Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Intro image with Lovett School's library on the right side

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School - Robyn Martin

The Lovett School switched to Accessit Library in May 2020. Robyn Martin, Lovett’s Director of Library Services & Upper School Librarian, spoke with Accessit about their experience since, highlighting how Accessit Library supports her team of six librarians and how Accessit Library supported their students’ virtual learning and the Lovett School community during the COVID lockdowns.

Colourful chairs to sit in the library

Dorothy Floyd Library
Type  Composite School
Roll 1,670
Installation Cloud hosted

 

“For our Lower School students, it is one-stop shopping. The librarians only have to teach them one place to search for any of the resources they need. The students are able to use the Web App by themselves and are confident in their abilities to find those resources.”

Robyn Martin

Director of Library Services & Upper School Librarian , Lovett School, US

Lion on the wall in the library and colourful library placeVasser Woolley Library

Lovett School switched to Accessit Library in May 2020. Robyn Martin, Lovett’s Director of Library Services & Upper School Librarian, spoke with Accessit about their experience since, highlighting how Accessit Library supports her team of six librarians and how Accessit Library supported their students’ virtual learning and the Lovett School community during the COVID lockdowns.

We understand you have quite the team of Librarians at Lovett School! Tell us more about who is in it and what each of your roles are.

We have a great team of six people.

Reading space
Vasser Woolley Library

In the Vasser Woolley Library (6-12) we have:

• Robyn Martin, Director of Library Services/Upper School Librarian – 18th year at Lovett, responsible for the K-12 library program as well as serving as the librarian for students in grades 9-12
• Jennifer Northrup, Middle School Librarian – 4th year at Lovett, first in the position as librarian to grades 6-8. Previously served as librarian in the Dorothy Floyd Library, primarily with grades 3-5
• Azeb Tadesse, Library Assistant – 35th year at Lovett, responsible for cataloging, circulation, processing library materials.

Library from outside
Dorothy Floyd Library

 In the Dorothy Floyd Library (K-5) we have:

• Perry Yates, Lower School Librarian – 4th year at Lovett, primarily responsible for grades K-2
• Kaitlin Taylor, Lower School Librarian – 1st year at Lovett, primarily responsible for grades 3-5
• Susan Amabile, Library Assistant – 5th year at Lovett (4 years previously, returning this year in the same position), responsible for cataloging, circulation, processing library materials

Both libraries are on the same campus and Accessit Library is helpful as there are some books we have in both libraries and Accessit Library makes it really easy to see where the available copies are to issue.

Tell me about your switch to Accessit Library.

We migrated to AccessIt Library in May, 2020. We had heard about Accessit from a neighboring school (where my husband works). They had a demo and he was impressed enough to talk about it. It sounded like something we needed to look into as we were not totally satisfied with our current system. So, we set up a demo for Lovett and liked what we saw. Some of the influencing factors were the PAC features – ease of use for our students, the overall look of it; being able to edit MARC records easily; hosting was available; cost.

Everyone except Kaitlin has experience with other systems at Lovett (she has used other systems elsewhere). And when Azeb started, the school was still using a physical card catalogue, so she was here for the original automation of the library. But Accessit Library is really intuitive so a lot of it we could figure out for ourselves. And on the plus side, we were all home when we switched to Accessit, so we were able to do training and learn the system virtually.

How does Accessit Library make your life easier?

For the library staff, AccessIt Library offers many features that make our lives easier. All of the management applications are on the home screen and it is easy to go back to the screen. In Cataloging, we can do global changes with just a couple of clicks. We can edit MARC records easily and we do Z39.50 searching to help with that task. In the Web App, it is easy to create lists of books for upcoming projects, send them to the teachers and verify that we are pulling the right materials for what they want their students to do. In holds, the ability to send emails to patrons waiting for books with a click also makes our lives easier!

What feature of Accessit Library have you found the most valuable, and why?

So many, depending on which of us you ask! For several of my staff, the ease of working with cataloging records makes the top of the list. From Z39.50 searching, to MARC editing, to global changes – five stars! The Web App presents an appealing page to post information for our community. It’s easy to select which labels to print – no wasted sheets. The ability to control what fields are visible in the PAC – so easy to change when we need to update. Automatic updates – we don’t have to schedule a time for the system to be down in order for you to send us the latest version. And a big one – your target audience is school libraries. You aren’t trying to be all things to all people. You (Accessit and the people who work there) understand what schools need and work hard to provide it.

How do your students use your library?

In the Dorothy Floyd Library, students come in before school starts to browse, check out books and chat with the librarians. During the school day, each class comes once during our 6-day schedule rotation, except for the kindergarten classes, which come twice. In the Vasser Woolley Library, Middle School students come before and after school, with their classes, and sometimes during class to check out books. All of our Middle School students have a book to read during the day, which they can turn to when they’ve finished their classwork or during designated reading times. If they need a new book, they are able to come to the library to find one.

Two boys browsing library catalogue on their computersDorothy Floyd Library

Upper School students are in the library all day long. It is one of the spots on campus they can go when they have a study period. They come with classes, at lunch and before and after school to do homework. We are also a spot for meeting friends and socializing. It can get noisy in here, but that’s okay with us!

How do your students engage with the Accessit Library Web App?

The Web App is used primarily for searching the catalog, which is accessible from anywhere and we do find they are using it, particularly in grades K-8. Our students have become expert at putting books on hold and sometimes they place too many!

The Web App functions beautifully, and our Lower School has made it their main website. Jennifer added the database links to the page, so our students were able to easily find what they needed whether they were at school or at home. We can also post any information our community might need or find helpful on the Web App.

For our Lower School students, it is one-stop shopping. The librarians only have to teach them one place to search for any of the resources they need. The students are able to use the Web App by themselves and are confident in their abilities to find those resources. Our Middle and Upper School students are using the Web App to look up books they want, put items on hold, and renew their books. It’s also very visual, which helps with our younger students – they can see the covers and then identify the books on the shelf.

Boy looking at resource record on his computerDorothy Floyd Library

They are more independent, using the catalog themselves without asking a librarian to help them. We think that is a good thing! Kaitlin says it is helping her students learn efficient keyword searching, Boolean operators and strategies for assessing resources.

What feature of Accessit Library have your students enjoyed using the most?

Browsing the catalog. They also love the carousels of books to see what is new, what we recommend, and placing holds. The spelling suggestions have been great from our point of view! There’s a lot less of “we can’t find anything” when they see the correct spelling of their search terms!

Lovett School Library computers
Dorothy Floyd Library

How has your school year been this year regarding COVID?

We have been very fortunate here at Lovett. We have been in-person all year. We opened last fall (2020) with a hybrid style for the first month or so. But by mid-October, we were in-person except for those who chose to be virtual.

Three boys browsing library catalogue on their computersDorothy Floyd Library

When working virtually, Accessit Library was great and quite useful for Lower and Middle schools. We trained the students how to use Accessit and they were able to put holds on books they wanted which their parents could then come to the school and pick up. Accessit made it easy to do this, especially with the visual display of books for the younger students. In January, nearly every student was back on campus. The libraries are open for business as usual and it is wonderful to see our students using the spaces again.

Kids reading in the library
Dorothy Floyd Library

How have you found the support offered by the Accessit Library Support team?

Support has been, for the most part, really great. The screenshots and videos in the Portal and on ALeC are very helpful. We do wish training was available in-person. Zoom style calls for something so involved are not ideal, so we mostly use tickets. I appreciate the ability to rank the question, issue or feature request when submitting them. Even given the time difference I do find the response time pretty quick and I really appreciate that. Christine from the New Zealand support desk was great and helped us solve some issues with our labels, and now we have multiple templates for printing spine labels so we can print the right ones at the right time.

How would you describe Accessit Library in one word?

Between us, we came up with these:
• Engaging
• Evolving
• Helpful
• Easy/Intuitive
• Economical (that’s our business office/IT input!)

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

A piece of text that says "Let's Talk Libraries" next to a pile of stacked books.

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School - Jen Nicolo

Since Lloyd Street Primary switched to Accessit Library in 2019 they have continued to support their students’ relationship with the library throughout over 250 days of COVID lockdowns. Librarian, Jen Nicolo, discusses how Accessit Library supported her with this as well as her students’ engagement with the library, continuous increases in books borrowed and how Accessit Library supports her and the specific needs of Lloyd Street Primary as an International Baccalaureate school.

Type  Primary
Roll 537
Installation Cloud hosted

 

“I cannot even begin to explain what a difference this system has made to our school. Accessit allows all the processing to occur so much more quickly. I can catalogue a bundle of books within seconds, move a book from one location or collection to another seamlessly or simply replicate a task without any work.”

Jen Nicolo

Librarian, Lloyd Street Primary School, VIC

Jen is employed by Lloyd Street Primary school as a Librarian Assistant with no formal qualifications, looking after all of the resources within the school. Jen was was part of the decision to switch to Accessit Library in 2019 and has been finding it to be well worth it ever since.

We decided to transition as our previous system was out-of-date and did not allow us the freedom and accessibility that Accessit Library did. The librarian at my kid’s high school recommended Accessit Library, and from there it was a matter of sorting out the funds to get it. We also heard about Accessit Library from another school and received some mail outs about it. I was involved in the decision as well as the actual transition. It felt like a bit of a risk as I didn’t know a lot about Accessit Library, but it was well worth it.

Jen found the transition to be seamless and used tools provided by Accessit Library to help her learn how to use more and more of the system.

The switch was seamless and occurred during our school holiday period. We had a few training sessions to get started and from there I was learning as I went. At the start, all I knew about Accessit Library was from the roadshow at a local school, which was essentially a general seminar on how it all worked. However, I was able to access any webinars as well as using the Customer Portal and Customer Service whenever I had an issue or wanted to extend my knowledge.

What was really great was the two training sessions with one of Accessit Library’s Customer Support team members. We would cover the basic things and the sessions were split over a period of time, so I could learn something, have some time to practice it and then come back to it later as well as learn more things. That then had me using the Customer Portal, as I would learn something from a training session, go away to do 100 other things, and then need a reminder of what it was that I had just learned. It’s also great because when I want to know something or remind myself of something I can go straight in and find it.

For me, I find the Accessit Library webinars the most beneficial. It doesn’t matter what the webinar is on, I will always sign up to it because there are so many things to do and know with Accessit that I know there will be something useful in the webinar. I have attended every one I have been offered, and even watching it at a later date after it’s been live is good because I am able to pause it, go and try something in the Management App and then come back.

Accessit Library has made and continues to make Jen’s life as a librarian easier by supporting Jen and the specific needs of Lloyd Street Primary as an International Baccalaureate school, such as improving the connection between resources, staff and students.

I cannot even begin to explain what a difference this system has made to our school. Firstly, from a cataloguing perspective, it allows all the processing to occur so much more quickly. I can catalogue a bundle of books within seconds, move a book from one location or collection to another seamlessly or simply replicate a task without any work. From a management perspective it just makes all the processing jobs so much faster. New books come in and are on the shelf quickly. Even though I am working on my own in the library, with Accessit Library I have been able to achieve so many more improvements and updates in a much shorter timeframe. Unfortunately, Accessit does not cover the books for me!

Secondly, it has improved the connection between resources, staff and students as books are easily tagged for the specific needs of the school. I like the ability and flexibility of being able to customise our Web App and the option to create different landing pages for staff and students. I am about to launch a teacher page so the staff land on a page related to their needs. Staff can quickly and easily search for the resources they’re after and can create lists of resources at school or from home. I have used Visual Search for the teachers, renaming it to “Teacher Resources”. Within it I have created the categories important to the teachers, like reading books, English books, magazines and other resources related to an IB school. I also have a QR code printed out and placed around the school so a teacher can scan it and access the Web App straight away.

Accessit Library supports our specific needs as an IB school, like the kids learning and connecting the IB principles with the resources which Accessit Library as a library management system allows them to do. For example, the kids may be learning about “sharing the planet” and Accessit can tag all of the books that relate to that very quickly and easily. So that also means when the teachers go on the Web App, they can go to IB specifics, like going to Visual Search and clicking on “sharing the planet” to provide them with all of the books related to that.

Another example is with kids learning to read. We have sets of books that are levelled, so we can easily tag all the books with the appropriate reading levels which makes it easier for the teachers to find them, making everything accessible.

Another example and something I did recently, was catalogue a website related to Remembrance Day as a resource so that teachers can go straight to the website and find further resources related to that topic. It now has me thinking, “Hang on, I can link not only resources but websites to create a safe space for students and useful place for staff to go for further resources.” Everything becomes available and accessible, being both visual and easy to find.

Jen and Lloyd Street Primary experienced around 250 days of lockdowns in Melbourne, Australia. But with Accessit Library’s Click & Collect service her kids were able to continue reserving and issuing books throughout this time.

Accessit Library’s Click & Collect service was very successful during lockdown, and more than useful. Kids and parents were able to reserve books from home and when the copy was available an email would go out to them automatically – I just had to alter the email to tell them where to find the books. I think Click & Collect also helped with the awareness of the Web App, too. I had launched the Web App at the same time, and then the parents started reserving books and were able to collect them from the foyer without having to actually come in to the school. For the kids that loved the library, it was fantastic. They couldn’t always access the public library so it was helpful for them.

Lloyd Street Primary’s kids are already well versed in using Accessit Library, running the library during lunchtimes and easily logging in to their own accounts to browse the library catalogue and reserves books.

They engage with the Web App more when they come in to the library. We have two tablets on the wall which they are comfortable logging in to on their own profile and using it to browse the school library catalogue and reserve books. They don’t even hesitate; they just go in and know how to use it. And of course, they have access to the Web App on their laptops, too.

Students from Lloyd Street Primary

Also, each class has a library session once a week where the students are free to browse and borrow books. The teacher allows a few kids to run the circulation desk and the students have been able to pick up how to use Accessit Library well. I go out to check and ensure they know how to use it, but they are very good. At lunch time some of the older kids run the library by doing all of the issuing, returning, shelving and stuff like that. They love it! And it’s great because I can get so busy and them doing that helps me out. I have a few kids in particular that are so professional at it. The system is great as it enables them to be able to use it well. Accessit Library has been invaluable to allow student agency.

We also run an annual competition for students for the ‘most active borrowers’ which has supported an increase in library circulation. For this competition we publish a list of our Top 50 borrowers, with the top 3 winning a prize. This list is printed on an A4 piece of paper and put up on the wall just outside the library for the year. I often hear them making comments about where each person is on the list. I have never seen so much interest in an A4 piece of paper! Then in the next year I have kids coming in to borrow books to try and be in the top borrowers. I also started adding in the most active borrowers at class level so it required more of a team effort. I think in a way all this has made the library a bit cooler.

Along with allowing student agency, Accessit Library’s visual presentation of books resonates with Lloyd Street Primary’s kids, resulting in significant yearly increases in books issued.

The students love searching the Web App. They also love to reserve books and check their borrowing history. But the visual presentation of the books within the Web App has been the most beneficial in terms of engagement for students and staff. The new items carousel is top and centre of the Web App and the news articles with images of the students are extremely popular.

For the kids in Grade 2 or under, they aren’t necessarily reading but are instead focusing on the visual side of things. With the way books are displayed in the Web App the kids are able to easily see them visually. Before Accessit Library, there wasn’t much interest in the non-fiction shelves, but now with Accessit the non-fiction books are catalogued in a way that the kids are able to see them. They started looking more at those books and reserving them. There is now much higher engagement because the visual display of the books in the Web App, the ability to reserve, and distribution of the Web App to the parents.

We got Accessit Library in 2019, so I did a comparison of books issued in 2019 vs 2020 and found a massive increase, despite spending about half of the time in lockdown. These are the numbers from running a Collection (Count & Value) report on the Accessit Library Management App:

Graph - Total books issued

Year Total books issued
2019 9,821
2020 12,422 (despite 154 days in lockdown)
2021 (Oct) 17002 (despite 113 days in lockdown)

 

Accessit Library as a Library Management System supports Jen and Lloyd Street Primary, but so does Accessit Library’s Support team.

They’re first class. The Customer Support team and the I.T team respond very quickly to any concerns or questions. They are very friendly and helpful. There are multiple ways of contacting them, but the ticketing option is quick and easy.

And to finish off our talk with Jen, one of the last questions we asked her was how she would describe Accessit Library in one word, to which she answered:

The name says it all – accessible.

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Lets Talk Libraries Wendy Bamber Intro

Let’s Talk Libraries: Wendy Bamber - Seatoun School

Seatoun School librarian, Wendy Bamber, has been using Accessit Library for 10 years. Amongst many other things, it allows her to streamline her processes and save her time. An example is cataloguing. She feels lucky that as a brand-new librarian she was able to engage with the Accessit Library Support team and be introduced to Accessit Library’s Automated Cataloging from the start.

Type  Primary School
Roll 375
Campus One campus
Installation Cloud hosted

 

“If you are going to be a librarian, then you want to be on Accessit Library!” 

Wendy Bamber

School Librarian, Seatoun School, NZ

“Accessit Library’s Automated Cataloguing makes cataloguing a new book so easy. When a student sees a new book waiting to be catalogued, I know I can have it catalogued within a minute in order for them to issue it out. I don’t have a huge amount of time to spend on cataloguing, so it’s great that it is so quick to do.”

Automated cataloging also makes cataloging a larger batch very quick and easy.

“Another feature I value is when I order boxes of books from the National Library. I can catalogue a box full and then give it a batch number, for example, “Junior Insects”, then scan them all in very quickly. The Override Type and Replace All facility makes them easily identifiable as National Library when issuing and returning them and makes them accessible to students to borrow. And before I send them all back, I can search for the batch, track down missing items then write them off, just leaving their records in our system which we can draw on for future use.”

Borrower synchronization is another great feature of Accessit’s that has saved Wendy time, allowing her to import and update students’ year level, class and contact details via the student management system ready for the new school year, which Wendy says is “always easier than anticipated.”

The students at Seatoun School are familiar with issuing, returning and reserving books in the library as a result of Wendy teaching students from Year 3 to search the catalogue properly.

Wendy Bamber with child

“They all have a session with me in the library from year 3, with their iPads in front of them which they use to practice searching the library catalogue via the Web App. I give them treasure hunt targets, for example “A fiction book about adventure”. Once they have conducted a search and chosen a title, they go and find the book in the library based on what the search has told them. I give most classes exercises in using this at least once per term to ensure they remember how to do it and they actually become very competitive about it! It is also a great tool for discovering new books they haven’t tried before.

This work has paid off as students enjoy reserving books from their favorite series or subject matter.

“Our students love to reserve books, either the next in the series they are reading or the new books I show them or what they see their friends reading. They are taught this from Year 3 onwards and they continue to use this through to Year 8. They also access the catalogue from home and the large number of reserves shows me how engaged they are.”

Accessit Library also enables the students to view their reading history, which Wendy says they find highly amusing, “especially as they get to the end of their time at our school and we spend a session reminiscing.”

Wendy Bamber Presenting

Accessit Library’s One Search has enabled Wendy to set up thematically related databases to support teaching and learning goals, while using the appropriate resources available to the library.

“One Search has been really excellent. For the Science Fair I was able to add on a couple of relevant databases for the students and it makes it very easy for them to search via a platform they know well. Next term will be focused on History, so I will add other databases like Papers Past for that. Nothing is permanent and you are able to add which databases work best for you and your school, tying the school resources in nicely with what’s going on.”

And of course, throughout all of her career, the Accessit Library Support team has helped Wendy easily solve problems, save time and even run the library from home when necessary. Wendy offered kind thoughts on our Support team, saying:

“My experiences as a librarian from the start has involved the Accessit Library Support team. They are always available and incredibly patient, and nothing is too much trouble, ever. They confidently connect to my computer, jumping in and helping me out, which is so helpful and reassuring when things are busy. Sometimes you just don’t have the time to get the full explanation or it be a teaching opportunity and you simply need to be told how to get it done. They are great at that. They are always prepared to connect remotely to my PC and find the cause of a problem, which is usually adjusting settings or helping me make better use of the software. Sometimes a job that could have taken all day to do just gets done.

During Lockdown last year, it was awesome that one of the team helped me install Accessit on my home computer which meant I was able to see my library catalogue remotely. I now have it on my MacBook which means I can work from home during the holidays if I wish. Also, I could rely on the system if we went into Lockdown again.

It’s really handy to access Accessit remotely. I am able to get on the system, chase people up and complete admin tasks. If I know books are set to arrive during the holidays then I can catalogue them from home as they arrive. Overall, it is flexible and provides me with choice and flexibility.”

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Introduction image

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

This October, we knew there would be librarians all around the world carving out the time to spook up their libraries – and we wanted to see them.

So, we ran our first Halloween competition: ‘The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase’. From New Zealand to the UK, a range of schools sent us photos of how their libraries were looking for Halloween, either for this year or from previous years.

New Zealand

One of our first entries came from Aotea College in Wellington, New Zealand.

A library management system’s customer’s Halloween themed book display with hand-shaped paper hands poking out from the books.

We love what they were able to do with the books, using their colour as an effective backdrop to make faces of Frankenstein and Ghosts really pop. What we liked even more was the number of hands poking out from the bookshelves ready to grab unsuspecting students browsing the library. What a great idea!

Also in Wellington, Wellington College sent us photos of how their Halloween display looked from previous years. Their use of mannequins is fantastic and we are sure that having one of them wear a uniform really brought the level of ‘spook’ closer to home for the secondary school boys.

A library management system’s customer’s book display in front of a desk with a mannequin on the left dressed in a school uniform with blood on it.This year Wellington College gave their mannequin a new look and had it watch over an awesome display, boasting a great range of Halloween-themed books.

A library management system’s customer’s book display in the middle of the room with a scary mannequin on the left.

Another one of our early entries came from Howick College, in Auckland, New Zealand.

A library management system’s customer’s photos of a book display with cobwebs, a zombie print out on a door, pumpkin themed banners across a window and a photo of spider webs and giant toy spiders on a desk.

We think the effort that went in to Howick’s library is great. From a zombie guarding the door, banners crossed over windows, cobwebs spread across the circulation desk and giant spiders on top – Howick College’s library also boasted an awesome Halloween book display decorated with witch hats, ghosts and pumpkins. Seriously cool!

United Kingdom

Now over to the UK where we had another handful of entries.

Up first we had Dixons Unity Library with a great Halloween-themed book display, lined with Accessit’s free downloadable Halloween resources and an awesome ghost and skeleton (presumably on an adventure from the science room) on either side.

A library management system’s customer’s book display with a ghost and skeleton model on either side.

Then we had John Fisher School and the Knights Templar School submit their entries on the same day – with both being as terrifyingly terrific as each other.

A library management system’s customer’s pile of rolled up ‘Spooky’ poems.

Even though John Fisher School told us that their students weren’t finding them scary enough, having a lucky dip of ‘spooky poems’ is an idea we here at Accessit love and are sure other schools will try something similar in the future! (We hope they don’t become too spooky for the students next year!)

The Knights Templar School also had a lot going for their students, with Halloween-themed Accessit Web Apps accessible to browse their school library catalogue. They too had Accessit’s downloadable resources lining their book shelves, including a nicely spread-out book display with strings of cobwebs.

A library management system’s customer’s photos of a Halloween themed book display with Halloween decorations and two devices with the Accessit Web App.

 

The final entry we had from the UK was that of Dereham Neatherd School – and this one blew us away.

So much so, that they are the winners of Axe-cessit’s Halloween Showcase! The spook in their library is the very definition of epic, and we hope the 2 hours of free Accessit training will support Lorraine in creating even more epic displays moving forward, particularly on the Accessit Web App.

A library management system’s customer’s photos of its decorated library for Hallwoeen with floating pumpking heads, Harry Potter decorations and a dressed up skeleton model.

Although only a couple of hours went in to it, the whole library seemingly transformed entirely for Halloween, with so many parts being decorated for Halloween.

Firstly, we love the pumpkin head lanterns hanging from the ceiling. They almost look like they are floating! School librarian, Lorraine, considers this everyone’s favourite feature, and says, “I am lucky that I have a high ceiling and a terrific site team who help hang these for me each year.”

A library management system’s customer’s of pumpkin lanterns hanging from the school library ceiling.

The bookshelves are also fantastic, with really cool props and decorations adding levels of intrigue and character. One of the props used is another skeleton dressed in a Dracula’s cloak (possibly as a disguise so as not to taken back to the science room!).

A library management system’s customer’s book shelf with Halloween decorations along the top.

A library management system’s customer’s book display and a skeleton model dressed in a cape.

Then, heading up the stairs, students would pass a darkened window covered in cobwebs to find a large spider at the top with its legs spread across the stairs (represented by black tinsel). Of course, students can only get to the spider once passing under the Death Eater from Harry Potter, drooping down from the ceiling.

A library management system’s customer’s library with fake spiders and cobwebs and a Harry Potter character hanging from the ceiling.

And lastly, Dereham Neatherd School library had a room fully decorated and equipped to give the students a space to watch spooky movies during their lunch times – how great is that?

A library management system’s customer’s classroom with Halloween decorations on tables and a TV.

Lorraine gave us more of an insight on her Halloween displays, saying:

“Our students love seeing the library transformed with the seasons and Halloween displays are always popular. It creates an interest in books showcased as part of the display and the Terrifying Tales lunchtime read – completed with a bubbling cauldron.

The inspiration for the Halloween theme comes from the students loving the horror genre and Harry Potter (re-using many of my props from HP night). I tend to add items each year – the witch legs and using witch hats on books with faces on covers were added this year and many ideas are inspired by shared posts on social media from other librarians around the world.”

And it is this content shared by librarians around the world that Accessit loves too.

Overall, the time and effort that was put into decorating, transforming and “spookifying” these libraries has been wonderful to see. We love that these schools chose to share them with us and we at Accessit hope that the students really enjoyed engaging with it all.

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Introduction image

Raising the profile of your school library

The importance of having a vibrant, well used library in any educational setting is well documented. Sadly however, some libraries are not highly valued, well-resourced or well used, and in these cases, it can be a real battle to justify budgets, retain staffing levels, and fulfill the library’s role of supporting learning. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to raise the profile of your library and show exactly how crucial it is to learning and achievement across the entire school.

Make your library visible

Have a strong online presence 24/7 with your Accessit Library Web App on all types of devices. Regularly share the link to your Web App far and wide, in social media channels, online learning spaces, school newsletters and on the school website. Share links to individual resources, Quick Lists and entire Topic Boards to ‘drive’ your school community to your Web App.

Develop a library brand. Choose a colour theme for your Web App, social media channels, and all your promotional materials such as books marks, reading lists, information sheets, posters and signage. Use consistent wording when promoting library programmes and services. If design isn’t your thing enlist the help of your students and run a competition to create a library logo, and remember to revisit your branding regularly and update it when it starts to look a bit tired.

Have a physical library presence at school events, such as parent/teacher evenings, open days and school fairs. This could be by attending in person, or by having a display of some kind promoting library services.

Have a library presence everywhere around the school. Put posters up next to the canteen queue, in the sports changing rooms, in corridors and in classrooms. Take library resources around the school and use the Accessit Library Web App to issue from teaching spaces, the staff room and even the playground at break times.

Speak up and be heard

Attend and be involved in full staff, department, school board/management, and alumni meetings as often as you can. Find ways to have morning tea and chat with your teaching colleagues whenever possible. Host a regular morning or afternoon tea for staff in the library – you could then show them new curriculum resources, give mini professional learning sessions on using the Web App and other library services, or entice them with some reading suggestions.

Offer to speak at school assemblies to promote books, events and library services. Present badges or certificates to your student helpers (there are some great certificate templates that you can download from the Accessit Library e-Learning Centre). And if you have senior student librarians or library prefects, ask them to talk to classes and assemblies

Ask for 10 minutes during class visits to the library so that you can talk to students as a group about new or exciting books, or show them how to write book reviews or use One Search on the Web App.

Share your success stories using video, photos, quotes, infographics and add these as news items on your Web App. Show your stakeholders how the library benefits learning in your school. Collect statistics and other feedback on your library programmes and events, and use that information to further develop library services. Produce formal and informal reports for your school management. Accessit Library has a comprehensive range of statistical reports to assist you with this.

Engage your entire school community

By engaging learners, school staff, parents and families, management and other school stakeholders you are developing a group of loyal (and hopefully vocal) library supporters.

Ensure your library is welcoming, attractive and easy to use. Keep your displays, signage, posters and of course your collection up to date. Target any library competitions and events to the whole school, not just your regular library visitors.

Keep your Web App looking fresh by adding news items to promote new books and self-populating carousels of recently reviewed, returned or new resources. Engage your learners with current events like Book Week or World Environment Day using carousels, news items and Topic Boards.

Create Topic Boards in your Web App to provide easy access to relevant and in-demand resources for classes, year levels/grades, parents, teachers, and subject areas. You could also set up Topic Boards to cater for other interests at school, such as STEM, sports, cultural and book groups.

Give your Web App the ‘wow’ factor by encouraging library users to write reviews and embedding interactive content. You can use some of the great resources we’ve shared in our Customer Portal and the Accessit Library e-Learning Centre to get you started.

Listen to your school community and provide the things they want as much as you possibly can. Create bookshop-style displays and make your library as user-friendly and reader-centred as possible. Try more generous lending periods and borrower limits, and allow parents and others in the wider school community to borrow from the library. Gather feedback via surveys posted on your Web App, and then act on that feedback.

Ensure all your resources are easy to find and access in your Web App. Retrospectively update your catalogue records in bulk, so that all your resources have relevant subject headings and keywords/tags, or quickly tidy your authority files to ensure consistency. Create Quick Lists and carousels and promote the use of Visual Search and One Search.

Develop teachers and parents as readers by sharing reading suggestions, particularly around holiday times. Encourage adults to be good reading role models for your learners.

Collaborate with your teaching colleagues. Offer to run information literacy sessions for their classes that tie-in with current curriculum topics, alert staff to relevant resources using My Interests, and encourage their use of Web App features such as My List, bookings and reserves. Provide easy access to curriculum resources in the Web App via Quick Lists, Visual Search and Topic Boards and encourage your staff to share these with their students.

In addition to all of the above, it can be helpful to do as much as you can to enhance your own professional standing within your school. Have formal library policies such as a strategic plan and a collection development policy to guide the day-to-day management of your library. Seize opportunities to attend professional learning events, webinars and meetings, and then share what you learn and put it into practice. Try to keep up to date with what’s happening in the library world by reading library and education journals and following the social media of professional organisations in your region.

At Accessit we love libraries and we’re here to help you to make the most of yours. For assistance with using any of the features mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly Customer Support Team or check out the information in our Customer Portal.

References

  • Beyer, S. (2018). Getting your school library out there. [online] natlib.govt.nz. Available at: https://natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/getting-your-school-library-out-there [Accessed 4 Jul. 2021].
  • Holzweiss, K. and Evans, S. (2018). Hacking school libraries : 10 ways to incorporate library media centers into your learning community. Highland Heights, Ohio: Times 10 Publications.
  • Miller, S. (2020). NYCDOE: Sharing Your Story…Creating A Brand and Advocating For Your Library. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhNzsqDxqZ8 [Accessed 5 Jul. 2021].
Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School