School Libraries 201
Making Reading Contagious with Collections and Readers' Advisory
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Course Details Choose a session. Registration deadlines August 6 and October 28
 2 On-Demand Course Modules
 8 Credit Hours
 Recommended for K-12 non-certified school library personnel, including paraprofessionals, staff, and teachers.
 $282 | Save with early bird and group rates.
This course focuses on one of the most visible and influential parts of school library work: helping students find books they actually want to read.
Take this course on its own, or complete all three courses to earn the School Library Ready Certification.
THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF...
This course gives you a more practical way to support reading engagement through collections, displays, and everyday interactions. Need more flexibility? Once materials are released, you can start anytime during your 6-month access period and move through the course at your own pace. PART OF A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION SERIESMaking Reading Contagious with Collections and Readers' Advisory is one course in the School Library Ready: 3-Course Certification for Library Workers series. You can take this course on its own or complete all three for the full certification. Early bird rate is $232 through July 6, 2026. Standard rate is $282 through August 6, 2026. Early bird rate is $232 through September 28, 2026. Standard rate is $282 through October 28, 2026. Need an invoice or PO? Orders of $600 or greater can choose invoice at checkout. For orders under $600, submit this form, and we will process your order manually. Need approval? Email this course to your supervisor. TRAINING A TEAM?This course helps staff build a more intentional reading culture by giving your team shared tools for collection decisions, book promotion, and reader support. Multi-seat discounts are automatically calculated in the cart. Return to Full Course Catalog After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:
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. Course Advisor
Maura Madigan, NBCT 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 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 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. Getting students excited about reading is not just about having good books on the shelves. It’s about how the collection is shaped, how books are presented, and how library staff help students make connections they might not have made on their own. When that piece is working, the library feels more alive. Students browse differently, ask better questions, and start to see reading as something that belongs to them. School Libraries 201 focuses on the tools and decisions that help make that happen. You’ll look at collection development through a practical lens, with attention to how materials serve the readers in your school and how thoughtful selection supports both engagement and access. You’ll also explore readers’ advisory as an everyday skill, not just a nice extra, and learn how conversations, displays, and recommendations can help students find books they genuinely connect with. The course is designed to help you build more confidence in one of the most visible parts of school library work: putting the right books in front of the right readers and creating a space where reading feels inviting, relevant, and contagious.
SESSIONS AND PRICINGEarly bird pricing ends one month before the session deadline. Course materials unlock on the session deadline date.
GROUP OPTIONSTraining a team? Choose the setup that matches how you want to plan and pay: Group course enrollment: Enroll 3+ staff in this course and save. Bulk course credits: Prepay once, get the highest per-seat discount on every course, and assign seats later. Unlimited annual licensing: System-wide access for a year with no per-course approvals. Request Discounted Group Pricing Questions? Email groupsales@libraryjournal.com. COURSE FORMATThis is a fully self-paced, asynchronous online course consisting of multiple modules. Each module includes video instruction, slides, readings, and reflection activities designed to connect directly to your work in a school library.
EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENTThe course is designed to take approximately 8 hours to complete. You may move through the material at your own pace and on your own schedule.
COURSE ACCESSYou will have access to all course materials for six months from the material unlock date.
CREDIT & CERTIFICATEComplete both modules to earn 8 professional development credit hours and a School Library Journal certificate of completion.
ACCESSIBILITYAll video recordings feature auto-captioning. If you require accommodations, please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration and we will make our best efforts to support your needs.
SUPPORTFor technical or course-related support, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com. |
