I just renewed my membership in ALA/AASL and joined YALSA. This is most likely not typical behavior for one who has retired, but after nine months, I must admit I haven’t got the hang of it. I am pretty sure I don’t want to be retired from a cause that I fervently support.
At any rate, I have been quite busy since last December. I stepped up my part-time work at a public library throughout the summer. I continued to teach adult ed courses (smartphones, usually) in the evenings, and facilitated and help write courses for WVLearns, online professional development offered by the West Virginia Department of Education. I have stayed in touch with my county library coordinator and tried to keep her apprised of significant school library developments, as she is not a librarian.
I planned and executed a school library workshop for our state’s school librarians. Former AASL past president Leslie Preddy attended, and I believe it was her presence and influence that garnered our association enough membership to become an AASL affiliate. I found someone to replace me as chair of the School Libraries Division. I guess I can say I am stepping away from my role as chair with pride. I am profoundly greatful to all who have supported our struggling school libraries division for so long. Hopefully the division will continue to expand under new leadership. I most likely will be on the sidelines, watching and waiting to be asked for help if needed, and cheering everyone on.
I intend to purchase the new standards and get the advance discount. I want to share these with my former colleagues. I want to share them with school boards, administrators, and elected officials. Retirement gives me that freedom.
With all this I have not forgotten the National Board candidates for whom this blog was intended. I hope to be a better mentor to all.
