edWeb.net announces Mackin Educational Resources as the new sponsor of Emerging Tech, a free professional learning community (PLC) that helps librarians integrate technology into school library programs. The Emerging Tech community began in 2010 and has over 10,000 members who are on the leading edge of transforming libraries into centers for 21st century learning. Librarians have been increasingly recognized as leaders in using technology and digital resources to transform learning.

The Emerging Tech PLC was launched through the collaboration of edWeb.net founder, Lisa Schmucki, and Michelle Luhtala, Department Chair of the New Canaan, CT, High School Library and a 2015 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. In 2010, Lisa and Michelle met at a conference and launched the idea of an online community that would host monthly, interactive webinars to help school librarians share ideas on transforming their roles and student learning. Some of the more recent culminations of this movement include Transforming Your School Library and Future Ready Librarians.

Mackin Educational Resources kicked off their sponsorship of the Emerging Tech community with the webinar, “Future Ready Librarians,” with Michelle Luhtala; Mark Ray, Chief Digital Officer for Vancouver Public Schools; and Sara Trettin, Open Education and Digital Engagement Lead, Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education.

In November, Emerging Tech presented the webinar, “Building a Digital Collection,” with Michelle Luhtala and Andrew Marcinek, Former Chief Open Education Advisor for the U.S. Department of Education. They discussed the latest in digital collection development, including the #GoOpen initiative, and how to make all resources accessible and usable for all learners.

Emerging Tech’s next webinar, “Personalizing Instruction Through the Library,” will take place on January 18th and will discuss how school librarians can enhance their learning communities’ capacity for personalized learning experiences through collaboration, instructional partnership, direct instruction, professional development, and leadership.

Lisa Schmucki, founder of edWeb.net commented, “We are delighted that Mackin Educational Resources is sponsoring the Emerging Tech community as part of all the wonderful work they do to support librarians in transforming their role in the learning ecosystem and their library spaces, in both the physical and online world.”

“Representation at this esteemed level by such renowned professionals is in keeping with our desire to continually offer relevant information related to library growth and transformation,” stated Randal Heise, co-owner of Mackin. “This community that we are sponsoring provides us with the perfect channel to speak to educators who possess the same passion and focus.”

Librarians are invited to join the free Emerging Tech professional learning community on edWeb.net for invitations to upcoming webinars, online discussions, and access to resources.