Last year, when access to the library was severely restricted due to our school’s health protocols, I needed to find a way to foster student connections with me and the library, provide instruction, and set up collaborations with teachers. One answer to this challenge came in the form of virtual escape rooms.

An escape room is basically a scavenger hunt, where, by solving clues, you move around a space until you can “unlock” the door and escape; a virtual escape room is a digital version of the escape room experience.

Librarian Luke Steere and the students in the Library Advisory Committee used podcasting as an innovative way to build community and to reach out to students and teachers when the school pivoted to remote learning. 

Millis Middle/High School
Patsy Divver, School Librarian

​With a little creativity, wise spending,  and organization, ​YOUR library can be brand NEW!  The Millis Middle/High school library definitely needed a change. When I started here in 2002, I updated the books but they hadn't been updated since.  The 8’ high shelves were out of place and we hadn't changed tables for about ten years.  The 30 year old rug had seen better days and the library was just not as inviting as it had the potential to be.  Other than a new cafe table, the space needed some work. ​

McDevitt Middle School Library/ Ms. Clerkin's Tech Literacy Class 
Lucy Clerkin, Librarian 
Barbara Walsh, Library paraprofessional 
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​When you have a library full of kids long before the start of the school day, it’s time to get creative, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. About three years ago, Library Teacher Lucy Clerkin and Library Paraprofessional Barbara Walsh, like many other library professionals, decided to build a MakerSpace. For us, that meant a space stocked with stuff mostly borrowed and found that we hoped would someday and somehow be transformed into something.

​Sarah Bickel, Librarian  
Greenlodge Elementary School Library 

​After many iterations of school announcements, we have found success (for now)! We have a great crew of fifth grade news reporters who create a weekly video called Greenlodge News. This has allowed the school to cut down on the length of morning announcements, and more importantly, gives fifth graders the chance to become news reporters! In addition to collaborating with peers to interview and write up news reports, produce a video product, and use a green screen, students are much more confident because of the experience!

Librarian: Andrea Zampitella 
The Winchester High School Creative Technology Center is a place in the WHS Library for students and staff to come together, share ideas and come up with creative problem-solving solutions. The room  is designed to be flexible – with mobile furniture. The space is a combination of a lab, workshop and collaborative conference space which can be utilized by students and staff from different content areas, fostering a multidisciplinary way of thinking, and learning. This student-driven, creative space is equipped with tools that will help to aid students into hands-on learning approaches. 
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Library Teacher: Katy Gallagher 
​Hingham High School Library Media Center

​The Hingham Tech Squad is a student-centered solution for school-wide technology integration. Students involved in this program learn how to use existing educational technologies, as well as how to evaluate and make informed selections among the technologies available to complete a task or project. Students not only learn technology skills but also crucial 21st century skills, such as planning and collaboration. They learn how to help teachers integrate technology into classroom lessons, how to use school technology, and how to provide tech support. ​

​Librarian: Paige Rowse, Needham High School Library

Inspired by the American Library Association’s Teen Tech Week, Needham High School is hosting our second annual Teen Tech Week program! We have a number of tech-related activities available for student participation both in the library and beyond. It is our hope that students will engage with new technology in a meaningful way as well as think more conscientiously about how they engage with technology and social media every day. This year, we are taking that a step further by embracing this year’s ALA theme of “Be the source of change”. Collaboration is a key component for success in our daily workshops and weeklong activities.