Collaboration

In order to most effectively impact students and provide the best library services possible, my work is dependent on my ability to collaborate with other staff members and with other librarians. I try to maintain positive relationships with all staff members, sharing information and checking in for opportunities where library resources can be integrated into classroom instruction.

**Active in the Life of the School**
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I strive to be an active participant in the life of the school, serving on committees, volunteering for school-wide responsibilities, and being present at a range of events. My role within the school gives me a unique, broad based perspective that I think can be an asset on various committees. I also want to be sure the library program has a voice at the table when decisions are being made.

I sit on the Language Arts and Literature department, but do visit and talk with other departments on occasion.

I regularly communicate with faculty sharing resources and other things that may be of interest. I use both all staff emails and more targeted department or team messages for sharing information.

Grant Project: Virtually Connected
The district mini-grant afforded the opportunity to start bringing experts and guest authors to Highland virtually. Fortunately, I had fantastic partners to work with in Kara Dirst, Carey Fox, and Linda O'Connell. Because Linda and Katie Schwind's classes were working on a collaborative project, we were able to bring Katie's classes into the project as well.

We brought in four authors virtually:
 * [|Joseph Bruchac]
 * [|Tanya Lee Stone]
 * [|Catherine Thimmesh]
 * [|Jennifer Roy]

We got a nice write-up in the //Libertyville Patch// for our inaugural visit, [|"Middle School Hosts First Virtual Author Visit"] = =



As a result of the contacts made during this project, we were also able to bring in James Deem to talk about his book //Bodies from the Ash// with all the sixth grade students.



Relationship with Other Libraries and Librarians
The district librarians are a great group to work with. Although the district is supportive of libraries, we don't really have a department structure or someone to report to at district office per say. We, however, arrange our own meetings and are in communication throughout the year about library issues and initiatives. These relationships are helpful for problem solving and advancing our practice. We borrow materials often from the other collections. This year Erin Carr and I collaborated on a mini-grant project to introduce iPod Shuffles for audiobooks into the collection at our schools.
 * D70 Libraries**

I've worked diligently through the years to develop a positive relationship with Cook Library and personal relationships with the librarians serving schools and young adults. This relationship has brought many benefits to our students including access to ARC (advanced reading copies of books), access to the larger collections to capitalize on Interlibrary Loan Resources, and participation in community projects.
 * Cook Library**

I am active in the larger library community. I think this is important part of my professional development and it also has provided access to resources and ideas that have benefited the students at Highland.
 * Broader Library Community**