Top 50 School Library Blogs
One look at the titles of blogs narrated by school librarians reveals the evolution of a profession within an institution that is at a pivotal point. Charged with the vital duty of promoting digital literacy, today’s librarians are daring, unquiet, sassy and definitely e-literate.
Cathy Nelson’s Professional Thoughts
With a focus on engaging students through technology, “Cathy Nelson’s Professional Thoughts” distills the experience of a veteran South Carolina library media specialist who tackles issues ranging from strict student ID rules to taking charge of digital footprints, making the most of the ebook revolution and standing up to censorship when book banners take to the soapbox.
Gargoyles Loose in the Library
At the library featured on “Gargoyles Loose in the Library”, students freely use social websites to keep up with homework, chairs must pass the comfort test and Illinois librarian and computer literacy teacher Frances Harris appreciates the work of legendary book-stocking pranksters while poring over the institution’s archives.
Mean Old Library Teacher
Hardly the “Mean Old Library Teacher” of this spirited blog’s title, Texas high school librarian Jennifer Turney shares websites worth exploring, offers honest reviews of YA literature, revitalizes burnt-out readers with a 30-book challenge and borrows a bookstore model to reorganize the fiction stacks in line with how kids really look for books.
The Book Bug
Library Media Specialist and veteran teacher Jo Nase offers students and their parents a rich lesson in defining, finding, and using references in her lively and informative blog, “The Book Bug.” Filled with freebies such printable bookmarks, book covers, and reference lessons for children as young as first grade, Nase also shares her love of books in fun posts that cater to both students and teachers.
A Bookshelf Monstrosity
Amanda, a library media specialist, reviews books, on her blog, “A Bookshelf Monstrosity”, a treasure for any aspiring bibliophile. Amanda’s blog features book reviews on a variety of genres across generations, including such popular classics as Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” and George Orwell’s “1984.”
The Library Patch
Drop by the eclectic and energetic “The Library Patch”, a blog authored by librarian and former teacher Sonya Dykeman, to get to know the library media specialist and her family, and share in her love of books through photos, stories, and anecdotes. Her blog includes links to plenty of freebies for teachers and book recommendations for numerous genres.
Mighty Little Librarian
Just call her “Mighty Little Librarian”, Librarian Tiff, or if you must, by her proper name: Tiffany Whitehead, a book lover and a librarian in Louisiana. At this mighty blog, Librarian Tiff shares her passion for all things books with her readers, offering recommendations and sharing her experiences as a library media specialist, taking her readers on an insightful journey on her discoveries.
Caleb’s Creek Media Matters
Holly Dubois of Caleb’s Creek Elementary School Media Center invites readers to join her on a literary journey as she shares her experiences as a library media specialist and provides ideas for other teachers on how to make reading come alive for their students. In addition to insightful blog posts, Dubois also shares her favorite resources for teachers, the blogs she regularly reads, and her favorite projects with readers, an inspirational jumping off point for teachers looking for something new and creative to use in the classroom.
The Busy Librarian
Matthew C. Winner, perhaps better known as a father, a gamer and “The Busy Librarian”, opens the world of reading, library science, and literature to his readers. In a blog as colorful in its content as it is in its photographs, “The Busy Librarian” features musings on everything from children’s books to fun events like Poem in Your Pocket Day in addition to book recommendations for some of the country’s youngest readers.
The True Adventures of a High School Librarian
EdCamp Atlanta co-founder and high school school librarian Nicki Robertson is the author of this blog that documents her experiences as a school librarian in Alabama, discusses ways that schools can leverage social media tools, and shares an abundance of resources for teachers and learners.
Mrs. ReaderPants
“Mrs. ReaderPants” delves into the world of Middle School and Young Adult fiction, serving up honest reviews, including in-depth narratives and a one to five ratings (on such topics as appropriateness for the age and engrossing), for librarians deciding what books to recommend to their students. The Book Trailers add a fun, multi-media dimension to “Mrs. ReaderPants” who also shares her thoughts in articles geared toward librarians and teen readers.
Goldenview Library
The “Goldenview Library” inspires other librarians and readers, while keeping its own students apprised of current library news and literary events, through a rich blog with regular updates, including topics such as today’s most popular books, spine poetry, and ideas for the “books of the future.” Librarian Nicole Roohi includes links to resources, a calendar of events, and recommendations of “ridiculously” good books.
The Centered School Library
Seasoned media library specialist Cari Young shares her successes with work stations, a concept that helps her assist all of the students that come into her school library, in the vibrant “The Centered School Library” blog. Ms. Young offers conversational blog posts, aimed at teachers, that provide educational ideas, encourage conversation and includes separate pages on such diverse topics as science centers in schools, math centers, and bulletin board ideas.
Ms. O Reads Books
“Ms. O Reads Books” explores the best of today’s books for students with brief reviews, ratings, eclectic topics such as how to build your own web page. Ms. O also guides readers on topics like the best places to find copyright-free photographs, basic copyright law, and how to contact some of today’s most popular authors.
Castilleja School Library
Eager to help students acquire 21st century skills, the librarian team at “Castilleja School Library” works to make the library the heart of the school; on this blog, students can check out the latest book arrivals, catch up with the Gatorbotics challenge, try their luck at a cartoon caption contest and find student-created PSAs and reviews of favorite reads.
A Media Specialist’s Guide to the Internet
New Jersey Educational Media Specialist Julie Greller is the “cybrarian” behind “A Media Specialist’s Guide to the Internet”, a rich resource for new teachers as well as librarians and media specialists who are bound to find treasures in an A to Z guide to Web 2.0, tips and tools for creating infographics, information categorized by grade level and freebies ranging from data storage to graphics geared for teachers.
Librarians Matter
University lecturer and globe-trotting workshop presenter Kathryn Greenhill brings an Aussie perspective and a focus on the impact of technology to “Librarians Matter”; the skillset demanded by Digital Humanities includes both coding expertise and a playful outlook according to this Fremantle, Australia blogger who returns from technology bootcamp eager to plunge into application and takes time to celebrate female tech pioneers.
Booked Inn
Sydney, Australia is home base to “Booked Inn” blogger Ian McLean, who finds YouTube brings a life cycle unit to life and helps students make global connections, while clips of rapping readers put a fresh twist on storybook classics; promoting 2012 as a National Year of Reading is a cause embraced by this librarian/teacher and kid-lit reviewer who shares the journey of a shoestring library makeover on this blog.
Teacherninja
Jim Randolph is the “Teacherninja” blogger, book club enthusiast and Georgia-based elementary librarian who compares Decatur’s book festival with Dragon*Con, dismisses format snobs in the e-reader revolution and takes the Twitter plunge; married to a 4th grade teacher, books no doubt abound in this blogger’s household.
Borchardt Library Website
Texas school librarian Nancy Jo Lambert provides an abundance of library information for her students at this site which features articles ranging from taking advantage of library resources like Overdrive, using Skype to have virtual visits from authors, and class activities involving technology tools like Glogster to learn about research and presentation.
The King’s High School Library Blog
QR codes invade the book shelves, student library helpers with very specific reading tastes are celebrated and photos capture Random Acts of Reading plus a visit from the Governor-General in “The King’s High School Library Blog” based in New Zealand and chronicled by librarian Bridget Schaumann.
Heyjude
Technology and its impact on school libraries is the focus of Australia-based “Heyjude” by university lecturer Judy O’Connell, who discusses why libraries need a purpose-driven social media strategy and the vital role of librarians in ushering students into the connected age; check out the trend in tiny free libraries and discover how Australia is securing its heritage through digital archiving on this blog.
Tales from a Loud Librarian
Louisiana librarian, eager conference-goer and YA lit enthusiast Elizabeth Kahn narrates “Tales from a Loud Librarian”; tag along on a field trip to the Ninth Ward inspired by the book of the same name and a visit by its author, read a heartfelt letter by a librarian’s number one fan and discover how a word cloud offers insight into the story characters students want to emulate.
Springston School Library Blog
New Zealand is the home of the “Springston School Library Blog”, librarian Karen and a crew of enthusiastic student helpers; check out the cool costumed characters in the Book Week Parade, the latest book shelf arrivals – including a series of Kiwi Corkers, plus a wealth of student-submitted book reviews and trailers on this blog that emphasizes safe cyber citizenship.
Van Meter Library Voice
Making a difference is the message delivered loud and clear on “Van Meter Library Voice”, where students learn to make a mark on International Dot Day and pay it forward by helping a deserving scholar achieve her dream through the Tanzania Kisa Project, inspiring hope for the future in Iowa tech specialist and teacher-librarian Shannon McClintock Miller.
The Unquiet Librarian
Georgia librarian-teacher and workshop presenter Buffy Hamilton is “The Unquiet Librarian” who takes a stance on the Save our Libraries petition and offers expert insight into the participatory learning model, the impact of the e-book revolution on K-12 libraries and the catalyzing partnership of librarians and classroom teachers.
Watch. Connect. Read.
Motivating readers through engaging book trailers is the special focus of “Watch. Connect. Read.” by Mr. Schu, whose passion for books extends to throwing birthday bashes for beloved reads; record-setting library check-outs, Skype visits by popular authors and an opportunity to take a second look at old favorites during Picture Book Month are highlights at the K-5 library where this teacher-librarian presides.
Great Kid Books
Parents of young readers from 4 to 14 will appreciate the advice by California K-5 librarian Mary Ann Scheuer on “Great Kid Books”, including a guide to engaging book apps and a treasure trove of reviews categorized by age level and genre, from pre-school and picture books to graphic novels and books with special appeal for boys.
Mrs. Yingling Reads
On “Mrs. Yingling Reads”, snapshot reviews reveal book strengths and weaknesses by a reader passionate enough to post from her sickbed; find vampire books for boys, titles tailor-made for Multicultural Week and ideas for beefing up non-fiction collections on this Ohio-based library blog with a focus on middle school and young male readers in particular.
K-M the Librarian
Working at a school serving learning-challenged students forms the unique perspective of “K-M the Librarian”; teachers too tentative to try new technology provide a lesson in learned helplessness, a classic tale illustrates the need for multiple research resources and an earnest appeal to academic librarians pleads for tolerance when faced with fear-filled and sometimes ill-prepared freshmen on this earnest blog.
Eliterate Librarian
Embracing the digital revolution is a key tenet of the “Eliterate Librarian” who wins approval by filling the demand of graphic novel fans, establishes a special boys-only book club to inspire struggling readers and makes a point of reaching out to the ‘reluctant reader’ girls who get overlooked; determining the best way to spend a limited library budget is a timely topic on this middle school library blog.
This Purple Crayon
A bookstore encounter with a fictional boy named Harold gives “This Purple Crayon” its title and book-rating scheme and reflects the passion of elementary librarian Natalie Sapkarov; also enamored of YA lit, this blogger introduces new literary voices, unforgettable characters and genres ranging from picture books to dystopian fairy tales in earnest reviews.
Venn Librarian
The growing phenomenon of the overwhelmed librarian, the limiting effect of reading level labels and reflections and impressions from the latest AASL are examples of musings by “Venn Librarian” Laura Pearle, who also lists tech tools that deserve a try and ponders the impact of e-readers on patron driven acquisition.
Top Shelf
Blazing a trail with a district digital library fueled by Overdrive, Texas K-12 library director Mary Woodard shares ideas for using monthly reports for library promotion, offers an invitation to take a reading challenge and provides the scoop on what’s new and what matters in school library land on “Top Shelf: the Best Stuff for School Librarians”.
No Shelf Required
University librarian Sue Polanka helms “No Shelf Required”, a place for passionate discourse on digital book issues with links to articles on timely topics; e-book preservation, purchasing and accessibility, sources for digital content and strides and setbacks in the e-book revolution inspire posts on a subject that is transforming libraries.
Archipelago
K-12 California independent school librarian Elisabeth Abarbanel reflects on participating in the profound evolution of institutions while reshaping lagging perceptions, the best uses of participatory media and optimizing author visits on “Archipelago”, a blog that borrows an island metaphor for its title.
Bib 2.0
On “Bib 2.0″, international librarian Jeri Hurd reflects on rethinking roles as next generation librarians, ruffling feathers in a passionate petition-fueled blog battle, crafting presentations that are more than mere ads for PowerPoint and holding up The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart as a model curator.
The Sassy Librarian
Pennsylvania college library director Courtney Lewis is “The Sassy Librarian” who ponders how to pack up a library when floods threaten, expresses frustration with the trilogy syndrome and offers up book reviews on genre favorites, including steampunk, on this blog with a Bloodlines countdown tool that hints at its blogger’s literary palate.
Pegasus Librarian
Defining librarians as “keepers of the light of information literacy,” college librarian Iris Jastram contemplates the meaning of libraries, witnesses flaring passions in the debate over book formats, gives a glimpse into a librarian’s nightmare and discusses the fractured state of the e-book industry on “Pegasus Librarian”.
Information Wants To Be Free
Portland college librarian, author and presenter Meredith Farkas strives to model positive change while adapting to a new work environment and meeting the challenges of being on a tenure track; carving out a cohesive digital space is one goal of blogging on “Information Wants To Be Free.”
A Wandering Eyre
On “A Wandering Eyre”, Houston librarian and new author Michelle Boule posts as alter-ego Jane, eager reader and reviewer with an appetite for romance novels; the role of librarians as information curators for students not content with passive learning, the need to disengage from multiple social media streams and the steps to planning an unconference are examples of what this blog contains.
E-Tech
The task of fostering digital literacy, the trend toward tightened online access to local news and the need to archive web content or risk a digital dark age inspire reflection by Penn State librarian Ellysa Stern Cahoy on “E-Tech”, a blog focused on technology’s place in evolving libraries.
Information Tyrannosaur
Named a Lyrasis Next-Gen Librarian, Vermont-based Andy Burkhardt composes a wish list of library courses, offers top video picks for teaching information literacy and ponders how to practice effective on-the-job time management on “Information Tyrannosaur”; for this blogger, serving as a college emerging technologies librarian means facilitating in an environment ideally suited for lifelong learning.
Try Curiosity!
Serving students with different native tongues is one challenge of Budapest-based international elementary librarian Sarah Ducharme, who welcomes the addition of a world languages shelf to fill that need; blazing a trail in the role of embedded librarian, teaching how to use creative commons images and connecting with schools across the globe through QR-coded greeting cards are part of a day’s work for the blogger of “Try Curiosity!”
One Librarian’s Book Reviews
College librarian Melissa offers earnest reviews on genres ranging from magical realism to inspirational tales – complete with ratings to help teachers and parents make smart selections – on “One Librarian’s Book Reviews”; a resolute reader, this blogger hosts the Classic Double Challenge featuring new book versions of literary classics, including plenty of Shakespeare and anything by Jane Austen.
Journeys
Presenting in the AASL Exploratorium and borrowing from A Field of Dreams to envision libraries at Reimagine:Ed are highlights of “Journeys” by consultant and retired NYS librarian Diane Cordell, who continues to model lifelong learning by participating in professional development to gain inspiration, find information and make connections.
Wendy on the Web
The risk of losing intellectual freedom to library budget cuts and the handicapping of tech-deprived kids as more schools become 1:1 fuel reflection by the Alabama high school librarian who narrates “Wendy on the Web”, while a beach vacation provides an opportunity for impromptu research into reading habits and demographics.
AASL BLog
Subtitled the Official Weblog of the American Association of School Libraries, “AASL Blog” offers information on how to participate in the conference from a distance, reveals the evolution of an institution and profession through the latest sessions list and collects Twitter takeaways that include a call for student input in library design and a challenge to keep up the event’s momentum.
Wanderings
Faced with the bittersweet feeling of retiring after decades in the high school library trenches – where connecting with students was a career highlight – Jacquie Henry looks to the future on “Wanderings” and ponders such issues as the role of libraries as e-readers proliferate and the profession’s transition from keeper of the books to the new title of library tech specialist.
Hidden Peanuts
Named among the Library Journal’s latest Movers & Shakers, emerging technologies librarian at UNC Chapel Hill Chad Haefele argues for sustainability rather than vendor dependence as library services go high tech, rates the latest eReaders and tablets and reveals how to formulate search queries that get the right results on his blog “Hidden Peanuts”.
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More Great School Library Blogs to Check Out
Library Lounge Lizard
Rather than discourage a potential reader, Washington middle school librarian Darcy Wishard refuses to post a negative review on “Library Lounge Lizard”, although some titles earn all-star status; find the hottest titles for teens along with a special section for tweens, take up a reading challenge and gain insight from student reviews.
The Daring Librarian
As “The Daring Librarian” and tech specialist, DC’s Gwyneth Anne Bronwynne Jones offers a primer for those ready to take the blogging plunge and discovers her comic-illustrated coding tutorial on display at a science museum; with an interest in ancient Celts, Steampunk and Zombies, this librarian smashes stereotypes and expresses equal measures of excitement for NPR’s new kid-friendly book club and a meeting with a character bringing hip hop to the Dewey decimal system.
The Adventures of Library Girl
Chronicling “The Adventures of Library Girl”, North Carolina middle school teacher-librarian Jennifer LaGarde touts today’s opportunities for interaction and inspiration via channels like Edublogs and The TL Virtual Cafe, expresses concern for students still left behind in a system where product trumps process and explains how QR codes can revive outdated books.
Heart of the School
Replacing a lifeless and dusty library image is the aim of “Heart of the School”, a blog that exposes the good, the bad and the ugly from a perspective of visiting authors, drives home the value of programs such as Booked Up and highlights UK school libraries with features like Day in the Life that answers the question “What do librarians do all day?”
Lucacept
Frequent presenter and Head of Information Services at a college on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, Jenny Luca envisions libraries as places for connected minds to come together; regularly featured School’s Out Friday video clips capturing a weekend frame of mind balance serious subjects like the conflict of a connected life and the conscious decision to reconnect with what’s real on “Lucacept.”
Library Grits
The trait of tenacity rather than a southern dish inspires the title of “Library Grits” by Dianne McKenzie, librarian and teacher at an international school in Hong Kong where a library makeover workshop leads to decorative updates plus a genre-fied fiction section and students discover the depth of digital footprints and utilize digital media to connect with the world.
edtech VISION
Launching Portland’s own edcampPDX, participating in Google Teacher Academy and hosting an open mic poetry reading are examples of what’s on the agenda for Oregon high school librarian and new media teacher Colette Cassinelli, the voice of “EdTech Vision” who eagerly shares comprehensive book outlines tailored for the classroom and carefully constructed course units.
Read This Book!
A firm believer that childhood is incomplete without a favorite book, Mrs. D’Elia anticipates the cinematic version of a Caldecott Medal winner, the launch of NPR’s tween-themed book club and the latest titles in beloved book sagas on “Read This Book!”; explore categories from Adventure Stories to Young Adult and get a sneak peek with book trailers on this blog geared at grades 3-5.
The Brain Lair
Indiana middle school librarian Kathy Burnette presides over “The Brain Lair” and shares space with the Ninja Chicas, student bloggers, book clubbers and earnest reviewers with discerning literary palettes; find lists of potential Newbery winners and 24-hour Read-a-thon updates on this blog whose title is an anagram of librarian.
A Library By Any Other Name
Retiring Houston public school librarian Vaughn Branom is ready to start a new chapter while reflecting on a blog journey chronicled on “A Library By Any Other Name”; the rewards of participating in professional development, the semantics of defining the teacher-librarian role and the importance of adding your vote when school finance is at stake are some of the topics this blog addresses.
100 Scope Notes
A lighthearted exposé of the dangerous activities promoted in Caldecott classics and a series of self-created alternative Newbery-winner cover art display the passion for kid lit and wickedly sharp wit that inspire “100 Scope Notes”, the blog home of Michigan elementary librarian Travis Jonker and a fictitious Children’s Lit Commish who bans fancy book covers and turns over the Caldecott judging to a computer.
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