Sharjah International Library Conference العربية<
Sharjah School Library Conference “Literacy and Reading Promotion for School Librarians”
(program will be updated and subject to change)
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
9:00 AM 60 Minutes |
Registration and badge pick up |
10:00 AM 30 Minutes |
Welcome and Keynote |

Becky Calzada
President, American Association of School Librarians, Library Services Coordinator Leander Independent School District, Texas, U.S.A
10:30 AM 15 Minutes |
Conference Program and Outcomes |
10:45 AM 45 Minutes |
Everyone is engaged with literacy practices, not reading |
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.
11:30 AM 30 Minutes |
Break and Networking |
12:00 PM 45 Minutes |
Assessing Student Reading and Learning |
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
12:45 PM 45 Minutes |
Lunch |
13:30 PM 45 Minutes |
Breaking Barriers to Collaborate with Teachers, and Administrators, and Students |
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
14:15 PM 45 Minutes |
Poster Sessions |
15:00 PM 45 Minutes |
Once Upon an Emirate: Creative Strategies to Spark Reluctant Readers’ Love for Reading |
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
15:45 PM 15 Minutes |
First Day Wrap-Up |
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
9:00 AM 15 Minutes |
First Day Sharing Session |
9:15 AM 45 Minutes |
Connecting Reading and New Technologies |
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
10:00 AM 30 Minutes |
Break and Networking |
10:30 AM 60 Minutes |
Reading Promotion Lightning Talks from UAE School Librarians |
Yasser Muhammad Abdul Muttalib,
Al Majd Model School, Sharjah, UAE.
Jumana Hanoun,
Librarian and UNESCO coordinator
11:30 AM 45 Minutes |
Connecting and Partnering with Families |
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
12:15 AM 45 Minutes |
Lunch |
13:00 AM 30 Minutes |
Coming Together through Associations to Empower School Librarians |

Becky Calzada,
President, American Association of School Librarians, Library Services Coordinator Leander Independent School District, Texas, U.S.A
13:30 AM 60 Minutes |
Knowledge Café |
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.
- Supporting reading for pleasure
- Assessing Student Reading and Learning
- Collaborating with Teachers and Administrators
- Reluctant Readers
- Connecting Reading and New Technologies
- Connecting and Partnering with Families
- Empowering School Librarians
14:30 AM 60 Minutes |
Sharing Session and Next Steps |
15:30 AM 30 Minutes |
Conference Closing and Certificates |