The #TXLchat provides a forum for Texas librarians (but not limited to Texas librarians) to create collaborative connections, share educational resources, and foster life-long learning.
Hi there! Richelle O'Neil, Coordinator with #GISDLibraries. I've been lucky enough to see @ValerieJGross speak twice & I love her message! Super excited she is joining us for #txlchat tonight!
Greetings from Menlo Park, CA – on the road from Tucson. Author/retired #schoollibrarian /retired SL educator (grandbaby is sleeping!) Excited 2 hear #txlchat responses 2 changing misconceptions about #libraries
🤘🏻I feel like a rockstar librarian today! Dr. Seuss readers' theater for k,1, 2. Women's history month speed book dating for 5th grade. With a side order of book fair prep. #txlchat
A1 Oh lawd. Where do I start? Mean librarians, dusty books, outdated practices & policies, caverns of no activity....Many people still think libraries are the same as they were 50 years ago. #txlchat
A1 Although we had “state of the art” tech (Internet connection/CD-ROM towers/Hyperstudio software) in #schoollibraries in mid-90s, #libraries have not yet lost their rep as places 4 books only. #txlchat
Yes! While hopefully some places are quite (e.g., quiet study rooms), otherwise they are hubs of activity -- complete with classrooms and meeting rooms for all kinds of events! #txlchat
Agreed! Sometimes it is ok to be noisy! I like to hear the Ss getting excited about a book and telling others about it. There are times to be quiet and times to be noisy! #txlchat
Hi Richelle -- happy to hear you recognize the immense benefits of Lib = Edu! And thanks for coming to my presentations/workshops twice -- the highest of compliments !! #txlchat
A2 Every S/T/Admin/Parent is “from Missouri” the "Show Me" State. They must be shown what a #schoollibrarian can do 2 > learning/literacy - improve teaching – build a culture of #learning#txlchat
A2: I have gone into department meetings and told them my vision. Talk the talk and walk the walk. I also create an open space which many different activities can go on. Even a quiet study room for those students that need it. We need to be all for everyone. #txlchat
A3 Come up with a unique hashtag for your library. When I was a HS librarian, I had a hashtag that I used with all of my tweets that had the name of the mascot in it and rhymed #readondons. Now I try to think of unique hashtags for promos or fun things #txlchat
A2: Some of the librarians in my area actually have mobile desks that they can move around to be where the students are....bring the game to them. #txlchat
A2: Create a new way of thinking by offering to help a T with a lesson, invite them in for #MakerSpace time. We have to communicate what we can do for the school #txlchat
Yes -- and it's so exciting that we have such an simple solution to completely changing our image by applying the Libraries = Education strategy that dispels -- once and for all, and permanently -- all misperceptions! #txlchat
I agree creating a # for your library is awesome. I also went where the student are...instagram. I connect with a lot of students that way. Contests, etc. #txlchat
A3 Speak the language of your audience. Our library-speak (programs, patrons, circulation) often does not translate. Instead of program, use "learning activity" or "learning experience." #Txlchat
A3 Libraries Transform is @ALA slogan. Brand #schoollibraries by adding 2 that brand on social media/in print/library walls e.g. Libraries Transform Learning @____ School Library. #txlchat
A4: Since we are not really allowed to use social media, as per district policy, I partner with the PTA and use their page to promote the library. If there is a will there is a way. #txlchat
A4 We use #GISDLibraries on just about everything. Educators outside of the library department will also use it on Twitter as a way to communicate with our librarians. Twitter has been powerful in sharing our story! #Txlchat
Ah, yes -- another misperception! One of the reasons why Lib = Edu is so effective -- even though this misperception is not true, even if it were, because with Lib = Edu, ours is a flouring future regardless of the form the book takes. #txlchat
A4 Just USING social media promoted a new way of thinking. It just wasn’t being used much. Also, because we couldn’t have real cats, I had some library cats (Edgar, Oscar & Emily Jane) that I would tweet about making them part of our brand. #txlchat
A3 I refer to it as "our" or "your" library in emails, communications, etc. Ask S's opinions, use what they do or say as important. Invite them into the circ desk #HughCircDesk#txlchat
Q4: I have used #fpreads on instagram to encourage students to share their reading. #fplibrary for anything that goes on in the library. Highlighting robotics, maker activities to show the world we are more. #txlchat
A4: I have used twitter and my blog to showcase a collaborative lesson or an activity in the #library I've had parents come to me and comment on how amazed they are at what is done in our library. #txlchat
Hi Joni -- another reason why Lib = Edu is so effective. The approach conveys succinctly that we are all about the Three Pillars: Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, and Instructive and Enlightening Experiences. Succinct and powerful! Gets funding #txlchat
A2 We constantly have programming and lessons that are outside the traditional box. Almost no idea is too crazy to try at least once and see if it’s successful-video Game tournament, cosplay workshop, paint night, Disney sing a long- we embrace them all #txlchat
Our @HHSLionsLib InfoSpot Branding & signage. The office is now a mini conference room to allow individuals & small groups space 2 work, relax,etc #txlchat
Oh, this one is truly still prevalent. And we can eradicate if we describe librarians as "Instructor & Research Specialist." Promise you that if you use this title -- even as a working title -- no one will ever again assume this! #txlchat
A major misconception is it and its everywhere. There are parts of the #Libraries that just should be quiet. But there are others that may let out a little voice. Think its part of the #Librarystereotypes we need correct #txlchat
A4: I try and tweet a minimum of once a day. I always tweet all of the activities, collaborations, and new arrivals to the library. I also tag my school and people I am collaborating with to share what’s going on #txlchat
A3 our big word or phrase is #inclusive We want our students to know the library is a place for everyone no matter who they are or what they are into #txlchat
A5 Our librarians are part of the curriculum and tech conversation in ways we never have been before. I think in large part because we have been using more teacher speak vs librarian speak. #Txlchat
A4: I try and tweet a minimum of once a day. I always tweet all of the activities, collaborations, and new arrivals to the library. I also tag my school and people I am collaborating with to share what’s going on #txlchat
A5 We have high T turnover so it’s not easy to build collaborative relationships w my Ts. BUT this yr I went in2 2 classroom & collaborated on research lessons. #txlchat
A5: we’ve had lots of new beginnings and firsts in the library this year. My favorite is our book recommendation vending machine. Students love to get recommendations out of it! #txlchat
A5: This year our library went from zero to hero. All of the books were boxed up and everything removed. We had new carpet installed and some more bookcases. Then we relocated other bookcases to create a reading lounge. #txlchat
Hi Karyn -- what a great idea that will further position you as a Library Department on equal footing with the other school departments (the goal of Lib-Edu for school libraries) -- all crucial to the success of student academic success! #txlchat
In reply to
@ktlewis14, @richellereads, @joliejennings
#txlchat Q5: For making connections I cannot say enough connecting with teachers in the lunch room has been so important in my 2nd year in a new district. So simple but so effective.
A5 Simply being welcoming and caring about others can be a beginning. A bad library experience is one that people take a long time to get past. Ts & admins still talk about the L who preceded my predecessor. They marvel at how welcoming we are. #txlchat
Love this!! I send out a monthly report and highlight collaborative projects with Ts. When other Ts see this, they want to be a part of it too. #txlchat
A4 We use our library Twitter and Instagram to promote anything new or interesting going on in the library. We are Facebook admins for the campus so we promote the library there. Anytime we collaborate with clubs and groups we encourage them to use their SM as well #txlchat
A5 In the past 3 years since our library transformation we have had tons of positive feedback from students, teachers, and staff about the vibe and environment of inclusivity and fun we have created. It’s probably what we get the most feedback about #txlchat
Hi Techbrarians -- sushing lbrarian has got to go -- will disappear once and for all with Lib = Edu. The image will be replaced with: educator. This happens when we all describe the librarian as educators/instructors/teachers/research specialists: self-explanatory lang #txlchat
Q5 First year in a new library-have enjoyed collaborating with Ts and the other district librarians through lessons, makerspace, collection dev., family events and after school clubs. #txlchat
You are so right -- and an extraordinary library experience where expectations are surpassed is also unforgettable. Congrats on your successes to date! #txlchat
