I am both humbled and honored to introduce myself as the new president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). As president, I would like to focus my year on how we weave the stories of our school libraries… Read More ›
school libraries
Listening to the Little Voices: Making Students Heard with Your Collection Choices
…It’s just a little voice and if you’re listening Sometimes a little voice Can say the biggest thing… –Sara Bareilles One of the first things that I realized when I became a school librarian and commenced my school librarianship studies… Read More ›
Navigating New Subscription Rollouts
Technology in schools has changed in the blink of an eye. What was a hard sell to school boards all over the country has now become a quick approval if it supports remote learning. I’m sure many of you are… Read More ›
4 Things Being a Mentor Taught Me
Recently, a local university was looking for mentors for Librarian and Information Science students. The e-mail went something like, “Help the next generation of school librarians…” My first thought was I am not sure I am qualified! I mean I… Read More ›
Print Nonfiction vs. Databases
For years I have heard librarians talk about the debate between print nonfiction and databases in their collections for research. With my library closed to students still and no end in sight, I thought it might be time to dig… Read More ›
Simplifying Library Resources
Simplicity is something that school librarians, teachers, and students welcome right now. As Julia Hobsbawm, the author of The Simplicity Principle, puts it, “The human desire for simplicity is ancient, and especially evident during times in which society undergoes upheaval”… Read More ›
Stranger Library Reading Challenge
The month of October always brings scary and spooky reading challenges. My high school library is still closed for students, so I had to get creative on how to share and motivate my students to read this year. Creating a… Read More ›
Contactless Book Checkout Planning
Over the past few months we have all gotten used to contactless delivery and pickup at stores and restaurants. As we start the school year, planning for contactless delivery of library materials has been much the same. Our spaces are… Read More ›
The Virtual Heartbeat Is Your School Library
The relevant school library undertaking on everyone’s mind right now is distance library learning. How do you provide resources, assistance, and information to our students and teachers from afar? The state of our global community has plunged us all into… Read More ›
Reaching Out for Research Help
Teaching research skills has become a large part of a school librarian’s job description. With the additions of inquiry arches in social studies and science curriculum across the country, our students’ need for research skills has increased dramatically. Inspired by… Read More ›