PASSIONATE ABOUT SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Tag: Libraries (Page 1 of 8)

Resource: Making Your Own Signage

Making Your Own School Library Signage

Signage is one of the most important things you can add to your school library collections to aid access and remove the barriers students might face in trying to access the information they need. Fortunately, you can now purchase a wide range of signage options from school library suppliers, but it can be pretty expensive. I have always made my own signage for my school library collections, using a variety of different tools, software programs and resources, making my signage fully customisable and a lot more cost-effective. Using a few tips and tricks, your signage can look as professional as purchased signage.

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Book Week 2024: Theme Announcement

Book Week 2024: Theme Announcement

The CBCA Children’s Book Week is one of the biggest events in the Australian school library calendar. A perfect opportunity to celebrate Australian children’s literature and the work of school library staff and everything they do to support reading.

Each year, a theme is announced, along with the illustrator who will create the poster and graphics for the theme.

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Book Week 2023: Resources, Links and Ideas

Book Week 2023: Resources, Links and Ideas

Book Week is arguably the biggest event in the school library calendar. Book Week gives us an excuse to celebrate reading, Australian literature, school libraries and the people who bring books to children – from booksellers to school library staff, parents, teachers and beyond.

The theme for Book Week 2023 is Read, Grow, Inspire.

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Professional Learning: ASLA 2023 Designing Dynamic School Library Experiences

Professional Learning: ASLA 2023 Designing Dynamic School Libraries Experiences Presentation

It was so fantastic to be involved with the #ASLA2023 conference. When Anne Weaver invited me to present alongside her on the topic of designed experiences for dynamic school libraries, I jumped at the chance. 

The ASLA 2023 conference had such a wonderful range of presenters and topics and brought together school library staff from all over the country and even from overseas. 

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Ramblings: What’s in a name – school libraries

What’s In A Name? – School Libraries

As Juliet says,

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose 

By any other name would smell as sweet;”. 

Does the same hold true for libraries?

 

What is your library called?

My principal recently asked me what I’d like our school library called and I had the opportunity to rename both my own role and the name of my school library. I had to ask myself if I should I stick with the word ‘library’ or should I look for something else?

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Ramblings: Year 7 Orientation Sessions

Year 7 Orientation Sessions in the School Library

The start of a new year means new incoming year 7 students. For my school, that means a mix of students coming from our Junior School and a large cohort of new students. There is something so fresh and enthusiastic about year 7 students. A mix of nervousness and an eagerness to try things. They get exciting and they are not afraid to share that excitement and I absolutely love working with them. But how do I get them excited about the library.

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Ramblings: Genrefication Myths and Questions Answered

Genrefication Myths and Questions Answered

I was reading a recently published book about school librarianship and was surprised to discover a few throwaway comments about genrefication. It was represented negatively and raised the usual comments you might see on Facebook posts or in email lists, arguing against genrefication. I’ve decided to call out some of these comments and write my responses and thoughts to each of them. I’ve worked in many school libraries that have both genrefied collections and collections in traditional layouts. I am unashamedly for genrefication, but I have also been in schools where we chose not to genrefy some collections. It just wasn’t for the reasons below, and here’s why. 

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Resource: Double-sided bookmarks with Canva

Making double-sided bookmarks with Canva two ways – with templates

Are the students in your school library bookmark mad? Mine are. While you can buy beautiful bookmarks to give out to students, perfect for author visits, book week or special events, I find that most readers, especially the younger students, go through too many bookmarks for me to be able to afford to keep up a steady supply. I’ve always printed bookmarks to have at the circulation desk. The students love picking out a new design, it prevents the dreaded dog earring of pages and they are easy to tie into special events. I used to search online for free printable bookmark designs, and while this did find me some great deigns, I was limited in what I could use.

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Ramblings: 2022 Year in Review

2022 Year in Review

I absolutely love reflecting on the year that has been. I do it with my library with an annual report and I like to keep a bit of a reflection here on my blog. So many posts that I share here are for my own benefit (sorry!!). I know that it helps others, but it’s really handy for me to have a reflection of what I have done (and how I did it), so I can reuse, adapt, reflect and change.

Last year I shared a similar review of the year and it really is amazing reading back over it, looking at what I hoped to achieve in the year ahead and how much has changed in just the past 12 months.

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