đź“šThe Library Lowdown
Eugene School District 4J: November, 2025
Arts and Technology Academy (ATA) library specialist, Shelby Clancy, helped launch ATA's first “Read In” of the year, which was a great success. A “Read In” is an activity in which everyone in the school, including teachers and administrators, finds a comfy spot to read either digital or physical books of their choice independently.
Why is this important? Research consistently shows that independent reading strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic performance. According to the International Literacy Association (2019), providing students with regular opportunities to read self-selected books fosters motivation, reading stamina, and a lifelong love of reading. When students have time and choice in what they read, they not only build essential literacy skills but also develop a positive relationship with reading that extends beyond the classroom. ATA plans to schedule additional Read Ins throughout the year to help build a strong school-wide reading culture.
Spencer Butte Middle School recently launched a Library Loyalty Card Program to foster a schoolwide culture of reading. Students earn a stamp for each library book they read, and once they collect eight stamps before the end of the school year, they’ll be entered into a drawing to win a prize, a book of their choice, purchased just for them.
On October 4, teacher librarians and school library para-professionals from across the state gathered for the Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) Annual Fall Conference, a day filled with learning, connection, support, and inspiration.
The weekend began on Friday with a pre-conference school library bus tour, visiting five libraries in the area: Churchill High School, Arts and Technology Academy (Middle School), McCornack Elementary, Edison Elementary, and Thurston Middle School. Because many school librarians work in isolation, the chance to explore and exchange ideas in person was invaluable. Attendees left energized with new insights into organization, signage, makerspace activities, reading engagement, and more.
Saturday’s conference opened with a lively author panel featuring Trudy Ludwig (Brave Every Day), Will Ritter (Jackaby series), and Makiia Lucier (Dragonfruit). Each author shared their unique journey and creative process, setting an inspiring tone for the day. The conference also welcomed special guest, State Representative Lisa Fragala, whose presence underscored the importance of supporting libraries and literacy in our communities. Participants then engaged in a full schedule of sessions and vendor exhibits that reflected the breadth of our profession, covering topics such as book talks, library law, the freedom to read, reading engagement, information literacy, digital citizenship, makerspaces, and more.
A sincere thank you to Conference Chair and North Eugene Librarian Amary Taylor and Author Chair and South Eugene Librarian Julie Vignoul for generously giving their time and energy to help create an outstanding event.
Free ebooks, graphic novels and comics with your library card
Why pay when you've got a Eugene Public Library card? Whether for school or for fun, use our popular, easy-to-use apps for free access to a bazillion titles not only in print, but also online.
Eugene Public Library also offers an enormous collection of ebooks and online audiobooks in English and Spanish, including fiction and nonfiction that can be accessed via Sora with an eReader, tablet, phone, notebook, desktop, or nearly any device. Directions for adding Eugene Public Library's digital collection to Sora can be found here.
Plus, find tons of graphic novels and comics free to read online with Comics Plus. This service delivers memoirs, biographies, and other nonfiction as well as a world of illustrated fiction. Every title is available immediately — no holds, no waiting.
Kids ages 11-14, and their teachers and parents, often search for novels that aren't aimed too young or too old, but just right. There are many great books for this age group but it can be hard to find them in the far broader children's and teen sections at the library.
To make it easier to find that next read, Eugene Public Library is piloting a curated collection specifically for this age group, call J Crossover ("J" stands for "Juvenile" in library speak). Find J Crossover books shelved in the Downtown Library Children's Center, or find them in the online catalog to place a hold request and send your choice to Bethel or Sheldon branch.
As many of you know, Oregon School Library Information System (OSLIS) offers video tutorials designed to teach students how to do research. Well, we have some good news! Two new videos are available – Lateral Reading: Detecting Online Sources You Can Trust (elem) and AI and You: Level Up Your Learning (sec). 🎉 Those complement last school year’s new videos – Using Videos As Sources: Detecting Trustworthiness (elem) and Algorithm Awareness: How Technology Is Engineered to Influence You (sec). 🎉 And, that brings the total of elementary-level videos to 15 and secondary-level videos to 17.
Click here to learn more, including how to access the videos and lesson resources.
Navigating the ever-changing world of technology can be challenging for families and caregivers. Common Sense Media offers trusted, easy-to-use resources to help guide children toward healthy, balanced, and informed digital habits. Their Family Engagement and Digital Literacy & Well-Being pages include conversation starters, family tech agreements, and practical tips to set positive boundaries around screen time, social media, online safety, and more.
Whether you’re looking for advice on the latest apps, movie or game reviews, or ways to teach digital citizenship at home, Common Sense Media provides research-based, family-friendly tools to help you make confident choices.
You can explore their full collection of family engagement and digital well-being resources here.
Amy Page, Eugene 4J District Librarian
Email: page_a@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://www.4j.lane.edu/libraries
Location: 200 North Monroe Street, Eugene, OR, USA
Phone: 541-790-7765
Instagram: @4jlibraryservices
Facebook: facebook.com/4jlibrarymediaservices
Bluesky: @amypagetl.bsky.social