The findings and recommendations from the Libraries.Today National Leadership Grant were presented at the ALA Annual Conference in June, 2023. You can access the presentation or download a PDF with notes.

the Genesee Valley BOCES School Library System Presents

Libraries.Today

National Leadership Grant

Advocacy Tool for School Librarians

Made possible in part through support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Read Ebook PDF

View Forum Video Replays

Access the full catalog of forum videos, free for both personal viewing or use in a professional development setting.

Building Stakeholders for School Libraries

Diversity in Libraries

Politics and Children’s Books: Evidence from Public School Libraries

Shore up your Boundaries

Librarian Pep Talk: Ellen Hopkins

Librarian Pep Talk: Josh Funk

Where are we Going Next?

Libraries: Being Rainbows in Everyone’s Clouds

Librarian Pep Talk: Mindy McGinnis

Speaking with a Collective Voice

Telling Your Story

Representation on Both Sides of the Book

Librarian Pep Talk: Neal Shusterman

Next Steps in School Libraries

Brooklyn Public Library Books Unbanned

Welcome Message from The Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden

National Advisory Panel

  • Dr. Jen Cannell, Director of the Southern Westchester BOCES (NY) School Library System
  • Kathy Carroll, Lead Library Media Specialist, Richland 2 (SC) Schools
  • Priscille Dando, Coordinator of Library Information Services, Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools
  • Erin Hollingsworth, District Librarian, North Slope Borough (AK) School District
  • Melissa Jacobs, Director of the New York City School Library System
  • Amanda Kordeliski, Director of Libraries for Norman (OK) Public Schools
  • Julie Miller, Librarian, Clay County (FL) Schools
  • Craig Seasholes, Elementary Librarian (Retired), Seattle (WA) Public Schools
  • Alicia Thompson, Director of Instructional Technology, Buffalo (NY) Public Schools
  • Dr. Tara Zimmerman, Asst. Professor, Texas Woman’s University School of Library and Information Studies

Project Staff

  • Dr. Christopher Harris, Project Director, Genesee Valley BOCES (NY) School Library System  
  • Julie Hengenius, Genesee Valley BOCES (NY) School Library System
  • Emilee Williamson, Genesee Valley BOCES (NY) School Library System
  • Reports by John Chrastka, EveryLibrary Institute
  • Evaluation by Dr. Patrick Whipple, Genesee Valley (NY) BOCES

The School Library System of the Genesee Valley BOCES, established by Commissioner’s Regulations in 1985, is a state-funded program dedicated to improving the libraries of our Western New York region’s 22, small, rural districts and non-public schools. Our programs have been recognized nationally as exemplars of the next generation of library services. Genesee Valley BOCES was honored to receive this IMLS National Leadership Grant for Libraries. 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.