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CHICAGO – In a new webinar from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), participants will learn the unique ways school librarians can advocate for LGBTQ students through LGBTQ curriculum inclusion. Presented by Elizabeth Gartley, “Representation Matters: The School Librarian and LGBTQ Curriculum Inclusion” will take place at 6 p.m. Central on Wednesday, Feb. 18. For more information and to register, visit .

During the webinar, Gartley will demonstrate how studies by the California Safe Schools Coalition have shown that a LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum not only improves safety and school climate for all students, but can positively impact academic performance. Participants will learn strategies for curriculum inclusion, including defining and overcoming barriers, providing access to information, uncovering LGBTQ topics in the subject areas and classroom best practices.

Elizabeth Gartley began her career as a school librarian in 2008 as a Peace Corps volunteer. She earned her B.A. in Media Studies from Emerson College and M.L.I.S from Simmons College. Gartley has worked with children and teens of all ages in Maine, Massachusetts, Samoa and the Dominican Republic.

Attendance during the live presentation of “Representation Matters” is open to all. Only AASL members and AASL eCOLLAB subscribers will have access to the webinar archive. A seat in the live webinar is guaranteed to the first 100 attendees. To register, visit “Upcoming Webinars” at .

eCOLLAB | Your eLearning Laboratory: Content Collaboration Community, a repository of AASL professional development, provides members and subscribers with a central location to find and manage their elearning as well as to connect with others in the learning community. eCOLLAB contains webcasts, podcasts and resources from various AASL professional development events, as well as access to a read-only version of the latest issue of Knowledge Quest. To begin utilizing eCOLLAB or to subscribe, visit .

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.