March 13 was the day COVID-19 changed everything for school librarians in my school district. Like other school librarians across the globe, we quickly transitioned from our beloved library spaces to an unknown virtual world. Like the character Lucy in… Read More ›
distance learning
Turn to Your School Librarian for Leadership in Online Learning
School librarians have many roles, among which are teacher and instructional partner. AASL’s position “The Strategic Leadership Role of School Librarians” notes, “The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) supports the position that full-time certified school librarians provide effective leadership… Read More ›
Teaching in the Shadow of COVID: Changes and Adaptations
I am finally resigned to the idea that the COVID pandemic will not go away any time soon. It is like an unwanted guest that decided to move in. Initially, I felt we would be back to normal within a… Read More ›
Learn from Home Toolkit
[SPONSORED CONTENT] (Adapted from the Tales2go Blog) This school year, it feels like we’re learning to teach all over again. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a parent who never thought they’d be a classroom teacher at home, we can… Read More ›
Making a Case for Wikipedia
Wikipedia: (Maybe) Not The Worst I spent quite a while in the camp of educators who believed Wikipedia was a source that students should avoid at all costs. But over the years, my stance has changed a bit. And now,… Read More ›
Pivoting for Impactful Advocacy
“When people look slowly, they make discoveries.” –Austin Kleon, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad (2019) The “School Librarian Role in Pandemic Learning Conditions” document focuses on the five important roles of a school librarian–instructional… Read More ›
Top Tools to Create Instructional Videos
As we head into a new school year, many things will be different in the library. One area that may be different is how librarians deliver instruction to students. Several tools are available online to help provide instruction through videos:… Read More ›
Support for School Librarian Roles during a Pandemic
In a May 22 post to the Virginia Association of School Librarians listserv, AASL Past President and Longwood professor Audrey Church posted an uplifting message urging school librarians to be “visible, vocal, positive, and proactive.” I needed to hear her… Read More ›
Embedded 2020
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 ›
Communication Is Key
This is the first time in my many years as an educator that I have experienced a major societal event without being with my students. Even in the summer, I had the reassurance that I would see them soon and… Read More ›