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High school librarian Jean Kershman outlines year‑end programs to boost reading
Summary
High school librarian Jean Kershman told the Brookings School Board that the library ran roughly 200 classroom 'book talks' this year, circulated about 1,000 books in May and uses displays and audiobooks to increase access and engagement.
Jean Kershman, the Brookings School District 05-1 high school librarian, presented a year‑end report to the school board in June describing programs and services designed to boost student reading and engagement.
Kershman told the board she conducts about 200 classroom "book talks" a year to introduce students to titles and said the library will add recent memoirs, including a new Malala memoir, to its curriculum units. "Any student who comes and asks for anything, I can get it for them," Kershman said, describing how she uses careful budgeting to meet students' requests for niche and multilingual items.
She outlined practical supports that help struggling readers, including pairing printed books with audio formats, and described interactive displays such as a "Blind Date with a Book" program that asks students to take a wrapped title on trust and report back to the librarian.
Kershman also summarized circulation and community support: about 1,000 books were checked out in May, she expects 200 or more summer reading books to circulate, and one graduating student checked out 209 books during the year. The PTA donated a book for each retiree (seven this year), and one donor provided a full set of English‑language books that helped offset tighter accounts. Kershman noted about 70 retirement books were contributed at Mr. Moody's retirement event.
She described outreach and leadership work beyond the district: an online mentoring presentation attended by roughly 200 new teachers, planned presentations at a regional literacy conference with colleague Kelly Bisker, and participation on a "teen reads" committee that reviews roughly 70 candidate titles annually. Kershman also cited several state recognitions and leadership roles she has held.
Board members thanked Kershman for her work. "I just love looking at all of the things that you're doing to encourage our young adults to read," a board member said. The board moved on to committee and action items after the presentation.
