The Weekly Update

I recently came across this short film advocating for libraries and librarians and wanted to share it with all of you! It was produced by the School Librarians of Rhode Island to show the value of school librarians.

Below is the trailer, and here is the link for the full 15-minute film:

https://vimeo.com/445826301/def52b7668

Anyone is free to view and share the video to use for advocacy purposes. The trailer can be used for social media posts to promote a screening and general interest in the project. The full 15 minute film is licensed under Creative Commons public license 4.0.

For more resources, click the button below the trailer.

Episode 8: BookFlix and Google Classroom

I hope you're enjoying this new platform for short tutorials on school library services, technology tips and trends, and so much more. If you have suggestions or requests for future topics, please click the "Topic Suggestions" button below. Past episodes can be viewed on SDSL's YouTube Channel.

The Electronic Resources Task Force is preparing to evaluate the South Dakota State Library database subscriptions. We want your input!

A survey will be available on the South Dakota State Library website - November 1-19, 2021.

As a part of Gale’s continuing efforts to improve accessibility, they’ve created additional Display Options for customization on document pages, including additional font choices (like OpenDyslexic); optional background colors; and line, word, and letter spacing so individuals can choose which style is easiest for them to read.

This update is now live in Gale In Context and Gale OneFile products, Gale eBooks (text view), Gale Health and Wellness, Gale Business: Entrepreneurship, and Gale Literature (text-based products).

For more information, check out this blog.

• Once a month, host the grade levels or departments during their planning meeting. They get a change of scenery, and you get to listen in. It can help reinforce that you are all on the same team and that you can be a resource for them!

• Host a "Food Holiday" in the library every once in awhile. For example, National Mulled Cider Month in September, National M&M Day in October, etc. Keep it simple and just invite your colleagues to the library for snacks. You never know what new collaborations might arise through conversation!

I visited the Stagebarn Middle School Library in Summerset last week and snapped these cute ideas put together by library paraprofessional Heather Holly.

ExCITE! (formerly School Library Boot Camp) is an annual professional development opportunity for South Dakota librarians and educators. The SD State Library partners with Black Hills State University to offer ExCITE! for undergraduate or graduate credit. This two credit course can be applied to the Library Methods requirement of the BHSU School Library Media minor and the SD DOE Library Media endorsement. It can also be used for teacher renewal.

LSTA federal funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services provides speakers, resources, and full-tuition scholarships for attendees.

Each year brings a new theme, new personal connections, and new learning. Join us during the month of July where we will explore Information Literacy in a fully on-line course. Registration will open in Spring 2022.

The SD State Library's Collect + Connect Facebook Group is for SD School Librarians! Join to share your ideas and photos, ask your questions, reach out for advice, and discuss all of the awesomeness that happens in your library!

The Weekly Update is a correspondence from the South Dakota State Library focusing on current topics in school libraries, best practices, resources, professional development, and more.

Email: scottie.bruch@state.sd.us
Website: library.sd.gov/LIB/SLC
Location: 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD, USA
Phone: 605-295-3152