Category Archives: School Media Specialist

Guest Blogger, Materials, School Media Specialist

CMLE Mini Grant Report: Jill Schmitt Osmo Kits

Osmo kits in action!

This is a guest post from Jill Schmitt, Tech Integrationist at Holdingford Public Schools. Need a Mini Grant to purchase materials or try an interesting new program at your library? Apply today! 

At Holdingford Elementary School we are continually looking for ways to engage students in higher order thinking skills. Though this can be done in a multitude of ways, we know that students are especially motivated when technology is involved! We are keenly aware of the potential negative effects of too much screen time on brain development and try to make sure we are providing quality, purposeful instruction through the use of devices. After exploring a variety of tools, we decided to give Osmo kits a try and couldn’t be happier with the results!

With the help of a generous mini-grant from CMLE, we purchased several Osmo kits focusing on numbers, letters, and shapes. Initially, we believed the use of these apps would be beneficial for primary students as they navigate the concepts of print, decoding, and problem-solving. However, we quickly discovered that our older students could appreciate the shapes app to develop spatial reasoning skills. More importantly, our students were eager to collaborate with classmates to solve problems and communicate results leading to deeper learning for all.

A huge thank you to the CMLE for making these learning opportunities possible at Holdingford Elementary School!

Academic, Books, School Media Specialist

Applause for South Carolina’s Principal Eppelsheimer!

As a profession, we stand firmly against censorship of books and ideas. We oppose people burning books in parking lots, people suggesting “well…couldn’t we find something nicer to read?,” books being taken out of a classroom because they might give readers “ideas” (gasp!), and every other type of overt or covert censorship.

It’s enshrined in our code of ethics; scroll down – it’s #2, just after our focus on service to all.

People who know nothing else about library staffers know this: We share books, we share ideas, and we do it for everyone.

But it’s easy to say that, and it’s a lot harder to make that idea a reality. A school library person needs support from the community, including the administration.

So, our admiration and applause goes out to the teachers who assigned a variety of books to students in South Carolina’s Wando High School – because reading books about people not exactly like you is a great way to learn new ideas and develop empathy for other people.

And we add a burst of applause and admiration to the school’s principal, Sherry Eppelsheimer, for supporting these teachers in the face of some pretty fierce opposition!

We aren’t alone here: the S.C. Association of School Librarians gave Eppelsheimer its Intellectual Freedom Award!

From the Post and Courier newspaper: “Wando High School found itself in the spotlight last summer after English teachers sent students home with a list of summer reading options that included “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas and “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.

Both books involve police brutality or shootings of civilians, echoing similar stories in the news.

The president of the Charleston-area Fraternal Order of Police chapter, Tri-County Lodge No. 3, went on television news to complain about the books, which he said instilled “almost an indoctrination of distrust of police.””

Yes: it seems so obvious. NOT reading about problems does not make problems go away, or make them better. Of course. But this is the perpetual call of the censor, the people who want to hide from ideas that are new and maybe uncomfortable. When that call comes from otherwise respected members of a community, or people with authority, it can almost sound like it’s a good idea.

So it’s wonderful to see that not only did this principal support her teachers and students, but that the library profession gathered to support her! It’s the best way to overcome bullies, and foolish ideas: We are stronger when we work together!

At the award ceremony, Eppelsheimer was shown a video of thanks from the authors of these books. ““From the bottom of my heart, thank you — not so much for fighting for my book, but for fighting for your students,” Thomas said. “At the end of the end of the day, this is what this is about. This is about making sure that all kids get books where they can see themselves or they can see others, whether or not it makes the adults in their lives uncomfortable.”” Check out the video on their Facebook page!

““Dr. Eppelsheimer is an advocate for teachers and students,” Wando teacher Lucye Magill said in a press release from the district. “One of her main priorities is to make sure that our teachers feel supported in their choice of curriculum. She trusts and respects the instructional decisions of her teachers.”

Both books were recipients of the Coretta Scott King Award, and “The Hate U Give” was a national bestseller before it was adapted for a film released last fall. The American Library Association, which tracks public challenges and bans of books, placed “The Hate U Give” on its top 10 most challenged books in 2017 list.“


Materials, School Media Specialist

Does your school have library fines? Let’s consider deleting them!

A Library Primer illustration fine slip

Library fines have their place. In theory, they keep people returning materials on time, they provide a little money to the library, and they give a little punishment.

But the key word there is “little.”

I was absolutely horrified last week to read about a student in high school who had lost a book in KINDERGARTEN and never allowed to check out another book from her schools!

KINDERGARTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The extent I was enraged over that can hardly be quantified here! (I kicked my desk, for some perspective.)

First thought: This is beyond horrible. (I struggle here to keep the profanity from my typing – and would like you to know this is a struggle!) If you have a library that stops kids from checking out books if they lose one – talk to me. I will work on a way to get the book replaced and fines cleared up.

We do no one any benefits from banning them from checking out books!

But, there are too many stereotypical library people. Crabby Little Old Ladies (regardless of age and gender) – people who relish the joy of telling people No! You Can’t! Stop!

These people are an embarrassment to our profession. They are a disgrace. They are a stain on the joy of sharing information that is the foundation of our profession. If I have the chance to spit on their shoes – I will.

We are a profession of Yes! How can I help you! Here – please take these materials! What else do you need?

So we are sharing an excerpt from AASL, to give you some ideas about your school’s library fines. If you want to think through it all, please call us! We can help you set up a policy that will help to work through the different needs you need to serve.

More Support for Ending
School Library Fines

By Mica Johnson

A couple of blog posts ago I wrote that I was evaluating my stance on school library fines. Since then my co-librarian has warmed up to the idea, and we’ve been planning how we are going to phase out fines. I also started working with the ALA working group Resolution on Monetary Library Fines as a Form of Social Justice.

This ALA appointment comes at an interesting time for me since my co-librarian and I are actively assessing our stance on fines and trying to figure out the best way to implement this new policy. Fortunately, our administration is supportive and even though I don’t have the answers to all of his questions, our principal is willing to let us figure it out.

For librarians who are thinking about ditching fines, what kinds of information/resources do you think would be most beneficial to your efforts? For instance, our principal asked us to write a proposal and policy on removing fines. I would be very interested to read some library fine removal policies already in place.

Something else I think would be useful for me is seeing specific examples of fine removal in school libraries comparable to the size and population of our school library. Our school is fairly large, and solutions/strategies that work in smaller schools don’t always work for us. Being able to see what fine removal looks like in real life for a wide variety of libraries could help with troubleshooting and the practical application of a fine removal policy.

For those who aren’t really sold on the idea of ending library fines, what would you need in order to reassess your stance? My co-librarian wasn’t excited about ending fines. She felt like late fines motivated students to return books, and removing fines removed an opportunity for real-world lessons about accountability. What changed her mind was the combination of Googling some articles and the student who told us he wasn’t going to check out a book because he was worried about having late fines and getting in trouble with his parents.

Our administration didn’t need much convincing, but we did utilize information we found in several articles documenting success with ending library fines. Having easily accessible information and resources on ending library fines in public and school libraries could make it easier to increase enthusiasm for removing library fines.

For anyone who hasn’t really considered removing library fines, now could be the right time to reevaluate your library’s policy. My co-librarian and I never thought about ending fines until one day we realized our main reason for having late fines was that’s how it had always been done. We’d allowed ourselves to become stuck in a pattern, supporting a practice we had never questioned. Once we understood it as an accessibility issue, we began to dissect our fine/fees policy and assess the reasoning behind it.

Goals for the Resolution on Monetary Library Fines as a Form of Social Justice working group include creating/curating resources and information supporting and encouraging libraries to end library fines. As school librarians/stakeholders, what kinds of resources would help you support ending library fines–specific school library examples, stats, an infographic? Have any thoughts for or against ending library fines? I’m curious to know how other school librarians feel about ending library fines.

Programs, School Media Specialist

Book Fair–Bane or Blessing?

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Kolkata Book Fair 2010 4354

A lot of our schools have book fairs. We offer no opinions on them, but pass on an interesting take on the subject, from the AASL.

Are book fairs good for your school? Are they helping your library? We are available to discuss them any time with you.

By Elizabeth Kyser

My book fair is coming in a few weeks. I may be in the minority, but it is not my favorite week of the year. Not even close. This is not a reflection at all on the vendor I use for the book fair nor my local representative of that vendor. Both are wonderful and helpful.

I dislike the book fair because I dislike why I have to do it. What other profession has to raise money for the very supplies they require? Surgeons don’t have to raise money for scalpels. Accountants don’t have to raise money for computer software. Yet, schools and school libraries are forced to beg for what we need. I dislike the book fair because I work at a high-poverty elementary school. When you work at such a school, it can be heartbreaking to have a book fair with literally thousands of dollars in inventory and so many kids can’t afford to buy ANYTHING. Yes, I know we can request bargain books and I do. But the parents have to be able to afford the bargain books and value books in general, and often, they cannot. I dislike seeing my students cry over books they can’t purchase–the very thing I strive to put in their hands for free, year round.

I dislike the book fair because it is exhausting. I consider myself to be a very hard worker and I truly love my job. I love talking about books and getting kids excited about them. That kind of exhaustion is okay–at least I hope I am making a difference at the end of each day. The book fair does not make much of a difference in my kids’ lives in the long term. It is tiring to handle the money, inventory, parental concerns, wish lists, and so forth…and still keep my fixed schedule of 30 classes a week.

I still have two book fairs each school year. The reason is why you all do them, too. I simply have to in order to have the quality, library-bound books that my students need at our library. My library budget is not the lowest in my county nor the largest. It is a decent budget and I am grateful for it. However, the budget alone is barely enough to keep up with lost and damaged books, let alone purchase new and exciting titles. My students in high poverty often have chaotic lives. Books get lost in a move or damaged frequently due to transiency. Last year, I weeded thousands of books in my collection. Weeding has many benefits and one of them is that it shows what your collection is lacking. To purchase books that my collection needs requires money. So a book fair becomes an unfortunate necessity.

Because book fairs are not going away, I have made changes that help me keep my sanity and raise some money. I no longer have any browsing days. I have the book fair for one week Monday through Friday. I stick to my fixed schedule. If kids forget money on their library day, they are always welcome to shop at any time that week with their teacher’s permission. We have a two-hour evening family event and although I wish I could have food trucks, a storyteller, and other fun things on that night, it is not feasible with my school community. I keep it low key but fun, too.

It is sometimes difficult to hear my colleagues at other schools across the country say how much money they raise. They are very lucky, indeed. Does my school library suffer as a result? I hope not and I try very hard to make sure it doesn’t. As one of my favorite books says, “I never want to look at my students and see dollar signs.” Still, more money means author visits, new makerspace equipment, and more books, for sure.

When I have my book fair in a few weeks, I will look forward to the child whose face lights up when they purchase a much-wanted book or when they can buy a pencil or a poster. Although they don’t know it, I depend on these positive interactions to get me through the week. Every little penny adds up and I hope to make enough to add to our ever-growing graphic novel collection.


School Media Specialist

What do newbie school media center people need to know?

2 Comments
McMillen High School Library

CMLE has over 200 member libraries, and we know they are all doing great work!! (Really! We’ve visited a bunch of them to admire it, and it’s always so cool!!)

A big part of our mission is to support our members. We want to get as much of the administrative/policy/back-stage kinds of things done for them as a group as possible. Library staffers are best utilized spending most of their time with their community (face to face or online), not working on the tedious stuff. We can’t take away all of that (sorry!), but we want to see what we can do as a system to make it easier for our library people to get away from that and spend more time with patrons.

One thing we are working on is a “Hello! Welcome to Your New Job In A School Media Center!” handbook. (The name is, obviously, still a work in progress. Send suggestions!)

We have some ideas, and have been gathering thoughts from school library people – but we want to know what YOU know! What do you do each day? What kinds of things do you wish you knew your first day, week, month? What suggestions do you have to pass on to your colleagues in school libraries??

Please feel free to send this request (appeal for help!) to any school library people you know! The more ideas we get, the better our end product will be.

(And yes: we are talking about CMLE members, because they are our primary mission – but anything we produce will be available for any school library person to use! We are strong believers in the idea that libraries are all stronger when we work together!!)

Leave a comment below! Email us at admin @ cmle.org! Tweet to us at @CMLELibs! Call us at 320-257-1933!

We would really love to hear from you – no matter what you do in any type of school library! The more info we get now, the better we are able to help!!

Thanks!!