Books I Read This Summer
Hacking School Libraries
by Kristina A, Holzweiss and Stony Evans
Purchase HERE
This was one of THE BEST books I've read for professional development for school librarians. There were quite a few practical suggestions given that could be implemented right away. Even as a veteran school librarian, I found some gems of ideas. I highlighted a lot of sections and can't wait to start trying some of the ideas shared in this book this year.
As a side note, the companion Facebook group for this book is just as awesome. Do yourself a favor and go join that group! Click HERE to go there now.
Leading from the Library
by Shannon McClintock Miller and William Bass
Purchase HERE
This book is full of great ideas and tips for becoming a leader from the library in your school and beyond. Leadership ideas to implement at all levels are given-from building collaboration within your own building to collaborating with others across the globe. If you're looking to be inspired to lead in your school and beyond, this book is for you!
Social LEADIA
by Jennifer Casa-Todd
Purchase HERE
I was not prepared to have my thoughts on social media tested the way this book tested me. Wow! This book challenged my thoughts on social media, not only as an educator, but as a parent. I took so many notes, highlighted and wrote noted ideas in the margin-my copy is totally marked up! This book has inspired me to try some new things in my school, or to at least talk to my admin about trying some new things. And I have also begun talking to my own children about how they currently use and how they could be using social media in a positive way to not only impact their lives, but others as well. This book would be a great PD book study for a faculty at any level. Start out with the young ones teaching them how to use social media in a positive way so that when they are released on their own to these websites they will know and understand not only how social media works, but how it can be used to make a difference in their lives and the world. Such a great read!
Books I Read in the Past, And Continue to Recommend
Connected Librarians
by Nikki D Robertson
Purchase HERE
This book is great to pair with Social LEADia as it gives practical suggestions for using social media in the school library, but also for professional development. If you are looking to grown your PLN, you can't get much better than the advice given in this book. Think you can't use social media at the elementary level? Think again. Find fantastic ideas for safely using social media at any level and learn how to connect to others on a global scale in Connected Librarians.
Copyright Clarity
by Renee Hobbs
Purchase HERE
As the name implies, this book gives you a clear idea of what fair use is and isn't. Examples of correct ways to use copyrighted items and incorrect ways are given throughout the book. It's a great book to keep on hand for those copyright dilemmas that always seem to pop up.
Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, P.E., and Other Special Areas
by Responsive Classroom
Purchase HERE
I loved this book so much that I volunteered to lead a PD book study for it this year. This book contains so many great examples of classroom management and strategies for special areas. Even a seasoned pro will find something useful in this book. Everything from what to do when students enter your space to when they exit is covered. You'll want to keep this book close to refer to when you have those "tough" classes.
And of course, there are these that I read five or more years ago, but still recommend because there are so many great ideas about running and organizing a school library:
The Tibrarian Handbook
by Christine Varachi
Purchase HERE
This book was such a great resource for me when I first started as a media specialist. I used it to create my scope and sequence for the year and have since used the same format when planning instruction each year.
The Centered School Library
by Cari White
(You can purchase an updated copy on TpT or if you already have the book, you can just purchase the updates to the book on TpT for a lower price)
Purchase HERE
Purchase Update HERE
If you are thinking about implementing library centers into your school library curriculum, this is the book for you! With ready to use examples, this book gives you what you need to make library centers successful in your school library.
The Book Whisperer
by Donalyn Miller
Purchase HERE
Books still on my TBR List:
The following books have been mentioned more than once in several of the librarian facebook groups I am in, so they are definitely on my radar.
I first read The Book Whisperer back in 2013 because I saw so many people sharing about it on my PLN. After reading it, I knew what all the fuss was about. Miller shares oodles of ideas for getting students excited about reading, ideas which can easily be used in the school library. She emphasizes the importance of modeling being a reader-one reason I started my reading goal display that I have used for years now. Reading interest inventories are given in the book, which could be used both in a classroom and in a school library. One of the things I most admire about Miller is that she is a huge advocate of student reading choice, which is so important in getting students to be life-long readers.
Books still on my TBR List:
The following books have been mentioned more than once in several of the librarian facebook groups I am in, so they are definitely on my radar.
What books do you recommend for PD? Any I should add to my TBR list?
