When talking about collection development, few school librarians think about databases. Databases provide learners with a one-stop shop for cross-curricular, up-to-date, vetted information in a structured and easy-to-manipulate format for class projects. To be successful learners, students need to know how to use a database to find the information…

This article discusses a quest-based approach to teaching catalog skills and getting to learn more about students reading interests. Quest-based activities are meaningful and can be quite engaging, not to mention entertaining and stimulating (Snelson 2022). They provide choice and differentiate the learning experience, as well as multiple pathways…

Librarianship is an ever-changing journey that follows the evolution of media literacy. Currently, students live in an Internet world where politicians scream "Fake news!" at reports they don't like; foreign governments create actual fake news; and journalism seamlessly blends the genres of reporting and commenting. Students must learn…

The traditional research assignment is a common approach for teachers unaware of an inquiry process. In the traditional assignment, on the very first day that the work is assigned, students are given a topic or asked to choose a topic from a prepared list. They are given the parameters of the assignment, the number of sources required, the number…

As knowledge brokers, librarians are living in interesting times for themselves and libraries. It causes them to wonder sometimes if the traditional tools like the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system can cope with the onslaught of information. The categories provided do not always seem adequate for the knowledge-discovery habits of…

In this article St. Vrain Valley (CO) School District (SVVSD) librarian, Holli Buchter describes what took place in the school libraries in the district when the newest elementary school, Red Hawk, opened its doors. Red Hawk asked and answered the question: "Is the Dewey Decimal Classification system still the best way for students to locate…

Keeping a uniform, basic arrangement of the school library is essential if students are to be comfortable finding resources in other libraries. Two questions that must be answered if a new system were to be devised are: Who would decide on the particulars of that system? What criteria would be used to make the decision to ensure that use of the…

In this article, the author provides a job description of teacher-librarians. In this information age, teacher-librarians make sure that children grow up and thrive in a world that requires not just knowledge, but the ability to tap into vast collections of information. Teacher-librarians also teach what is called information literacy. This…

Given the massive amount of science and mathematics content available online, libraries working with science teachers can become lost when attempting to select material that is both compelling for the learner and effective in addressing learning goals. Tools that help educators identify the most appropriate resources can be a great time saver.…