Tools
Canva is an excellent tool to create styled social media posts, newsletters, marketing posters, classroom resources and more. Educators can sign up for free.
Canva. (2020). https://www.canva.com/
In this current digital world and with many schools set up in a 100% virtual or hybrid model, Loom is an excellent video recording and screen recording tool. Educators and students can sign up for free and use Loom to record lessons or projects.
Loom. (2020). https://www.loom.com
Smore is an online newsletter creation tool. Smore contains many unique templates to bring style to any newsletter. Smore would be a great way to create and send newsletters to students and faculty about the goings on in the library.
Smore. (2020). https://www.smore.com
Blogs
The Adventures of Library Girl is an excellent blog to follow to help school librarians stay current and trendy. Library Girl includes multiple posts that provide tips to ensure that your library is space that students can’t wait to visit. Some of my personal favorite posts are “BFPT: Keeping Your Library Smelling: FRESH” which has nothing to do with how your library smells and “Six Tips for Building Book Displays that Matter.” Be sure to check her out!
Lagarde, J. (2020). The Adventures of Library Girl. https://www.librarygirl.net
Tiffany Whitehead provides tips and ideas for school librarians that are realistic. One of my favorites posts by Ms. Whitehead is “Ditching Dewey: Labeling the Books.” I highly recommend reading this post and considering this technique in your school library as I have seen its successes!
Whitehead, T. (2020). Mighty Little Librarian. https://www.mightylittlelibrarian.com
Library Associations
As as school librarian in Virginia, the VLA is an important association to follow and keep up with. The VLA hosts conferences periodically that I hope to attend one day to continue the process of life long learning and professional development.
Virginia Library Association. (2020). https://www.vla.org/
American Association of School Librarians
The AASL is a branch of the American Library Association but is specifically geared toward school librarians. The AASL provides national standards for school librarians, resources, news, and professional development.
American Association of School Librarians. (2020). http://www.ala.org/aasl/
Young Adult Library Services Association
The YALSA is a branch of the American Library Association but specifically focuses on young adult literation. As a school librarian, the YALSA can help when selecting books and provide professional development opportunities.
Young Adult Library Services Association. (2020). http://www.ala.org/yalsa/.
Publications
School Library Journal provides industry news, book reviews, and additional resources that are geared toward school librarians. SLJ even includes professional development resources. SLJ is influential and should be followed to help school librarians carefully curate resources and stay current with trends.
School Library Journal. (2020). https://www.slj.com/