Our students are diverse in backgrounds and interests. Minnesota has a long history of welcoming immigrants, and Minnesota’s achievement gap is one of the highest in the country. Having books that reflect the ethnic, religious, and other diversity elements that reflect the student body is mission-critical. Students become better citizens when they have access to windows into other lives and ways of being, as well as mirrors of their own lives and experiences. These windows and mirrors in literature are also correlated with improved student achievement when students who are from different ethnic or social groups have access to books that reflect who they are. A quick survey of the makeup of the student body and the composition of the circulating collections of school libraries from across the state and the student bodies they serve will be shared. This session will lead attendants through the process of looking for data to understand their student body, such as that found in the Minnesota Report Card, and ways that librarians can study their collections using Follett Destiny or Mackin. The session will include robust shared resources to help you learn more about your students and find the best book reviews for the age level, diverse qualities, and interests of the student body in your school.
Resources
#OwnVoices Titles
Slides
