Image from Pixabay

I have had many conversations with librarians over the years about amazing partnerships–or a discouraging lack thereof–between school and public libraries.  It can take time and patience to develop the relationships with your school that will best benefit the people we serve in common.  But it is worth it to try!  Many school libraries in our area are woefully understaffed, which can make it tricky to connect, but sometimes can make it even more essential that we do.

The American Association of School Librarians, the Association for Library Service to Children, and the Young Adult Library Services Association have teamed up to create a toolkit for public and school librarians to use when working together.  I know, I know, school is almost out and it is too late to do a lot of cooperating for THIS year, but this toolkit will be useful, complete with research to back you up, collaboration ideas that range from very simple to much more complex, and further resources to explore.  I hope you’ll check it out at some point!