Librarians' Corner News - Feb 2025

In the heart of every library lies a profound love for the written word. We, as librarians, understand the power of reading – how it can transport us to distant worlds, introduce us to fascinating characters, and ignite our imaginations to fuel the future. Reading opens doors to new perspectives and empowers us to become lifelong learners. Let's continue to fostering a 💖 of reading within our schools and communities!

Check out this month's featured titles selected by our very own Hawaiʻi librarians!

Go to: https://soraapp.com/ to get started.

Bookelicious is sponsoring a virtual author visit with Kealani Netane on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 10 am HST! Kealani will be sharing her book, Tala Learns to Siva! Recommended for Grades K-4 (but any age students are welcome!)

Title/Author: Tala Learns to Siva, Kealani Netane

Date: Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 10:00 a.m.

Cost: $149 per school

Registration and Payment Deadline: You must register by April 15, 2025 to ensure your books are shipped in time for the event. However, registration will remain open until the event date.

Registration includes:

• Virtual author event for your school!
• Five (5) hardcover copies of the book
• Engaging & interactive presentation with a Native Hawaiian and Samoan author
• Recording available for 30 days
• Spotlight Schools appear live to ask questions of the author + Q&A box open to all attendees
• Impactful, positive literacy experience that supports reading joy & skills development

Registration for the 2025 Hawaiʻi School Library Conference, “Reimagine and Refresh” on August 7-8, 2025 (Thursday-Friday) from 7:30am to 3:30pm at the Prince Waikiki Hotel is now open!

The purpose of the conference is to equip school librarians and staff with skills and knowledge to provide effective and engaging library programs and resources. Participants will develop their personal learning networks by sharing stories, experiences and questions to learn from each other.

Summer Reading Challenge dates: June 2, 2025 - July 25, 2025

The summer reading challenge includes a digital reading log, access to the Sora eBook collection, live virtual author visits, and other engaging and fun summer activities facilitated and designed by certified school librarians. Schools and classroom teachers can access reports from the digital reading log including titles, Lexile levels, and minutes logged.

Encourage your students and families to come join the challenge! Visit https://808reads.k12.hi.us/src for more information.

Printed Flyers for Families: For printed copies of the program flyer to send home with students or post around school, please complete the online request form by Friday, March 14, 2025.

2025 Summer Badge Book Hawaiʻi Edition: English and ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi bi-lingual badge books are available for schools to purchase for $5 each (reg. $12.95). The badge book is a sticker and activity book that includes a reading log calendar and Hawaiʻi-themed family literacy activities and is designed to complement the reading challenge.

To purchase badge books for your students, please complete the online School Order Form by Friday, March 14, 2025. An invoice will be sent and payment can be made through the journal voucher process.

A review copy of the badge book will be sent to all elementary schools in February 2025.

All schools with at least 75% participation in the Great Escape reading challenge between August 1, 2024 thru March 14, 2025 will be entered into a drawing to see Sean Petrie! Sean will visit the winning schools during the week of August 11-14, 2025.*

*Neighbor Island schools - we will schedule a virtual author visit in 1st Quarter.

Refreshing Your Hawaiian Collections

Join us as we explore key considerations for curating authentic and engaging Hawaiian resources. University of Hawaiʻi system librarians Shannon Alueta, UH Maui College; Hauʻolihiwahiwa Moniz, Leeward CC; Eria Dias, Kapiʻolani CC; Cindy Texeira, Windward CC; and Meera Garud, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will discuss how to select materials that reflect diverse voices and perspectives, ensure sensitive and accurate portrayals of Hawaiian culture, and develop ethical weeding practices. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical guidance for strengthening your Hawaiian collection!

Date: February 6, 2025

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Register at: https://bit.ly/LMS-POWERHOURS

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how we learn and create. AI tools can be powerful resources for students, offering new ways to explore ideas, conduct research, and express creativity. Students may use digital programs, including AI tools, as learning resources, if they have a signed Technology Responsible Use Form (TRUF) and the program has been approved by the school.

Artificial Intelligence Guidance for Students Document: https://bit.ly/hidoe-ai-students

Provides guidelines to help students use AI responsibly and ethically in their education.

Artificial Intelligence Guidance for Students (Memo): https://bit.ly/HIDOE-AI-STUDENTS-MEMO

Donʻt miss out on this amazing opportunity to get access to an array of Online Educational Resources (OER)! As a subscribing school, you will get access to the Core Library Resource bundle, which includes LS2, Sora Shared eBook Collection, EBSCO, World Book, Learn360, and Learn360+Classroom Video On Demand.

Click here to view the detailed descriptions and trial information: http://bit.ly/SY2526OER.

Missed the "Creating Dynamic Library Data using Looker Studio" Power Hour session? Watch the recording! Come and join fellow librarian Tara Nakata (Lahainaluna High) who will show you how to use Google’s Looker Studio to create visual library data that is not only easily accessible but also updates itself! Start sharing your library data with people in your school community to showcase your library’s contribution to academic achievement and student learning!

To view past Power Hour recordings, please click on this Freshdesk article.

Click the following links to download the respective information. NOTE: A hard copy of these documents were sent to each school earlier this year.

Gale Official Memo | One-Page Flyer | Gale Resource Guide

At this past month's mid-year PLCs, librarians Dianne Pang, Kaimukī Middle, Elodie Arellano, ʻĀhuimanu Elementary, Angela Ramey, Hoʻokele Elementary, and Lori Misaka, Waipahu Inter shared a few checklists, guides, tips and resources when Genrefying your Library. Feel free to check them out!

• Follett Genrefication Best Practices

• Follett Genre Solutions

• Follett DIY Genre Kits

• South Dakota State Library-The School Library Genrefication Guide

• Mollee’s Musings

• Genrefy your School Library Collection with Confidence

• Demco Shelf Signs & Labels

• Introducing Dynamic Shelving

• Top Ten Fave Dynamic Shelving Strategies

• Ten Steps to Genrefy Your Library

• Library Signage Templates

• Tips for Weeding

Tara Nakata, Lahainaluna High and Diane Mokuau, Molokai High, shared six steps to genrefying your library:

• STEP 1: Weed
• STEP 2: Determine Genres
• STEP 3: Sort and Label Books
• STEP 4: Plan Area and Move Books
• STEP 5: Update Records
• STEP 6: Signage

Here are some lessons that they learned from genrefying:

• Be brutal when weeding
• Ask for lots of help
• It always takes longer than you think
• There are many ways to accomplish your goals

For more information, visit the mid-year PLC slides (pages 36-38).

Share your favorite library hack, shortcut, or time-saving trick with your fellow librarians! Submit your tip using the link below for a chance to be featured in our next newsletter!

OR...if you would like to learn more about how other librarians do certain things in their libraries, submit your suggestions using the link below and we will do our best to feature tips/tricks that answer your questions!