Welcome to the 2009 School Library Journal Leadership Summit. We are delighted you will join us October 2-3 for "Librarians as Leaders of 21st Century Learning.” This year we’re taking the summit to Hyatt Regency Washington in our national’s capitol, Washington, D.C.
At this year’s summit we will explore the powerful relationship between school librarians and 21st century skills, including information and communications skills; critical thinking; interpersonal and collaborative skills; global awareness; and financial, business, and civic literacy.
Nationally, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.21stcenturyskills.org) has served as a catalyst to position 21st century skills at the center of K-12 education through partnerships among education, business, governmental and community leaders. Many states—from New Jersey to South Dakota—have become 21st century Leadership States. But even where states haven’t officially come on board, school districts and schools across the country are seeking ways to infuse teaching and learning with 21st century knowledge and skills.
Join SLJ, our presenting sponsors, leaders from across education and government, as well as nationally-known keynote speakers as we explore 21st century teaching and learning. This year’s summit not only promises to provoke and stimulate—with special surprises and receptions—but will also have a long-lasting impact on our profession.
We believe that the movement towards 21st century skills provides school librarians with an enormous opportunity. It will be the goal of this summit to seize this opportunity and articulate how the school librarian, as teacher, as well as the entire school library program enables 21st century learning. We will produce a document that maps the role of the school librarian to 21st skills—available in the pages of School Library Journal and through our sponsors.
So mark your calendars. You won’t want to miss Summit 2009.
Best Wishes,
Brian Kenney
Editorial Director
School Library Journal