CSLF Offers Scholarships for CSLA Members

  Thanks to the generous donations of California librarians and friends, the California School Library Foundation is pleased to be able to offer two scholarships this year.

The first is the Earlene Billing Memorial Scholarship. This award supports first-time attendance at a CSLA conference for a CSLA member. This scholarship is in remembrance of Earlene Billing, who served as President of the California Association of School Librarians (CASL) from 1974 to 1975. During her presidency, CASL started negotiations with the California Association for Educational Media and Technology to merge the two groups. Earlene Billing was a site and district librarian in Burlingame and provided significant leadership. Even after her retirement, Earlene worked as a consultant and library volunteer. In 1996 she received CSLA’s Honorary Membership Award. A generous mentor, strong leader, hard worker, and consummate professional, she made a difference for California school libraries and for CSLA.

Holiday Gifts Available at the Library Advocacy Store

The holidays are here, and CSLF wants you to remember that the Library Advocacy store has many items that would make great holiday gifts….from mugs and t-shirts to journals, bags and stationary. There are many illustrators who have donated their art to us in order to give you a wide variety of choices. You can even find holiday greeting cards! We have highlighted some of these author/illustrators in our blogs posts this past year. You will find a link on the CSLA website to the store, or you can visit now at https://www.cafepress.com/csla.

Happy Holidays!!

Katie Williams
Teacher Librarian, retired
CSLF Board President

Volunteers in Your Learning Space By Deborah Salyer

I recently read an article about a retired grandma who went back to work when her favorite restaurant was struggling with staffing. While she is now drawing a paycheck, she hopes to be doing her part to support her community.

A Sneak Peek at 2021's K-12 Hot, New Titles by Deborah Salyer

This week I made two lists and checked them twice--it's Award Season! What's getting the Buzz? On Saturday, November 13, I'll be presenting hot, new books for 2021 at the CSLA Southern Workshop. There's no cost to attend! It's a great way to learn more about new books, authors, programming, and more. Support your state association and attend—and it's free!

California School Library Association - Southern Region Teacher Librarian Scholarship

Deadline: Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Purpose: Recognizing that there is a need for professional Teacher Librarians, the California School Library Association, Southern Region, offers one (1) scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The purpose is to assist those persons seeking preparation leading toward a degree or credential that will qualify the individual to work as a professional in the school library field in a school setting. Complete only one application. One winner will be selected from the eligible applications received.

Email questions to blair.carroll@gmail.com

Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfi33kKJ70Wp6y2HvT6-qUBqOEys0I_IRI0KWaDifG5Oawn8A/viewform

SR: Fall Into Books with CSLA Southern Region

 

Join us for this FREE virtual event on Saturday, November 13th! Featured speakers include Deb Ford-Salyer, Allison Crotzer Kimmel, and Francisco X. Stork.

Access the digital flyer here

You can register for this special event via the hyperlink within the digital flyer, or by simply clicking on THIS link to the Google Form. The Zoom links to the author/ speaker sessions will be emailed to you.

Books to Scare Your Pants Off

My mailbox is filling with “scary book” ideas. Fear, like many things, varies from person to person. With that in mind, here are a variety of titles you might offer your students.

Use these resources for some spooky fun.

R. L. Stine celebrates his birthday on October 8.

• Listen to this Meet-the-Author Recording for Revenge of the Living Dummy with R.L. Stine to spark excitement about a creepy title.
• Access this audiobook excerpt for Fifth-Grade Zombies to hook readers and get them wanting to read more.
• View this video book trailer for The Little Shop of Monsters if you dare!

Check out the list PK-12 list of Scary and Creepy Books I made. Here are some of the titles to scare (I mean share):

CSLF Celebrates Rafael Lopez

 

 

This month CSLF is recognizing the multi-award-winning artist and children’s book illustrator Rafael López. Among Rafael’s many awards are multiple Pura Belpré Medals for Illustration in 2020 for Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln, written by Margarita Engle; in 2016 for Drum Dream Girl was also written by Engle, and in 2010 for Book Fiesta by Pat Mora. He has also received three Pura Belpré honors, two Américas Book Awards, in 2017 the Tomás Rivera Children’s Book Award and Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medal, and a Schneider Family Book Award in 2020 for Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, written by Sonia Sotomayor.

We need Diverse Books! - September is Hispanic Heritage Month

"Imagine a world where all children can see themselves in the pages of a book." This is the slogan for a movement that is growing in our libraries called "We Need Diverse Books."  Because Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th this is a good time to do a diversity audit to see how well your collection represents your Latinx student population.

New Releases of Anticipated Titles

What happened to Peter and Pax and where are they now? What new challenges will Mia encounter at the Calavista Hotel? Where is Billy Miller? Has anyone seen the Underwear Dragon? What sacrifice will Tarisai have to make? 

These stories and more continue in new 2021 book releases. Start your wish list and find out what happens next in these titles. Check out this TeachingBooks List K-12 for more newly released titles and their resources. See resources for all 2021 Titles. 

Meet CSLASR Section 3 Representative Lesley Ogle

 Meet Lesley Ogle

I am currently the high school and district librarian at Arcadia Unified near Pasadena. I am originally from Shafter but spent the first part of career working in Tulare. I made the big move to Los Angeles 4 years ago and am loving it! I really enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and watching live theater and comedy shows. 

Vision for CSLA

I am so excited to represent my section on the southern board! I use CSLA as a way to connect with other school library employees, so I'm hoping to continue to build our southern region networking events. CSLA is a powerful organization for us, but it can only succeed when members are willing to step up and make these events happen. I thought about running for years but always chickened out. Now that I have met more people and have gotten more involved, it was an easy choice to run for a position myself. When you work with good people for a good cause, it's much easier to get things done. I can't wait to get started!

Why did you Join CSLA

CSLA has provided a wealth of networking opportunities for me. Most of us work in districts with very few library employees, so it can be hard to collaborate with coworkers on a regular basis. Having a network of competent and caring library workers has been so helpful. The annual conference obviously provides a full weekend of growth and interaction, but the smaller, local events throughout the year provide even more ways to meet others in the field and grow from their experiences.

Follow Lesley

@bookedallyear 

CSLF Appreciates Support from Mary Ann Fraser

In the California School Library Foundation’s ongoing effort to support advocacy for school libraries, we celebrate children’s book authors and illustrators who have freely donated artwork to The Library Advocacy Store. 
This month, we celebrate Mary Ann Fraser. Her work includes over sixty children’s books, with a recent foray into young adult literature. Starting her writing career while working as a commercial illustrator and muralist, Mary Ann Fraser’s catalogue gives glimpses of both original and reimagined literature for children. And despite illustrating so many books, she continues to love painting wall murals.

Why Reading Aloud in the Library (or Anywhere) is Important

 “I don’t have enough time to do anything more than a read-aloud.”

A statement I have heard over the last several years from elementary school library staff.  Many elementary school libraries have fixed library schedules, and these schedules often don’t allow for more than thirty minutes with each class, so library staff find themselves with just enough time for a single book read aloud.  And sometimes, it feels like this storytime is not enough.  However, research suggests that reading aloud to children on a regular basis promotes good reading habits, inspires curiosity, exercises critical thinking skills, and nurtures a love of reading.  Storytime creates a positive experience with literature and inspires students to become independent readers and ultimately, independent learners.

Book Hook: Games

Bob Watson of Coshocton has completed 80 puzzles since last spring. Puzzle Warehouse increased its sales from 1000 a day to nearly 10,000 a day. Other puzzle makers report that their sales increased 300-400% during the pandemic. Perhaps you are one of those who joined the puzzle craze. (I was!)

What caused such a change? The need for screen breaks? The cost? The relaxation? The ability to listen while you work?

Everyone has a different reason, but at TeachingBooks, you’ll find—if you haven’t already—that there is a free puzzle on every book page. Simply type the title you want to see and look for the puzzle piece on the left below the share tools.

After you click on the puzzle piece, a new window will pop open. Turn on the sound, choose the number of pieces you want, and solve the puzzle.

Not only is it fun, but you also sneak in a bit of learning—how words connect, title vs. author or illustrator, and thinking about visual imagery components.

Meet CSLA Southern Region Section 1 Representative Margaret Easbey

 

Meet Margaret

I've been interested in libraries all my life. I grew up amidst academia, practically living at the UCSB Library. As a kid I created spreadsheets to catalog different collections of things like my Grandpa's LIFE magazine collection from the WWII years. Once I landed a job in the library in college I was totally hooked to the whole idea of public service, collaborative learning, freedom of information, all of it. I decided pretty quickly that I would eventually go for an MLIS. Life happened then. I met my husband, had a couple of kids, knit a whole bunch of sweaters, socks, mittens, Christmas stockings, etc. 

I finally decided I was ready to start a Master's degree and that Summer of 2015 when I enrolled at San Jose State, I landed a job as Library Technician at McKinley Elementary School here in Santa Barbara. Until I had my own kids, I was scared of children and never even for a moment entertained the idea of working with them. Working at this school has changed me and changed the trajectory of my life. In delivering library services to my students, I have found a place where I can really make a difference in the lives of lots of people while doing what I love! 

I have attended only a couple of CSLA events since 2015, but I have grown to admire the organization and the community beyond words. I'm just thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on this board. I have a lot to learn and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and working together.

Vision for CSLA

For now, because I am so new to CSLA, my goal is to get acquainted with the board and with members in Section 1, and the Southern Region.

I think it's always a good idea to get involved in organizations like this. There is always more need for leadership than one might think. Selfishly, there's so much opportunity for learning and personal growth as well! 

Why did you Join CSLA

I think the support group aspect has been the most impactful for me. So many of us library staff in schools are solo and very isolated because of it. I found it so immensely helpful to hear that my experience was similar to others in similar roles. It gave me a lot of confidence to learn that I do a lot of things the same as others. On top of that the opportunities provided for professional development by CSLA have been exemplary. 

CSI Column: Going (Inter)National for Literacy

This year, the American Library Association (ALA) held their annual conference virtually. While it limited networking, it also enabled more people to attend (because of cost, travel expenses, time). Furthermore, several sessions were available online on-demand, so one could potentially attend more sessions than if attending physically. I was excited to take advantage of these factors.

HEALTHY CHOICES WALKS WILL NOW CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

This year, perhaps more than “Can you hear me?” or “I’m going to share my screen now” or “Drop the link in the chat”, something I’ve heard often in Zoom meetings with fellow library staff is, “I’ve never sat so much in this job!” Library work is an ever-changing thing: teaching, shelving, circulating, trouble-shooting, making, and more. Our jobs are so much bigger than our desk chairs and desktops. But then March 2020 relegated us to our computer screens and webcams, and our work lives became (and stayed for some time) stationary. For some, the months in quarantine impacted more than our work hours mobility, for others, being home was a springboard for more activity than before, for others, little changed in that one respect, but work for certain had changed for all.

CSLF Highlights Illustrator Joe Cepeda

This month the California Library Foundation is proud to recognize Joe Cepeda, who is the illustrator of many awarding-winning picture books including Peeny Butter Fudge by Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison, What a Truly Cool World by Julius Lester, a Family Life Magazine Top 10 Best Books of the Year, a Family Fun Critic's Choice, and BCCB Blue Ribbon Book, Mice and Beans by Pam MuÑoz Ryan, and Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley which was an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. 

Laughs and Adventure to Take You Away

After a long, hard year, most of you (I hope) are enjoying a long, well-deserved vacation in the location of your choice, sipping on your favorite beverage, taking strolls in the moonlight, and checking things off your Bucket List. Or maybe you’re just enjoying getting back out into the world, baby-stepping into our new reality. Whatever the case, I’ve been thinking about laughter and adventures. Books can be our passport to both, but with so many titles, which ones provide the respite we need?  

This week I lost my dad after a brief battle with COVID. Among the many things I learned from him is how to laugh, how to seize the moment, and how to find your own adventure. I was fortunate to visit him last month and watch my 85-year-old dad tandem skydive—his second jump this year. So since you never know what tomorrow will bring, I say, “Seize the day.” Do things that make you laugh. Find an adventure.  And if you can’t go somewhere, find a lovely spot to read where you can escape in a book that allows you to get away, at least for a little while. 

Here are some new titles that may do the trick—no sunscreen required. You’ll find a longer list here. 

Is your Library Welcome Mat ready?

A virtual Library Welcome Mat (VLWM) for your site staff is exactly what it sounds like: A welcome mat for staff members entering your library space, in-person or online. Welcome your staff back with handy information that will make everyone’s first month back, flow as smoothly as possible. The virtual welcome mat should include any information you feel is important and relevant for a new teacher or just to refresh everyone’s mind (including your own) on the services you provide, and handy links and tools.

Meet CSLA Southern Region Secretary Christina Maben

Meet Christina
I've been a teacher librarian for 16 years in Long Beach. Book talks & research are my teaching specialties. I collect signed books & Vans.

Vision for CSLA
I've been a section rep previously. I feel working as the secretary pushes me to be more involved with all the different sections more thoroughly.

CSLA President's Book/Movie Challenge

CSLA President's Book/Movie Challenge to "Knowledge Up About Racism and Skin Color". Read, Watch, Listen, Learn over the summer and we will have a space in the fall to share and learn from each other. Here is a padlet that Lisa Bishop created for her school community that you can use if you want.

--

Please Read with Us Over the Summer!!!

Leadership for Diversity's Upcoming Book Study for July and August:

Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria and Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum (revised and updated 20th-anniversary edition, 2017)

July 27 - Prologue, Introduction, Part I, and Part II
August 24 - Parts III, IV, and V

Social-Emotional Learning Resources

School library programs of resources and services support the school’s curriculum. They should also support social-emotional learning (SEL). Especially with the pandemic, the school community – both youth and adults – have experienced stress, which may linger for some time.

The California State Department of Education has realized the importance of SEL, and developed a social emotional learning statewide group. This group is open to classroom teachers, librarians, and instructional leaders to exchange ideas and resources focused on topics related to this unique subject-area. To join the group, and take advantage of their resources, register a free account at California Educators Together: https://www.caeducatorstogether.org/

CSLF Recognizes Children's book illustrators

In the California School Library Foundation’s ongoing effort to support advocacy for school libraries, we celebrate children’s book authors and illustrators who have freely donated artwork to The Library Advocacy Store. 

For the month of June, we celebrate Ben Boos. An artist known both for his legacy in the video game industry where he illustrated for renowned gaming company Blizzard and his illustrator and author work on three separate books. It was a personal passion for all things fantastical that enabled him to make the switch from dark fantasy games to fantasy themed novels. These works include two ALA recognized fiction titles that he both wrote and illustrated, as well as his video game work on titles such as Diablo II, a fantasy/role-playing game.

It comes as no real surprise that Boos, a native Californian, grew up to be an artist, given that his father, Art Boos, was a renowned artist in his own right. However, Ben was unfortunately short-lived and passed away at the age of 40 on June 22, 2011, but his large collection of artwork and his family serve to keep his legacy alive.

More can be found on Ben Boos in the author/illustrator section of teachingbooks.net, as well as materials for purchase using Boo’s artwork at the Library Advocacy Store. We invite you to learn more about him and be a part of keeping his legacy alive.

Brandi Veal

CSLF Board Member

Folsom Cordova Unified School District

2239 Chase Drive

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Gender Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors

In celebration of Pride Month, let’s take a look at new books that allow LGBTQAI+ readers to see themselves in what they read. Diverse titles also provide opportunities for all readers to reflect and learn about their world and its stories.

Rather than rely on my memory, I browsed the award-winning titles and lists on TeachingBooks. I’ve included a link to some great resources you can use for promotion as well. Consider adding these new titles to your collection. 

When you explore titles on TeachingBooks, browse by Cultural Experience and narrow by grade band, genre and more. You can also search Awards, such as the Stonewall, or Series and filter by culture. You can also now Search/Browse/Filter by Gender, Men/Boys and Transgender/Non-conforming in TeachingBooks. Here is the link to the K-12 list I made for this blogpost. 

Meet CSLA NR Section 2 Representative Amy Linden

 We would like to introduce NR Section 2 Representative Amy Linden

Meet Amy

I think this will be my third term as a representative for CSLA NR section 2. I have an amazing husband, Bob, and we have two grown sons. In my non-library time, I like to work in my garden, bake, tackle crazy house renovations, go to the gym (so I can bake more), and participate in my local community theater. I'm also a nut for history and Disney, and I especially enjoy traveling the U.S. and the world to experience cultures and historic places when I can.

Vision for CSLA

I hope to represent the diverse needs of the membership in NR Section 2, which includes library staff working in a variety of positions across a vast area of 18 counties. I would encourage you to become a member of this organization as it is a tremendous resource to everyone in the school library community and it is run by your library colleagues. Better yet, get involved in a CSLA committee or as a section representative or board officer.

Why did you join CSLA?

Perhaps the greatest benefit of membership in CSLA is the professional networking. I have met the most extraordinary educators/leaders/creative thinkers over the years through CSLA events and activities. The CSLA annual conference and section professional development opportunities have encouraged me to keep trying new things and have helped me stay current so I can provide the best possible library services to the students of my school and relevant PD for teachers and other library staff.

Follow Amy

Twitter @EDLibrary
Instagram @edhs_library

Summer Blockbusters: Read the Movie

The fact that so many children’s  and young adult books have been made into movies is proof that they are just great stories!  Most recently, you can see Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone on Netflix or Stargirl and Artemis Fowl on Disney +.  Movies can be a great gateway for reluctant readers to get interested in reading a book because professionals have created the promotional materials and advertising.  I love to use movie posters and movie trailers to get students interested in reading the books because the book is always better than the movie!  Bring popcorn (if you don’t mind the mess!) and have your own movie screening for movie trailers.  The main feature is the books!

Making a display and showing the trailers is also a way to introduce some older books to a new generation.  I also help students identify their favorite Genre by connecting to the type of movies they like.  You can get my list of Movie Trailers by Genre HERE. Many of these forgotten books circulate again after students see the movie trailer.  

Classified Diaries: End-of-Year Tasks on One List

There’s so much to do at the end of every year, but this year, there may be new tasks added to the old.  Create\ing an end of the year checklist where you can track all your tasks and have a visual for all the areas you need to close out before the last day of work can save you time, energy, and relieve you from unnecessary stress.

 

Sophie Blackall, is this month’s featured CSLF author/illustrator, who has illustrated over thirty books for children. She is a Brooklyn-based multi-award-winning artist, whose awards include earning the 2016 Caldecott Medal for Finding Winnie, and again in 2019 for Hello Lighthouse. Her books, including the Ivy & Bean series are frequently featured on the New York Times bestseller list. In 2020, Sophie was awarded the Advance Australian Global Icon Award for her social impact as an ambassador for The Measles and Rubella Initiative to eradicate measles through vaccination – a partnership with UNICEF, The American Red Cross, WHO, CDC, and the UN Foundation. She also has been involved in promoting children’s literacy in Rwanda and Bhutan, with Save the Children. 

Southern Region Section 2 Movie Night Sun May 23rd!

 

CSLA SR Section 2  invites you to join them for a Movie Night -- Sunday, May 23rd, 8:15 PM.

AMC DINE-IN South Bay Galleria 16
1815 Hawthorne Blvd - Ste 368
Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3420

To also add a Healthy Choice walk and dinner before the movie, meet us first at 5 PM at The Lighthouse Cafe (30 Pier Ave.) in Hermosa Beach to get your steps in and enjoy a relaxing meal with your TL friends! 

There are 18 free movie tickets available. Each CSLA member may bring up to 1 guest. (The movie theatre seating is limited to a maximum of 20 total people.)

CSLA Southern Region wants to hear from you!

CSLA Southern Region is hoping to offer more virtual events for its members in the coming months and we need your feedback. We want to offer opportunities that are in line with what our members need and want. For example, do you want more networking opportunities like social hours?  Professional development opportunities with experts?  Tech help like Destiny 101 or research basics?  We want to hear from you! Be on the lookout for an e-mail with a survey link in the next few weeks. 

We are also looking for those who want to PRESENT to our members!  If you or someone you know has a great presentation or topic and is interested in providing their time, fill out this Google Form. 

About the Contributor:

Melissa Misenhimer, Teacher Librarian, CSLA Southern Region Section 6 Representative

melissa.misenhimer@gmail.com

Series Books: Does the Reading Order Really Matter?

I get a very satisfied feeling when I hook a reader on a series book. It’s almost like teaching them to fish. Once they are caught, they can feed themselves. They can find the books by themselves―sometimes recognizing the spine from across the room. Often a publisher even puts the number of the book on its spine, making it easy for the reader to know which book comes next. Thirdly, if they are written by the same author, they’re pretty easy to shelve. Who has time to put them in order anyway?Another plus is that it makes shopping easier. Once you know your students will read the series, it’s practically an automatic purchase. Buying books in a series also saves you time, so that you can spend more time enriching literacy experiences. 

On the other hand, there can be stumbling blocks. Here’s a hiccup: What if you don’t have the first book?

Maybe book two came in your JLG order or the first book goes missing. And then you have to think about your budget. A trilogy is one thing, but a multiple volume series can take a good bit of your funding. 

Catalog of Training - Spring 2021

In the following blog posts you will find descriptions and registration details for the complimentary training from the California State Library K-12 Online Content Project. Upon registering, you'll receive an email reminder and link for the training. All registrants will also receive a recording to watch after the session.

More to be scheduled. Stay tuned. 

Contact deb@TeachingBooks.net to schedule training for your district or county. 

Webinar Archives - Spring 2021 | Webinar Archives - Fall 2020

Meet CSLA President-Elect Northern Region, Aimee Korynta

  We would like to introduce President-Elect Northern Region, Aimee Korynta

Meet Aimee
I currently work as the District Librarian for Travis Unified School District. I enjoy knitting, hiking, travel, and hanging out with my grandson. 

Vision for CSLA
I hope to create a community of teacher librarians and paraprofessionals who will work together to keep their school libraries an integral part of their campuses. I hope to encourage library staff to continually grow and to serve as models for lifelong learning.

Why did you join CSLA?
CSLA has been an important part of my life as a librarian. As the only teacher librarian in my district, CSLA members and workshops have been there for me as sources of education and inspiration. 

Follow Aimee
@VandenLibrarian

Get “All the Feels” With Emoji Booktalks

“All the Feels,” is an expression that has come to mean to experience deep feeling (Grammarphobia).  Identifying genres by the feelings they evoke is a quick and easy way to interest students in a book using this passive display technique.  Pair each book with the emoji of the feels it gives.  Take this a step further, and students create their own emoji booktalks to entice other students to read their favorite book.  

Poetry Every Day. Every. Day.

 Years ago I wrote a Poetry Month article in my School Library Journal column. “As we celebrate Poetry Month,” I wrote, “try reading from the following new titles.”

After it published, Lee Bennett Hopkins, author of more than 100 poetry books, wrote to me. He was unhappy about my promotion of National Poetry Month. In my defense, I didn’t say to only read poetry during poetry month. That was his point: Read poetry every day. Every. Day. 

So let’s do that. Whether it’s April or August. Let’s give them poetry. 

“Give children poetry. It is one of the best gifts you can give them… a gift to last a lifetime.”

--Lee Bennett Hopkins

What are your newest options? 

With the increase of novel-in-verse titles, it’s quite likely that your students are already reading poetry every day. Popular titles include Kwame Alexander’s The Crossover, Jason Reynold’s Long Way Down and Sharon Creech’s Love That Dog. Here are some new award-winning titles you might also consider. You’ll find descriptions at the top of each TeachingBooks book page.

Kent State by Deborah Wiles (YA)

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (YA)

With a Star in My Hand: Rubén Darí­o, Poetry Hero by Margarita Engle (YA)

White Rose by Kip Wilson (YA)

Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar (MG)

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson (MG)

All He Knew by Helen Frost (MG)

The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling (MG)

CSLF Recognizes Children's book illustrators

The California Library Foundation continues our monthly posts celebrating the children’s book illustrators who have so generously donated their artwork for use on products at The Library Advocacy store,  thereby helping us in our mission to support advocacy for school libraries. (https://www.cafepress.com/csla ). Their work is timeless and inspiring! 

This month’s illustrator is David Biedrzycki. He has written many colorful stories about all sorts of loveable creatures, who overcome challenges big and small. David grew up in the coal-mining town of Taylor, Pennsylvania, and learned the love of reading from his second grade teacher, Mrs. Powell, who found a way to open up the world of illustrated stories to him. It was the spark he needed to see that he could draw and make a living. He began his career, following college by doing work for newspapers, magazines, and ad agencies, and all the while felt that he was having fun!

School Library Programs After the Panademic

Not that COVID-19 will go extinct, but the world is addressing this pandemic and figuring out how to address and live with its aftermath and continued existence at a lower level. Likewise, schools and school libraries need to take this time to reflect on changing practices and how they can most effectively be integrated in the post-pandemic world. 

To this end, we need to examine the practices of teacher librarians and other library workers during the pandemic. What practices worked? What factors facilitated the changing delivery mode? In some cases, teacher librarians have been assigned other jobs: either going back to the classroom or taking on technology functions. In other cases, teacher librarians were busier than ever: curating and introducing online resources for classroom teachers, providing technology leadership through broadening online access and  offering professional development, offering online programs such as guest authors from around the world, developing alternative ways to circulate library materials, and partnering with other libraries and publishers to provide more access to reading materials. 

Request for Nontraditional Certificated Job Descriptions

Our state is participating in the federally funded grant project called SLIDE: The School Librarian Investigation—Decline or Evolution? (https://libslide.org) The three-year project is examining national data on school librarian employment and how school leaders make the decisions to staff library, learning resources, and instructional technology services for their K-12 students. As a component of the study, a content analysis of school library and instructional technology-related job descriptions will be conducted to learn if and how roles are changing, blending, or morphing with other instructional positions.

• Keith Curry Lance, RSL Research Group, and Deb Kachel, Antioch University Seattle, the project leaders, are asking for job descriptions that are:
• Professional positions related to library, learning resources, and instructional technology for K- 12 students
• Recent or currently in use for school librarians, instructional technology professionals, or related positions that may include some of the work of a librarian
• Full-time or part-time; may be district or school-level positions
• Must include the name of the school district, city, and state on the job description or announcement

Meet CSLA VP of Professional Development Sara Smith

 We would like to introduce VP of Professional Development Sara Smith

Meet Sara

I have been the Teacher Librarian at Sanger High for seven years, and it has been the best job I've ever had.  I get to hang out with books, help all of my colleagues with resources and tech skills, and meet every student on campus.  I have a huge passion for graphic novels, which is evident by the major collection I've curated on my campus. I also read and review graphic novels on my blog, www.graphiclibrary.org.  Other than reading, I enjoy watching HGTV too much, and snuggling with any of my 3 cats.

Vision for CSLA

I want the Professional Development office to encompass a year-long plan with workshops, webinars, and other learning opportunities to benefit our members.  My plan is to have 1-2 webinars a month, 1 workshop, and a playdate.  Playdates are a new learning opportunity President Lisa Bishop had envisioned where members can come and play with a tool, talk about a concept, and just have a low-stakes opportunity to try things out.

Why did you join CSLA?

The biggest reason to join is the networking with other professionals.  I am the only Teacher Librarian in my district at a site, so I don't get a lot of collaboration opportunities other than through the people I know from going to CSLA events.  I now have friends up and down the state of California who I can reach out to and discuss issues or collaborate with.  

Follow Sara

@sm_wordsmith - Twitter

CSLA Northern Region Happenings

The Northern Region is thrilled to have four additional section representatives for 2021. Each region now has at least two section representatives to support CSLA members in their region and offer workshops throughout the year. Congratulations to the following new section representatives:

Section 1: Regina Williams, teacher librarian at Fairfield High School and Sharon Cowan, library technician at Center Elementary

Section 2: Elizabeth Carlson, Library Media Specialist at Ponderosa High School

Section 3: Megan Turner, teacher librarian at Rio Vista Middle School Section 4: Emily McManus, teacher librarian at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

The CSLA Northern Region Board met on March 10, 2021. Each board member brainstormed potential goals for themselves and the Northern Region for the upcoming year. We are excited to focus on the following areas:

1. Leveraging our virtual setting for workshops, guest speakers, and collaborative opportunities for CSLA members.
   
2. Building member capacity around equity in our libraries, schools, and communities.
   
3. Supporting Northern Region members with opportunities to present and share best practices at the region and statewide level.
   

Please reach out to your section representative or your Northern Region president if you have any questions or ideas.
   

Jenn Roush, CSLA Northern Region President

 

Not Just for Kids: Picture Books for Older Readers

 I recently watched a webinar, Not Just for Kids: How to Use Picture Books with Tweens and Teens, sponsored by Lerner. The panel was enthusiastic and practical. Dozens of titles were recommended. A high school librarian shared her programming ideas--complete with photographs. Before we knew it, the hour had ended and each speaker had 15 seconds for final thoughts. Rarely have I seen a one-hour webinar go so quickly. 

So let’s talk about picture books. At CSLA, I’ve offered many a session on picture books for older readers (PBOR). In my workshops I always say: 

“Don’t judge a book by the number of pages.”

--Deborah Salyer

Picture books can act as mentor texts in a writing workshop. You can use them to scaffold content. For below grade level readers, these texts sometimes offer accessible content. Visual literacy is incredibly important and picture books give us the illustrative content to practice. They save valuable time, as you can hook students in less than 15 minutes, then send them out to write or research. They make you laugh. They make you cry. Each year, new picture books break boundaries, creating new stories for everyone. 

Yet, picture books aren’t always “easy.” Many of my favorites are written at a higher level than some YA titles. I think, as with many issues, it’s the social stigma that picture books are for younger readers--for kids learning how to read. While many are, others actually work better with older readers.