It amazes me that some people (students and unfortunately teachers) do not see us as teachers. Recently, I had a friend who did not realize that I do lesson plans and plan lessons.

After viewing the student project demonstrations at GaETC, it reminded me that students can accomplish MUCH provided with opportunities to learn. Those hands on opportunities will be the ones that will be remembered.

I did like the idea of using the media center's makerspace area and supplies to make community service "gifts".

Hack #4 - Students do need to feel empowered to guide the direction of the media center's selection among other things.

Each year I spend time with individual students and classes just talking to them that this is "their" media center" not mine. I need to know what types of books do they want in the collection. I email them a reading and book choice survey to get feedback on what they like and tailor my book purchases to that. {Faculty gets one too}. Sometimes, a student will tell me about a book they love. I will ask them do they think it would be a great addition to the collection. If they do, I get them to fill out an online book purchase form.

I do use student media center aides to assist in running the media center. I tell them they are "The Face of the Media Center", so they need to be friendly and knowledgeable of what books that might interest another student.

Hack #6 - Be a resource of assistive technologies as well as non-English print resources and hi-low books for teachers. Be able to train them on new technology that can transform study materials to levels that are appropriate of a student's learning style and ability. Lee County has done a great job of this with Ignite training to take back to the school's faculty. "One size" of instruction no longer fits every student and if teachers were aware of some of the new assistive technologies, they might be less stressed as well as the students and everyone's a winner.

Hack 4- Creating student leaders is important to the school. I do usually informally have students who help me in various ways. I like how they created specific job titles. This is similar to what we did as elementary classroom teachers. This would be easy to create as well. Giving students ownership of various spaces and tasks would help us and them.

Hack 6-Collection development and resources is a very important area for librarians. I think as librarians we make decisions about resources but the staff doesn't always know. This chapter reminded to plan ways to promote and provide instruction for not only the students but the teachers as well.

I found it interesting to try collaborating through classroom visits. It makes it hard to do this with a fixed schedule. Teachers want to use library time as a “break” so they don’t utilize us like they should.

Hack 6 focused on differentiation and the value of writing. The point of writing is the perfect place to demonstrate differentation. My schoolwide PLP involves a focus on writing. This was a reminder to me that the library has great potential for providing support to the academic goals of the school at large. I plan to use book creator to instruct students on writing teacher appreciation content. This will both be encouraging to the teacher while also supporting the schools writing goals. I am not sure which route I will take but I think it would be engaging to have students write their own graphic stories/mini graphic novels, write tall tales or some other collective work. Students will be able to peer review, expand their own ideas and find motivation in reading one anothers created works.

Hack 4: So, we have had some not so good experiences with student aides in the past and since COVID we haven't had aides. This section makes me want to consider it again to see if maybe we may have a different outcome! Each year we like to poll our students when we begin ordering books, print and digital. We want them involved as much as possible in the selection process. We get responses, but very few. We started an intagram page with the anticipation of drawing in hundreds of students, well we are a little dissapointed. Maybe involving students in the making of posts would draw in a bigger audience. Time to look for a new poster child! We want to empower our students and provide wonderful experiences!

Tessa Dunn

Hack 6: We always suggest Sora/Overdrive to our students that are looking for alternatives to reading, here they can listen to a book. Our recent purchase of the ViewSonic boards have been an excellent addition for diverse learners. Students are wanting to participate and they are learning the boards faster than the staff. We are planning to add RiseVison information system to all displays and ViewSonic Boards. We have been told this will allow us to share information to everyone. We are hoping we can share book trailers, new books etc., to spark the interest of all learners.

Tessa Dunn

I also like the "Bagels and Books" event. This could be something every quarter to draw teachers and admin into the library to see what's new, what students have been doing, etc.

I also like the posters of teachers, Central Office staff, community members, etc. reading or showing their favorite book. I do this with two teachers per month and have them on our scrolling info board in the library, but I would like to expand it.

Hack 6: One thing that stuck with me that I do not do is advertise all the things our stakeholders have access to...students and teachers with AVL, Open Resources, QR codes to other language resources, etc. I am going to work on incorporating this into posters in each hallway.

This statement hit home with me because I naturally gravitate to leading from the background. I have learned over the past two years the weight of imporance library advocacy is to the success of a highly effective media program.

This statement stood out to me because we have worked hard over the past two years to really showcase our media center through social media and our school's information boards. I believe the only way to change the way people perceive the library, is to simply advertise!

This statement stood out to me because we have worked on developing our space to accommodate flexible seating and provide unique spaces for our teachers and students. We constantly encourage and invite teachers to come use our space. When we do have classes come use our space we make sure we are available for any assistance if needed.

HACK 10 Promoting reading is little more challenging at the secondary level. By the time students get to us they are either a reader or not. We are working on transforming our shelves to dynamic shelving to promote more interest. We also use our school information boards and social media to advertise books. We have staff and students recommend their favorite books. This year we have added rotating book shelves to advertise our new books.

"I don't believe in nonreaders or reluctant readers; they are yet-to-be readers!" "The connection will happen when they discover books that speak to them, regardless of topic and reading level." These statements are so true! This is the very reason why we have been working on dynamic shelving and advertising books more frequently at the secondary level.

1. Continue dynamic shelving

2. Start and finish genrefication.

3. Promote and share our media center more frequently.

4. Continue to build our maker space section.

*create a flyer to highlight resources

*create and print bookmarks

*meet with new teachers (after things settle down), visit teachers during planning to promote collaboration and use of the PMC, write personal notes and send personal emails

Ch 10: I liked the idea of the "Ask me what I'm reading" buttons. This could be done at different times throughout the school year. I think not only would the students enjoy it but the teachers and other school staff would as well. I also like "This book was recommended by..." I always have students recommend books but I don't label that the book was a student recommended book.

In chapter 10, there are several ideas that I have wanted to try but am not sure how to maintain them with a tight schedule for teachers and myself. For example, I would like find a way to feature teacher picks as well as student picks without adding more work to teacher loads. I would need to figure out how to maintain it which may invovlve recruiting a parent volunteer to help.

1. Reorganize my Kindergarten - First Grade area, making it a bit easier for students to see the books.

2. I also want to make have more dynamic shelving - especially displaying new books.

3. I tried to create a Library Advisory group with my upper grades, but I was not successful in having a set meeting day and time. It was random and students have even asked when are we meeting again? I want to get this up and going next year, and have those students provide input for book purchases and also in helping in the Media Center.

4. Lastly, try to publicize (even more that what I have been doing) what we are doing in the Media Center and what we offer. As the book stated, no one else is going to tell our learning community what we are doing, or what we have to offer. We have to make that known.

Despite the services we have shared we provide, many still look on us as a break for them, as someone who just checks in and out books, as someone that really doesn't teach. This is something I've had to overcome with my own family. I had a family member who said all you need to know are your ABCs to do your job. If only this were so! We plan and teach. Ultimately, we must be the voice that shares what we are doing, what we can do, and what we will do. I do wish my schedule wasn't so fixed where I could get into classrooms more, but until it has a bit more flex/collaboration time; I must be the one that shows how much assistance I can provide. I not the person who wants attention, but the one who is naturally hanging in the background. I must learn to move more toward the front and get the attention on the importance of reading and the importance of our Media Center.

• If you read this, then you might like this lists.

• Ask me what I am reading buttons for faculty and staff.

• "Shelfie" pictures, students love to see pictures of themselves.

Celebrating reading has so much more influence when the whole school community buys in. If we can create an excitement and faculty and staff are behind it, students will be more likely to get on board. Now, can you tell me how to get my faculty and staff onboard and helping spread the excitement?

#6 - I have been working on developing our Spanish collection in the library since this is a growing population in BGES. Collaborating with our ELL teacher has also been helpful in gathering resources and planning for the needs of these students.

The last chapter sums it up: We must create a "Reading Culture" in our schools. I am sure that I will refer back to the ideas in this book often as it is very applicable.

My problem - so many ideas, so little time... :)

At my previous position, I worked with another LMS and she was always saying this so it has always stood out to me as something that I need to do in this profession. It was also stated in this chapter that some people have an outdated view of the library, and we have to change that. That's why it is important to get the word out on what is going on in the library through a flyer, newsletter, social media, etc. We can tell teachers what we offer at the beginning of the year faculty meeting, but like Tessa said, they are already on information overload so doing a monthly flyer or newsletter is something to consider.

1. Continue weeding fiction section and generify.

2. Create a "library newsletter" or flyer showcasing circ. statistics, spotlighting readers, listing what the library has to offer, etc.

3. Possibly create an Instagram page for the library.

4. Continue "dynamic shelving." I created a "new book/monthly theme" section this year and would like to continue with making the fiction section look more like a book store.

• I would like to create a newsletter about what the library has to offer and spotlight the students and what they are reading, as well as new books in the library. I would like to try to do this at least 4 times a year.

• I would like to create more signs to share information about books and create "If you like, ... then, you might like..."

• This past year, I asked teachers to share their current read and/or their favorite book and take a picture with the book. I created posters for each teacher and hung them outside their classrooms. I would like to do the same thing next year but also make mini posters and hang them up in the library for a reminder to the students and for them to see all of the teachers in one place.

• Next year, I want to begin weeding the fiction section next year.

• I would also like to create more space for dynamic shelving.

“Each teacher-librarian has the power to change the perception of the school library.” Chapter 8 aligns with many of my already held beliefs, like the importance of advertising what all we do in the library (not just shelving books or reading to kindergarteners).  I noticed the effect of NOT doing that this year.  I feel like I’ve had to fight for every second I’ve been given at faculty meetings to present my information.  It gets planned, then canceled at (literally, as I’m standing up to present) the last second.  I didn’t have this problem in my first two years.  The difference in the way the teachers treat me is stark.  I’m going to find ways to get my time in next year.  The teachers respect me more.

Chapter 10 has so many great ideas!  I love the “What We’re Reading” posters, and the student made book trailers on the morning news.

·       “Collectible” teacher bookmarks.  They will have the teacher’s Bitmoji and a book recommendation from them

·       Dynamic shelving

·       Book tasting event

When purchasing books, I always like to go to Books-a-Million and walk through the "Bargain-Priced" book section. It is always a hit or miss adventure, but I have been able to somewhat frequently find books at prices from $3.99 to $6.99 that students have asked for or maybe the library copy is worn and needs replacing. Sometimes, Amazon has great prices on the books you need..

Hack #8 - Design shirts {could be T-shirt or a nice "Polo"/collared shirt} for the media specialist and/or students to wear both at school {depending on faculty dress code} or when you or a student are either a school event or just "out and about town". Create a "brand logo" and a motto that is unique to your media center and eye-catching, so when someone sees the shirt, it may lead to a conversation about your media center and its books and services...

Hack #8 - Part 2 - Probably within the last year or two, I have realized that I needed to do a better job promoting the media center and all of its positives to the "outside world" {Robert has never been the fastest one out of the gate, but Robert gets there eventually} and some of you do a great job doing that, especially via social media...I like the idea of an e-newsletter like S'mores sent out quarterly, if not monthly. I had started doing a couple e-newsletters this past year with the idea of sending one out more frequently and more library items/news in the upcoming year.

Hack #10 - Lots of good ideas in this hack. Some of which I have already been attempting to do but this hack gave me some ideas to improve those "baby steps" I had taken over the last couple of years. {Love the "Ask me what I am reading" buttons idea}

I totally agree with the concept that the library collection should be books that students WANT to read and not assigned to read. Every year during my library orientation I stress to the students that the library collection is made up of their books not mine; not other teachers. I tell them about an online book request form that they can fill out {Even had flyers posted throughout the school with a QR code on it for form access} and I use those request forms to buy the books they want that are within the district's selection policy.

I also encourage them to come get me if they can't find a book and we have a discussion on what they are interested in and go from there. It's been a blast getting to know the students through these conversations and seeing them finding books they like on their own and after they finish the book talking with them about what they liked or disliked about the book.

(1) Improve promoting the library and it's happenings throughout the school and out to the community

(2) Begin to transition the fiction books from the traditional shelving system to grouping books by genres to make it give it more of a bookstore vibe which will make it easier for students to find the book they want to read.

I really don't know how far I will get with either goal because next year will be a transition year for the junior high and freshman center libraries. I am truly looking forward to working with Mrs. Blythe who always has great ideas and is willing to give them a go and see what happens.

I also like the idea of inserting book bubble bookmarks that say, "Choose Me."

-More dynamic shelving

-Promoting reading by using the school news, bookmarks, teachers, etc.