Northeast Ohio Regional Library System - Event Information
Event Name:
Just Right Books-How to use text complexity and reading levels in your readers' advisory for kids
Competency:
Readers' Advisory
Description:
Sometimes it may feel like library staff, educators, and parents all speak different languages, even though they may all have the same literacy and educational goals for their community. This webinar is designed for any library staff member who interacts with teachers, parents, or kids in the course of their work, with a primary focus on public library staff. The goal is to give library staff the tools and vocabulary they need to better communicate with parents and teachers, and to provide stronger readers’ advisory and reference to their whole educational community. We will discuss “text complexity” and reading levels, tools for assessing complexity, and how to use educational standards to inform your work.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the three components of “text complexity”
Be able to identify two ways to find “right fit” books for kids, no matter what level system their school uses
Better understand how to use digital resources to incorporate text complexity aspects in your readers’ advisory work
Presenter:
Christi Showman Farrar is a Consultant at the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) where she provides guidance and continuing education to library staff all over the state. Prior to working at MLS, Christi worked as a children’s and teen librarian in Massachusetts public libraries for a decade, and was the Director of the School and Public Library division at a well-known library vendor. She has a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, as well as a master’s in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona. In her "spare" time she teaches Children's Literature in the Library Media Studies program at Salem State University, and most recently was a member of the selection committee for the 2020 Sibert Informational Book Medal.