In 2017, I wrote a blog post titled “12 (mostly cheap) Teacher Tricks that Work in an Elementary Library.” What I did not realize when I wrote that post was the positive response it would receive. The goal was to… Read More ›
Four years ago, I gave my first user survey to students. Still new to my position as librarian/technology integrator, I inherited a traditional library that had fallen out of use, and was desperate to understand what students wanted from their… Read More ›
High school students often get a bad rap. They’re accused of being lazy, wasteful, immature . . . the list goes on. Through my experience working with adolescents, however, I’ve found that what most people interpret as irresponsible behavior is… Read More ›
When school libraries are safe spaces, we model the Include Shared Foundation, and school libraries can transform their school communities as learners feel not just safe, but also seen, included, respected, and appreciated. While the many ways school libraries serve… Read More ›
Do you have a blog or wish to start a blog but are not sure what to write about? When blogging, I have this problem, too. What topics do I write about? Is it interesting to others? Blogging is a… Read More ›
Is That the Question? Last month, I was scrolling through Twitter and found Oprah promoting American Dirt. A thriller about immigration that hooked her on the first page? I’m in. I immediately ordered it on Amazon and went back to… Read More ›
What Does the Future Hold for School Libraries? This year the ALA Midwinter Meeting was held in Philadelphia. It is a place rich in American library history. However, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia public school system has less… Read More ›
I love being a school librarian. Seriously, I absolutely love it. It’s the best job in the world. But…after my first year as a school librarian, I sought out a therapist to help manage my mental health. This decision was… Read More ›
After many years of discussion, the use of open educational resources (OER) is beginning to take root in schools and districts. The expanded use of OER content—which includes openly licensed textbooks and courses, as well as additional learning resources such… Read More ›
Hello from sunny North Carolina. I am writing this post in between classes of 9th-grade English students who are visiting the library with their teacher. I often marvel at how many hats librarians wear, and today is an example of… Read More ›
Gathering and Visualizing Quantitative School Library Data As I shared earlier in part 1 of this blog post, I’d like to dive deeper into the actual numbers, or quantitative data that we collect and share that demonstrate the impact of… Read More ›
Live Free? At some point during every school year, the topic of online entertainment comes up. Every time, a disturbing number of students express confusion when I try to explain why they should pay for their entertainment. “If I can… Read More ›
As any elementary librarian knows, kindergarten teachers deserve a special place in heaven. Out of all the grades that I teach, nothing makes me as nervous as the kindergarten classes, especially in September. Forty-five minutes with tiny humans wandering around… Read More ›
I hope that you had a wonderful break. There is so much to get done during the holidays. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy it all. But taking care of the holidays is a demanding job. By the time New… Read More ›