2021-2022 Current Status
At the elementary level, classes were scheduled for 30-minute weekly visits to the library as part of the specials rotation. Students were seated every other seat at tables as space allowed with class sizes. During the year, tables were moved into rows at Hilltop for more of a traditional classroom-style setup. Chairs were moved into rows and used for both seating and as desks at Tainter, while tables became display spaces for themed book choices. Eventually, all library table spaces returned to normal, with students sitting around the tables, which created a more welcoming environment and better collaboration during group activities. Each library saw the addition of an interactive panel, which was especially useful for staff presenting lessons and led to some collaborative tech activities (students solving a book-themed jigsaw puzzle together on the panel). 

This year has been a transition back to more normal library routines.  At the Middle school language arts classes were able to come into the library for lessons as well as use the space for Study Hall activities of book checkout, quiet reading, and homework. Students are able to come in before and after school to work on homework and also have a quiet space.  Comfortable, flexible seating was added to encourage staying to read or meet quietly with friends.  An interactive panel was added this year making collaborative work easier for staff and students and a few computers and their desks were removed in order to make the space easier to navigate. 

The High School staff were able to bring classes into the library this year for research lessons as well as book checkout and library orientation.  We still have Study Hall in the library four periods of the day as well as Level 1 Resource students.  Two interactive panels are connected in the library to make the space somewhere that teachers and students can come and work collaboratively. 

2020-2021 Update on Design of Collaborative Spaces  

If you looked inside of the elementary library spaces during the 2020-2021 school year, you would have seen chairs in rows and books on tables.  While students were welcomed into the library spaces for 30-minute classes, social distancing guidelines were followed meaning students were all facing the same direction, spaced as far apart as the collaborative space allowed and made their book selections from a variety of topics selected, weekly, by library staff.  

At the Middle School, at the beginning of the year students did not visit the library.  They used the library catalog to place books on hold, and library staff delivered books to their classrooms.  Second semester, students were able to come to the library in small groups to browse the library collection. Library instruction was provided in the classrooms throughout the entire year.  The library space was used for the Intro to Media class and individual/small group instruction during the school year.

The High School library space is used for study halls periods 1-5.  The size of some of the study halls limits the space available for collaborative instruction with academic classes.  Students were able to come into the library, as needed, to browse for books.

2019-2020 What's Changed
In this time of the Covid 19 pandemic, because of the square footage of the space there are three district libraries that will make social distancing difficult; Middle School, Hilltop and Haugen. When back-to-back classes are scheduled in libraries, having time to disinfect spaces between classes is also a concern.

2018-2019 Status
All district libraries serve as multi-use facilities, accommodating individual, small group and whole class instructional activities.  

Each school building has an area dedicated to the library media center to serve the needs of the students and staff. The technology available varies between the different library media centers. It is worth noting that the space for the Middle School, Hilltop and Haugen is not adequate. Hilltop Elementary serves 270 students and the library media center is housed in a former classroom space that does not offer the space needed to accommodate more than one classroom of students at a time. Haugen Elementary serves less than 100 students, but the small sized room serves multiple needs in the building. The Middle School library is ideally located in the center of the building, but it does not provide adequate space to allow multiple groups of students to use the facility. Shelving space for books is limited and there is not adequate space to accommodate additional technology equipment.

2021-2022 Status

Along with DTO, digital resources were accessed to see what staff were using in their classrooms.  As a result of this survey, the middle school and high school decided to forgo renewing Learn 360 and World Almanac for Kids. District Librarians attended an Intellectual Freedom workshop put together by DPI in June.  Library Long Range Plans as well as selection and reconsideration policies were discussed and ideas were brought back on how to make RLASD policies and resources stronger. 

2020-2021 Update on Curates Digital Resources and Tools  

Digital resources, in all formats - online databases, ebooks, digital audio books - were utilized by students more than ever this year, especially at the Middle School and by Elementary students.  Ongoing promotion of these resources, at all levels, is important. 

Report Usage statistics

2019-2020 What's Changed
Additional resources were added to collections to support distance learning.

• Wisconsin School Digital Library Consortium

• Follett Digital/Audio books

• eBook content added to Follett Shelf

2018-2019 Status
Each library has print and non-print collections that are balanced to meet the curricular needs of each building. The collections provide:

• • fiction

  • nonfiction

  • reference

  • professional resources

  • AV Media (videos, DVDS, Playaways, paid online streaming services)

  • Periodicals

  • e-readers (Kindles)

  • Online databases

  • Digital Media equipment (Chromebooks, iPads)

  • Presentation cart (not available in all libraries) with laptop, projector, speaker

  • ebooks (Follettshelf)

Follett TitleWise is used to analyze the collection of each library media center with regards to fiction, nonfiction, reference, professional resources, and AV media. Items are added to the collection based on the ever changing needs of the curriculum, student and staff requests, and newly published award winning fiction books. Materials are weeded from each collection based on age, condition of item, amount of usage and relevance to curriculum. As materials are discarded, replacement titles may need to be added to strengthen a certain area of the collection. Each library media center conducts a Collection Analysis identifying the number of items categorized in each Dewey Decimal range as well as the number of items that were added and deleted from the collection.

Online databases are purchased and provided for students and staff at the middle school and high school levels. Access to Badgerlink is provided free throughout the district. The Library Media Specialists determine which online databases to purchase based on curricular need, recommendations from instructors, and past usage statistics. Currently the High School subscribes to Career Locker, CQ Researcher, Gale Discovering Collection, SIRS Researcher,  Vocational Biographies. The Middle School subscribes to CultureGrams, Research in Context, SIRS Discoverer, World Almanac for Kids. The Elementary schools subscribe to World Almanac for Kids and Facts4Me. 

2021-2022 Status

Each library has Chromebooks and iPads available for student and staff use both in the library and the classroom. Library instruction focused on helping students to become self-sufficient in their information seeking, promoting critical-thinking skills. The elementary level provided coding activities through code.org to 4th graders, which promoted many opportunities for students to practice problem solving and develop their critical-thinking skills in a safe, online environment.  MakerSpace activities are slowly being reintroduced in the middle school during Study Hall times and before school. 

2020-2021 Update on Empowers Students as Creators  

The MakerSpace concept became a key component of elementary library instructional activities, out of necessity. Brief instructional periods were followed by MakerSpace activities that students completed while waiting their turn to select books in small groups.  Students used various technologies to work on Choice Boards, breakout challenges, and creative activities related to book topics.

2019-2020 What's Changed
We have participated on District UDL workgroups and attended the state UDL conference. Based on our work learning about and implementing UDL strategies and integrating Information and Technology Literacy standards, examples of our instructional activities include:

• Flippity Challenges, to introduce basic research skills

• Zoo Organization activity - a critical thinking activity to introduce library organization 

• Breakout EDU box - a critical thinking activity

• Don't Just Google It! - comparing topic search results in online databases with Google search results

2018-2019 Status
The Middle School has implemented the MakerSpace concept.  The High School and Elementary levels are dabbling in providing such spaces.

2021-2022 Status

The elementary schools and middle schools started using a new tool this year called Beanstack to track students' reading habits and the minutes that they spend reading.  It has provided a good opportunity to partner with classroom teachers to promote reading and literacy skills. The elementary LMS provided 30-minute weekly classes on library skills, including locating information and identifying genres, as well as collaborative lessons with classroom teachers. Digital resources were introduced to 4th graders for their Native American projects. Coding workshops were also provided to 4th graders for building digital skills, and were prefaced with an introduction to digital citizenship.  Middle school students come to the library once a month for library lessons.  The LMS also provides as needed lessons in the classroom on topics ranging from research skill development to using the library catalog.  At the high school, the LMS provides mostly drop in lessons pertaining to library searching skills and research tips and tricks. 

2020-2021 Update on Builds Instructional Partnerships

The unique challenges of the 2020-2021 school year made collaboration with classes tricky. LMSs provided just-in-time instruction for students on how to use library resources remotely, how to evaluate the quality of online sources, access and use of library databases and ebooks, and continued to promote literacy by doing booktalks. Instruction was delivered in person, and utilizing Screencastify and Google Meet.

2019-2020 What's Changed: Given our current staffing of only two full-time District library media specialists, this component can be difficult to implement. District LMS are always looking for opportunities for more collaboration. Collaborative partnership with the Technology Integrator (E. Johnson) have created opportunities for deeper learning, and innovative uses of technology.

2018-2019 Current Status: At all levels, the library media specialists support student learning through a fixed and/or flexible schedule that integrates information and technology literacy skills into all curricular areas.  Services provided include instruction in the following curricular areas: information skills, technology, literacy, research, and collaboration in content areas.

2021-2022 Current Status

Michelle provided PD sessions during the district wide Bootcamp days prior to the beginning of the school year.  Sessions topics included eBooks, Digital Citizenship, and effectively using databases. Both LMS's attended librarian networking forums at CESA 11 and also joined virtual meetings with DPI Liaison Monica Treptow.  District LMSs are also part of the District Technology Committee providing insight into the technology needs of our buildings and staff. 

2020-2021 Update on Facilitates Professional Learning  

District LMS staff participated in regional virtual meetings arranged by CESA 11 and DPI Liaison, Monica Treptow, throughout the year. Becki George was selected as one of four, statewide Library Leaders to mentor other LMS to complete Long Range Plans for their schools. 

2019-2020 What's Changed
Presenting PD sessions during District and building in-services:

• Information and Technology Literacy standard mapping

• Digital Citizenship

• JamBoard

• K-12 Databases

• Digital Reading Opportunities - Teaching Books.net, WSDLC, SEL

2018-2019 Status
The library media specialists are active members on the District Technology Committee. Projects that we are currently working on, that support professional learning, are: badging, Tech Boot Camp, and building level in-service presentations.

2021-2022 Current Status

RLASD is now 1:1 with all students being assigned a Chromebook or iPad for use at school with high school students being able to bring their devices home with them daily.  The libraries supported these devices by providing a central space for students and staff to bring malfunctioning devices or come for support.  All of the district libraries are equipped with a Chromebook cart and iPads and provided devices for those that needed a loaner while theirs was being worked on. The libraries are also still able to checkout mobile HotSpots to families in need during quarantines.  District libraries are staffed throughout the day to provide for uninterrupted access to library services with the exception of Haugen Elementary. 

2020-2021 Update on Ensures Equitable Digital Access

All District libraries supported distance learning needs by sharing library devices with classrooms throughout the District.  Circulation of newly purchased Hot Spots - wireless internet devices - was coordinated with District Technology and building administrators. 

2019-2020 What's Changed
Worked collaboratively with M. Helgeson and the Administrative team to support the District initiative to add student technology devices for and increase resources in the media centers to support student learning. Chromebooks are now available in all elementary libraries, to support library programming.

2018-2019 Status
The Middle School and High School support student access to mobile technology through the availability of iPads and Chromebooks in the library media centers.  Elementary libraries have 15-20 iPads per building, but no Chromebooks. All district libraries have Kindles and Playaways to support differentiated student learning needs.

2021-2022 Current Status

Common School Fund continued the trend of providing more each year.  RLASD's allotment is divided three ways with each level getting an equal share of the fund which can be used on library materials and electronics to support the library program.  General library supplies are purchased using funds provided by the general operating fund from the district.  Each library has a unique budget depending on the needs of that building.  The library budgets are created by the building LMS along with guidelines from the building administrator. 

Once again we are seeing supply chain disruptions with our orders from Follett and Demco.  Orders will not be received by the June 30 deadline for the 2021-2022 school year purchase orders.  Open purchased orders will need to be carried over past July 1. 

2020-2021 Update on Invests Strategically in Digital Resources

Each library media center has a designated budget that is comprised of funds from the Common School Fund and funds from the general operating fund of the district (travel and supplies). 

Supply chain disruptions have caused shipping delays and cancellations throughout the year.  This may result in Common School Fund monies being significantly under spent.  Those monies should be rolled over and available for 2021-2022.

Is there more than $4000.00 left from 2020-21 ?

2019-2020 What's Changed
Common School Funds are the dollars provided by the State for school library programs. These funds comprise the majority of the funding for the program.

2018-2019 Status
Each library media center has a designated budget that is comprised of funds from the Common School Fund and funds from the general operating fund of the district. At the elementary level, the amount given to each school is based on the number of students attending the school. The middle school and high school Library Media Specialist build the yearly library budget in conjunction with the building principal. The spending for each library media center is monitored by the Library Media Specialist and approval for purchases is given by each building principal. Requisitions are created using financial software called Alio, then they are approved by the building principal before being sent to the Business Office for approval and payment. Each Library Media Specialist keeps a spreadsheet of expenses and items purchased paying close attention to the Common School Fund categories to ensure the funding is only used for allowable items.

2021-2022 Current Status
The elementary libraries continue to provide RIF books for the elementary students two times during the school year.  The middle school provided a Math and Literacy night where students and their families could join in on interactive stations that featured district staff as well as community partnerships such as the public library, PAWS therapy dogs, Officer Andy, and the Boys and Girls Club.  The elementary did a take home activity packet for their Literacy event this year, and the public library contributed public library programming/collection information to these packets. 

Both LMSs met with Claire Parish at Rice Lake Public Library to plan out tandem accounts with Beanstack.  Students are now able to combine their school district Beanstack account with the public library to have reading minutes and books count towards both sites' reading challenges. 

 
2020-2021 Update on Cultivates Community Partnerships 

Elementary students received four (4) RIF books during the 2020-21 school year. Normally they would only receive two (2). Because of the uncertainty of face-to-face learning, it was decided to get books in to student's hands quickly, at the beginning of the year, and to catch up on RIF distribution that didn't happen when we left school in 2019-2020.

The RL Public Library summer reading program was promoted by inclusion of information in Elementary Family Literacy Night bags and through sharing information with Middle School Students during classroom visits. Normally, Public Library staff would have been invited in to share program information with elementary students. Library card applications were provided for all Elementary students.

2019-2020 What's Changed
In our current program, partnerships and lifelong learning are offered through:

• Maintaining relationships with RL Public Library, CESA 11, and DPI

• High School Battle of the Books

• Elementary Golden Archer Award

• RIF Program - 3rd distribution for 2020-2021

• Goal: all 4th graders will have a RL Public Library card for access to the collection and BadgerLink

2018-2019 Status
Library media specialists cultivate local and family partnerships through collaboration with the Youth Services Director of the local Public Library, and participation in building level Family Literacy Night events.  

The Elementary schools participate in the RIF program, purchasing two books per year with District funds for students  PreK - grade 4. Community STEP volunteers assist with program prep activities.

2021-2022 Current Status
Michelle presented a PD session on digital citizenship prior to the start of the school year.  At the beginning of the year students are encouraged to keep their passwords private and safe to avoid others gaining their information and access to their computers. 

2020-2021
There are no changes to report in this area.

2019-2020 What's Changed

• Middle School homeroom thread, in collaboration with N. Weinstock - monthly focus on digital citizenship

• PD sessions about Digital Citizenship

• Don't Just Google It! - supporting research in 9th and 10th grade English classes; comparing topic searches in online databases with Google search results

2018-2019 Status
Digital citizenship posters were created by the District Technology Committee and are used with students and staff to promote digital literacy.  Fifth grade students receive extensive instruction about digital citizenship and digital literacy in Media and Health classes at the Middle School. Digital citizenship concepts are introduced to 3rd and 4th grade students during coding lessons at the Elementary level.

2021-2022 Current Status
The middle school and high school keep usage statistics related to class that visit the library, individual students coming to the library and circulation data.  At all levels the LMS provides collaboration with teachers and staff to provide resources and assistance  with classroom goals.

2020-2021
District LMS collaborated with teachers and supported student learning by meeting with virtual students and classes, when needed.  Elementary virtual students were supported with weekly instructional activities.  Elementary LMS taught virtual classes when asked.  Middle School LMS met with virtual classes on Google Meet and created tutorial videos on how to use the online catalog and access digital resources for all students' use.

2019-2020 What's Changed
During the distance learning situation due to the Covid 19 pandemic, we found ourselves supporting students and teachers in the online learning environment. 

• Creating Screencastify videos to demonstrate how to use Follett Shelf resources

• Answering questions about how to legally share copyrighted content (ie. books) with students

2018-2019 Status
District library media specialists represent the District, and the library media profession, on state level committees including the Council on Libraries and Network Development (COLAND), Children’s Cooperative Book Center (CCBC) Advisory Committee and a newly formed DPI School Library Advisory Committee.