Reaching out to Non-readers As a high school librarian it is important yet challenging to encourage students to read books. This is particularly true for our students who consider themselves non-readers. They are intimated by hardcover books with hundreds of… Read More ›
The new year is upon us. For some it rolled around quickly, while for others it may have taken longer to get here. Regardless of your point of view the new year offers us all a time of reflection and… Read More ›
A new year naturally makes us more reflective about our school libraries. Being an elementary school librarian tends to be a lonely job. If you’re lucky, you are a part of the resource team, but even that can be lonely… Read More ›
Ho Ho Holy Moly! I spent time with my nephews this holiday. The oldest boy is 10, and he is starting to stretch both physically and mentally into the adult he will become. Seeing him reminds me of when I… Read More ›
As a member of AASL, are you a do-er or a watcher? If you are a watcher, do you like everything you see? Do you wonder what all those AASL committees do, beyond national conference, Knowledge Quest, and awards? Do… Read More ›
My hometown has a population of approximately 55,000 people and seven school districts. These districts have always acted as rivals rather than schools that form a united community of students. Three years ago my superintendent and I decided to attempt… Read More ›
As in many schools, my high school library is a hub of our building. Hundreds of students walk through our doors each day; administrators stop by; teachers are posted to duty at the circulation desk every period; custodians and security… Read More ›
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 ›
I recently became curious about how the word “literacy” has been paired with other words to create terms all librarians use within their practice. Curiosity surfaced when I read the term “innovation literacy.” Thinking I had hit upon a new concept,… Read More ›
In my state of Virginia, I am very fortunate to be a member of the state librarian’s association—the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL). As the old American Express commercial used to say, “Membership has its privileges.” Possibly the most… Read More ›