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They closed the library on Friday for testing. It was last minute, so students came down thinking they had a class scheduled and I had to turn them away. 😡 Today their teacher told me how disappointed they were and how they came in thinking it's an April Fools joke. How lovely that they cared so much and of course we're making it up to them.😊

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They closed the library on Friday for testing. It was last minute, so students came down thinking they had a class scheduled and I had to turn them away. 😡 Today their teacher told me how disappointed they were and how they came in thinking it's an April Fools joke. How lovely that they cared so much and of course we're making it up to them.😊

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Today (Monday morning) I had three students waiting outside my door before school started because they missed me but more importantly, they ran out of books over the weekend and really needed to get them before the day started!  

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Today (Monday morning) I had three students waiting outside my door before school started because they missed me but more importantly, they ran out of books over the weekend and really needed to get them before the day started!  

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We've been closed for renovation since March 2020. Not a day goes by without a student asking me "When will the library open?" Students miss and want their school library!!!

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Student was talking to me in the Media Center about how they like coding. I took the time to go through my graduate class notes and put a list together of coding websites she could use. She was so touched. The next time I saw her she declared me the "Best Teacher Ever". Felt so good to know I was useful, helpful, making a difference!

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Had a student's mother complain that her son wasn't a reader, asked if I had any suggestions. I said I'd sit down and talk to him to see if I could help him find something he'd like.

My first question: "What do you like to read?"

He shakes his head. "I don't read. The only thing I read are online game manuals and reviews."

I pause, staring at him. He looks confused, then thinks about it, then smiles.

I hooked him up with Marie Lu's WARCROSS, and he tore through it and asked me to get the sequel. After that, I had trouble keeping up with his book requests!

There's no such thing as "Not a reader." There's just "Not a reader - yet!"

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During lunch, one of my students shared with me how special the library is to him. He said that coming into the library has allowed him to find friends with common interests and it's a place that he finds peace. To see how happy he was really filled with me so much joy. I had the biggest smile under my mask! 

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During lunch, one of my students shared with me how special the library is to him. He said that coming into the library has allowed him to find friends with common interests and it's a place that he finds peace. To see how happy he was really filled with me so much joy. I had the biggest smile under my mask! 

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I was showing my 6th graders my latest digital book display. A student raised her hand she said, thanks for including a book that had the point of view of the Indigenous people. My grandmother was Indigenous and it always upset her how her point of view wasn't seen.

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I try to build meaningful relationships with all of my students, especially the ones who are the toughest. My first year at my new school, this little guy was rough. But we worked together and he began to learn how to handle his emotions and make better choices.
Fast forward to year 3. My young friend stops by every day to say hi and check on me, often gifting me with a treasure. (I always check to make sure he REALLY wants to give it away, because they are pretty cool gifts!)
So now I’ve got Poppits of all shapes and sizes, fidgets, Pokémon cards, a handmade necklace, homemade slime, a book eraser, a marble, hand sanitizer, and an epoxy resin circle (my Wonder Woman duck has a cool, new stand!). This kid has an amazing heart!
He’s bringing two of his classmates now with him to visit and bring me “gifts” (often prizes they’ve earned, snacks, or drawings and notes)❤️🥰
P.S. I gift them with awesome items in exchange, because…Kindness!  Pass it on! ❤️
#sparkjoy #librarylove #myheart

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I try to make the library a warm and comforting “home away from home”. In addition to many new books I also have some games and jigsaw puzzles. Today one of my “regulars” brought in her group of friends to show all the cool things in the library. They were so happy and excited.

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A student was in my library for a special project, and asked about a book that had previously been on display about gay cheerleaders. I found it for them, and they read the whole thing quickly (it was a short graphic novel) and asked for something similar. I pulled up my LGBTQ list, and we found some books to pull. I asked the student their name, and they told me a preferred name that was different in my system, so I immediately changed it in both of my library records. The student seemed speechless that I changed their name and told me they love to read but never had really stepped foot in a school library but would definitely be coming back. They left with two additional books, and a pile to come back to soon.

Representation matters, being seen matters, diverse libraries matter, names matter. I’m so grateful to be a safe space for students.

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I heard from another teacher that a student was so overwhelmed to find a copy of The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani in our library. She explained that her family’s story was similar to Nisha’s story- and she never “saw” herself in a book.

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When I walked out of school one day, all the kids were waving at me and yelling Hi and excited to see me. A teacher who walked out with me said how cool it must be to be the librarian, like a school celebrity even. Filled my bucket right up.

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Library was not a popular place when I first got to my school. It has taken me a while but for the first time, I have kids asking for titles and devouring non- fiction. I overheard a kid tell his friend last week that Library time was his favorite class of the week. I don't think I've ever felt taller! 

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Library was not a popular place when I first got to my school. It has taken me a while but for the first time, I have kids asking for titles and devouring non- fiction. I overheard a kid tell his friend last week that Library time was his favorite class of the week. I don't think I've ever felt taller! 

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I had a highschool junior come into the library today looking for a specific title by V.C. Andrews. I was very surprised but delighted. I helped her find the book and she screamed and hugged me. (Made me happy that I had not weeded that section yet!)We proceeded to have a discussion about her books! A win today!

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I had a highschool junior come into the library today looking for a specific title by V.C. Andrews. I was very surprised but delighted. I helped her find the book and she screamed and hugged me. (Made me happy that I had not weeded that section yet!)We proceeded to have a discussion about her books! A win today!

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A new third grader recently told me a funny story from home while the class was book browsing. I asked him if he was talking about his brother (and used his name) who I taught last year and had moved up to middle school. He was so surprised that I remembered his brother’s name that he said, “You are the best” and quickly gave me a hug. With all of the social distancing and masking we have been doing it totally took me off guard. As he left the library that day he wished me a “splendid day!” He did make it truly splendid.

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I'm interning at an elementary school library now. I look forward to stepping in the library every morning. The students are ready to learn and thirsty for a good read. We just have to be a great matchmaker -- matching a great book to the right reader. If we're able to excite students about reading, it will be like winning a lifetime lotto that pays over and over again. More school time should be dedicated to leisure reading and less time to assignments. It just sucks the fun right out of it.

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The library in my elementary school hadn't been used by the students for more than six years.  I was asked last June to take it over with a mandate to have recently returned remote students have the pleasure of turning the pages of an actual book (paraphrasing my principal).  I spent much of August and early September cleaning shelves, taking stock of what remained, and contributing over 200 books from home and my old class library.  I was assigned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade.  Besides the professional compliments from my colleagues, it was reported to me by a few teachers that the students squeal with delight when told it was time for library and that they don't get that excited for Phys Ed!
As a former Gym teacher, that was high praise indeed! As of November 8th, over 1,100 books have been borrowed by students and staff since we re-opened. As a veteran teacher of 34 years, I have had my batteries recharged and my sense of purpose fulfilled by the delight my students exhibit as they gush over receiving a book they enjoy for free.

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I'm reading aloud first chapters of Newbery winners to 5th grade. Today a student asked if we could do The Cricket in Times Square next because she is currently reading it and wants to hear it in my voice.

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Students were coming in for open-access lunch.  One young man stated, "I love this library, you are great, you have all the books I want to read and it always smells like Swedish Fish in here." (Febreze Air Effects Fresh Twist Cranberry

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I had a student stop me in the stairwell to tell me she loves me and I'm her favorite library person ever because she knows if she is upset she can always come to the library where I will always ask how her day is going. Then I listen when she answers. Such a little thing, but it means so much to have someone hear her.

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During our freshman orientation a student came over to ask how many books were they allowed to borrow at one time. I said if they were a responsible patron there was no limit. He literally started jumping up and down and said I want to hug you. This is a great collection. There are so many books I want to borrow.