NEWS RELEASES  >  JUNE 5, 2020

Pandemic Best Practices

BY SHANNON MAUGHAN, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY


School librarians weigh in on what works and what may lie ahead.

The sudden closure of schools across the country in mid-March and the resulting pivot to distance learning has meant that the role of school librarian has shifted into a whole new gear. Certainly, the picture looks different from district to district and even school to school, but the American Association of School Librarians has been staying in touch with its membership in a number of ways, including a periodic survey that offers a snapshot of what the school librarian’s work looks like during the pandemic. AASL’s second such survey was conducted at the end of April. The information from 975 respondents represents 1,087 schools and more than a million students. We consulted those survey results and contacted some individual school librarians to highlight a range of experiences and best practices.

Craig Seasholes, teacher librarian at Dearborn Park International Elementary School in Seattle, has been hosting two weekly Book Chat sessions during which he invites students and staff to share what they’ve been reading via “60-second lightning book talks.” From that point, he says, “Information goes out in our district Learning Management System, and readers contribute titles in a shared PowerPoint slideshow unique to each session.” The recommended titles are then added to a growing Follett Destiny® Collection. In addition, Seasholes says he attends teachers’ classroom online meetings and “adds [his] ‘3 minutes from Bookman’ presentation highlighting print and online resources appropriate to each class.” He also participates in three Read-a-Rama Virtual Storytimes hosted by Michelle Martin and Rachelle Washington on their site each week…

To Read the Full Article Click Here

Recent News

Follett Content Partners with Florida School District to Help Rebuild Students' Home Libraries Lost in Floods

November 21, 2024

MCHENRY, Ill. & TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 21, 2024 — Despite the widespread destruction and heartache unleashed by the one-two punch of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida communities — such as those in Hillsborough County — are trying to return to a...
Read more

Hillsborough County Public Schools Partners with Literacy Advocate to Help Rebuild Students' Home Libraries Lost in Floods

November 18, 2024

TAMPA, Nov. 18, 2024 — In an effort to rebuild students’ home libraries lost in the floods, Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is inviting community members, businesses, and organizations to participate in a virtual book drive that opened this week and runs...
Read more

Author, Educator Tackle How to Develop a Love of Reading in Students

September 24, 2024

MCHENRY, Sept. 24, 2024 — A leading children’s author and an acclaimed local educator will headline “2024 Educator Night,” presented by Follett Content, which will shine a spotlight on how to instill a love of reading in today’s students.The event, open to...
Read more

Follett Content 'Educator Book Sale' to Back Dolly Parton Imagination Library

September 19, 2024

MCHENRY, Sept. 19, 2024 — Follett Content will hold an ‘Educator Book Sale’ on Saturday, Sept. 28 with proceeds supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) – United Way of Greater McHenry County Chapter. The book sale, being held in...
Read more

Chicagoland Students Receive Back-to-School Gift of New Backpack, Supplies

August 27, 2024

MCHENRY, Aug. 27, 2024 — For Chicagoland elementary school students, the start of a new school year also came with something else: A brand-new backpack, chockful of supplies, courtesy of Communities That Care (CTC) via donations from McHenry’s Follett Content. CTC is a...
Read more

Follett Book eFairs Registration Now Open for PreK-8 Schools in U.S.

July 10, 2024

MCHENRY, Ill., July 10, 2024 — Educators may now schedule dates for Follett Book eFairs, which it was announced last month are returning after debuting four years ago. The new iteration of online book fairs, available to all PreK-8 schools in...
Read more

More articles and releases