Kelly Johnson

@teacherkjohnson.bsky.social

Coordinator for Libraries & Information Services, Richmond, BC 🇨🇦 Equity, Access, Curiosity, Freedom to Read. School libraries hold space for this… and more!

#SetTheBooksFree or #BooksOut4Summer data doesn’t lie. + Books won’t be lost, will get returned—let kids have them! @teacherkjohnson.bsky.social Summary: researcharchive.canadianschoollibraries.ca/2025/05/06/s... Whole research paper: researcharchive.canadianschoollibraries.ca/wp-content/u...

Screenshot of text:

These numbers provide a reassuring story of summer success! At all three sites, over the span of two summer, lending sessions, losses have proven statistically, insignificant at less than 1%. Engagement is high among students invited to participate, and the teacher librarians at all three sites remain committed to continuing summer lending practice into the future.Screenshot of text and word bubbles from the linked research paper:
Text:
“What do the kids say?
Some of the data that are three schools collected was in the form of  anecdotal evidence. Student students were asked,”What do you like about being able to borrow books for the summer?” Here is a sampling of their replies.”
Two word bubbles:
1: “my parents both work so books help me entertain myself.” Joy, grade 3.
2: “I love summer reading because the books here I am more familiar with. At the public library, I just can’t find the books I want.”
@ExlibrisMrHunt@exlibrismrhunt.bsky.social · last yr.

Why don’t most #TLsky folk send home library books with students for the summer? It’s just not done? Never thought of it? Worried about book losses? (psssttt…great spoiler news: all the books come back) Try it! journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/compelling-r... More: @cdnschoollibrary.bsky.social

When I first started summer lending a few years ago, I never imagined it would grow to include workshops and journal articles co-constructed with @exlibrismrhunt & colleagues in my district. The movement grows! Join me at Treasure Mountain in Toronto in January where I’ll be sharing my research.

Treasure Mountain Canada. January 29-February 1, 2025. Join the school library community to learn about impactful programs and research going on across Canada.