COLLECT + CONNECT

As we look toward summer and (possibly) have a little extra time on our hands, it might be a good time to create/refine/boast your library website. A virtual library is a MUST for any library existing in the 21st century. A virtual library needs to work just as hard as a physical library. The presence of an updated, well- functioning, engaging website is not just good for patrons/students, it's good for librarians and the profession as a whole. School librarian extraordinaire Jennifer LaGarde writes, " we cannot afford to maintain spaces (physical or virtual) that leave people wondering what our value is. Every ounce of real estate we control should send the message that our work changes lives - because it does." Check out LaGarde's post Creating GREAT Library Websites for TODAY's Learners! Even those of you who are limited to a certain interface -say, if the district requires you to use its web development tool - can supplement with other features that enhance yo...

View the SD Teen Choice Book Awards winners! And for the Prairie Awards... View the winners and the complete list of nominees.

With the unprecedented influx of money headed to South Dakota schools and libraries, it's super important to start thinking about what your library needs to make its services more effective and efficient. This applies specifically to technology and curbing student learning loss due to the pandemic. The State Library will be receiving approximately two million dollars with which to distribute to all types of libraries. This American Rescue Plan Act funding will be made available to libraries through grants. This means librarians need to be ready and waiting with a strategized list. Here are some items to think about: wifi hotspots for checkout computers laptops printers copiers ILS systems self-checkout systems recording studios to record music, podcasts, etc. digitization equipment (scanners, computers, VHS to digital converter) tables with tech embedded charging stations ebooks and audio book subscriptions (with the understanding that this money is one-time money and the subscript...

Does the school library have a strategic plan? If not, it's time. The American Rescue Plan Act , was signed into law on March 11, 2021. It is a massive economic package - the third in a series provided by the federal government - addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about federal COVID funding at  doe.sd.gov/coronavirus/caresact.aspx . Now is the time to get the library's desired future on paper via a strategic plan. A school library strategic plan... defines goals to achieve over an extended period of time - usually 3 to 5 years. allows for backward planning. is aligned with the school’s mission, the curriculum, and the School Improvement Plan. connects the dots between the library and student outcomes. creates a baseline and allows the librarian to measure growth. allows librarians to concretely share with administrators the role the library plays in the learning culture of the school. demonstrates the depths and legitimacy of the school library program...

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL)  released a new position statement titled “The Critical Need for and Responsibilities of District-Level School Library Supervisors."  This statement replaces the previous “Role of the School Library Supervisor.” Essentially, this new position statement defines the supervisor as a member of the district-level administrative team. This individual is the visionary, the supervisor, and the coordinator of district- and building-level school libraries. All position statements from AASL  can be used as guidance for creating and sustaining exemplary school libraries. Visit School Library Services  > Advocacy on the SD State Library website for more resources and tools.

NEW!!! The SD State Library has been busy working on some ways to help you help your students access and use the SD State Library databases for research and inquiry. Visit any of the K12 databases pages at library.sd.gov  and you'll notice some color-coded tabs at the top of the page. Blue buttons for  elementary . Green buttons for  middle school . Orange buttons for  high school . Each grade span has links to not only the databases specific to that age group but also a printable and shareable help guide and an interactive learning menu . If you would like to embed the menus into your school library website or other media, just send Alissa Adams an email requesting the embed code.  Here's what the elementary learning menu looks like when it's embedded. Notice it's hyperlinked and ready to go. 

There are now three routes to the elementary school library endorsement and the secondary school library endorsement in South Dakota.  Visit the  SD State Library LibGuides  to view all three options. Questions? Contact Alissa Adams , School Library Technology Coordinator, SD State Library.   Nick Youngson   CC BY-SA 3.0   Alpha Stock Images

The SD State Library is excited to announce that it will hold its annual professional development event called ExCITE! (formerly School Library Boot Camp). This opportunity is open to school library staff and other kinds of educators.  Each year brings a new theme and this year it's  Textual Literacy. We'll focus on topics revolving around reading and engaging for academic and personal growth.  Learn more and register!

An exemplary school library collection should include favorably and reputably reviewed titles. It should also include award-winning state titles (like SD Prairie Awards and SD Teen Choice Book Awards ) and national titles (like ALA's Youth Media Awards ). Recently, the American Library Association (ALA)  announced the 2021 Youth Media Awards.  These awards include the top books, digital media, video, and audiobooks for children and young adults.  Popular 2021 awards include... The John Newbery Medal honors the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.  When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller The Randolph Caldecott Medal recognizes the most distinguished American picture book for children. We Are Water Protectors illustrated by Michaela Goade, written by Carole Lindstrom The Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognizes an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults. Before the Ever After written by Jacq...

Librarian Tyler Muth of Freedom Elementary in Harrisburg School District shared a fun addition to the library curriculum. To support textual literacy and digital literacy while also incorporating the South Dakota Book Awards, Muth made a book menu for 4th and 5th graders. Muth got creative using  Canva to develop the menu. Then he used  Flowcode to make a free QR code that students could scan with iPads to access the menu. To extend learning, Muth plans to host a book tasting using this book menu. The menu has reading samples linked as well as linked book trailers if available. Here's what the menu looks like: .pdf version If you want to check out the entire menu with working links, simply scan the code below with your phone or iPad. Disclaimer: The South Dakota State Library does not endorse any service, product, or recommendation listed in this post.