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DEED is beginning the process of reviewing and recommending Library/Information Literacy content standards, which were originally adopted in 1999. The process will involve writing and review committees who will work collaboratively online to develop new standards. There will be no face to face meetings and compensation will be in the form of one continuing education credit from UAA. Most of the work will be done over the summer. DEED intends to present the standards to the Alaska Board of Education by winter 2019; adoption would be finalized by spring 2020. Applications due May 7, 2019 to Janet Madsen, School Library Coordinator ([email protected]). CLICK HERE for APPLICATION and HERE for detailed information sheet.
By Julie Doepken
One of the best parts of attending any large library conference is the BOOKS! Everywhere, BOOKS! After attending AASL twice, I had an idea what to expect regarding access to advanced reader copies (ARCs) and giveaways, and ALA Midwinter was much the same. In fact, it felt a little like *the* place to be to see up and coming titles and series. Perhaps that was because of the buzz of anticipation over the Youth Media Awards and knowing attendees were on the search for the newest, best books for their libraries. No matter where you looked, publishers had myriad books on display. Their reps were ready to answer questions, offer an ARC of a particularly inviting title, or encourage you to pick up and see for yourself if a book would meet the needs of your library. You could start a conversation with just about anyone within earshot, comparing notes on books already read, books waiting to be read, or books newly discovered, or give or receive a book recommendation. As the exhibit hall opened, conference goers flooded through the doors and those wonderful free tote bags were soon filled with books. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE By Deborah Rinio
Like any field, research into school libraries helps inform librarians on the newest trends, methodologies, and thinking around school library practice. Trade publications such as School Library Journal and Voice of Youth Advocates contain articles and advice from practitioners and are definitely useful, but they rarely contain research reports and are not peer-reviewed. Taking the time to read the newest research can help school librarians improve their teaching, management, and advocacy by exploring the newest trends and methods in the field. For example, an article on guided inquiry in School Library Journal might focus on the how of the approach; whereas an article on the same topic in School Library Research will explore not only the how, but the why, and the resulting data from the researcher’s study. This additional information can be used by the school librarian in applying the approach to their own circumstance, as well as making a case for the approach to teachers and administrators. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE Get Booked! How to Make the Most of Children and Teen Author Visits in Libraries, School Libraries and Classrooms
By Julie Doepken A group of six authors and librarians shared tips and insights to encourage attendees to arrange author visits for their school or library. The session was an informal panel discussion, guided by a moderator who asked questions of the authors. There was a brief Q & A at the end as well. One of the first questions asked was why even go to the effort and expense to arrange an author visit. The answers varied slightly, but most of the authors viewed visits as a way to model writing as a vocation. One author suggested that visits help to ‘humanize’ authors, to make them regular people and therefore presents writing as something that could be attained by any student as well. Another author shared that visits could get students excited about writing in a way that regular classroom instruction could not. Author visits are a unique way to get students to engage with literature. As far as preparing for an author to come, all of the authors agreed that the host school or library must prepare the audience by sharing as much information about the author as possible before the visit. Share the author’s books, tell about the author’s background. If students do not have a sense of who the author is, it is much more difficult for them to connect with the author once the author is there. One author shared that a visit went quite awry because the students had no idea what books that author had written. By laying some groundwork, the visit should be much smoother. By being super positive and by advertising well, a host librarian or teacher can make it feel as though a celebrity is coming, making the visit highly anticipated and more well attended. The panel advised potential hosts not to hesitate to reach out to publishers and ask questions. Find the author’s website and peruse it for information that will help set up a potential visit. Do some homework to know if the author’s fees are affordable. If it appears that cost will be a factor, seek out grants or PTA funding. See if the event can be connected with another library. And, a large number of authors will Skype for free or a reduced fee. Kate Messner has a great list of authors who will Skype for free. It may not be the perfect option, but one author on the panel shared several Skype success stories, with the visit being more focused on one aspect of writing or the author’s books. The authors acknowledged the fees may feel expensive, but that in the end, it is worth the cost to bring an author to a school or library. Throughout the discussion, it was quite evident that the authors enjoy author visits and use them to energize student learning and encourage future writers. There may be a lot of paperwork involved, but in the end, fighting for ways to better engage students is worth the work. |
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September 2019
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