Librarians regularly create fun and entertaining book displays for promoting books to pique student’s interest in reading. Now that student populations are split between campus and home; educators are discovering new ways to meet students where they are.
Round Rock ISD middle school librarians are meeting students where they are by creating virtual book displays, also known as online reading rooms. These virtual book displays include book recommendations dressed with colorful graphics, games, and challenges, all with the intent to get students reading. More often than not, there is an accompanying theme.
To promote mystery books to students, the middle school librarians adopted an Among Us virtual book display theme. Among Us is an online multiplayer social deduction game. In the game, players take on one of two roles, most being Crewmates and others being Impostors. The game’s popularity has spiked during the pandemic.
“At Cedar Valley, we had around 300 virtual and on-campus students participate in guessing who the Imposters were. We ran the game for about two weeks, during which I released new clues daily, and then had a big Imposter reveal,” said Jessica Gonzales, Cedar Valley Middle School librarian. “Both students and staff loved it! Participants got to know each other and thought it was a fun stress reliever during this crazy time.”
Quite organically, the Among Us virtual reading room has been instrumental in building campus community. “Teachers and administrators play the Imposters, the students follow clues and investigate who’s who,” said Barbara Ludden, CD Fulkes Middle School librarian. “Students and teachers are interacting with each other a lot. It has brought our campus together in a whole new way.”
When a student correctly uncovers who an Imposter is they earn a prize.
“I think we can all agree that one of the hardest things about this year has been trying to find ways to create connections and establish community when we all can’t physically be together,” said Gonzales. “Playing the campus-wide Among Us themed reading game was a way that we could all have some fun together, a crucial step in creating community.”
Visit Canyon Vista, CD Fulkes, Cedar Valley, Chisholm Trail, Deerpark, Grisham, Hopewell, Hernandez, Pearson Ranch, Ridgeview, and Walsh middle school libraries to view their virtual book displays.
