Book haul : Little Free Libraries (Fall/Winter 2022)

There are several Little Free Libraries within easy walking distance in my neighborhood. Here are four middle-grade books, plus one book for Young Adults, which I discovered recently.

Book response: ‘Felix Ever After’

I’ve been going through tasks and charting possible titles for Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge for 2023.

Having read and enjoyed Kacen Callender’s middle-grade offerings, King and the Dragonflies and Hurricane Child; reading Felix Ever After seemed a natural choice for prompt #1, “Read a novel about a trans character written by a trans author.”

The author describes Felix Ever After as a “deeply personal story,” one that they “put [their] heart and soul” into, as well as a “strong dose of vulnerability.”

Federal investigation of book censorship in Texas school district

The U.S. Education Department has launched what appears to be the first investigation of its kind, one explicitly tied to a nationwide movement to ban books from school libraries that address sexuality and gender. The investigation concerns a North Texas school district, where the superintendent ordered school librarians to remove LGBTQIA+ books.

Book challenges : Limited awareness outside library profession

Despite “some very high-profile outlets” reporting on efforts to ban books in libraries, “public awareness of this issue is extremely low.” At Knowledge Quest, Steve Tetreault expresses that “book challenge fatigue” hit him all over again when he saw a post to Twitter by account-holder Mrs. Singer.

“I learned over the holiday weekend that laypeople think that a book challenge and a reading challenge are the same thing. Alas, no.”
- Mrs. Singer (@librariansinger), Nov. 28, 2022

Tetreault opines that “[M]ost Americans prefer intellectual freedom, representation, and honesty for all our students. And they don’t realize those preferences are being undercut. Taking a moment to let them know could make a tremendous difference for our students.”

ALA supports Missouri librarians

The American Library Association supports Missouri librarians in opposing administrative rule 15 CSR 30-200.015, which “threatens to diminish library programs and services for all Missourians.”

Happy winter break!

I hope that everyone has a joyous and restful winter break, and I look forward to seeing everybody in a brand new year, in January 2023. Special thanks to our parents’ group, SACO, which purchased beautiful T-shirts for school staff.

Hiding books : Don’t be that person

What do these books all have in common? I found every one of them hidden in the library. Students, please don’t be the selfish person who hoards books and hides them from other readers. If there is a book you’d like to borrow that you cannot currently check out, you can ask me to place it on hold. And adults, please help to reinforce good library citizenship. Thank you.

First-chapter Friday : Flying Lessons (Grace Lin)

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Dec. 16, 2022 is Flying Lessons and Other Stories, featuring contributor Grace Lin.

‘Read harder’ and library reading challenges

I’m reading a couple of adult-interest books (as well as a book for younger readers) in an effort to complete the 2022 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge. I’ll also be counting minutes spent reading for the Winter Reading Challenge through Sonoma County Library. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

First-chapter Friday : Hidden Figures

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Dec. 9, 2022 is Hidden Figures, Young Readers’ Edition, by Margot Lee Shetterly.

Book haul : D&D books!

Students asked for these, and here they are! Dungeons & Dragons manuals, and a couple of graphic novels available at our school library.

Book Riot’s 2022 Read Harder Challenge

Among avid readers, who else has tackled Book Riot’s 2022 Read Harder Challenge? The purpose of these “24 tasks (an average of two per month)” is to encourage readers “to explore settings, characters, formats, genres, and perspectives [they] might not otherwise have tried.”
https://bookriot.com/read-harder-2022/

Here is my list of books to meet this year’s Read Harder Challenge.

First-chapter Friday : Three Times Lucky

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Dec. 2, 2022 is Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage.

Author responds to library threatened with closure

Alex Gino wanted to write a book that reflected transgender youths’ experiences, the sort of book they wished they’d had when they were young. It took them 12 years to write the book, which went on to receive several literary awards, including a Children’s Choice award and the Lambda literary award. Now, in Kansas: the St. Marys City Commission is threatening the existence of a public library for simply having Gino’s book in stock.

UCM’s OverDrive collection

Screen capture: UCM’s OverDrive collection

I’m a dedicated user of the Libby app, which allows me to browse the OverDrive collections of local and regional libraries. Today, I added one more library to my Libby app: the University of Central Missouri and its James C. Kirkpatrick Library. Today’s post on the JCKL blog had information about UCM’s OverDrive collection: more than 1,400 e-books and 150 audio books currently available.

Library location can affect a book’s visibility

During class discussion this week for LIS 5250, one of the ideas that came up was books that formerly sat unused on a shelf suddenly being checked out by students. One thing I took to heart when reading the CREW manual was the idea that it was acceptable to move books to a different (but still relevant) location that got better visibility.

First-chapter Friday : Take the Mic (Darcie Little Badger)

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Nov. 18, 2022 is Take the Mic, a short-story collection edited by Bethany C. Morrow.

Can public support quell harassment of librarians?

As I create my “ideal” collection development policy for LIS 5250, one of the things that resonates with me is, what kind of support can be “built into” the policy for a librarian who is facing attempts to remove books from the library?

Board policies help justify diverse library collections

For Fall 2022, I have been taking a course in developing and managing library collections, LIS 5250, through the University of Central Missouri. The cumulative project for LIS 5250 is to create a collection development policy.

One of our recent prompts for the class asked about serving a diverse population. Was there a component in our library philosophy that mentioned that?

Post-election concerns for libraries

While the November election brought approved funding for some libraries across 16 U.S. states, at least two libraries were “defunded” and now face possible closure following attempts to ban books. EveryLibrary executive director John Chrastka warns that an “effort to tie library funding to censorship efforts is likely just beginning in our country.”

First-chapter Friday : Keeper of the Lost Cities

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Nov. 11, 2022 is Keeper of the Lost Cities, by Shannon Messenger.

‘You can’t know something’s missing if you don’t know it exists’

“‘You can’t know something’s missing if you don’t know it exists. And that, to me, is sort of the greatest tragedy about all of this’” (Albanese, 2022). Young Adult author Mark Oshiro uttered these remarks in regard to the removal of LGBTQIA+ stories from libraries and classroom shelves.

SRCSA library : Appreciation to parents’ group

Today was Pajama Day at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts! Our parents’ group, SACO, does so much to support the school, including yesterday’s Halloween carnival.

Books in Ukrainian and Russian for school library

Our ever-generous parents’ group has purchased some books in Ukrainian and in Russian for the school library.

First-chapter Friday : This is Our Rainbow (Lisa Jenn Bigelow)

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Oct. 28, 2022 is This is Our Rainbow, edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby.

First-chapter Friday : Lety Out Loud

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Oct. 21, 2022 is Lety Out Loud, by Angela Cervantes.

‘Teachable’ aspects of book censorship attempt

Among this week’s assigned readings for LIS 5250, I read an account by Kristin Pekoll, concerning a challenge in 2016 against This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, at Henning Public School in Henning, Minnesota. As highlighted by Pekoll, the challenge brought against This One Summer had several aspects that made it a teachable situation. It concerned a book for older readers in a one-building schoolhouse that accommodated preschool through 12th grade.

Diverse library collections are personal for me

As someone who identifies as both neurodiverse and queer, having access to a diversity of ideas is intensely personal for me, as well as a professional value. During my research for week 10 in LIS 5250, I encountered an op-ed by Erin Iverson, a 16-year-old student at Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla, Washington:

“Representation is vital to everyone. Being able to see yourself in someone and relate to their feelings and experiences helps quell the feelings of isolation and loneliness that accompany many students through their middle and high school years. This is especially true for minority students for whom representation is already in short supply” (Iverson, 2022).

SOLIS presentation for ‘One Campus, One Book’

UCM’s Student Organization of Library and Information Services held its first meeting of the Fall 2022 semester on Oct. 12, 2022. The meeting featured a conversation led by Dr. Amanda Harrison, assistant professor of library science at UCM; and Angie Wiegers, director of district libraries, North Kansas City; with advice for new school librarians.

‘Read with Pride’ book display

For the ninth week of my studies in LIS 5250, my task was to showcase some resources of my library’s collection. To paraphrase the AASL “standards” (2018), the collection is the center of any library, whether school, public, or otherwise.

Let’s revive ‘One Campus, One Book’ at UCM

Update, Oct. 4: Here is a video that summarizes ideas in this essay.
“One Campus, One Book” is a common reading program that, while listed on the American Democracy Project’s page on the University of Central Missouri website, is currently inactive. I wish to advocate for the revival of “One Campus, One Book” at UCM. I also want to advocate for direct involvement by the graduate studies program in Library and Information Science, by our Student Organization of Library and Information Services (SOLIS), and by James C. Kirkpatrick Library on the UCM campus.

First-chapter Friday : Ancestor Approved (Monique Gray Smith)

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Sept. 30, 2022 is Ancestor Approved, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith.

LIS 5250 : Variety of formats for library collection

Citing the American Library Association’s “Selection and Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, and Academic Libraries,” Kerby (2019, p. 26) tells us that library collections must “Include a variety of resources in physical and virtual formats.” And among its shared foundations, the American Association of School Libraries (2018, p. 98) likewise emphasizes that “The school library provides a collection of resources and materials in all formats.”

‘Gender Queer’ by Maia Kobabe

I was interested in reading Gender Queer primarily because it sounded interesting. As a character in eir memoir, the author seemed like someone I could relate to.

Briefly, according to a description by the publisher, Kobabe started eir graphic novel as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be asexual and nonbinary, while I generally describe myself to be gender-nonconforming. Other terms that I like to apply to myself are “gender creative” and “gender expansive.” I cultivate traits in myself that seem authentic to me, without regard for whether society considers them “male” or “female.”

This graphic novel has also been frequently targeted through book challenges and as someone who envisions herself as a youth librarian, I wanted to acquaint myself with the book and its contents.

Librarian of the Year, 2022 : ‘All library staff’

For “collective support” during COVID-19 and in the face of book challenges, Library Journal selected “All library staff” as the 2022 recipients of its annual Librarian of the Year award. I share this honor with “hundreds of thousands of library staff members—more than 350,000 in the U.S. alone.”

Collection development and patron requests

As a paralibrarian working in a K-8 school library, I have been confronted from time to time with requests: that the library purchase “mentor texts” for a writing program. Does the library carry a particular book? A teacher’s students need biographies of people who exhibit a “growth mindset.”

LIS 5250 : Do I jump on ‘non-print bandwagon’?

As part of my studies for Week 5 of LIS 5250, I was posed the question of whether I would include digital resources at my library.

First-chapter Friday : Twelfth, by Janet Key

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Sept. 9, 2022 is Twelfth, by Janet Key.

Read-alouds and audiobooks offer similar benefits

A while ago, I came across some observations I really like, from Jim Trelease with The Read-Aloud Handbook. Those observations came to my mind during a discussion of audiobooks for LIS 5250.

LIS 5250 : E-books in libraries

In my readings for Week 4 in LIS 5250, I focused on electronic books, or e-books, in libraries.

First-chapter Friday : Don’t Stand So Close to Me

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Sept. 2, 2022 is Don’t Stand So Close to Me, by Eric Walters.

What formats will library include?

In my ideal library, books will continue to have a place in the library collection. But even there, “books” are not limited to the physical-codex format: eBooks, audio books, read-along story videos — all can all fall within the auspices of a library collection, as can DVDs, CDs, and research databases.

Library collections reflect diversity

In its interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights, “Diversity in Collection Development,” the American Library Association states that “Library collections must represent the diversity of people and ideas in our society” (AASL, 2018, p. 247).

For whom is my library’s collection?

Among our readings this week, Kerby (2019) states that a library needs to know the population that it serves. Whatever its type, this is for whom my library will build its collection.

LIS 5250 : Book selection in my ideal library

In my reflections this week for LIS 5250, I was asked to consider the ideal library environment for which I’d be selecting books and other materials. Brace yourselves, readers, there is “infodumping” ahead. I am neurodivergent and “infodumping” is the autistic language of forming connections (Whelan, 2020).

Book haul : ‘Friends of the Library’ sale, August 2022

I brought home several great books, for kids as well as adult-interest, from the “Friends of the Library” book sale. The next sale will be a big one, so be sure to mark your calendars.

First-chapter Friday : Flying Lessons and Other Stories (Matt de la Peña)

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Aug. 26, 2022 is Flying Lessons and Other Stories (Matt de la Peña).

‘Library contract’ for students to check out books

As part of getting ready for a new year in SRCSA library, I’m collecting responses for the “library contract.” Parents and guardians will acknowledge that their child is responsible for the books they check out. Parents and guardians are responsible for discussing with their child, those books that seem a good fit for them. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

UCM, LIS 5250 : Get to know me

I am beginning a new semester in Library and Information Science through the online program at University of Central Missouri. I produced this slideshow-video with the VoiceThread platform, to introduce myself for LIS 5250, Developing and Managing Library Collections. Audio for the YouTube version was recorded with Screencastify. I also used the Screencastify editing tool to tighten transitions between slides.

First-chapter Friday : The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Aug. 12, 2022, is The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, by Dan Gemeinhart.

‘Young Adult’ materials in library: No more age-based restrictions

Among my communications to school staff this week, was a link to this year’s contract for checking out library books. New this year: I have abolished the permission form for younger children to be able to check out Young Adult materials.

New school year, 2022-2023

Video: The beginning of school is a busy time for me as an Instructional Materials Technician. There’s new curriculum to catalog and barcode, workbooks to sort through and distribute, and outdated curriculum to process for disposal. Please be patient with me, and I hope we all have a wonderful new year. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

‘Diversity advocacy proposal’ for district libraries

For “Cultural Competence for Librarians,” the class I am taking this month through Library Juice Academy, I was tasked this week with authoring a “diversity advocacy proposal” that would help my organization become more culturally competent. My proposal is that my school district purchase award-winning books each year for each of its school libraries.

Book-Talk : Supernatural Investigations (series)

Video review: Supernatural Investigations is an exciting middle-grade fantasy series by author B.B. Alston, a great addition to the “magic school” genre. In addition to offering a magical adventure, the books also touch upon important themes, including race and class prejudice. The first book, Amari and the Night Brothers, is currently available in paperback and the second book, Amari and the Great Game, will be released on Aug. 30. A third book is expected in 2023.

‘Small Town Pride’ by Phil Stamper

Update, Aug. 16, 2022: Recently, I submitted a nomination for this book for the Stonewall Book Award. More information via this video.

I saw this book on display at my community bookstore and it appealed to me as someone who grew up “different” in a small town.

The book centers around Jake, who recently came out and who, as the story opens, is his school’s first openly gay student.

In a show of love and support for Jake, his father hangs a comically large Pride flag in their front yard.

This leads to people expressing that the flag will lead to something “truly outlandish,” a Pride parade in their small town of Barton Springs, Ohio.

Except that Jake doesn’t think that’s a ridiculous idea and, with support from his friends and family (as well as from unexpected places), he decides to hold Barton Springs’ first-ever Pride celebration.

Collaboration between libraries

Identification of partners, collaborators, and resources is an important aspect of a “Library and Community Analysis.” The local public library is where I can make referrals in instances when my library is not equipped to meet a particular need.

‘Library and Community Analysis’

This week, in my course through Library Juice Academy, I was tasked with creating a “Library and Community Analysis.” One aspect of that analysis was to describe services and resources that the library provides to meet the needs of diverse individuals.

‘Who am I?’ (Library Juice Academy, ‘Cultural Competence for Librarians’)

I wanted to produce at least one video for the class I am taking through Library Juice Academy, “Cultural Competence for Librarians.” So I decided to make a video that addresses the question that was posed to us this week, “Who am I?”

‘Ballad & Dagger,’ by Daniel José Older

Ballad & Dagger, by Daniel José Older, combines supernatural adventure with political intrigue among a diaspora community of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews which have made a new home for themselves in Brooklyn after their island community of San Madrigal sank into the sea almost 16 years ago.

The story centers around Mateo Matisse, a high-school student and gifted musician who, when the story opens, is only concerned with gaining the attention of Gerval, a famous musician with local ties. Mateo gets much more than he bargained for, however; when he witnesses a brutal murder committed by a person he thought he knew.

Developing cultural competence

This July, I embarked on a professional class through Library Juice Academy, “Cultural Competence for Librarians.” This week, students were tasked with introducing themselves.

Letter supporting Pride displays in libraries

Someone removed all the books from a Pride display at the Rohnert Park library. In solidarity with Sonoma County Library and with other local libraries that help users to #ReadwithPRIDE, I submitted this letter to the editor of the Press Democrat. My ground-rule when writing this letter: not to validate a campaign to remove the books, nor the organization spearheading it, through any mention of their names.

Read-aloud update, Summer 2022

Video: Read-aloud update, Summer 2022. Between “First-chapter Friday” previews of new and interesting books, as well as full-length read-alouds of stories in the public domain, I hope that my recordings encourage young listeners’ imagination and vocabulary.

SRCSA library : End-of-school-year video

Congratulations to our promoting eighth-graders for 2021-2022! School is out, but I’ve had end-of-school-year tasks to accomplish. I’m grateful to our school’s parents’ group for purchasing backstops for the library shelves.

Book-Talk : It Sounds Like This, by Anna Meriano

What happens when a high-school marching band’s entire low brass section is suspended? Yasmín Treviño and some of her bandmates volunteer to be part of a replacement low brass section in an effort to save their marching band. It Sounds Like This is a wonderfully representative book for characters with diverse identities and orientations, especially for asexuality.

Review : ‘Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster’

One of the books that I’ve been reading this month (now recently completed) is Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster by Andrea Mosqueda. In this Young Adult novel, Maggie Gonzalez has to choose an escort for her younger sister’s quinceañera.

Maggie’s up against a deadline as part of fittings and preparations for her sister’s quinceañera, but choosing an escort is compounded by romantic feelings that pull her in three directions: toward her best friend Amanda, toward her former boyfriend Matthew, and toward Dani, a new girl at school.

First-chapter Friday : Mañanaland

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for May 20, 2022, is Mañanaland, by Pam Muñoz Ryan.

SRCSA library : Return books for end-of-school-year

The last day for student check-out for this school year was on Thursday, May 5. Please ask students to return their library books, as well as textbooks still out to them from last school year.

First-chapter Friday : The Higher Power of Lucky

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for May 13, 2022, is The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron.

What I’m reading (May 6, 2022)

In this video, I share 3 books that I am currently reading, and 2 books that are on my radar for books I want to read.

First-chapter Friday : The War I Finally Won

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for April 29, 2022, is The War I Finally Won, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

LIS 5100 : ‘Popular’ reading materials

When reading the Rubins’ overview of libraries “From past to present” this semester, I was interested to read about a historical struggle over the place of popular materials in a library: reading, for example, that “Popular fiction has a long tradition of raising concerns about lowering morals” (Rubin, 2020, p. 49).

LIS 5100 : State of America’s Libraries

Each year, I am interested in reading the State of America’s Libraries, an annual report that is produced by the American Library Association. As described by American Libraries (official magazine of the ALA), “[t]he report summarizes library trends and outlines statistics and issues affecting libraries during the previous calendar year. It comes out annually during National Library Week, this year April 3–9” (ALA, 2022).

First-chapter Friday : The Giver

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for April 15, 2022, is The Giver, by Lois Lowry.

Book-Talk : Elatsoe, by Darcie Little Badger

In my latest video book review: With Elatsoe, author Darcie Little Badger has crafted an exceptional #OwnVoices novel that blends mystery, horror, noir, ancestral knowledge, and fantasy. Published by Levine Querido in August 2020, the book has received a long list of accolades. Of special mention is the representation this book provides for an asexual main character, which is seldom depicted in media. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Book-Talk : Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?

As an autistic reader and librarian, I like to commemorate Autism Acceptance Month by drawing attention to a book that features an autistic main character. And with Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? by Leslie Connor, I can actually spotlight two protagonists who are on the autism spectrum. Points raised in this video review can be read, with citations, in my essay of April 3, 2022.

LIS 5100 : Service awards and learning opportunities

In a discussion this week, I was asked to share my thoughts about a professional award for librarians that I could possibly apply for, as well as reflect on a source of continuing education.

First-chapter Friday : Front Desk

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for April 8, 2022, is Front Desk by Kelly Yang.

LIS 5100 : Professional associations

My studies this week for LIS 5100, “Foundations of Librarianship,” included an exploration of professional library associations. I shared the benefits I’ve derived from two association memberships, the American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children.

‘I found a quilted heart,’ #IFAQH

Some of the things that matter most to me are cats and reading / libraries, and I had a walking adventure this weekend that featured all of those things.

‘Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?’ and explicit recognition of autism

April is Autism Acceptance Month (yes, that’s Acceptance, and not just “awareness” of autism [Autism Society, 2021]). To commemorate this observance, I like to draw attention to books that feature an autistic main character. And with Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? by Leslie Connor, I can actually spotlight two protagonists who are on the autism spectrum.

First, a brief summary if you have not read the book: it concerns two sixth-graders, Aurora and Frenchie, who, up until the time of the story, have always been in the same classroom.

Frenchie is nonvocal and intensely interested in birds. Aurora tends to blurt what she is thinking and has struggled with making friends. Early in their lives, they each chose each other as their special person. But as sixth-grade looms, suddenly they will be in separate sixth-grade classrooms. For the first time also, Aurora has been able to make friends with two other classmates.

One day, when circumstances interrupt their routine of going to school and to their classrooms, Frenchie leaves school and goes missing. Much of the book focuses on the logistics of a community search for Frenchie.

LIS 5100 : Reading promotion project

Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts serves a K-8 student population in Santa Rosa, California. I work part-time at the school as a Paralibrarian. (Author note: I work in three positions at the school, which, combined, give me full-time hours.)

The problem
Ours is a community that has suffered compounded traumas, beginning with a devastating firestorm in October 2017, in which “About 900 students and staff members lost their homes and everything in them” (Santa Rosa City Schools, n.d.) We are still in the midst of a recovery that was projected to “take years” (ibid), and each year since, the wildland fire season has brought fresh evacuations to parts of our community.

LIS 5100 : ‘Elevator speech’ for school-library staffing

For LIS 5100 this week, our instructor wanted us to explore Voki’s “Speaking Characters for Education.” Voki is an app that is used in an educational setting, to create animated presentations. It involves selecting an avatar, setting it against a background, and then creating an audio message for the avatar to deliver.

We were tasked with using Voki to create an “elevator speech” about the importance of school librarians. The scenario posed by our instructor was that we encounter a school board member at the grocery store, and this person tells us that the district plans to eliminate the certificated school librarians.

First-chapter Friday : Firekeeper’s Daughter

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for March 25, 2022, is Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley.

LIS 5100 : Exploring the ‘Diverse BookFinder’

Each year, the American Association of School Librarians highlights the “Best Digital Tools for Teaching & Learning,” which are recognized “for fostering qualities of Innovation/Creativity, Active Participation, Collaboration, User-Friendly, Encourages Exploration, and Information/Reference” (AASL, 2021). For my studies this week in LIS 5100, “Foundations of Librarianship,” I was tasked with describing one of these apps. I chose the “Diverse BookFinder.”

First-chapter Friday : Melissa

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for March 11, 2022, is Melissa, by Alex Gino.

LIS 5100 : Labeling systems for books

During class discussion this week, a classmate brought up the experience of having few options for reading while in school because she was an advanced reader who was required to read books that were “at her reading level.” As a youth librarian, I don’t want to be in the position where I have to deny a child a book that “speaks” to them because a rating system has determined it “too easy” for them to read.

SOLIS hosts latest in ‘Conversations’ series

UCM’s Student Organization of Library and Information Services (SOLIS) held the latest in its “Conversations” series on March 3, 2022, featuring Sarah Craig, UCM director of sponsored programs and research integrity.

First-chapter Friday : The Last Cuentista

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for March 4, 2022, is The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera.

LIS 5100 : Extrinsic goal for reading program

Thanks to steady access to books throughout my childhood and teens, today I am a person who loves reading — especially science fiction and fantasy.

LIS 5100 : Collaboration between school and public libraries

As an aspiring youth librarian who works in a school library, I am interested in ways that school and public libraries might collaborate. So as part of my studies, I was interested in reading the Public Library & School Library Collaboration Toolkit. 

First-chapter Friday : The Chance to Fly

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Feb. 25, 2022, is The Chance to Fly, by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz.

LIS 5100 : Libraries and people with disabilities

In discussing the library as an institution, the Rubins address service to people who have disabilities. “The library community has recognized the needs of people with disabilities for many years” (Rubin, 2020, p. 100), but people with disabilities often face barriers to being able to access services.

LIS 5100 : Diverse populations need diverse library collections

In our reading this week for LIS 5100, Foundations of Librarianship, we learned that the populations and communities we serve are increasingly diverse. The Rubins cite a finding by Frey (2019) that “Hispanics comprise 18.3% of the population; African Americans, 12.5%; and Asians, 5.9%” (Rubin 2020, p. 69).

First-chapter Friday : Starry River of the Sky

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Feb. 11, 2022, is Starry River of the Sky, by Grace Lin.

LIS 5100 : Avoiding student plagiarism

In an assignment for LIS 5100 this week, I was asked to discuss how I’d handle a student plagiarism case. As UCM’s policy on Academic Honesty (2017) points out, “[A]cademic honesty is one of the most important qualities influencing the character and image of an educational institution.”

First-chapter Friday : The Stars Beneath Our Feet

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Jan. 28, 2022 is The Stars Beneath Our Feet, by David Barclay Moore.

LIS 5100 : Digital collections in libraries

Among “Discussions” this week for LIS 5100, Foundations of Librarianship, I responded to a post concerning a fully-digital future for libraries.

LIS 5100 : My vision in the library

For LIS 5100 this week, I have been reading from Chapter 2 of Foundations of Library and Information Science (5th ed.), by Richard E. Rubin and Rachel G. Rubin. Reading the Rubins’ analysis for the past and present of libraries, I was particularly interested in their treatment of school libraries, because that is the setting in which I presently work.

Book-Talk : Harriet Tubman’s Secret Raid

Video book review: I received Finish the Story! Harriet Tubman’s Secret Raid, by Jeffrey Bensam, for Multicultural Children's Book Day 2022. This interactive story lets readers relive a real Civil War mission, in which the Union Army, led by Harriet Tubman, freed more than 700 slaves. It lends an exciting dimension to learning about U.S. history, as readers help with navigating mazes, finding clues, and solving puzzles.

UCM, LIS 5100 : Introductions

The purpose of this video is to introduce myself to classmates in LIS 5100, Foundations of Librarianship, University of Central Missouri. I am pursuing a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science.

First-chapter Friday : Merci Suárez Change Gears

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Jan. 14, 2022, is Merci Suárez Change Gears, by Meg Medina.

SRCSA library : Kids’ Book Choice Awards

Video: The Kids’ Book Choice Awards program is the only national book award voted upon solely by young people. You will find many of the 2021 award winners and finalists in SRCSA library.

First-chapter Friday : Ways to Make Sunshine

Each Friday I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from our school library, with the SRCSA community. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Jan. 7, 2022, is Ways to Make Sunshine, by Renee Watson.