School Libraries

The K-12 Library Connection, March 2022

Short Bytes for the K-12 Library Community

By Becky Russell and Tammy Langeberg: Published on
School Libraries

Vol.1, Issue 4

Welcome to March, all, and our newsletter this month focuses on a variety of different topics that we hope you will find useful. Since your well-deserved spring break is fast approaching, we decided to wait until the first week in April to share our next newsletter.

Shine-A-Light Webinar Series

We hope you can listen to our most recent “Shine A Light” webinar recording from Adams 12 teacher librarian Sara Snider on “Supporting Newcomers, Refugee Students and Families.”

Past recordings of all Shine-A-Light webinars can be accessed at: https://shine-a-light.cu.studio/

An fyi that we offer continuing education (CE) certificates (1 CE certificate per session) for listening to these and sharing a short reflection with me at Russell_b@cde.state.co.us. This CE offer is good through May 15th, 2022.

Innedco Stipends

InnEdCO (Innovation in Education, Colorado) has served teachers and leaders with innovative solutions to reimagine how we teach and learn. This year’s 3-day Innedco conference “Navigating Your Path Forward” is from June 13th – Wed June 15th, 2022 in Breckinridge, CO. And now, stipends to offset costs for this conference are open! Stipend recipients will receive a $500.00 stipend which includes free registration and $200.00 for lodging expenses. Go here to access the stipend link and here to learn more about the Innedco 2022 conference.

Censorship/Challenges…More Great Insights!

Here are two reads that are worth your while regarding censorship and challenges.

The first is a blog written by a Colorado State Library (CSL) colleague who is also part of the CO Association of Libraries Intellectual Freedom Committee. This blog Navigating Waves of Censorship has much useful information for many types of librarians regarding how  to be proactive on challenges/censorship issues, whether it’s the rare individual challenge or a more systemic challenge:

https://www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/learning/edit/navigating-waves-of-censorship/

And, I recently came across this inspiring article in the Denver Post and wanted to share because of its focus on getting our parents and younger learners as grassroots advocates.

Here is an article from School Library Journal that shares a story of a school librarian and book banning efforts made at her school. There is a section with information about preparing for book challenges.

Another Recorded Learning Opportunity

 

Last week, my CO State Public Library Youth Services colleague Beth Crist hosted this webinar with Sarah Hughes, Vice President of Research Initiatives at Colorado Children’s Campaign. Sarah shared statewide highlights of the most recent KIDS COUNT in Colorado report and a discussion about why and how library staff can use the annual findings to guide services for kids and teens.

Each year, the KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report provides important data on the well-being of Colorado’s children and the trends impacting their lives. The report provides user-friendly state and county level data that helps decision makers and advocates–including library staff–understand the challenges and opportunities facing children statewide, and where to focus attention and resources on the areas where they are most needed.

Idea Sharing

What are some of your thoughts/questions about this edition of the newsletter? What other books, resources, and ideas can you share? Share your ideas in the comments or via our School Library Hotline listserv.

Becky Russell and Tammy Langeberg
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