WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.326 --> 00:00:03.986 align:middle >> It is an honor to speak on behalf of all of us that are part 00:00:03.986 --> 00:00:09.466 align:middle of the 2024 iSchool graduate class. 00:00:09.796 --> 00:00:11.166 align:middle We did it. 00:00:11.766 --> 00:00:18.316 align:middle Whether we were part-time or full-time, regular or special session, straight out of undergrad, 00:00:18.776 --> 00:00:24.596 align:middle in undergrad, or transitioning in our careers, all of us completed those required classes, 00:00:25.006 --> 00:00:30.806 align:middle selected from such an awesome list of course offerings, spent countless hours 00:00:30.806 --> 00:00:34.336 align:middle on Zoom, even after COVID-19 subsided. 00:00:34.456 --> 00:00:38.856 align:middle We maneuvered through group projects with teammates in different time zones, 00:00:38.906 --> 00:00:45.456 align:middle emerged as expert collaborators in Google Docs, became adept at posting initial responses 00:00:45.456 --> 00:00:50.086 align:middle and replying to others on discussion boards, put our search skills to the test, 00:00:50.086 --> 00:00:55.876 align:middle seeking out great academic articles, and felt an enormous sigh of triumph 00:00:55.876 --> 00:00:59.096 align:middle and relief when we passed our ePortfolios. 00:00:59.336 --> 00:01:05.496 align:middle And here we are now, virtually, which totally makes sense for an online program, 00:01:05.496 --> 00:01:10.946 align:middle and feeling nostalgic about the experience that we all got to have at the iSchool. 00:01:11.546 --> 00:01:16.266 align:middle Wait, we don't have to enroll for any summer classes, or what about the fall? 00:01:16.776 --> 00:01:18.696 align:middle What are we going to do with all this extra time? 00:01:18.696 --> 00:01:22.016 align:middle What is going to be our next pursuit? 00:01:22.056 --> 00:01:26.556 align:middle This is a pivotal moment and a chance for us to reflect on our time together in this program 00:01:26.926 --> 00:01:29.966 align:middle and look forward to our next and varied chapters. 00:01:30.556 --> 00:01:34.786 align:middle I'd like to take this opportunity to share some of my personal highlights. 00:01:34.786 --> 00:01:40.826 align:middle As a student in the MLIS program, in the School Librarianship Pathway, the premier program 00:01:40.826 --> 00:01:43.386 align:middle for library and information science in this area, 00:01:43.386 --> 00:01:47.456 align:middle I was easily able to secure a position as a school librarian. 00:01:47.826 --> 00:01:52.346 align:middle During my four years in this program, I've worked at two separate independent schools 00:01:52.346 --> 00:01:56.946 align:middle in the East Bay of California, at a middle school and a K-8 school, 00:01:57.366 --> 00:02:02.556 align:middle and now that I've earned my teacher-librarian credential, I'm excited to transition back 00:02:02.556 --> 00:02:05.756 align:middle into public school and return to the high-school level. 00:02:06.066 --> 00:02:08.316 align:middle This fall, I'm going to serve as the school librarian 00:02:08.316 --> 00:02:10.656 align:middle at Milpitas High School in Milpitas, California. 00:02:11.466 --> 00:02:15.976 align:middle I'm thrilled to join the field of librarianship because it is my true passion. 00:02:16.056 --> 00:02:21.936 align:middle I've been elated to serve as a 2024 American Library Association Emerging Leader, 00:02:21.936 --> 00:02:25.696 align:middle and I received the 2023 American Association 00:02:25.696 --> 00:02:31.256 align:middle of School Librarians Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award, along with my colleague, 00:02:31.256 --> 00:02:35.906 align:middle Julia Borland, for our work on a global human rights research project. 00:02:35.906 --> 00:02:41.986 align:middle I also received the 2023 California School Library Foundation's Bernier Scholarship, 00:02:41.986 --> 00:02:46.706 align:middle the 2023 Bay Area Independent School Librarians Professional Development Grant, 00:02:46.706 --> 00:02:54.046 align:middle a 2024 San Jose State iSchool Travel Grant that's sending me to ALA this summer, 00:02:54.216 --> 00:02:59.796 align:middle and I am the 2024 recipient of the Ken Haycock Award for Exceptional Professional Promise. 00:03:00.336 --> 00:03:03.776 align:middle Plus, I have the great pleasure of serving on the conference planning committees 00:03:03.776 --> 00:03:07.766 align:middle for the California School Library Association and the American Association 00:03:07.766 --> 00:03:10.946 align:middle of School Librarians 2025 conferences. 00:03:11.586 --> 00:03:18.496 align:middle Thanks to the iSchool graduate program and a friend of mine, Brandy Veal [assumed spelling], 00:03:18.496 --> 00:03:21.766 align:middle who graduated from here, she encouraged me to seek 00:03:21.766 --> 00:03:24.376 align:middle out these opportunities while at San Jose State. 00:03:24.376 --> 00:03:27.686 align:middle I'm really proud of what I've accomplished, and I'm looking forward to contributing 00:03:27.686 --> 00:03:30.146 align:middle so much more in the field of librarianship. 00:03:30.406 --> 00:03:37.386 align:middle At this time, I wish to thank Dr. Anthony Chow, Dr. Mary Ann Harlan, Dr. Mary Boland, 00:03:37.936 --> 00:03:43.426 align:middle Dr. Linda Main, Dr. Allison Johnson and Dr. Virginia Tucker, who I saw are here 00:03:43.546 --> 00:03:46.556 align:middle in the chat, the entire iSchool faculty. 00:03:47.086 --> 00:03:51.686 align:middle Special thanks to student outreach specialist Sheila Gurtu 00:03:51.686 --> 00:03:55.516 align:middle and student services coordinator Gina Lee, everyone who works 00:03:55.516 --> 00:03:59.146 align:middle at the San Jose State King Library, and all of my peers 00:03:59.146 --> 00:04:03.056 align:middle in the MLIS program here at San Jose State University. 00:04:03.056 --> 00:04:07.376 align:middle I've learned so much from the iSchool program and mentors in the field that I've been able 00:04:07.376 --> 00:04:12.366 align:middle to design authentic learning opportunities and thriving partnerships as a school librarian. 00:04:13.086 --> 00:04:16.236 align:middle One of my early initiatives was Buttons for Books. 00:04:16.236 --> 00:04:22.506 align:middle It was actually a campaign that was invented by my middle school students who designed 00:04:22.506 --> 00:04:28.966 align:middle and made buttons using our library button maker, which we sold at a local independent bookstore 00:04:28.966 --> 00:04:33.596 align:middle to raise money to purchase their favorite banned books for schools in our area. 00:04:34.156 --> 00:04:38.286 align:middle This year in my role as a K-8 librarian, I've cultivated relationships 00:04:38.286 --> 00:04:42.866 align:middle with local independent booksellers and comic book shops, receiving donations 00:04:42.866 --> 00:04:48.686 align:middle for library programs, our collection, other school libraries, and for student giveaways. 00:04:48.846 --> 00:04:53.466 align:middle I've designed programming such as interactive book displays and thematic recess parties, 00:04:53.466 --> 00:04:56.476 align:middle which has increased circulation of books. 00:04:56.476 --> 00:05:01.356 align:middle I formed elementary and middle school book club leagues, a middle school battle of the books, 00:05:01.406 --> 00:05:05.106 align:middle where our small group of librarians select thematic book lists 00:05:05.496 --> 00:05:09.346 align:middle and bring our book clubs together for competition and celebration. 00:05:09.816 --> 00:05:13.006 align:middle This year's book list features books with strong food themes. 00:05:13.536 --> 00:05:15.526 align:middle Last year, our focus was banned books. 00:05:16.136 --> 00:05:20.876 align:middle For grades three through five, I helped form a California Young Reader Medal Book Club League 00:05:21.206 --> 00:05:25.966 align:middle with eight other independent and public elementary schools in Oakland. 00:05:26.616 --> 00:05:32.826 align:middle Our culminating event, where our schools got together to meet, eat pizza and cupcakes, 00:05:33.246 --> 00:05:37.046 align:middle take free books, and play three rounds of Kahoot trivia games based 00:05:37.046 --> 00:05:41.906 align:middle on the three nominated books, was absolute, pure joy. 00:05:41.906 --> 00:05:45.586 align:middle I've also coordinated five author visits, 00:05:45.656 --> 00:05:49.756 align:middle including three that visited my independent school and then went 00:05:49.756 --> 00:05:52.036 align:middle out to other public schools in our area. 00:05:52.856 --> 00:05:58.986 align:middle Recently, Jason Shiga, who is the creator of interactive comics, including graphic novels, 00:05:58.986 --> 00:06:04.616 align:middle such as "Meanwhile" and "Adventuregame Comics," visited my school, and he showed students ways 00:06:04.616 --> 00:06:09.246 align:middle that he's invented to create choose-your-own-adventure-style comics that lead 00:06:09.246 --> 00:06:11.726 align:middle in different pathways to different stories. 00:06:11.826 --> 00:06:17.456 align:middle And he taught us all how to take a single sheet of paper to make a fun, interactive comic. 00:06:17.826 --> 00:06:23.976 align:middle For the month of May, to commemorate Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, 00:06:24.266 --> 00:06:29.576 align:middle APIDA Heritage Month, I worked with parents, colleagues, and students to design 00:06:29.576 --> 00:06:32.646 align:middle and implement our first annual Literacy Challenge. 00:06:33.326 --> 00:06:39.506 align:middle We devised this bingo board with 25 different challenges that include reading a story 00:06:39.506 --> 00:06:44.636 align:middle that features an APIDA family, listening to podcasts that feature APIDA culture, 00:06:44.956 --> 00:06:50.006 align:middle connecting with an APIDA writer, reading about a traditional Asian dance or sport, 00:06:50.056 --> 00:06:54.426 align:middle making an Asian recipe and writing a review, and so much more. 00:06:55.026 --> 00:07:00.116 align:middle These K-8 participants are invited to a recess party that we'll have in early June. 00:07:00.536 --> 00:07:05.196 align:middle Participants that complete five in a row for bingo earn a dessert snack. 00:07:05.406 --> 00:07:11.356 align:middle Five in a row plus any five that they choose gets them the dessert snack and a small prize. 00:07:11.696 --> 00:07:17.466 align:middle And for completion of all 25, and most students are taking up this challenge, 00:07:17.826 --> 00:07:23.876 align:middle they will receive this dessert snack, a prize, and a boba drink of their choice. 00:07:24.106 --> 00:07:28.926 align:middle The response has been phenomenal, attracting all kinds of students into the library. 00:07:29.006 --> 00:07:32.766 align:middle Dozens and dozens of books are on display and getting checked out. 00:07:33.476 --> 00:07:36.156 align:middle Upper-elementary and middle-school students are seeking 00:07:36.156 --> 00:07:38.446 align:middle out opportunities to read to our littles. 00:07:38.556 --> 00:07:43.066 align:middle Students of all ages are checking out nonfiction books, picture books, biographies, 00:07:43.066 --> 00:07:46.906 align:middle graphic novels, illustrated novels, and chapter books. 00:07:47.056 --> 00:07:51.646 align:middle Students are excitedly exploring new information, different cultures, 00:07:51.706 --> 00:07:54.306 align:middle authors, genres, formats, and stories. 00:07:54.476 --> 00:07:58.806 align:middle Teachers and parents are reporting that students are excited to do work 00:07:59.136 --> 00:08:01.046 align:middle in ways that they haven't seen before. 00:08:01.636 --> 00:08:05.406 align:middle Just today, I received an email from a mom of a third and a sixth grader. 00:08:05.406 --> 00:08:07.986 align:middle She wrote me "Just wanted to drop a quick note 00:08:07.986 --> 00:08:11.626 align:middle to tell you how awesome the APIDA month bingo has been. 00:08:12.316 --> 00:08:14.546 align:middle Ivy and Claire have really gotten into it, 00:08:14.546 --> 00:08:17.736 align:middle and I love how excited they are to complete the activities. 00:08:18.016 --> 00:08:22.996 align:middle Also, during the coffee this morning, it was wonderful to see the huge array of APIDA books 00:08:22.996 --> 00:08:25.706 align:middle that you have curated and displayed for the kids." 00:08:26.116 --> 00:08:28.386 align:middle Three clapping hands emojis. 00:08:28.466 --> 00:08:32.756 align:middle "So happy these kids these days see so much more BIPOC representation 00:08:32.756 --> 00:08:34.926 align:middle in their lives than we ever did." 00:08:35.286 --> 00:08:36.486 align:middle Smiley face emoji. 00:08:36.486 --> 00:08:41.026 align:middle And that's what librarianship is all about. 00:08:41.076 --> 00:08:43.486 align:middle While I have a personal sense of accomplishment, 00:08:43.856 --> 00:08:48.886 align:middle not only do I experience imposter syndrome quite often, as all of us often do, 00:08:49.576 --> 00:08:53.806 align:middle I wonder if my administrators fully understand what I'm up to. 00:08:54.136 --> 00:08:59.156 align:middle It makes me think of a series of memes I saw at some point in the MLIS program 00:08:59.546 --> 00:09:06.706 align:middle that actually originated over a decade ago, referred to as how people view my profession 00:09:07.296 --> 00:09:10.276 align:middle with lots of different funny variations. 00:09:10.326 --> 00:09:15.756 align:middle It shows librarianship and how people view us, what the public thinks I do, 00:09:15.756 --> 00:09:21.096 align:middle what taxpayers think I do, what my friends think I do, what my parents think I do, 00:09:21.406 --> 00:09:26.206 align:middle what patrons think I do, what I think I do, and what I actually do. 00:09:26.206 --> 00:09:31.016 align:middle Often the images that are part of this meme consist 00:09:31.016 --> 00:09:35.236 align:middle of librarians shushing people or just reading books. 00:09:35.776 --> 00:09:41.906 align:middle One version of this meme has a collage of images for what a librarian actually does. 00:09:42.486 --> 00:09:47.376 align:middle This reminds me of an assignment I completed in Info 204, the Lib Square. 00:09:47.446 --> 00:09:52.976 align:middle At the beginning and the end of the term, I took a small square piece of paper 00:09:52.976 --> 00:09:56.256 align:middle and sketchnoted what I think a librarian is. 00:09:56.576 --> 00:09:59.286 align:middle My first drawing had a doodle of a librarian in the middle, 00:09:59.816 --> 00:10:03.736 align:middle and in each corner it had a little drawing to represent one 00:10:03.736 --> 00:10:06.176 align:middle of the tasks that I thought a librarian did. 00:10:06.326 --> 00:10:12.466 align:middle There was a book stack for a reader's advisory, a compass for guiding users 00:10:12.466 --> 00:10:17.726 align:middle through the research process, a computer for teaching media literacy, 00:10:17.726 --> 00:10:19.886 align:middle and a light bulb for providing instruction. 00:10:19.946 --> 00:10:26.606 align:middle Now at the end of the semester, at the end of Info 204, I did a new Lib Square, 00:10:26.606 --> 00:10:30.136 align:middle and I identified nine key attributes that librarians have. 00:10:30.856 --> 00:10:32.516 align:middle Librarians are principled. 00:10:33.096 --> 00:10:36.976 align:middle They're planners, strategists, managers, decision makers, 00:10:37.016 --> 00:10:41.386 align:middle collaborators, advocates, innovators, leaders. 00:10:42.286 --> 00:10:46.426 align:middle All of this is to say, and maybe it actually goes without saying, that librarians 00:10:46.426 --> 00:10:49.446 align:middle and library work is really multifaceted. 00:10:49.776 --> 00:10:52.706 align:middle We can and we do so much. 00:10:53.166 --> 00:10:58.506 align:middle It's hard to characterize and capture all that we do and all that we offer 00:10:58.916 --> 00:11:00.966 align:middle and all the ways that we contribute. 00:11:01.636 --> 00:11:07.556 align:middle If I may pull from a book that will be familiar to many of us, the Portable MLIS, 00:11:07.826 --> 00:11:11.246 align:middle and quote Ken Haycock, it feels very fitting. 00:11:11.246 --> 00:11:14.466 align:middle From Chapter One, "What is a Library? 00:11:14.676 --> 00:11:15.636 align:middle What is a Librarian? 00:11:15.636 --> 00:11:21.896 align:middle An Introduction," Haycock writes, "Professional librarians are smart and savvy, 00:11:22.356 --> 00:11:26.036 align:middle contributing to the cultural and economic, educational, social, 00:11:26.036 --> 00:11:28.586 align:middle and technological well-being of their communities. 00:11:29.416 --> 00:11:32.096 align:middle Public librarians can change lives. 00:11:32.606 --> 00:11:34.656 align:middle The stories are innumerable. 00:11:35.296 --> 00:11:39.806 align:middle Teacher librarians contribute to student achievement when they collaborate with teachers. 00:11:40.166 --> 00:11:46.316 align:middle Law librarians save their firms time and money as they support communities of practice. 00:11:46.906 --> 00:11:50.936 align:middle Medical librarians help to save lives when consulted by physicians. 00:11:51.406 --> 00:11:54.986 align:middle Academic librarians advance scholarship in teaching and learning. 00:11:55.616 --> 00:12:00.566 align:middle Corporate librarians organize and make accessible corporate information and records 00:12:00.566 --> 00:12:04.096 align:middle that save time and influence the development and the availability 00:12:04.096 --> 00:12:06.616 align:middle of many products and services we consume. 00:12:07.316 --> 00:12:14.276 align:middle Study after study documents the contributions of professional librarians. 00:12:15.136 --> 00:12:20.636 align:middle This chapter of this book, this program, it's all prepared us to think 00:12:20.636 --> 00:12:27.356 align:middle and act like a librarian, a very prestigious position in a very public sector. 00:12:28.136 --> 00:12:31.666 align:middle As a school librarian, this reminds me of a design that I've seen 00:12:31.666 --> 00:12:34.336 align:middle by Jarrett Lerner, a writer and illustrator. 00:12:34.336 --> 00:12:39.966 align:middle It's called "Blueprint of a School," and it's a generic map of a school that shows an outline 00:12:39.966 --> 00:12:44.246 align:middle of where the classrooms, the offices, the restrooms, the cafeteria, the playground, 00:12:44.546 --> 00:12:50.896 align:middle the parking lot, and the lockers are, and guess what's at the center of the campus? 00:12:52.046 --> 00:12:52.826 align:middle You guessed it. 00:12:53.226 --> 00:12:54.506 align:middle It's the school library. 00:12:54.986 --> 00:13:00.286 align:middle Not only is it centrally located in this depiction, it's shaped like a heart. 00:13:00.776 --> 00:13:03.346 align:middle The library is the heart of a school. 00:13:03.936 --> 00:13:07.436 align:middle The library is the heart of any community. 00:13:08.486 --> 00:13:17.786 align:middle Amanda Chacon, the 2024 School Librarian of the Year, she said it best when she said, 00:13:17.786 --> 00:13:22.146 align:middle "I firmly believe the library is the third space. 00:13:22.696 --> 00:13:30.786 align:middle There's the school and the home, and the library is the bridge to fill the gap between the two. 00:13:31.506 --> 00:13:34.796 align:middle When you think about the first time you saw yourself as a reader 00:13:35.506 --> 00:13:38.936 align:middle or some early foundational moment in your reading life, 00:13:39.306 --> 00:13:44.266 align:middle the memory most likely includes not just the book that you read, but also the person 00:13:44.396 --> 00:13:46.346 align:middle that you associate with the book. 00:13:46.806 --> 00:13:51.246 align:middle For me, it was my grandmother who instilled in me a love of books. 00:13:51.286 --> 00:13:51.916 align:middle And guess what? 00:13:52.596 --> 00:13:58.806 align:middle She worked at the Detroit Public Library, and she loved taking me to pick out books. 00:13:58.896 --> 00:14:04.216 align:middle It was my grandmother who introduced me to some of my favorite childhood authors, 00:14:04.556 --> 00:14:08.346 align:middle Beverly Cleary, Judy Bloom, S.E. Hinton. 00:14:08.346 --> 00:14:15.156 align:middle I still have some of those old worn and weathered books from the 1980s 00:14:15.766 --> 00:14:17.306 align:middle because they were gifts from her. 00:14:17.906 --> 00:14:21.626 align:middle They were stories that gave me glimpses to lives outside of my own, 00:14:21.806 --> 00:14:25.516 align:middle and they are treasured connections that I share with a loved one. 00:14:26.356 --> 00:14:31.646 align:middle Just as Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop describes how books offer us mirrors to see ourselves, 00:14:32.166 --> 00:14:37.386 align:middle windows to see others, and sliding glass doors to enter into our imagination, 00:14:38.156 --> 00:14:45.756 align:middle librarians as the purveyors of books and stories and information do just the same. 00:14:46.616 --> 00:14:51.086 align:middle It's an exciting and challenging time to work in the field of information science. 00:14:51.696 --> 00:14:57.356 align:middle While there is still progress to be made in the world of publishing, there has been an onslaught 00:14:57.356 --> 00:15:01.136 align:middle of new voices and unique stories released in recent years. 00:15:01.596 --> 00:15:06.336 align:middle While I can't pick favorites, I would be remiss if I didn't shout out Gene Yang, 00:15:06.926 --> 00:15:14.106 align:middle Becky Albertelli, Jason Reynolds, Kelly Yang, Daniel Nayeri, Pame Alexander, 00:15:14.236 --> 00:15:20.276 align:middle Elizabeth Acevedo, Alex Gino, Angie Thomas, and so many more. 00:15:20.746 --> 00:15:23.886 align:middle They're giants in the world of children's lit and YA, 00:15:23.886 --> 00:15:27.636 align:middle and they've all just been published in the last decade. 00:15:28.286 --> 00:15:32.486 align:middle The world of books is evolving, just as the world of technology is, too. 00:15:33.146 --> 00:15:35.016 align:middle There are questions about the impact 00:15:35.016 --> 00:15:38.306 align:middle that artificial intelligence will have on our society. 00:15:38.966 --> 00:15:43.466 align:middle What is clear is that AI won't replace the need for librarians. 00:15:43.976 --> 00:15:49.906 align:middle Indeed, it will likely, hopefully, demonstrate the need for us now more than ever. 00:15:50.556 --> 00:15:54.506 align:middle And believe it or not, we're ready, and we're better together. 00:15:54.906 --> 00:15:58.256 align:middle We stand united as a community of librarians, 00:15:58.286 --> 00:16:01.756 align:middle and we are one of the coolest communities around. 00:16:02.566 --> 00:16:08.116 align:middle Recently, on social media, I saw Met Gala outfits paired with book covers. 00:16:08.666 --> 00:16:12.196 align:middle I love all of those kinds of creative book pairings. 00:16:12.346 --> 00:16:13.876 align:middle They are so clever. 00:16:14.186 --> 00:16:16.946 align:middle It reminded me when I saw my friend Sue Thoutz, 00:16:16.946 --> 00:16:20.036 align:middle who works for an education nonprofit called Common Sense. 00:16:20.036 --> 00:16:24.456 align:middle She came to present at a school librarian conference earlier this year. 00:16:24.456 --> 00:16:30.926 align:middle In our quick hallway conversation, she noted how many witty bookish library T-shirts she saw 00:16:30.926 --> 00:16:32.366 align:middle at this conference. 00:16:32.396 --> 00:16:34.776 align:middle She remarked it needed its own Instagram account. 00:16:34.776 --> 00:16:36.146 align:middle Maybe there already is one. 00:16:36.496 --> 00:16:39.226 align:middle Librarians, without a doubt, have a prominent place, 00:16:39.406 --> 00:16:42.776 align:middle both physically and virtually, in our world. 00:16:42.906 --> 00:16:47.846 align:middle We serve as creators, guides, communicators, instructors, 00:16:47.846 --> 00:16:51.026 align:middle and collaborators, and we are so much fun. 00:16:51.426 --> 00:16:55.646 align:middle Just think Michael Threatt's energy, because we all have it inside of us. 00:16:56.186 --> 00:16:58.876 align:middle Indeed, we're a community of supporters and champions. 00:16:59.166 --> 00:17:04.236 align:middle When one of us has an information need, so many are ready to rush to help. 00:17:04.736 --> 00:17:08.056 align:middle And in that vein, I am going to make an ask. 00:17:08.156 --> 00:17:13.886 align:middle My team of American Association of School Librarians Emerging Leaders is working 00:17:13.886 --> 00:17:18.256 align:middle on a video that's focused on the National School Library Standards 00:17:18.716 --> 00:17:21.956 align:middle and the foundation of Collaborate. 00:17:22.406 --> 00:17:27.636 align:middle We'd like to include reflections on why collaboration is important to you. 00:17:28.176 --> 00:17:31.746 align:middle You could share a six-word story or a short sentiment on Flip, 00:17:31.746 --> 00:17:34.526 align:middle and that could be featured in our video. 00:17:34.886 --> 00:17:41.186 align:middle So to participate, you can look for AASL posts on social media, or you could go directly 00:17:41.186 --> 00:17:44.596 align:middle to Flip, formerly called Flipgrid, and I'm going to read the link 00:17:44.596 --> 00:17:47.826 align:middle in case anyone has a pencil and piece of paper handy. 00:17:47.826 --> 00:17:52.906 align:middle It's flip.com/ddc9ba90. 00:17:52.906 --> 00:17:57.016 align:middle Our team is going to present a poster session 00:17:57.016 --> 00:18:02.086 align:middle at the American Library Association Annual Conference this June in San Diego. 00:18:02.496 --> 00:18:06.836 align:middle If you're attending, I look forward to finally meeting you in person. 00:18:06.836 --> 00:18:14.266 align:middle And I recently had the great pleasure of attending an AASL town hall on the gift of story 00:18:16.666 --> 00:18:22.436 align:middle by acclaimed author and children's librarian of Bookelicious, John Schu. 00:18:22.936 --> 00:18:29.256 align:middle During this town hall, he posed this question, what is a book of your heart? 00:18:30.156 --> 00:18:34.436 align:middle He elaborates in his book some of the questions that you could ask yourself to get there. 00:18:34.796 --> 00:18:37.026 align:middle Is there a book that changed your life? 00:18:37.586 --> 00:18:40.426 align:middle Is there a book that feels like a best friend to you? 00:18:41.076 --> 00:18:46.446 align:middle Is there a book you have read so many times that most of it is tattooed on your heart? 00:18:46.446 --> 00:18:49.646 align:middle Is there a book you think everyone in this room should know about? 00:18:50.216 --> 00:18:53.736 align:middle Is there a book that calms you and helps you find your way back to joy? 00:18:54.396 --> 00:18:59.816 align:middle Is there a book that helped you become better at understanding yourself or someone else? 00:19:00.336 --> 00:19:04.356 align:middle Is there a book you wish you could give to everyone that you meet? 00:19:05.396 --> 00:19:08.806 align:middle On this day, it makes me think of some questions I want to leave you with. 00:19:09.746 --> 00:19:14.766 align:middle What will your story, your gift of story, be as a librarian? 00:19:15.686 --> 00:19:17.146 align:middle What are you out to gift? 00:19:17.146 --> 00:19:20.716 align:middle What are you out to accomplish as a librarian? 00:19:21.206 --> 00:19:25.776 align:middle How will you use what you've learned to build community as a librarian? 00:19:26.516 --> 00:19:31.876 align:middle On this day, this day of our graduation, let's remember that the library is more 00:19:31.876 --> 00:19:34.776 align:middle than just a collection of resources that it houses. 00:19:35.326 --> 00:19:40.666 align:middle It's also the curiosities and wonders we explore, the community it connects, 00:19:41.056 --> 00:19:44.726 align:middle the stories that are shared, the memories that are made. 00:19:45.616 --> 00:19:49.496 align:middle Cheers to all of us for completing this chapter so that we are prepared 00:19:49.496 --> 00:19:54.496 align:middle for all the possibilities we are out to create, and congratulations. 00:19:55.066 --> 00:19:55.616 align:middle Thank you.