April 18, 2024

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Education is holding its inaugural Nevada Reading Week Librarian Conference next week.

The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 27 at North Las Vegas City Hall.

The conference - celebrated in conjunction with the Nevada Reading Week initiative - will provide essential support for school librarians, public librarians, educators, and literacy leaders in the community.   

“This inaugural conference builds on the success of our Nevada Reading Week programming, and provides a valuable learning and collaboration opportunity for librarians and educators,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert.

The theme of the conference is “Pages of Progress: Navigating the Narrative of Tomorrow’s Libraries.”

The conference agenda encompasses themes such as fostering community and family partnerships, as well as early childhood literacy support. 

The conference is being held in collaboration with the North Las Vegas Library District and the City of North Las Vegas.

The event will become a yearly occurrence, alternating between Southern and Northern Nevada locations.

“The North Las Vegas Library District is excited to host the Nevada Reading Week Librarian Conference,” said Forrest Lewis, director of the North Las Vegas Library District. “Literacy is an essential skill for educational success, and librarians play a key role in supporting literacy efforts. This unique conference will bring school and public librarians together for a day of learning and networking, all with the goal of strengthening grade level reading initiatives for Nevada students."

This year’s event includes an impressive lineup of speakers such as Nick Glass, founder of TeachingBooks, and Frances Gonzales-Garcia, an advocate for adolescent literacy.

State and local leaders – including Superintendent Ebert; Nevada State Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop; North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown; and Lewis – will also share their expertise.

“This conference presents a wonderful opportunity for individuals to sustain the momentum generated during Nevada Reading Week and engage in meaningful dialogs on bolstering literacy among learners of diverse backgrounds,” said Cindi Chang, director of the Nevada Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Learning, which oversees Nevada Reading Week programming.

Generous donations from Lakeshore Learning, Bloomsbury, and Penguin Random House - as well as community organizations such as Spread the Word Nevada and Nevada State Libraries - will help make this event truly special for attendees.

The resurgence of Nevada Reading Week statewide events, made possible through funding allocated during the 2023 state legislative session, underscores the commitment to supporting educators, librarians, and community members in advancing literacy efforts statewide.  

Since its inception in 1987, the Nevada Department of Education has been at the forefront of promoting literacy and celebrating the joy of reading through its annual Nevada Reading Week initiative.

This statewide endeavor brings together educators, librarians, students, and community members to partake in shared thematic activities aimed at fostering a love for reading. 

For more information about the Nevada Reading Week Librarian Conference, visit www.nevadareadingweek.org. 

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About the Nevada Department of Education

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/ and join us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.