August checklist

Information overload? These are the most important DLL things to know to stay on track: 

• Register for 2026-27 professional learning in WakeLearns

• Submit a proposal for WonderFest

• Start tracking your data in the new tool

"Seatbelts, everyone!" -Miss Frizzle

Sometimes, breaks from school offer kids opportunities to travel with their family, visit new places, play a sport, sleepover at a friend’s house, go to the public library, spend all day at a pool, or attend a camp. We know that not all of our students have the same experiences over the break. I grew up with a girl whose parents both worked for Delta; you never wanted to share what you did if she was in the room–it would never live up to wherever they flew.

But when our students are in school, the library can take them to so many places. Virtual field trips can be an excellent way to give students opportunities of place and experience without ever leaving the room. Consider how these learning options expose students to content experts and primary sources. Here are just a few to check out…

 -Kendra

State

• North Carolina Museum of Art

• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

• North Carolina Historic Sites

• Carolina Tiger Rescue

• North Carolina State Capitol

• NC Aquarium-Jennette’s Pier Virtual Programs

• North Carolina Zoo

• Wright Brothers National Memorial

National

• National Museum of Natural History

• Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

• National Portrait Gallery

• Yellowstone National Park

• National Park Service Heritage Documentation Programs

• National Park Service Teacher Resources: Distance Learning

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art

• The Nature Conservancy

Welcome, New WCPSS School Librarians!

We’re thrilled to welcome these new faces to our professional community.

• Chloe Williams - Bugg Elementary

• Zoey Solano - Creech Road Elementary

• Daniel Hawley - Green Elementary

• Jenna Kline - Heritage Elementary

• Melina Combs - Jones Dairy Elementary

• Shannon Pischke - Joyner Elementary

• Carey Heiniger - Knightdale Elementary

• Maya Alexander - Smith Elementary

• Chris Baker - Vandora Springs Elementary

• Querranda Royster-Herring - Wildwood Forest Elementary

• Shannon McEnteer - York Elementary

• Jessica Reinking - Alson Ridge Middle (.5)

• Jessica (Isi) Patterson - Rolesville Middle

NCSLMA Conference 2026

The 2026 North Carolina School Library Media Association conference will take place October 21-23, 2026, at the Concord Convention Center at the Embassy Suites. This year’s theme is “Library Joy: Finding Joy in Every Chapter.” Registration is open. More information can be found on the NCSLMA website. 

AI Digest 

It was a busy summer for AI news. Some of the key themes were AI in politics, AI tutors, AI civic literacy, defining AI literacy, parasocial relationships, AI access and control, and global/national/local AI policy. Even the pope weighed in on AI (AI School Librarian).

Librarians have always taught information literacy which is really where the AI literacy conversation should begin. The American Library Association has released AI Guidance.  Here are some key takeaways:

• AI should support librarians, not replace them

• Any efficiency gained should be reinvested in people.

• AI literacy is library work… We must teach the skills without shaming those using and those unwilling to use AI.

• Privacy and intellectual freedom matter.

Update: New Library Desktops for Circulation/Search

The new desktops are on their way! Technology Services is working with Arey Jones to manage preparing the devices for our environment and setting a plan for delivery. The latest information indicates a delivery to WCPSS in late August. A deployment schedule will be shared with you ASAP. Thank you for your patience! They’re coming. 🥳