School Libraries

After years of budget cuts that eliminated full-time school library media specialist positions, DC Public Schools (DCPS) fiscal year 2014 budget has allotted an increase in budget for full-time library media specialists; DCPS is currently in the process of hiring as many as 30 media specialists for 2014-2015.

Modesto City Schools (MCS) is set to end all library instruction for its elementary schools for the 2014-2015 school year—while keeping the school library open with library assistants.

Virginia middle school librarian Lauren McBride presents some must-have links and resources for librarians looking to hone their social media expertise. An expert in social media, McBride maintains her school's Twitter page, participates in a weekly Twitter chat hosted by the Virginia Association of School Librarians, and next month will lead a professional development "Boot Camp" session for Virginia's Loudoun County Public School librarians on how to use Twitter.

Michelle Luhtala suggests we judge millennials unfairly. Are they really coddled or are they resourceful?  Are they narcissistic or transparent? Unfocused or hyper-focused? Is taking a selfie narcissistic, or is it a way to connect with the world? In her kid-focused TEDx talk, Michelle, head librarian at New Canaan (CT) High School shares the importance [...]

The recent surge of interest in reconfiguring school library spaces offers tremendous opportunity to spotlight the potential of school libraries.

During National Library Month, it’s so lovely to celebrate a victory for children and that the hard work of advocacy can pay off. VSLA President, Denise Wentz, just wrote to share the following great news in advance of my visit to the the Vermont Dynamic Learning Landscapes Conference. I am very happy to finally announce [...]

School library access in San Diego's school district has been greatly reduced since a budget slash in 2008, and the outlying community having been vocal about restoring student access to its school libraries. The San Diego Unified School District has been listening, and may widen its severely curtailed school library access in 2014-15.

I am so embarrassed to have missed these announcements, and I want to make sure that others do not! SLJ just announced two new awards that are ripe pickings for so many of you! 1. School Librarian of the Year! You know who you are. I urge you to nominate yourself.

Dr. Judi Moreillon and her Texas Women’s University colleague, Dr. Teresa Starrett just launched the powerful crowdsourced film, Principals Know: School Librarians are the Heart of the School.