AJL Classroom – Past – Association of Jewish Libraries

Past Classes

AJL Classroom: Evaluating YA Literature
Dates: May 9–10, 2022
Time: 7:00–9:00 pm EDT
Instructor: Rebecca Levitan

What makes a book a young adult book? How can you provide appropriate advisories for teen readers while standing on one foot? Participants will discuss appropriateness in terms of both content and readability and focus on making matches between books and readers.

Rebecca Levitan holds a BA in history and Judaic studies from Binghamton University and an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a full-time generalist librarian and the children’s coordinator at the Pikesville Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the immediate past chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, vice president of AJL’s Schools, Synagogues, Centers and Public Libraries Division, coeditor of children’s and teen books for AJL News and Reviews, and president of the AJL Capital Area Chapter. As a mom of three young children, she is passionate about quality Jewish literature. Rebecca is also an avid knitter and can often be found working on a shawl that she will likely not wear because it is too warm in Baltimore most of the year.

Library Management 101

Dates: March 10, 15, 24 (March 15 is correct, since March 17 is Purim)

Time: 6:00-7:30pm ET

Fee – AJL Members $75 and Non-AJL Members $150

Instructor: Kathy Bloomfield

Does your library have a mission statement? Or a strategic plan?

Do you know how to prepare a budget for the library?

Do you know how to attract and keep volunteers? Or “fire” a volunteer?

What is your leadership style?

This highly interactive class will delve into these topics and more to teach the management skills needed to understand the “business” of running your library. There will be discussions and homework. An assignment due at the end of Session 3 will demonstrate that you know how to ensure that your library is a priority in your institution.

Instructor Kathy Bloomfield is the president of the Association of Jewish Libraries. Though currently “retired,” she uses her time for a variety of activities such as book editing, book reviewing, and managing her personal library of over two thousand books. With over forty-five years of experience in for-profit, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial business, volunteer roles including synagogue president, and innumerable committee work, she is ideally suited to use her expertise to assist others in finding their managerial talents. Kathy lives in Seal Beach, California..