Books to Go!

Every once in a while, we get to focus on a positive that came out of the pandemic and its associated response.

 

One of the babies thrown out with the bath water was summer reading. It left in spring 2020 and would not return for three years.

The CRL felt a visceral reaction to this decision; we knew that this was not the time to let reading go. 

We also knew that, if we wanted kids to read, we needed to make ourselves (and our books) available. We decided to promote reading and put books in kids' hands by offering the school lending library during the summer. We set up a table in the lobby and scheduled specific days and times to invite families in.

The idea that was born out of necessity has since become an established practice. We call it Books to Go. It is one of the most well-received programs in our building, it has numerous benefits, and it is one of the simplest, cheapest things we do. 

This is how we launch Books to Go:

• Confer with admin for permission, scheduling, and payment.
• Set up a table or two in the lobby and display books to lend.
• Print sign-out sheets.
• Decorate with posters and cute summer props.
• Promote it (we use signs, Regroup messages, Principal newsletters, and social media.)

Books to Go accomplishes several things: it makes summer reading books accessible to all students, it brings families and students into the building in a comfortable, manageable way, and it promotes summer reading. I love visiting with established families as well as the chance to get to know some of the incoming sixth graders.

The success is in its sustainability - this is an easy set up, and - if scheduled correctly - it takes advantage of a time when the school is already open to the public. We choose the day and time carefully, being mindful of building coverage as well as dismissal times for town summer offerings.

Do you have a similar program? Let us know in the comments!

For the love of librarians

For over a decade, our school district has suffered the loss of librarians. Sure, our middle school boasts a big, beautiful library space - we even have a decent budget for books - but there is no librarian to cull the collection, to staff library time, or to help students select the books that will make them fall in love with reading. We know the science, and we know what a tragedy this is.

Teacher with Ms. Bree

Students at BLAST 2022

We are The Crazy Reading Ladies, after all. We know adolescents, and we know good books. We read YA and middle-grade literature almost exclusively. We're cool! We follow our favorite authors and publishers on Twitter and Instagram. We know how the use the internet. We can talk books all day long; in fact, we love nothing more than spending time with students and matching them to books. We also know that we are not librarians, nor do we have access to the thousands of books and online resources that await public library patrons.  Our students need more than we can give them.  Libraries are the answer. The public library is a wealth of resources - ours offers everything from books, to apps, to clubs, to social opportunities, and safe gathering spaces.

Ms. Caleigh at BLAST launch 2018

Weekly BLAST set up

Four years ago, we secured the necessary approval to get our library collaborative (we call it BLAST: Bringing Libraries and Schools Together) off the ground. We knew what our students were missing and, quite honestly, the town librarians were thrilled to be introduced to so many families. It was a win-win.

Ms. Bree and Erin teaching student to use a Playaway

We had a library card drive and scheduled BLAST to come in weekly (picture a Bookmobile minus the -mobile.) Our students are invited up to the library for an hour each week to browse, pick up requests, check out, and return. Several have made personal connections with the librarian and make an effort to bring their families to library events. In the years since BLASTs' inception, our program has now spread to four other schools in our district and is now extending to neighboring towns.

The youth services librarians from our local public library have reported faithfully each week for over four years. We want to take a moment to thank these wonderful people for the myriad of things they do for our students each week.

They collect requests.

They match books to student interests.

They respond to teacher emails.

They now coordinate with district administrators to get resources in the hands of students and teachers.

They magically manifest multiple copies of the latest Karen McManus or Ruta Sepetys.

They collaborate with us on author visits.

They invite our students to become advisory board members and ask them what they want for library programming.

They train kids to use the library app.

They talk to our kids about what they're reading (and about their pets, younger siblings, favorite teachers, and dance lessons.)

They bring read-alikes when 7th graders are lamenting the end of The Outsiders.

They bring books for teachers who are members of outside book clubs.

They are talented. They are extraordinary team players. They are flexible. They are irreplaceable.

To Felicia, Caleigh, Bree, Mitzi, and all the wonderful librarians who work tirelessly to put good books in the hands of kids: thank you.