Embedded Librarian? The first thought that comes to my mind when I hear the word embedded is about a tick I found behind my dog’s left ear. When I asked a friend their first impression, they said a wartime journalist. … Read More ›
COVID-19
Take a Deep Breath!
This spring was uncharted territory for everyone. Everything we thought we knew about how to do our complex and multifaceted jobs as educators was called into question. But this isn’t new for us school librarians. Innovation and iteration, thinking critically… Read More ›
Tools and Tips for Engaging Students with Asynchronous Discussions
I have been wondering something about everyone else since we have begun social distancing. Like many others, I am working from home. I have found that I am busier now than I was before the coronavirus. Is this true for… Read More ›
Not the Disaster We Were Preparing For
We prepare for fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, but not a pandemic. There are so many disasters for which we prepare. Our school has drills for tornadoes, earthquakes, and fires. We even have emergency plans for chemical spills at the nearby railroad…. Read More ›
The Power of Positivity in a Time of Uncertainty
Positivity Power Librarians are positive people. I’ve met so many over the years and realized: we’re a positive bunch. Even so and even with the best intentions, our day-to-day actions, the minute details, the small interactions that don’t go as… Read More ›
COVID-19 School Librarianship – Part 3
Proceeds from this shirt support independent booksellers [This is the concluding post in a three-part series. Click here for parts one and two.] At first, there was collective exhaustion and the hope that we would return to normal after April… Read More ›
Serving Patrons during the Pandemic: Missouri School Librarians Rise to the Challenge, Part I
Three weeks ago, school districts across Missouri began announcing school closures as local government officials issued shelter-in-place orders. Even though many districts were on spring break at the time, school librarians began the work involved with moving their work online…. Read More ›
School Library Month 2020 Celebrates School Librarian Resilience
Well, this will be a School Library Month for the record books. Like most of you, I have been uprooted from my school library and have set up a remote library headquarters from my dining room where I wrestle new… Read More ›
Minding Mental Health during COVID-19
As schools across the country are closing for weeks, months, and some for the rest of the year, school librarians (and other educators) are undoubtedly experiencing waves of emotion. We are sad because we miss our students and colleagues. We… Read More ›