This unique book presents a practical and realistic approach to implementing a school-wide, K–12 Genius Hour program—one that can succeed regardless of budgetary and infrastructure constraints. Genius Hour is a movement in which students are allowed to spend a portion of their in-school time learning about a topic of their choosing—even subjects outside of the curriculum. When properly implemented, a Genius Hour program can create true passion for learning among unmotivated students, ignite interest in STEM as well as the arts, encourage collaboration, improve the relationship between educator and students, and help prepare students for real life outside of the educational system. But revamping a school library program to offer a Genius Hour program may seem like an insurmountable task—especially when working with a limited staff or budget. This book provides specific direction and concrete advice that enables school librarians to lead a school-wide program for all grade levels, from kindergarten to 12th grade. It explains why Genius Hour is the perfect program complement to the learning commons environment; presents research and support that will empower librarians to make a convincing case to administration; explains how to enlist the participation of faculty; and provides step-by-step guidance to begin, successfully manage, and grow a campus-wide Genius Hour. Librarians will see why investing in "creative teaching" is worth the effort, despite their limited time and resources; understand how to help underperforming students make their distractions "count" in school; and look forward to playing a part in creating imaginative and independent thinkers, not test takers.

With the rise of teacher stressors, new and changing state standards, and high-stakes testing, it is more important than ever to remind literacy teachers and teacher-librarians about the reason that brought them to this profession: the love of story. The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life, by John Schu (affectionately known as Mr. Schu all over reading communities), invites readers to consider literacy beyond its academic benefits and explore how universal truths found in stories can change us, inspire us, connect us to others, answer our deepest questions, and even help us heal along the way. Using his experience as a teacher, librarian, book lover, and story ambassador, Mr. Schu asks readers to reflect on what it means to share their hearts through stories and how it can connect us to individuals and learning communities. The Gift of Story is presented through a study of five affective elements: Healer, Inspiration, Clarifier, Compassion, and Connector. Along the way, readers will encounter insightful contributions from educators, children's writers, and illustrators, as well as recommendations for sharing the gift of story with learning communities including: treasured book suggestions that stir reflection, engaging tips for celebrating literacy, and heart-growing applications to lift classroom and library practices. Celebrate the way we define and imagine ourselves through literacy by using stories to connect to others, build and strengthen community, and honor the children we were called to teach.

This guide helps librarians improve service with easy-to-follow strategies and techniques to make physical changes in library space and streamline procedures. This librarian's guide provides recommendations for quick and easy implementation of space-improving, time-saving practices. It also discusses the fundamentals of business and engineering management, public health, and other disciplines as they directly relate to the improvement of library service and management. Detailing free and affordable adjustments to the library environment as well as information for those who will participate in a renovation or new construction project, the book features tips for creating functional, efficient, and productive spaces; procedures for streamlining routine tasks; methods for arranging materials in high demand; and ways of reconfiguring or planning spaces. It will provide librarians with a working knowledge of process management that will help them to strengthen their competence and build confidence to address and troubleshoot problems, freeing them to engage in more meaningful interactions and activities that benefit the community.

The seventh edition of this comprehensive school library management text expands upon the role of the school librarian, especially in the ever-growing digital realm, and highlights the importance of school librarian leadership and outreach. In an era of budget cuts, reduced staffing, and a global pandemic, it's more important than ever for new LIS professionals and established school librarians and administrators to demonstrate the value of school libraries to decision makers. This revised and updated edition of a classic text adds two well-known authors to help lead readers through the many essential management tasks and skills required to administer the successful school library program. It emphasizes the importance of the school librarian in providing digital access to information for teachers and students, describes how facilities are being modified to accommodate new resources and programming, and offers new ways to use AASL standards to evaluate programs. All chapters are updated, and the text addresses such timely subjects as providing information resources when students, teachers, and librarians are interacting online. A new chapter highlights the importance of the school librarian's leadership in schools, districts, and communities. This invaluable textbook teaches practical skills for school library management and offers inspiration and guidance for growing LIS careers.

This thorough treatment of collection development for school library educators, students, and practicing school librarians provides quick access to information. This seventh edition of The Collection Program in Schools is updated in several key areas. It provides an overview of key education trends affecting school library collections, such as digital textbooks, instructional improvement systems, STEM priorities, and open education resource (OER) use and reuse. Topics of discussion include the new AASL standards as they relate to the collection; the idea of crowd sourcing in collection development; and current trends in the school library profession, such as Future Ready Libraries and new standards from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Each chapter has been updated and revised with new material, and particular emphasis is placed on disaster preparedness and response as they pertain to policies, circulation, preservation, and moving or closing a collection. This edition also includes updates to review of curation and community analysis principles as they affect the development of the library collection.

This unique book presents a practical and realistic approach to implementing a school-wide, K–12 Genius Hour program—one that can succeed regardless of budgetary and infrastructure constraints. Genius Hour is a movement in which students are allowed to spend a portion of their in-school time learning about a topic of their choosing—even subjects outside of the curriculum. When properly implemented, a Genius Hour program can create true passion for learning among unmotivated students, ignite interest in STEM as well as the arts, encourage collaboration, improve the relationship between educator and students, and help prepare students for real life outside of the educational system. But revamping a school library program to offer a Genius Hour program may seem like an insurmountable task—especially when working with a limited staff or budget. This book provides specific direction and concrete advice that enables school librarians to lead a school-wide program for all grade levels, from kindergarten to 12th grade. It explains why Genius Hour is the perfect program complement to the learning commons environment; presents research and support that will empower librarians to make a convincing case to administration; explains how to enlist the participation of faculty; and provides step-by-step guidance to begin, successfully manage, and grow a campus-wide Genius Hour. Librarians will see why investing in "creative teaching" is worth the effort, despite their limited time and resources; understand how to help underperforming students make their distractions "count" in school; and look forward to playing a part in creating imaginative and independent thinkers, not test takers.

iPad 2: It looks different. It acts different. It connects to the world, yet it is as personal as a well-worn book. And now it has two cameras! Taking Your iPad 2 to the Max is written so that anyone can quickly get up to speed on Apple’s latest hit. As bloggers at The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW.com), the authors have the happy privilege of working with Apple products every day, and they'll guide you through all of the perks of being an iPad 2 owner. This book takes you from selecting and buying an iPad, to connecting it to the Internet, to using the incredible power of the iPad and all its apps to enhance your life. Whether you’re using your iPad to surf the Internet, admire family photos, listen to music, watch movies, create or edit movies, or read a book, this book will help guide you. Discover how your iPad 2 can be a virtual shopping mall, opening the door to purchases of music, books, videos, and movies. This book will help you organize your daily life through the use of Calendar, Notes, and Contacts, communicate with friends and colleagues with Mail, and find your way with Maps. You'll also learn how get the most out of your iPad's two cameras. Taking Your iPad 2 to the Max introduces the essentials of using your iPad 2 for recreation, travel, and work—and includes the basics of Apple's iWork suite for iPad. Learn to create business or personal documents with Pages, make professional presentations with Keynote, and keep data and finances under control with Numbers.

It looks different. It acts different. There's no right way to hold it. It responds to the touch of your fingertips. It's the Internet in your lap. It connects to the world, yet it is as personal as a well-worn book. Taking Your iPad to the Max is written so that anyone, from a computer-savvy teenager to a 92-year-old great-grandmother, can quickly get up to speed on Apple's latest hit. As bloggers at The Unofficial Apple Weblog (tuaw.com), we have the happy privilege of working with Apple products every day. The iPad is so different from any computer you've ever used, and we realize many people could use a helping hand, to feel comfortable buying and using an iPad. We take you from selecting and buying an iPad, to connecting it to the Internet, and then demonstrate just how to use the incredible power of the iPad and all its apps to enhance your life. Whether you're using your iPad to surf the Internet, admire family photos, listen to music, watch movies, or read a book, we're here to guide you. We show you how your iPad can be a virtual shopping mall, opening the door to purchases of music, books, videos, and movies. We help you organize your daily life through the use of Calendar, Notes, and Contacts, communicate with friends and colleagues with Mail, and find your way with Maps. The iPad is more than the ultimate leisure device; it's also a work tool. Taking Your iPad to the Max guides you through the basics of Apple's iWork suite for iPad. Learn to create business or personal documents with Pages, make professional presentations with Keynote, and keep data and finances under control with Numbers.

Ready-to-Use Resources for Genius Hour in the Classroom provides practical advice and a wealth of hands-on resources for teachers to implement Genius Hour, or passion projects, in the classroom. This book: Includes everything educators need to help students apply their learning and reach deep understanding. Engages the six P's of Genius Hour: passion, plan, pitch, project, product, and presentation. Features built-in opportunities to to gamify the process. Helps increase students' critical thinking, creativity, and engagement. Is a valuable standalone resource and companion to Genius Hour. Students can "level up," earning badges and points, as they create, design, and carry out projects and develop ideas that impact their classroom, school, community, and world. Through the tools and tips provided, teachers will see Genius Hour as more than an hour, more than a strategy or activity separate from the regular curriculum. When implemented effectively, Genius Hour can be a more meaningful teaching and learning experience than any other.

Taking Your Library Career to the Next Level: Participating, Publishing, and Presenting helps librarians establish a brand and name recognition in their area of expertise, suggesting how to write winning proposals for both publication and presentation and places to publish. In addition, it covers how to conquer fears of public speaking and how to make presentations more dynamic. As professional development is important in most library settings to earn or maintain credentials, this book helps academic librarians look for opportunities to earn tenure, also helping special librarians look for ways to focus their training on a narrow subject area. Regardless of their reason for looking for professional development opportunities, librarians of all types will find satisfaction in contributing to the profession at a higher level. Participating in professional conversations and decision-making that impacts others in the field, and sharing knowledge through publishing and presenting are great ways to become better librarians. - Helps librarians establish an area of specialty and generate name recognition in their sub-field - Provides guidance on the writing process and publishing opportunities, also touching on places to present material - Includes guidance on establishing a brand, writing successful proposals, and being a dynamic speaker