💪💥 Off to a Strong Start!

 With the first quarter now complete, it's time to take a look at our Quarter 1 library statistics!

Library circulation numbers just keep increasing, which is so great to see! Students checked out almost 400 *more* books in the first quarter this year compared to last year. And last year's circulation numbers were already an 18% increase over the year prior. 

Another amazing statistic is the increase in class visits to the library. Almost 115 times classes came into the library to work or to check out, or to participate in a variety of activities. When compared to the first quarter last year, class visits increased 87%!

Finally, AO sessions continue to draw students to the library. Nearly 200 students have visited during AO, which is also an increase in the total number of students compared to one year ago. 

There's a lot to be excited about in the library after just the first 9 weeks of school! Here's to an equally strong second quarter!

🐉♥️🌮 Back to School with a Storybook Walk!

With the start of school approaching, it was time to consider what to do with the hallway that now cuts through the library. The hallway alleviates congestion by providing another pathway connecting the two sides of campus, and while it's certainly not ideal, it does provide a literacy opportunity. 

While the "library side" of the hallway is decorated, the "hallway side" has remained bare, but no longer! After some consideration, I decided that a story walk might work. If you're not familiar with a story walk, please visit StorybookWalk.com to learn more. I knew that some alterations to the original concept would be necessary--we're inside, not outside, and physical activities might not be reasonable given the space and passing time constraints. 

During my time in the district, I have also served as an elementary librarian, and I wanted to choose a book that students would perhaps recall from their time in elementary library classes. Several books came to mind; however, choosing a book would ultimately depend on what was available in double copies at Half Price Books. :) I was so pleased that I could pick up two copies of Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri.

It was time to get to work! First, I prepared the double spreads of the story by carefully removing them from the books, taping them together, and putting them on a background. This creates a larger image and makes the spreads more eye-catching.

To ensure that I could keep track of the story and place the images in the correct order, I numbered the backs of the posters before I laminated them. When I was finished, I had 14 double spreads, as well as the title page and the final page of the story.

While traditional story walks can include physical activities, I knew that wouldn't work well in the library hallway. Instead, I used AI to suggest reflection questions or polls to connect to the text. Students are allowed to use their phones during passing time, so I included 4 different questions/polls (Canva and Google Forms to the rescue!) to insert among the posters. Each item has a QR code that students can scan to respond.

Other supplemental items included "page numbers" and introductory signs to generate interest and prep students for the story walk.

One of the introductory posters

Examples of the "page numbers"

After taking the time to space out the posters, I only needed to hang them along the hallway wall.

I'm so excited for students and staff to return to the building to see the story walk! What was a frustration for me has now become an opportunity to promote literacy--and a little nostalgia! I'm eager to see everyone's responses--and hopefully many smiles as they move through the hallway!

🎉A Year of Library Growth!

As the school year draws to a close, we're thrilled to celebrate some fantastic milestones here in the library! This year has seen a wonderful surge in engagement with the collection and the space. We've been buzzing with students checking out more books than ever before – our circulation numbers have shown a significant jump over last year with 41.9% more circulations! It's been inspiring to see so many of you diving into new stories and exploring the wealth of knowledge the collection holds.

Beyond students' increased interest in borrowing books, the library has become an even more integral part of classroom learning. We've welcomed a record number of class visits this year, hosting engaging lessons, collaborative projects, and research sessions across various subjects. Nearly 350 class periods saw full or partial classes of students in the library this year! The energy and curiosity students bring during these times truly make the library the vibrant heart of our school.

Thank you for making this such a successful year for the library! We can't wait to see what amazing things we'll discover together next year!

📚🌟 Start to Finish: From Book Recommendations to Shelving

The Novels class often holds class in the library, and this week one of the lessons was about the process of gathering book recommendations, evaluating and ordering books, and processing them to be added to the shelves. 

The session included a discussion of collecting and evaluating suggestions for new titles. Then, in small groups, students participated in a practical exercise. Working in small groups, they reviewed four different possible book titles, applying discussed criteria to determine whether any of the titles would be a suitable addition to the collection.

In an accompanying hands-on component, students learned about laminating paperback books to extend their circulation and then applied the steps to laminate books for their English II classes.

Sharing library operations with students hopefully fosters a greater understanding of the space, its resources, and the services offered. Observing the students' thoughtful engagement in the evaluation process and their application of the lamination technique proved to be a valuable learning opportunity.

📕✎Graphic Novel Showcase: Exploring Stories through Art & Text

Today's Graphic Novel Showcase brought nearly 20 students together to explore the incredible variety of stories told in this format. With six different categories of graphic novels featured, students had the freedom to rotate through groups at their own pace, discovering new titles and styles along the way. From the newest additions in the collection to action-packed adventures, from diverse perspectives to true stories, there was something for everyone—whether they were longtime graphic novel fans or just starting to explore the format.

To make the experience even more interactive, students could participate in a scavenger hunt, working independently or with a partner to find specific elements within the books they browsed. This encouraged close reading and an appreciation for how art and text work together to tell a story. 

What made the event even more dynamic was the mix of participants—enthusiastic graphic novel readers shared their recommendations alongside students who were new to the format. Seeing these conversations unfold, with students pointing out favorite moments or talking about the story, was a reminder of how engaging graphic novels can be for readers.

This event was all about choice, exploration, and community, and it was amazing to see students discover books they might not have picked up otherwise. With so much enthusiasm in the room, it’s clear that graphic novels continue to be a valuable and beloved part of our library’s collection!

📖✨ 6-Word Book Talks: Quick Hooks for Engaging Reads

In a recent advisory session, students were introduced to more than two dozen books in a fast, engaging format—6-Word Book Talks. Each book was distilled into just six words, offering a quick glimpse into its core themes, intrigue, or emotional impact. These short but powerful teasers were presented in a series of Slides, giving students an easy way to preview a wide range of books across all eight fiction genres, as well as graphic novels and nonfiction selections.

After viewing the presentation, students had time to browse the featured books, flipping through pages, reading summaries, and seeing which stories sparked their interest. 

Students looking online or already reading with the featured books in the background.

Other students browsing the cases as time allowed.

With something for everyone—from thrilling mysteries to heartfelt contemporary reads, epic fantasies to eye-opening nonfiction—this session encouraged exploration and discovery. Sometimes, all it takes is six words to spark curiosity, and this format proved to be a fun, effective way to get books into students' hands! 

📋📚 Top 10 Titles

Now that we've wrapped up Semester 1, here's a look at the Top 10 titles based on circulation numbers. With the addition of a "Throwback Reads" section in the library, several old favorites, like titles from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and Space Case, make an appearance. Also on this semester's list are popular authors with new releases, as well as YA literature debut authors. Take a look!