Welcome to Shell Lake School's Library Plan
Grounded in the Future Ready Librarian Framework, our school library is focused on providing the best possible library experience for our students and staff.
The snapshot of our current goals are included here for review by our community. We will re-evaluate our goals on a 3 year cycle.
For the 2018 - 2021 cycle*, our targets are Learner Centered Literacy and Building Instructional Partnerships.
If you have any questions about anything you see here, please contact Sarah Johnson at johnsons@shelllake.k12.wi.us.
Learner Centered Literacy
At the center of all we do is our unwavering commitment to inspiring and supporting the reading lives of students and staff.
We know a Future Ready Library will not only create inclusive collections that acknowledge and celebrate diverse experiences, but also provide instructional opportunities to empower learners as effective users and creators of information and ideas.
Learner Centered Literacy goals for 2018 - 2021
Through ongoing collection analysis and implementation of Selection & Reconsideration Policies, the Library Media Specialist will improve the average age, quality, and diversity of digital and print resources available to support the reading life of students and teachers.
To create a user friendly (aka bookstore model) school library environment that empowers Shell Lake students to easily and independently find the books they enjoy reading, the Library Media Specialist will:
Genrefy all fiction books at 3rd - 12th grade library by June 2021.
Create Cataloging and Processing Guide to document genrefication for future library staff.
Submit processing guide to our book vendors: Mackin, Junior Library Guild, and Follett book for future resources purchased.
Continually update timeline for genrefying project to include adding genre stickers and updating MARC records for previously purchased resources.
Personalized Professional Learning
Our library provides professional learning experiences for our district staff through:
Large group training on technology to support remote learning i.e., Seesaw, Google Classroom, etc.
Individual work with staff to promote the use of technology in the classroom to enhance student experiences and growth.
Providing professional learning materials for staff professional development through books, articles and video recordings.
Weekly email blasts of Tuesday Top 5 Resources to keep staff informed of evolving technology and apps available in our district and our world.
Our Library Media Specialist continues learning professionally by:
Attending CESA training and meetings to collaborate with area librarians to enhance library program and staff training.
Being active at the state level with WEMTA (Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association) and presenting at the WEMTA conference to librarians from around the state of Wisconsin.
Serving as Chair on the WEMTA Battle of the Book's Book Trailer Contest and as an active member of the Wisconsin State Badgerlink Advisory Board. (Karen Howell through 2021)
Robust Infrastructure
Our school values technology and its role in enhancing student learning. We currently have:
One to one devices providing technology access for all K-12 students.
All 4 - 12th grade students have printing capabilities to library's black & white printer.
Library provides a variety of digital equipment for check out to students and staff as needed. Some examples include: iPads w/Padcaster for video recording, day use of a chromebook or chromebook charger for students, external DVD players, and and hot spots as needed for students engaging in virtual learning.
Library Media Specialist and IT staff continually seek to create effortless access to digital resources i.e., Google Sign On capability added to Destiny Discover card catalog & Sora eBook resources, Mackinvia.com google authentication, etc.
Budget & Resources
To ensure a content rich, appealing and diverse collection of both physical and digital resources, the Library Media Specialist evaluates past circulation data, curriculum needs, student/staff requests, and future cultural shifts in our community and world. Quality resources are purchased through Common School Funds allotted from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The 2020-2021 budget was around $24,369.
In January 2019, the Library Media Specialist coordinated the movement of Shell Lake's eBook collection from Overdrive to Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium. This platform change has not only saved money for Shell Lake, but also expanded our digital collection.
While utilizing Common School Funds strategically for digital purchases, the Library Media Specialist has also utilized and shared free resources (like Badgerlink) with the school community.
The Common School Funds for 2020-2021 was $24,369. The breakdown for our budget:
50% of the budget is spent on books, DVDs and professional materials that can be checked out by students, staff and community members.
40% is spent on databases to give students and staff 24/7 access to information whether at school or at home.
10% of the budget is spent on library hosting and inventory software.
Community Partnerships
Our library actively promotes area public libraries and their programs.
Our library continues to strive to build strong community partnerships through many activities in and out of the school building.
In Spring/Summer 2020, librarian collaborated with Shell Lake Public Library to provide The Wild Readers Book Club to 4-6th graders in our community.
Data & Privacy
In addition to working closely with the IT department to ensure student data and privacy are top priority, the library media specialist attends workshops to learn up to date information on students data and privacy.
As an active member of the technology committee, the library media specialist advocates for structured forms and procedures to evaluate and approve apps used by students at Shell Lake School District.
Students K-6th grade are taught digital citizenship lessons to promote:
Responsible and ethical use of technology.
The importance of secure passwords.
Navigating safely online.
Keeping personal information private.
Collaborative Leadership
Our library media specialist collaborates daily with teaching staff to promote library materials as well as co-teaching technology lessons.
Collaboration allows the classroom teacher and the media specialist to use resources to benefit student learning.
Our school librarian sits on multiple committees to support the district and its goals.
Use of Space & Time
When considering our school library space we seek:
To empower students as makers, the 3-12 grade library space was adjusted to provide for collaborative and interactive making as well as providing a welcoming space for students who may visit on passes from teachers or during students’ free choice time i.e., before & after school, recess, and lunch time.
To provide space for students needing study rooms, school district staff meetings and trainings as well as for community meetings and club activities.
To welcome all to a safe place that response to the needs of all our patrons.
To encourage use of games, puzzles, and STEM activities for student exploration and enjoyment.
Our library media specialist splits her time between the Elementary and Jr/Sr High School. She teaches weekly lessons at the elementary for students 4K-6th grade and assists students at the Jr/Sr High with research and book recommendations.
As the ITV Facilitator, the library media specialist works closely with HS Guidance Counselor and 11th - 12th grade students in these independent study courses.
The library aide is vital to cataloging, shelving and checking out materials to the students as well supervising students in the library.
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
The library media specialist's lessons for 4K- 6th grade focus on:
Reading promotion to inspire a passion and buzz around reading.
Reading access to assist students in finding online eBooks, audiobooks and research to meet their academic and personal goals.
Digital Citizenship to promote savy, safe and social use of technology.
Makerspace actiivites to engage students in discovering their interests and creative self.
Building Instructional Partnership goals for 2019 - 2021
*A new cycle is being developed this 2022-2023 school year.
By ongoing collaboration and evaluation, the library media specialist will coordinate the unpacking of the Information & Technology Literacy Standards in order to create a K- 12 Technology Scope and Sequence for Shell Lake. In the past the Information & Technology Literacy Standards were ignored or unknown to classroom teachers; however, our Future Ready Librarian continually promotes these standards as applying to all students, to all grades and to all classroom teachers. We want our students to be Future Ready for whatever comes their way. We know that understanding, promoting, and instructing in Information & Technology Standards will facilitate the growth and capacity of our students and staff.
To enhance connections with classroom teachers and promote a reading culture at Shell Lake School, the library media specialist will partner with educators in coordinating major literary events such as Battle of the Books, Global Read Aloud, World Read Aloud Day, Read Across America, You've Been Book'D program, etc. These events seek to inspire a culture of reading at Shell Lake School, to broaden the cultural perspective of our students, and to enhance collaboration for all educators.