2023-2024 Skokie School Library Annual Report

The 2023-2024 school year was a whirlwind of literary excitement, innovative projects, and community engagement at the Skokie School Library. From spirited book clubs to inspiring author visits, here's a look back at some of the year's highlights and achievements.

Dynamic Book Clubs

Our lunchtime book clubs were a hit, with 91 eager readers diving into captivating stories. This year's partnership with The Book Stall made it easier for parents to purchase books online, ensuring every student had access to their next great read.

Circulation and Top Titles

The library buzzed with activity, amassing a total of 6,548 checkouts. Fiction led the way, closely followed by our growing graphic novel collection. Our top ten circulated titles showcased a mix of genres, with Alan Gratz's books making a notable appearance.

Popular Titles:

1. A Night Divided
2. Ground Zero
3. The War That Saved My Life
4. Sunny Makes A Splash
5. TBH #1 This Is So Awkward
6. Face On The Milk Carton
7. Fallout
8. MexiKid
9. Refugee
10. Blended

One Book, One Campus

The highlight of our year was the visit from Megan E. Freeman, author of Alone. Her engaging talks and workshops left a lasting impression on students and staff alike.

E-Train Talks

Literacy advocate E-Train Talks inspired us with his journey and mission of kindness, sparking meaningful conversations and actions within our school community.

Stellar Students and Teachers

We celebrated our top readers and classes with enthusiasm. Ms. Gehrig's class led the pack with an impressive 770 checkouts. Fifth graders averaged 13.69 checkouts per student, nearly doubling the sixth graders' average.

Budget Breakdown

Our budget primarily fueled new book acquisitions ($8,318.47), with significant investments in supplies ($2,785.19) and subscriptions ($757.98). This year's purchases included essential book stands, display materials, and a bookbinding repair machine.

Digital Lending

Ebooks outperformed audiobooks in popularity this year, prompting us to expand our digital collections over the summer. Our top Sora users were predominantly sixth graders, showcasing their love for digital reading.

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award

Our participation in the RCYRA program saw enthusiastic involvement, with several students reading all listed books. Our top picks:

• First Place: Alone by Megan Freeman
• Second Place: Fallout by Steve Sheinkin
• Third Place: Turtle Boy by Evan Wolkstein

Exciting Initiatives

Two Sentence Horror Story Contest: Our inaugural contest drew 152 creative entries.

Literature Integrated with Technology (LIT) Projects: Students engaged in projects like the Genre Personality Project, Bookprints, and Choose Your Own Adventure.

Looking Ahead: Goals for 2024-2025

We're excited to elevate our programs and services next year, with goals including:

• Enhancing reading programs with Destiny Engage
• Launching a 50 States Reading Challenge
• Expanding book clubs, particularly for boys and sixth graders
• Promoting library cards and public library resources
• Hosting a virtual book fair with Anderson’s Book Store
• Creating a Student Library Advisory Board

We’re also thrilled to announce Dusti Bowling as our next Author in Residence for the One Book, One Campus project.

As we close the chapter on a remarkable year, we look forward to new adventures in reading and learning. Thank you for being a part of our vibrant library community!

2023-2024 Skokie School Library Annual Report by Todd Burleson