Wednesday, April 27, 2022
April has been a fantastic National School Library Month! Wisconsin library media specialists and all those who contribute to the success of school library programs have great cause to celebrate. You do amazing work for our students! Strong school library programs promote reading engagement to increase literacy, foster the development of inquiry and research skills, provide a sanctuary for students, and offer the opportunity to create and learn in both physical and virtual environments. For all of this and more, the DPI is grateful.
In an effort to experience your excellence firsthand, the DPI made an effort to visit some great school libraries this month. First, State Librarian Tessa Michaelson-Schmidt traveled to Red Smith School in the Green Bay Area Public School District where she celebrated the investment of the Common School Fund in our school libraries. She acknowledged the funding’s vital importance in providing all students with access to the accurate, reliable resources they need for their academic, personal, and social growth. She shared this message again while visiting Lakeview Elementary in Whitewater where students dressed up as literary characters and gave a tour of their school. State Superintendent Jill Underly also saw libraries in action. She visited the Mineral Point Unified School District libraries and toured the graphic design lab, talked with students, and visited the new media center at the middle school and high school. At the elementary school, Dr. Underly walked through the newly renovated school library and met with the Student Book Budget Team, composed of 4th and 5th graders, who were researching what new books students are interested in reading. Dinosaurs, so far, were topping the list.
The month has been filled with celebrations, proclamations, and media attention. It was also a happy coincidence to see the Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award recipient list announced this month, which included three library media specialists: Peg Billing (Lakeland Union High School), Paula Norman (Tomahawk School District), and Paula Tonn (Lodi Middle School).
Your dedication to school libraries and Wisconsin’s students is not only important during April. Library media specialists and library staff are invaluable all year long. Consider continuing to share the value of your work by doing any (or all!) of the following ideas shared by Amanda Struckmeyer, AASL Liaison for WEMTA:
- Invite stakeholders, such as district administrators or Board of Education members, into the library to observe or partner with you for a lesson, activity, or read-aloud. Be sure they have the chance to see you in action during book selection and checkout!
- Create a video featuring students and staff members sharing their favorite things about the school library. Share this on social media and with stakeholders.
- Share library statistics, such as circulation numbers, the number of holds filled, and the number of volumes owned, as well as library usage data with school staff, stakeholders, and parents. Create an appealing, easy-to-read infographic to share widely!