Archive for the 'School Libraries' Category

First issue of “YS News” now available

Published by Michelle on January 18, 2012 in Children's Services, General, Public Libraries, Resource sharing, School Libraries, Teen Services, funding and programs. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Check out the first issue of the new monthly newsletter for youth services librarians! YS News will feature articles on learning development, summer reading updates, timely tidbits like grant opportunities and interesting resources, children’s and teen literature news, and an exchange of what’s going on in CO libraries.

See the first issue here (PDF)

Would you like to see a topic covered in the newsletter? Want to share info about your programs? Or perhaps contribute an article? Contact the State Library’s Youth & Family Services Consultant, Beth Crist, 303-866-6908.

Fall Youth Services Workshops a Success!

Published by Michelle on December 1, 2011 in Continuing Education, Front Range, General, Public Libraries, School Libraries, Western Slope and programs. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

The State Library offered 6 interactive, informative youth services workshops in Rifle, Eagle, Pueblo, Englewood, Boulder, and Dolores in October and November. A total of 132 attendees (an unfortunately timed snowstorm near Pueblo lessened attendance) from 47 library jurisdictions came to learn about the 2012 summer reading program and early literacy, and to network with colleagues.

Kathy Barco, Children’s Librarian at the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System in New Mexico, presented the lively morning session highlighting the 2012 summer reading program theme of night time at all 6 sessions. Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL) members Jana Ackerman, Lisa Chipouras, Laura Baldassari-Hackstaff, Melissa Depper, and Becky Campbell offered informative, useful afternoon sessions on early literacy, including an overview of the newly revised Every Child Ready to Read program.

Handouts from the workshops are available, including Becky Campbell’s early literacy presentation. Continue reading ‘Fall Youth Services Workshops a Success!’

AskColorado/AskAcademic Holds First UnWorkshop

Published by Michelle on November 14, 2011 in Academic Libraries, Public Libraries, School Libraries, Special Libraries and institutional libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Following the popular ‘unConference’ model, AskColorado/AskAcademic (ASK) held its first UnWorkshop on Oct. 13th. Unconferences are loosely structured gatherings in which participants drive the content. Forty librarians attended, and loosely wrangled by members of the ASK Quality Assurance Committee, introduced themselves and offered topics for discussion and learning. Participants then gathered in small groups and discussed topics such as how to effectively assist students when classes log into the service; best practices for working with college students; managing excitable customers, and more.

ASK has held an annual workshop for the past seven years, but this was the first unworkshop. While new to participants, the majority were excited about the format. Continue reading ‘AskColorado/AskAcademic Holds First UnWorkshop’

Deadline Extended for 2011-12 Colorado School Library Survey

Published by Michelle on November 1, 2011 in General and School Libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

The deadline for completing the 2011-12 Colorado School Library Survey has been extended to November 30, 2011. Participation by all public school libraries is vital!

We have made substantial revisions to the survey based on respondents’ comments to better reflect the current state of school libraries, and we look forward to getting the input of all Colorado public school librarians! The data gathered in the annual school library survey provides library professionals with important information for planning, evaluating, and budgeting.

For questions regarding the survey, or to obtain your username and password, feel free to call Library Research Service at 303-866-6900 or email lrs@lrs.org to get your information.

2011-12 School Library Survey Now Open

Published by Michelle on October 10, 2011 in General and School Libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Letters have been sent to public school libraries throughout the state announcing the opening of the 2011-12 Colorado School Library Survey.

The Library Research Service (LRS) has made substantial revisions to the survey based on respondents’ comments to better reflect the current state of school libraries, and looks forward to getting the input of all Colorado public school librarians!

The data gathered in the annual school library survey provides library professionals with important information for planning, evaluating, and budgeting. Login information is included in the letter, but if you haven’t received your letter and would like to get started, feel free to call LRS at 303-866-6900 or email lrs@lrs.org to get your information.

Colorado Teen Literature Conference – SAVE THE DATE!

Published by Michelle on October 4, 2011 in Academic Libraries, Children's Services, Community Collaborations, Continuing Education, General, Public Libraries, School Libraries, Special Libraries, Teen Services, conferences and institutional libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

The Colorado Teen Literature Conference (CTLC) is currently in the planning stages (and I’m helping!).  Here’s your official SAVE THE DATE notice.

The event will be held on the Auraria campus on March 31, 2011, 8:30am-3:45pm.  Registration opens February 1st and closes March 11th. Keynote authors are Maggie Stiefvater and Todd Mitchell!

More information:

Armed for the 21st Century: Highly Effective School Librarians Lead the Way

Published by Michelle on October 4, 2011 in Continuing Education, General, Instruction, School Libraries and conferences. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

How can school librarians have a positive impact on student growth and achievement? What strategies and tools will enable them to get there?

The Colorado Dept. of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC) are partnering to offer two workshop opportunities (as well as an opportunity for six $100 scholarships to cover registration and a substitute for the day).

Workshop Date/Locations:

Banned Websites Awareness Day

Published by Michelle on September 29, 2011 in Community Collaborations, General, Instruction, School Libraries and advocacy. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Internet filtering – that is, highly restrictive internet filtering – is a problem in some school libraries, and it can negatively impact student learning and achievement. With that in mind, the American Association of  School Librarians (AASL) designated Wednesday, September 28 as the first annual Banned Websites Awareness Day in order “to raise awareness of the overly restrictive blocking of legitimate, educational websites and academically useful social networking tools in schools and school libraries.”

Schools all over the country participated in Banned Websites Awareness activities and some were featured in the New York Times. Colorado’s own Silver Creek High School in Longmont “held a “graffiti debate” on censorship on Wednesday: Should schools block Web sites? On sheets of white butcher paper hanging in the library, they wrote lists of the pros and cons of online access.” Silver Creek’s librarian, Phil Goerner, organized the debate to encourage students to think more deeply about ethical issues related to censorship, including how it can take away a person’s voice. Continue reading ‘Banned Websites Awareness Day’

LSTA Grants Awarded

Published by Michelle on September 13, 2011 in Academic Libraries, Public Libraries, School Libraries and Special Libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

The Colorado State Library has awarded grants totaling almost $200,000 to 1 library consortium, 1 BOCES, 1 school district, 1 academic library, and 6 public libraries for innovative projects designed to improve library services and life?long learning.

The proposals are funded through the federal Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) allocation to the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado State Library.  All grants addressed a goal in the long?range plan that states: “Colorado students and adult learners will receive services from libraries and librarians that support educational achievement and lifelong learning.”

Complete List of Awarded Projects (PDF)

Join us for the last NRS Roadshow of the season!

Published by Christine on September 2, 2011 in Academic Libraries, Continuing Education, General, Library Visits, Reference Services, Resource sharing, School Libraries, Southwest, Special Libraries and Western Slope. 0 Comments

Don’t be left out in the cold! Join us for the last NRS Roadshow of the year at the Ignacio Community Library on Thursday September 15, 2011 from 8 AM -12 PM.

Registration is required by September 9, 2011.

What is a roadshow you ask?

 Simply a really fun way to network with your library peers, learn more about unique library services (Plinkit, AskColorado/AskAcademic,SWIFT, Colorado Historic Newspapers, Colorado Virtual Library), and eat free food!

Can you think of a better way to spend a fall morning?

Still curious? Check out the pictures of past roadshows on Flickr!  You won’t be able to resist!