Grassroots Reading Promotion: Fulton City School District Librarians

How do we get kids enthusiastic about reading? Come hear about district and school-wide literacy efforts, including the county-wide Battle of the Books, the genrification of school libraries and other literacy programs that you could implement tomorrow.

Teresa Burgdorf

Teresa is in her 15th year of being a school librarian, after receiving her MLS from the University at Buffalo in 2002. Her 5th year at Fulton Junior High School will continue focusing on turning her library space into a mini Barnes and Noble! She believes in fostering an intrinsic motivation for reading versus motivating kids with “things” like pizza parties or pez dispensers. Her students enjoy selecting a “good book” in her genrefied high-interest book collection, as well as hands-on learning through makerspaces and robotics. In other news, her son Cameron had library special on his first day of Kindergarten, and later asked why he can’t “go to the library to shop for new books everyday?” Besides making his mother proud, it reminds us how important access to libraries is to fostering and maintaining a lifelong love of reading :)

Wendy Scalfaro 

Wendy has been a school librarian with the Fulton City Schools since 1999, when she received her MLS in School Media from Syracuse University. Prior to that, she worked her way up the ranks in clerical positions with the Onondaga County Public Library, and she still occasionally works as a substitute librarian there. She spent her childhood getting lost in stories, grabbing anything she could get her hands on, including her mother’s books. Thus began her foray into “grown-up” literature series, such as The Clan of the Cave Bear and Flowers in the Attic, neither of which left her traumatized in any way, and gave her quite an education. As a result, she has always believed that mature readers are capable of handling tougher material than we often give them credit for. Last spring, Wendy was inspired by a presentation by Hilda K. Weisberg on school librarian leadership, and started a Facebook group called “Leadership for School Librarians Book Discussion,” which currently has over 370 members. She is also enrolled in the Central New York Leadership Development Program through LeMoyne College, proving that it’s never too late to become a leader.

Sarah Manley 

Sarah is a recent Syracuse University MLS graduate and is entering her second year of school librarianship in the Fulton City School District. She never liked books or reading until she picked up the Harry Potter series and decided that she wanted to spend the rest of her life inspiring the avid reader inside. Where she lacks in experience she makes up for in enthusiasm and is currently trying to dive deep into STEAM activities and Little Free Libraries.

Allison Earl 

Allison is beginning her fifth year as a librarian at Granby Elementary School in the Fulton City School District. She is an alumna of The College at Brockport (2009) and Syracuse University (2012). During her time at Granby, Allison has created a well-defined library space that meets the needs of today’s learners, created a makerspace, has genriefied her fiction collection and brought in community resources, such as the public library and Pet Partners of CNY: Read With Me program, for the school community. She believes that books have the power to transform lives, and aspires to encourage a love a learning and reading for all her students. Currently, Allison is a year-2 student in the Central New York Leadership Development Program through LeMoyne College. She hopes to complete her CAS in School District Leadership by 2020.

Barbara Senecal

Now entering her 22nd year as a school librarian, Barbara began her career with the Fulton City School District in 1996. After graduating with an MLS from Syracuse University, she worked at GRB High School for six years before transferring to her current position at Fairgrieve Elementary School. Barbara builds excitement for reading by hosting yearly author visits, introducing great books during her monthly book share presentations (at the school’s morning program) and coordinating the Battle of the Books and Accelerated Reader programs. She believes that once students discover what they are interested in, they will enjoy reading for life!

Jessica Somers 

Jessica is in her 7th year as a school librarian in the Fulton City School District.  She received her B.S. in Childhood Education from SUNY Oswego and her M.A. Ed. in School Library and Information Technologies from Mansfield University.  She believes the library should be a fun and inviting place where students can wonder and explore.  Her philosophy about reading is easily summed up in the quote by J.K. Rowling,“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” Her students love getting excited about books and reading through Read Across America Week, Battle of the Books, author visits and book clubs.