‘More than Peach’ by Bellen Woodard

When reading aloud during library storytime, I especially like sharing stories about children who are making a positive difference in the world around them. A great example of this is More than Peach, written by “crayon activist” Bellen Woodard and illustrated by Fanny Liem.

Marketing essential for reaching library stakeholders

My focus this week was thinking about best practices when connecting with library stakeholders. One best practice that stood out for me was the importance of marketing a library’s programs and services. “If the public does not know about the programming and services, how can they use them?” (Velasquez, 2019-a, p. 166).

Welcoming school year ’26-’27 in SRCSA library

At the beginning of a new school year in SRCSA library: Highlights of the new school year so far include class read-alouds in the library’s group-reading area and the arrival of new books.
https://youtu.be/1tqAecPkEtw

‘My Fade is Fresh’ by Grant and Thomas

A new school year is underway in SRCSA library, and I’ve already fielded my first read-aloud request: My Fade is Fresh, by Shauntay Grant.

UCM, LIS 5622 : Introductions

For the nearly 10 years that I’ve worked in SRCSA library, two values that guided me have been creating a welcoming space and promoting a reading culture. I talk about those values as part of a video introducing myself to classmates in LIS 5622, “Library Administration and Leadership” (which I am taking in Fall 2026 via the University of Central Missouri). Watch for a surprise guest appearance by a certain feline!
https://youtu.be/JjVngz0mk9A

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Library slideshow, August 2026

Whenever I go to my downtown public library, a slide-deck of rotating announcements is displayed on a screen as I enter the building. Here is something similar, which I created to display announcements for SRCSA library in August 2026. I used Canva to create the slideshow and while I play it without sound in the library, the version that I’ve posted to YouTube is set to “Ambient Summer” by Mykhailo Kripak (music from the Canva library). The creator has given permission for this music to be used on YouTube.

End of school year, 2025-2026

What an amazing final week of school at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts: with a Pride celebration that united our community, followed the very next day by a Promotion Ceremony for our departing eighth-graders.
https://youtu.be/dGNPPg2g1NE

Recent arrivals in SRCSA library: Books with YA appeal

I recently accepted an invitation to select books from the library of a local middle school that is slated to close. It was a great opportunity to add books to SRCSA library that might appeal to our sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students.

Look for these award-winning books in our library!

As part of curating a library collection that appeals to reader interests, I make a point of following official results for my state’s reader’s choice award. These are books that won a popular vote among young people choosing their “favorites.” Among recent arrivals to SRCSA library, here are the winners, for 2026, of the California Young Reader Medal.
https://youtu.be/mcV9gfBpkQc

Library slideshow, May and June, 2026

Whenever I go to my downtown public library, a slide-deck of rotating announcements is displayed on a screen as I enter the building. Here is something similar, which I created to display announcements for SRCSA library in May and June, 2026. I used Canva to create the slideshow and while I play it without sound in the library, the slideshow on YouTube is set to “Ambient Summer” (music from the Canva library). The creator has given permission for this music to be used on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/PfDKnN3aIvI

Character education: Books about Creativity

For a character-education focus on “Creativity,” here are several books from SRCSA library.
https://youtu.be/7Xoti2X2NGA

Library slideshow, March and April, 2026

Whenever I go to my downtown public library, a slide-deck of rotating announcements is displayed on a screen as I enter the building. Here is something similar, which I created to display announcements for SRCSA library in March and April, 2026. I used Canva to create the slideshow and while I play it without sound in the library, the slideshow on YouTube is set to “Ambient Summer” (music from the Canva library). The creator has given permission for this music to be used on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/5KfuiZ2fatU

Video tutorial: Locating books with the library’s online catalog

Here is a video tutorial about how to use the school library’s online catalog to look for books in the library. I’m asking teachers to consider sharing and reviewing this process with their students because being able to locate books through a library’s online catalog is an important life-skill.
https://youtu.be/Bm5jZz_I1TA

SRCSA library ‘Top 25’ for 2025-2026

What books are students most frequently checking out from SRCSA library?

Most popular types of books in SRCSA library

From among 3,318 circulations so far this school year (from Aug. 16, 2025 to March 9, 2026), what were the most popular types of books checked out from SRCSA library?

Scholastic Book Fair at SRCSA

Scholastic Book Fair took place this past week at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, bringing with it a fresh infusion of new books for the school library. ’Tis now my happy task to prepare these awesome books for use. Appreciation to the many volunteers who made Scholastic Book Fair possible!

Book haul: ALA Youth Media Awards, 2026

Among recent arrivals in SRCSA library: Here are some winners of the 2026 Youth Media Awards, which are presented each year by the American Library Association.
https://youtu.be/vah_Q3FUmqA

SRCSA library: New arrivals in January and February 2026

Here is a slideshow featuring some new arrivals during January and February 2026. This slideshow was created in Canva. Music: Funky House by Nver Avetyan. The creator has given permission for this music to be used on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/SfWuw6RDiFo

Books about Friendship, for Valentine’s Day!

For Valentine’s Day, let’s focus on friendship. Here are several books from SRCSA library that speak to various aspects of friendship.
https://youtu.be/k5DTZ2N3ZO0

Building and promoting a diverse library collection

How effectively am I creating and marketing a balanced library collection that represents the variety among residents of our community? As part of my studies in librarianship this semester, I plan to explore this question.