On December 10, 2025, the School Library Systems Association of New York State hosted Strengthening Our Core: School Library Values in Practice, a statewide symposium with viewing locations across New York. Erie 1 BOCES served as a satellite host location for the Erie 1 and Erie 2 region, co-hosted by Brian Mayer, Erie 2 BOCES Coordinator of School Library System and Media Services, and Eileen Anderson, Erie 1 School Library System Director.
The event brought together school librarians from across the region to examine the American Library Association’s Core Values and how they guide day-to-day work in school libraries. Throughout the day, participants explored how these values inform instruction, collection development, decision-making, and partnerships within their school communities.
The morning began with a kickoff by the President of the American Library Association, followed by librarian and advocate KC Boyd, who framed the ALA Core Values as practical guiding principles rather than abstract ideals. Their remarks set the tone for a day focused on reflection and application.
Amy Ransom from Jamestown Public Schools shared how award-winning books can be used to build critical thinking skills in grades K–4. Her demonstration using the fictitious “Northwest Tree Octopus” website offered a clear, engaging way to teach young students how to question sources, recognize bias, and consider why information is created and shared.
Other sessions focused on how equity and inclusion take shape in school library spaces. Melissa Iamonico discussed strategies for building collections that reflect students’ lived experiences, while Jessica Restivo highlighted the use of interactive play centers and themed read-alouds to support students with disabilities and English language learners.
The afternoon shifted toward the library’s role in community engagement. Kristine Holzweiss shared projects that connect literature to acts of kindness, showing how stories can move students from learning about empathy to practicing it. Laura Silver highlighted her school’s year-round card-making initiative, which now includes multilingual designs and partnerships that deliver students’ work to local elders.
Sustainability rounded out the program, with Mina Leazer and Ariela Rothstein offering practical approaches to managing materials, maker-space supplies, and resources with intention and care.
Across the day, a clear theme emerged. The ALA Core Values are not theoretical statements. They are tools librarians use to shape learning environments, guide instruction, and build meaningful relationships. When applied consistently, they help students question, create, collaborate, and contribute in ways that strengthen both their learning and their communities.
