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Welcome To The Library
Voice, Friends!

A place to be heard through creating, technology,

connecting, reading, collaborating and noise.

Meet Shannon

PreK-12 Teacher Librarian, Speaker, Consultant, Author

Mom ❤ Wife. Director of Innovation of Instructional Technology and Library Media at Van Meter School in Iowa. International Speaker & Consultant. Future Ready Librarians Spokesperson. Capstone Author & Remote Learning Librarian. Buncee Teacher Librarian Advisor. 2014 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. 2016 ISTE Making IT Happen Recipient. 2018 AASL Leadership Luminary Social Media Superstar.

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Welcome To The Library Voice, Friends! A place to be heard through creating, technology, connecting, reading, collaborating and noise. Meet Shannon PreK-12 Teacher Librarian, Speaker, Consultant, Author Mom ❤ Wife. Director of Innovation of Instructional Technology and Library Media at Van Meter School in Iowa. International Speaker & Consultant.

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SCKLS Gives Back

Member libraries like yours received more than 480 grants in the past year.
See the comprehensive list of grants available below.

Choose from multiple grant categories

SCKLS budget is dedicated to grants, services and programs

As a condition for SCKLS membership, participating libraries agree to "permit any citizen of the territory comprising the system to borrow materials or receive services without charge, subject to reasonable library rules" (K.A.R. 54-1-8).

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Grants | South Central Kansas Library System (SCKLS)

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Member libraries like yours received more than 480 grants in the past year. See the comprehensive list of grants available below. Choose from multiple grant categories SCKLS budget is dedicated to grants, services and programs As a condition for SCKLS membership, participating libraries agree to "permit any citizen of the territory comprising the system to borrow materials or receive services without charge, subject to reasonable library rules" (K.A.R.

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During Teacher Appreciation Week, we started something new from the library with a little help from our families at Van Meter in the VMEPC.

I saw this adorable idea during Read Across America Week from Weaver Elementary on Twitter called You've Been Book'd!

I love this! What a special way to get more books into classrooms and the hands of teachers and students.

For our You've Been Book'd program at Van Meter, we wanted to put a bit of a different spin on it for our elementary.

With our You've Been Book'd program, there will be six You've Been Book'd bags. These are little cloth bags with fuzzy, felt like letters that stick onto the bags.

One bag will start out in each of the grade levels kindergarten through fifth grade with a...

...different picture book in each. These books will be new to our library collections and ones that haven't been shared in the library with our readers yet. This will make them super special and new for teachers to share and read aloud.

I had so much fun picking out the first six...even though it sure was hard to narrow down the list.

I went around on Thursday and passed them out explaining that after they read the book, they could pass it onto another classroom who hadn't read it yet, with a reminder to not forget to put it back in the bag for its journey around the school.

To keep track of who has Been Book'd, I created these posters for each door so our readers can mark off which ones they have read in their classroom.

When every classroom has read all six books, they will be returned to the library in their bags.

These new books will then be cataloged and circulated within our library collection and six new books will be selected to make their round in the bags and book us! With each set of books, a new poster will be created and hung on the doors too.

We are super excited about this new program because it will be a way to not only introduce wonderful new picture books to our students and teachers, it will be a way to continue to build our library collection with a diverse selection of engaging, amazing and very special new books.

This will also give ownership of the collection to all of our readers, as we remember and cherish the books that we read from the You've Been Book'd bags for years to come.

Thank you to our VMEPC for helping us kick this off! You are the best and we appreciate everything you do to make our school awesome and give our students the best experiences every day.

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You've Been Book'd! A New Picture Book Program At Van Meter!

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A library and education blog and place to be heard through creating, technology, connecting, reading, collaborating and noise.

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Library Book Display Ideas for Every Month of the Year

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A monthly library book display is a great way to bring awareness to different topics, seasons, and celebrations. Check out these ideas!

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Create a challenge for 3rd-8th graders to read the books off of their reading list and then celebrate all who completed the challenge with a end of program party!

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William Allen White Children's Book Award | The Official Site

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Reading List — William Allen White Children’s Book Award | The Official Site

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William Allen White Children’s Book Award 2021-2022 Reading List for children grades 3-5 and grades 6-8.

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Teachers and students need your support more than ever. Get crayons, books, cleaning supplies, technology, and more to help students get back to learning.
See classroom projects
Our efficiency and transparency have earned us the highest rating on Charity Navigator.

About us

Founded in 2000 by a high school teacher in the Bronx, DonorsChoose empowers public school teachers from across the country to request much-needed materials for their students. Right now there are thousands of teacher requests that you can help bring to life with a gift of any amount.
Read the story

Support teachers and students with a

Monthly Donation

Choose a new project every month.

We'll charge you once a month, and you handpick the projects you want to support. No time to pick? We'll use your donation to help an urgent teacher request.
Support teachers monthly

Transparency & Efficiency

We know that you care about how effectively your donation is being used. That's why we show you how every dollar was spent, how you made a difference, and how grateful the students and teachers are!

We've received the highest possible ratings from:
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by teachers, donors, administrators, and partner organizations across the country.
Learn how to get funded

Looking to help out? There are thousands of exciting teacher requests that would benefit from a donation of any size!
Find a request to support

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DonorsChoose: Support a classroom. Build a future.

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Teachers and students need your support more than ever. Get crayons, books, cleaning supplies, technology, and more to help students get back to learning. See classroom projects Our efficiency and transparency have earned us the highest rating on Charity Navigator.

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It's time to break out the confetti and strike up the band because it's National Library Week, April 7-13! Let's give a round of applause to those magical havens where every shelf holds adventures and where imagination knows no bounds: school libraries. But libraries wouldn't be the community hubs they are if it weren't for librarians! Let's celebrate with a curated list of Canva templates specifically for librarians. But first, let's take a look at some important dates.

School Library Month kicks off every April, thanks to the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). They're the ones who decided to shine a spotlight on our fantastic school librarians and libraries all across the country in 1985. The idea? Well, it's all about getting everyone in the school and community pumped to understand how libraries are essential to learning and education.

School Library Month: April

School Librarian Day: April 4

National Library Week: April 7-13 (second full week in April)

Right to Read Day: April 8

National Library Workers Day: April 9

National Library Outreach Day: April 10

Take Action for Libraries Day: April 11

Canva Templates for Librarians

I've curated a collection of Canva templates tailored specifically for librarians. From eye-catching event posters to activities that can be done in your own library, these templates have customizable elements and vibrant visuals. The purpose of these templates is to empower librarians to showcase the magic of their libraries and inspire a new generation of readers. Don't forget qualifying educators get a Canva Pro account for free! Just another reason to love Canva.

Reminders and Events

Create reminders that teachers can pick up to hang in their classrooms or around the school.

Learning Posters

Create posters that teach students about genres or library processes.

Processes and Expectations

Create posters that teach students about your expectations for the library.

Motivational

Decorate and motivate your students in the library with motivational posters.

Library Signage

Create signage that directs students.

Newsletters

Advocate for your library by spreading the word about everything you do!

Activities

Canva's templates make crafting exciting library activities like scavenger hunts, word searches, and more straightforward.

Digital Citizenship

Many librarians are tasked with teaching digital citizenship to students. Canva has you covered.

Create printables like bookmarks to give to your students. Add their name, your school motto, or mascot to personalize it.

Random Canva Librarian Finds

Search for Library Templates in Canva

Try clicking on the search terms below and begin to explore on your own:

Let's continue celebrating the magic of libraries and fostering a love for learning and reading in every student, one template at a time.

More Librarian Reads
C anva Templates for Librarians
Finding the Perfect Book to Read Next
Two Tools that Make My Job as a Librarian Easier
A Librarian's Approach to Tech Tuesday
How to Get Started with Python in the Library
Want to Boost Your Teacher-Librarian Relationships?
Five Ways to Engage Your School Community with eBooks?

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It's School Library Month! And National Library Week is coming up. Let's celebrate with customizable Canva templates for the library!

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A secondary ELA teacher in Ellsworth hosts First Chapter Fridays. Students can make book suggestions via Padlet for the teacher to read all or part of the first chapter aloud to the class. Students can also post questions and comments about the books. Check out her Padlet!

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Other Grant Opportunities

The State Library of Kansas provides this information as a way to alert the library community to grant opportunities. By doing so, we are not endorsing the content, nor promoting any specific product.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Local Sponsorships and Donations

Deadline: Continuous
The Barnes & Noble Community Relations program supports pre-K-12 schools and not-for-profit arts and literacy organizations. They offer both fundraising programs and donations/sponsorships. Fundraising programs are set up at the store level and inquiries should be directed to the store manager or community relations manager. Proposals for donations or sponsorships should be submitted to the store manager or community relations manager at your local Barnes & Noble.
http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our_company/sponsorship/sponsorship_local/donations_local.html

The Beacon Society Jan Stauber Grant

Deadline: May 1
This grant provides financial assistance to persons and organizations developing literacy programs and other educational experiences that will introduce young people to Sherlock Holmes.
www.beaconsociety.com/JanStauberGrant.html

Digital Humanities Start-Up Grants (NEH)

Deadline: September 11
The National Endowment for the Humanities Digital Humanities Start-Up Grant program awards grants to support the planning stages of innovative projects of benefit to the humanities. Their focus is on projects on digital culture, scholarship, and technology and their impact on the study of the humanities.
http://www.neh.gov/grants/odh/digital-humanities-start-grants

Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program

Deadline: Ongoing
The DUC offers books, educational guides, posters, videos, CDs, DVDs and interactive materials about contemporary art, architecture, art history and cultural issues from museums, publishers and individual artists and writers to public schools, libraries, and community centers within the U.S. that are located in either rural or inner-city communities. All DUC materials are new books that have been generously donated to the program by publishers.
www.ducprogram.org

Estela and Raul Mora Award

Deadline: August 15
The Estela and Raul Mora Award is presented annually to the most exemplary celebration of El Día de Los Niños/El Día de los Libros (Children's Day/Book Day) by REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos. Libraries, schools, educational institutions, and other organizations serving youth that plan to implement Día programs are eligible to apply.
http://www.reforma.org/content.asp?pl=7&sl=44&contentid=44

First Book

Deadline: Continuous
First Book is a nonprofit that provides new books and educational resources to schools and programs serving children in need, for free and at low cost. Registration is necessary to ensure their books go to organizations serving children from low-income families.
http://register.firstbook.org/

Grants to Educators (NEA Foundation)

Deadline: June 1
The National Education Association awards grants to public school educators, counselors, and support professionals to enhance teaching and learning.
http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/grants-to-educators/

The Lisa Libraries

Deadline: Ongoing
The Lisa Libraries donates new children's books and small libraries to organizations that work with kids in poor and under-served areas.
www.lisalibraries.org/need.php

Lowe's Community Partners Grants

Deadline: August 29
Do you need to improve your building? Lowe's Community Partners grant program helps build better communities by providing monetary assistance to nonprofit organizations and municipalities looking for support of high-need projects such as: building renovations/upgrades, grounds improvements, technology upgrades as well as safety improvements.
https://corporate.lowes.com/our-responsibilities/our-communities

Margaret Edwards Teen Collection Development grant

Deadline: December 1
This grant awards $5,000 for a library to use towards improving or expanding its teen collection. Funds may be used for print, non-print and/or digital materials. All personal YALSA members who represent a public library or school library are eligible to apply. Up to four grants will be awarded in 2014. All applicants must be current personal members of ALA/YALSA at the time the application is submitted. A link to the application and more details can be found at http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/Sd6YhVG0Qbeeg2um7IetcD869

Mazda Foundation Grants

Deadline: July 1
The Mazda Foundation accepts applications for programs promoting education and literacy.
http://www.mazdafoundation.org/Grant_Guidelines.html

Mockingbird Music Education Grants

Deadline: August 1
Do you incorporate music in your story times? Have you ever wanted to lend musical instruments? The Mockingbird Foundation offers competitive grants to schools and nonprofit organizations with a programmatic focus on music education for children.
http://mbird.org/funding/guidelines/

Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations: Planning Grants

Deadline: August 31
Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations grants provide support for museums, libraries, historic places, and other organizations that produce public programs in the humanities. Planning grants support the early stages of project development, including consultation with scholars, refinement of humanities themes, preliminary design, testing, and audience evaluation.
http://www.neh.gov/grants/public/museums-libraries-and-cultural-organizations-planning-grants

Rockwell Collins

Deadline: Continuous
Rockwell Collins makes charitable contributions to a variety of nonprofit organizations in the United States and around the world. Their giving priorities include education with an emphasis in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and arts and culture with an emphasis on youth development. They believe that by strengthening the quality of education and providing opportunities for youth involvement and leadership, they are helping students prepare for the future. http://www.rockwellcollins.com/Our_Company/Corporate_Responsibility/Community_Overview/Charitable_Giving.aspx

Shell

Deadline: Continuous
Shell supports K-12 programs that boost math and science skills. They are especially interested in supporting educational outreach in math, science and technology to women/minority students and academic institutions with ethnically diverse enrollments. Priority considerations is given to organizations serving in or near US communities where Shell has a major presence.
http://www.shell.us/environment-society/grant.html

TechSoup

Deadline: Continuous
Do you need technology products for your library? TechSoup's focus is connecting your nonprofit, charity, or public library with tech products and services. Once registered and qualified with TechSoup, libraries can access donated and discounted products and services from partners like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, Intuit, and Symantec.
http://www.techsoup.org/

Teens Teach Tech Grant

Deadline: Grant Cycle
Funding for a Teens Teach Tech program in your community! These programs serve as a series of informational workshops led by teens, meant for older adults to learn how to use modern technological devices. By teaching senior citizens to be comfortable with modern devices, the teens will also be strengthening intergenerational relationships and supporting community development. The grant will provide teens with proper training materials and will aid with promotional advertising for the program, including funding for promotional flyers, print-outs and volunteer staff T-shirts.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13eI-ZJZnrzbvkCU-CTHkybMNeUo1Bum6_-9_B94pjRM/viewform?fbzx=1220013066718164286

USDA- Community Connect Grants

Deadline: July 7
The Community Connect program serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for citizens. The projects funded by these grants will help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet.
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_commconnect.html

Wells Fargo

Deadline: Continuous
Wells Fargo supports organizations that work to strengthen communities. They look for projects that keep communities strong, diverse, and vibrant. They strive to assist communities by supporting non-profit organizations that provide human services, community development, educational, artistic, cultural, civic and environmental programs.
https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/charitable/ks_guidelines

Wish You Well Foundation

Deadline: Continuous
Nearly 100 million people, half the population of the United States, are unable to read or read at a below-average level. The mission of the Wish You Well Foundation is "Supporting family literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs." Donations are made that relate to programs and projects that aid in this stated mission.
http://www.wishyouwellfoundation.org/apply/

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Deadline: Continuous
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation places vulnerable children and their families at the center of everything they do. They want the organizations and policies they support to surround them with integrated programs that address comprehensive needs of children, their families, and communities. They're interested in funding programs that work within a programming framework for educated kids, healthy kids, secure families, racial equity, and civic engagement.
http://www.wkkf.org/grantseekers

Westinghouse N-Vision A Brighter Future Grant

Deadline: November 14
Careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are vital to the future. Three schools will be awarded $1,000 to complete a hands-on STEM project by the end of the 2014-2015 school year. Another $2,000 will be granted to each of these school's science department for its needs.
www.westinghousenuclear.com/Community/EducationalGrants.shtm

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The State Library of Kansas provides this information as a way to alert the library community to grant opportunities. By doing so, we are not endorsing the content, nor promoting any specific product. Deadline: Continuous The Barnes & Noble Community Relations program supports pre-K-12 schools and not-for-profit arts and literacy organizations.

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Applying for library grants is a great way to leverage your library. While school events and fundraisers can help, they require a lot of work. Grant money can help you create a more robust library with a lot of variety to offer your students. One common misconception when it comes to writing grants is that they take a lot of time. In reality, applying for library grants does not have to be too time-consuming, and the payoff can be really big. Check out the list of the ten library grants every librarian should apply for.

This grant can be used for schools, public libraries, and nonprofits who work with students that need help improving their literacy skills. You can use the grant funding to expand literacy programs, purchase equipment, and technology to support literacy, and also purchase books and materials for any literacy programs.

The 2023 applications open on March 9th. The maximum grant amount is $4,000.

This grant is intended to expand existing summer reading programs but can also be used to develop new programs. If you work in a Pre-K-12th grade school where students who are new readers, below grade level, or have been identified with learning disabilities - this grant was made for you.

The 2023 applications have closed for this grant, but keep your eye out for them to open again in 2024. The maximum grant amount is $3,000.

In order to apply for this grant, you must be a member of AASL (American Association of School Librarians). This grant is intended for projects that help improve reading for K-9th grade students. They are looking for applicants that want to motivate readers in innovative ways and have research to support their project. The full list of regulations is on the website linked above.

The next round of applications for this library grant will open in September 2023. You can earn up to $2,500 for this grant.

The Laura Bush Foundation grant is intended to help librarians extend, update, and diversify their libraries to promote a love of reading in students. In order to apply, your school must be Title I Eligible. If you teach in a Private or Parochial school, you can apply if 50% or more of the student population qualifies for financial aid.

Applications for this library grant will reopen in the fall of 2023. In 2022, the foundation gave away $1.5 million in grants to 300 libraries.

Money from this grant is intended to purchase books that will be used repeatedly by school-aged children or to purchase reference materials. This grant can also be used for processing or cataloging fees from book vendors or for newspaper or magazine subscriptions for your school's library. One great thing about this grant is that you can reapply annually, even if you've previously been awarded the money. The funds are intended to be used within 9 months of receiving them.

Applications for this grant are open from November-February annually. Grant amounts typically range from $2,500 to $10,000.

This is one of the more unique library grants, but it's a fun one. The purpose of this grant is to foster a love of reading for students, specifically by introducing them to Sherlock Holmes books. The target audience is elementary, middle, and high schools in the USA and Canada.

Applications for this grant can be submitted at any point throughout the year, and you can earn up to $1,000.

This library grant is intended to help schools in the United States purchase diverse titles for their libraries. One requirement of this grant is that the books stay on the shelves for at least 4 years. This grant is unique in that it prioritizes applicants located in areas most impacted by book bans and censorship.

Applications for this grant open annually in February. The grant will provide up to $10,000 in funds.

The Peggy Barber grant is associated with the American Library Association (ALA). Each year, the ALA chooses to focus the grant on a specific type of library programming. For example, this year, the grant focuses on programming related to increasing access for underserved groups or new library users. One unique feature of this library grant is that it is not school-specific, any type of literacy program can apply.

Applications for this grant will reopen in December 2023. The maximum grant amount is $2,500.

If you're looking to build your library's graphic novel collection, this is definitely a grant you should check out. The purpose of this grant is to increase awareness of the importance of graphic literature and chooses applicants who wish to create programs and services that will promote graphic novels. In order to apply for this grant, you must be a current ALA member.

Applications for this grant open annually in February. Each library receives $4,000, and they do require you to spend the money in certain ways, such as buying novels, hosting an event, and attending the ALA conference.

This grant can be used for both schoolwide and classroom libraries, and can be used to purchase books, software, calculators, art supplies, math manipulatives, AV equipment, and lab materials. It is required that funds are used within one year of receiving the grant. Applicants cannot reapply for this grant within two years of winning the grant previously.

Applications are open twice annually, once in October and once in March. The maximum grant amount is $500.

As you can see, there is such a large variety of library grants out there that can support you as you work to build a more diverse and robust library. Library grants are a great way to bring money into your school library without having to spend out of pocket or host events. If you're unsure of how to write a grant, make sure to use the resources available to you! Reach out to others in your school who may have experience, or even ask a librarian at the local library. There are even many guides available online to support you.

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10 Library Grants Every Librarian Should Apply For

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Applying for library grants is a great way to leverage your library and get more resources. Check out these 10 library grant suggestions!

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Facebook Group - Library Bulletin Boards and Displays

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Facebook Group - Library Bulletin Boards and Displays

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Facebook Group - Future Ready Librarians

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Facebook Group - Future Ready Librarians

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I linked to his TPT site as he has created several great, free resources. He has a Facebook Group as well that he is not super active on these days. Maybe try his Instagram for more frequent content.

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Browse over 200 educational resources created by TheBookWrangler in the official Teachers Pay Teachers store.

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Mr. Sharp is a fifth grade teacher and author of books about reading. I also recommend following him on Social Media as he is constantly reviewing and suggesting great kid lit. Not just chapter books but also picture books. His love of books is contagious.

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Literacy advocates with a deep passion for books bestselling author Donalyn Miller and 5th grade teacher Colby Sharp showcase the power of children s access to books, providing teachers and administrators with the tools and information they need to increase children s meaningful interaction with books and to launch or sustain book access initiatives in their communities. Through research and testimonials from voices in the field and their own classroom experiences, Miller and Sharp provide practical and resourceful information on a range of topics and areas, (including successful school and classroom libraries, the power of book ownership, the importance of cultural and social access to books, and meaningful family-community reading engagement) designed to help dramatically increase children s access to and life-changing engagement with books.

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This site is also connected on social media platforms. There are a ton of great resources and ideas here.

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Staying Cool in the Library - A place for school librarians to learn and grow together

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Blog for school librarians, media specialists, and teachers. Find school library lesson plans, great ideas, activities, FREE resources, digital downloads, and more. Features library skills and picture book activities. Your Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classroom or home school students will love everything here. Technology teachers too.

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Read Aloud Librarian - Website/Social Media

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Read Aloud Librarian - Website/Social Media

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The Read Aloud Librarian has a website linked above, but I follow on social media, and that's where I discovered her. She was a school librarian, and within the last several years is now focusing on providing and creating tools and resources for librarians.

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Elementary Library Lessons for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade! - read aloud librarian

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Click the image for lessons available for purchase on Teachers Pay Teachers! Full Year Library Curriculum Library Sub Plans Three weeks of sub plans! No technology needed. Holiday Bundles Features six picture book titles and six activities for K-5. TpT listing has all the titles needed and samples!