Sharjah International Library Conference العربية<

(program will be updated and subject to change)

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Becky Calzada
President, American Association of School Librarians, Library Services Coordinator Leander Independent School District, Texas, U.S.A

Reading for pleasure offers a range of benefits for students' literacy development and maintenance as well numerous other facets related to student learning and wellbeing. This presentation on the 2024 International School Library Workforce Survey from 63 countries, will unpack the evidence on what Reading for Pleasure offers students, contributing to a whole school reading culture. It will explore common barriers experienced by school library professionals seeking to promote Reading for Pleasure and, how they can be overcome.

Dr. Margaret Merga
Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia, award winning researcher and author including, Creating a Reading Culture in Primary and Secondary Schools: A Practical Guide.

This presentation and session will discuss the important topic of assessment of student reading and learning and provide examples of assessment tools and strategies to measure learner understanding and growth.

Dr. Elizabeth Burns. Associate Professor, Department of STEM Education & Professional Studies, Old Dominion University, Virginia, U.S.A, author of Assessing Learners: Using the AASL Standards to Measure Competency and Growth

In 2022, Suncrest Elementary School had a problem: our library was NOT a place that administrators, teachers, and students wanted to visit. In three short years, our library is now considered the “heart” of our school: a place for and by all students, teachers and staff. In summary, teacher/librarian collaborations are up, students (and their families) love the library, and our circulation numbers are soaring! The session will outline effective ways to reach teachers and administrators in order to implement effective reading programs.

Charlotte Chung,
Charlotte Chung, media specialist at Suncrest Elementary School in Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.A, 2023 Recipient of AASL Innovative Reading Grant

This session will discuss and share examples of successful ways to reach and encourage students who are reluctant to getting excited about reading, as well as how the Emirate-Centric books connect and provide mirrors where students see themselves.

Dr. Fawzia Gilani-Williams,
Director of Children's Creative Enrichment Programs Eid Stories Institute, UAE

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

How can emerging technologies enhance and expand the reading experience? This session explores innovative ways teacher librarians worldwide use digital tools to engage all readers—especially dormant ones. From audiobooks and interactive reading apps like Novel Effect to virtual reality and AI-powered voice-to-text tools, technology is opening new doors to literacy. While the traditional book remains beloved, this workshop will showcase the exciting, complementary ways to harness technology to foster a love of reading for every student.

2016 School Library Journal ‘School Librarian of the Year’ shares ways school librarians are using various technologies to excite and increase reading.

Todd Burleson, Media Specialist, Skokie School, Winnetka School District, Illinois, U.S.A

Yasser Muhammad Abdul Muttalib,
Al Majd Model School, Sharjah, UAE.

Jumana Hanoun,
Librarian and UNESCO coordinator

Parents are crucial partners in fostering lifelong readers with school librarians. This session looks at challenges and opportunities to partner and engage with parents. It will feature a review of the American Association of School Librarians National Standards Guides for Parents and Guardians.

Cherity Pennington, 
Director of Libraries and Media Services, Shawnee Public Schools, Oklahoma, U.S.A

Becky Calzada,
President, American Association of School Librarians, Library Services Coordinator Leander Independent School District, Texas, U.S.A

An opportunity for one on one and group discussions with experts and colleagues to ask, answer, discuss different issues and challenges going on in libraries.

1. Supporting reading for pleasure
2. Assessing Student Reading and Learning
3. Collaborating with Teachers and Administrators
4. Reluctant Readers
5. Connecting Reading and New Technologies
6. Connecting and Partnering with Families
7. Empowering School Librarians