iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Batch baking some shrinky dink dots on a rainy afternoon. They are turning out so cute! 🥰 #TLSky #SchoolLibraries bsky.app/profile/illi...

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

2nd grade made buddy dots for #DotDay ! We colored a dot, cut half to keep, then gathered two quarters from classmates’ dots to make a whole new creation. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

What an excellent, multi-layered fix to a common problem! Nice work, Steve. 🌟

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

ALWAYS grateful for the sharing of @wendygarland.bsky.social ! Thanks to her our 4th grade Ss were thrilled with our new dot punches and made some very creative #DotDay bookmarks. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries bsky.app/profile/wend...

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This year’s 5th graders are learning more about Louis Braille’s system of dots for #DotDay! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries bsky.app/profile/illi...

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#DotDay fun: Kindergarten Ss are working their fine motor skills by drawing dots in the first letter of their name, then adding dot stickers. 1st graders are designing a shrinky dink dot -tiny versions coming soon! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We celebrating #DotDay the week after, but still loving it! These lessons are easily the most materials-intensive ones we do all year, but they are so worth it! We’re prepped and ready to celebrate.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Kindergarten Ss had the option of playing Uno as part of some centers in library class. It was WILDLY entertaining to coach some that wanted to learn and some that “already knew how to play”. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Happy Dot Day, everyone! My husband is working a 50-day cleanup with Missouri River Relief and had a bit of free time to make this one on the beach of the sandbar where they’re camped at present. riverrelief.org/events/big-m...

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Ss are adorning the circulation desk, this time with triangles! Everyone was asked to write and/or draw something that represents what they like to read. Not only does it give Ss more ownership of the space, it also informs my collection development this year. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

We have so many great books in our library and I want Ss to see each and every one! We doing a book tasting today in 2nd-5th grades to spend some time with titles we might have missed. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I am pretty stoked to get to work on such a kickass show during spooky season this year! www.theatrelawrence.com/cast-list-li...

theatrelawrence.com

CAST LIST: LIZZIE

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Still really digging the icons we’ve added to our K/1 library class schedule. Here’s a template link if anyone wants to save some search time: canva.link/1qqh7d2ge7rp... #TLSky #SchoolLibrarians

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I can. not. wait. to listen to all of the thinking behind how Wendy implemented this program at her school with SUCH depth and care. Priority listening, #TLSky & #SchoolLibrarians !

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Reposted by Amanda McCoy

Marcus Luther @marcusluther.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

"This playbook allows the companies to shape the American education system in ways that benefit them." This is the reporting we need in education. This entire piece is essential reading. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/08/23/b...

nytimes.com

How Big Tech Captured American Schools (Gift Article)

Companies like Google and Microsoft have used their money, their might and their massive reach to influence nearly every step of the education supply chain.

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

A new-to-our-school student saw their first “Library Things to Know” video today (the ones I make to teach procedures and share library announcements). They came up to me later and said “I don’t know why, but I felt like that was AI.” 1/ #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

static.klipy.com

ALT:

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Reposted by Amanda McCoy

daryl seitchik @darylseitchik.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

a rant (part 1)

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Warming up our browsing and visual searching skills with a scavenger hunt in the library! Different sections are highlighted in different grades to emphasize places where they can find some great-for-them books. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I am LOVING these new smaller Velcro dots that mark the placement of our tables! Like many school libraries, lots of groups use our space and need to move the furniture. These dots show them exactly where to replace the tables. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

We start each year in library classes coloring and taking home this paper.The right hand side can be used as a sign at home to remind Ss and grownups on which specials day they should bring back books, while the left ties the library to our school wide expectations. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

FINALLY added some visuals to our Kindergarten and 1st grade library class schedule. We go over the sequence of the day every time they come in; it really helps calm some little nerves! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I placed our new plant friend in the Everybody section. She and her crew will welcome Ss back into the building tomorrow! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries bsky.app/profile/illi...

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Feeling grateful to spend our nation’s birthday backpacking in what I consider to be its most beautiful location hands-down, Yosemite National Park.

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Reposted by Amanda McCoy

Tony Corsentino @notalegalrecord.net · 01/07/2026

I say it often but once again: By granting them borrowing privileges and protecting their privacy, public libraries afford children a form of civic standing and respect that has few parallels in our “free” society, which mostly treats children as chattel. Vociferously defend public libraries. 📚

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

What a cool project allowing Ss to create a 3D representation of what is important to them!

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

I love the introspective work @wendygarland.bsky.social is doing with her students to celebrate America 250!

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

It's always great talking to Steve! This time we chat about a program I've been running for years, adjusting and adding to it each time. 📕😄📕 #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Due to our new schedule this year I had library classes after all books were due (not my favorite). A coworker's great idea really helped, though! She uses some of the books that are constantly checked out in centers. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Current librarian conundrum: This book was new to us in September and hasn’t been on the shelf since. Now that it’s back I am SO unsure of where to shelve it. Video games doesn’t feel right. It almost seems like I should have a character guide section. Any thoughts? #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

With events and field trips, I had only one 5th grade class in our last rotation. This is a helpful class in general, so instead of the centers every other group was doing I compiled a list of library jobs. There were varying degrees of engagement, but some kids LOCKED IN! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

All Ss focused on America 250, our country’s big birthday in our library lessons last week! (Resources in 🧵) K/1 read and watched to learn more about our nation’s symbols, then made American symbols mini-books using a word bank (frankensteined by me from free resources). #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

PSA in favor of a full school library inventory every year: 1. It finds any books Ss may have “helpfully” put back on the shelves themselves. 1/ #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Our Kdg Ss created their own city when we used the excellent Cityscapes lessons by @carolynvibbert.bsky.social I 1000% underestimated the excitement this would generate! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries knowledgequest.aasl.org/lesson-spark...

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

It’s time for all library books to be turned in, which means Mrs. McCoy has prepped our poster raffle for 2nd-5th and sticker/eraser rewards for K/1. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Ooo, I like this delineation, Heather!

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A4: Ugh, these are so tricky! I feel like I can't put my "must-have-it ASAP" items on the list in the event they don't get funded, so I end up putting my "this-would-be-nice-to-have" selections on it. The thought of constantly updated fries my brain. #TLSkyChat

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A8: Be nosy! Ask colleagues where they got funding to accomplish their newest project. When someone shares about a windfall ask followup questions on their source. #TLSkyChat

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A2: TELL A STORY Talk about the time you went to pull a cheetah book for a kid and the cover was so old and dated they didn't want to check it out (despite being SO excited about cheetahs). Describe how this kid would respond to a beautiful brand-new, on-their-level cheetah book. #TLSky

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A1: Starting local is the way to go! As the school librarian, you often interact with the children of the people looking at the grant applications. Check if your PTO has any type of grant and see if your district has any type of foundation that might take applications. #TLSky

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Hi, y’all! I’m Amanda, an elementary teacher librarian in Kansas. 🌻 #TLSkyChat

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

All prepped and ready for our AAPI Heritage Month Read-In tomorrow! We have parents joining us this time (their Ss are so excited), which makes room assignments vary a bit more. I’ve included a post-it on the back of each book to help and recruited some student guides. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Adventures in a lower tech library! Kdg Ss perused our beginning reader career books. They wrote the name of a job and drew a tool that person might use in their work. (Mind you, not everyone was this successful, but the activity really clicked for some) #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Adventures in a lower tech library! Our district rolled out a new initiative this year to decrease screen time for our Ss (love it, 100% support it). I’ve been experimenting with ways to implement this in some of research lessons, especially K/1. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

It’s really happening, y’all! We are doing One Book, One School next year with Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test by the wonderful @soontornvat.bsky.social I am can’t wait for all our students, families, and staff to experience this TOGETHER! 🎉🎉🎉

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

THIS is how you put students first, folks! 🎉

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

It’s finally happening! I got word this morning that we have extra funds at the end of the year and we might be able to use them for a One Book, One School program next year, BUT we have to move fast. Told the principal “I’M ON IT!” #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

media.tenor.com

patrick star and spongebob squarepants are standing next to each other in a room with a picture on the wall .

ALT: patrick star and spongebob squarepants are standing next to each other in a room with a picture on the wall .

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Just updated our podcast lesson for 2026 with a new entry in the “History” category - Forever Ago. I can’t wait to roll it out! #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Why, it’s the epically awesome librarian @simplyrain.bsky.social - empowering students to care for and improve their school library! 🌟 💪 📚 💪 🌟

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Amanda McCoy @illinimccoy.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

In our final week learning about illustration (and Mo Willems) in kindergarten, we tackled the photograph plus drawing style found in Knuffle Bunny. Ss had a great time with this technique, several chose to add the “hidden pigeon” we’d come to know and love. #TLSky #SchoolLibraries

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