Engaging and Empowering School Libraries

Bridging the Gap: Empowering Sixth Formers for University Success

Welcome to "Engaging and Empowering School Libraries," where we elevate the role of school libraries by addressing pressing educational topics. In this episode, we chat with Lauren Asprey about an innovative online resource developed by Newcastle University to ease the transition from sixth form to university.

Lauren, a project coordinator at the university's library education outreach department, shares insights into creating a study skills resource to support students in developing critical skills needed for university life. Discover how this project, born out of the pandemic, utilises student-led initiatives to address challenges like decision-making, independent learning, and adapting to new academic expectations.

Join us as we explore the importance of school libraries in preparing students for higher education and discuss practical ways educators and librarians can encourage students to engage with these valuable resources. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on fostering confident and skilled learners ready for the challenges of university.

Sixth Form Study Skills - Newcastle University https://sixthformstudyskills.ncl.ac.uk/

Engaging and Empowering School Libraries Membership https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership 

Navigating AI in Education: A Balanced Perspective

In this episode, we discuss how artificial intelligence is impacting school libraries and education. We were delighted to be joined by Jason Gulya, an AI consultant and professor with a unique perspective on AI's role in educational settings. Jason shares his intriguing journey with AI, from initial scepticism to a balanced viewpoint that acknowledges both the potential and pitfalls of AI in schools.

The discussion explores how AI is reshaping the educational landscape, the importance of foundational skills, and the critical role of school libraries in fostering information literacy. Jason emphasises the need for a nuanced approach, urging educators and librarians to be proactive in shaping AI's integration into learning environments. The conversation also highlights the significance of human interaction and critical thinking, reminding us that technology is not a replacement for these essential elements of education.

Engaging and Empowering School Libraries Membership -https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership

 

 

Unveiling Effective Library Inductions: Insights from School Librarians

In this episode, we unpack some amazing ideas about how to create a good library induction with our special guests, school librarians Hayden Gigner, Susan Merrick, and Rachel Chavez, along with my co-host Ruth Maloney.

Discover the diverse approaches to library inductions, from simple introductions to more elaborate programs. Learn why these inductions are pivotal for enhancing students' reading habits and overall learning experiences. Our guests share their unique methods and the evolution of their induction practices, emphasising the importance of creating a welcoming and engaging library environment.

Listen in as they discuss the balance between imparting essential information and fostering a love for reading. Gain valuable insights on how to make library inductions effective and enjoyable for both students and staff. Whether you're a seasoned librarian or new to the field, this episode offers practical advice and innovative ideas to transform your library inductions.

Resources mentioned 

Beanstack - https://www.beanstack.com/solutions/simplify-reading-logs

Engaging and Empowering School Libraries - Membership information

World Read Aloud Day - 5th February 2025

From Science Labs to School Libraries: Inside the membership from Rachel Huskisson

My guest today is Rachel Huskisson, a founding member of Engaging and Empowering School Libraries, who shares her journey from working in science labs to becoming a school librarian. She discusses how she discovered my membership and the impact it has had on her professional growth.

Rachel recounts her initial steps in the library world, from her flexible relief library assistant job to her role as a school library assistant and eventually running a school library. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs she faced, including navigating the complexities of library management during the pandemic.

As Rachel transitions to a new role in further education, she highlights the valuable support and confidence she gained from the membership. She emphasises the importance of continuous learning, networking, and staying updated with current trends, making a compelling case for why others should consider joining the membership.

Tune in to hear Rachel’s inspiring story.

Find Freebies here elizabethahutchinson.com/

More information about membership can be found here https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/membershipoptions 

Engaging and Empowering School Libraries Podcast - New season

In this episode, we announce the separation of our podcast into two distinct platforms, allowing for a more focused discussion on school libraries and their impact.

FOSIL, Education and School Libraries can now be found here -https://elizabethhutchinson.substack.com/s/fosil-education-and-school-libraries 

I catch up with co-host Ruth, who shares her recent experiences both in and out of the school library. From working on a year 12 induction project to taking on a house coordinator role, Ruth discusses the challenges and triumphs of her evolving responsibilities. We also delve into the importance of visibility for school librarians and how taking on varied roles can enhance their presence within the school community.

I share a little about my visits to libraries in Australia and Oxford, providing fascinating insights into different library setups and their unique challenges. I also talk about the success of my masterclass series, designed to help librarians develop and execute creative projects effectively.

Master Class October 2024

Looking ahead, we outline exciting topics for future episodes, including library inductions, personal learning networks, and the role of school libraries in inspections. We invite listeners to share their experiences and ideas, fostering a collaborative and engaging community.

Get in touch by emailing info@elizabethahutchinson.com 

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Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to sharing more insights and discussions in our upcoming episodes.

AI with and through the school library

Welcome to another episode of our podcast, "Engaging and Empowering School Libraries". In this episode, we explore the emerging trend of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into school libraries and the overall curriculum. Our guests, Linda Hoiseth, an international librarian, and Anthony Copeland, a technology integration specialist, offer their invaluable insights into how AI is shaping contemporary teaching methodologies.

This episode focuses on the potential benefits and ethical implications of using AI tools such as ChatGPT in education. Linda and Anthony share their unique perspectives, carefully weighing the advantages of embracing new technology while emphasising the need for preserving ethical practices. They underscore the need for IT Specialists, School librarians and Teachers to work together to acquire the necessary skills to keep pace with the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

This podcast elaborates on AI's critical role in enhancing student engagement and retention. Conversations extend to the implications of AI in various disciplines, from physics to humanities, highlighting its versatile applications in education. It also underscores the need for the teaching fraternity to focus on the broader process of integrating AI and its impact on cultivating students' research skills.

Our guests shed light on the ethical considerations involved when adopting AI as a pedagogical tool, emphasising that AI should be used to enhance student creativity rather than compensate for students learning. Keeping track of rapid advancements in the AI domain and balancing the use of specific AI tools with the development of a comprehensive skill set for different AI advancements.

This episode encourages educators and school librarians to explore and embrace the transformative potential of AI in education. It paints a comprehensive picture of the dynamic realm of AI in school libraries and curricula, replete with challenges and opportunities. A must-listen for educators and school librarians keen on staying ahead in the rapidly evolving world of education technology.

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Framework for Using AI with Students

 

 

Fact(ual) or Fiction(al): and other school library questions.

Tonight we revisited our discussion around non-fiction collections in school libraries which we started back in July 2022. It seemed the right time to come back to this important topic as the conversation around reading for pleasure seems to focus more and more on our fiction collections. Many of my recent conversations have been about the balance between fiction and non-fiction when you are building your library collections. Do we know our non-fiction collections as well as we know our fiction collections and are we considering the role our non-fiction collection has on recreational reading and supporting independent learning when we decide on how to spend our budgets? We dive into some of this during our discussion this evening. 

We dive into book awards, ways to find new non-fiction titles and ideas for encouraging non-fiction reading in your schools. 

We were joined by factual book author Andy Seed and school librarian Jenny Toerien alongside my usual co-hosts Ruth Maloney and Sabrina Cox.

 

Reading for Pleasure in Schools Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1544272119166812 

 

Places to find new non-fiction

https://www.dk.com/uk/information/catalogues-and-bestsellers/

https://nosycrow.com/catalogue/

 

and a few other publisher links

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/childrens/books-for-5plus/non-fiction/

https://www.badgerlearning.co.uk/non-fiction.html

https://www.florisbooks.co.uk/catalogues/

 

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School Librarianship: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

In this episode we decided to start the year by introducing you to the hosts of this podcast, telling you a little bit about ourselves and our journey within the school library world and why we think this podcast is important. It is probably something we should have done at the beginning but we were just so keen to get started that this seems to have been missed. 

We managed to cover quite a bit during our chat, including:

• The wonderful job a school librarian could have with the right support.
• The problems that school librarians face.
• Controversial (what we think needs to happen).
• What might be coming up next on our podcast. 

Here are the links: 

FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (7) where Darryl talks about 75% non-fiction. https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/podcast/episode/adf7b60a/fosil-education-and-school-libraries-7

Non-fiction collections in school libraries: Do we really need them?https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/podcast/episode/9d8adc04/non-fiction-collections-in-school-libraries-do-we-still-need-them 

IFLA School Library Guidelines https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/assets/school-libraries-resource-centers/publications/ifla-school-library-guidelines.pdf

Balancing Act: 5 Time Management Tips for School Librarians Working Alone. https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/post/balancing-act-5-time-management-tips-for-school-librarians-working-alone 

Every school should have a school library https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/21/every-school-should-have-a-library-philip-pullman-calls-for-new-uk-laws?CMP=share_btn_tw

Membership and Training - Engaging and Empowering School  Libraries https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership