Emmy Lieser

Collection Development & Access to Resources

• Genrefied fiction section for greater student access
• Significantly weeded to increase relevancy, appeal, and quality of print collection
• Used collection analysis as well as student and staff input to curate a library collection that better met school community's needs.

Instructional Design

• Improved instruction on the research skills process based on current best practices. This involved working with teachers to tailor lessons to each project and to provide multiple short lessons that coincided with the point of instruction.
• Worked with classroom teachers to create engaging lessons to enhance their curriculum and student learning (i.e. created numerous Breakout Boxes for content review)
• Created professional learning resources and opportunities for teachers such as a Teacher Resource Website, Copyright for Educators course, and Breakout Boxes designed for faculty to learn what the library has to offer.

Programming

• Fostered a love of reading in students by offering programs such as Silent Reading parties, Personal Book Shopper, Pop-Up Libraries
• Promote new resources with contests such as Which Book Is it Wednesday? and Blind Date with a Book.

Library Environment

• Transformed the space into a welcoming, visually appealing environment with a service-oriented focus based on feedback from student surveys.

Collection Development & Access to Resources

• Increased student independence with locating resources by genrefying the library and designing visual signage for easily identifying each section. Involved students in the entire process from determining genre categories to designing the genre labels.

Instructional Design/Programming

• Collaborated with teachers to design engaging library lessons that enhanced their curriculum.
• Designed programs to foster a love of reading such as the Virginia Readers' Choice program, Mock Caldecott Award, and the Book Buddies program.

Library Environment

• Created an environment where my students felt comfortable and welcome utilizing many Responsive Classroom techniques.

The purpose of the returnship was to spend the year under the guidance of a highly qualified school librarian to update professional skills after being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years. A proposal for this position was developed based on similar programs in the business world. With the support and guidance of Dr. Duffy, the program proved successful and led to a full-time position as the Grafton Village Elementary librarian.