Librarians in Music City

MNPS Library Services
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Education

A podcast hosted by MNPS Library Services that highlights the work, creativity, and leadership of school librarians and library staff in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

  1. 05/03/2024

    Podcast Takeover: Ms. Tidwell's Class at McGavock Elementary

    Today, we welcome students from Ms. Tidwell’s 2nd grade class at McGavock Elementary for a podcast takeover. Students are going to share facts and information about a variety of topics, such as animals, sports, weather, and more! These students worked hard to read, write, and record this special episode for you. Enjoy!

    29 min

  2. 05/02/2024

    Student Voice: Meet Students from Stratford STEM Magnet School and Overton High School

    Today, we meet students from Stratford STEM Magnet High School and Overton High School. What do school libraries mean to students? To find out, I’m talking with students, about what they’re reading, the variety of ways they are involved in their library, and what they love most about their school library.  Our first guest is Charles from Stratford. His librarian, Diane Chen, involves students in the running of the library. From shelving books, to making deliveries, and being hosts for special events, the “Chenions” as they call themselves, take pride in their library and the loving and accepting community it is for Stratford students and teachers. Charlies is one of the Chenions. Then, we’ll meet Gabby, Shada, Cade, and Hana from Overton. Their librarians Krista Winnginham and Lori Bervoets provide loads of opportunities for their students to get involved in the library. These students will be discussing the Battle of the Books team and Project Lit Community Book Club, two popular programs that Overton librarians provide. Book Recommendations: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher Bluebird by Sharon Cameron The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris Dread Nation by Justina Ireland Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

    21 min

  3. 05/02/2024

    Student Voice: Meet Students from Hume-Fogg Academic High School and Meigs Middle Academic Magnet School

    This episode features students from Hume Fogg Academic Magnet High School and Meigs Academic Magnet Middle School.What do school libraries mean to students? To find out, I’m talking with students, about what they’re reading, the kinds of things their libraries offer, and what they love most about their school library  Our first guest is Clara from Hume Fogg. Her librarian, Amanda Smithfield, brings in a variety of voices on hot topics, giving students the opportunity to explore issues, perspectives, and to challenge students to think about the importance of civic engagements. Clara is a Senior, and she is involved in helping plan Lunch and Learn sessions for students and a few of the sessions that have been extra meaningful to her and how they are having an impact on her and her future career.   Then, we’ll meet Emmie, Esther, and Sam from Meigs. Their librarian Amanda Tucker provides loads of opportunities for her students to get involved in the library. These three 7th graders take advantage of many programs they library has to offer, and they even have a few books to share with you. Book Recommendations:  The Keeper of Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger Becoming Michelle Obama by Michelle Obama Scythe by Neal Shusterman

    24 min

  4. 01/08/2024

    Episode 12: When the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Came to Nashville

    Season 2: Episode 12: When the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Came to Nashville  Welcome to season 2 of Librarians in Music City hosted by Library Services of Metro Nashville Public Schools! I’m your host, Lindsey Kimery, Coordinator of Library Services.   This season, we will be focusing on students and the power of reading. We will be visiting schools, attending book clubs, and going on field trips so that we can talk with students about books, author visits, and the power of stories. We will also continue to highlight the great work, creativity, and leadership of librarians in MNPS.   We have an incredible team of 130 librarians and 44 clerks who are working diligently to grow and nurture a culture of reading, support students’ academic needs, prioritize equity and innovation, and ensure that every student is known.   In this episode, we meet students from Westmeade, Mt. View, and J.E. Moss Elementary Schools. They had the amazing opportunity to go on a field trip to Lipscomb University and meet author Meg Medina, who is the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Meg is also the recipient of the Newbery Medal, the Pura Belpre Award, and she’s a NYT bestselling author. Christoper, Maria, and Keyaela were chosen as Student Ambassadors and joined Meg on stage to talk about books. I visited each school to interview the student ambassadors and their librarians about their experience.   This field trip was made possible by the Nashville Public Library, and Westmeade Elementary School librarian, Katharine Dieckmann, whose application for a visit with Meg Medina was selected! You’ll hear all about how Katharine found this opportunity. In MNPS, over 30% of our 80,000 students are Hispanic. Meg’s visit is a perfect example of Dr. Rudine Sims Bishops’ statement that books are windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors, and Westmeade student, Christopher, eloquently shares why her visit meant a lot to him.   So, come along with me to hear what happened when the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Came to Nashville.   Thank you to MNPS staff, the Nashville Public Library, the Library of Congress, and author Meg Medina. Books mentioned in this episode: Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina  Hatchet by Gary Paulsen  Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney Narwal and Jelly by Ben Clanton The Babysitter’s Club graphic novels by Ann M. Martin, Raina Telgemeier, Gale Galligan, Gabriela Epstein, Chan Chau, Cynthia Yuan Cheng, Ellen T. Crenshaw, and Arley Nopra Shark Lady by Jess Keating Bad Sister by Charise Mericle Follow @MNPSLibrarians on Instagram and X.

    25 min

  5. 06/12/2023

    Episode 11: Limitless Libraries part 2 (Meet the Shared Systems Team)

    We are in a two-part series featuring the partnership between Metro Nashville Public Schools and the Nashville Public Library, which is called Limitless Libraries. This is a shared system between our district and the public library. Beyond their school library, our students and teachers can access items from the public library and have those items delivered via courier to them at school. This year alone, students and staff requested over 66,000 items through Limitless Libraries. Combine that with the over 948,000 items checked out at the schools, our students have accessed over 1 million items this school year.   In this episode, we meet the Shared Systems team at the Nashville Public Library, which includes Jenny Lane and Kate Wingate, who are 2 of the 7 librarians who are working to run the website for Limitless Libraries and the Nashville Public Library, support our integrated library system, automation, discovery, and acquisitions, which are all integral to the function of Limitless Libraries. When we talk about a shared system, we are talking about how our school library catalog and the public library catalog are one. Our students go to limitlesslibraries.org and they can see the holdings of their school library and the public library and access age-relevant items. Their library card number works for the school and public library, and when a student or staff member requests an item from the public library, it is pulled from any of the 21 branches, and sent via courier to their school. The Shared Systems team makes this magic happen. In the previous episode, we mention the MOU, a Memorandum of Understanding, which is the agreement between the district and the public library, which guarantees funding for our school libraries. An aspect of that agreement that is mentioned here is the requirement of a full-time, certified school librarian at each MNPS school. This supersedes state minimum requirements and is not only key to a successful school library program but it’s a key component to the success of our Limitless Libraries program. I hope you enjoy this more technical look behind the scenes, and perhaps this helps you think about how to start a partnership like this in your area.  Book Recommendations:  Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease--and How to Fight It  By Benjamin Bikman, PhD   Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age  By Katherine May  Resources: www.limitlesslibraries.org

    22 min

  6. 05/29/2023

    Episode 10: Limitless Libraries

    Series:  We are in a two-part series featuring the partnership between Metro Nashville Public Schools and the Nashville Public Library, which is called Limitless Libraries. This is a shared system between our district and the public library. Beyond their school library, our students and teachers can access items from the public library and have those items delivered via courier to them at school. This year alone, students and staff requested over 66,000 items through Limitless Libraries. Combine that with the over 948,000 items checked out at the schools, our students have accessed over 1 million items this school year.   Episode Intro:   In this episode, we meet the Limitless Libraries team, which includes Program Manager Syreeta Butler, Collection Development librarians Sarah Allen and Emily Farmer, and Outreach Coordinator, Laura Youmans. This team impacts our students and staff in so many ways. They oversee the funds that Limitless provides to support collection development and database access. As part of the district’s agreement with the Nashville public library, the district agrees to fund school libraries at $7.50 per student, and LL provides additional funding for school library collections which works out to be about $6,000 for elementary schools, $8,000 for middle schools and $9,000 for high schools. Their collection development librarians collaborate with the school librarians to select print books, ebooks, and audiobooks and more for the school libraries, and they create monthly pre-pub orders so that librarians have the hottest titles available for students on the day their publication day. Can you imagine not having the latest Dog Man on the day it gets released? We don’t have to worry about that in Nashville. They also support our students by hosting the Middle School Battle of the Books, and they partner with the Library Services team to help provide professional development throughout the year. It is a beautiful partnership and a shining example of how school libraries and public libraries can work together to remove barriers to access and enhance the experience of reading and learning.   Book Recommendations:   The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones  The Brixton Brothers by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Adam Rex  The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson  The Holy Bible  For more information: www.limitlesslibraries.org Follow them on Twitter: @LimitlessLib

    24 min

  7. 05/22/2023

    Episode 9: Knowing Your Readers (featuring Michelle Caldwell) 

    In our final episode featuring our instructional leaders from the 2022-2023 school year, we meet Michelle Caldwell, librarian at Ida B. Wells Elementary School. Michelle is wrapping up her 8th year as a librarian and her 1st year at Ida B. Wells. One of the most important roles of a librarian is to know the students so that you can guide them on their reading journeys. In MNPS, one of our core tenets is every student known, and librarians have an amazing opportunity to know students over the course of many years. Imagine how much a reader can grow from kindergarten to 5th grade, or during middle school or high school, with time to visit the library, access to a current and relevant collection, the support of a librarian who is helping them find books that interest them, and time to read independently. Time and access under the leadership of a librarian can make such a difference in the lives of students. Librarians are focused on creating lifelong readers and learners, and Michelle takes this mission seriously. She loves the challenge of matching students with books. She strives to learn each student’s reading needs and creates an inviting library where they feel safe and welcome. Her collection represents her students, and she works diligently to ensure that her students will always find something just for them among the shelves.   Book Recommendation:  The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy

    14 min

  8. 05/22/2023

    Episode 8: Read Me Week (featuring Laura Hartley)

    In our 8th episode, we meet Laura Hartley, one of the librarians at Waverly-Belmont Elementary School. Laura is wrapping up her 8th year there. She and co-librarian Katie Barksdale work diligently to make the library the heart of the school. This year, I got to be a guest reader during their annual Read Me Week. This event takes place in March during Read Across America Month. Laura and Katie did a spectacular job of celebrating reading and book joy with all of the events and activities they planned. They went above and beyond to make this a memorable and engaging event for students. Enjoy as Laura gives you just a taste of the festivities. Book Recommendation: Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

    13 min
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About

A podcast hosted by MNPS Library Services that highlights the work, creativity, and leadership of school librarians and library staff in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Information

  • Creator
    MNPS Library Services
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © MNPS Library Services
  • Show Website
    Librarians in Music City