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Pat Scales fields questions about video read-alouds, the fate of outdated "classic" books, and parents' disapproval of  books about immigration. 

More time, less social pressure, and more flexible scheduling has helped some kids flourish.

From the pandemic and a presidential election, to school boards and systemic racism, SLJ's cover design and illustration helped tell the tale that was 2020.

COVID has changed the way publishers promote books—and how libraries buy them.

Connecticut school librarians applaud the nomination of Cardona, a former public school teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent and the current state commissioner of education.

Give us a snapshot of your 2020 and your hopes for 2021. Happy New Year!

Librarians can promote empathy during virtual story times by modeling open-ended questions, providing parent tips, and encouraging dramatic play.

The CDC recommends teachers and support staff get the coronavirus vaccine in the next round of distribution; the Black Caucus of ALA has put out its Best of the Best 2020 booklist; applications are being accepted for the Library of Congress Librarian in Residence program; and more in this edition of News Bites.

The National Education Association and National PTA released results of a national poll of middle and high school student experiences during the pandemic and made recommendations based on the information.

Curricular bazaar Teachers Pay Teachers has never been more popular. But questions about quality, cultural insensitivity, and plagiarism beg expert guidance. Consider your librarian.  

Children’s book publishers recognized a deep need to help kids through this difficult time and jumped into action with educational and reassuring books about the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was a tough year, but there is always an author, educator, or young person to remind even the most cynical among us that there are reasons to believe better days are coming.

In a time of such fear and division, author Deborah Wiles believes that part of the solution to the anger and worry is to activiely listen to others.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez started a volunteer tutoring program for her district's families who needed help during remote learning. Her campaign office is now expanding on the program, as discussions continue about the possibility of a National Tutoring Corps to combat the academic and economic impact of the pandemic.

Amid the upheaval this year, there were bright spots: Audiobook sales surged, more kids tuned into podcasts, and children’s book sales continued to grow.

Reassigned to a new high school with no library, Toni Winsett is embracing the challenge at Bard High School Early College in Washington, DC, and finding joy in being a school librarian this year.

In an unprecedented year, managing the pandemic dominated attention. SLJ covered the gamut, from publisher policies adjusted to accommodate remote learning, to tips on running a virtual book club for middle schoolers. Despite all, fostering literacy and celebrating great books persisted as key topics of interest for our readers.

The large publishing events with big-name speakers are not coming back when the pandemic ends.

One in four kids tuned in to a podcast in 2020, drawn to stories and discussions about the coronavirus, money, activism, racial justice, and other topics.

Companies continue to respond to the pandemic's impact on educators and students; NCTE is taking proposals for next year's convention; the Educator Jobs Fund Act of 2020 is proposed in the senate; and Simon & Schuster plans new graphic novels for young readers.

When students get books from the school library these days, it looks less like regular checkout and more like holiday package delivery.

As SLJ welcomes submissions for the 2021 School Librarian of the Year, we spoke with the 2020 winner about what she has been up to, including a student "Vote Woke" program.

President-elect Joe Biden's plans include tripling Title I funding, getting mental health professionals into all schools, and helping teachers pay off college loans.

Innovative ways to use technology to keep students engaged and on track during the pandemic.

Fans of Nathan Hale can cross the country alongside the best-selling author this month. With stops from Boston to Honolulu, the virtual tour celebrates Blades of Freedom, book 10 in Hale’s "Hazardous Tales" series of graphic novels.

Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster have extended permissions for online story time and classroom read-aloud videos to March 31, 2021. Publishers can submit their policies to SLJ for inclusion in our COVID-19 Publisher Information Directory.

During the "Trauma-Informed Teaching and COVID" session of the SLJ Summit, panelists discussed students' response to trauma and the importance of educators taking a trauma-informed approach to teaching, especially right now.

Serving on the front lines, engaging with the public, libraries can be a critical asset to mental health.   

The survey showed school librarians using creative approaches to deliver superior library services, leading on tech innovation, collaborating with colleagues, and strengthening relationships with students.

A longtime stalwart is back. Scholastic Book Fairs is relaunching for the pandemic age, with some options.

Tackling a variety of topics important to school librarians and all educators, these presentations, discussions, and panels are available for viewing. 

Four administrators shared ways to connect with families, support and train teachers, and address the gaps laid bare in the pandemic.

At community sites across the city, including San Francisco Public Library branches, the kids who struggled the most during the spring are logging into class and getting time with friends at learning hubs.

The 2020 SLJ Summit finished with a  personal, thought-provoking conversation between Cullors and Tennessee school librarian Erika Long.

To meet the requests of staff, the White Plains School District reached out to a community partner to provide support groups.

As experts continue to try to learn more about the coronavirus and transmission, the REALM Project reports on results of the fifth round of testing library materials.

This is the time to re-make librarianship in the long term. Here's how some leaders are doing it.

Applications are being accepted for a new NatGeo program to fund innovative educators finding solutions during remote and hybrid learning.

A New York City parent and educator who is one of four siblings with school-aged children discusses her family's different options and struggle to make the best choices for their kids for the 2020-21 school year.

Betsy Bird considers reading during a pandemic and how children's books are meeting the crisis.

Here we are. Well into a new school year—sort of. The fall has brought no relief from uncertainty, and we have a ways to go. So we asked, and Jarrett Krosoczka and Jerry Craft were on board to illustrate our October 2020 issue.

Digital book displays help students and patrons find the perfect title.

School Library Journal has garnered two Eddie Awards, one for a cover story addressing the state of publishing for tweens, the second a staff-wide effort to inform and serve readers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remote learning—and finding a new book—is more fun as educators get creative and add a personal flair with their Bitmoji libraries and classrooms.

Educators deliver STEM lessons students can engage with from home. 

How are you supporting college-bound juniors and seniors during the pandemic? Share your experience and help us report on this topic.

Lisa Lucas took to Twitter to share this year's NBA selection process, and reveal a "gutted budget" and need for donations.

The federal government is not releasing information on positive coronavirus cases in schools, but the National Education Association has a new database of reported cases across the country.

Ensuring that all students have access to reading material during remote learning; adjusting expectations for student research; fielding questions about Little Free Libraries.

Revising curricula and using resources from Black Lives Matter at School, the 1619 Project, and more is a key element of addressing systemic racism in education.

AASL, IMLS, and We Need Diverse Books have funding and mentorships available.

Administrators need to make swift decisions based on immediate community needs, not what will look good to funders, mayors, and boards.

Educators greet returning students and ease their anxieties while addressing the COVID slide. 

Returning to materials tested in the first round of research, scientists found the virus remains on hardcover books, paperbacks, a DVD case, and mylar protective book cover jackets longer when stacked.

History teacher Cathy Cluck wanted to make remote learning interesting and fun for her students, so she mapped out an American history road trip, hopped in her car, and taught from where history happened.

Parents, children, and relatives who read together, whether as part of a book club or on their own time, derive multiple benefits.

Seven months of learning loss. That’s the impact wrought by the pandemic, and low-income, Black, and Latinx children stand to suffer the most. Some cities are adapting the pod concept, working with community partners to serve at-risk students.

"Now is an especially critical time to inform readers," writes Kathy Ishizuka, SLJ editor in chief. "That means publishing stories centered on the people who power libraries and schools. We are here for it, and we hope you are, too."

The third round of REALM Project found detectable virus after five days on some of the materials.

The award-winning author partnered with Adventure Academy, a subscription-based digital education platform, to inspire kids to write.

When everyone in a school or community is reading the same book, that shared experience brings people together, and, as school librarian Terri Gaussoin said, "We need that now more than ever."

It's back-to-school time, and this year many parents need to shop for face masks as well as notebooks and pencils. For young people (and adults) who love books, movies, comics, and cartoon characters, there are many cool and creative face coverings available. Here are some of our favorites. 

With the release of "Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure," the best-selling author found a way to embark on an in-person tour despite the pandemic.

Many of the education and publishing events scheduled for the rest of  the year have moved online, allowing those who couldn't attend in the past a chance to experience the programs.

Pandemic and politically polarized nation be damned, educators adjust lessons to take on escalating rhetoric, mail-in ballots, accusations of voter fraud, and more. They remain fierce advocates for engaged citizenry and will demand civil discussion whether online or in-person.

Identifying community needs is crucial in a crisis. Participants proposed some recommendations in this next stage of the COVID-19 Reimagining Youth Librarianship project.

In quarantine, read-alouds remain a powerful way to engage young readers and support their long-term reading growth.

As access to physical books has become difficult during the pandemic, digital libraries, Zoom story times, and other resources help young students stay connected to books and stories.

Disappointed with remote learning last spring and worried about health concerns and more of the same online instruction in the fall, parents across the country are creating pandemic pods―small groups of children who will spend school days together with a private educator. Others plan to homeschool.

These open-source writing and drawing prompts to engage elementary students in zine making don't rely on access to the internet or books.

Concerns about challenged summer reading during quarantine; Most Challenged Books & LGBTQIA+ topics; banned books that will engage students. 

School librarians are preparing despite many still not knowing whether they will report in person for the first day of classes. Learn how they are adapting and some of the many contingency plans they have made for the 2020-21 school year.

Do you feel equipped to speak about race and antiracism with students? Take our mini poll and help contribute to SLJ's reporting. 

Educators' unions and parents joined together to sue the state's governor and department of education commissioner over on-site learning at public schools, TikTok launches media literacy campaign, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation releases new online resources, and LibraryPlus has new CEO, comics offering, and apps in this edition of News Bites.

The Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project  released its second round of testing results. Researchers looked at how long virus stayed on five common library items, including board books.

As schools prepare multiple plans for the start of the academic year, some librarians around the country already know if they go back in-person this year, their spaces have already been slated for classroom use in an effort to meet social distance requirements.

Summer is the season when music lovers usually head to festivals and outdoor concerts, but with venues closed due to the ongoing pandemic, musicians are adapting their events and virtually sharing their tunes. Here are some of the summer’s best online music events and digital festivals. 

Keep connected to powerful stories of social justice this summer with these streaming shows and books.

As the country continues to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a growing need for volunteers across many sectors. The following roundup of ideas and resources, including online volunteer databases where you can search by activity and location, will help you get started.

Libraries' initiatives range from loosely structured book clubs and virtual places to talk to meeting children’s fundamental needs: providing Wi-Fi and reading material.

How are school librarians preparing to serve students in fall 2020? Your participation will help SLJ tell the story. 

Experimenting with fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, or other genres, kids can write a new world that leaves COVID-19 behind—or address the pandemic head-on and go deep into emotions and experiences.

Created out of necessity, virtual library programs for little ones and their families, who tune in from home, have many upsides.

Broadcasting is increasingly filled with citizen-generated content. But being a media producer also brings responsibilities.

Back to school will look different at individual schools across the country. Here are guidelines issued by educational organizations and individual states. Where will libraries fit into the plans?

Whether conducting TEDx talks or using makerspaces to explore their passions, teens with the freedom to drive activities stay the most engaged.

Meg Medina, Jason Chin, Nikki Grimes, and other creators discuss how quarantine life has impacted their imaginations and work.

Get educated about environmental racism, the carbon impact of sheltering in place, and more with experts including Bill Gates and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

The IMLS-funded project aims to give librarians science-based information to keep things as safe as possible as they reopen.

Hand these books to kids who are excited about these films and shows out this spring and summer.

Unlock kids' creativity with episodes about origami, bookmaking, beavers, and more inspirations.

There is a vast amount of genealogical information available that families can access online, and much of it is free. Here are some of the best resources to help you get started. 

To help you and the young people in your life get moving, we have rounded up some of the best online fitness videos that families can do together at home. These eight classes are fun, free, and suitable for all fitness levels.

Suggestions for family and caregivers who are virtually connecting with young children.

We need more titles to counter the single narrative in picture books: Police help everyone. Police catch bad guys. Police keep everyone safe.

Follow this librarian's plan to get books into kids hands for the summer while ensuring safety for staff and families.

As schools remain closed because of the pandemic, kids who help in the kitchen are also getting an educational boost as they learn math lessons and scientific concepts. In addition, making food at home saves money and creates meaningful family memories in an uncertain time. Here are eight of the best sites for kid-friendly cooking videos.

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay is adding educational resources to her productions, starting with a learning companion to When They See Us, and more news and resources in this issue of News Bites.