COLLECT + CONNECT

Every year the SD State Library puts on a professional development event called School Library Boot Camp which is usually in the summer. This event, we changed things up a bit. The face-to-face portion of the event was held in conjunction with the annual SDLA conference on September 25 in Spearfish and the rest of the two credit course was online. We had a full house! Thirty people participated with quite a variety of backgrounds ranging from certified teacher-librarians to library para-professionals to English language specialists to school counselors to teachers. In total, 18 districts/entities were represented. This year's theme was centered around inclusion, equity, and diversity. Attendees focused on how they as educators can support ALL students with a unique focus on students with special needs, those with disabilities, English Language Learners, LGBTQI+ students, and the culturally diverse. During the face-to-face segment of the course, teacher-librarian Jennif...

The State Library works diligently to support ALL South Dakotans and users with its 50+ research and inquiry digital resources. These databases can be freely accessed at  library.sd.gov > Databases  and HELP/FAQ's + extra goodies are listed on our  SDSL Resource Guides . Recently, at the Systems Change conference, I spoke about early education and how we can use SD State Library digital resources to support kindergarten readiness and early elementary learning.  Of course, with adaption, the three databases I'll note below can serve the needs of students younger and older than preschool or elementary. I'll also share  this slideshow  which gives an overview of Book Flix, World Book Early World of Learning, and Miss Humblebees's. While the slideshow is view only, if you'd like an editable copy to use with your staff or patrons, just  contact me . Let's get on with it, shall we... Book Flix is one of my very favorite databases thanks to it...

For a week each September, school libraries and other types of libraries celebrate National Banned Books Week. The week spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and in schools. Each year plays on a different theme and this year's theme was “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark: Keep the Light On.” ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/bannedbooksweek/ Check out this article from the Brookings Register  about how high school teacher-librarian Jean Kirschenman worked with another educator to teach students about topics such as censorship, democracy, and the freedom to read. Spoiler alert: a cool breakout room activity was involved! brookingsregister.com Of course, this subject doesn't start and end in one week, to learn more about the topic of banned books and censorship visit  ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom webpage. ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/bannedbooksweek/

Transliteracy. Simply put, it's the ability to read, write, interact, and collaborate across and throughout a range of platforms, contexts, genres, tools, and media.  middleweb.com I'll shoot out some phrases that come to mind when thinking about transliteracy... convergence of literacies learning being both effective AND diverse understand, use, and interact with literacies beyond reading and writing active participation evolve from consumers to producers adaptation mapping meaning collaboration literacy is a holistic ecology not linear At the  2019 TIE conference , I attended a session because it looked intriguing and because it specifically mentioned 'library' in the title. 😊 The session was about transliteracy and it was just so good. Good in a useful, real-life way. Good in an "I can do that" sort of way. Many thanks to Megan Dingman and Maggie Unterseher of Campbell County School District in Gillette, WY for shar...

Be sure to check out the  South Dakota Historical Society Press  as we celebrate Native American Day in South Dakota on October 14. If you're looking for South Dakota and regional history-related books for your library, this is a wonderful outlet. As part of the South Dakota State Historical Society, the Press preserves, researches, and promotes South Dakota's rich and varied culture and heritage by providing award-winning, reputable books for readers of all ages. I'll highlight three books that might be nice additions to your school library, but know that there are many titles that can support your South Dakota, Native American, and history collections. THE CHRISTMAS COAT: MEMORIES OF MY SIOUX CHILDHOOD  written by Rosebud Sioux member Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve and illustrated by Ellen Beier https://www.sdhspress.com/ Virginia’s old coat is too small. The cold South Dakota wind blows across the Rosebud Indian Reservation, making her shiver as ...