Library Lady’s K-12 Edition is a mostly weekly newsletter for K-12 school librarians. Today’s topic is how to Promote Literacy.
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Today’s Library Lady’s tips focus Promoting Literacy. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic
Tips from Library Lady
Sparking a Love of Reading: Creative Ways to Promote Literacy in Your School
Encouraging students to fall in love with reading is one of the most rewarding parts of being a school librarian. Whether you’re planning big events or small moments, there are countless ways to make reading irresistible. Here are some ideas to inspire your next literacy initiative:
1. Host Reading Challenges
Create seasonal or themed reading challenges with fun incentives—like badges, bookmarks, or a “Reader of the Month” spotlight. Keep it lighthearted and celebrate participation, not just completion.
2. Partner with Teachers
Collaborate with teachers to tie reading promotion into classroom activities. Try a shared reading goal, a “book swap” event, or classroom reading minutes that add up to a schoolwide goal.
3. Plan Author Visits or Virtual Talks
Students love hearing from real authors! Whether in-person or virtual, these visits make books come alive and show students that writers are real people who started with an idea—just like them.
4. Create Eye-Catching Displays
Rotate engaging displays around themes, genres, or current events. Feature student favorites or “librarian picks” to keep your collection feeling fresh and dynamic.
5. Celebrate Reading Milestones
Acknowledge students’ reading accomplishments with bulletin boards, certificates, or shoutouts in announcements. Recognition builds momentum and pride.
6. Build a Reading Community
Encourage book clubs, reading buddy programs, or lunchtime “drop-in and read” sessions. The social side of reading helps it stick.
7. Use Social Media or Newsletters to Share the Excitement
Highlight new books, student reviews, or upcoming literacy events. When families see the excitement, they’re more likely to support it at home.
Keep the Joy of Reading at the Center
Every effort you make to promote literacy plants a seed that can grow into a lifelong love of reading. Whether it’s a big event or a simple book recommendation, those moments matter. Keep celebrating stories, sharing enthusiasm, and helping every student see themselves as a reader—it’s the heart of what we do as librarians.
| Need to do some fundraising for your library? Here are some posts on my blog which describe my fundraising camps. |
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Recent Kid Book Reviews
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What I’m Checking Out
Fun Community Helpers Activities for Elementary Students
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Some things that might interest you
Game On! Bundle of printable games
If you are like me, you sometimes just want a game the kids can play when they come to the library. Game ON! is a bundle of printable games, many of which could work in a library situation. Check it out here. Think scavenger hunts, escape rooms, mazes and more.
📚 Tools for School Librarians 📚
As librarians, we’re always looking for creative ways to engage students and enhance programming. These tools are easy to use. Explore them today and see how they might fit into your toolkit. These were created by a friend of mine and have great potential for helping you in your library programing.
Use Coupon code custom10 to save $10 (ends 10/12)
Bible Game Creators GPT Bundle!
Speaking of Games – why not use these GPTs to create your own Bible-themed games.
Whether you’re creating your first Bible printable or expanding your faith-based collection, this bundle gives you everything you need to brainstorm, build, and design engaging Bible games that teach meaningful lessons — and look beautiful in your shop.
The Kids Bible Games GPT Bundle includes three custom-built GPTs that work together to help you create polished, professional printable games faster — from idea to final layout.
Each assistant focuses on one key part of the process, so your products are balanced, educational, and ready for the marketplace.
Escape Game Printable Creators GPT Bundle
This one is free in the Game ON bundle – or you could purchase it.
Whether you’re just starting out or already selling kids’ printables, this bundle helps you generate creative escape game concepts, design engaging puzzles, and weave in polished clue cards — all tailored for Etsy, TPT, or your own shop.
The Escape Game Printable Creators GPT Bundle gives you three custom-built GPTs designed to help you ideate, build, and polish escape games — faster, with more clarity, and with complete confidence.
Each assistant focuses on one part of the escape game process, so your products always feel fun, immersive, and teacher-friendly.
Kids Activity Book Creator’s GPT Bundle
Your complete AI trio for planning, filling, and polishing kids’ activity books that parents, teachers, and kids love — without creative burnout! 
You’ve already got the big idea. Now let’s make sure the book flows beautifully, is packed with engaging content, and stands out in the marketplace.
The Kids Activity Book Creator’s GPT Bundle gives you three custom-built GPTs designed to help creators plan their book’s structure, choose the right mix of activities, and develop engaging page concepts — faster and with more confidence.
Each assistant is trained to focus on one core part of your activity book creation process, so you don’t have to juggle planning, content ideas, and design direction all on your own.
Authors and librarians, would you like to have a post on this blog?
I’d like to add a couple of features to my blog in the coming months and I’d like your help. I am looking for school librarians interested in being interviewed on the blog. I am also looking for librarians and children’s or young adult authors to do guest posts on the blog. Click on the links below to fill out a survey.
Is there a way I can help you? Drop a note in the comments or shoot me an email, I’d love to help.
See you next week.
Jane (Library Lady)
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