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Resources

A Library Learning Commons should strive to provide resources that not only support the school's curriculum goals, but also inspire inquiry, promote personal interests, and encourage independent reading for all library patrons. 

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01

Collection Development

Our current collection development policy is based on Cobb County Board Policy and guidance from the American Association of School Librarians, and it can be viewed by clicking on the hyperlink above. We are heavily focused on student requests, and all of our book orders include suggestions from our community. Our previous librarian genrefied our fiction section, which increased circulation exponentially. We realized that we needed to do something similar with our nonfiction section, so last year, we heavily weeded nonfiction, removing hundreds of outdated and worn out books. We established new nonfiction genres and sorted our remaining books into the new categories. We didn't want to completely move away from the Dewey system, so we left the numbers previously used and added new genre labels to every book. We've created a hybrid system, where books are first shelved according to their genre, and then put in order on the shelf in that section according to their Dewey classification. We updated sublocation information in Destiny, so when students are searching for a book, they can see which section to go to find the book.  

02

Digital Resources

  • SORA

  • MackinVIA

  • LibraryTrac

  • Goosechase

  • Lumio SMART

  • CTLS - Cobb Teaching and Learning System

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We have several digital resources available for teachers and students. In addition to academic databases in MackinVIA, we also invested in Goosechase, which allows us to coordinate digital scavenger hunts for any content area. Most of our students ride the bus to school, and with only a couple library passes in each classroom, this meant the early bus students were the only ones who got to visit the library. To make morning library time more equitable, we implemented the LibraryTrac PASS system to facilitate student visits to the library before school during their homeroom time. Finally, we frequently use Lumio SMART to create digital lessons, and we support teachers in their use of Lumio in their classrooms. 

Library Shelves

03

Curation Services

  • Resource support for research or project based learning opportunities

  • Personalized Reading Lists

  • Learning Tool Suggestions

We often receive requests for articles or other resources for research projects or other project based activities. We regularly put together resource packets for teachers to use with students, and we make suggestions about databases and other digital tools and print resources that might best support learning in their classrooms. In addition to that, we create personalized reading lists for students and individual suggestions about what to read next. 

04

STEAM Support

  • Spheros

  • Snap Circuits

  • K'Nex

  • Breakout Kits

  • Makey Makey

  • Straw Connectors

  • Merge Cubes

  • Little Bits

  • Cubelets

  • 3D Pens

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We have several STEAM resources available for lessons with technology integration or for teachers to check out and use in their classrooms. We also set up STEAM challenges for students, and we participate in school-wide STEAM initiatives like STEAM DAY.

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05

Consumables

  • Poster Board

  • Construction Paper

  • Markers/Colored Pencils/Crayons

  • Glue/Tape

  • Various Art Supplies

When we first created our Maker Space, we thought it would be a traditional Maker Space with Maker Challenges and opportunities for students to explore their interests and express their creativity. What we soon realized was that our students would benefit from having access to resources for class assignments, so we shifted our purpose and made having basic supplies for students to use a primary focus. We still have materials for collaborative lessons with teachers, but we mostly provide supplies for students to complete assignments. 

06

Brain Break Resources

  • Games

  • Puzzles

  • Fidget Resources

  • Craft Challenges

  • Passive Programming

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Research has shown that short breaks help keep our brains healthy and improve cognitive abilities. Once students transition to middle school, they no longer have the benefit of a daily recess, but they do still benefit from taking short breaks throughout the day. Several years ago we started building resources to support short brain breaks in the LLC. First we added a game and puzzle shelf with the help of a grant from the school's PTA. Next, we procured an old Lego table from the Warehouse and painted it to give it a new life. Then we added a giant Connect 4 game, and it is probably one of the most used pieces of equipment in the LLC. We try to have at least 2-3 passive programming activities running each month, which can include crafts, riddles, Stickerboards, coloring sheets, and contests. 

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