This document provides an overview of strategies and activities used by a middle school librarian to engage tween and teen readers. Some of the key points summarized are: 1) The librarian hosts 27 classes each week in the school library and does various displays and activities to promote reading such as book talks, author visits via Skype, novel studies, and reading contests. 2) Strategies for reader's advisory include shelf talkers, peer-led and teacher-led book talks, catalog-directed recommendations, and maintaining a library blog. 3) Advocacy tips include sharing success stories, writing for newsletters, collaborating with teachers, and highlighting how the library supports learning across subjects.

1. THE MAKE THEM OR BREAK THEM YEARS
ENGAGING READERS THROUGH THEIR TWEEN
AND TEEN YEARS
WITH
C AT H Y F I S C H B U C H

2. A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I took a long hiatus from reading through my teen
years, but still had time to read Asterix & Obelix
and Tin Tin. Our school library was very dated, had
a librarian who had very little interest, and we did
not have a scheduled weekly visit after Grade 6. So
my link with reading pretty much disappeared (I
was the student you have trouble with!)

3. G.S. LAKIE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Our school population is roughly 760 students in grades 6,7, 8.
60+ staff. The school is 10 years old and was built for 600 students.
I host 27 L.A. classes in the library each week.

4. WHY THE MIDDLE YEARS ARE IMPORTANT?
http://usbornebooksgeorgia.blogspot.ca/2012/09/raise-reader-infogram.html

5. WHAT THE TYPICAL DAY LOOKS LIKE

11. LIBRARY DISPLAYS
Guess the reader? Contest
Staff covered their faces with books they’d read
from our library. Student had to guess who’s who.

12. For those about to Rock – images and books all
Related to Rock-n-Roll

13. Fresh new titles to get caught up in.

14. Wordle representing everything that libraries are.

15. Went with “It Came From the Library Poster Contest”

16. Need ideas for your next bulletin board or would like to
share some of your great ideas, check out
http://schoollibrarydisplays.blogspot.ca/

17. FUN STUFF – PICMONKEY
IT CAME FROM THE LIBRARY CAPTION AND
POSTER CONTEST

18. WORDPHOTO APP
Costs $2.00

19. TAXEDO

20. SKYPE
We skyped with various authors last year (no cost for any of them.) We also have presented
live webcasts through Scholastic - http://www.scholastic.com/livewebcasts/webcast_tips.htm
Taylor Swift wowed them, Rick Riordan had them in the palm of his hand. Occasionally we showcase
an author or illustrator during scheduled library time –
http://www.ted.com/talks/jarrett_j_krosoczka_how_a_boy_became_an_artist.html
You never know, this might be the spark for one of them to become a great artist or writer.

21. BOOKTRAILERS AND VOKI
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=ef8d5107
f5c866f6ced3cf&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm
&utm_medium=text_url
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=9bcf4273
7ebebf007a3697&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm
&utm_medium=text_url
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=5305123&h
eight=267&width=200

22. NOVEL STUDIES AND PROJECTS
Schooled by Gordon Korman – grade 7 novel study
Included tai-chi, tofu cookout, and tie-dying (in the library)

25. READING OLYMPICS

26. DROP EVERYTHING AND READ – OCT. 22 / 2012

27. BOOK TITLE POETRY – APRIL IS POETRY
MONTH
What have you got planned?

28. READER’S ADVISORY
SELF-DIRECTED
Shelf talkers

29. READER’S ADVISORY
PEER-DIRECTED

30. DISPLAY + PEER DIRECTED BOOKTALKS
Adding value to the students library visit, trying to move students
booktalks beyond “it was good”. It has improved their presentation
skills, they have a better understanding of character
development, and an overall shift in understanding choices an
author makes in stylistic elements.

31. READER’S ADVISORY
TEACHER OR LIBRARIAN DIRECTED
I use this method of table talks quite often. I give a real quick 30 second review and
move on.
Sometimes the books are theme related (above are survival books), sometimes
non-fiction, skinny books.

32. READER’S ADVISORY
CATALOGUE-DIRECTED

33. READER’S ADVISORY / BOOKTALKING
Costumes, props, and acting out sections of a book are always memorable.

34. READER’S ADVISORY / BOOKTRAILERS
Publisher supply great booktrailers , and most have their own youtube
channels. Check out these sites.
https://www.youtube.com/user/PenguinYoungReaders?feature=watch
http://www.youtube.com/user/harperteen/videos?view=0
http://www.youtube.com/user/macmillanchildrens
http://www.youtube.com/user/hmhbooks
http://www.youtube.com/user/disneyhyperion
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheScholasticChannel

35. READER’S ADVISORY
BLOG-DIRECTED
http://lakielibrary.wordpress.com/

36. http://www.glogster.com/cfischbuch/new-march-titles-for-our-library/g6ktopgt2q8i65g5jlee97a0

37. ADVOCACY
•
Keep a story file (mine contains read aloud pages) and be ready to share
•
Write a column in your school newsletter or PTA news
•
Feed your teachers exciting things you find on the web that will enhance the curriculum
•
Start a Language Arts team, share successes and failures
•
Start a blog
•
Hold an open house night or morning
•
Use your space as a showcase – not only for library or LA related subjects – science
fair projects, history fair projects, art
•
Don’t be afraid to ask, what’s worst they can say?
•
Prove you know more than just books, become the go-to person
•
Work with a team – LA teachers, librarians, your great readers
•
Ask teachers / staff to do some of the reading for you
•
Kids first, everything else second
•
Share, collaborate, relax the library paradigm, think outside the box
•
Don’t advocate for libraries or librarians. Advocate for kids! Advocate for learning!

38. JUSTIFY YOUR VALUE
IT’S NOT BRAGGING IF IT’S TRUE
Show them with stats.
http://www.mindomo.com/#edit/c751a64f8c2d43efb27f6ebc45324b2b
Show them with pictures.
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/flicks/share/8834228
Invite them into your world

39. RELAX THE LIBRARY PARADIGM

40. OVERWHELMED
Start with one thing. Make sure it’s something you want to do – not a chore.

41. WHERE I WANT TO GO NEXT
The library as a Maker-Space
The library as the directors studio
The library as the venue for the next poetry slam
The library as the world headquarters for the next Amazing Rac

42. PARTING IDEAS

43. I wish you a day of ordinary (library) miracles and little things to rejoice in…
Eight hands that go up to request the title you’ve just book talked.
A computer that goes for an entire day without crashing.
A less-than-successful baking experiment taken to the teachers lounge, eaten
before 10 am.
A child asking for another book “just like this one.”
Finding a "app" that saves you time.
Watching a student successfully use the newest database to find needed
information.
A parking spot close to the school door.
The principal saying a sincere thank-you.
An unexpected larger amount on your paycheck or a smaller amount on your
mortgage payment.
A new book just published by your favorite author.
A student who is actually concerned about the quality of his work.
A dozen doughnuts as “thanks” for service above and beyond the call.
A quick and pleasant response from a technician.
Kids who want to help you.
A teacher saying out loud in the lounge how much she uses the online tool you
showed her.
A human voice on the phone when you expected a recording.
A student who wants to become a librarian when she grows up.
A chance to show a tech-tip to a teacher who thinks you are a “guru.”
A library with windows and sunbeams in the winter.
A request to use the library for a meeting because “it is the most pleasant room in
the school.”
A smile of accomplishment from a student who shows you how to do something
on your smartphone.
A quickly-answered reference question asked by a teacher.
A library aid you like and who likes you.
A call from a parent thanking you for the information on your webpage.
A student so absorbed in a book, he doesn’t hear the bell ring.
A call from a parent about a lost book found while cleaning.
A student who wants to hold your hand.
Students who give genuine praise to each other.