📬 NC NEW(s) Librarian Vol 13 | UDL in Libraries

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 11/30/2023 09:03 AM EST

NCDPI Bulletin Header

Welcome! This is a virtual/hybrid support network for NC Librarians with
a focus on those newly entering the field, or any SLMC seeking new ideas & connections.

In 2023-24, I'm trying something different. Each month, a new page will be added to the Canva resource, so all the information is in one place. You'll receive a reminder email via 📬 NCPublicSchools@public.govdelivery.com & a text-friendly version. Additional special bulletins or events may also be announced via GovDelivery so be sure to have that email address approved for your subscribed email inbox.

This month’s theme is very much inspired by recent work with the Brunswick Co. School Libraries team & I’m grateful to have had an opportunity to travel down to spend a day exploring what UDL means in context of our library spaces, collections, and programs. There is also a "Lightbulb moment" to a helpful podcast & I seek your advice via a form.

The aim is to share good ideas across the state, and to cultivate a community so please consider participating on the Padlet this month to reflect upon UDL.

If you have something you'd like to feature from your library/team, please reach out via email!

You have a few ways to explore this volume 13 of the NC NEW(s) Librarian:

1️⃣ Scroll down for a text-friendly version! Graphics & links still included but you don't have to navigate fonts, colors, or too many graphics

2️⃣ Click over to Canva | This will be a growing resource w/ new slides added monthly

3️⃣ Open the PDF for offline viewing

Got this as a forward? Be sure to sign up to get it delivered right to you in the future!

Universal design for learning in libraries

The Lightbulb Moment in the October ‘23 Newsletter pointed towards our professional standards 2A and 2B to “develop and implement strategies to remove barriers & incorporate universal design to ensure open and equitable access.”

Whether this is a new concept to you, or something you’re passionate about, I hope the resources help you Think Again about how you design for all.

In this 20 minute video, I share reflections on UDL in libraries from my own experiences, considerations as you learn about UDL and what it means in libraries

You can watch by clicking the image or here to open a new tab, then, explore the curated UDL resources below.

1. What is UDL?

This 6 minute video is an overview on what Universal Design for Learning is, created by John Spencer (YouTube)

2. Why We Need Universal Design

Michael NeSmith is deaf and uses American Sign Language in this TedTalk about how designing for disability leads to innovation (YouTube)

3. How Universal Design Will Make Your Library More Inclusive

A School Library Journal article about universally designing library spaces with examples (article)

4. 20 tools for a more accessible classroom

Matt Miller curates tools & strategies from educators on his Ditch that Textbook blog

Share your UDL resources & reflections on our community Padlet in the November column

Lightbulb Moment 💡
Instant & Inspired PD

School Librarians United logo

If you attended the NCSLMA conference this year, you likely enjoyed Amy Harmon’s keynote! Amy is the dynamic librarian from Michigan who produces & publishes the School Librarians United Podcast.

This is a go-to learning resource for me, and I’ve shared clips from episode 152, “UDL, Accessibility, and Advocacy for Students” with Amanda Lee when I’ve talked about it with librarians in Craven & Brunswick, so I’m linking the entire episode. Content warning: Amy references the Oxford HS school shooting from 12/2021 at the beginning.

We’re also very fortunate to have Digital Accessibility Specialist, Donna Murray at NCDPI who has helped me tremendously as I've learned about UDL and Accessibility. Check out her Designing Digital Content with Accessibility in Mind interactive document

A Note about December & Advice from you

2023 has been one wild ride with lots of professional growth and opportunities, alongside some hard personal challenges. This newsletter has been a place where I've been able to connect with librarians across NC as well as share my own learning experiences. Learning is among my top values, and reflection is a key part of being a learner. Because of the pace of this year, I have not had as much reflection time as I've needed and will pause the newsletter in December to provide time for that and intentional planning for the 2024 content. I will send out a brief reminder before the holiday break that new content will not be shared until the end of January. I am so excited about what is already in the works with some amazing NC librarians who are eager to contribute! And would really appreciate hearing from you as I plot and reflect in December.

I mentioned in the UDL recording that Think Again is one of the most transformational books I've read. Well, one way I'm learning in the month ahead is reading Adam Grant's new release, Hidden Potential. In it, he shares feedback is reacting to the past, and advice points towards the future. So rather than calling this a feedback form, consider it a space to give advice for the newsletter in 2024.

A quote from the book hidden potential by Adam Grant

Mark your calendars...

Do you have any great professional learning to share with others in NC? Please add it to the left column on our newsletter Padlet.

Meet the Creator:

Mollee Holloman is a librarian from Dare County NC, currently on-loan to NCDPI Digital Teaching & Learning as an Innovative Learning Catalyst. I’m a steward of stories & curator of worldly experiences using text & tech. Would love to hear from you via email at Mollee.Holloman@dpi.nc.gov or on Instagram @EOLMollee

Previous Volumes:

For all the Canva links, view this one-stop doc

📬 VOL 12: October 2023 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 11: September 2023 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 10: August 2023 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 9: May 2023 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 8: April 2023 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 7: Feb/March 2023 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 6: January 2023 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 5: December 2022 Canva | PDF | GovDelivery

📬 VOL 4: November 2022 Canva | PDF

📬 VOL 3: October 2022 Canva | PDF