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Elementary Librarian

Library lesson plans and ideas for the school librarian. Lessons incorporate Common Core and AASL standards.

Make the Most of Your Library Website

As the third week of December approaches, many are focused on holiday preparations and winter break. Yet, it's also an opportune time to make the most of your school library's website, keeping parents, students, and staff engaged throughout the chilly season and into the new year.

1. Regular Updates: One of the best ways to maintain engagement with your school community is through a frequently updated library website. Aim to refresh the content at least once a week to keep visitors coming back. For instance, feature a section that describes what activities or lessons are planned for the week in the library.

2. Resource Centralization: Use the library's website to offer easy access to various educational resources. This can include links to the online catalog, Accelerated Reader guidelines, TumbleBooks library, and subscriptions to resources like World Book Online.

3. Special Events: When your school library hosts special events such as author visits, book fairs, or workshops, make sure to create a section on your website to promote these. Doing so not only raises awareness but also allows students to prepare questions or get excited about upcoming activities.

4. Popular Series: A fun way to keep students engaged is to feature popular book series they enjoy. For example, if your students love the "My Weird School" books by Dan Gutman, you could link to a website that offers printable trading cards and other activities related to the series.

5. Community Links: Don't forget to connect your school library with the broader community. Including a link to your public library can help extend the learning environment beyond school grounds.

6. FAQs: A Frequently Asked Questions section can save everyone time. Include answers to common queries about library policies, opening hours, and more.

7. Weekly Lesson Plans: If you are following a set lesson plan for the library, consider posting a description of the week’s activities. For example, this week, K-2 students might learn about proper library etiquette through charades, while grades 3-5 could focus on how to use the library's catalog effectively.

8. Parent Communication: Make sure to inform parents that the website is a resource. You can include newsletters, updates, or even a blog to communicate important library news.

By implementing these tips, you can turn your library's website into a dynamic, useful tool for students, parents, and teachers alike, even during the busy winter months.

Do you already have an engaging library website? How are you utilizing it to maintain communication with your school community? Feel free to share your strategies in the comments!

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My students are engaged!

"I was thrilled to discover your treasure trove of resources. After two years of doing it “my way,” I decided to utilize the center approach and do it “your” way. The students are engaged and I see them using the knowledge the lessons give them."

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"Your lesson plans with the Common Core and AASL 21st Century Standards were a life saver! My principal looked through my plan binder and was completely floored that EVERY lesson had both sets of standards."