Why are School Libraries Important for Student Success?

School libraries are essential to learners; they provide the foundation to student learning and help students achieve their goals. In order to combat the decrease in school libraries, we must advocate for their existence and funding and demonstrate how eliminating them negatively impacts our schools, students, and communities.  

Jobs of the Modern School Librarian

 A modern school librarian’s day is filled with more than you can imagine—you might be surprised to hear about what is included in their jam-packed schedule! 

School Librarians vs Media Specialists

We are all in this together: Finding growth and gratitude in the midst of COVID-19

 JLG General Manager Sean Lockwood reflects on the disruption of COVID-19 and what an honor it has been to stand shoulder to shoulder with our incredible library partners as they respond to the impact of the novel coronavirus and rapidly move their on-campus instruction to remote teaching. 

Countdown to summer reading

It’s time to get ready for your summer reading program! With this year’s theme celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and the moon landing, we’ve got lots of ideas for you to make this the best summer yet. Launch into a summer of space with great books, STEM activities and display ideas.

Best STEM Books 2016 @NSTA

'Tis the season for announcing all manner of booklists. The National Science Teachers Association released its Notable Trade Booklist and this year they present, Best STEM books. According to readers and publishers, interest in such a list has been "off the charts." Read More

Tech Tuesday: Using Video in Social Media

You can teach an old dog new tricks! Woof! Woof! Yesterday Kayleigh and I played around with video on social media. It was Christmas sweater day, so I brought out my Mrs. Claus outfit. Nostalgic for winter booktalks with my kids, I did my first Facebook Live. How hard was it to shoot live? Read More

Tech Tuesday: Be a Better Google Searcher

How do we revitalize research in a world that thinks everything can just be Googled? The truth is that much information CAN be Googled. How good they are at Googling is another question. Our job then is to teach them how to use digital resources efficiently, effectively, and ethically. So just how do we do that? Read More

Three Cool Online Tools for Engaging Presentations

As I polished my Presentation Tools for the 21st Century workshop this morning, I also updated the 101+ (Mostly Free) Online Resources LiveBinder. With the ever-changing world of presentation tools, it seems impossible to keep up. However, AASL just released their new list of Best Websites and Apps for Teaching and Learning. There you'll find a crossover of tools that are both website and apps. These vetted tools will help you whittle down the options. I, myself, am venturing out from PowerPoint and using one of last year's tools for most of my presentations. It's called Haiku Deck. Read More

Fill Up Your Digital Toolbox: Resources

This month I published an article in Principal magazine, "Fill Up Your Digital Toolbox." Based on the idea that flipped learning requires digital tools to be used at home, the article begins with one key element: Evaluate your library program. From having enough staff and money to evaluating databases and whether teaching time is provided for their instruction, I think you'll find the article to be a good talking tool for a conversation with your shareholders. The key to a good flipped learning program is not the tools themselves. It's the outcome of using them. We shouldn't use apps just to be using apps. Just like in the movies, what is our motivation? Read More

Tech Tuesday: Creating a JLG Wish List

I'm working on a new Books for Boys and Anyone Else Who Likes a Great Book workshop, when it occurred to me: What if I had a wish list at JLG? Then I could easily add titles as I read them. Then, JLG (meaning Jeanette) could create a new list under our Themed Lists page and make it easier for you to shop for them after attending a workshop. Then I thought: I should make a video about how to create a wish list. Maybe some members don't know how. What about you? Are you using the Wish List feature? It's so easy to create and use a wish list. Read More

Tech Thursday: 101+ (Mostly Free) Online Resources

As I was polishing my presentations for NHSLMA (New Hampshire School Library Media Association) annual conference in Concord, NH this week, I found a theme: they are all technology. I'm doing the ever-popular Using Social Media to Market Your Library, Using Technology in Your Library, and Online Resources. I made a few changes to the social media session and then began to work on the other two. Enter heart-stopping moment. You know the website I wrote you've been using forever? 101 Best Web Resources? The company that hosted it pulled the plug in March. I knew it was coming. I had a year to regroup. Now the time had come to make a new plan. What to do? Read More

JLG Book Trailer Contest Winners!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a book trailer for our contest. There were so many great entries. We were impressed with the creativity of the entries and the time and energy put into the finished videos. Librarians across the country have voted, and we have winners. Congratulations! Keep reading to see who won and watch their videos. Read More

Tech Tuesday: Book Infographic

While pinning things you should know from my email, I was reminded that May is National Pet Month. Wouldn't it be fun to have an infographic about 9 Books about Pets for Celebrating Pet month? You see those graphics all the time on Pinterest. What are people using? Can I do it in Word? Would a table be better so the holes are filled? I asked my graphic designer, but she's a Mac girl, and wasn't sure Word would let me do it. Determined to find an answer, I opened a new Word doc. Here's what I learned. Read More

PPP Irving ISD: Ensuring Diversity in Your School Library Program

What is diversity? Is it race, gender, ethnicity, ability, or culture? Is it all of the above and more? If we work with diverse students and patrons, shouldn't our teaching strategies, programs, and literature collection be a reflection of our community and beyond? Librarians are faced with the challenge of linking these students and arming them with tools for life beyond academia. Read More

The Dangers of Reading Near a Computer

As Leslie and I get ready for our next webcast--you have signed up for it?-- I'm trying to read her choices and research all 30 books for the Spring LiveBinder. Today's book of choice is The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox. First of all, it has a creepy cover that screams the answer to "Where are the scary books?" Dozens of rooks swarm the castle's towers while a tiny beam of light streams from the narrow doorway far below. There's nothing except that small glow that remotely indicates that the children are welcome there. Glad the light is on in my office, I plunge into the book where I first encounter a drawing of what appears to be a charm holder. Read More