Join Me In Anchorage, Alaska On February 14-16, 2026 For The ASTE Conference, Friends!

 

I am so excited to head to Anchorage, Alaska for the ASTE Conference, February 14-16, 2026. 

We are kicking off the conference with our Future Ready Librarians® Summit-Mapping the Journey to Lead from the Library!  My colleague and friend, Lia Dossin and I can't wait for this special event.

The Future Ready Librarians Summit is designed to empower school librarians as catalysts for change. Participants will explore how to lead from the library and drive innovation in today’s evolving educational landscape. Together, we’ll strengthen leadership, collaboration, and digital literacy practices while gaining actionable tools to inspire change.

I will be announcing several fantastic giveaways this week too!  You won't want to miss this event, friends. 

On February 15, I have two more sessions that will empower librarians to lead from the library through learning and reading tools, digital tools, media literacy, AI, and more. 

On February 16, I will be presenting with my friends at Book Creator and Kami throughout the day. 

And I couldn't be more excited about two more very special events in the BenQ booth during the conference.  At 12:30-1:00pm on February 14 for Vendor Speed Dating and February 15 for Vendor Valentine's, I will be in the BenQ booth sharing my books, Sonia's Digital World and the ISTE Digital Explorers series, and giving them away in a book signing.  It's going to be so much fun. 

I hope to see you there Alaska librarian and educator, friends.  It's such an honor to come back to your beautiful state to learn and connect with all of you again. 

Find out more and register here. 

You've Been Book'd With The 2026 ALA YMA Winners! Find Them Here In Follett Content's Titlewave!

The 2026 ALA Youth Media Award Winners were announced yesterday on January 26th. 

There were so many amazing books this year that we celebrated on this day. Our friends at Follett Content brought them together in this special Titlewave® list here.

Congrats to all of the winners!  

Sign Up Today For The NEW Follett Software Webinar, What ROI Means to a Librarian (and How AI Helps Me Achieve It)!

 

I am excited for a NEW webinar I am hosting with Follett Software, What ROI Means to a Librarian (and How AI Helps Me Achieve It). This one is on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 2:00pm CST. 

When school leaders talk about ROI, they usually mean dollars and data. But for librarians like me, return on investment means something different: more time with students, a more engaging library experience, and stronger support for classroom instruction.

In this webinar, join me as I share how we use emerging AI tools to save time, stay organized, and stay focused on the work that really matters. I'll offer real-life strategies to help librarians:

• Cut through the clutter and spend more time with students
• Use AI to simplify scheduling, collection development, and communication
• Discover new ways to personalize the library experience

We’ll also explore how AI-powered tools are helping school libraries become more responsive, student-centered spaces—without adding more to your plate.

You can register for this webinar here, friends.  

And don't worry if you can't attend live.  Everyone who registers will receive the links and resources after the webinar too. 

Join the FREE Read-Aloud and Draw-Alongs From Storyvoice This Friday and Next Week for World Read Aloud Day!

We love the read-aloud and draw-alongs that our friends at Storyvoice host throughout the year. 

They have several amazing new ones coming up!  This Friday on January 30, there are two and next week on February 4 for World Read Aloud Day there are five!

You can RSVP for these events here. They are going to be amazing!

5 Read-Alouds and Draw-Alongs To Celebrate World Read Aloud Day on February 4th!

On February 4, 2026, we celebrate World Read Aloud Day.

Our friends at StoryVoice have brought together 5 special read-alouds and draw-alongs to celebrate this amazing day.

There are so many great authors and illustrators, and even a NASA astronaut.

You don't want to miss it, friends. RSVP now at https://bit.ly/4jTKeEh.

 

The NEW Spring 2026 Capstone Catalog Is Filled With Books, Expert Tips from ME, a Fun Contest, Valentine's, and More!

 

I LOVE when the new catalogs from publishers come out each season. I especially love when the Capstone catalog shows up in my school mailbox as it's filled with so many wonderful new books each season.  

Well, friends...wait until you see the Spring 2026 Capstone catalog! 

From the moment I saw the Cute VS Gross cover, I knew it was going to be extra special! 

Along with 100's of new books, there are so many other things that are helpful to us as librarians, and things to share with our readers and teachers too. 

I was excited to contribute to the catalog!  You will find Expert Tips From Shannon McClintock Miller and Library Lingo on pages 4 and 5. 

Starting on page 85, there is a Cute Books VS Gross Books contest.  

All of the directions and Kid's Voting Form are in the catalog to use with your readers. It will be so much fun. 

And on the back cover, 

there are these adorable Valentine's to cut out and share. 

Thank you Capstone friends for creating such amazing books and for thinking about us in your fantastic catalogs too. 

You will find the Spring 2026 Capstone catalog here, friends. 

It's Creativity Month....Time To Celebrate With Book Creator and these Collaborative Classroom Exercises For January!

 

January is International Creativity Month! 

You can celebrate in your classroom and library with these collaborative challenges in the...

....International Creativity Month Activity Notebook from Book Creator. 

It is filled with six wonderful activities that are meant to be collaborative.  

Our students will love...

....all of these amazing collaborative activities. 

You can remix it into your Book Creator here, friends.

Kicking Off Our Future Ready Librarians Webinar Series On January 29 With This Amazing Webinar and Work!

 

On January 29, we kick off a new year of the amazing 2026 Future Ready Librarians Webinar Series.  

I couldn't be more excited about the first one, Charting Your Course-Leading with Framework 3.0. 

My dear friends and amazing library leaders, Len Bryan, Becky Calzada, and Lindsey Kimery, will be joining me for this important conversation and work. 

This session introduces the updated Future Ready Librarians® Framework 3.0 and positions librarians as instructional leaders, collaborators, and advocates for student-centered learning. Participants will explore how the framework supports leadership, innovation, and equity across their schools.

We will:

• Begin mapping a personalized Future Ready journey for the year ahead
• Understand the key updates and focus areas of the Future Ready Librarians Framework 3.0
• Identify leadership opportunities aligned to district and school priorities

You can register for this webinar, and the entire series, here.  If you can't make it live, don't worry as they are recorded and sent out to everyone who registers after the webinar.

To get ready for our time together, you will want to print off the NEW Future Ready Librarians 3.0 Framework that you will find here.  It will be very helpful to have that in front of you, not only for this first webinar, but for the work we will do together all year long.  

We can't wait to see you next week, friends. 

Common Ground: Shannon's Digital World by Christie Vilsack

 

I am truly honored and grateful that Christie Vilsack, Iowa’s former First Lady, took the time to write this special article about my work as a teacher librarian at Van Meter Community School, my books, and the powerful impact school librarians have on teaching, learning, and literacy.

I met Christie several years ago when she and her family moved into the Van Meter Community School District. From the very beginning, she graciously volunteered her time and talents in our school, working alongside our students and teachers.

Over the years, we have shared many meaningful conversations about the importance of teacher librarians and the powerful impact we can have within schools, communities, and in the lives of our students, teachers, and families. It is essential that we continue to advocate for how we support our students and our community in today’s world—one shaped by technology, media and digital literacy, AI, and so much more.

You will find Common Ground: Shannon's Digital World  here on Christie's Substack.

Thank you, Christie.  This means the world to me. 🩷

Creator Spotlight: Brianna’s Crochet Journey...One Stitch At A Time!

 

My amazing daughter, Brianna, started crocheting about 18 months ago.  She started with a cute little Wooble penguin and since that has taught herself how to do so many beautiful and fun projects.  

I love that she has taken on this new hobby with such a passion.  I love it when she calls or texts me so excited about what she is creating that day.  And I love when she makes unique things herself and for our family.  

Brianna is going to highlight all of her work in these special books she makes in Canva.  She posted A Year of Crochet 2025 on her Instagram, so you can check it out here. Wait until you see what she has made!  

And her new project is one of my favorites!  I can't wait to see how she uniquely represents each book with such creativity and style.  

As she shared, 

I’m tracking my reading through granny squares this year! Each square will be inspired by colors and themes that stand out to me. 🧶

At the end of the year I’ll attach all the granny squares together to create a book blanket.

Loved my first read of 2026! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can find Brianna here on Intagram. 

Brianna has fallen in love with this wonderful craft and perfects her skills each and every day. I am very proud of her and can't wait to see what she creates next. 

I know you will love following her journey.  I bet you are inspired to give crocheting a try too! 

Join Us Opening Day at ASTE for the Future Ready Librarians Summit, Mapping the Journey to Lead from the Library!

 

We are so excited to be heading to ASTE, the Alaska Society of Technology Education Conference, on February 14-16 in Anchorage, Alaska. 

Lia and I will be hosting a whole day of special professional development for librarians on the opening day, February 14. 

We would love to have you join us for the Future Ready Librarians Summit: Mapping the Journey to Lead from the Library.  

The Future Ready Librarians® Summit is designed to empower school librarians as catalysts for change. Participants will explore how to lead from the library and drive innovation in today’s evolving educational landscape. Together, we’ll strengthen leadership, collaboration, and digital literacy practices while gaining actionable tools to inspire change.

You can register for the conference and sign up for the Summit here.

I also joined Melody and Anthony from ASTE for the ASTE Community Connect Livestream last Sunday. You can listen to learn more about the Summit and all of my sessions during the conference, including those with Book Creator and Kami too.

I can't wait to see you in Alaska, friends. It's going to be an amazing week together.

Empowering Student Creativity with Book Creator in the Library...Find Our Webinar Recording and Resources Here, Friends.

                       

Last week at FETC, I loved sharing how we use Book Creator as Future Ready Librarians and educators.  

One of the webinars I shared from 2025, was the one I did with Katie Fielding in October, How Book Creator Support Future Ready Librarians.  In our webinar we explored how Book Creator helps librarians document, teach, and inspire through creative digital storytelling and so much more. 

From the updated Future Ready Librarian Framework 3.0 to the latest AI and digital literacy templates, here’s how you can use Book Creator to bring your library to life.

Find all the resources you need for your library and your professional growth on our Teacher-Librarian page, along with the webinar recording here. 

And get Book Creator for your school today, friends. 

A Special Choice Board For Martin Luther King Jr. Day With PebbleGo, Capstone Interactive eBooks, Pixel Art, An Animated I Have A Dream Speech and More!

                  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is tomorrow on January 19, 2026.

I have put together a special set of resource to use as we learn more about and celebrate this very special day.  

The first resource is the Martin Luther King Jr. Choice Board.

On the choice board, I included the PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next articles about Martin Luther King Jr. and MLK Jr. Day; 

four Capstone Interactive eBooks, which we also have in our library for teachers and students to check out and read (You can find these interactive eBooks and print books here on the Capstone site). 

For this part of the choice board, you can add your own links to PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next, and the Capstone Interactive eBooks, if you have them for your library and school.  Or you can always add alternative resources too. 

I am very excited about this new addition to this choice board.  Our kids can create a pixel art portrait of MLK, Jr with the StickTogether Pixel Art Canvas found here.  This is free for everyone to use and our kids always have so much fun creating pixel art.  I can't wait to see all of the different MLK Jr. pixel art they create. 

There is an Art Hub for Kids video on How To Draw Martin Luther King, and...

...several videos, including one of his I Have A Dream speech. 

I want to point out a really neat new resource from The Martin Luther King Jr Research and Education Institute at  Stanford University.  It is called Freedom Ring. It is Martin Luther King, Jr's I Have A Dream speech animated. 

You will find that in the upper left corner of the choice board and here.  It can be played as the class watches too.  

Thank you Mrs. Stem for sharing this resource with me. :) 

You can find the link to make a copy of the choice board here. You can then add your own links to PebbleGo, PebbleGo Next and the Capstone eBooks, and any other resources you might want to share.

And remember, to share with your students, just to to File, Share and Publish to the Web.  That is the link you want to share with students. 

I hope you enjoy using this choice board and these resources to celebrate this special day as we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. 

You've Been Book'd With Books To Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day

 

January 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

It is always celebrated on the 3rd Monday of January.  This is a special day to honor his life and legacy. 

I brought together 17 amazing books about Martin Luther King Jr. in this choice board.  You will find each book linked to Follett Content Titlewave, and the entire Titlewave list can be found in the choice board too. 

Join Follett Software for the NEW Webinar, Destiny 23.5 Release: Product Walkthrough!

It’s here! 

The latest release of Follett Destiny® was inspired by YOU and designed around what matters most to educators. In this session, we’ll take you through all the user-requested enhancements to Destiny Library Manager, the reimagined Destiny Engage student engagement platform, and new integrated AI capabilities. 

Whether you currently use Destiny to power your library or you’re just exploring what the Destiny Library Suite has to offer, this session will show how the latest improvements can help you improve every school day.

Brought to you by Follett Software experts:

Beth Works, Sr. Director, Product Management
Peter D’Orsi, Sr. Director, Product Management
Ben Leddy, Sr. Product Manager
Nate Blue, Product Manager

Save your spot, friends. 

U.S. on January 20th at 2:00pm CST https://ow.ly/nqV250XVOwO

International on January 21st at 10:00am CST https://ow.ly/v9jB50XVOwU

#FollettDestiny #EdTech

Be A Guest On Season 12 of the Future Ready Librarians Podcast Series, Friends. We Would Love To Hear About and Celebrate Your Work.

 

We are getting ready to kick off Season 12 of the Future Ready Librarians Podcast! 

Over the last eleven seasons, I have welcomed so many wonderful librarians, educators and industry leaders to share their stories, passions and to discuss important and relevant topics to all of us as we lead within and from our libraries. 

You will find the Leading From The Library podcast page here. 

As I get ready to start recording Season 12, I am looking for new guests to join me. 

If you have a topic and story you would like to share and talk about, please fill out the short Google Form at bit.ly/FRLseason12 or by scanning this QR code. 

I can't wait to celebrate and share your stories and work, friends. 

A Special Martin Luther King Jr. Book Creator Book For Students To Learn and Reflect On Their Dreams Too.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, January 19, 2026. 

As we lead up to this special holiday weekend, help your students reflect on their dreams for the future in this Book Creator book.  

Let's take a look inside at the activities you and your students can do on this special day, and throughout the week. 

You can use all of these pages, a few of them, and even create your own to include as you remix it to share with your students. 

You will find the Martin Luther King Jr. Day book here to read and remix to your library. 

And if you don't have Book Creator yet, get it here today, friends.