Canvas = Building Connections: My Daily Strategy for a Visible, Vibrant Library (Digital Version!)

Daily Canvas Announcements Tour: (click image to view video)

*Co-written with help from ChatGPT

As a high school librarian, one of my goals is to keep the library top-of-mind for students—whether they visit in person or not. That’s where Canvas comes in.

Each day, I use the Announcements feature in my Student Library Canvas Course to drop something fresh, fun, and purposeful into students' digital lives. It takes just a few minutes a day, but the impact? HUGE. Students stop me in the hallway to talk about the daily post. They message me with answers. They start to see the library as more than just a room—it’s a relationship.

Here’s what a week looks like in my Canvas announcements:

🟣 Mondays = #BookTok
I spotlight a trending or relatable book, using fun language and pop culture references students love. It’s a casual way to build a culture of reading—and all of the titles are available in the library collection.

🧠 Tuesdays = Brain Teasers
From riddles to rebus puzzles, Tuesdays are all about curiosity and challenge. Students love solving these and submitting their guesses via a Google Form embedded in the announcement page. Some even stop by the library just to see if they got it right or for a little hint. Students who answer the brain teaser correctly receive a sticker that reflects the answer!

📚 Wednesdays = Did You Know?
We dive into weird, surprising, or totally random facts. It’s a light mid-week touchpoint that gets students thinking—and sometimes laughing.

🤔 Thursdays = This or That / Would You Rather
Quick, engaging, and made for participation. I often tie these to library themes, seasons, or current events. The goal? Get them clicking and thinking—even for just a moment.

🎉 Fridays = Weekly Wins
Inspired by our school-wide “Weekly Wins” initiative, students can share something they’re proud of or excited about. Students who share a weekly win receive a personal email from me celebrating their weekly win! It’s joyful, affirming, and deeply human.

These daily digital connections have helped me form real connections with students who might never walk through the library doors. It's more than content—it's community.

If you're a school librarian looking to build student relationships, showcase your space, or simply be more visible, Canvas announcements are a low-lift, high-impact strategy.

Let the LMS work for you—one post at a time.

LINKS

• Template Links for the Monthly Canva Slides

AUGUST	SEPTEMBER	OCTOBER	NOVEMBER	DECEMBER
JANUARY	FEBRUARY	MARCH	APRIL	MAY

• Daily Announcements Spreadsheet Link

Celebrating Weekly Wins!

 

I am the librarian at a 9th Grade Center. At the high school level, the library focuses on supporting teachers by: 

• collaborating to integrate library resources and educational technology  

• curating resources to support and enhance the curriculum 

• co-teaching to support the implementation of resources and technology

• provide an alternate space for lessons that would benefit by having more space than the classroom

Students who submit a Weekly Win get an email from me congratulating them on the win they shared.  I've had students celebrating anything from finding a lost jacket to their success in preparing for an audition for the Central Texas Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CTPYO).

Friday is one of my favorites! Students are encouraged to share a "Weekly Win". I got this idea from Kristina Holzweiss who posts it each Friday to her Facebook group.  

Since I don't conduct weekly scheduled classes, my Library Canvas Course serves as a way to remain connected with students daily.

Each week I post the following:

• #BookTok 

• BrainTeaser 

• Did You Know..? 

• This or That 

• Weekly Win

Here are some of my email responses to students Weekly Wins:

These connections through sharing Weekly Wins go a long way in building positive relationships. I've even had teachers share their Weekly Wins! 

My "dirty secret" for crafting my Weekly Win response emails is ChatGPT. Here is the prompt I use:

Assume the role of a high school librarian. Each week students can share a Weekly Win. This is where students can share something they are proud of, that made them happy or feel successful that week. Write two brief email responses including a subject line, that would appeal to high school students, to this student about their Weekly Win: [insert Weekly Win here]. Use a tone and structure that would appeal to high school students. 

What are your go-to tips and tricks for building positive relationships with high school students?

25-26 UPDATE: A Tour Of My Library Canvas Course

 

Teacher Library Canvas Course Video Tour:

*Video made using Google Vids

Student Library Canvas Course Video Tour:

*Video made using Google Vids

How to use Canva with Canvas Blog Post

Canva Template Links Links:

• Teacher Tech Tuesday Announcement Slides
• Teacher Canvas Home Page
• Student Canvas Home Page
• 25-26 Brain Teasers Announcement Slides
• 25-26 This or That/Would You Rather Announcement Slides
• 25-26 SWVBC What We Are Reading
• 25-26 Did You Know Announcement Slides
• 25-26 #BookTok Announcement Slides

School Library Social Media Posts Made Easy with AI

Image created in Canva using Magic Studio

I am the librarian at a 9th Grade Center. In my district, ninth grade is the first year that students do not have scheduled library classes. To keep the library and its resources at the forefront of students' minds, I post announcements every day to the Library Canvas course in which all students are enrolled. I also post these announcements to my school library's social media accounts. 

I very recently started using ChatGPT to help create appealing messages for the announcements and use these same messages for my social media posts. I have provided one week of my Canvas announcements + the associated social media posts below. I adjust what ChatGPT provides as needed as well as revamping to meet the character restrictions on X (formerly Twitter).

My weekly posts are as follows:

• Monday: Have You Read...
• On Mondays, I post book reviews and try to share a YouTube or TikTok video recap of the book.

• Social Media Post: It's Have You Read Monday! 📚 Exciting Book Alert! 📚Are you ready for a thrilling ride through the pages of "White Smoke" by Tiffany D. Jackson? 🌬️📖 This gripping novel is a must-read that'll keep you on the edge of your seat!👥 About the book: "White Smoke" delves into the eerie and mysterious story of Marigold, who moves to a haunted house with her family, hoping for a fresh start. But strange things begin to happen, and the secrets of the house's past start to unravel. Can she uncover the truth before it's too late? 😱🏡🧡 Why you should read it: Mind-bending plot twists that'll leave you gasping! 😲 Relatable characters you can't help but root for! 🙌 A spine-tingling blend of mystery and the supernatural! 👻🕵️‍♀️ So grab your copy and join us in the adventure of a lifetime! 📚✨ Don't forget to share your thoughts and tag a friend who needs a good scare this fall. 🍁🍂 #WhiteSmoke #TiffanyDJackson #MustRead #HighSchoolReads #Bookworms #ThrillerNovel #Mystery #HauntedHouse #SpookyReads #PageTurner #YABooks #BookRecommendation #FallReadingList #TeenReads #SupernaturalThriller
• Twitter: 📚 Dive into the spine-tingling world of "White Smoke" by Tiffany D. Jackson. Get ready for a heart-pounding adventure that'll keep you up all night! 👻📖 Uncover the secrets of a haunted house, where every creaky floorboard and flickering light hides a chilling mystery. Can Marigold solve the puzzle before it's too late? 😱🏡
• Why you'll love it:
• ✨ Plot twists that will leave you speechless!
• 👥 Relatable characters you can't help but root for!
• 🔍 A gripping mix of mystery and the supernatural!
• Join the reading thrill! Grab your copy today and share your thoughts with us. Who's up for a ghostly adventure? 👀📚
• #WhiteSmoke #TiffanyDJackson #YABooks #HighSchoolReads #Thriller #Mystery #HauntedHouse #MustRead #TeenReads #BookRecommendation #PageTurner #SpookyReads #Bookworms #SupernaturalThriller #ReadingList 🍂📚

• Tuesday: Brain Teaser
• On Tuesdays, I post a brain teaser. Some are riddles, others are Rebus puzzles. Students who respond with the correct answer to the brain teaser by the end of the week receive a sticker that matches the answer to the brain teaser. 
• Riddle:
  
  
  
  
  
• Sticker: Created using Canva and Cricut
• 
  
  
  
  
• Social Media Post: 🎃🕵️‍♂️ It's Brain Teaser Tuesday at the NGC, and we've got a spooktacular Halloween riddle for you to unravel! 🧩👻 "I always leave a trace, so you can see where I've been. I have some extra legs, and I make people scream. What am I?" 🤔 Can you crack this creepy conundrum? Comment your guess below! ⬇️👇 #BrainTeaserTuesday #HalloweenRiddle #PuzzleTime #ThinkHard #NGCChallenges #MindBender #BrainTeasers #PuzzleLovers #TuesdayThoughts #HalloweenFun #RiddleOfTheDay #TestYourBrain 🤯🔍

• Wednesday: I FOUND IT ON THE INTERNET!
• Wednesdays feature online sites or apps for students to explore. During October, one of the sites students are introduced to is Halloween Instructables.

• Social Media Post: 🌐🔍 Dive into the digital world because it's "I FOUND IT ON THE INTERNET" Wednesday! 🌟🌐 Discover the incredible Instructables website, your one-stop-shop for spooky season inspiration! 🎃🕷️ From Instagram-worthy costumes 👻📸 to terrifyingly delicious edibles 🍬👹 and ghostly decorations that would impress the Aldridge Mansion itself, Instructables has you covered! 🏰✨ Get ready to get your craft on and turn your Halloween dreams into reality. 👻💡 Share your favorite Instructables finds in the comments below! 📝👇 #IFoundItOnTheInternet #DIYHalloween #SpookySeason #HalloweenCrafts #CostumeIdeas #CreepyCuisine #HauntedHouseDecor #Instructables #HalloweenInspo #CraftyVibes #WednesdayDiscoveries #DigitalMagic 📚🎨🍂

• Thursday: Did You Know...? 
• On Thursdays, I share fun, silly, or interesting facts with students. One example I shared is about Scary Barbie! 

• Social Media Post: 🌌🌟 Get ready for some cosmic curiosity because it's "Did You Know" Thursday! 🤓🚀 Have you heard about "Scary Barbie"? Yes, you read that right! 🪐💥 Astronomers have stumbled upon one of the longest, brightest, and most energetic cosmic phenomena ever observed, and they've playfully dubbed it "Scary Barbie" due to its terrifying power! 🌠👽 What's the buzz? Scary Barbie is none other than a black hole, currently in the process of tearing apart a star! 😱✨ Dive into the captivating video below to learn more about this celestial sensation. #DidYouKnow #CosmicWonders #AstronomyNerd #ScaryBarbie #BlackHole #StellarPhenomenon #CosmicCuriosity #ThursdayThoughts #AstronomyFacts #SpaceExploration #AstroNerdsUnite #DidYouKnowFridays #OuterSpaceAdventures 🌌🌠🪐

• Friday: Weekly Win
• On Fridays, the post asks students to share their Weekly Win via a Google Form! Students who share their Weekly Win receive a personal email from me congratulating them on their WIN!

• Social Media Post: It's Fri-Yay! 🙌✨ Time to kick back, relax, and celebrate those epic weekly wins. 🎉🙆‍♂️ What's your Friday victory? Share it with us! 📣🏆 #FriYay #TeenLife #WeeklyWins #FridayFeeling #VictoryMoments #TeenTriumphs #ShareYourSuccess #CelebrateTogether #TeenGoals #FriYayVibes #WeekendWarrior 🌈👏🤩

Using ChatGPT to write a social media post for a book:

• Prompt: Write a brief social media post that would appeal to high school students for the book, How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland. Include relevant hashtags. Include relevant emojis.

• Result: 📚 Calling all high school readers! 📚 Dive into the captivating world of "How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe" by @RaquelVasquezGilliland! 🌌💫 Join Moon on her unforgettable journey of self-discovery, love, and the cosmos. 🌙💖 Explore the beauty of the universe through her eyes and experience a rollercoaster of emotions! 🎢😍 This book is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary YA fiction with a touch of magic. Get your copy today and fall in love with the universe alongside Moon! 🌠📖 #MoonFuentez #LoveTheUniverse #YAReads #BookRecommendation #HighSchoolReaders #BookwormsUnite

• What I actually used: 📚 Dive into the captivating world of "How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe" by @RaquelVasquezGilliland! 🌌💫 Join Moon on her unforgettable journey of self-discovery, love, and the cosmos. 🌙💖 Explore the beauty of the universe through her eyes and experience a rollercoaster of emotions! 🎢😍 This book is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary YA fiction with a touch of magic. Get your copy today and fall in love with the universe alongside Moon! 🌠📖 #MoonFuentez #LoveTheUniverse #YAReads #BookRecommendation #HighSchoolReaders #BookwormsUnite

*DISCLAIMER: I am NOT an expert in prompt writing. I am positive there are better ways to write prompts for creating social media posts. This is just what I am using until I learn better.

You can actually ask ChatGPT to write prompts for you. Here is an example:

• Prompt: Create 5 prompts I can input into ChatGPT that will generate social media posts for How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland 

• Results: 
• Certainly! Here are five prompts you can use to generate social media posts for "How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe" by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland:

• Prompt 1: "Craft a tweet that captures the essence of 'How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe' in 280 characters or less. #MoonFuentez #BookRecommendation

• Prompt 2: "Write an Instagram post describing your favorite character from 'How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe' and why they resonate with you. Include a quote that embodies their personality. #FavoriteCharacter #BookLove #MoonFuentez

• Prompt 3: "Create a Facebook post inviting your friends to join a virtual book club discussion about 'How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe.' Share your excitement and ask for book club name suggestions. 📚💬 #BookClub #MoonFuentez #VirtualReading"

• Prompt 4: "Compose a TikTok video script where you give a dramatic reading of your favorite scene from 'How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe.' Don't forget to use expressive gestures and music! 🎭🎶 #BookTikTok #MoonFuentezDrama"

• Prompt 5: "Write a Pinterest caption for an inspiring quote from 'How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe.' Pair it with an aesthetically pleasing image or artwork that represents the book's themes. #Inspiration #MoonFuentezQuotes #Pinterest" 

Using AI to help write your school library social media posts is just the tip of the iceberg. THIS article from August 2023 in the School Library Journal discusses ways school librarians can implement AI in their schools. 

For more prompt writing help, check out THIS TCEA article. 

Check out my school library's social media sites below:

Facebook    Twitter    Instagram 

Using Your District LMS to Reach Students and Teachers

 

I don't know about you, but I haven't had much success getting traction on the district's library webpage. Even in the best situations, it can be clunky, and many extra steps for your students and teachers to navigate.

Last year I decided to use the district's library webpage as a type of launching space to direct students and teachers to the Canvas course I built specifically for the library. I chose to use Canvas since this is where students and teachers go every day to access their coursework. The library Canvas course includes all of our library resources plus fun activities and announcements. The response last year was phenomenal!

This year I have added new information, resources, and reading programs to the library Canvas course.  To keep the library Canvas course front and center, I have created a daily schedule of Canvas library announcements to inform and encourage engagement.

Below is a video tour of the library Canvas course for students.