One of DCLA's favorite annual event is the Battle of the Books. This year, it is taking place on May 29 at 10am and 1pm. Our School Library Section Chair Ashleigh Rose sat down to answer our questions about this special program for DC students!
For DCLA members who aren’t familiar with it, what is Battle of the Books?
The BOB (Battle of the Books) is a district-wide reading motivation program based upon the current Three Stars nominated titles. This program is sponsored by DCLA SLS (District of Columbia Library Association School Library Section). Students in 4th-8th grades participate in this competition by simply reading the Three Stars titles listed on the DCLA SLS website and answering questions.
What is the goal of Battle of the Books?
DCLA SLS’s BOB mission is to encourage a culture of reading in DC schools and introduce students to new and exciting titles that they might not normally read.
Is there a way the people who aren’t school librarians can get involved?
As this is a totally volunteer run event, we can always use more volunteers. We are so grateful to the Junior League of Washington who works with us annually to donate book sets to some of our schools and who help us write the questions for the battle!
Many schools could always use additional donations of the 3 Stars titles. Some may benefit from volunteer coaches, especially at schools that do not participate yet! Feel free to email dclabotbchair@dcla.org if you have any ideas or would like to get involved somehow!
Anything else we should know about Battle of the Books?
Battle of the Books is meant to celebrate reading and great titles and can be as low (or high) lift as you like! Some schools have a tiny crew while others make it a whole-school initiative. There is no one way to have Battle of the Books at your school and we are always hoping to add more and more schools to the competition!
If you are involved with a school that would like to participate, it's never too late to sign up! Participation is free as long as someone at the school is a DCLA member. You can check out the materials from our Information Session earlier this year here (especially the last page that has a recording of the meeting) or sign up to receive emails here.
