Libraries

Image of books.
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Curriculum A 'War on Books': Conservatives Push for Audits of School Libraries
After Texas banned critical race theory in schools, battles grew heated in the conservative suburbs surrounding the state's largest cities.
Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times, November 8, 2021
12 min read
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Assuaging Technology Fears
To the Editor:
After reading the article "COVID-19 & Remote Learning: How to Make It Work," ("Special Report: How We Go Back to School," July 22, 2020), it looks like school administrators are forgetting the library media specialist again. The article links to a document with six ways educators can help parents with remote learning next school year, but perhaps library media specialists could also provide guidance.
August 18, 2020
1 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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Reading & Literacy As COVID-19 Budget Cuts Loom, Relevance of School Librarians Put to the Test
From California to Pennsylvania, school librarians are on edge as district and school leaders across the country seek ways to cut back expenses amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Cayla Bamberger, Claire Bryan, Jessica Campbell & Anya Schultz, July 1, 2020
6 min read
In these 2017 photos, students in Noelle Mapes' 3rd grade class complete an audit of the books in their library. They tracked the racial breakdown of the main characters in the stories and determined that they were overwhelmingly white. The exercise is meant to illuminate the lack of diversity in children's literature.
In these 2017 photos, students in Noelle Mapes' 3rd grade class complete an audit of the books in their library. They tracked the racial breakdown of the main characters in the stories and determined that they were overwhelmingly white. The exercise is meant to illuminate the lack of diversity in children's literature.
Noelle Mapes
Reading & Literacy Teachers Push for Books With More Diversity, Fewer Stereotypes
As schools add more books with main characters of color to their shelves, some teachers are going a step further and examining whether those narratives can reinforce biases.
Sarah Schwartz, June 11, 2019
6 min read
@GunstonLibrary
@GunstonLibrary
Social Studies Photos Teachers Show off their #BlackHistoryBookShelf “Shelfies”
For Black History Month, teachers and librarians send in pictures of the books and resources they use to celebrate the month.
Education Week Photo Staff, March 4, 2019
1 min read
Two students read together in teacher Justin Minkel's classroom at Jones Elementary School in Springdale, Ark.
Two students read together in teacher Justin Minkel's classroom at Jones Elementary School in Springdale, Ark.
All photos provided by the author
Reading & Literacy Opinion 4 Steps to a Magnificent Classroom Library
Teachers need to look closely at the range of reading levels, experiences, and genres represented in their classroom libraries.
Justin Minkel , June 13, 2018
6 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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School & District Management From Our Research Center Schools See Steep Drop in Librarians, New Analysis Finds
Nationwide, schools have lost 20 percent of their librarians and media specialists in the past 15 years. Here's why that could hamstring district literacy efforts.
4 min read
Photo of mentor working with student.
E+ / Getty
Teaching Opinion School Librarians Are Rockstar Resources
School librarians are vital to student learning as early as kindergarten.
Starr Sackstein, April 29, 2018
3 min read
Ed-Tech Policy FCC Dismantles 'Net Neutrality' Policy, and K-12 Schools Await Impact
Critics fear the new policy will allow internet service providers to create fast and slow lanes in a way that restricts online options for consumers, including schools.
Sean Cavanagh, December 14, 2017
9 min read
Ed-Tech Policy Teachers Fear the Unknown in FCC's 'Net Neutrality' Vote
Teachers worry that their ability to access online resources will diminish if the FCC's proposed order easing regulations on internet service providers is approved.
Sean Cavanagh, December 13, 2017
5 min read
Students at Vardaman High School in Mississippi continue to complete worksheets and pay no attention to the poor internet connection during a World History class in November 2015.
Students at Vardaman High School in Mississippi continue to complete worksheets and pay no attention to the poor internet connection during a World History class in November 2015.
Photo by Swikar Patel/Education Week
IT Infrastructure & Management Questions Over New Construction Projects Raise More Worries About E-Rate's Future
More than 100 school districts have received letters questioning their plans to use federal E-rate funds to support construction of fiber-optic networks.
Benjamin Herold, May 30, 2017
6 min read
Reading & Literacy Article on 'Rock Star' Librarians Inflames Teachers, Children's Lit Community
A recent Wall Street Journal piece about school librarians and children's literature received backlash online for featuring only white males in their 30s.
Liana Loewus, March 10, 2017
3 min read
School librarian Michelle Luhtala co-teaches a lesson on news analysis to 11th and 12th grade students at New Canaan High School in Connecticut. She and fellow librarian Jacqueline Whiting frequently partner with classroom teachers at the school to teach media-literacy skills.
School librarian Michelle Luhtala co-teaches a lesson on news analysis to 11th and 12th grade students at New Canaan High School in Connecticut. She and fellow librarian Jacqueline Whiting frequently partner with classroom teachers at the school to teach media-literacy skills.
Christopher Capozziello for Education Week
Reading & Literacy As Information Landscape Changes, School Librarians Take on New Roles
School librarians increasingly find themselves teaching students how to navigate and consume information online—and helping teachers embed those skills into the curriculum.
Madeline Will, November 9, 2016
9 min read
Reading & Literacy Startup Aims to Customize Classroom Book Selections
While it deals primarily in print books, a new app presents yet another angle on how digital technology is changing literacy instruction in schools.
Brenda Iasevoli, November 9, 2016
3 min read