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My Library Is... Blog

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My Library Is… Providing “Sliding Glass Doors” with Virtual Reality!

Posted on May 17, 2023

Through the power of virtual reality (VR), school librarians can transport their students to different times and places in order to get immersive, interactive 360-degree views like never before. In other words, VR allows us to become our own versions of Mrs. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus–embarking upon a variety of engaging adventures with our students.

Jodi Wortsman was the winner of a 2023 My Library Is… Grant for School Libraries

My Library Is… Me!

Posted on May 10, 2023

Everyone's a reader. That is the message I want to send to the students at Medinah Middle School. Last year I purchased celebrity READ posters from the American Library Association for all of the teachers in the school in order to promote reading in all disciplines. It was fun to see how the posters reflected the teachers’ personalities and interests.

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YA? Why Not?! Middle Schooler

Posted on May 8, 2023

Pandemic-related delays are being felt throughout schools, but Heyworth’s Junior-Senior High School library was hit hard. Between closures, no in-person group visits, falling literacy levels, and a budget cut, the library was seeing a drastic loss of circulation as students struggled not only to get access to library materials, but to find materials that met their new needs.

people sitting at a round table with papers

My Library Is… The Heart of Our School!

Posted on May 3, 2023

My Library is…the heart of our school: a space for all students, staff and community members and filled with something for EVERYONE….readers, scientists, engineers, friends and so much more!

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Grayslake North High School Library Transforms into a Creative Resource Community

Posted on April 13, 2023

During the pandemic, my workspace in a public high school transformed from a traditional book-centric library to an innovative makerspace community called The Hub.

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My Library Is… The world’s largest paper snowflake

Posted on April 3, 2023

In March 2022, students at Northern Illinois University created the world’s largest paper snowflake. It is forty-four feet six inches across and has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records! The NIU Libraries got in on the excitement with a special event in its honor.

Image credit: Jerseyville Public Library.

My Library Is ... Bringing "Senior Storytime" to Local Assisted Living Facilities

Posted on March 9, 2023

The Jerseyville Public Library has been presenting Preschool Storytime for as long back as most staff members can remember. It is a program presented once a month where children ages 2-6 can gather at the library and have a story read to them, sing and dance along to some fun tunes and use their little hands to make a special craft. The children enjoy it so much and have a great time.

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Reminder: Applications for My Library Is... Grants for School Libraries Due March 2

Posted on February 20, 2023

The application period for the My Library Is... Grants for School Libraries is open and runs through Thursday, March 2. In 2022, RAILS awarded $78,232.80 in My Library Is... Grants to 20 school libraries. These grants help recipients focus on projects that tell the library story and increase visibility and support for school libraries.

My Library Is... Conversation with Dawn Scuderi

My Library Is... Conversation with Dawn Scuderi

Posted on February 6, 2023

RAILS Member Engagement Manager Dan Bostrom talks with Dawn Scuderi from Summit Hill Junior High School in Frankfort, Illinois. Summit Hill was the recipient of a 2022 My Library Is... Grant for School Libraries.