December 2023 OKLibraries Newsletter

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December 2023

Contents:

2023 Information Literacy Standards

Information Literacy standards

The Oklahoma Academic Standards for Information Literacy are up for review and revision in 2023-2024. The Oklahoma Academic Standards for Information Literacy were last reviewed and revised in 2007. The standards are being revised in 2023-2024. The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) asks that all interested stakeholders provide feedback on the standards and suggests the following process:

1. Gather a team of stakeholders and set aside approximately thirty minutes to complete a review of the standards. Examine a particular grade band or all grade bands.

2. Download the Draft Oklahoma Academic Standards for Information Literacy published on December 6, 2023 for public comment.

3. Submit feedback by January 17, 2024 on this Google form. 

All feedback received during the Public Comment period will be reviewed by the OSDE for consideration in the revision process.

HelpNow Tutoring

BrainFuse HelpNow

Through public libraries across the state, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) provides access to Brainfuse’s HelpNow, made possible with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

HelpNow provides live tutoring help, writing assistance, and more for K-12 and college students. It is designed as a student-initiated service, not as part of a school or class-wide mandated assignment.

HelpNow is accessible through public libraries across the state, so students may need a public library card in order to access this free tutoring service.

Guidance on OAC 210:35-3-126

The OSDE has released guidance on OAC 210:35-3-126, a rule regarding library media programs. The document, titled "Protecting Children in the Learning Environment," is available online.

The document outlines key points of the new rule, compliant procedure, penalties for noncompliance, and practical advice for districts.

 guidance document

Library of the Month

The December library of the month is Wayland Bonds Elementary in Moore Public Schools. Kristen Lassiter is the school librarian, and she was nominated by Tammy Gibbs at Red Oak. When I visited the Wayland Bonds Elementary library at the end of November, Kristen gave me a tour all while assisting students with finding and checking out books. Some of her favorite books include Wonder, This Is Not My Hat, and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. I asked Kristen to describe her philosophy and programs that guide her decisions at Wayland Bonds. Here is what she had to say:

books with rug

A Welcoming Space

"The primary goal I have for our library is to be welcoming. I want every single student, faculty member, and family member to know they are welcome and belong in our library. Our library is for everyone!

I have made it my goal to offer not only great literature and opportunities for learning, but also consistent activities that bring students into the library even if they do not consider themselves an avid reader."

Library Letters

"We have a monthly Library Letters program where I write a letter to our students and they are encouraged to write a letter back to me.

Each month there is a new letter with different announcements, book recommendations, and response questions. If they write a letter back, they bring it in and can choose a thank you prize.

This program has been a big hit the last two years in our library, bringing in students from all grade levels, book lovers or not."

 letter
bigfoot plushie

Mr. E

"This year we have started a new program called Mr. E's Genre Adventure to assist us in becoming independent readers who know the different genres and our personal reading tastes.

Mr. E (get it...Mystery) is a Big Foot plush who moves around our library giving clues to a secret genre. The students are encouraged to read a book from that genre and then enter their name into the prize drawing at the end of the month. So far, the kids have been so excited to guess the secret genre."
library books

The Center of the School

Mrs. Lassiter also encourages "participation in our state reading lists such as the Sequoyah list and the Redbud list." Students can also cooperate in the "seasonal Ispy scavenger hunts in the library and Stick Together sticker collages for the whole school." All of these activities "have really made our library the center of the school and bring kids into the library for a variety of reasons."
girl with bunny

Ramona the Book Bunny

"I believe that getting our students to love our library, feel comfortable and welcome in our library, and getting them physically in our library space are the steppingstones to forming lifelong learners and developing a love of reading.

It also doesn't hurt that we have a library book bunny named Ramona, yes named after Ramona Quimby, that our students are completely obsessed with.

If I can't get a kiddo to visit the library, Ramona sure can!"

Congratulations to the library at Wayland Bonds Elementary for finding ways to reach as many students as possible with books and programming!

Nominations for Library of the Month are now closed. Enough libraries have now been nominated to be featured for the remainder of the school year.