Do administrators know what we do? Have you had one of those days when you wondered “Does my principal even know what I do?” If you have, you are not alone. It is hard to find a way to let… Read More ›
Blog Topics
Three Ways to Extend Your Library Digitally
School libraries often extend their resources beyond a brick and mortar room. Digital resources are collected, curated, and shared. Many school librarians use Pinterest, Padlet, and hyper docs to curate resources. Yet, there are many more ways to collect, curate,… Read More ›
The Ready to Code (RtC) Collection
There are 450,000+ open computing jobs across the United States, but only 35% of high schools teach computer programming (code.org, 2019). The American Library Association (ALA) wanted to understand and support libraries with information and resources related to computer science…. Read More ›
Intellectual Freedom Was Alive and Well at Midwinter in Seattle
The American Library Association (ALA) held its Midwinter Meeting in Seattle from January 24-29, 2019. As a member of the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (and a retired school librarian), I’m providing information on the work of the committee as well… Read More ›
Whose Rule?
One characteristic of teachers and librarians is our fondness for structure. There aren’t many of us who like chaos in our jobs or classrooms. When I think about structure and procedures and how I run the school library, I am… Read More ›
Personalized Book Talks with YouTube
In an educational climate where English teachers are feeling overwhelmed by the mounting expectations from state and district administration, reading for enjoyment can be one of the first things to get the curriculum ax. Research time and again has shown… Read More ›
How Being an Epic Nerd Has Made Me a Better School Librarian
I must start by saying that I am a huge nerd. I’ve watched/read every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer; I dressed up as Princess Leia on Hoth for Halloween; I’ve attended multiple Comic Cons; and I even possess a… Read More ›
Community Building and Learning through Curation
Curate is one of my favorite Shared Foundations. According to the AASL Standards school librarians should have a key commitment to “make meaning for oneself and others by collecting, organizing, and sharing resources of personal relevance.” Oftentimes, when we think… Read More ›
African American History in Real Life – The Black College Football Hall of Fame
The History of Black History Month Black History Month started as Negro History Week, created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. It celebrates the significant impact African Americans had on development in the United States and the world. Woodson was… Read More ›
Books We Love
We can’t argue that school libraries have changed and changed for the better. When you walk into a school library, chances are that you may see one or more of the following: Legos, 3D printers, Break Out Boxes, or iPads…. Read More ›