Working hard this morning to have enough materials ready to go so we can get our student author section up and running this year! I’m grateful for all the blue card stock our nurse donated when she found it squirreled away in a cabinet.

Thanks @mrtomrad.bsky.social for sharing this fantastic idea! In our elementary library space it took the form of each student writing or drawing something they like to read on a brick to build our “lego” display. Kids are so excited to search and show their contribution to others!

A8: This graphic novel series is not the newest, but it has been THE hot ticket this school year! #TLSkyChat

A7: I go very old school with a medium sz blank notebook. I make a to-do list every week, checking things off when they're done or transferring them to another week if they weren't completed. Almost always if I physically write something on my to-do list I remember it much more easily. #TLSkyChat

A6: Connect with them on a human level first. "Tell me about that vacation you took" "What grade is your son in this year?" "You have put SO much work into your room and it shows!" Keep talking and the seeds for a collab will pop up. #TLSkyChat

A5: I absolutely LOVE teaching AND it is ONE part of my job. Administering a library program has many, many facets. The other parts are essential for a thriving library program. I'm not greedy for wanting and requesting time to perform them. #TLSkyChat

A4: I've spent the first three lessons with our older kids with them seeing, searching for, and touching titles in our collection, emphasizing each time that YES, they can check out these books. 1. Library Scavenger Hunt & Mapping 2. Book Tasting 3. Genre Mystery Hunt #TLSkyChat

A3: 1. Welcoming returning students back and individually introducing myself to our new friends, ending the interaction with "I am so glad you are at our school this year" (and delivering it like I mean it...because I do). 2. Filling as many impassioned book requests as I can - early. #TLSkyChat

You're going to be so great, Rain! Your passion is very evident; I am confident it will infuse your session with so much power. 🎆

A2: Our circ desk was looking a bit bare, so every S in our school wrote down a genre, topic, or book they like to read. It's so fun hearing them say "Look, there's mine!" Inspo: I always want our Ss to feel they have a stake in THEIR library Video intro: youtu.be/XwMCxCOnYz4?... #TLSkyChat

It's been a bit of a tough start at school and I am already leaning on my library peeps for inspiration this year. VERY excited to connect with others in KS through a year-long nonfiction PLC we're running and to see my phenomenal library friends at #AASL25 ! #TLSkyChat

Hey there, #TLSkyChat ! Amanda here. K-5 Teacher Librarian in Kansas Passionate about tailoring library programs to the Ss in a school and leveraging the school library to build community. I share: Here @illinimccoy.bsky.social on the website ahoymrsmccoy.com on YouTube Ahoy, Mrs. McCoy!

Such a fantastic way to connect and share ideas. I can't wait! I have rehearsal and will have to slow chat this one. Maybe that's the case for you too (if so, join me!). It's a GREAT learning opportunity either way! 🎆

We are writing or drawing things we like to read about on small rectangle bricks for a Lego-type display on our circ desk (finished pics to come). They are turning out really cute so far……and this one was also submitted. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian

Our school loves participating in this every year; I hope you join us! #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian #TLSky

Processing new titles makes me so happy when I get to save them for specific students. Watching their faces light up with joy when I hand them a requested title NEVER gets old! #TLSky #Schooibraries #Skybrarian

👇👇👇 This, this, so much this, as well as the follow up skeet.

Today we will again be screening the horror film “How to Take Care of Your Library Books” in Kdg & 1st. The volume of the gasps when little sister brings out the scissors to cut a library book rival a full movie theatre. 🤣🤣🤣 #TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian

Our 1st graders go directly to lunch after library this year, so they CANNOT take their books. We print labels and attach them to tall pieces of cardstock. These are inserted into books before they go on a cart. Cart goes to class and teacher pulls the names as they hand out books!🪄

As I'm casually chatting up a new 1st grade student they ask "Okay, but...do you have any dinosaur books in this library?" "Friend, we have a whole bucket!" INSTANT RELATIONSHIP BUILDER #TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian

Did a quick "All About Me" block activity with 3rd-5th for their first library class. I used our rainbow trick dominoes (because there are lots of colors and that's what we have) and was concerned Ss wouldn't see many building possibilities. I love being proven so wrong! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

FOURTEEN YEARS of teaching "first day of library" to kindergarten and today is the day I finally feel like I had every single thing dialed in. It. Was. Magical. Tomorrow is a different day and who knows how that class will go they time they visit, but for today I feel like I have summited Everest.

What an IMPORTANT and tricky topic! I can't wait to hear Tara's advice in this arena.

And we’re back! Kids in the building today; I’ll start classes tomorrow. New this year - one table per week will be designated to pass out and collect materials, continuing my quest to empower even the youngest of our students. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian

I am OVER THE MOON to have the opportunity to perform in such a stellar musical! This fall is going to be busy and beautiful. www.theatrelawrence.com/cast-list-ne...

Sounds like it would be a home run with our readers too!

I am so excited to present at the AASL National Conference for the second time! Attending in 2023 was an amazing experience, and I can't wait to make even more connections in St. Louis this fall. @aaslala.bsky.social #tlsky #schoollibrarian #AASL2025

I can't WAIT for #AASL25! I am honored to be presenting and am looking forward to connecting with friends old and new in St. Louis! #TLSky #Skybrarians #SchoolLibraries

I am PUMPED for #AASL25 and truly excited to share this work that grew out of listening to our students regarding what they needed and wanted from our library program. Thank you @melissacorey.bsky.social for creating this easy-to-use template! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian

What a fantastic topic! I cannot wait to hear all about it. Congratulations, Rain!!! 🎉

Yesterday’s intro extended an invite to #schoollibrarians who learned if their @aaslala.bsky.social proposal had been accepted: If your proposal was rejected (like mine😉) I hope you consider joining me and recording that conversation. See the FAQs bec your ideas matter💙https://bit.ly/3yRWNr5

My episode with @slupodcast.bsky.social is now available. Our conversation touches on many topics, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences. @comicsatsdsu.bsky.social @funnypagespam.bsky.social #tlsky

Can’t wait to listen, Caitlin!

Aaaaaaaand I just got choked up at work because we shaved FIVE YEARS off our collection age by heavily weeding all sections of the library! Holy cow. This was a lot of work and I am so incredibly proud! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian

OMG, ya'll! I was just running a few reports and scribbling in my notebook when I noticed that we have weeded 2973 books in my two years of being at this school. I'd forgotten to look up from all the work and celebrate these results. #TLSky # SchoolLibraries #Skybrarian

A8: Our student author section continues to grow and is a huge point of pride for me. When it was this student's turn to be part of morning announcements, they introduced themself as "Hi, my name is (name) and I write books for the student author section." 🥹 #TLSkyChat bsky.app/profile/illi...

A7: If there is any way manpower allows: Full Inventory Every Year When I teach Ss to use the catalog in the fall, I want them to be able to trust that if a book says it's available, it's actually on the shelf. Also helps us find books checked out and returned to the shelf to "help" us. #TLSkyChat

A4: I am so very proud that we got our new section "The Garden" up and running this year. We grow readers at the library and this is the place to go for beginning readers growing their skills. #TLSkyChat bsky.app/profile/illi...

A3: #TLSkyChat bsky.app/profile/illi...

A3: I love doing a poster raffle for 2nd-5th grade. Ss get one entry for each book they return (or have already returned. #TLSkyChat bsky.app/profile/illi...

This is how the pros do it, folks!

Fantastic work, Robin!!! That’s a pretty awesome highlight too! 🎉

Hey there #TLSky friends, do you have any card game-sized storage boxes you love? My precious set quickly loses their snap-closed arms. #SchoolLibraries

This is what I'm struggling most with right now: Just as the use of AI by some students has changed how all student writing is perceived, the use of AI by some teachers will inevitably change how all teachers are perceived. (Also: I know this is inevitable and I don't have an answer.)

Feeling grateful today to live in a place with ample green spaces. I feel confident saying it truly helps my mental health.

I love the scaffolding you’ve provided to help them write the letter! After the coffee filters were sprayed did they stick the the paper by themselves? Or did your Ss have to glue?

Nonfiction weeding completed! 🎉 Let me introduce you to my island of misfit toys, aka "books I can’t allow to remain shelved where they are and still sleep at night".Yes, there is a three-tiered, two-sided cart full. Time to recatalog! And maybe start a massive project...a 🧵 #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

Just a great job for awesome people, I guess! 😂 @librarianjones.com @thenextgenlib.bsky.social @goodreads.bsky.social

It’s library book return day! All classes have scheduled a time to come to the library and receive prizes. Grades 2-5 receive poster raffle slips. After filling them out, Ss place their slip in the envelope matching their poster number. On Monday I’ll draw for winners. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

A8: Fave Podcasts, not edu/lib: Love… Gastropod (blending sci & hist of food) Articles of Interest (clothing types, fashion, hist) Memory Palace (poetic delivery, nostalgia of past— but of weird moments in hist, quirky figures) Secret Life of Canada (lesser known Cdn hist) #SlowChat #TLskyChat