School Library System Updates
April 2022
School Librarians' Essential Role Recognized by Education Organizations
The full text of the resolution can be found by logging into the NYSUT site, or by email request from Sue.
Additionally, the International Literacy Association just published a Literacy Leadership Brief entitled "The Essential Leadership of School Librarians."
Both of these statements demonstrate a recognition of the complex and multi-faceted role of school librarians, including in the realm of developing responsive collections that are appropriate and accessible for all students.
(Summer) Program Mini-Grants Available!
- Public Collaboration Mini-Grant AND Program Mini-Grant
Of course, your local public might also be interesting in hosting you for a single storytime this summer, even without a grant. Your students will be excited to see you, and your presence might even entice their families to become public library users!
Reminder: FInal eBOOKS Orders for Supplementals & $1/Student Due! (Yesterday)
Lots o' Professional Opps in the Next Few Months!
From our April and June School Librarian Professional Learning/Communication Coordinator meetings (taking place at VVS M/HS & Hamilton HS Libraries, respectively), to the middle school and a high school book clubs moderated by our peers, there are some great upcoming opportunities to learn and share together! (...And, don't forget the LAS-hosted Virtual OPALS User Group meeting on May 4!)
By clicking on the individual entries in that calendar, the descriptions will expand and the MLP registration links will become visible.
Mark your calendars!
- ILLS cut-off date. The last date to loan ILLs is Friday, May 27
- The Computer Science Standards Awareness training for district teams (school librarians recommended to be included) will take place on Monday, July 11.
Featured Titles from the SLS Professional Collection
Camp Summer Read
We Got This. by Cornelius Minor
Lessons Inspired by Picture Books
Our school library visits continue!
Amy @ Hamilton CSD
Emily @ ER Andrews Elementary
Shelley @ McConnellsville Elementary
Not One, but Two! ARPA Grant-Funded Projects!
If you or a teacher of your has a request for a local/national history topic that we can focus on (and aggregate digital downloadable resources for) please email Sue or Cathi!
SLS DEI Resource Project: Diverse Digital Audio & EBooks Titles Now Live on SORA! The SLS also was awarded ARPA funds to build a more diverse digital regional collection. Many of you responded to the survey we sent out about making our collection more responsive to your students' varied needs and interests. As you know, the survey was nuanced, thinking about everything from underrepresented minorities, student interests not reflected in the collection, to representation within genres, e.g., not enough fiction about girls in sports? Thank you - your input was so valuable! As Cathi noted in her most recent SORA newsletter (4/1), we were able to purchase 89 new audiobooks and 199 new ebooks. The collection can be viewed from the SORA homepage under the heading "New DEI Titles!"
***The Madison-Oneida SLS "Quick Connections" for Local History website and DEI Digital Collection project are supported with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Why Should You Attend the SCD Summer Conference?
- Because our keynote presenter, Cornelius Minor, is an inspiring and thoughtful educator who will refresh your outlook and sense of purpose. (Backstory: I first saw him at the NYC SLS & Ed Department's Equity conference two years ago, and was excited to share information with the SCD team...and now he's coming to Vernon Downs!)
- Because our other keynote presenter, Brian Mendler, is equally as inspiring!
- Because the topic is student motivation, connection, engagement, which is applicable to all of us educators.
- Because the afternoon breakout sessions, from play-based learning to classroom management routines to equity & LGBTQI students, will be chock full great ideas and practices
- Because Cathi and I will be there with a "petting zoo" of a variety of new, hands-on kits (and you're welcome to hang with us.)
- Because, despite the fact that the conference has a registration fee, M-O component district school librarians can apply for a CTLE mini-grant to cover it. (But check first with your district, they may also have some Teacher Center grants already allocated and available.)
Please see this conference flyer for more information and let me know if you have any questions!
SLSA Hosting May 13 Collection Development & Policy Workshop w/Dr. Barbara Stripling & Others
SLSA is hosting a full day webinar on School Library Materials Selection & Reconsideration policy, as described previously in a 4/13 email from me. There will be some outstanding speakers, including lawyer Stephanie Cole Adams and Dr. Barbara Stripling; all educators and administrators are invited to attend. It will take place Friday, May 13.
If you are interested in attending, please email Sue directly.
Have a great week!
Madison-Oneida School Library System
Email: sleblanc@moboces.org
Website: www.moboces.org/sls
Phone: 315-361-5663