Library Management Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Staying Cool in the Library

Library Activities to Make Check-Out Time Run Smoothly

It’s library check-out time, and you’re wishing you had six more arms and three sets of eyes. Between checking out books, figuring out overdue books, and managing other students in the library – it can feel like a full-time job for at least three people. And yet, it’s just you. I wanted to share some library activities that can help check-out time run smoothly. These activities are meant to keep other students busy and on task, while you man the check-out counter. I’ll also give some library activities for students with overdue books, who are unable to check out a new book. #1 Keep a Box of Weeded Out Books When you go through and weed out old books, instead of tossing them or leaving them in the hallway, keep them in a box. During check-out time, allow students to search through the box and find a book they

Preparing for a Virtual Author Visit

Have you ever tried a Virtual Author Visit? Author visits can be so rewarding for students and schools. I still remember the author’s visit from when I was in elementary school! It’s best to have the classroom teacher as well as yourself read the author’s books to the students before the visit. You can do something similar to One School, One Book (or maybe 2 books to make it more appropriate for the age groups.). Schools gain a community feeling around an author that is visiting. Finding an Author Finding an author to do a virtual visit is much easier than finding one who can travel to your school. Below are some websites I found that should help you get started. These include individual author websites and publisher websites. However, doing a Google search for author visits will be the easiest way to find an author. Scholastic Penguin Young

Tips & Ideas for a Positive Book Checkout

Book checkout time can feel like a whirlwind if you don’t have the right procedures in place. But don’t worry because I’ve got you covered! By streamlining this process, you can turn what might be a chaotic moment into a smooth, enjoyable experience for your students. Keep reading to discover my top tips for making book checkout time a breeze and ensuring your students have a positive and fun library experience! Importance of a Positive Book Checkout Checkout time is more than just a routine. It’s a golden opportunity to build strong, meaningful relationships with your students. During this time, our students often share their thoughts on books, seek recommendations, and ask for help finding the perfect read. They might even open up about important events in their lives. This gives you a unique chance to support them both academically and personally. Taking the time to engage in these

How to Manage Centers in the Library with Ease

Managing centers in the school library can seem daunting, especially with an already packed schedule. Let me tell you, I absolutely love having centers in the library! Using centers enhances student engagement while fostering a love for learning and reading. Over the years, I’ve discovered some fantastic tricks that make managing library centers a breeze. Today, I’m sharing my favorite strategies to help you effortlessly bring centers into your library routine and make the most out of every moment. (Note: This post contains affiliate links.) Centers in the Library Are Beneficial To Students’ Exploration Centers in the library are a game-changer for student exploration and learning. When I first started incorporating centers, I noticed an immediate boost in student engagement. These centers give our students the freedom to explore different subjects at their own pace, which fosters a sense of independence and curiosity. I love watching my students dive

5 Effective Time Management Tips to Have as a School Librarian

Do you ever get those questions about whether you’re really that busy all day in the library? I sure do! As we know, librarians are just as busy as classroom teachers. Some days, even more so. Our schedules can be incredibly hectic, with very few breaks and back-to-back classes throughout the day! I’ve been doing this for a long time now, and I’d like to think I’ve learned a thing or two about effective time management over the years in the library. So, today, I’m sharing my top 5 tips to have the best time management skills around. Why Do School Librarians Need Effective Time Management? Let’s discuss effective time management for a second. Effective time management is crucial for school librarians because it directly impacts our ability to support our students and teachers. When we manage our time well, we can handle the diverse tasks that come our

8 Back to School Must-Haves for the Library to Start Off the Year

As summer winds down and we start to get ready for the new school year, it’s that time of year when we begin leisurely searching for back-to-school activities for the library to kick off the year. Let’s make your life easier by setting things up now, so you can stress less and relax more during the back to school madness. Today, I’m sharing some of those must-haves for the library to start the year off right and make your life so much easier! Why Do School Librarians Need to be Ready for Back to School Season? As we know, back to school time in the library is crucial. It’s the perfect moment to set the rules and procedures that will guide the rest of the school year. We start to build relationships with our students, and we figure out schedules. It can get a bit chaotic and crazy, but