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?