How are you using your school library? April is School Library Month, so it's the perfect time of year to learn about libraries and encourage students to use them. Libraries are an essential part of a community’s education and a valuable resource to educators as well. Mobile Ed has six ways you can support your students academically through library resources.

The school library is another classroom in your school. In a school library, students have an additional location outside the classroom that is a comfortable and safe space to learn, ask questions, talk with tutors, and use resources. Libraries might feel less stressful, seat students more comfortably, or be a quieter space for students to focus. With access to this space, students practice becoming better learners and obtaining new skills and knowledge. 

No one can argue that librarians aren't teachers in our schools. Librarians have become essential partners for teachers as well. They work closely with teachers to provide curriculum guidance and designing student programs. Librarians are well-versed in books that are age-appropriate and inclusive, helping teachers build their own classroom libraries that are appropriate, engaging, and educational. They also have wide access to information and have a strong research ability to find resources teachers may need. And some librarians might teach a class or two!

Well-run school libraries are tightly correlated to enhanced student achievement. Students attending schools with strong library programs tend to earn better scores on standardized tests than those that don’t. How often students visit the library and how much they borrow from the library could also affect their test scores. At-risk subgroups of students also develop better literacy skills when there is a full-time librarian in their school, and their academic performance increases when a school gains a librarian. 

More benefits of having in-school librarians include: 

• • • Improve literacy skills
    • Promote social-emotional learning 
    • Improve technical skills 
    • Encourage a passion for learning
    • Provide a safe environment 

Here is your School Library Month Checklist: 

• • • Bring in Your Librarian. Has it been a while since your librarian spoke with your students? Librarians are the perfect resource for learning to use the library, finding information, or using new technologies. Have your librarian visit your classroom to get students excited about using the school library. 
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    • Visit the School Library. Don't just let your librarian visit you; go visit them too! Take a trip down to the library! Whether it's to explore, to work on a project, or to read independently, visiting the school library is always worth the trip. 
      
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    • Make Personalized Bookmarks. One of the easiest ways to get students motivated to read is to personalize the experience. Have students create their own bookmarks, allowing them to express themselves as well as become invested in wanting to use them. 
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    • Host a Book Tasting. One of the hardest parts of being a reader is knowing what books to pick up. Similar to a book swap, a book tasting is a fun way for students to find books they might be interested in reading. Students get a glimpse into several different books in different genres and walk away with a list of books they can't wait to read. Learn more about hosting one here. 
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    • Practice Research. Libraries are one of the best places to learn. We consider is the "largest classroom in the school." With free access to books, computers, and databases, there is simply no other place like it. Have your librarian help your students learn how they can research specific information with a short research project. 
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    • Plan an Author Event. Authors can be educators too and often work with librarians to host events and work with students. Author events bring together professional writers with young writers. If possible, hosting an author talk is an incredible way for your students to learn about stories, the writing process, and creativity. 

Another way to get students excited about stories is with Mobile Ed’s Young Author’s Day program. In this educational program, our performer discusses elements of a story, story structure, and where to get inspiration for your writing all while making your students laugh and hungry to write. The audience will have the opportunity to write their own stories for the chance to have their story performed by our team!

Click here for more information about Young Author’s Day.