Day 9: Prepare One Grab-and-Go Activity If you’ve worked in a school library for any length of time, you know one thing for certain: Schedules change. A class arrives ten minutes early. Another class is delayed. The fire drill interrupts your lesson. The teacher gets called to the office. The technology decides today is not… More August in the Library: 21 Quick Wins – Day 9

Day 8: Walk Your Library Routes Every library has its busy spots. The checkout desk just before the bell rings. The graphic novel section during lunch. The computer area when research projects begin. The entrance as an entire class arrives. Most of us become so familiar with these traffic patterns that we stop noticing them.… More August in the Library: 21 Quick Wins – Day 8

Day 7: Make One Teacher Resource Display When teachers walk into the library during the first weeks of school, they’re often carrying a long list of responsibilities. They’re learning students’ names, organizing classrooms, planning lessons, contacting families, attending meetings, and trying to stay one step ahead. The last thing they need is one more thing… More August in the Library: 21 Quick Wins – Day 7

Day 6: Prepare a “First-Day Favorites” Cart The first week of school is different from every other week of the year. Students are learning new routines, meeting new teachers, finding classrooms, making friends, and wondering what this school year will bring. Some are excited. Some are nervous. Some can’t wait to check out books. Others… More August in the Library: 21 Quick Wins – Day 6

Day 5: Write a Welcome Message Imagine you’re a student walking into the library on the first day of school. Now imagine the first thing you see is a handwritten message that says: “Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!” Those six words may only take a minute to write, but they have the power to… More August in the Library: 21 Quick Wins – Day 5