Librarians: the unofficial experts on essentially everything. Sure, everyone knows our names, but what we mostly respond to is, “Can you help me with…?” followed by just about anything you can imagine.
Librarians manage meaningful book collections, can budget like a pro, integrate STEAM into learning, support instruction, and teach research skills, all while handling all things technology from glitches to gadgets. They educate, inspire, and help transform students into critical thinkers, curious readers, and responsible digital citizens. They manage multiple roles, not only wearing all the hats but juggling them too, making them a dynamic blend of educator, tech whiz, innovator, and everyday hero.
With so many roles to balance, every time saving tool makes a difference.
And suddenly…cue the heavenly spotlight and angels singing from above…in walks ChatGPT’s Book Scout.
The librarian (frazzled but fabulous, and fueled by caffeine) finally discovers the amazingness of Book Scout, a specialized tool within ChatGPT that doesn’t just tip its hat to librarians, it offers to carry a few of theirs too.
Librarians are used to having all the answers, but what if we got to ask the questions for a change? With Book Scout, you can flip the script and let the tool do the heavy lifting. So, what can ChatGPT’s Book Scout do for you? Here are four smart, time-saving ways to put it to work, paired with extension activities that I have implemented in my library.
Four Ways to Use ChatGPT’s Book Scout
1. Encourage a Reading Culture
Librarians inspire students to have a deep appreciation for books and nurture lifelong readers who not only enjoy reading but also recognize its power to enrich their lives.
How Book Scout Can Help:
- Provides creative ideas and activities to promote books and encourage a lasting love of reading.
- Helps plan engaging book talks with ready-to-use outlines, scripts, or talking points to inspire readers.
- Offers eye-catching, themed book display ideas that make books more visible and inviting to readers.
Example Prompts:
“What are effective ways to help students reflect deeply on the value of reading and understand how it enriches their lives beyond the classroom?”
“Give creative and engaging ideas for promoting books to students in ways that inform them about titles, showcase what’s exciting or meaningful in the stories, and spark interest in reading.”
“Write a detailed and engaging book talk about the book [TITLE/AUTHOR]. Include a vivid description of the setting, a summary of the plot, the central conflict, and highlight an especially exciting or suspenseful moment to hook students.”
Picture this in your library:
I create book teaser slides to display while giving book talks with each of my classes. I ask students to put their name in a “book lottery” if they want the book. At the end of the day, I draw a name to determine who gets the book first.
2. Encourage a Reading Culture
Librarians match readers with books that fit their individual interests, needs, and levels.
How Book Scout Can Help:
- Offers instant, personalized recommendations based on specific criteria.
- Supports a wide range of readers, including ELL learners, reluctant readers, and genre-specific requests.
- Can quickly summarize each title for easy comparison and decision-making.
Example Prompts:
“Create a list of books for a student who is a reluctant reader and enjoyed the book [TITLE/AUTHOR].”
“Suggest historical fiction novels for students learning about [TOPIC].”
“What are some recently published, high-interest books for a student-led book club?”
Picture this in your library:
I changed my shelves to accommodate Dynamic Shelving to display high-interest books with their covers facing forward so books are easily seen by students.
3. Designing Meaningful Lessons and Activities
Librarians create experiences that connect to the curriculum, spark curiosity, and help students grow as thinkers, readers, and problem-solvers.
How Book Scout Can Help:
- Generates lesson ideas and book pairings that align with curriculum topics and student interests.
- Provides ready-to-use outlines, deeper discussion questions, and activity suggestions to save planning time.
- Offers creative ways to connect books to real-world themes, promoting deeper thinking and engagement.
Example Prompts:
“Give a list of creative icebreakers or activities for introducing new students to library services and sections?”
“Help me design an inquiry-based research project where students explore [TOPIC] using library databases and resources. Include steps and specific questions to deepen their thinking on the topic as well as ideas of unique ways they can present their findings.”
“What are some ideas for opinion boards, digital surveys and student-created displays that I can implement in the library that encourage student voice and ownership?”
Picture this in your library:
Prior to a book talk, I use Lunapic.com to pixelate images of book covers to spark curiosity in students about the book.
4. Integrating Technology for Teaching and Learning
Librarians use educational technology to enhance lessons, build digital literacy, and support creative learning.
How Book Scout Can Help:
- Suggests tech tools and digital resources that align with book themes or lesson goals.
- Provides ideas for student-created content.
- Generates lesson plans that blend reading, research, and technology to support digital literacy.
Example Prompts:
“What digital resources can I use to support a lesson on [BOOK TITLE/THEME/TOPIC], helping students explore the topic more deeply?”
“What are some technology tools students can use to collaborate on creating a podcast after writing book reviews?”
“Create a clear set of instructions with thoughtful guiding questions to help students create a high-quality book trailer that encourages deeper reflection on the book’s themes and messages.”
Picture this in your library:
I use Google Classroom to have students design a slide in Canva showcasing a book they’ve read. Then I hold a fun voting competition I call the “Battle of the Book Teaser Slide.” I display the student created slides in the library as a slideshow and also print them to use in lessons where students engage in various sorting activities. This helps with students’ familiarizing themselves with several books at one time.
Want more from the author?
Tune into TCEA’s Librarian Conference this Wednesday, June 25, to attend the Charity Hatley’s session, “Unlocking Student Engagement and Creativity in School Libraries” live. Can’t make it? Purchase your ticket now to get 30-day, on-demand access to recordings of all Librarian Convention sessions!
