COLLECT + CONNECT

Let's face it, so much of our high school students' world is digital. LIKE. SO. MUCH. Sometimes we need to lean away from that and sometimes we need to lean into that. An online book club is a way to lean in when it comes to library programming. We all know when students get to high school they tend to have less time for the "extras."  And... book clubs often fall in that category. So let's make it more convenient for students and reach them where they're at. Imagine being able to encourage your student readers from home. Even better, imagine your student readers encouraging other student readers from home. One tool you can use to lean in is  GoodReads . This digital resource may make it more convenient for your students to participate in that 'extra' book club. https://www.goodreads.com/ Disclaimer: The South Dakota State Library does not endorse any service, product, or recommendation listed in this blog. GoodReads is a m...

The past couple of years has been a whirlwind at the West Central Middle/High School Library. The once combination public/school library separated into two entities recently leaving the 6-12 grade library in the same space and relocating the public library to a downtown location. This allowed veteran teacher-librarian Danann Kistler to incorporate big changes such as genrefying the library collection and expanding the popular Makerspace. On top of that, all new seating areas were added after the library got a fresh coat of paint. Needless to say, this southeast South Dakota school library is thriving thanks to dedicated library staff and volunteers, administrative backing, and Kistler's leadership. The library also received a large grant from Daughters of the American Revolution which  provided funding for a large historical book collection, a  display  case for artifacts, scrapbooks, and an iPad.   True to her teacher-librarian role,  Kistler co-teaches to...

It's also called the bookstore model or subject-based cataloging. It's genrefication. And it can be a heated topic in school libraries. Genrefying is a process of classifying mediums (like books) into specific genres or categories. In school libraries, genrefication can be used in addition to or in place of the traditional Dewey Decimal System. There is no one 'right' way. Each library is unique. At the end of the day, school librarians need to make decisions based on their own school and students needs. What works well in one school, might flounder at another school. As with any project, there are potential disadvantages: some believe it's just another fad some believe it doesn't properly prepare students for the future - that they will not be prepared to use public and academic libraries it's a BIG undertaking! Think: Assigning genres, labeling, cataloging, signage, physically rearranging, reteaching may be difficult to assign a title to a...

How does your school library help to build a strong school community? How does your library contribute to the community in which your students live? Is your library a community in and of itself? These are questions to think about as we seek to cultivate connection and harmony in a world that can be divided and discordant. This week it's time to celebrate National Library Week and focus on community and what that looks like in the library, in the school, and in the place you live.  Visit  ALA National Library Week for free digital graphics, printables, sample media posts, and a video from year's spokesperson, Melinda Gates. ala.org Monday  The day the State of America's Libraries Report is released. Plus, the Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2018 will be released - always interesting! Tuesday National Library Workers Day  - A day to recognize the contributions made by ALL library workers.  ala.org ...

Each year the SD State Library offers a professional development opportunity called School Library Boot Camp. And, each year, we change up the theme. This year’s Boot Camp theme is Inclusion: That All May Learn. We'll focus on how librarians and 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. Here's low-down: When:  We're trying out something different so this year Boot Camp is on Sept. 25, 2019 starting at 8AM to 6PM. The rest of the clock hours will be completed online. Boot Camp will be saddled with the annual SDLA (South Dakota Library Association) conference scheduled for Sept. 25-27, 2019. NOTE: Boot Camp is NOT a part of the conference and conference attendance is not required to be a part of Boot Camp. Where: Spearfish, SD at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center What: Boot Camp is a two-credit Black H...

ala.org Every April school librarians around the country celebrate School Library Month. They do this promoting and hosting activities that help patrons make connections to learning and the world around them. They do this by ensuring that EVERYONE BELONGS. Take a look at the School Library Month webpage from ALA for free printables, webinar, downloads, activities, proclamations, and a video from this year's spokesperson Dav Pilkey. Of course, you know him... of Captain Underpants and Dog Man fame. pilkey.com/ "I have fond memories of going to the library with my mom who had a radical idea—she let me pick whatever book I wanted to read." library.sd.gov P.S. SDLA and SDSL will announce the winners of the SD Prairie and YARP award during Nat'l Library Week so be on the lookout for that.

The Belle Fourche Middle School Library is making!  Utilizing a  Classroom Innovation Grant from the SD Dept. of Education, teacher- librarian Karen Schlekeway  has  transformed the library with a makerspace bringing more innovation to the school.  L ibrary staff teach STEAM encore classes to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.   The classes have been a big hit with the students increasing their desire to learn.  Students use critical thinking to navigate through units of coding, engineering & design, circuitry, videography and different forms of energy.  They also research and develop art projects that spark creativity.  8th graders even get to solder their very own DIY drones!  Grant dollars funded a classroom set of iPads, two sets of Spheros and Ozobots, four 3D printers, seven sewing machines, and loads of STEM kits. 

Photo by  Raka Rachgo  on  Unsplash - a smattering of two random reads about libraries, education & growth -

cultofpedagogy.com I really enjoy the practical, here's-what-you-really-need-to-know content of  The Cult of Pedagogy and so much of it is very applicable to the school library world. After all, school librarians are teachers and a school library is a classroom. In Teaching Students How to Legally Use Online Images you'll learn loads about how to teach students to locate and incorporate online images. Hello, digital citizenship! This is definitely a must in terms of digital literacy skills for students. In the meantime, I will share the nuggets of goodness I took away from the read: LICENSE YOUR IMAGES If students create their own images, then they own the copyright and can license it through Creative Commons . This licensing process not only teaches kids about the importance of copyright and fair use, it also validates their own sense of independence and ownership. USE OPEN LICENSE IMAGES My favorite sites for free, open license images are Pixabay...

census.gov/schools There's been a lot of talk in the news and on social media about the upcoming 2020 census and here's a powerful teaching and learning resource. What a great way to link what students are hearing in the news to real life! The  Statistics in Schools  program of the U.S. Census Bureau provides data, tools, and activities that educators can incorporate into their lessons to help teach statistics concepts and data analysis skills to students. The U.S. Census Bureau is the leading source of statistical information about the nation’s people, places, and economy. It provides snapshots of the nation’s population size, growth, and changing characteristics. Highlights of the Statistics in Schools program: Classroom-ready Activities sorted by grade level and subjects such as state facts, math, geography, history, ELA, and sociology Video Gallery Fun Facts with Teacher's Guides Historical Documents & Images Warm-up Activities Census Bureau 101 fo...