The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for mental health and wellness resources for individuals and communities. Public libraries play a central role in democratic societies in that they provide unrestricted access to library collections and services free of charge. Libraries play a vital role in the promotion of community well-being. For over one hundred years public, and later other types of libraries, have employed bibliotherapy to support individuals facing mental health challenges. Recently, the whole person librarianship service model was developed to meet an increased need for community mental health support and services. In this model, public librarians partner with social workers to provide mental health services and interventions to library patrons in need. Additionally, case studies from academic libraries and school libraries will be shared. As librarians and library workers serve on the front lines to support individuals experiencing mental health issues, including trauma, strategies to support their mental health and wellness will also be discussed.
Educational technology has accelerated in recent years, and it has had a profound impact on current teaching and learning in the Pre-K-12 environment. In future years, advancement and innovation in technology will continue to empower teachers to customize students' learning experiences. To accomplish this, teachers will need ongoing professional development, which includes engaging in learning activities associated with technology play theory that focuses on educational technology and technology integration involving the technology integration planning cycle. This article will discuss the impact of content neutral technologies on pre-K-12 grade levels and content areas, the use of educational technologies used in remote instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of TPACK, the importance of creating a sense of belonging in the online learning environment, the need for teachers to pursue micro-credentials related to digital learning, and the impact that virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse and artificial intelligence can have on teachers, administrators, and students.
This case study serves as a successful example of an external academic librarian-school librarian statewide partnership for other academic librarians in the United States to follow as they engage in outreach and marketing activities with high school students. A statewide partnership between a New Jersey academic librarian organization and a K-12 school librarian organization resulted in the formation of panels of New Jersey academic librarians who led virtual orientations to the academic library experience for New Jersey high school students. The virtual orientations to the academic library were developed to address students' feelings of anxiety when it comes to the academic library and to highlight the role that the academic library plays as a factor in the college choice of high school students. The success of the virtual library orientations held in October of 2021 will continue to influence future initiatives of the newly formed statewide partnership between academic librarians and school librarians in the state of New Jersey.
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