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! You might be thinking to yourself, where the heck did the summer go? Even though you may be feeling a little sad about the end of summer, I bet you're feeling even more excited to get back to school so you can begin working on all of the goals you have for yourself and your learners. It can be very easy this time of year to get swept up in all of the planning, meetings, professional development, cleaning, decorating, and reorganizing. The next thing you know, it's 9pm on a Wednesday night, you haven't eaten anything all day, and you're the last one in the building. While all of these beginning of the school year tasks are important, there's one thing that rarely makes our to-do list: taking care of ourselves.

Those that know me well know that taking care of myself is not my strong suit. I am really good at telling others to stop and take care of themselves, but I rarely take my own advice. This is something I have been struggling with a lot lately, especially since taking on the role of TxASL Chair. I have a lot going on - a relatively new job, new house, 2 nutty dogs, a kind and caring husband, friends that are like family, and a myriad of professional obligations. I mean, who has time for a pedicure or a spa day? Not me! (TBH, I don’t even really like those kinds of things!)

In the midst of the day-to-day craziness, I’ve actually forgotten what I do like. Seriously. If you ask me right now what I like to do in my spare time, I don’t think I would be able to give you an answer. While I am obviously not an expert on self-care, I do realize I have a pretty big problem. And I bet a lot of you have this same problem, too.

So, what’s a librarian to do? I’ve been doing some reading on self-care and I am committed to taking the following actions:

1. #TheYearOfNo. I actually said “no” to a professional speaking request the other day, and it felt so scary but so good at the same time. This may sound totally strange, but this is going to be #TheYearOfNo for me. George Couros recently wrote about saying no to requests more, and it really resonated with me. I can say “no” graciously while keeping the door open for future opportunities.

2. Do something active everyday. Working out is decidedly not part of my daily routine, but I know being active will only get harder as I get older. Studies show that exercise is beneficial to mental health, so I am committed to simply being active every single day. That doesn’t mean I have to run a marathon or join a crossfit gym, but I know I can take a walk around my neighborhood, chase my dogs around the yard, or, my favorite, ride my stationary bike while I catch up on The Great British Baking Show.

3. When I’m with friends and family, I need to really be with friends and family. Phones, laptops…..if these things are around, I find my attention drifting to them instead of the people I’m with. And you know what I’m doing? Checking my work email or scrolling through Instagram! That’s not ok! I want to be present with my loved ones and really enjoy their company.

I encourage you to make a commitment to take care of yourself, really take care of yourself, over these next few weeks. When you go home at night, focus on being at home. The emails, the texts, that can all wait. It will be there in the morning, I promise. What won't always be there though, is this time with your loved ones. So be sure to share a meal with someone who is important to you, call a family member or friend, go for a walk with your dog, play a game with your child, or just sit quietly and take some time for yourself. You, and your learners, will be better for it.

What self-care actions are you committed to this year? Let us know in the comments below!