Dr. Buffy Edwards (SLIS ’89) is seeking the office of Chair-Elect of the Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS), a section of the American Association of School Librarians. The general purpose of this section is to provide a membership group for the exchange of ideas, for the review and study of curricula, and for the development of research activities for educators in colleges and universities whose programs focus on school librarian education and training.
A faculty member with OU SLIS since 2019, Dr. Buffy Edwards' previous experience includes three decades of practical work in school libraries. She was named the SLIS Outstanding Alumni in 2016. As a SLIS faculty member, Dr. Edwards leads the School Library Advisory Board and works to keep the SLIS Faculty and Staff informed about matters related to candidates pursuing school librarianship. Under her leadership, the School Library Advisory Board planned, organized, and delivered OU SLIS Virtual Summer Institutes: Developing Responsive Leaders, and most recently, implemented cross-department collaboration between LIS students and pre-service teachers in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education.
Dr. Buffy Edwards actively supports the Oklahoma Library Association dedicating efforts to help graduate students gain presentation experience in the Fresh Takes session each year and serves as the liaison communicating volunteer opportunities so students can attend the conference at no cost. Her involvement with the American Association of School Librarians includes serving as Oklahoma’s Affiliate Delegate, Chairing and membership on the Professional Learning Committee, and serving on the School Library Research Editorial Board.
“I am honored to be a candidate for chair-elect of the Educators of School Librarians Section.The work of ESLS is vital to the success of future practitioners and I will work to energize conversations about how best to support candidates through robust curricula, discussions, and expand outreach for student networking. As a profession, one goal should be generating excitement and promoting positive ideas about school librarianship and the important work done by school librarians. This goal can be impacted by the student experience in graduate school and collectively, the membership and work of the ESLS can be pivotal. I want to be a part of it!”
