As the school year draws to a close, keep kids in the mindset of reading with a summer reading challenge. Summer challenges are an outstanding way to motivate students to keep reading over the summer. They have tasks to complete… Read More ›
Literacy
(Re)Building A School Library, Part 2: The Newsletter
“Complex Library News” I previously wrote about my efforts to reestablish a library presence for my middle school’s students, starting with a website. Once I had a digital presence put together, the next step was to let folks know about… Read More ›
Restoring Lost Focus through the School Library
I’ve been increasingly interested in studying the causes behind recent shifts in our ability to engage in deep thinking and reading. For a recent long commute, I decided to download and listen to a new audiobook. I selected one I’d… Read More ›
(Re)Building A School Library, Part 1: The Website
Raising My School Library’s Profile During a renovation a couple years back, my middle school’s library closed, and it never reopened. Students and teachers were told they could access the high school library, which is literally on the opposite end… Read More ›
Digital Poetry Slam
It is no wonder why April has been deemed National Poetry Month. Early spring is filled with inspiration. The longer days and warming temperatures seem to improve my mood and stir my creativity. What a great time for reading and… Read More ›
April is also National Poetry Month
Could you recommend a SHORT book? As a librarian for tweens and teens, I am always on the quest for extraordinary, shorter novels to offer my patrons. Unfortunately, books now compete with schoolwork, video games, and social media. One of… Read More ›
I Heart the Codex
Like most school librarians, I love books! As a child and young adult, I spent a lot of time in both my school and local public libraries, browsing the shelves for my latest reads and leaving with bags full of… Read More ›
Choose Your Own (Professional) Adventure
The AASL Member Engagement Committee is excited to invite members to join the association’s new Communities of Practice! “Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to… Read More ›
Promoting Young Adult Books Through March Madness
Tournament Time Every year I eagerly await March Madness. Lifting me out of the mid-winter slump, the NCAA basketball tournament excites me with its college colors, team logos, energetic players, and unpredictable outcomes. Similarly, the March Book Madness tournament I… Read More ›
Creating Book Award Buy In
Book award season is upon us! I love to see what books will be chosen from the gigantic amount of titles published each year. I love seeing what the national and state committees pick, but I especially get excited for… Read More ›