LIBE477B

Fostering Reading Cultures in School

When I came into this position, nearly a year ago, there were already several programs taking place within the library to foster a reading culture within the school. However, this is certainly an area that needs continued concentration and hard work.The following list will give specific examples outlining what is currently being done in our library as well as the direction in which I would like to move (and generally work toward in any library) and ideas to use in the future.



I feel to foster a reading culture within the school, it is very much a team effort. Perhaps considering the teacher librarian as "general manager"; classroom teachers and administration being "coaches" of the team. Support staff, parents, and community members are "captains" and the students are "players, participants and spectators". Every part of the team needs to be:

✽ invested in the importance of reading
✽ value the importance of reading
✽ place reading as a priority within the school


Having said that, I do feel it is the role of the teacher librarian to be the general manager; co-coordinating, supporting, and establishing what is required for success. It is important to communicate with the rest of the team the school's vision and the reasons behind creating, fostering and growing a reading culture. Clearly state the WHY?

WHY?
Why is it important to create, foster and grow a reading culture? 

As Arthur Barigye Mugunga, the CEO of School Books Distributors, Rwanda says:

"Reading builds critical thinking and an innovative culture in a students.
Such students are able to solve many questions compared to those not exposed to reading." 

The National Library of New Zealand states on their website:  

Creating a reading culture in a school is essential if you want to
encourage students to become engaged and motivated readers.

Creating engaged readers takes commitment to developing a school-wide reading culture
that actively encourages,
supports, and models reading for pleasure.
Fluent and reflective reading improves literacy, social skills and well-being,
and enables independent learning.  

 

What I'm currently doing to foster a reading culture:

✽ Reading Buddies - Grade 8 classes are paired with grade 2 classes and they meet once a week in the library to read together. In addition to the class buddies, there are individual middle school students who spend 20 minutes per day during the months of May and June supporting any elementary students (as suggested by classroom teachers) needing extra reading time.

✽ Listening to needs - In addition to purchasing books requested by students, I am there to help them find books for projects, pleasure or classroom silent reading times. On several occasions, I have had to explain to parents that graphic novels are an acceptable genre for their son or daughter to read. I have shown parents some of the amazing graphic novels available and suggested that the student borrow the French Graphic Novels in order to further improve their vocabulary. 

✽ Author Visits - Whenever possible, we invite authors to visit the school. Most recently, Trudy Spiller, author of Trudy's Rock Story  visited all the kindergarten classes. 

✽ Field trips to library - We are fortunate enough to be within walking distance of a public library. Teachers arrange directly with the library for students to apply for library cards and classes walk over for an orientation and to collect their cards. The library also visits classes in May and June to describe and promote the summer reading program. 

✽ Literacy Week - National Family Literacy Week at the end of January is always a great celebration! During this time, we have book theme days, special author visits, dress as your favourite book character day, Read-a-Thon (generally collecting approximately $1500) and a huge books swap running throughout the week. Families donate gently used books and then all students have the chance to visit the library and choose a "previously loved book" to take home. During the kick off assembly, the band and choir perform, there is a book smack and a special guest author to launch Literacy week. 

✽ Scholastic Book Fairs - These fairs not only promote reading and get students extremely excited about books, they provide a major source of resources for our library. This past year, the total credits will exceed $6000. There are always three fairs per year; English, French and a BOGO fair.

✽ Indigo for the Love of Reading Foundation - We signed up for this program in the fall, which proved to be very beneficial. The program was promoted on social media to families and many stories about peoples' love of reading were shared online. Free books were awarded for every story shared, voting took place, and other incentives were offered. In the end, our school ended up with over $2000 in free books! Students heard the stories that had been posted online during morning announcements and were very proud of the school's accomplishment.

✽ Lit-Circles - I have been available in the library to support teachers and novels being covered for LitCircles. 

✽ Book Displays - There are endless ideas for book displays. I made these in the school's main foyers this year for Remembrance Day, Winter Celebrations and International Women's Day

Taking the time to create displays either in the display units or within the library definitely engages students. Books included in the display are always quickly signed out and there are always great ideas available on Pinterest. Currently on display at my library are:

•  Seen the Movie? Read the Book!!
• Wordless books - Use your Imagination
• Canadian Authors

✽ Practical upkeep - This, by far, is the most time consuming and important aspect which nobody really seems to notice but without this, the library would not function. I would include the following areas in this category:

• signage (by Dewey) locations of books 
• ordering resources as per curriculum requirements and suggestions from teachers, staff and students
• ensuring safe comfortable space
• establishing and building relationships
• weeding
• maintenance of collection
• maintain library portion of the school's website
• communicating with parents 
• books lists 
• technology

On the "to do list" to grow and foster a reading culture:

✽ Library presence throughout the school. From the principal's office to the gym; every effort be made to show the school and individuals that teachers as readers. 

✽Reading club - Once a month meeting to review and discuss books during lunch. 

✽Board Game Group - Lunch hour once a week assorted board games in the library.

✽ Student Book Reviews - With each review, students get their names entered in a monthly draw (for a gift card to a local store.)

✽ Summer Reading - Visit Adrienne Gear's sites for great reading suggestions:

• Summer picks 9-12 year olds - part one
• Summer picks 9-12 year olds - Part tw

✽ Visit the following websites: 

• Click here  for 10 ways to foster a reading culture in your school. 
• Ten ways to cultivate a love of reading in your school click here.
• Fostering a Reading Culture at school is an excellent article filled with terrific ideas. 
• Click here for some great ideas in setting up the library space and engaging readers.

✽ Keep materials current; websites such as the Scottish Book Trust (www.scottishbooktrust.com) and Love Reading 4 Kids (www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/) offer a wealth of information about new and popular reading materials.

References

Aguilar, E. (2013). Ten Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Students | Edutopia. [online] Edutopia. Available at: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/cultivating-love-reading-students-elena-aguilar [Accessed 27 May 2018].

Bout, A. (2016). An ‘Aha!’ moment about fostering a reading culture – LIBE477 – Inquiry Blog Post #1. [online] Mrs. Bout's Learning Commons. Available at: https://angieboutblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/an-aha-moment-about-fostering-a-reading-culture/ [Accessed 27 May 2018].

Ducharme, S. (2018). MS/HS Library job. [online] Pinterest. Available at: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/276971445807594816/ [Accessed 27 May 2018].

Education.gov.scot. (2015). Reading for Enjoyment - Creating a Reading Culture. [online] Available at: https://education.gov.scot/improvement/Documents/Literacy/LIT12_ReadingForEnjoymentSeptember2015.pdf [Accessed 27 May 2018].

Hopper, C. (2016). 10 Ways to Foster a Reading Culture in Your School - Classroom Chronicles. [online] Classroom Chronicles. Available at: http://tnclassroomchronicles.org/10-ways-foster-reading-culture-school/ [Accessed 27 May 2018].

Natlib.govt.nz. (2018). A school-wide reading culture | Understanding reading engagement | Reading engagement | Services to Schools. [online] Available at: https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/understanding-reading-engagement/a-school-wide-reading-culture [Accessed 27 May 2018].

Rose, J. (2018). Fostering a reading culture. [online] Times of India Blog. Available at: https://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bibliobibuli-by-jaya-bhattacharji-rose/fostering-a-reading-culture/ [Accessed 27 May 2018].

Tumwebaze, P. (2017). Reading culture: Why every student should embrace it. [online] Bing.com. Available at: http://www.bing.com/cr?IG=6BB91E5C3F2249729DA84A464205462E&CID=2EF9352929CE6E3304283ED628336F12&rd=1&h=dGlj-1R0E-bDnhCxGt_TFVollI7IoNis-T3oH0dZt5A&v=1&r=http%3a%2f%2fwww.newtimes.co.rw%2fsection%2fread%2f208008&p=DevEx.LB.1,5527.1 [Accessed 27 May 2018].