Library at BINcA

Our library is just starting out so the world is wide open! Our students all receive a chromebook at the beginning of the year and I think many of them come to library to put the screen away. The students who gravitate towards the library seem happy for lower light, paper and simple tools.

That said, there are ways we can make our library more accessible to all. One way is to show students how to access books on several different platforms. Maybe they want to read on their phones? Maybe they want to listen to a book? Maybe they want to listen and read at the same time! All these are just right ways to read.

Another way to make our library more accessible is to use signs and labels in multiple languages that make it easy for them to find what they are looking for. The signage work is just beginning at our library and I am trying to be super thoughtful about it. Not too busy, not too much but enough in all the different languages at our school that all kids feel welcome and included while looking at and interacting with our collection.

Below are a few of my plans and promises. Send me any suggestions you’ve got!

• Use bright, graphic stickers to identify graphic novels and books in languages other than English
• All signage will be in both English and Spanish and other languages where appropriate to identify special collections like books in Vietnamese or French.
• Mini white boards, pens, pencils and sticky notes at every table
• Project class lessons on a portable large screen using Airtame – even the kids can do it!
• Technology available to use while in the library: 5 chromebooks and 6 Mac Desktops
• Technology to borrow: 8 Kindles for borrowing ebooks, particularly ebooks in languages other than English
• Use a simple form to communicate with classroom teachers so they can suggest which students may need access books in either ebook or audiobook formats.
• Lots of different kinds of spaces for students to work individually, in groups and pairs, and with or without teachers.

Work cited:

Hopkins, J. (2006). Assistive Technology: 10 Things to Know. Library Media Connection.