Author Archives
Sedley Abercrombie is the district digital learning and library media programs specialist for Davidson County Schools in North Carolina, an NCSLMA executive board member, and an adjunct instructor at East Carolina University.
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How are school libraries like an ice cream shop?
Think about the last time you walked into an ice cream shop. You may have seen customers browse through the dozens of flavors, looking for what will satisfy them that day. Maybe some opted for two scoops of opposing flavors,… Read More ›
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What does $500 buy you?
Recently I saw a post on a Facebook group where a school librarian from an affluent area was budgeted about $500 for a private school of nearly that many students–so about $1 per student. The librarian seemed to think that… Read More ›
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The Time for Advocacy Is Now: Why Telling Your Story Is So Important.
Having been a lifelong reader and library user, I had all sorts of assumptions about school libraries in general. First, I thought that stakeholders would instinctively know the value of an effective school library. Secondly, I had always been under… Read More ›
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Do people even read anymore?
An administrator recently told me, “We don’t really need a school library. Let’s face it…in 10 years…wait, FIVE years…we won’t need print books anymore. Nobody reads books anymore. They can Google everything they need!” I’m guessing the look on your… Read More ›
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Raleigh’s Rolling Readers Program Slows the Summer Slide
Decades of research tells us that students that read over the summer perform better than students that don’t. Over the course of years, this can translate into the loss of several grade levels of reading skills. Unfortunately, public libraries and… Read More ›
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Embracing change…
Change is hard. This is true, but in education change is inevitable. And during the summer is when lots of these changes take place. Educators may find themselves in one position in the spring and in a whole new grade… Read More ›
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Why Do You Need a Collection Development Plan?
When I was in grad school years ago, there was an assignment about creating a collection development plan. Although I was working on one for the class assignment, I couldn’t help but wonder why I should bother. I was a… Read More ›
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In Defense of Battle of the Books…
In my years as a librarian, I must confess that I had never had a winning team for Battle of the Book. Not. Even. Close. In fact I think a couple of times we came quite close to dead last…. Read More ›
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What is an “elevator speech”?
An elevator speech is a clear, brief message or “commercial” about you. It communicates who you are, why you are valuable, and how you can benefit your stakeholders. It’s typically about 30 seconds to 1 minute, the time it takes… Read More ›
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NC Kids Digital Library: PL Directors Launch Innovative New Digital Reading Program Statewide
When I first heard about the upcoming launch of the NC Digital Kids Library in February of this year, I knew it was going to be great. But what I didn’t know is what a game changer this was going… Read More ›