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My Library Is... Blog

Library display with a red cart filled with various cookbooks, organized on three shelves. A banner above reads 'LET'S GET COOKING' in a red and white checkered pattern.

My Library Is... Cooking It Up

Posted on July 26, 2024

My Library Is... Cooking was a grant to purchase updated cookbooks for our library. Our library’s cookbook selection was unappealing and outdated, and this grant allowed me to purchase a whole new set of cookbooks based on input from both staff and students. 

A young boy is sitting at a desk, writing on paper with a pencil.

My Library Is... Growing (Lotus Library Reading & Beyond)

Posted on July 22, 2024

As we all know libraries have changed over the years, from e-books, chromebooks, and maker spaces to adding STEAM, reading nests, Lego and Lite Brite walls and so much more.  However, one passion of mine has always been to keep real books in the hands of the students. 

A group of people are seated around a large table in a library, engaging in a discussion.

My Library Is... Learning Local History

Posted on July 15, 2024

The Macomb High School library was honored to receive the My Library Is... Grant in the amount of $5,000. This grant is sponsored by the RAILS Library System and promotes collaborative projects between libraries and their community.

A wooden bookshelf holds an assortment of children’s books. The books are neatly arranged in rows and columns, with colorful covers and spines visible.

My Library Is... Bilingual

Posted on July 11, 2024

My school is bilingual. And my library was too . . . sort of. Thanks to the RAILS My Library Is… Grant money, I can now say with confidence that the library is a bilingual space that serves all of our students.

Books on a bookshelf with many display cards naming different subjects.

My Library Is... A Place to Cultivate Lifelong Readers

Posted on July 1, 2024

“I can’t find anything to read. Nothing interests me.  These books are too hard. I do not know where the book is located.”  Sound familiar? The My Library Is... Grant provided funding to update and enhance the library collection and reading experience. It also provided colorful new signage to improve book accessibility for staff and students.  

Wooden shelving unit with various craft supplies, books, and artwork.

My Library Is... A Place to Create

Posted on June 24, 2024

In addition to using the library for academic purposes, students enjoy the opportunity to decompress and have downtime in the library. The library is open to students for their free time before school, during our four lunch periods, and after school. These are ideal times for students to read for pleasure and to utilize the makerspace/creativity corner.  

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My Library Is… Informative and Engaging!

Posted on June 17, 2024

This school year, I was lucky enough to receive a My Library is… Grant from RAILS at Glenbard East High School. Glenbard East is a majority-minority, Title 1 high school in Lombard, IL. Of our 2253 students, forty three percent are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Top Left: A dog with curly hair wearing a gopro camera. Top Right: A whiteboard with various photos of evidence and evidence markers. Bottom Left: Various people in a study room writing on a whiteboard. Bottom Right: Two people standing in thought and writing on a whiteboard.

My Library Is... The Place to Be

Posted on June 10, 2024

The administration of Saint Patrick High School in Chicago decided to renovate the James J. Barrett Learning Resource Center during the 2022-2023 school year. During the renovation, the carpeting and furniture were replaced. Before the renovation, the collection was extensively evaluated and weeded, and old technology was removed.

A cart of various books, graphic novels various titles available for student check out.

My Library Is... Loving Graphic Novels

Posted on June 3, 2024

Are graphic novels as HUGE in your library as they are in mine? It is our most highly circulated section, and every single title circulates at least once per school year.  Safe to say, we love graphic novels here at Adler Park School. 

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Inclusion Overhaul

Posted on May 28, 2024

In January of 2020 our library was given a brand-new space. The idea was for our library’s physical space to be a more sophisticated college-like space for our young adult high school students. We weeded our collection heavily and got rid of the old.