Tag Archives: Librarianship

Free Monthly Webcast Series Specifically for School Librarians!

Photo by Litworld
Photo of Shannon Miller by Litworld

If you attended the summer MEMO leadership event and/or the MEMO Fall Conference last year you heard Shannon Miller talk about our role to “be the change.” School Library Journal recently began a series of monthly webcasts hosted by Shannon. Supposedly, your attendance at each of the one hour free webcasts will unleash the library leader in you and will inspire leadership at every level!  Learn strategies from the experts to help you take the lead through effective communication, collaboration and execution. You will gain valuable skills to help shape your professional future as well as the future of your library, school and community.

Go to http://www.slj.com/BeTheChange/#_ to get details on each webcast and to register. Please note that the webcasts are also archived so you can access them when it best suits your schedule.

Recommended EdTech Tool: Quizlet

QuizletThis week CMLE highlights the Quizlet learning site; A clearinghouse of content created by teachers. In its basic form, the subject matter is presented as a virtual flashcard that allows the content to be read and/or spoken.  To capture the attention of various types of learners (visual, verbal, etc.), the learner may select how the content is arranged-image only, answer only, or both. Then the learner is able to study, test, self assess and even select associated games. As a  teacher, you  may also incorporate tools to embed the content in a presentation to a class, print materials for handouts, etc.

How is this tool relevant to libraries?

Libraries themselves are clearinghouses of information. Media Specialists/Librarians are stewards of this information by assisting learners to both assess and properly incorporate their findings. In the search box on the Quizlet site, I entered the word “library”. Several links appeared. Here is an example of what I found: 16 Basic Library Terms students need to know when using the media center.

How to use this tool?

  • Search for a specific subject in the box located along the top of the site.
  • A list of multiple prerecorded flashcards will appear.
    • Hover over the title for additional information.
  • Click on the link to begin testing out the content provided.
    • Some information is offered in another language.

Remember teachers are free to become content creators as well as users!

A Big Spoonful of Librarian Positivity!

Some rights reserved by Library_Miss
Some rights reserved by Library_Miss

Things are hard in library land right now, we get that! So, if you have been feeling the least bit gloomy about your future as a librarian, you need to read this piece.  It appeared recently in Library Journal, and was authored by Barbara Fister, librarian at Gustavus Adolphus College. Barbara cites ten reasons she loves being a librarian, and it is a refreshing reminder of what is positive and noble about this profession. The post is called Ten Easy Pieces: The Profession of Librarianship.  I hope you come away feeling as hopeful and refreshed as I did. Enjoy!

The State of America’s Libraries is now online!

Special Edition
Special Edition

American Libraries has provided the State of America’s Libraries 2013: A Report from the American Library Association in a new digital format.

This 80+ paged colored publication is filled with informative articles connecting communities to local libraries; mapping changes occurring in the eBook industry; tracking the rise of digital content; the impact of social media; current battles over censorship and much more.  

Click here to view this special edition available only online!

100 Things Kids Will Miss (if they don’t have a Teacher Librarian in their School)!

Some rights reserved by eyllom
Some rights reserved by eyllom

April is a month long celebration of school librarians and their programs!

Use this list as a proactive way to share the merits of school library programming and staffing sometime this month. The list is taken from Standards for the 21st Century Learner by the American Association of School Librarians, suggestions from members of the American Association of School Librarians, and students in the school libraries of the United States. Released by Dr. Nancy Everhart President, American Association of School Librarians May 19, 2011.

Tip: This list would be good to keep on hand in case you need to defend the existence of the media center in the future too!