COLLECT + CONNECT

I’ve created a page on our LibGuides just for school librarians as they do their thing and support other educators during this stressful time of the CoVID-19 outbreak. It’s a living webpage so know it will expand and contract as we go. Feel free to bookmark and share. Here’s the short link: https://bit.ly/sdschlibcovid19 This link lives in our LibGuides and, so far, has the following sections: SDSL Databases for K-12 Digital Books Read-Alouds & Fair Use Digital Learning Tools Freebies from Publishers & Vendors Professional Time Cleaning

All  50+ databases and digital resources offered by the SD State Library are FREE and are accessible 24/7. To accommodate access, librarians can link specific databases to their websites, blogs, online newsletters, OPACs, etc. Visit  Technical Help  on our Resource Guides to copy/paste those unique URLs. The State Library has also categorized the K-12 databases into  elementary ,  middle , and  high .  DIRECT LINKS TO STUDENT RESEARCH LISTS Use our age-appropriate Student Research Lists when linking on your library or school websites, blogs, digital newsletters, etc. These lists are curated just for these age groups and they provide quicker and more customized access for students. STUDENT RESEARCH FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Copy and paste this link into your own website/blog/.newsletter/etc: https://library.sd.gov/LIB/SLC/hmwkElemLst.aspx STUDENT RESEARCH FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Copy and paste this link into your own website/blog/.newsletter/etc:  ...

It's always a good time to use the SD State Library databases and other digital resources . They're vetted. They're robust. They're varied. They're accessible 24/7. They're free at  library.sd.gov .  As schools manage the spread of the COVID 19 virus , it not lost on me how important these state-provided resources are for all of our students, teachers, parents, and caregivers. Here's what's also not lost on me:  EQUITABLE ACCESS Whether it be the absence of broadband in some locations in our state, the lack of quality Internet service at home, not having devices in which to use the Internet, or having unique accessibility needs, equal and equitable access is a thing in our state, across our country, and throughout the world. Over the years, the State Library has focused on equity and access in our state and that work continues. With that being acknowledged, let me remind you of an excellent database that I can see being super helpfu...

library.sd.gov/SDSL/PUBL/sldd.aspx  Did you know that the South Dakota State Library is charged with collecting annual data from the state’s school libraries? It does this through its annual South Dakota School Library Survey . This is a district-level survey to completed by all school districts. The superintendent of each district receives a direct email notification and librarians are informed via the SD School Library Listserv. The survey opens in early March and closes in early May of each year. After the data has been compiled, the State Library reports back to stakeholders in the form of a handy infographic poster. This poster is something that can be displayed in the library and it's something that can help guide decision-making and planning of library services.  Archives are located at library.sd.gov . Additionally, districts can request district-only data from the State Library. library.sd.gov/SDSL/PUBL/sldd.aspx  library.sd.gov/SDSL/PUBL/sldd.a...

Spring will soon be here (thank goodness, right?!) and that means employment opportunities in schools are humming as people resign, retire, and scuttle around within districts. The SD State Library supports all types of libraries in South Dakota including its 400 or so school libraries! We do that through services, outreach, and resources. Two resources are particularly useful in this season of job opportunities, they are: The School Librarian Interview Guide   This tool contains information, resources, and a series of questions and scenarios that can help prepare both hiring committees and potential employees for the interview. and The South Dakota School Library Guidelines This self-assessment outlined the best practices of a 21st-century school library. Hiring committees can use this tool as a way to be-in-the-know about expectations of today's school library and librarian. Potential employees can use these guidelines to refresh and prepare for interviews. These, a...