Sparks Fly in the Library Taylor Swift. The name is enough to get the attention of all teenagers (and most adults). When my Teaching Assistant suggested we use the iconic pop star as the focus for a book display, I… Read More ›
Culture
Explore the Experiences of Black School Librarians in the Mar/Apr 2021 Issue
Equity, diversity, and inclusion (commonly shortened to EDI) is a term that has become common in our institutional language around race and racism. In schools, EDI most often refers to the demographics of the student and employee body, the need… Read More ›
Assessing Your School Library to Ensure All Students Are Represented
Five Years Ago It seems like many long ages have passed since Lin-Manuel Miranda, accepting the Tony Award for Hamilton’s score, gave an emotional and heartfelt speech (in sonnet form!) that honored his own wife and also gave tribute to… Read More ›
Confessions of a Librarian Who Does Everything Wrong
“How do you do inventory if you can’t close the library because you’re letting kids take books out for the summer?” The criticism in the other school librarian’s voice was not even trying to veil itself behind a smile. “I… Read More ›
Help Wanted: The Right Clerk for Our Library
They say good help is hard to find. I contend that it’s not so much about finding good help as finding the right help in the school library. Whether your school library has paid assistants or volunteers, making sure the… Read More ›
Celebrating Holidays in the Library
At almost two weeks into November, we are closing in on Thanksgiving, the second holiday in the trifecta of holidays–Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For Halloween, we focus on fall elements and pull horror/supernatural books for display. We don’t have anything… Read More ›
The Creation of a Successful, Inquiry-Rich Maker Culture
While makerspace leaders/librarians remain the most important aspect of fostering a successful, inquiry-rich maker culture, what role does the aesthetics play in the space? Construction and architectural firms, such as Haworth, assert that there are ways to literally build a… Read More ›