5 New Back-to-School Hacks for 2023

5 new back-to-school hacks to help you get ready for a new year in your library. Orientations, surveys and more.

My Back-to-School Hacks post from 2015 has been getting a lot of traffic lately (maybe because of the School Library Journal article with a similar title?) so I thought it might be good to write an updated version.  A lot has changed for me since 2015 – I’m at a different school (Tampa Prep, where … Read more

20+ Ideas for AWESOME Instagram Posts

20+ Ideas for AWESOME Instagram Posts -Here are some great ideas for awesome, engaging Instagram posts that are perfect for your school library IG account.

Instagram is a fantastic way to connect with students, teachers, parents and community members.  You can showcase what is going on in your library, promote a love of reading and feature student work.  If you’re new to IG, it can be easy to feel stuck and unsure of what to post.  (Check out my previous … Read more

The Power of Instagram to Connect With Students

The Power of Instagram to Connect With Students // Instagram is a powerful tool for connecting with your students and community. Here are some ways to utilize IG.

I’ve long used Instagram as a way to reach out to my students.  It started back when I first got an iPad through DonorsChoose at my previous library (before I had a personal smartphone).  Some of my former students (now adults) still follow that account and keep in touch.  When I started at Tampa Prep, … Read more

Genrefication Reflections: 5+ things I’ve learned in 3 years

Genrefication Reflections: 5+ things I've learned in 3 years : Since genrefying my fiction collection a few years ago, I've learned a few things. Here, I share those lessons with you.

  Back in early 2019, I reorganized the fiction section of my library, categorizing books into genres and labeling them with colored stickers to help students find them.  You can read more about the exact process I used back here, and I’ll include more genrefication resources at the end of the post.  Since that time, … Read more

COVID Library Update Part 2: Bringing Books to My Students

COVID Library Update Part 2: Bringing Books to My Students // Since access to our library space is limited this year, I've found creative ways to continue to get books into the hands (and devices) of students.

This is a multiple post series.  In Part 1, I gave an overview of what my school has been doing during COVID and how my library’s physical space has adapted.  In this post, I’ll be sharing about programs I’ve done to encourage reading, plus collaborations with teachers.  For Part 3, I’ll share how we’ve adapted … Read more

COVID Library Update Part 1: Adapting the Space & Collection

COVID library update part 1: Adapting the Space & Collection - Finding ways to make the library space work and get work done on our library collection.

  To say it’s been an interesting school year so far would be an understatement.  This has definitely been the most challenging year of my career.  I consider myself lucky to be working at a school that has the resources and leadership to keep us safe.  I know that many, many schools have been left … Read more

15+ Ways to Celebrate Banned Books Week Virtually

15+ Ways to Celebrate Banned Books Week Virtually

Banned Books Week is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about censorship and the right to read.  There’s tons of great banned books activities and displays out there, but many of them work best in-person.  Since the pandemic has most schools meeting either virtually or in a hybrid model, students likely won’t be able to … Read more

How to Dream Big with a Library Space Analysis

How to Dream Big with a Library Space Analysis: Sometimes it can be hard to step back and take a look at the big picture. By creating a library space analysis, you can start dreaming big about the potential your space has. Plus, you'll create some great visuals that you can share with your admin.

How to Dream Big With a Library Space Analysis It may seem like an odd time to be reimagining your library space.  You might currently have limited access or might not be allowed on campus.  If you are having in-person learning, your library might not look like it normally does.  To help manage social distancing, … Read more