Public Libraries

Here are the most popular blog posts of the week.

SLJ welcomes information as we continue to report on the pandemic and its impact on students, educators, and libraries. We invite readers to contribute to our reporting.

SLJ's reporting takes stock of the pandemic's impact on school and public libraries and the kid lit community.

A common goal is to build positive connections while helping to stem negative impacts traditionally associated with wholly punitive discipline, such as school suspensions and expulsions.

Restorative justice practices—which emphasize group engagement to repair harm —can make our libraries safe spaces for everyone. Here are suggestions.

More than 66 percent of public librarians report that summer reading programs will go completely online, according to SLJ's Youth Services in Public Libraries COVID-19 Response Survey.

Reworking summer reading programs is the number one task being performed by public librarians who work with kids and teens, according to SLJ's survey. But the report shows a wide variety of work being done.

More than half of public librarians have collaborated with local school systems and teachers since the closures to provide digital and online services for children and teens, according to SLJ's Youth Services in Public Libraries COVID-19 Response Survey. And nearly 33 percent have collaborated with local agencies toward the same goal.

Ordering materials and resources continues during library closures, although purchasing has shifted to ebooks and other digital resources, according to SLJ's survey of youth services librarians.