#NISDLibraries
District-Wide Literacy Events
Fiesta of Words
Battle of the Bluebonnets
Great Book Giveaway
2024-2025 Report
Book Battle Royale
INTERACTIVE! Click on the different words or icons for more information!
LibraryPalooza
Storyfest
Patrons Served
Teacher/Librarian Collaborations
2,480+
1.4 Million Print Books in NISD Libraries
790,000+
Library Programs
1.53 Million Print Circulations
More than
Over 674
69,400
>365,000 Digital Circulations
>6,779
Authors, Speakers, or other Presenters
Classes Served
Recognitions
85
4 Librarian Educators of the Year
Campus Visits
64
NISD Library Services
523
PD Sessions Facilitated
Librarians sent to conferences
3 Awards
Read to the Final Four Winner: Burke ES!
Records Loaded
Items Processed
Assisted with
20
Collection Development Projects
$48,179 in Grants
70,378
9,261
13 Library Assistants
NISD High Schools
Staffed by certified librarians
117 Libraries
1 Professional Library
Located at NAC
NISD Library Services
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
District-Wide Events
NISD librarians organize several district-wide events each year that are open to all. The goal of these programs is to promote literacy, connect students with authors, increase access to books, and promote the joy of reading.
District-Wide Events
NISD librarians organize several district-wide events each year that were open to all. The goal of these programs is to promote literacy, connect students with authors, increase access to books, and promote the joy of reading.
LibraryPalooza
LibraryPalooza is Northside's premier YA author fest and allows secondary students to interact with some of their favorite authors. This even has taken place annually since 2012, although 2021 was a much smaller virtual event. This year, the featured authors were Lamar Giles, Isabel Ibanez, Kara Thomas, Lynn Painter, Steven Sheinkin, Jen Wang, and Guadalupe Garcia McCall. LibraryPalooza 2026 will take place on February 28 next year at Brandeis HS! Learn more about LibraryPalooza at: librarypaloozasa.org/
Great Book Giveaway
Spearheaded by Brennan librarian, Harry Ostlund, the Great Book Giveaway allows families to get bags of free books at 3 separate NISD locations. NISD librarians gather and sort books all year for the event. This event was borne of a desire to get books in kids' hands during COVID and has been going strong ever since. This year, over 10,000 books were given to students of all levels, as well as teachers for use in their classrooms!
Storyfest
Storyfest is an author fest geared toward elementary students and is a great family event each spring. This year, the keynote author was Suzanne Lang. Students and even parents and teachers loved getting to meet the author of the Grumpy Monkey. Storyfest also features breakout rooms where students can see various speakers and performers, as well as a table top games and activities. This year, Storyfest featured Austin Reptiles, Miss Anastasia, authors Kris Tarantino & Claudia Villarreal, Mother Goose, reading with SA Humane Society dogs, a Book Walk, and much more!If was great fun and we can't wait for next year's!
Storyfest Website
Fiesta of Words
Fiesta of Words is an event of creative writing organized by Northside ISD high school librarians that invites students to showcase their creative talents through an original poetry contest. Students are also invited to shine on an open mic sharing their inspiring poetry, and participate in enriching writing workshops. This year's Fiesta of Words featured renowned local poet Naomi Shihab Nye
Find more information here.
Battle of the Bluebonnets
Elementary librarians from around Northside worked together to create a district and then city-wide book trivia competition centered around the Texas Bluebonnet Award list. Participating schools hosted a competition on their campus, then sent 3 teams to the district competition. From there, several NISD schools competed in a city-wide competition. Franklin ES came out on top after all of that to win the city-wide competition!Students loved reading the Bluebonnet books, studying and practicing the trivia, and working together!
Book Battle Royale
Middle school librarians organized their own book battle as well!Luna came in 1st place, Zachry in 2nd, and Stinson and Garcia tied for 3rd.Just like in the elementary battle, students loved reading books they might not have otherwise picked up, learning about them, and bonding as a team.
Patrons Served
#NISDLibraries serve as hubs for our schools: gathering places for students, staff and families. They are a safe space for everyone on campus, offering a variety of lessons, activities, and opportunities. Students can use the library to read, study, create, explore, and more! This number represents individual visits by students, teachers, parents, and other patrons.
Patrons Served
#NISDLibraries serve as hubs for our schools: gathering places for students, staff and families. They are a safe space for everyone on campus, offering a variety of lessons, activities, and opportunities. Students can use the library to read, study, create, explore, and more! This number represents individual visits by students, teachers, parents, and other patrons.
Patrons Served
#NISDLibraries serve as hubs for our schools: gathering places for students, staff and families. They are a safe space for everyone on campus, offering a variety of lessons, activities, and opportunities. Students can use the library to read, study, create, explore, and more! This number represents individual visits by students, teachers, parents, and other patrons.
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
Teacher/Librarian Collaboration
NISD Librarians strive to build collaborative partnerships with teachers across the campus. Collaboration can be pulling materials to support the curriculum, teaching lessons that connect to what's being taught in the classrom, planning lessons or units of study with teachers, and even the librarian and teacher coteaching lessons together. Librarians are an important part of the instructional team on NISD campuses!
Teacher/Librarian Collaboration
NISD Librarians strive to build collaborative partnerships with teachers across the campus. Collaboration can be pulling materials to support the curriculum, teaching lessons that connect to what's being taught in the classrom, planning lessons or units of study with teachers, and even the librarian and teacher coteaching lessons together. Librarians are an important part of the instructional team on NISD campuses!
Teacher/Librarian Collaboration
NISD Librarians strive to build collaborative partnerships with teachers across the campus. Collaboration can be pulling materials to support the curriculum, teaching lessons that connect to what's being taught in the classrom, planning lessons or units of study with teachers, and even the librarian and teacher coteaching lessons together. Librarians are an important part of the instructional team on NISD campuses!
Library Programs
Literacy under the lights invited families to read together on the field - what a fun program!
Northside librarians keep students engaged and reading through creative programming during the school year. Reading programs, Book Fairs, clubs, interactive displays, story walks, makerspaces, STEM projects, and so much more were offered this year. A robust library program increases student engagement at school overall.
NWC librarian Ms. Baker used a NEF grant to purchase cruiser bikes as part of her efforts to get kids reading and moving!
Library Programs
Literacy under the lights invited families to read together on the field - what a fun program!
Northside librarians keep students engaged and reading through creative programming during the school year. Reading programs, Book Fairs, clubs, interactive displays, story walks, makerspaces, STEM projects, and so much more were offered this year. A robust library program increases student engagement at school overall.
NWC librarian Ms. Baker used a NEF grant to purchase cruiser bikes as part of her efforts to get kids reading and moving!
Author Visits
Author visits increase interest in reading and writing. Seeing performers and speakers connects students to the arts and the work world. NISD Libraries hosted over 670 authors, speakers, or performers this school year, either in-person or virtually!
Authors Lalena Fisher and Michael Rex were just 2 of the many authors to visit NISD libraries this year
Author Visits
Author visits increase interest in reading and writing. Seeing performers and speakers connects students to the arts and the work world. NISD Libraries hosted over 670 authors, speakers, or performers this school year, either in-person or virtually!
Authors Lalena Fisher and Michael Rex were just 2 of the many authors to visit NISD libraries this year
Circulation and Books
May ES Library
Access to both print and digital books is a critical part of learner growth and helps close the poverty gap. A professional librarian curates the collection to meet the needs of the school community, and helps students choose the right books and other materials for academic and pleasure reading. Students who read more, including just for fun, consistently do better in school and life.
A Ross MS student concentrates on choosing just the right book!
Award Winning Librarians
Valley Hi librarian Jennifer Grimes won the Leaders Readers Network Cascaron Literacy Champion Award Lucy Podmore, Clark HS librarian, won the ProHuman Foundation Civic Learning Week/National Week of Conversation Award for her program "Clark Conversations" Melissa Romero, Hoffmann ES librarian & the Hoffmann ES PTA won the Shirley Igo Award from the Texas Library Association - this award celebrates strong library/PTA partnerships
Grants
11 NISD Librarians received NEF grants this year for a total of $23,350. These grants helped librarians with programs such as book vending machines, principal's reading clubs, story walks, STEM supplies, books, makerspace items, and more. 5 grants from the Texas Commission on the arts were received, which helped provide author visits to 18 schools. Scobee ES Librarian Andrea Colwell received the Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant, and a Firstmark Foundation Grant in addition to the 2 NEF grants she received. Jefferson MS Librarian Hollie Alvarez received the AFCEA Science Teaching Tools Grant, and Allen ES Librarian, Pam Parisher, received a $5000 Laura Bush Foundation grant to help increase the number of books per student and to ensure that the number of bilingual books in that collection is sufficient.
Boone librarian Ms. Chavez and Scobee librarian Ms. Colwell were just 2 of the 11 NISD librarians to win NEF grants this year!
Ward Librarian Shannon Kesselring received a PTA grant to fund her book vending machine, and several librarians received grants from TLA to attend professional development throughout the year.
Librarian Educators of the Year
Librarians are teachers and they serve as an important part of instruction on campus. This year, 4 NISD librarians were named Educator of the Year for their campus: Helotes ES Librarian, Cynthia Elizondo McDermott ES Librarian, Hailey Johnson Ward ES Librarian, Shannon Kesselring Briscoe MS Librarian, Melinda Adams
Read to the Final Four
Every elementary in NISD competed in the city-wide Read to the Final Four challenge, but there was only one winner - our very own Burke ES! Librarian Yilsa De Los Santos was a crucial part of leading that effort on her campus!
#NISDLibraries
Northside ISD has a total of 117 campus libraries and a professional library located at NAC that circulates professional material to teachers all over the district. All NISD libraries are staffed by professional, certified librarians. High school libraries also have a paraprofessional library assistant. Studies consistently find positive relationships between having access to full-time, qualified school librarians and student performance.
We love visitors to the library, like Trustees Blount, Freeman, and others who came to read to classes this year!
Sources
We're librarians. Of course, we've cited our sources. ;)
- Access to Books. (n.d.). Family and Community Engagement Research Compendium,49-67. Retrieved June 20, 2019, from http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/face/pdf/research-compendium/access-to-books.pdf
- Benefits of Author Visits. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2019, from https://www.jandersoncoats.com/author-visits/benefits-of-author-visits/
- Horn, A., & Lingham, B. (n.d.). How libraries and librarians can support student engagement[This AUSSE Enhancement Guide makes suggestions about the role libraries and librarians have in enhancing student engagement]. Https://www.acer.org/files/AUSSE_EG_Librarians.pdf.
- Miller, D. (2015, February 09). I've Got Research. Yes, I Do. I've Got Research. How About You? Retrieved June 20, 2019, from https://bookwhisperer.com/2015/02/08/ive-got-research-yes-i-do-ive-got-research-how-about-you/
- School Libraries Are the Only Thing that Matters. Every Library. Retrieved June 17, 2021, from https://medium.com/everylibrary/school-libraries-are-the-only-thing-that-matters-bbef39f73727
- School Libraries Make the Difference. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2019, from http://www.ilovelibraries.org/school-libraries
- School Libraries Work![A Compendium of Research Supporting the Effectiveness of the School Libraries]. (n.d.).http://www.scholastic.com/slw2016/
- Sparks, S. D., & Harwin, A. (2019, February 20). Schools See Steep Drop in Librarians, New Analysis Finds. Retrieved June 20, 2019, from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/05/16/schools-see-steep-drop-in-librarians-new.html
- Torii, K. (2019, June 06). Why school kids need more exposure to the world of work. Retrieved June 20, 2019, from http://theconversation.com/why-school-kids-need-more-exposure-to-the-world-of-work-100590
- Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us. (2019, June 13). Retrieved June 20, 2019, from https://www.kappanonline.org/lance-kachel-school-librarians-matter-years-research/
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Libraries '24-'25 Yearly Report
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Created on June 11, 2025
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Transcript
#NISDLibraries
District-Wide Literacy Events
Fiesta of Words
Battle of the Bluebonnets
Great Book Giveaway
2024-2025 Report
Book Battle Royale
INTERACTIVE! Click on the different words or icons for more information!
LibraryPalooza
Storyfest
Patrons Served
Teacher/Librarian Collaborations
2,480+
1.4 Million Print Books in NISD Libraries
790,000+
Library Programs
1.53 Million Print Circulations
More than
Over 674
69,400
>365,000 Digital Circulations
>6,779
Authors, Speakers, or other Presenters
Classes Served
Recognitions
85
4 Librarian Educators of the Year
Campus Visits
64
NISD Library Services
523
PD Sessions Facilitated
Librarians sent to conferences
3 Awards
Read to the Final Four Winner: Burke ES!
Records Loaded
Items Processed
Assisted with
20
Collection Development Projects
$48,179 in Grants
70,378
9,261
13 Library Assistants
NISD High Schools
Staffed by certified librarians
117 Libraries
1 Professional Library
Located at NAC
NISD Library Services
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
District-Wide Events
NISD librarians organize several district-wide events each year that are open to all. The goal of these programs is to promote literacy, connect students with authors, increase access to books, and promote the joy of reading.
District-Wide Events
NISD librarians organize several district-wide events each year that were open to all. The goal of these programs is to promote literacy, connect students with authors, increase access to books, and promote the joy of reading.
LibraryPalooza
LibraryPalooza is Northside's premier YA author fest and allows secondary students to interact with some of their favorite authors. This even has taken place annually since 2012, although 2021 was a much smaller virtual event. This year, the featured authors were Lamar Giles, Isabel Ibanez, Kara Thomas, Lynn Painter, Steven Sheinkin, Jen Wang, and Guadalupe Garcia McCall. LibraryPalooza 2026 will take place on February 28 next year at Brandeis HS! Learn more about LibraryPalooza at: librarypaloozasa.org/
Great Book Giveaway
Spearheaded by Brennan librarian, Harry Ostlund, the Great Book Giveaway allows families to get bags of free books at 3 separate NISD locations. NISD librarians gather and sort books all year for the event. This event was borne of a desire to get books in kids' hands during COVID and has been going strong ever since. This year, over 10,000 books were given to students of all levels, as well as teachers for use in their classrooms!
Storyfest
Storyfest is an author fest geared toward elementary students and is a great family event each spring. This year, the keynote author was Suzanne Lang. Students and even parents and teachers loved getting to meet the author of the Grumpy Monkey. Storyfest also features breakout rooms where students can see various speakers and performers, as well as a table top games and activities. This year, Storyfest featured Austin Reptiles, Miss Anastasia, authors Kris Tarantino & Claudia Villarreal, Mother Goose, reading with SA Humane Society dogs, a Book Walk, and much more!If was great fun and we can't wait for next year's!
Storyfest Website
Fiesta of Words
Fiesta of Words is an event of creative writing organized by Northside ISD high school librarians that invites students to showcase their creative talents through an original poetry contest. Students are also invited to shine on an open mic sharing their inspiring poetry, and participate in enriching writing workshops. This year's Fiesta of Words featured renowned local poet Naomi Shihab Nye
Find more information here.
Battle of the Bluebonnets
Elementary librarians from around Northside worked together to create a district and then city-wide book trivia competition centered around the Texas Bluebonnet Award list. Participating schools hosted a competition on their campus, then sent 3 teams to the district competition. From there, several NISD schools competed in a city-wide competition. Franklin ES came out on top after all of that to win the city-wide competition!Students loved reading the Bluebonnet books, studying and practicing the trivia, and working together!
Book Battle Royale
Middle school librarians organized their own book battle as well!Luna came in 1st place, Zachry in 2nd, and Stinson and Garcia tied for 3rd.Just like in the elementary battle, students loved reading books they might not have otherwise picked up, learning about them, and bonding as a team.
Patrons Served
#NISDLibraries serve as hubs for our schools: gathering places for students, staff and families. They are a safe space for everyone on campus, offering a variety of lessons, activities, and opportunities. Students can use the library to read, study, create, explore, and more! This number represents individual visits by students, teachers, parents, and other patrons.
Patrons Served
#NISDLibraries serve as hubs for our schools: gathering places for students, staff and families. They are a safe space for everyone on campus, offering a variety of lessons, activities, and opportunities. Students can use the library to read, study, create, explore, and more! This number represents individual visits by students, teachers, parents, and other patrons.
Patrons Served
#NISDLibraries serve as hubs for our schools: gathering places for students, staff and families. They are a safe space for everyone on campus, offering a variety of lessons, activities, and opportunities. Students can use the library to read, study, create, explore, and more! This number represents individual visits by students, teachers, parents, and other patrons.
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
Classes Served
Colonies North librarian Ms. Mejia collaborated with 2nd grade teachers to create an animal research unit
NISD Librarians are certified teachers who hold masters degrees and a K-12 library certificate. NISD librarians served nearly 70,000 classes this school year in a variety of capacities. These include literacy lessons, read alouds, collaborative lessons, makerspace and STEM lessons, research lessons, class check-outs, and more, all supporting the curriculum as well as student learning and engagement. Academic achievement increases when students receive instruction from school librarians both with classroom teachers and independently.
Briscoe MS librarian Ms. Adams collaborated with Spanish 1 teachers and the tech coach to tackle sports vocabulary
Teacher/Librarian Collaboration
NISD Librarians strive to build collaborative partnerships with teachers across the campus. Collaboration can be pulling materials to support the curriculum, teaching lessons that connect to what's being taught in the classrom, planning lessons or units of study with teachers, and even the librarian and teacher coteaching lessons together. Librarians are an important part of the instructional team on NISD campuses!
Teacher/Librarian Collaboration
NISD Librarians strive to build collaborative partnerships with teachers across the campus. Collaboration can be pulling materials to support the curriculum, teaching lessons that connect to what's being taught in the classrom, planning lessons or units of study with teachers, and even the librarian and teacher coteaching lessons together. Librarians are an important part of the instructional team on NISD campuses!
Teacher/Librarian Collaboration
NISD Librarians strive to build collaborative partnerships with teachers across the campus. Collaboration can be pulling materials to support the curriculum, teaching lessons that connect to what's being taught in the classrom, planning lessons or units of study with teachers, and even the librarian and teacher coteaching lessons together. Librarians are an important part of the instructional team on NISD campuses!
Library Programs
Literacy under the lights invited families to read together on the field - what a fun program!
Northside librarians keep students engaged and reading through creative programming during the school year. Reading programs, Book Fairs, clubs, interactive displays, story walks, makerspaces, STEM projects, and so much more were offered this year. A robust library program increases student engagement at school overall.
NWC librarian Ms. Baker used a NEF grant to purchase cruiser bikes as part of her efforts to get kids reading and moving!
Library Programs
Literacy under the lights invited families to read together on the field - what a fun program!
Northside librarians keep students engaged and reading through creative programming during the school year. Reading programs, Book Fairs, clubs, interactive displays, story walks, makerspaces, STEM projects, and so much more were offered this year. A robust library program increases student engagement at school overall.
NWC librarian Ms. Baker used a NEF grant to purchase cruiser bikes as part of her efforts to get kids reading and moving!
Author Visits
Author visits increase interest in reading and writing. Seeing performers and speakers connects students to the arts and the work world. NISD Libraries hosted over 670 authors, speakers, or performers this school year, either in-person or virtually!
Authors Lalena Fisher and Michael Rex were just 2 of the many authors to visit NISD libraries this year
Author Visits
Author visits increase interest in reading and writing. Seeing performers and speakers connects students to the arts and the work world. NISD Libraries hosted over 670 authors, speakers, or performers this school year, either in-person or virtually!
Authors Lalena Fisher and Michael Rex were just 2 of the many authors to visit NISD libraries this year
Circulation and Books
May ES Library
Access to both print and digital books is a critical part of learner growth and helps close the poverty gap. A professional librarian curates the collection to meet the needs of the school community, and helps students choose the right books and other materials for academic and pleasure reading. Students who read more, including just for fun, consistently do better in school and life.
A Ross MS student concentrates on choosing just the right book!
Award Winning Librarians
Valley Hi librarian Jennifer Grimes won the Leaders Readers Network Cascaron Literacy Champion Award Lucy Podmore, Clark HS librarian, won the ProHuman Foundation Civic Learning Week/National Week of Conversation Award for her program "Clark Conversations" Melissa Romero, Hoffmann ES librarian & the Hoffmann ES PTA won the Shirley Igo Award from the Texas Library Association - this award celebrates strong library/PTA partnerships
Grants
11 NISD Librarians received NEF grants this year for a total of $23,350. These grants helped librarians with programs such as book vending machines, principal's reading clubs, story walks, STEM supplies, books, makerspace items, and more. 5 grants from the Texas Commission on the arts were received, which helped provide author visits to 18 schools. Scobee ES Librarian Andrea Colwell received the Dollar General Youth Literacy Grant, and a Firstmark Foundation Grant in addition to the 2 NEF grants she received. Jefferson MS Librarian Hollie Alvarez received the AFCEA Science Teaching Tools Grant, and Allen ES Librarian, Pam Parisher, received a $5000 Laura Bush Foundation grant to help increase the number of books per student and to ensure that the number of bilingual books in that collection is sufficient.
Boone librarian Ms. Chavez and Scobee librarian Ms. Colwell were just 2 of the 11 NISD librarians to win NEF grants this year!
Ward Librarian Shannon Kesselring received a PTA grant to fund her book vending machine, and several librarians received grants from TLA to attend professional development throughout the year.
Librarian Educators of the Year
Librarians are teachers and they serve as an important part of instruction on campus. This year, 4 NISD librarians were named Educator of the Year for their campus: Helotes ES Librarian, Cynthia Elizondo McDermott ES Librarian, Hailey Johnson Ward ES Librarian, Shannon Kesselring Briscoe MS Librarian, Melinda Adams
Read to the Final Four
Every elementary in NISD competed in the city-wide Read to the Final Four challenge, but there was only one winner - our very own Burke ES! Librarian Yilsa De Los Santos was a crucial part of leading that effort on her campus!
#NISDLibraries
Northside ISD has a total of 117 campus libraries and a professional library located at NAC that circulates professional material to teachers all over the district. All NISD libraries are staffed by professional, certified librarians. High school libraries also have a paraprofessional library assistant. Studies consistently find positive relationships between having access to full-time, qualified school librarians and student performance.
We love visitors to the library, like Trustees Blount, Freeman, and others who came to read to classes this year!
Sources
We're librarians. Of course, we've cited our sources. ;)
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!
NISD Library Services
The Northside Library Services office, lead by Director Lisa Kulka, includes 2 Library Support Specialists, 2 catalogers, and 1 secretary/bookkeeper. This office works to support all Northside librarians by providing professional development opportunities, visiting campuses, helping with large collection development projects, maintaining the circulation/catalog system and district ebook collection, coaching librarians, opening new school libraries, making sure each library is fully staffed, collaborating with other departments, and much more.
Librarians can nominate their administrators for the NISD Library Administrator of the Year Award, and this year the winner was Faustino Ortega from Ross MS!