• Librarians as Leaders for Media Literacy (ML3) is a partnership between NYS SLSA and Project Look Sharp for teaching Habits of Questioning - all media messages - in diverse subject areas – and at all levels.
• HOW IS THIS DONE? Through giving librarians the resources, training, and support to integrate Constructivist Media Decoding (CMD) into your work with students and teachers.
• Our new CMD Starter Kits include media decoding lessons, demonstration videos, guides and more – for specific levels and subjects – including Library and Information Literacy.
• Sign-Up for the Project Look Sharp email list to receive notices about new free lessons and other resources for school librarians and for you to share with your teachers.

This week's "What's happening in your library?" comes to us from Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD. Librarian, Roberta "Bobbie" Doremus, new to this district this year stated:

Instead of doing a traditional book talk where I stand and talk about different books, I tried a more engaging approach, a "book tasting."

All English classes from 7th, 8th, and 9th (seven classes total) participated in "tasting" various books from different genres to find their independent reading book. Table clothes, menus, and placemats helped enhance the ambiance of the "book tasting."

Students spent one-minute scanning the cover and back, three-four minutes reading the first few paragraphs, and one minute writing their thoughts in their book menu. They rotated to the following table. The students loved it. They even got a mint when they checked out their book.

Thanks for sharing this engaging way to get students excited about reading!

Unless otherwise stated in the Frontline description, all workshops will be held in person this year. We will follow WSWHE BOCES and health department guidance at the time of each workshop. If there is a need to go virtual, participants will be notified as soon as possible.

Click the button below to see what we are offering this Fall. Please check back often as we are always adding new opportunities.

Register: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=18589&I=4229308

The NYLA Statewide Conference will take place November 2-5 in Saratoga Springs. If you are interested, able to attend the entire conference, and would like SLS to pay your registration fee, please fill out this form no later than 4:00 pm Friday September 30th.

A few important details:

• The cost of full early-bird registration ($230) for the NYLA Statewide Conference on November 2-5 is covered.
• You will need to be a NYLA member so please check your membership status.
• You are responsible for any hotel and transportation arrangements.
• It is expected that you will attend each day of the conference.
• You will be asked to report out what you learned at the conference in the form of a detailed write up that will be sent to your library colleagues.
• Awardees will be notified on October 3rd and must register by October 6th. Registrations after October 6th will not be honored.
• If you do not attend the conference you will be responsible for reimbursing WSWHE BOCES SLS for the full registration fee ($230).

As a participating member of the WSWHE BOCES School Library System, and in accordance with NYS Commissioner’s Regulations 90.18, a Communication Coordinator (CC) representing your district’s librarians and staff is required. This individual is a certified school library media specialist who serves as a spokesperson for your district’s needs in relation to the School Library System (SLS) and receives high quality professional development in the process. The CC plays a vital role in the overall effective operation of the SLS, and their involvement and participation is a key link between our office and the district librarians.

The Communication Coordinator also:

• Attends four (4) full day meetings per year that include updates and relevant professional development

• Secures additional resources for your district

• Communicates information back to your district on topics such as

• Information literacy skills

• Updates on Next Gen content area standards

• National and State library standards

• Databases, eBooks and other educational technologies, and research tools

• Resources purchased for your districts by SLS to support classroom instruction

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• And more…

**Please note that all librarians are welcome to attend all meetings

DATES (Each date is linked to registration)

October 27, 2022 - General Membership (ALL Librarians encouraged to attend)

January 31, 2023 (Joint Meeting with Council)

March 29, 2023 (Jennifer LaGarde)

May 17, 2023

The WSWHE BOCES School Library System (SLS) is part of the statewide School Library Systems program which “provides a formalized network for public and nonpublic school library media centers across the State and provides for the development of a standardized automated catalog…[and] also provide services to their members such as consulting, continuing education and professional development, cooperative collection development plans, services addressing special client needs, database searches of professional research and literature, and connections to other types of libraries and library systems across the State and beyond.”

In order to receive state funds, we are mandated to operate by a formally appointed “Council” which helps to govern, advise and set direction for budgeting, professional development, print and digital needs, and support and training as needed for area libraries and districts.

October 5, 2022

January 31, 2023 (Joint Meeting with Communication Coordinators)

March 1, 2023

June 6, 2023

Kerrie Burch, School Library System Director

Karin Howansky, School Library Media Specialist

Nancy Babbitt, Databases, Budgets, General Information

Deb Massa, Information Processing Specialist