Library Lowdown

Eugene SD 4J Library Services, February 2025

The Joy of Reading

One of the most vital roles of a teacher librarian is to ignite a love for reading in students and to transform the library into a gateway of adventure, discovery, and imagination. A library, after all, is where students can travel through time, explore new cultures, and meet unforgettable characters. But without the guidance of a librarian, students often gravitate toward familiar books, sticking to the same well-loved series like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Man, and Pokémon, without venturing into new literary territory.

Enter the teacher librarian, who breathes life into the library experience! With captivating book displays designed to spark curiosity, book talks that leave students eagerly turning pages, and personalized recommendations tailored to their interests, librarians open the door to uncharted reading adventures. They bring stories to life with expressive read-aloud sessions, fostering a shared love for storytelling. Across 4J schools, these dedicated educators inspire students to see books as more than just words on a page; they are invitations to journey beyond the ordinary.

At Edgewood and Charlemagne, librarian Adam Shepard creates this kind of magic. During K-5 library visits, he enchants students with engaging read-alouds that keep them hanging on every word. The experience is so inspiring that fourth and fifth graders now eagerly sign up to take the stage themselves. After selecting a beloved book, they practice reading it at home, and on their scheduled day, they confidently step up to share their own read-aloud with classmates. The result? A classroom full of captivated listeners and young readers discovering the joy of storytelling.

Meanwhile, at Chinese Immersion, librarian Ms. Ardoin is empowering students to become independent explorers of literature. By teaching readers how to navigate the online catalog, she’s helping them take ownership of their reading choices. Second graders are now confidently searching for books, locating call numbers, and finding new titles on the shelves, all while developing a sense of independence and excitement about discovering their next great read.

When students step into Churchill High School’s library, they are immediately drawn in by the vibrant and thoughtfully curated book displays created by Librarian Debbie Levy. Her engaging book talks spark excitement, turning books into must-read treasures that fly off the shelves. With her expert recommendations and deep passion for literacy, she inspires students to discover new stories, fostering a lifelong love of reading.

At Buena Vista, librarian Emily Gilkey-Palmer, specializes in designing bulletin boards that captivate and inspire her patrons to read new books. The Buena Vista community enjoys the intricate designs Ms. G creates to entice students to try a new genre.

While classroom teachers build the essential skills of reading, teacher librarians cultivate a passion for it. They create opportunities for students to apply their skills in meaningful ways, transforming reading from a task into a lifelong joy. When students enter a library led by a dedicated librarian, they gain more than just books; they discover stories and ideas that leave a lasting impact.

In February we celebrate "the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society" (blackhistorymonth.gov). There are plenty of resources available to help celebrate. Check out the resources below and reach out if you need support.

World Read Aloud Day: February 5th

World Read Aloud Day, presented by LitWorld, is a celebration of the power of reading aloud, and this year it is celebrated on February 5th!

As shared on the World Read Aloud Day site,

LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day® (WRAD) in 2010 to celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. Since then, WRAD has evolved into a global movement of millions of readers, writers, and listeners from across the world coming together to honor the joy and power of reading and continue expanding the definition and scope of global literacy.

Every year, World Read Aloud Day has been one of the top trending hashtags on Twitter, celebrated by millions of people in over 170 countries. From celebrities to students, WRAD brings us together as a global community of readers. As we celebrate WRAD’s 15th year anniversary, we invite you to join the party!

Sign up to be a WRADvocate here and post this flyer around your school to spread the word.

Check out the resources below to begin making plans for your school and happy reading!

Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award (BCCCA) 2025

It's award season, and the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award provides a fun opportunity for students in Oregon and across the country to vote on their favorite nominated book. As stated on their site:

The Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award (BCCCA) sponsored by OASL (formerly OEMA) is named in honor of Beverly Cleary, the Oregon born children's book author. Children of all ages may vote each spring for their favorite title from the list of nominated books. The winning title is announced on Beverly Cleary's birthday, April 12. Nominations include books targeted to the reading ability of 2nd and 3rd graders or a little higher.

Readers with reading levels of K-5th who have read (or listened to) at least two of the nominated books may each vote for their favorite nominee. The Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award is a reading engagement program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. This contest opens on March 15th and closes on April 10th, 2025, at 6 PM.

Get students involved. Below are some resources for teachers.

Groundhog Day February 2nd

Celebrate Digital Learning Day on February 13th

2025 Youth Media Awards

The 2025 Youth Media Award winners have been announced! The YMAs celebrate the best diverse literature released in the past year. You can view the results here. It's an awesome list of engaging, diverse books!

Discover the Ever-expanding Library of Things

Your Eugene Public Library card gives you free use of an amazing variety of educational toys, technology and crafts tools, tabletop and outdoor games, and other items for learning, creativity and fun. From specialty baking pans to sewing machines to robotics kits, our Library of Things offers ways to explore new interests, to learn new skills and to borrow instead of buying.

Categories include Arts and Crafts, Baking and Cooking, Educational Toys, Games, Musical Instruments, and Science and Technology. Visit any library location to find items available for same-day checkout or browse our online catalog to place hold requests for pickup later: bit.ly/EugLibraryThings

Free Puppet Show: "I Can Make a Difference"

Friday, February 7, 4:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library

Kids and family are invited to an interactive puppet show celebrating current and past leaders of the civil rights movement -- and celebrating your voice and how you can make a difference. This lively show is created and performed by students of Eugene School District 4J's EmpowerED program for 11th and 12th graders who are exploring careers in the field of education. The students work and learn with education professionals to develop skills for designing and leading 21st century classrooms.

Start Planning Now for National Reading Month in March

Though National Reading Month is in March, February is the time to start making plans to engage students in reading all month long. From read-a-thons and literacy nights to read-ins and book talks, there are plenty of ways to get students and families excited about reading.

The National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America event is often highlighted during the month of March. As stated on their website, "Read Across America is an annual reading and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading with this theme: Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers." Many choose to kick off the celebration on March 2nd and celebrate all month during National Reading Month, but NEA provides resources and activities to engage readers all year long. Reading Rockets has awesome resources and activities to engage students in reading as well as fantastic lists of diverse books.

Start planning activities for Read Across America now so the fun can begin during National Reading Month next month. March is just around the corner, friends!

OBOB Battles Begin

Let the battles begin! Many schools have already started their school Oregon Battle of the Books competitions. Good luck, and have fun!

The 4J instruction department is hosting the Elementary OBOB Region 3 North B tournament (26 schools) and needs your help. Please share the message below with colleagues and families:

Eugene SD 4J is hosting the Elementary Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) Regionals on March 15, 2025, and we need your support!

We're seeking enthusiastic individuals to help make this event a success for our young readers. Your assistance is invaluable, and there are roles for everyone.

Click on this link bit.ly/3EoO9bw to see the variety of ways we are in need of assistance.

We believe in the power of teamwork and know that your unique skills and talents will make a significant difference.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

- 4J Instruction Dept.

Regional Tournaments:

3rd-5th: March 15th @ Arts and Technology Academy (ATA)

6th-8th: March 22nd @ 8:30 AM Roosevelt MS

9th-12th: March 8th @ Elmira HS

4J District-wide Databases

Globally competent, digital citizens know how to access reliable and credible information as they explore the world around them. 4J subscribes to the databases below and we also have access to many more databases via Eugene Public Library. If you would like more information on these databases, contact Amy Page (page_a).