I couldn’t get enough of Angie Thomas repeating—with conviction—the mantra “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” during the #alsc2026 opening keynote. What did speakers have to say about it today?
Reading Native Stories
Author and librarian Stacy Wells opened her session by sharing that she only remembers two things from library school. The first? I’ve already forgotten. The second? What most of us all remember and take to heart: Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s reflection on the relationship between books, reading, and identity. A member of the Choctaw Nation, Wells described growing up without seeing herself in stories and made the case that native stories matter in all communities. They act as mirrors for native kids by encouraging self worth and building a love of identity. For all kids, they are windows that broaden their perspective of the world around them.
Wells encouraged us to look to indigenous-authored books when choosing titles for storytime. After all, their themes and subject matter are universal: family, culture, emotions, even the four seasons. She suggested adapting songs and activities to the story. Did you know you can sing “leaves, branches, trunk, and roots” to the tune of “heads, shoulders, knees, and toes?” During the Q&A, I asked her opinion of non-native librarians leading such a storytime. Her answer? Kids need these stories. Read them! Tell your young patrons “this is how they are rooted in their culture” and ask “how are you rooted in yours?”
Welcoming Black Boys
Later, librarian and leader Tiffeni Fontno urged us to create more welcoming, culturally responsive library environments to foster a love of reading and a sense of belonging for Black boys. Seven Black men recounted their childhood library experiences to her in interviews, so she clarified using their words, not just her own.
What did they say? On the one hand, obtaining a library card made them feel welcome, important, and official. Connections they made with librarians as kids last to this day. On the other, having to pay for a damaged or lost item as a kid—and possibly facing repercussions at home—made them stay away from the library for years. Why couldn’t the library display just one book featuring a black boy on the cover?
Fontno encouraged us to continue to select titles that showcase Black joy to create mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, but to move beyond collection development and consider how we plan our programs. How does what we do reach Black boys? She maintained, to get Black boys to the library, they need to see Black men there, too. Consider the speakers, performers, and volunteers you can bring in. Grow your own space in the community by showing up at events—not just tabling, but talking and making real connections.
Today’s Conference Blogger is Alicia Rogers (she/her/hers). Alicia is the Tween Services Librarian at Worcester Public Library–the library’s first! She hosts programs and builds collections for children ages eight to twelve in the children’s center and provides reference and reader’s advisory service in the library’s teen room to ease patrons’ transition between the spaces. Through her work, she strives to build community among the tween patrons who are craving some independence. Alicia is a member of ALSC and the Notable Children’s Book Committee and reviews for Booklist, The Horn Book, Library Journal, and School Library Journal. She loves books of all kinds (can you tell?), so is most looking forward to meeting and hearing from authors and illustrators at the institute.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!
The post Mirrors, Windows, Sliding Glass Doors…Repeat appeared first on ALSC Blog.
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