NSLA Newsletter - January 2026
NSLA President
NSLA January Newsletter
Read on to learn about…
New! Apply for the NETA Scholarship from Gumdrop Books
Nominate a school librarian or a school administrator for an NSLA award. The deadline is approaching!
Run for the NSLA Board. Let us know now!
Vendor Spotlight: Scholastic Storyvoice
SELS Databases for School Librarians Zoom Webinar
Marking the Page
…and lots more!
Notes from Your President:
I hope you had a meaningful winter break and that your school year is off to an excellent start.
We are quickly approaching the deadline for our Board nominations and NSLA awards. If you have been considering running for a seat or nominating a deserving colleague, now is the time to act. We rely on your input to honor the very best in our field, and we need dedicated librarians like you to help lead our organization. Read on for full details on how to get involved.
Finally, congrats to Michaela Weber, the winner of our Newsletter drawing last month!
Apply Now: The Gumdrop Books NETA Conference Scholarship
Are you planning to attend the NETA Conference this April? We are thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the Gumdrop Books NETA Conference Scholarship!
Sponsored by our dedicated Gumdrop Sales Representatives, Kim McCain and Bruce Arant, this $750 award is designed to support professional growth by covering registration costs and helping with hotel or transportation expenses for one Nebraska school librarian.
Key Details:
Award Amount: $750 (paid directly to the recipient’s district/building).
Eligibility: Must be a Nebraska resident/employee for at least one year and a current NSLA member.
Requirements: A 300–400 word paragraph explaining how the conference will benefit you or your library. (Recipients also agree to write a brief follow-up article for our newsletter!)
Important Dates:
Applications Open: January 15, 2026
Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2026
Recipient Notified: March 2026
Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your professional development. For full details on eligibility and how to apply, please complete the application form.
Ready to submit? Send your completed application materials to Kim McCain at kmko...@gmail.com.
Vendor Spotlight:
Experience Live Literacy with Scholastic Storyvoice
If you are looking to turn reading into a "main event" in your library, look no further than Scholastic Storyvoice. This platform hosts live, weekly read-aloud shows that allow your students to engage with their favorite authors and illustrators in real time.
What makes Storyvoice unique for your classroom or library?
Live Interaction: Students don’t just watch—they can participate in live polls, ask questions, and see their school’s name shouted out on screen.
A "Virtual Front Row": Whether you have a small group or a full assembly, Storyvoice makes every student feel like they are sitting right across from the creator.
Accessibility: Most shows are free to join and come with digital resources to keep the conversation going after the broadcast ends.
From beloved classics to the newest graphic novels, Storyvoice is a powerful tool for building a vibrant reading culture. Be sure to check their schedule regularly so you don’t miss out on the next big broadcast!
Get Started: Visit the Storyvoice website to see the upcoming lineup and register your class.
Now is the time to nominate a school librarian and school administrator for NSLA awards!
It's time to recognize the outstanding contributions and dedicated work of school library professionals, administrators, and advocates across Nebraska! We encourage all members to nominate a deserving colleague (or even self-nominate) for the 2025 Nebraska School Librarians Association (NSLA) Awards.
We have several opportunities to honor excellence, including:
Nebraska School Librarian of the Year
NSLA Distinguished Service Award
NSLA Meritorious Service Award
NSLA Distinguished Administrator Award
You can find detailed descriptions of each award and access the nomination forms on our website: NSLA Awards Applications.
Important Deadline & Membership Note:
All award applications and nominations are due by Friday, March 15.
Please note that to be eligible for the prestigious Nebraska School Librarian of the Year award, the nominee must be a current NSLA member. We kindly ask that you confirm membership status before submitting a nomination for this specific honor.
Step Up and Lead! Serve on the NSLA Board
The NSLA Election Committee is actively seeking enthusiastic and dedicated members to run for open positions in our upcoming spring elections! Serving on the Board is an incredible way to shape the future of school libraries in Nebraska, advocate for our profession, and connect with inspiring colleagues across the state.
We encourage you to consider running for one of the following key roles open for the upcoming even-numbered year election cycle:
President-Elect
Board Secretary
Two (2) Board Members At Large
How to Become a Candidate:
If you are interested in taking on a leadership role and contributing to the success of the Nebraska School Librarians Association, please submit the following information:
A brief biography outlining your professional background and interest in serving.
A recent photograph.
Please email these materials directly to the NSLA President at (nsla...@gmail.com) by March 15.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming new perspectives to the Board!
Databases for Librarians who Work with Kids - Zoom
This webinar takes place February 10th from 10:00-11:30am. During this Zoom webinar Susan Knisely will demonstrate the databases made available by the Nebraska Library Commission which have an intended user audience ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade. A perfect refresher or introduction for school and public library staff! (This workshop will be recorded, and it is intended for those who work in Nebraska libraries.) To attend the workshop please fill out this form: Databases for Librarians who Work with Kids Zoom Sign Up.
This Month’s Top Socials:
Mark your calendar for Future Ready Conference!
We’re thrilled to share that NSLA is partnering with the Future Ready Conference 2026, an event packed with inspiring sessions and a strong library focus! Join us June 1–2 at the Nebraska Department of Education (500 S. 84th St., Lincoln) — or connect virtually via Zoom. Whether you attend in person or online, this conference is a fantastic opportunity to learn, collaborate, and celebrate innovation in education and libraries. Mark your calendar and plan to be part of this exciting statewide event!
Career News in the Library
Spotlight on the future! One of Kearney Public Schools’ MTSS goals is College and Career Readiness, and the Meadowlark Library is bringing that goal to life. Each month, our talented 5th-grade news anchors sit down with a community guest for a special career interview for our morning news show.
Did you know? Advocacy to share with others!
School librarians do so much more than check out books—they’re full-fledged teachers! For example, Lincoln Public Schools, elementary librarians lead 5–11 lessons per quarter, per grade, helping students build research, learning, and critical thinking skills that last a lifetime. Share this message with others to shine a spotlight on all the amazing work librarians in Nebraska do!
Marking the Page: AASL Delegate Updates - January 2026
We are in full swing of 2026! My next Chapter Assembly is February 4. Please reach out with any questions or insight! -Rachel
Friday Forecast
The AASL Friday Forecast took a break for a few months and is back! The Friday Forecast is a quick and easy reference to view upcoming deadlines, events and the work of AASL. Subscribe to Friday Forecast Here You don’t have to be a member!
Upcoming Events
Crayola Creativity Week: January 26 - February 1
Black History Month: February 1-28
Black History Month | American Association of School Librarians
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National Day of Reading: February 27
HRC | Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading!