Second Blog Share

           

      If you’re looking for a blog to get ideas to spice up your elementary library, “Staying Cool in the Library” is definitely one you need to check out.  Kathy Cool is the author who graduated from Lock Haven University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in library science and completed her MLIS online in 2007 through the University of Southern Mississippi.  She’s been working in a K-5 school in Virginia since 2001and “[strives] to live up to [her] name to make the library in her school a fun and “cool” place to be for [her] students.  [She is] a firm believer that children have to enjoy reading or they will never become lifelong readers.  When [she] first started out [she] replaced a retiring librarian who was very strict and formal.  Of course, the students did not want to go to the library and did not want to read.  So [she] made it [her] goal to change that.  [She] created lessons that were engaging and interactive and began to build the collection to appeal to all those reluctant readers.  This in turn led [her] to want to share [her] lessons and resources with others” (Cool, n.d.).  There are six main headings on her website: library management, lesson plans, reading motivation, library skills, research, and reading & literacy.  All of her blog posts fall under one or more of these categories.

          One of the first blog posts that caught my eye was entitled, “Library Activities to Make Check-Out Time Run Smoothly”.  I am always looking for ideas to keep the masses entertained while they are waiting for their group to be called to go check out books.  Cool shares seven ideas to keep students busy and on task while you man the check-out counter as well as three activities for students with overdue books who are unable to check out a new book.  The first idea is to keep a box of weeded out books to have the students look through and peruse while they are waiting to check out.  The second idea is to have the game Boggle out for them to play while they wait.  She suggests that after they find as many words as possible they could create a story out of those words to add on an extra challenge.  Having Almanacs and Encyclopedias out for students to flip through is her third idea.  She also suggests that you could “have a little bowl with words and topics they can draw and then find that topic” (Cool, 2022, October 4).  Puzzles and coloring pages are another easy library activity that can be ready to go that could keep students engaged while waiting to check out.  Logic puzzles including word searches, riddles, mazes and rubix cubes is her fifth idea.  Her sixth idea is to have students work together to create a joke or riddle on a note card, with the answer written on the opposite side.  Students put the finished notecards into an index card file for students to also look through.  The seventh and last idea is a makerspace which could work as an early finisher activity.  A few of her suggestions to fill it are “LEGOS, tangrams, origami paper, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, and more” (Cool, 2022, October 4).    For students who didn’t return their library books and therefore can’t check out during library time, her ideas are to select a temporary book that will be left behind when they leave the library, write about the lesson by answering a question or two similar to an exit ticket, or make a postcard for themselves to be used as a reminder to bring back their overdue book.  (Cool, 2022, October 4).

          Another blog post from “Staying Cool in the Library” that caught my attention was entitled “How to Create a Library Substitute Binder”.  There are times when you or your child wake up sick, you haven’t planned to be out, but the need arises.  Don’t sweat those moments by creating your own library substitute binder.  This blog post goes into specific details of what exactly you should include in such a binder. 

Here is what should be included:

1: Procedures and Schedules

2: Emergency Information

3: Lesson Plans (at least a week’s worth)

4: Technology and Passwords

5: Class Lists

6: Help! Section

Under every section, is a detail of what kinds of things to include.  At the end of the post she also provides a link for a “done-for-you” sub binder she has created that you can purchase from the Teachers Pay Teachers website and simply fill in the pertinent information.  The tips and tricks she shares on this post will keep your library running smoothly during your unforeseen absence.  (Cool, 2022, November 17)

Link to Sub Binder to Purchase

          If you’re like me, I’m always looking for new classroom management tips to try out.  The library, especially when students only come once a week for check-out, is a unique area of the school, that may require different tips and techniques for management.  In this blog post, “10 Tips on Classroom Management for Librarians,” Cool suggests the following for a successful library experience for all:   

1. Mystery Student- “I have a mystery student.  Do you know who it is?  This person is quietly reading their book.”  After a certain amount of time passes or at the end of class, reveal who the mystery student is and reward as you see fit.

2. Stay Consistent-Make sure to immediately and consistently correct behavior and practice the routines of the library as often as needed.

3. Use a Reward System-This can be a whole class goal or one for students to earn points individually.  One that is suggested on the blog is Digital Rewards for the School Library, which is a resource created by Staying Cool in the Library that is offered for sale on the Teachers Pay Teachers website.

Digital Rewards System

4. Behavior Think Sheets- “A think sheet is a way for students to reflect on their behavior and the impact it has.  It can also help you gain insight into why a student is acting a certain way.  Draft a document with fill in the blanks or writing space and keep copies handy for when you might need them.” (Cool, 2022, November 22).

5.  Manage Library Check-Out- Only allow one table to check out at a time.

6.  Have a Special Spot in the Library- This is for students who are consistently on-task.  “Some perks of the special spot might be getting to check-out first, lining up first, and/or having access to fun seats, pillows, or writing utensils” (Cool, 2022, November 22).

7. Call and Response- This is used when you need to get the students’ attention.

8.  Punch Cards- This is useful if you don’t have access to technology in your library.

9.  Ticket System- This is a low maintenance tracking system used for the whole class.  Once the class obtains a certain amount of tickets, a prize is rewarded.

10.  Communicate with Other Teachers- Chatting with the classroom teacher to see what they would recomend or what has worked for them so far with this particular class.  (Cool, 2022, November 22) 

          One of the last blog posts I’d like to share with you from “Staying Cool in the Library,” but certainly not the least, is entitled, “Encourage Boys to Read More with These Tips and Strategies”.  Although the title mentions boys specifically, I think any student who doesn’t really enjoy reading could benefit from these specific tips and strategies.  Cool states, “It’s not just about ensuring they can read.  It’s about guiding them toward a universe where stories come alive, characters become friends, and learning intertwines with enjoyment” (Cool, 2023, September 6).  Encourage boys to read more by being the reading role model, by allowing them to have book selection freedom, by establishing a family reading time, by allowing them to explore various reading formats, by setting achievable goals, and by having conversations about their books.  If you need some help knowing where to start choosing books for boys to read, Cool also gives book recommendations at the end of this particular blog post.  (Cool, 2023, September 6)

          It is obvious that Kathy Cool is an expert in her field and desires to share her knowledge with others in the profession.  Whether you are new to the library scene or one that’s been serving as a librarian for awhile and are looking to spruce up your craft, “Staying Cool in the Library” is definitely a blog you need to check out.  I’m so appreciative there are others out there willing to share things they’ve tried first hand in their libraries to help out others who are struggling, searching, and in need.  I hope to one day be able to share the plethora of information I’ve learned with others as well.

 

Work Cited

Cool, K.  (2022, October 4).  Library activities to make check-out time run       smoothly.  Staying Cool in the Library.  https://www.stayingcoolinthelibrary.us/library-activities-to-make-check-out-time-run-smoothly/

 

Cool, K.  (2022, November 17).  How to create a library substitute binder.             Staying Cool in the Library.  https://www.stayingcoolinthelibrary.us/how-to-create-a-library-substitute-binder/

 

Cool, K.  (2022, November 22).  10 Tips on classroom management for               librarians. Staying Cool in the Library.  https://www.stayingcoolinthelibrary.us/10-tips-on-classroom-management-for-librarians/

 

Cool, K. (2023, September 6).  Encourage boys to read more with these                     tips and strategies.   Staying Cool in the Library.  https://www.stayingcoolinthelibrary.us/encourage-boys-to-read-more/