Creating The November Virtual BOOKHUB With Our Capstone eBooks!

 

Every month I put together a Virtual BOOKHUB to go along with our BOOKHUB Takeout Station that we have in our library. 

Yesterday, I put together our November BOOKHUB Takeout Station. You can find it here.

It's filled with so many wonderful new fiction and nonfiction books for our teachers to share with our readers in their classrooms. 

To go along with our monthly BOOKHUB Takeout Station, I also put together a Virtual BOOKHUB using all of the amazing Capstone eBooks we have in our library collection. 

For each month's choice board, I pick out several Capstone eBooks that tie into the different holidays, seasons, and other fun topics for the month. 

Our Capstone eBooks are in our PebbleGo, right next to PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next. I love how everything is in one spot for me, and for our students and teachers. 

Once I am in Capstone Interactive, I search the topics I want to find eBooks for such as Thanksgiving. 

Every eBook has a link that we can copy to share that specific eBook with our students.  I use the links in their SeeSaw, Google Classroom, Symbaloo, and choice boards. 

For our choice board, I use the link to hyperlink to the eBook cover. 

Once I have all of the book cover hyperlinked in the choice board, it is ready to publish and share with our readers. 

I created a template of the You've Been Virtually Book'd For November choice board that you can grab here to make your own. 

I love having both our BOOKHUB Takeout Station and Virtual BOOKHUB ready each month. It gives our teachers even more ways to discover books and share them with their students, whether they are exploring a new print book together or diving into an eBook.

I hope you'll enjoy creating your own Virtual BOOKHUB and sharing these wonderful Capstone eBooks with your readers, too! Happy reading! 

Being ScreenReady....5 Healthy Digital Habits Families Can Build Together!

 

Between school devices, homework, gaming, streaming, social media, and staying connected with friends, screens have become part of nearly every family’s daily routine.

For parents and caregivers, finding a healthy balance can feel overwhelming. How much screen time is too much? When should devices be put away? And how can we help children develop healthy technology habits that last?

The good news? Building healthy digital habits doesn’t have to mean creating more rules or eliminating screen time altogether.

Being ScreenReady is about helping children and families make thoughtful choices about when, where, why, and how they use technology.

Small changes in everyday routines can make a meaningful difference. 

In this new blog post, you will find five practical habits families, caregivers, and educators, can build together to encourage balance, connection, and more intentional technology use.

It also spotlights free resources like AT&T’s Two-Week hashtagScreen Ready Challenge (shown above) to help families get started. I am so excited to share this resource with all of you! 

Read the full post here, and let’s build healthy digital habits together. 

Our November Bookhub Is Here!

With November right around the corner, I put together our November BOOKHUB and got it all set up in the library today.  It was fun finding new fall and holiday books, and several that we already had in our library.  

This month, I decided to include several of our Novel Effect books too. 

I create our BOOKHUB menu in Canva.  You will find it here if you'd like to use it for your library too.  

I print this off for each teacher too.  They love posting them in their classrooms so they can keep track of the books they are reading throughout the month. 

I can’t wait for students and teachers to explore this month’s collection and discover all of the wonderful books. 

World Read Aloud Day Is On Feburary 3, 2027, Friends! Sign Up Today.

One of our favorite days is right around the corner!  On February 3, 2027, it is World Read Aloud Day! 

This is a day to celebrate all of the amazing ways we read aloud without our community and with others around the world. World Read Aloud Day was created in NYC by a little boy and Pam Allyn as they were reading aloud together. Now, WRAD is celebrated on the first Wednesday of every February and has reached many millions of people.

This special day is brought to us by the amazing LitWorld. 

You can sign up for World Read Aloud Day here.  We will get more information super soon.

Join Us For The November Follett Software Webinar...More Than Books! Finding and Curating Free Online Library and Learning Resources!

 

Friends, I am so excited to invite you to the November Follett Software webinar, More Than Books. Finding and Curating Free Online Library and Learning Resources. 

As shared in the invite at Follett Software, 

School libraries are more than places to find books; they are launchpads for learning, creativity, and connection. In this practical webinar, award-winning teacher-librarian Shannon McClintock Miller will show K–12 librarians how to discover, evaluate, and organize high-quality free online resources that support classroom lessons, teacher collaboration, and engaging library programming.

We’ll explore free resources from BBC, AT&T, PBS, Epic, and more. You’ll see how digital stories, worksheets, lessons, and streaming video can extend a theme, reinforce classroom learning, and inspire new experiences in the library. By offering content in multiple formats – including text, audio, video, and interactive activities – you can engage students with different interests, strengths, and learning needs. You’ll also see why thoughtful curation matters and how organizing resources around a clear theme can make them easier to find, use, and share with your school community.

Whether you’re supporting a classroom unit, extending a read-aloud, or planning your next library program, you’ll leave with practical ideas and free resources you can put to work right away.

What you’ll learn

• How to find and evaluate high-quality free online content for students and educators
• Ways to use digital stories, worksheets, lessons, and streaming video to support classroom themes
• Ideas for turning online resources into engaging library programming
• How to curate resources around a theme to create focus, organization, and ease of discovery
• Practical strategies for sharing curated resources with teachers, students, and families

Can’t attend? No problem: register, and we’ll email you the recording.

A certificate of attendance is available upon request.

You can register here for this free webinar. I can't wait to see you there. 

Why I Became a School Librarian and Why I'll Always Love This Work....Part 1 of the New Follett Content Blog Series

 

I'm excited to kick off a new blog series with Follett Content, sharing a school librarian's perspective on the many ways libraries make a difference in our schools and communities.

As a district teacher librarian, I've seen how the library connects people, ideas, books, creativity, and learning in so many meaningful ways. But the library looks a little different depending on who you are. Students come to discover their next favorite book, teachers find a partner in learning, families look for ways to encourage reading at home, and district leaders help shape the resources and opportunities available to their school communities.

Throughout this series, I'll share my experiences, ideas, and a few things I've learned along the way as we explore the school library through five perspectives: the librarian, students, teachers, families, and district leaders. We'll look at what makes this work so rewarding, the challenges we navigate, and the many opportunities we have to inspire reading, spark creativity, and support learning together.

For Part 1, I'm starting at the beginning and sharing a little about why I became a school librarian and why I'll always love this work.

I think I may have been practicing to be a teacher librarian long before I even knew it! When my sister Heather and I were little, we used to play school, where we were both teachers and librarians. We'd set up our books, create our own little library, check books in and out, and take turns being the librarian or teacher. We even had a little stamp and cards for our books, just like a real library. It was just the best!

What makes me smile even more about that story is that Heather is a teacher librarian now, too. I don't think either of us could have imagined then that something we were simply pretending to do would become such a special part of who we are.

My hope is that these conversations offer fresh ideas, practical takeaways, and a reminder of just how much is possible when we work together to support our students and school communities.

I'm so glad you're here, and I hope you'll follow along, friends!

You can read Part 1 of the series, Why I Became a School Librarian and Why I'll Always Love This Work, here at Follett Content.

Creating Our Makerspace Lending Library!

We opened our Makerspace Library in our new Makerspace last week.  

It is in the middle of the bookshelves on one side of our Makerspace. 

In this space within our Makerspace, students can find lots of materials to create, build, play, and so much more. 

For our new Makerspace Lending Library, I used a wonderful set of Makerspace and STEM focused books I have collected from my friends at Capstone, Crayola, and a few other publishers. 

I have several of these, or books from these series, cataloged and circulating in our library. With multiple copies, and other books from the same series or around the same topic, I thought it would be perfect to bring them together here in our new Makerspace Library. 

I love the Makerspace books that Capstone creates as they cover so many topics like origami, cardboard, graphic novel crafts, fashion design, doodles, and so much more.  You can find these books and others at capstonepub.com. 

For this special part of our library, we decided not to officially catalog the books. We just want this to be a place students and teachers can come to borrow books to use in the Makerspace. 

I created a sticker for the front of the books to identify them easily as part of the Makerspace Library. The sticker also tells students how to use these books in the Makerspace. 

You will find the This is a Makerspace Book sticker template from Canva here. This fits a 2 1/2 inch Avery sticker label. 

I also made a sign similar to the stickers, but giving our students and teachers a little bit more guidance on how to use these books in the Makerspace. 

You will find the Our Makerspace Library sign here in Canva. This one is for a 5 x 7 acrylic frame.

As I find more books our students would love to use in the Makerspace and STEM Lab, I will add them to our Makerspace Library too. 

FETC 2027 Keynote Announced.....Power Players, The Next Generation Is Already In The Game!

 

There is a lot of talk about AI in education right now. And while no one has all the answers, 86 percent of students are already using it. That gap between where students are and where our systems are is real — and it is exactly what I am heading to FETC 2027 to dig into.

Student voice. AI access. Technology used with intention. Pathways to career and college. These are not abstract ideas. They are the conversations happening in my building every day.

You can read all about the speakers here in the special press release. 

If they are on your mind too, join me in Orlando January 26-29. 

You can register here today, friends. Use my code SMILLER10 for 10% off. 

Join Me For The Upcoming Follett Content Webinar...STEM in the School Library....Hands-On Activities That Support Learning Across Subjects!

 

I would love to invite you to the upcoming Follett Content webinar, STEM in the School Library...Hands-On Activities That Support Learning Across Subjects! 

As shared in the invite...

What happens when STEM meets storytelling, creativity, and collaboration? Your school library becomes a place where students can explore new ideas, solve problems, and make connections between what they’re learning in the classroom and the world around them.

Shannon McClintock Miller is back to share how hands-on STEM activities can become a meaningful part of your school library program. From connecting STEM to literacy and core subjects like social studies to collaborating with classroom teachers, Shannon will share practical ideas that bring learning to life and keep students engaged.

In this session, you’ll:

• Discover hands-on STEM activities that spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.

• Explore ways to connect STEM with literacy, reading, social studies, and other core subjects.

• Learn how collaboration with classroom teachers can create meaningful, cross-curricular learning experiences.

• Find approachable STEM activities and resources you can adapt for different grade levels.

• Walk away with practical ideas for making STEM an engaging part of your school library program.

Whether you’re just getting started with STEM or looking for fresh ways to build on what you’re already doing, you’ll leave with ideas and inspiration you can put to work in your library.

Can’t make it live? Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording after the session.

You can register here. I hope to see you there, friends.

Become A Digital Navigator....Join Us On November 9th To Learn How To Help Families Navigate Today's Digital World!

 

We would love to invite you to become a Digital Navigator and help families navigate today's digital world. 

A Digital Navigator is a trusted educator or community leader who helps students and families build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use technology safely, responsibly, and effectively.

Digital Navigators help families make sense of real-world digital challenges—from social media, screen time, and online safety to digital citizenship, misinformation, and artificial intelligence. They connect people with practical information, trusted resources, and learning opportunities they can use in everyday life.

On November 9, 2026 at 2:00pm EST, you can join us for a free 30-minute training to learn more about the Digital Navigator Network, explore the free resources available to members, and hear details about the Digital Literacy Community Engagement opportunity. 

You can register here.  

I hope we see you to learn how to become a Digital Navigator too. 

You've Been Book'd With FollettBound® Little Golden Books!

Our readers love Little Golden Books. There are so many classic and new Little Golden Books like K-Pop, Caitlin Clark, Wicked, and more. 

I was so excited to learn that we can now order them FollettBound® in Follett Content Titlewave. 

With FollettBound, the book title is printed on the spine, making them easy for students to browse, find, and check out again and again. 

In the You've Been Book'd With FollettBound® Little Golden Books choice board here, you can click on each book cover to find it in Titlewave. You can find the entire list there too. 

What are your favorite Little Golden Books, friends? I would love to know! 

How to Promote a School Book Fair Before Opening Day!

 

We just wrapped up our Literati Book Fair in our school library, and I’m excited to share the step-by-step approach we use to promote a successful book fair! 

From spreading the word to engaging our school community, these practical ideas can help any book fair coordinator build excitement, encourage participation, and get students excited about discovering their next favorite book.

1. Start With a Simple Promotion Timeline

Spread promotion over several weeks instead of doing everything at once.

Three to four weeks before: Add dates to the school calendar, share a save-the-date announcement, notify staff, and create a promotional flyer.

This year, I also created pop-up signs to build awareness. You can find the poster I made and directions here in this post.

One to two weeks before: Share book previews, send family reminders, and encourage teachers to talk with students about the fair.

One of our favorite traditions is showing Literati Book Fair Sneak Peek videos during library visits. They’re a fun way to get students excited about the books coming to our school.

The week of the fair: Confirm shopping schedules, share final details with families, and post more signs around the school.

2. Get Teachers and Staff Involved Early

Teachers are some of your strongest book fair promoters. Share dates, class shopping schedules, and simple ways they can build excitement, such as discussing favorite books or encouraging students to create wish lists.

Invite teachers to create classroom library wish lists, too. After they created wish lists, I sent a note home sharing them with families. I also put it in our daily announcements for the time leading up to the book fair. 

During our Literati Book Fair, I used the Teacher Wishlist Trail Map poster with QR codes linking to each teacher’s list. Displayed in our library, this gave families an easy way to contribute books and support reading across our school.

3. Use Student Voice to Spread the Word

Give students a role in promoting the fair. Library helpers, student leaders, and reading ambassadors can create posters, record book recommendations, or share announcements.

A countdown or display of featured book covers can also build anticipation while encouraging students to discover new stories and genres.

4. Make Family Communication Clear and Welcoming

Help families plan ahead by sharing:

• Fair dates, location, and shopping hours

• Family shopping opportunities

• Payment options and online shopping details

• Ways to support classroom wish lists

Use familiar communication channels, such as newsletters, email, the school website, and social media. 

5. Bring the Fair Into the School Building

Build excitement beyond the library with countdowns, hallway signs, digital displays, and book recommendations.

Connect promotion to classroom activities, too. Teachers can share read-alouds, discuss favorite genres, or invite students to recommend books to classmates. These simple school library events help build excitement and strengthen your school's reading culture.

6. Prepare Students for a Successful Shopping Experience

Explain how class shopping visits will work, how students can keep track of favorite books, and what to expect when they arrive.

Our younger students use their iPads and a simple Seesaw template to photograph books they'd love to read. They can then share their choices with their families. Older students might preview titles or create wish lists.

Share payment procedures and other expectations ahead of time so students feel confident and prepared.

7. Use Tools to Stay Organized

Good book fair organization starts with a simple plan. Use a shared calendar, reusable email templates, and a checklist to keep track of promotional tasks. Organize flyers, announcements, and reminders so you can easily reuse them for future fairs.

Explore the resources available through your book fair partner, too. Literati's OpenBook offer resources to help you prepare and communicate with your school community. 

8. Review Your Opening-Day Checklist

Before the fair opens, make sure:

• Families have received dates, hours, and shopping information.

• Teachers have schedules and essential details.

• Students know when and where they'll visit.

• Signs and displays are ready.

• Payment procedures and wish list information are easy to find.

• Staff know where to direct questions.

You don't need to do everything perfectly. Focus on making sure your community knows about the fair and feels prepared to participate.

Make Your First Book Fair a Celebration of Reading

Successful school book fair planning starts with thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and a few creative ideas. By involving teachers, students, and families, you can build excitement and make the fair a welcoming celebration of reading.

Remember, a book fair is about more than book sales. It's an opportunity for students to explore interests, discover authors, share recommendations, and find stories they love.

While student book sales can support your school, the real value of a book fair is helping students discover books, explore new interests, and grow as readers.

Save the strategies that work for your school, adjust what you need to, and build on each experience. With the right preparation and support, opening day can become a celebration of books and reading for your entire school community.

You can learn more about Literati Book Fairs here, friends!

I'm Presenting At The 7th Annual FRL Idea Smash Webinar and Sharing How We Are Using tonies® In Our Library and School!

 

One of my favorite webinars every year is our Future Ready Librarians Idea Smash!  

This is the 7th year we are hosting this super fun event on November 18th at 5:00pm EST with 25 librarians and educators sharing ideas, tools, and strategies that spark learning, creativity, and connection. 

I am so excited to be sharing how to use tonies® in the library during the Idea Smash.  And just wait until you hear what everyone else will be sharing too.  

I guarantee you will walk away from this one with so many amazing ideas to bring back to your library and school community, friends. 

You can register for the webinar here. And don't worry if you can't attend live. The recording and resources will be sent after the webinar too.

See you on November 18th! 

Check Out The Super Fun Monthly Activity Calendars From Our Friends At Epic!

 

I love the Monthly Activity Calendars from our friends at Epic! 

Each month they have these super fun and engaging calendars filled with special ways to celebrate each day of the month.  Every day challenges our readers with ideas on how they use Epic to celebrate that particular day. 

This week we will celebrate Creepy Crawlers, Halloween History, Make Someone's Day, and more. 

You will find the October 2026 Epic calendar here. 

And you can download October, November, and December here too.

I am going to use the Epic Monthly Activity Calendars is a lot of different ways. I will print and share with teachers so they can hang up in their classrooms. I will share with our students in Google Classrooms.  I will hang up in the library. 

I can't wait to share with our students every month! You will find them all here.

And check out a few of my favorite books on Epic in my special Collection too, friends. 

Passive Programming Ideas School Librarians Can Run With Less Effort.....Join Us For This Fun New Follett Content Webinar, Friends!

 

I am so excited about our upcoming Follett Content webinar, Passive Programming Ideas School Librarians Can Run With Less Effort, on November 17th at 2:00pm CST. 

As shared in the invite, 

You've got twenty things pulling at you before first period even starts, and "run more programming" is not what you needed on your to-do list. But your library still needs to feel alive between classes, during lunch, when kids just wander in with ten spare minutes.

Shannon McClintock Miller has spent years building low-lift, high-engagement passive programming that doesn't require another staff meeting, another hour, or another line item in your budget. She's back to walk through what actually works.

In this session, you'll:

• Identify low-prep passive programming ideas that take minutes to set up

• Build a rotating lineup so your space stays fresh without constant reinvention

• Choose free or low-cost resources that work with a tight budget

• Get ready-to-use ideas organized by grade level you can adapt immediately

Whether you're running a one-person library or leading a team, this one's for you.

You can register for the webinar here.  And don't worry if you can't make it live. The recording and resources will be shared with everyone who registers after the webinar too. 

Can't wait to see you there, friends. 

Two Choice Boards For Digital Citizenship Week Filled With The Achievery Videos and Lessons From Common Sense Media, Cyber Civics, iKeepSafe, and More!

We celebrate Digital Citizenship Week October 19-23, 2026. Our friends at The Achievery, and there amazing partners, have so many awesome units containing videos and lessons to support us as we celebrate, advocate and teach digital citizenship. 

Let me show you how to find these units in The Achievery.

Under Categories, you will find Digital Literacy, and Digital Citizenship is one of the topics. 

Look at all of the Units that support Digital Citizenship...

...for all grade levels. 

There are lessons from several of their Collaborators including Common Sense Media, Cyber Civics, iKeepSafe, and more. 

To share these with my teachers and families, I put together two different choice boards highlighting two different grade levels, K-5th and 6-12th.           

You will find the Celebrate Digital Citizenship Week With Videos and Lessons From The The Achievery for K-5th here. 

You will find the Celebrate Digital Citizenship Week With Videos and Lessons From The The Achievery for 6-12th here. 

Please feel free to use these to find videos and lessons from these units to use with your students. And they are perfect to share with your teachers and families too. 

At the bottom of each choice board, I included the link to sign up for The Achievery at futureready.link/achievery. If you haven't signed up yet, sign up for your FREE account today, friends.