July 25, 2016

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A trip to the library will make a new boy of me

Last week I went over to the school across the street from my house to help school parent (and librarian and Horn Book Magazine reviewer) Pam Yosca as she worked to reopen its long-closed library. (More truthfully, “help.”) There is so much to do: the library has been closed for six years, and no new […]

On innovative practice: There is no box!

A few years back, I was stuck in an airport on a long layover. I found myself chatting over dinner and wine with an extraordinary woman who excitedly described the new business empire she was building.  I said, “Wow, you sure think outside the box!”  She responded: “Joyce, what makes you think there’s a box?” […]

Why Students Want Wi-Fi-Free Zones

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Students seek out Wi-Fi-free zones. They crave them. Word gets out about where they are, and people flock.

A letter of support

It’s hard to make sense of the current climate for school libraries. In some areas, school districts recognize our value and are struggling to find the best qualified, well-prepared professionals to fill multiple positions. I get letters and see postings seeking excellent candidates nearly every day.  In other areas, library programs are being cut because […]

I dare you NOT to share! (So many AASL School Library Month goodies!)

It’s just the beginning of School Library Month.  Tweet it out! If you happen to be struggling for a few new ways to celebrate, don’t worry.  AASL has been doing some seriously creative thinking about how we might use the month of April to celebrate the 2016 theme: the essential role that strong school library […]

A belated confession

I’ve avoided writing this post for years.  But a couple of recent conference breakfasts and beverages, with librarians you all know well and admire, and a few questions from my grad students, pushed me into a reflective confession. I don’t think we can really rock every aspect of our jobs at once, however much we […]

Lead Brave: Buoyed by the Alliance of the Lilead Fellows | Editorial

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This powerful cohort of school district library heads is poised to bring innovation, bold leadership, and a new communal strength to the field.

This article was published in School Library Journal's December 2015 issue. Subscribe today and save up to 35% off the regular subscription rate.

School Libraries Work! 2016

  Among the many exciting events at AASL National in Columbus was Scholastic’s release of the 2016 edition of School Libraries Work!  You’ll want to keep this important advocacy tool on hand and share copies with administrators, board members, teachers, parents, students. The downloadable document, builds on the 2008 edition,  collecting and highlighting more than […]

New Report from Scholastic Shows School Libraries Work

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Brand new research shines a light on the unique positive effects school librarians have on student learning outcomes.

Ian Singer, VP and Group Publisher of SLJ, LJ, Horn Book Departs Media Source

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Media Source, Inc., has announced that Ian Singer is leaving his position as Vice President & Group Publisher, Library Journals, LLC & The Horn Book, Inc., as of August 28.

Harris Poll Shows Growing Support for Book Banning, Ratings

A recent Harris poll on attitudes about book banning and school libraries revealed that out of the 2,244 U.S. adults surveyed in March 2015, the percentage who felt that certain books should be banned increased by more than half since the last similar study conducted in 2011.

Pam Moran on transformed school libraries

Once I believed that libraries were places where people went for books and reference materials. Now I believe that libraries are learning opportunities that promote pathways for people to “search, connect, communicate and make.” Please do not miss superintendent Pam Moran’s post today about the possibilities of 21st c school libraries. Please share her vision […]

James Patterson Raises School Libraries Grant to $1.5M

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On March 23, best-selling author James Patterson announced that he is donating an additional $250,000 to the $1.25 million school libraries grant he and Scholastic Reading Club publicized earlier in March.

If you do school library research, please help us birth a community

If you do school library research, please help us birth a community

I am thrilled to be a member of AASL’s Community of Scholars Task Force and equally thrilled about our plans to move forward in creating a truly meaningful community. Discussed at last year’s CLASS (Causality: School Libraries and Student Success) Summit, the project is realized and described as one of three goals in the CLASS […]

Limitless Libraries: the value of rethinking

Limitless Libraries: the value of rethinking

I recently spent a full day presenting workshops for the Nashville school librarians with my buddy Shannon Miller. I expected to fall in love with the city.  But I fell in love with it for an unexpected reason. Nashville is a city that truly loves its libraries. And that love has a lot to do […]

Michelle asks: RU Ready 2 Trust ‘em? (@TEDxWestport)

Michelle Luhtala suggests we judge millennials unfairly. Are they really coddled or are they resourceful?  Are they narcissistic or transparent? Unfocused or hyper-focused? Is taking a selfie narcissistic, or is it a way to connect with the world? In her kid-focused TEDx talk, Michelle, head librarian at New Canaan (CT) High School shares the importance […]

Celebrating the news from Vermont!

Celebrating the news from Vermont!

During National Library Month, it’s so lovely to celebrate a victory for children and that the hard work of advocacy can pay off. VSLA President, Denise Wentz, just wrote to share the following great news in advance of my visit to the the Vermont Dynamic Learning Landscapes Conference. I am very happy to finally announce […]

SLJ’s two new awards: School Librarian of the Year Award and Build Something Bold!

SLJ’s two new awards: School Librarian of the Year Award and Build Something Bold!

I am so embarrassed to have missed these announcements, and I want to make sure that others do not! SLJ just announced two new awards that are ripe pickings for so many of you! 1. School Librarian of the Year! You know who you are. I urge you to nominate yourself.

On “hacking” school library or crowdsourcing innovation (PLEASE SHARE YOUR HACKS!)

I am preparing for a talk at Computers in Libraries this week and I’d love to showcase your best ideas. In what ways have you innovated this year? How have you challenged traditional notions of: collection, instruction, reading, space/design, budget, walls, rules, and especially expectations? In honor of School Library Month, please help by adding […]

School Libraries Can Now Access Over 17,000 Ebook Penguin Titles through OverDrive

Penguin Ebooks Return to OverDrive, Go National on Axis 360

What was now only available to public libraries is now open to school libraries. Beloved authors—including Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, John Green, and many others—are now at school libraries’ fingertips.
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