I love to present at conferences because:

• It invites me to dig into research on several subjects;
• I get excited about a topic and want to share it;
• I have opportunities to work with someone else;
• It forces me to meet other people (which can be hard for an introvert!);
• It sends me to conferences around the country (yes, I pay for it myself, but it gives me a destination and a purpose);
• I get to meet others and model the things I love about their presentation style; and
• It absolutely improves my teaching.

As a side note, last year’s ALA Conference also brought me into the Georgia Public Libraries group and I have been excited to present for them twice during the year. As a school librarian, we rarely step far outside our own organizations, but we are enriched when we join our colleagues in other library areas.

This summer (mostly June), I am presenting at 4 different conferences.

I’m presenting at the Georgia Media Library Association’s (GLMA) Summer Institute:

• Monday, June 3: AI Unleashed: Navigating Education’s Next Frontier (co-presenting with Tracey Wiley from Georgia Public Broadcasting)
• Tuesday, June 4: Who Blamed the Cow? Historical Absurdities, Biases, and Fake News

I’m presenting at the GALILEO’s Annual (Virtual) Conference on Wednesday, June 12:

I’m presenting at ISTE on Tuesday, June 25:

• How Images Manipulate Us (School Librarian’s Playground)
• Using Data to Tell Your Story

I am presenting at ALA’s Annual Conference:

• Saturday, June 29: Who Blamed the Cow? Historical Absurdities, Biases, and Fake News (repeat!)
• Monday, July 1: Candy Crush Searching

Most organizations plan six or more months in advance for inviting presentation applications. Take a few minutes during the summer and think about what you enjoy doing, a successful project you had, or even a failed project! We often learn more from our failures. Think about sharing your work. It will help you focus and refine. It will teach me something new. We’re stronger together.

p.s. If you plan to attend any of these conferences, stop by and say “hi!”.