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

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

20+ Back-to-School Resources for Librarians

20+ Back-to-school resources for librarians // Here's a curated list of posts and other resources to help you get ready for a new school year.

It’s back-to-school season!  Some schools have been back for several weeks while others are gearing up to go back. But no matter when you start back up, your mind is likely buzzing with the possibilities of a fresh school year.  The beginning of the year is a great time to try something new, whether it’s … Read more

5 Ways to Get Your Makerspace Ready for a New Year

5 Ways to Get Your Makerspace Ready : A new school year means new opportunities to get your makerspace ready for students. Here's some tips and tricks for sprucing things up and starting the year off strong.

It’s that time of year again – the first days of the school year will soon be upon us (and for some of you, it may already be here).  Getting ready for the year means pre-planning meetings, making photocopies, arranging class schedules and all the other good stuff that comes in August and September every … Read more

How to Create Conversation Zones to Support Learning Styles

How to Create Conversation Zones to Support Learning Styles : Our libraries support a variety of learning styles and activity. By creating conversation zones, we can better support the learning needs of ALL our students.

At Stewart, we had a pretty loud library.  There were robots racing through the stacks, the rustle of tubs of LEGOs being dug into, and the chatter of excited students talking about their favorite books and collaborating on projects.  At my current school, the previous culture of the library had been one where a whisper … Read more

Too Much Information: 3 Frustrating Problems With Signage

Good signage is vital in a learning space.  Ideally, your students should be able to walk into your space, look around, and find the things that they need without having to ask for help.  Realistically, I know that this isn’t usually what happens, but it’s the goal to aim for. In general, I would say … Read more

How to Create Collaborative Spaces in Your Library

How to Create Collaborative Spaces in Your Library // Here are five different things you can do to create collaborative spaces to support your students in your library.

Our libraries are no longer solely the silent, individual study zones that they used to be.  More and more schools are recognizing the value of collaboration, and the library can be the perfect place to support it.  But traditional library environments (think heavy wooden individual tables, tall, imposing stacks, etc) don’t really provide a collaborative … Read more

3 Ways Visiting Vendor Showrooms Can Inspire Your Space

Most of us probably have something in our library space that we want to change.  Or many things that we want to change. It can be daunting trying to figure out where to start and what you want your space to become.  That’s why I always recommend gathering inspiration for your space. Visiting other spaces, … Read more

Why Our Learning Spaces Matter

Why Our Learning Spaces Matter : We need to stop worry about money, convenience and tradition. The spaces in which our students learn matter, and we need to make them better.

Educational environments have been stuck for far too long.  For decades, we have settled for beige concrete boxes. Little natural sunlight and fresh air.  Desks arranged in rows because it makes for the most efficient cleaning, rather than asking what makes for the most productive learning environment.  Our libraries are boxes with walls lined with … Read more