Presenter: Name: Joy Harvey

Title: Library Services Coordinator
Organization/School: Lincoln Public Schools

Program Description
While advocating for our book selections and programming is essential, it’s equally important to collaborate with parents and support their involvement in their children’s educational journey. In our district, we’ve found that proactively partnering with parents helps prevent misunderstandings that can lead to book challenges or objections to library programming. In this session, we will discuss strategies for building strong partnerships with parents to keep them informed and engaged with library resources and programs.

We will share our library access plans, which give parents the opportunity to set boundaries for library use. We will also outline our process for keeping parents informed about the books students read during library class. Additionally, we’ll showcase the resources we create to send home with students and share on social media, including theme-based resources and books, digital tools for home use, and tips for digital citizenship.

Learning Objectives
Develop Strategies for Parent Collaboration: Learn how to proactively engage and partner with parents through initiatives like Library Access Plans and quarterly read-aloud lists to build trust, prevent misunderstandings, and address potential concerns about library resources and programming.

Create Engaging Parent Resources: Discover creative ways to use tools like Canva to design promotional materials and other resources highlighting library offerings such as ebooks, digital tools, and theme-based reading materials for families to explore together at home.

Leverage Social Media for Library Advocacy: Explore effective strategies for using social media to share digital citizenship tips, promote library programs, and keep families informed and involved in their children’s library experience.

Program Outline
I. Introduction
A. Welcome and introductions
B. Overview of session goals: fostering stronger connections with families, promoting transparency, and extending library learning beyond the classroom.
II. Library Access Plans and Family Involvement
A. Explanation of Library Access Plans
B. How these plans encourage family participation in book selection and borrowing
C. Takeaway: Strategies for creating and implementing a Library Access Plan
III. Keeping Families Informed: Read-Aloud Lists and Communication
A. The importance of sharing quarterly read-aloud lists
B. How these lists can help address concerns about controversial topics
C. Takeaway: Best practices for sharing read-aloud lists with families to foster transparency
IV. Examples of Creating and Promoting Library Resources
A. Showcase of digital tools used to create engaging resources for families (e.g., ebooks, databases, and other library tools)
B. Examples of eye-catching promotional materials for library programs
C. Takeaway: A set of practical examples for creating user-friendly resources and materials that families can explore at home, and ideas for promoting them effectively on social media
V. Promoting Library Programs via Social Media
A. Overview of strategies for using social media to share Digital Citizenship Tips and promote library resources
B. Examples of how to engage families through social platforms
C. Takeaway: Ideas for leveraging social media to keep families informed and engaged
VI. Q&A and Wrap-Up
A. Open the floor for questions
B. Recap key takeaways
C. Resources and next steps for implementing ideas from the session
Changing the Narrative: Positive Parent Communication

Grade Level: Not grade specific

Session Strand: Leadership & Advocacy

Presenter
Emily Jacobs

Emily Jacobs is a Library Instructional Leader for Lincoln Public Schools. She previously served as a school librarian at Pyrtle Elementary and as a Social Studies teacher at Southeast High School. Emily holds a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, along with endorsements in History/Political Science, School Library, and Curriculum Administration. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) and earned her graduate degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

Originally from Omaha, NE, Emily now calls Lincoln, NE home. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her dog, Banjo.

Betsy Thomas

Betsy Thomas is the Library Instructional Leader for Lincoln Public Schools, a role she's held since 2022. She began her career as a social studies teacher before finding her true calling as an elementary librarian in 2008. After serving in the Council Bluffs and Elkhorn public school districts, she joined Lincoln Public Schools in 2018. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Betsy's work on the LPS Daily Learning Challenge was featured on the Today show as part of their 2020 Teacher Appreciation Week. Her dedication to providing daily read-alouds earned her the 2020 Twilight Award from Chance the Rapper and General Mills Box Tops for Education, as well as the 2021 NSLA Distinguished Educator of Literacy Award. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hastings College (It's a Great Day to Be a Bronco!) and her graduate degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

In her free time, you can find Betsy traveling, curled up with a good book, or cheering on the Huskers. #GBR!

Chris Haeffner

Chris Haeffner serves as the Director of Library Services for Lincoln Public Schools, where she supports 60 school library programs in growing curious, critical and creative thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and conscientious digital citizens. She is passionate about helping school librarians develop instruction that is important, engaging, and valued throughout the school community, as well as working with district leaders to ensure that school library programs are leveraged within the districts to make a significant impact on students, teachers, and families.

Joy Harvey

Joy Harvey has served as the Coordinator of Library Services for Lincoln Public Schools since 2017. She began her career teaching special education for nine years in Liberty, Missouri, and Lincoln, Nebraska, before becoming a school librarian in 2009. In her current role, she supports school librarians through resources, coaching, digital content curation, multicultural book initiatives, and collaboration with curriculum leaders. Joy also serves as President of the Nebraska School Librarians Association and on the State Advisory Council on Libraries. In her free time, she enjoys reading (of course!) and knitting.


Description: Bring your school library to life for families in your community! This session is packed with creative and practical ideas to engage parents, build trust, and foster meaningful connections. Learn how to spark conversations, promote transparency, and extend the magic of library learning beyond the classroom.