October checklist

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

• Review options, mark calendars, and register for professional learning opportunities offered by Digital Learning and Libraries.

• Sign up to participate in Computer Science Education Week by October 25.

Launch it!

One October, I had a student ask me for a book that could tell him how to build a pumpkin launcher. Not to be outdone by the request, I did, in fact, have such a book in the library. He was delighted. Earlier this year, a new tennis partner was sharing her stress over helping her son and his school group build catapults. “What style are they building? A trebuchet?” I asked. She looked at me perplexed. “Are you an engineer?” she asked. “Oh, no,” I said. “I’m a librarian.” 

It’s of little surprise to us that librarians are frequent contestants and winners on Jeopardy!. We weren’t replaced by Google. We harnessed the power of Google. We love a good question and the hero’s journey to find the answer. We are the ones who think, “Do I have the resources and supplies to research, design, and build mini pumpkin launchers with students?” Because that sounds like fun. - Kendra

November: National Native American Heritage Month 

November is National Native American Heritage Month. In honor of this observance, we have compiled resources for you to use with teachers, students, and families as well as to inform and support your library programming this season. While we encourage activities, lessons, and resources inclusive of Indigenous representation throughout the year, we take this opportunity to celebrate and learn. 

Computer Science Education Week

Announcement

In an effort to empower as many students as possible, computer science activities will be offered December 2nd -December 20th. The offerings are Code & Go, Coding Consult, and Meet The It. Read the descriptions below or click here to view the infographic. 

Sign up to bring these possibilities to your school! The deadline to submit your request is October 25th.

If you have any questions, reach out to Elizabeth Walton, eadams3@wcpss.net.

Collection Management: Drilling into Nonfiction

Part of the evolution of our nonfiction collections has been the shift to thinking more intentionally about nonfiction that supports independent reading interests–less about curricular needs and more about student needs. By examining your collection and circulation data, you can uncover information that speaks to student behaviors that they may not speak to if you simply ask them what they like. Sports and animals are easy. Let’s take a look at something else.

Example: Cookbooks. Dewey classification 641. (more specifically, Food and Drink) 

I pulled the district statistics at 2:44pm on 10/8/2024. Here’s what we can see for 641.

• Total copies: 13,270 [0.46%]

• Circ this year: 2,842 [0.48%]

  • Total circ this year for the 600s: 24,046

  • Books in 641 comprise 11.8% of all district circulation in the 600s. Meanwhile, books in 641 comprise 9.7% of all district copies in the 600s.

• Circ this month: 416 [0.51%]

• Circ today: 54 [0.42%]

This is not an example to prove why you should buy cookbooks or buy new ones to replace those old (outdated?) cookbooks. Rather, my goal is to illustrate how students might not say, “Oh, cookbooks, Ms. Allen!” However, there is evidence that data can speak volumes if you dig a little deeper.

Library Media Services: Professional Learning Opportunities

Instruction 

Elementary School Library Instruction PLC (Virtual) - meets every Thursday morning at 8am. Any elementary school librarian is welcome to attend.

Elementary School Libraries and Literacy PLC (in-person) - October 28, 2024 8:30am-3:30pm

This PLC will allow librarians to work collaboratively to examine different elements of literacy and how they can be supported in our libraries. Time will be provided to develop lesson plans and library programming that supports different aspects of literacy. Any elementary school librarian is welcome to attend. 

Inquiry and Instruction for School Library Media Coordinators: Elementary Inquiry PLC (in-person) - October 22, 2024

The target audience for this PLC is experienced school librarians who want to expand their use of inquiry-based learning in the library. This group will work collaboratively to develop lessons that utilize eWISE and provide scaffolded research opportunities for K-5 students. 

Secondary School Library Instruction PLC - virtual - November 12, 2024, 1pm, Running Agenda

Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 1pm.  Any librarian is welcome to attend virtually or use our Learning Central course for asynchronous work.

2024-2025 Secondary Instruction PLC - in person 

October 23, 2024, 8:30am - 3:30pm

This PLC will allow librarians to work collaboratively over three scheduled days to develop lessons with a focus on digital and information literacy.

Secondary School Libraries and Literacy PLC - in person

October 29th, 2024, 8:30am - 3:30pm

This PLC will allow librarians to work collaboratively to examine different elements of literacy and how they can be supported in our libraries. Time will be provided to develop lesson plans and library programming that supports different aspects of literacy.

Collection Management

Collection Management PLC (Virtual) - meets the last Tuesday of each month at 8am. 

This PLC meets monthly to walk through the aspects of collection management in detail, using the collection management template as an anchor. This PLC is appropriate for any librarian who wants to better understand collection management and wants a combination of working on their own and checking in with colleagues. This PLC is not intended for Foundations I participants.

Secondary Book Clubs - Virtual

December 3, 2024, 8am for HS, 1pm for MS, Google Meet

This PLC will allow librarians to read, discuss, and review literature that you may wish to add to your collections. We will dive into deeper discussions on how to curate an age-relevant collection that addresses the wide range of needs and interests of your students.

New and Noteworthy: 2024 Book Preview for School Librarians - October 14, January 23, or February 17

These half-day sessions will allow school librarians to preview titles published in 2024 to determine which can help meet the goals outlined in their collection management plan. Librarians participating in district PL Days can attend the date that best fits your schedule.