Library Month 2022

Sometimes in Libraryland I am SUPER far behind and other times I am a little ahead of schedule.  My life has been full of Destination ImagiNation for the past month (and.. my Nerdy Birdy Trio competed yesterday at state.. and are now headed to GLOBALS at the end of May!) I am ahead of schedule though in preparing for Library Month.

In this blog you will find:
-Ideas to do for School Library Month
-Infographic that I share with staff/community
-Canva templates for Library Week activities (week template and daily Instagram posts)

Library month is in April and many school libraries celebrate Library Week the first week of April.  You can find lots of ideas and goodies American Library Association website  Emily Hopkins with TCEA just shared a great article about different ways you can support your local library.  

You can find it here--->School Library Month-Make Your Librarian Feel Valued this April

Using the National Library Week as a planner is a great way to easily advocate for your library. As a librarian, we do so many activities that affect not only our school but a broader community.  We know what we do, but sometimes feel awkward really taking a moment to educate others in what a role a librarian really plays. Preparing for National Library Week is a great way to take a moment and point out the things we do.

At the beginning of the week, I share an infographic with staff and administrators through email, but I also share it through the various social media platforms to share with our community. I have created this in Piktochart

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Not only is it a great time to share what the library does, but also a great way to engage students in various programming that promote the library.  I created a weekly calendar to go along with ideas from the ALA.  You can find the full template here---> Library Week Canva

Each day is a different activity.  I will share this at the beginning of the week but have also created daily posts that I can share through Instagram and Twitter.  You can find the full template here ---> Social Media Canva Template

Monday-Stuck on Lamar Staff- passing out water bottle stickers. I found these on Amazon and they are a huge hit (it is important to take a moment to really look through stickers before you just pass them out although they say okay for kids and teens.. some are questionable)

Tuesday-What is your favorite thing about the library

Wednesday-Create 2 bookmarks- one to keep-one to share- We are currently working on kits (and by we, I mean my amazing clerk Lautaret!) 

Thursday-Make a book recommendation

Friday-#bookfaceFriday

I plan to also share my social media platforms to share daily as well what goes on in the library and of course, there are going to be some TikToks! 

Do you do anything special for National Library Week?

Another big thing that happens in April is our Texas Library Association Conference- are you headed there? If so- I LOVE selfies and would love catch up! I have a chance to present 2 sessions!

Read Across America 2022

When I look at programming, one of my favorite things to do is look at calendars and upcoming events.

Anyday I can put on a Tutu and a Tiara-
 SIGN ME UP!

Such as today was 2/2/22 which is not only a GREAT Twosday but also a Palindrome!

To celebrate, April Richmond (my counterpart Campus Leadership Ambassador) put on the Ultimate Twosday! Since it is also a palindrome- we had Desserts-because Desserts spelled backward is Stressed!

But, right around the corner is also Read Across America. I wrote last year about the different things I did here. Although Read Across America Day is March 2nd,  I am going to be celebrating all week long.  Last year, since we were in a hybrid model, I had read alouds each morning with students and staff.  I still plan to have at least one read aloud on March 2nd, but that is still in the scheduling stages.  Below is my week graphic that I will be sharing. I made it in Canva (if you haven't signed up for an account- get on it!) You can find the template for it here

Each day of the week I will also be posting a promo on our social media accounts and inviting students to fill out a form or email me to be possibly featured on our social media accounts and of course prizes!

You can find the Canva template here

Jillian Heise has created an AMAZING Read Across America blog that has various books from various locations.

I took her idea last year and updated it to coincide with North Texas Teen Book Festival. Guess what- North Texas Teen Book Festival is IN PERSON this year on March 5th! If you have never heard about the North Texas Teen Book Festival- check out this totally FREE event that happens in my backyard

Can't make it in person on March 5th- never fear, the Educator Day is March 4th- and it is virtual.  The author's lineup for both of these days is amazing.  The first North Texas Teen Book Festival is the reason that I took the leap to become a librarian.  There is just something about seeing 10000s of teens so excited about meeting authors that have changed their lives. Did I mention that it is FREE?

I am currently working on an updated Read Across America NTTBF style right now.

You can find the full presentation here- but please understand that I am still adding authors and books. 

The links that are on the books lead back to information about the author through Teachingbooks.net and the link that is underneath each book leads to information about the panel that they are on.

What are you doing for Read Across America? Are you headed to North Texas Teen Book Festival? I am so excited to share the virtual event with my campus. I am so thankful for all the different things my community puts on to share the importance of reading.  Check out The Irving Public Library on Twitter and YouTube

Speaking of YouTube you can find tons of past author visits from the North Texas Teen Book Festival. Check out this promo video from the last in person event in March 2020

Other than NTTBF, my next big event is the Texas Library Association Conference- are you headed that way? I am so excited to attend in person again!