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Community Corner

Oakdale Librarian Receives Award

Meghan Nels, Oakdale School Librarian, is the recipient of the 2014 Library Media Center President’s Award.  The award presented by the Massachusetts School Library Association honors a member who in a career of three years or fewer, has made a significant impact on student learning through a quality school library program.  Meghan is a creative, dynamic librarian that is willing to try new things.  In the two and a half years that she has been a librarian Meghan has transformed her library into a student-centered space, and has shared her infectious love of reading and technology with students and teachers alike.

Meghan’s creativity has landed our district seven grants for library books and programs.  She began a Mock Caldecott program for all elementary schools, now in it’s third year.  Meghan played an instrumental role in bringing a LEGO robotics program to the elementary schools, Poem in Your Pocket project, One Book One School, as well as author/illustrator Brian Lies.  Meghan started Birthday Book and Graduation Book programs at her school, bringing new books to her students.

Meghan builds community in her school by participating in and celebrating Read for the Record, Picture Book Month, Hour of Code, MSLA Bookmark Contest, World Read Aloud Day, Six Flags Read to Succeed, and School Lunch Super Hero Day.  She also works closely with the public library promoting Public Library events and activities and facilitating an annual library card drive.  Meghan creates programming to engage students outside of library time including lunch, after school book groups, and during Parent/Teacher conferences.  Technology Director Don Langenhorst Ed. D commented “The range of her integrated support is amazing including various Skype visits from experts, opportunities to explore pre-engineering concepts and excellent integration of technologies to promote a love of reading.”  Oakdale Principal Holli Amstrong notes, “Her enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity regarding reading and technology has been contagious to both staff and students. She is an invaluable member of the Oakdale School Community!”

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