https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio Made with panache en-us 2020-04-18 15:53:13 UTC 2020-04-25 15:02:32 UTC hello@padlet.com https://wab.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/fiction.jpg aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514468926 Students are constantly looking for new ways of discovering books. There are a few tried and true ways to help facilitate this: book displays, student recommendation boards, discussions...the list goes on and on. One of the things I wanted to do was create a way students could access my recommendations from home. For this, I created a Wakelet. Students can access the Wakelet from school by scanning QR codes around the library, but they can also access it from home. It is on our school web-platform as well as our library website. For each book, I write a brief explanation of why I loved it, and then the link takes students to the Goodreads summary & review page. It was just introduced to students, but they are already asking for more!


]]> 2020-04-18 15:54:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514468926 aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469139 When I took over my school library at the start of this school year, I was so overwhelmed just with the sheer amount of outdated and underutilized materials. I knew that a massive weeding project had to happen, but I had no idea where to start. I spent countless hours researching and strategizing. It was about 20 years overdue, and I wanted to make sure it was done right. Now, my collection is in a great place that will allow me to do a yearly small-scale weed just to maintain and build a great collection. Hopefully your library isn't as neglected as mine was, but just in case, I have put together a list of resources for anybody who just don't know where to begin when it comes to the weeding process. ]]> 2020-04-18 15:55:00 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469139 aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469247 My big task for this year was to rearrange my library. We have an amazing, huge wall of windows, and it was almost completely covered by stacks of books -- why?? So I began researching and formulated a layout. The library furniture has been moved, but due to the lockdown, I haven't been able to go in and get to work putting it back together! All of the books are off the shelves, every display is taken down, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do some research into what exactly I want it to look like when I get back in there! ]]> 2020-04-18 15:55:06 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469247 aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469341 One of my top priorities when taking over my school's library was on EDI. I have spent so long as an English teacher advocating for representation in literature, yet when I walked through the shelves of our library, I saw most homogeny. My priority in collection management this year has been added more diverse titles to our collection -- diverse in terms of authorship & characters; diverse in race, sexuality, gender, religion, age, ability, and class. Every student deserves to see themselves represented in our collection, but of equal importance is ensuring that every student has access to a wide range of perspectives. ]]> 2020-04-18 15:55:11 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469341 aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469441 At the high school level, libraries tend to see the same groups over people visiting over and over (unless they are there with a class). These are students who use the library to study, or are avid readers who check out new books weekly. One way to change this is to host a variety of events to draw students into the library. Once they have spent time in the library doing activities they enjoy, they are likely to feel more comfortable coming to the library for support or just to come do their homework. I spent time interviewing other librarians to figure out some unique possibilities. Some events that might draw students in are: 
- Game Marathons
- Book Talks
- Workshops with Local Authors
- Book Fairs
- Artist Workshops
- Problem Solving for Major Issues
- Pen Pal Groups
- Knitting Workshops
- "Books & Bites" 
- Finals Study Sessions
- Poetry Slams
- Art Installations/Exhibits
- Open Mic Nights
- Essay Support Sessions
- "The Lantern" shows
- Amazing Race Program]]> 2020-04-18 15:55:17 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469441 aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469537 One of my favorite parts about being a classroom teacher was writing curriculum. I love all of my job as a librarian, but I still get so much joy out of writing curriculum, or going on the hunt for the perfect resource. As Teacher Librarians, we have such an opportunity to offer support to our fellow educators by compiling nonfiction resources, teaching them new tools, pairing literature with curriculum, and helping to actually teach their classes -- whether that's research strategies, writing support, literature circles, or media literacy. I've compiled a list of resources and research about the role of a teacher librarian in the school.]]> 2020-04-18 15:55:22 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469537 aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469614 In our modern world, one of our most important tasks as librarians is to help create positive digital citizens. The internet is a complex, huge, amazing tool, and students need to be taught how to utilize it well. While classroom teachers do this to an extent, librarians should be able to step in to help students really navigate the web effectively. I've compiled a list of articles and lesson ideas to help assist librarians in this endeavor. ]]> 2020-04-18 15:55:27 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/514469614 aimeeccork1 https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/529210284 There is a school of thought that would argue we no longer have a need for school libraries -- everything is on the internet & students can find it for themselves, right? This is why it is essential that Teacher Librarians know how to advocate for themselves. For this reason, I have created a Wakelet of advocacy tools that librarians can use to inform themselves and communicate with administration and the greater community about why school libraries are more important than ever! 


]]> 2020-04-24 19:42:01 UTC https://padlet.com/aimeeccork1/portfolio/wish/529210284