The INSPIRATION
Necessity is the mother of invention! How have school library professionals been adapting programs and services to continue to connect to learners in meaningful ways during the pandemic?
Resources and Exemplars to Inspire New Ways of Thinking and Doing
Professional standards and resources outlining the role of the school library and library staff during the pandemic:
"School librarians fulfill five important roles: instructional partner, teacher, leader, information specialist, and program administrator, all of which highlight the profession’s skill at building relationships and creating an inclusive school culture. During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools need this librarian skill set more than ever as they adapt to meet the current needs of learners in a constantly changing learning environment."
School district central libraries respond to the crisis with resources to support teachers, students and families:
Peel DSB Libraries: Bringing the LLC Home. A wonderful collection of learning provocations presented as interactive choice grids. Templates are provided for educators to make their own grids and submit them for inclusion.
Upper Canada District School Board Virtual Learning Commons: Supporting UCDSB Students & Families during COVID-19. A comprehensive and visually appealing curated collection of resources.
Heritage Christian School Learning Commons: Tools for Teaching Classes Remotely. Tools and tips to empower educators as they learn to move forward in this “new normal”.
Teacher-librarians supporting their school communities:
Castle Oaks LLC teacher-librarian Jennifer Brown has built a support page for staff. Resources to Support Emergency Distance Learning.
Pacific Heights Elementary School teacher-librarian Anna Crosland blogs daily with Links for Families.
Learn how teacher-librarian Angie Miller has transformed her program into a virtual one while still supporting her school community. School Librarians United Podcast, April 15, 2020.
Professional Learning Communities
Teacher-librarian Beth Lyons helps her colleagues navigate the online classroom environment, and shares via Twitter.
Public Libraries step up to support readers during a time of crisis
As part of its ongoing support of Toronto’s food banks, Toronto Public Library (TPL) is providing brand new books for children, free of charge, in the food hampers it is distributing through its pop-up food banks. TPL News Release, April 22, 2020
Articles and Resources
The School Library Is Still Open! Ten Ways to Change Our Physical Spaces into Virtual Libraries, by Angie Miller. AASL Knowledge Quest, April 7, 2020.
How Will We Return to School? Curriculum Choices in the Face of COVID19, by Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Allison Zmuda. Learning Personalized, July 2020.
Build Your Own Virtual Library Learning Commons, by Anita Brooks Kirkland and Dr. David Loertscher. Comprehensive materials to support their three-part Learning Revolution webinar series, April & May 2020.