School library reopening during COVID-19 : my thoughts

My thoughts turned this week to pondering how operations could resume at SRCSA library. This proposal that I’ve compiled incorporates social distancing and also addresses decontamination of resources due to COVID-19. Keep in mind, this report consists of my own thoughts, based upon information and best-practices gained through reading and viewing webinars. (Bibliography appears below.) This report should not be treated as authoritative or actionable; rather, I consider it to be a starting-point for dialogue about reopening my school library.

Six Flags Read to Succeed : Wrap-up video

Here is a short video wrap-up for Six Flags Read to Succeed at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. I counted 28 students who have earned a free ticket to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, by logging six hours of reading for fun. Be  sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Science fiction and fantasy can help young readers cope

Here’s an interesting article, via The Conversation, which suggests that reading science fiction and fantasy can help young readers cope and make sense of the world, “especially with the stress and anxiety of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.” As a long-time reader of science fiction and fantasy, I appreciate this perspective by writer, Esther Jones, that “Rather than limiting readers’ capacity to deal with reality, exposure to outside-the-box creative stories may expand their ability to engage reality based on science.”

California Young Reader Medal : Digital resources for nominees

For my latest video: I’ve sourced nominees in the INTERMEDIATE, MIDDLE SCHOOL / JUNIOR HIGH, and YOUNG ADULT categories, California Young Reader Medal. Many are available as eBooks and/or Audiobooks through Sonoma County Library’s OverDrive. Students can use their Student OneCard to access these digital resources.

Book-Talk: Cover reveal for Lauren Tarshis’s latest book

Lauren Tarshis shared the cover-reveal this week, for the newest book in her popular “I Survived” series: I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018. Here’s the first “Book-Talk” in what I hope will be an ongoing series of videos.