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"What has to happen for school libraries to become relevant? If we want to connect with the latest generation of learners and teachers, we have to totally redesign the library from the vantage point of our users-our thinking has to do a 180-degree flip. In short, it's time for school libraries to become a lot less like Microsoft and a lot more like Google. With this notion in mind, I collaborated with two of my colleagues, Carol Koechlin and Sandi Zwaan, Canadian educational consultants, to develop an idea we're calling the school library learning commons."

"Coauthors Harada and Yoshina authored the first text that focused on learning assessment in a school library context. In this revised and expanded version of "Assessing for Learning: Librarians and Teachers as Partners," they continue to shed light on the issue of school librarians helping students to assess for learning. The book begins with a brief discussion of national reform efforts and the importance of assessment for effective learning within this context. The balance of the book provides numerous strategies and tools for involving students as well as library media specialists in assessment activities, emphasizing the importance of students assessing for their own learning. It also provides specific examples of how assessment can be incorporated into various library-related learning activities. All chapters in this second edition have been updated with additional information, and three new chapters on assessing for critical thinking, dispositions, and tech-related learning have been added."

"How to Plan an Author Appearance Welcome to the home for Penguin Young Readers Group's author and illustrator appearances. We want to help you to bring great authors to your school or library. Below is a step-by-step guide to a planning your next event! Learn the Basics This overview sheet will give you pointers and information you need to know. Then look at a sample author schedule for more ideas. Choose Your Authors Click on the Author Appearance Listing button on the right. It can help you narrow your choices down by type of appearance, suitable age level, and author location. Request Your Authors It's easy! Just access the Author Request Form , fill it out, and send it in. Prepare for your Event Once you have scheduled your event and you have a finalized and signed contract, you'll need do the following to get ready!: organize transportation, have equipment ready for the presentation, provide a schedule to the author/illustrator, and prepare the payment. You should also have books available to sell-we encourage you to go through a local bookseller, an institutional wholesaler (if you use one), or you may order directly from Penguin . Best wishes for a successful event! -The Penguin School and Library Marketing Team Featured Author Sheila Turnage Sheila Turnage grew up on a farm in eastern North Carolina. A graduate of East Carolina University, she is the author of two nonfiction books and one picture book, but Three Times Lucky is her first middle grade novel. Today Sheila lives on a farm with her husband, a smart dog, an ill-tempered cat, a dozen chickens, and a flock of guineas. Learn more about Sheila Turnage here. If you are interested in hosting a Skype appearance by Sheila Turnage at your school, library, or conference, please use the online request form or send an email to authorvisits[at]us.penguingroup.com with

Student runs unofficial library of banned books within her school and sees huge increases in her peers reading with her

Jason Bedell is an instructional technology consultant and a library media specialist at Belmar Elementary School in New Jersey. In his columns, Jason explores how effectively integrating technology can deepen student learning and make the school environment more student-centered.

"Poetry 180 is designed to make it easy for students to hear or read a poem on each of the 180 days of the school year. I have selected the poems you will find here with high school students in mind. They are intended to be listened to, and I suggest that all members of the school community be included as readers. A great time for the readings would be following the end of daily announcements over the public address system. Listening to poetry can encourage students and other learners to become members of the circle of readers for whom poetry is a vital source of pleasure. I hope Poetry 180 becomes an important and enriching part of the school day."

This site contains myths, folklore, fairy tales, legends, and sagas from a wide variety of countries. Sites are annotated with notes about specific topics covered.

"The "Poetry of America" initiative is part of the Poetry and Literature Center's 75th Anniversary celebration. Through two features, "Poetry of American Identity" and "Poetry of American History," this initiative explores how poetry connects to the following themes: immigration and migration, work and industry, social change, and peace and war."

"I am updating my workshop on how technology can be used to promote Voluntary Free Reading - the only undebatably fool-proof means of both improving reading proficiency and developing a life-long love of reading in every student. "

"Welcome to Planet eBook, the home of free classic literature. All our novels and books are entirely free for you to download and share with your friends, classmates, students, anyone! "