October is one of the busiest and most exciting months in the school library calendar, packed with opportunities to promote reading, creativity, inclusion and learning. With new arrivals finding their feet in the library as well as new books, reading lists, displays and promotions, you have your hands full.
So many activities start at the beginning of October, but do not let this stop you extending these activities throughout October.
Throughout October – Black History Month
October is an opportunity to promote black authors and any authors with different ethnic origins.
- Create reading displays
- Invite students to research influential black figures
- Encourage discussions around diversity and inclusion
5-11 October : Libraries Week
Libraries week is an opportunity for colleges to promote the college library, reading and learning. External parties such as authors and the public are prepared to offer their services to contribute towards your activities FREE of charge.
- Author visits and virtual talks
- Poetry reading and writing competitions
- Book-themed quizzes
- Reading challenges
- Encourage students to ‘like’ items in your catalogue highlighting books, events, artwork and displays which appeal to them.
- Encourage students to ‘review’ books they have read and provide star-ratings
- Library inductions for new students
- Displays highlighting new titles and diverse books.
- Activities linked to literacy, wellbeing and inclusion.
- Promotion of student artwork through the school’s library portal
- Update video library with details of important class room videos for revision
- Highlight other subjects such as STEM through books, displays and contributions from other teachers.
- Reading lists completed? Either librarians or teachers can create reading lists and allocate them to their classes. Teachers can create reading lists using the school library portal and allocate the lists to their students.
5-11 October : Dyslexia Awareness Week
As a dyslexic myself, I realise that dyslexia is not so much a disability but an ability. As a dyslexic my brain works differently, which can be extremely useful in many ways, but reading is not straightforward.
- Increase an understanding of dyslexia, and celebrate the unique capabilities of dyslexic learners
- Encourage everyone to understand the abilities which dyslexic learners have. Dyslexia is an ability and not a disability.
- Promote dyslexia-friendly books
- Introduce students to audiobooks
- Reading technology demonstrations
- Inclusive reading sessions
- Famous dyslexics display e.g. Sir Richard Branson, Agatha Christie, Holly Willoughby, Dame Maggie Aderin
Reading for Learning:
October is a great time to start some creative activities.:
Book Bingo – encourage the reading of an award winner and books relating to modules being studied. Your college library portal will make reading lists for the courses easily available together with details of items rated highly by the tutors. The college library system will monitor the books read from their reading lists so you and the tutors can see how the students are doing in your management reports.
Decorate a Bookmark Competition – this is low cost and always successful. Your best bookmarks can be showcased on your college library portal.
Bookface Competition – choose books you want to promote and ask students to photograph the book covers and embed them in real-life scenes which can be published on your college library portal. This is particularly useful for students of art, design and digital user interfaces.
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