Pasadena ISD Libraries & Instructional Materials

10/23/2026

📚 Making Books Easier to Find and Harder to Resist!

Marshall Kendrick Middle School librarian, Amanda Ring gave her nonfiction section a student-friendly refresh by adding book bins filled with forward-facing titles. The new setup makes it easier for students to browse, discover topics that interest them, and grab a great read.

And it’s working! Circulation has increased greatly since the new bins were introduced. A wonderful example of how thoughtful library design can improve access and get more books into students’ hands!

Amanda has also developed a clever way to teach students to sort returned books by genre and Dewey Decimal number so they can find them easier on shelves, building valuable library skills and student independence while making shelving a breeze.

Kendrick Library

10/23/2026

It was wonderful to see the SRHS library buzzing with learning and reading! Students put their knowledge to the test through an engaging Escape Room focused on copyright and responsible AI use. Working collaboratively, they solved challenges and worked together to unlock clues and find the thief who stole another student's work!

At the same time, students were stopping by for book checkout, and their librarian seamlessly balanced instruction with helping students find what they needed. The library looked amazing, with inviting book displays throughout and new Manga and Graphic Novel bins that have already been a hit with students.

Students who finished selecting their books had plenty of opportunities to stay engaged through Sudoku, games, puzzles, and other passive programming activities.

It was especially exciting to see such a positive attitude toward the growing opportunities to teach, connect, and support students through the library. Great things are happening here!
Sam Rayburn High School

10/23/2026

🐝 Buzzing with learning! The Matthys Elementary Spelling Bee was about so much more than spelling words correctly. Students put their phonics knowledge and syllable strategies into action, showing the instruction and learning behind every carefully spelled word.

Before the competition began, the librarian, Crystal Sliva, helped students feel prepared and confident, even guiding them through breathing exercises to calm those pre-Bee nerves. Then it was time to put their learning into action!

The students demonstrated confidence, determination, and perseverance as they hung in there until the very last speller was standing. Congratulations to the awesome Matthys spelling bee participants and finalists! 🏆

👏 Kudos to Crystal for creating an experience where literacy skills took center stage!

Matthys Elementary Library

10/23/2026

A busy book fair, excited readers, and an aspiring librarian learning along the way! 📚 There’s something special about seeing librarian Cheryl Patrick not only build a love of reading with students and staff at her campus but also share her knowledge and passion with the next generation of library leaders. Keep shining, Cheryl! ✨ Morris Middle School

10/23/2026

Every strong campus reading culture has someone dedicated to helping move it forward. Our librarians are those leaders!

Librarians create opportunities for students to discover books they want to read, encourage regular reading, collaborate with teachers, promote reading across the campus, and invite staff to model what it means to be a reader.

When students and adults are reading, talking about books, and celebrating literacy, a true culture of reading begins to grow.

We are proud to recognize our PISD Literacy Leader Award winners at each campus level for the first 6 and 9-weeks! These Librarians have received the traveling Literacy Leader Award Trophy to proudly display in their library!

ES: Trina Hernandez, Jensen Elementary
MS: Debra Yocum, Dr. Dixie Melillo Middle School - Pasadena ISD
IS: Miranda Johnson, San Jacinto Intermediate
HS: Jennifer Brabston, CTHS Pasadena ISD

Thank you to these librarians for keeping students engaged, staff involved, and reading moving forward!

10/23/2026

📚Kerry-Ann Thompson, Librarian at Jessup Elementary School Pasadena ISD is building a reading culture from every angle! Grandparents are joining their grandchildren at the Book Fair, creating special moments centered around discovering great books and reading together.

She is also using Beanstack Reading Motivation Insights (RMI) data, turning insight into action! She’s using what the data reveals about her students as readers to intentionally create experiences in library lessons that encourage them to read, connect, and share.

By making reading more social, students have opportunities to talk about their books, recommend favorites, and learn from one another. There’s accountability, too. Students are encouraged to actually read their books, know what they’ve read, and be ready to share their thinking with others.

It’s not just about checking out a book. It’s about reading it, owning the experience, and joining the conversation! 📖💬

10/23/2026

🚚🌮 Food trucks are coming TOMORROW to the Tweens Read Book Festival!

Join us on Saturday, October 24 at J. Frank Dobie High School and enjoy delicious food while celebrating books, authors, and reading fun!

Festival doors open at 9:30 am.
Food Trucks will be available from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.

📚 + 🍔 = A perfect festival day!

https://mobilecuisineservices.com/special-event/

10/23/2026

Cute! Cute! Cute! 🥰

Make some plans with your Frazier Boo next week!
October 27-30: Enjoy lunch with your boo and visit our Book Fair!

10/23/2026

🎃📚At Williams Elementary School, Fall reading fun is in full swing! During a recent campus visit, Librarian, Norma Rodriguez-Garcia allowed students to take their learning outdoors for an animated read-aloud of The Pumpkin Thief by Alice Hemming.

After enjoying the story, students added a creative twist by designing their own pumpkins and using Doodle Glyphs to discover their classmates’ likes and dislikes about favorite fall activities. What a fun way to blend literacy, creativity, conversation, and connection!

It was wonderful to see classes visiting the library and students so engaged in the experience. Great things are happening in this library! 🍂📖

10/23/2026