Why School Libraries Matter
A school library is a “school’s physical and virtual information-to-knowledge commons where reading, literacy, inquiry, thinking, imagination, discovery and creativity are central to students’ learning and knowledge development in all curriculums and learning for work and life in a global, increasingly digital world.”
(Ross Todd 2010)

Mission
The Alberta School Learning Commons Council promotes and supports our members in advancing excellence in teaching and learning through effective school library learning commons practices.

Vision
The Alberta School Learning Commons Council is a proactive and progressive advocate for our members in building, cultivating and enhancing effective school library learning commons practices through leadership and professional development.

Objectives
The Alberta School Learning Commons Council (ASLC) advocates for school library programs and professional development opportunities for its members.

North/South Regional Councils
Professional support at the regional level.

Activities
To encourage the establishment and maintenance of effective library programs in Alberta schools, the ASLC strives to provide professional development programs for its members. The Council holds an annual spring conference at which members share the latest information in the field of library studies and establish province-wide networks. To honour professionalism and dedication in the field, the ASLC has established an annual research grant. In addition, the Kaleidoscope program is a celebration of children's and young adults' literature.

The ASLC acts as a vital liaison with the government departments and with provincial and national library associations.

ASLC LitPicks Book Review Site – http://www.aslclitpicks.ca/

Collaboration with
• Alberta Education
• Library Association of Alberta
• ATA specialist councils – ELAC – EDTEC – FNMI
• School administrators
• School councils
• Teacher-Librarianship by Distance Learning graduate program (University of Alberta)

Council Development
• Improve communication with potential membership and functionality
• Building capacity with members in learning commons implementation makerspaces inquiry and reader’s advisory.

Leadership and Advocacy
• Sharing exemplary practices in school library learning commons
• Promoting expertise of membership with educational leaders
• Providing advocacy and advice related to implementation of School Library Policy (Alberta Education. Draft 2010)
• Supporting school librarianship through annual ASLC bursary (up to $2000 annually)

Publications
Literacies, Learning and Libraries journal was last published in 2012. Please visit the ASLC website for more information.