School libraries are more than places to check out books—they are spaces where students discover who they are, find hope, and realize they are not alone. In this session, participants will explore how memoirs and personal narratives can be used to foster courage, resilience, empathy, and meaningful student connections. Drawing from my experiences as a registered nurse and author of Truth Be Told, attendees will leave with practical programming ideas, discussion strategies, and engagement activities they can implement to create library spaces where every student's story matters.
Presenter: Reba Perkins Reba M. Perkinsis aregistered nurse, healthcare leader, former board member of her alma mater, North Dallas Academy, and debut memoir author dedicated to empowering others through service and storytelling. With years of experience in healthcare, she has witnessed firsthand the importance of resilience, compassion, and authentic connection. Through her service in education and her work as an author, she believes authentic stories have the power to inspire courage, build empathy, and transform lives. Her memoir, Truth Be Told: A Story of Bravery, Integrity, and Resilience, reflects those values. Reba is passionate about partnering with educators and librarians to create spaces where students feel seen, heard, and empowered through the power of reading and storytelling.
Transform your library from a chaotic, cluttered space into a streamlined hub of knowledge. This session is designed specifically for school librarians seeking a practical, actionable plan to master the unique organizational challenges of the library environment. We’ll cover strategies for mastering both physical and digital organizational challenges. Participants will leave equipped with a toolkit of "tips and tricks" to increase daily efficiency and reduce burnout.
Maricela "Marcie" Verastiqui is a bilingual Dallas ISD librarian with over 20 years of experience in education, including 12 years dedicated to the library. Having also taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th dual-language grades, she draws on deep pedagogical expertise to transform her library... Read More →
Edutainment"—the intentional marriage of educational objectives with entertainment value—is a powerful tool for capturing the fleeting attention of modern students. This session explores how to transform the library from a quiet study hall into a dynamic "learning lab" where engagement is the primary driver of information literacy.
We will dive into practical, low-budget, and high-impact strategies to gamify your library space and curriculum. Participants will learn how to move beyond traditional lectures to create immersive experiences that stick.
Edutainment"—the intentional marriage of educational objectives with entertainment value—is a powerful tool for capturing the fleeting attention of modern students. This session explores how to transform the library from a quiet study hall into a dynamic "learning lab" where engagement is the primary driver of information literacy. We will dive into practical, low-budget, and high-impact strategies to gamify your library space and curriculum. Participants will learn how to move beyond traditional lectures to create immersive experiences that stick
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Edutainment"—the intentional marriage of educational objectives with entertainment value—is a powerful tool for capturing the fleeting attention of modern students. This session explores how to transform the library from a quiet study hall into a dynamic "learning lab" where engagement is the primary driver of information literacy. We will dive into practical, low-budget, and high-impact strategies to gamify your library space and curriculum. Participants will learn how to move beyond traditional lectures to create immersive experiences that stick
(The "Why"): To provide librarians with a blueprint for increasing circulation and student engagement through student-led book clubs, specialized interest groups (Podcast/STEM clubs), and high-visibility digital promotion. Bonus - Hosting Events Checklist
