We hope your school year is off to a great start! A new newsletter will appear in your inbox every other Monday morning during the school year. While they may look similar, we always have new information in each newsletter including professional news articles, a section on what is happening in the area libraries (email Kerrie with what's happening and you may find it featured in a future newsletter), professional learning opportunities, and more!

Kerrie and Karin were busy this summer migrating our OPALS schools to our new library automation system, TLC, and training librarians on the new system. Laurie and Deb worked on getting everyone's databases ordered so you wouldn't have any lapses in service. If you find something that is not working, just email libraryservices@wswheboces.org and we will look into it as soon as possible.

Looking ahead to professional learning this year, we will be focusing on:

• the Science of Reading
• Artificial Intelligence
• Media Literacy
• and more!

We look forward to working with you and wish you a fabulous year ahead!

Kerrie, Karin, Laurie, and Deb

Argyle Central School - Alison Lattimore

Ballston Spa Central School (Milton Terrace Elementary) - Dania Bianchi

Fort Ann Central School - Johanna DeKalb

Fort Edward UFSD - Kelly Ricciardelli (Acting Librarian)

Glens Falls City School (Jackson Heights Elementary) - Kristy Miller

Glens Falls Common (Abe Wing) - Gareth Kaedy (Acting Librarian)

Granville Central School (Granville Elementary) - Sachin Rochlani (Acting Librarian)

Granville Central School (Mary J Tanner) - Jody Kasso (Acting Librarian)

Hudson Falls Middle School - Noelle Adamczak

Minerva Central School - Ellen Bosan

Queensbury Middle School - Olivia Nassivera

Saratoga Springs City School (Dorothy Nolan) - Ashley Diamond (returning)

Saratoga Springs City School (Geyser Road Elementary) - Carrie Giacobbe

South Glens Falls Middle School - Meredith Hazelton

Please be sure to check your Library.fyi pages before you have a room full of students to make sure that everything you ordered, and the other free resources, are working. If you find that they are not working, please email libraryservices@wswheboces.org so we can look into it for you.

Tentative agenda includes the following topics: TLC Union Catalog Training, Science of Reading and Artificial Intelligence. One of at least four meetings for SLS Communication Coordinators as mandated by NY State Education Law 90.18. Communication coordinators are updated on topics relevant to the profession such as changes in curriculum, technology, and the Information Fluency Continuum. Professional Development is provided on current issues. Information is disseminated to district librarians after each meeting. All school librarians are welcome.

ALL school librarians are strongly encouraged to attend our general membership meeting, especially considering we are rolling out our new union catalog.

Date: November 19, 2024

Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location: Ballard Road Conference Center

Register BY November 5th: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=18589&I=4855326

Each School Library System in the region will host a book study this year that will be open to all librarians in the region. Space will be limited in each book study so register early. Books will be provided. Register using the PDF below.

Join us for an exploration of the future of education through the lens of artificial intelligence (AI). This book study invites educators to delve into Priten Shah's AI and the Future of Education and discover how AI can revolutionize teaching and learning. Participants will engage in weekly, one-hour discussions to unpack the key concepts, share insights, and collaboratively examine how AI can be leveraged to enhance teaching and learning. By the end of this study, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of AI, its applications in education, and the steps to become an AI-powered educator.

Note: Participants are expected to complete assigned readings prior to each meeting.
Please register no later than September 23rd to ensure your copy of the book arrives on time.

For more information and to register: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=18589&I=4855266

Librarians and library services play a significant role in the literacy development of young people. Through their expertise and the use of library resources, librarians positively influence the implementation and success of evidence-based literacy instruction as defined by NYSED's Literacy Briefs and current research about literacy and libraries. In this workshop, participants will examine research findings and instructional resources, collaborate with peers, and develop plans for supporting and enhancing students' literacy and social development. Research findings show that wide reading can foster the development of positive social behaviors and attitudes, including empathy. Wide reading remains one of the most accessible ways for young people to build background knowledge about topics of personal interest and academic study. In this session, Donalyn Miller will share research findings, instructional moves, resources, and programming ideas for promoting wide reading. Session includes work session time to explore resources and collaborate with peers.

Date: October 22, 2024

Time: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location: Ballard Road Conference Center

Register: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=18589&I=4822158

SHARE WITH SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS:

On the eve of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we are excited to offer a workshop for teachers looking for new ways to engage with their students while teaching about the Revolutionary War and the extraordinary impact it had on the local inhabitants and armies in the area that would become Saratoga County. Presenters in this workshop will share information about what the local area was like during the time of the war. They will also share primary sources relating to both the Patriot and Loyalist sides of the conflict. Meet historians and educators from local historic sites and museums that offer local resources and programs for the classroom. And finally, learn about new initiatives being developed as part of the 250th Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga coming up in 2027. Time will be given for educators to brainstorm and develop lesson plans using resources presented at the workshop. Also, all resources will be available through ConsidertheSourceNY.org for continued use in the classroom.
Lunch will be provided and is sponsored by Saratoga250.

Date: November 21, 2024

Time: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Location: Ballard Road Conference Center

Register by November 7, 2024: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=18589&I=4885539

Join us virtually for this training on cataloging using our new library automation system, TLC School Solutions. Topics to be covered include fast adds, managing records, and more. Participants will leave being able to catalog items in their new catalog.

Please register by noon the day before the event so the link can be emailed to you.

Option 1: September 24 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Option 2: September 25 10:00 - 11:30 am

Kerrie Burch, School Library System Director

Karin Howansky, School Library Media Specialist

Laurie Doyle, Information Processing Specialist

Deb Massa, Information Processing Specialist