MASL 53 Annual Conference 2026

This session will provide ideas for implementing district-wide and cross-district book battles in your school. Librarians from Kalamazoo and Grand Haven will share how collaborative book battles stretch time, budgets, and staff power across districts. Discover practical tools, shared resources, and creative strategies that make statewide reading competitions more joyful, efficient, and accessible. You will also learn how Ann Arbor Public Schools’ library department transformed the Great Lakes Great Books Award, presented annually by the Michigan Reading Association, into a district-wide book battle accessible to every elementary student. Come to this session to learn how your school can collaborate and have fun with book battles!

Meet with fellow MASL members to discuss school library issues related to your grade/interest level. 

Join Alexa, Kelly, and Julia as they book talk their favorite books of the past year. We'll share our most-loved books to help you build your collections and your own TBR list. We will cover everything from picture books to middle grade books, representing diverse experiences and a wide range of genres. 

Centering student voice in collection development fosters belonging, strengthens reader engagement, and builds collections that better reflect the communities they serve. Join me to explore a library unit that guides students as they examine their own identities, learn about Bishop's concept of mirrors and windows, evaluate representation within the existing library collection, and recommend new titles for purchase. The unit as a whole is best suited for elementary librarians with regular class time, but the shared resources and strategies are adaptable for any age or group of students.

Spaces with digital fabrication tools support inquiry, design thinking, and real-world problem solving -- core competencies of modern school libraries. This practical session demonstrates how introducing digital fabrication tools in the library aligns directly with AASL School Library Standards, increases student engagement, supports classroom learning goals, and fosters school and community partnerships. Through four real-world project stories, attendees will see concrete examples of curricular integration, community collaboration, and strategies for developing a supportive learning environment for students and adults. Participants will also get a chance to play with some of the tools we use.

This presentation explores how schools can build a culture of reading through intentional, school-wide programs that go beyond the library walls. It highlights strategies that encourage the entire school community to engage with reading. Participants will learn about initiatives such as reading challenges, cross-grade activities, and celebrations that motivate consistent reading habits. The session also provides practical ideas for sustaining enthusiasm for reading throughout the school year.