Ideas & Advice for New School Librarians by Frenchie

Library Haunted House

mfrench76 — 2025-01-27 18:54:29 UTC

Over the course of three years, the Athenian puts on a student-ran literary themed Haunted House. It takes place in the evening during the fall dance and is open to Middle & Upper School students.

After picking a theme, The Library Advisory Board spends two weeks planning the transformation of the library, with two days before shutting down the library for total spookiness preparation.

The event is an awesome example of how the community comes together in collaboration, utilizing students, different departments, parent donations, and of course the Library. Whether behind the scenes, playing the role of Carrie, or just walking through, there is something for everyone to be a part of the fun.

9th Grade Research Workshops

mfrench76 — 2025-01-27 18:58:59 UTC

In collaboration between Library Workers & 9th grade history teachers, every 9th grader comes to library as a class to recieve a presentation and demonstration on navigating the digital resources the library offers such as Databases, news resources, and print books.

The Library is happy to support history cirriculum with intorducing students to research skills and methods. Afterwards, the librarian provides feedback and reflection on what students are seeing as the major takeaways, and come back to the library for further questions.

The Library Advisory Board

mfrench76 — 2025-01-28 17:42:05 UTC

The Library Advisory Board is a student club that meets every other week. Our purpose is for students to have a voice in the ongoing operations of the library as well as fostering a life long love for libraries.

We meet about many things, agendas being proposed by members and facilitated between Librarians and LAB president.

Collection development, display planning, Library Use Policy creation
Discussions: How do we feel about the work of authors whose actions we don’t agree with? Why is the Dewey decimal system used and is it still relevant?
Program Planning & Staffing
Parties & Celebrations
Field trips to college & public libraries

Library Newsletters

mfrench76 — 2025-01-28 18:09:23 UTC

I've found that library newsletters are an engaging way for people to see what's new in the library and motivate them to come by and check out the shelves & displays. I try to keep them bold, bright, and short so students aren't disuaded by too much writing.

Bringing Work Home With You

mfrench76 — 2025-01-28 18:12:36 UTC

This an important part of making sure your job remains sustainable. I found myself doing this too much when I had started and I sought support from my Library Director to chat about setting boundaries when it came to working on things for the library at home - which has largely become very little.

It was also helpful to check in with other staff around campus to hear about how they deal with this situation as well.

Student Agency and Creativity

mburnham21 — 2025-01-28 19:57:22 UTC

The El Cerrito High library has wonderful light, so plants are able to thrive! Given the current trend to cultivate and care for indoor plants, many students enjoy doing this at school in our beautiful space. This large terrarium was created by a TA last year, and continues to thrive - it serves as a very fun conversation piece for students wondering if there are little animals living inside of it (there are not ;-) and brings a bit of the outdoors into our indoor space :-)

Set up your space

mburnham21 — 2025-01-28 20:05:51 UTC

The "behind the scenes" life of your library can be orchestrated to support your healthy work-life balance. For instance, adding a mini fridge, microwave and teapot can support eating well and nurturing yourself.