Library Services for Staff

Collaboration with your school librarian exists along a continuum and can look like a lot of things:

• Provide flexible learning spaces, technology, etc.

• Make book lists, put materials on a reserve cart, identify databases for an assignment you’ve created

• Create pathfinders (webpages for your projects) to gather resources or provide research skills instruction

• Teach standalone mini-lessons as part of a larger unit, give book talks, do tech demos

• Co-design and co-teach a research experience including formative and summative assessments with backward design of instruction

I can help you and your students with whole class or one-on-one instruction on:

• Information literacy and research skills including keyword searching, source evaluation, taking notes, and citing sources

• Ethical use of information, including copyright, online image use, and Creative Commons

• Media literacy, including fake news, fact checking, and media bias

• Digital citizenship including social media and understanding your digital footprint

• Reader’s advisory to help you or your students find that next great book

• Support for independent reading selection (book talks, book speed dating, book tasting, book bingo, and more) or assessments (book trailers, Twitter reviews, book bentos, and more)

• Demonstrations of digital presentation and other technology tools (working closely with our digital learning specialist)

• Coordination with Robbins Library staff for field trips, guest lecturer visits, interlibrary loan, video streaming services, and more

The AHS school library media program offers:

• Online databases, e-books, print books, and videos to meet curricular/assignment needs

• Diverse collection of independent and leisure reading curated to meet diverse needs (“windows and mirrors”)

• Magazines, graphic novels, college/test prep, picture books, and a professional collection

• Loads of technology

• Streaming video through Swank K-12 Streaming and Kanopy (Kanopy is courtesy of Robbins Library)

• Flexible learning spaces: independent and collaborative zones; group study room with TV and whiteboard (may be reserved in advance), two teaching areas with tech

• Large presentation area with high-quality AV, movable furniture, seating for 80-100 for special events

• Display space for student work (2D, 3D, and digital!)

• NoodleTools, online research and citation platform

• Interlibrary loan of articles (and sometimes print books)

• AHS Research Handbook, created collaboratively, available online at www.tinyurl.com/ahsresearch

• Teacher resource center with copiers, laminator, Scantron, Silhouette Cameo (vinyl and paper cutter), paper cutters, comb binder, and more

• Textbook collection for in-library student use

• Audiobooks, circulated on iPods

• Information about Bookshare (audiobook library for students with qualifying disabilities)

• Someplace outside your classroom to sit and work, grab a cup of Barbara’s famous coffee, or take a break and meet some colleagues outside your department

How do I work with the library?

Just reach out, we look forward to hearing from you!

You can use our class reservation form, send an email, make an appointment, or just stop by for a quick chat to start the ball rolling. While face-to-face conversation can lead to some of the richest collaboration, we know time is limited, and we are happy to work with you in the way that works for you!

How do I book a class or reserve technology?

We have a web form on the website, but emails and dropping by is great too! You can check our availability using the online calendar. Remember that we can fit two and sometimes even three classes at a time.

We ask that you reserve time in the library for your classes no later than the day before, so we can allot an appropriate number of passes for independent study. If you are looking to collaborate on a lesson or need materials prepared, a week’s notice is preferred.

How do library passes work?

Students SIGN UP for digital library passes using their ID cards in the library. Passes are available on a first come, first served basis and should be obtained before the period begins. Students check in for attendance as required by their teachers before being dismissed to the library. When they get to the library, they SIGN IN at the desk to confirm arrival.

Students do not need passes before school, after school, or during lunch or X block; no pass is needed to print a paper, borrow a book, ask a question, etc. Students may not use the library during Advisory. If you need to send a student who is not on our list, please give them a written pass. We aim for accountability with flexibility!

Can I borrow books?

Of course, please do! This is YOUR library too.

Yeah, but isn’t everything just online?

In the infamous words of Neil Gaiman: “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.”

And no, everything is not just online!