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Engaging Ways to Teach Destiny Catalog Skills (And Make Them Stick!)

We have all been there. You gather a class of third or fourth graders on the library rug, pull up Destiny on the projector, and start walking through how to search for books. Within five minutes, half the room is staring at the ceiling, two kids are tying their shoes together, and someone is asking if they can go to the bathroom. Then, five minutes later during checkout, a student comes up and asks, “Where are the dog books?. You remind them that was the search you just showed them! Teaching students how to use the library catalog is an important part of helping them become independent library users. But simply showing students where to click usually isn’t enough. They need opportunities to search, make mistakes, read catalog records, locate call numbers, and actually find books on the shelves. If you use Destiny in your elementary library, these strategies
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Librarian Interview Tips to Help You Ace Your Next Interview

Librarian Interview Tips to Help you Ace your Next Interview.
If you’re gearing up for a school librarian interview, first of all, congrats! Whether you’re stepping into the library world for the first time or looking to move to a new school, preparing for the interview is a big step toward landing a role you’ll love. I remember how nerve-wracking it felt trying to figure out how to showcase everything a school librarian does, especially in an elementary setting where your day might include teaching research skills, finding the perfect read-aloud, running a book fair, and supporting classroom teachers with resources. That’s why I’m sharing some of my favorite interview tips to help you feel confident and ready when it’s your turn to shine. How I Prepared for a School Librarian Interview When I was getting ready to interview for a school librarian position, I knew I needed to go beyond just showing my love for books. I had
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Improve Library Efficiency with Student Library Helpers

Improve Library Efficiency with Student Library Helpers.
As school librarians, we juggle so much – circulation, shelving, displays, and helping our students find the perfect book to spark their curiosity. It’s a lot to handle and, some days, it can feel like you need an extra set of hands (or five). That’s where library helpers come in! They’re the secret to keeping your library running smoothly while giving students a sense of ownership and responsibility. Whether it’s shelving books or organizing supplies, library helpers can transform your space into a more efficient and welcoming environment. Today, I’m sharing some tips and guidance for how to get library helpers started in your library! Why Library Helpers Are a Game-Changer Having library helpers has completely changed how I manage my library. They don’t just take a load off my plate. They also make the library feel like a shared space where everyone contributes. These student volunteers bring so
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How to Support English Language Learners in the School Library

This image shows a librarian helping a student and says, "How to Support English Langue Learners in the School Library."
When it comes to creating an inclusive library, it’s all about making sure each of our students feels welcome and excited about books. For our English Language Learners, we want the library to be a place where they can comfortably explore stories that reflect their experiences and find resources that support their language growth. My goal is to ensure that every reader, regardless of their language background, feels like the library is their space, too. So, today, I’m sharing some practical ways to support English Language Learners in the school library and help them thrive! Support English Language Learners by Building a Diverse Collection One of my favorite ways to support English Language Learners in the school library is by creating a collection that truly speaks to them. When students see books written in their native languages or stories that reflect their cultures, it creates an instant connection. It’s
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Tips and Advice for a New School Librarian

This image shows a librarian looking at books with two young students and says, "Tips and Advice for a New School Librarian to Take on the Year."
When I first stepped into the role of an elementary librarian, I was brimming with excitement and a hint of nervousness. The previous librarian had left without offering any transition guidance, so I found myself figuring things out on my own. Luckily, I had a wonderful assistant who helped me navigate those early challenges. Today, I’m sharing some tips and advice to help you thrive in your first year as a school librarian. Top Ten Tips and Advice for a School Librarian Looking back on my journey, I realized how invaluable certain strategies were in helping me succeed. With that in mind, I’m excited to share some tips and advice that will hopefully make your transition smoother and your first year as a librarian a fantastic experience. Let’s dive into the essential tips and advice every new school librarian should know! 1. Do Not Make Big Changes A saying
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Completing a Research Project in the Library

Completing a research project in the library can be fun and exciting for our students. Find out how I do that in this blog post.
As a librarian, I love teaching informational literacy to students of all ages. This is such an important skill for our students to learn and practice. And. . . there’s so much more than just the final project. In fact, most of the learning happens before the final project as students learn to find, analyze, and organize information. Keep reading to find out how I facilitate the completion of a research project during library time. We are going to dive right into completing a research project in this post. If you don’t feel you are there yet, check out my post on teaching the research process. That blog post details the skills I teach leading up to the project and how we prepare to dive into a research project. Planning the Research Project Before you begin the research project there are some things you will want to have already
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Staying Cool in the Library is my blog, where I share my passion for fostering a love of reading with children. As a librarian, I believe reading should be fun and accessible to all students. That’s why I share engaging and interactive lesson plans, creative ways to build exciting library collections, and resources to inspire even the most reluctant readers in any classroom or library. Check out my blog posts and products in my store, and join my email list below.

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