School Libraries 201: Making Reading Contagious with Collections and Readers' Advisory

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand how library materials are commonly selected, organized, and maintained in a school library.
• Explain and identify reader’s advisory strategies appropriate to your school community.

This course consists of 2 on-demand modules:

Module 1: School Library Collections

Explore the basics of managing library collections to ensure they meet the needs of your school community. This module covers selecting, organizing, and maintaining a diverse and engaging collection of resources, with a focus on book titles. You’ll examine how a well-curated collection supports learning and literacy development.

Module 2: Reader’s Advisory

Discover how to match readers with texts and recommend resources to teachers through the practice of reader’s advisory. This module introduces practical strategies for understanding readers’ interests and needs and recommending appropriate materials. By the end of the module, you’ll feel more confident guiding library users toward books they will enjoy and resources that support coursework.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is designed for K–12 non-certified school library personnel, including paraprofessionals, staff, and teachers. It is part of a three-course series of self-paced, asynchronous online courses.

Expected Time Commitment

This course contains two modules. Each module is designed to take approximately four hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule.

On-Demand Access

You will have access to the full course for six months from the course start date, or from the enrollment date if you enroll after the course begins.

School Library Core Certification

For each individual course you complete in the series, you will earn eight professional development credit hours. A certificate will be emailed to you upon completion of each course.

Upon completion of all courses in the series, you will earn your School Library Core Certification from School Library Journal.

Accessibility

All video recordings include auto captioning. If you require additional accommodations, please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration, and we will make our best efforts to support your needs.

Support

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

Course Advisor

Maura Madigan, NBCT
School Librarian

Maura Madigan is the author of Learning Centers for School Libraries, Project-Based Learning for Elementary Grades, and The School Librarian’s Guide to (Almost) Everything (ALA Store). She has been a school librarian for ten years and has worked in education for more than twenty-eight years as a teacher, college instructor, and educational advisor in the United States, South Korea, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Maura lives and works in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Course Instructors

Carolyn Vibbert
School Librarian Division Specialist

Carolyn Vibbert is a K–12 Librarian Specialist and National Board Certified Teacher in Library Media. She holds an M.L.S. in Library Science and has served as president of the Virginia Association of School Librarians. Carolyn has also worked as an AASL National Conference Co-Chair for St. Louis and as a Senior Lecturer for Antioch University’s School Library Endorsement Program. She has presented professional learning sessions for audiences both locally and internationally.

Cicely Lewis
School Librarian and Author

Cicely Lewis is the 2020 School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year and founder of the award-winning Read Woke® movement. A school librarian, author of thirteen books, and literacy advocate, she empowers students to read critically, think deeply, and engage with social justice through literature and technology. Her work has inspired classrooms and libraries worldwide. Learn more at readwoke.com.

Pricing

Discounted rates are available for a limited time only.
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Group Rates

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.

For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com .