SWBOCES School Library System

Southern Westchester School Librarian Featured in News Story

Kelsey Cohen has been working closely with teachers and staff to increase reading circulation at Hommocks Middle School. Cohen conferences with students on a regular basis and works with teachers to make sure she recommends books that are both interesting and appropriate for students. Cohen also created a "First Dibs" club, and promotes Overdrive to make sure that students have access to books at all times. The school has added a data piece to their work, having students log the books they are reading, and making that information available in real time on both the school website and on a screen in the library. The story is gaining national attention, being shared by AASL. You can read it here .

SLS unveils new logo!

The Southern Westchester Library System has a new logo! Working closely with graphic design artists, we developed this logo to represent the mission, vision and values of our organization. We believe it helps establish our identity as a resource for leadership, innovation and collaboration. It also reflects that we are an organization comprised of diverse and engaged component members whose input forms a cohesive whole greater than its parts.

You’ll begin to see our new logo in many places, from our online platforms to our social media presence and in traditional contexts such as letterhead, publications, and other print communications. When you see it, we hope it brings to mind the positivity, enthusiasm and interconnectedness of our membership.

Melissa Iamonico, School Librarian, joins SLS staff

Melissa Iamonico is joining Southern Westchester BOCES after spending seven years at R.J. Bailey School in Greenburgh. She received her M.S.L.I.S. from Long Island University in 2010. Prior to that, she worked in public libraries for 10 years. Melissa holds a B.A. and a M.A. from Manhattanville College, where she also received an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Education for Sustainability. Melissa’s professional interests include the intersection of technology and literacy; particularly how technology can support literacy growth. Not forgetting about print books, she was always trying new things to increase reading engagement in her school.  Melissa has presented at NYLA’s Section of School Librarians (SSL) Conference, AASL’s National Exploratorium, and NYLA’s Youth Services Conference. She was an ALA Emerging Leader in 2015, and is currently working on AASL’s Advocacy Toolkit, as well as serving on ALA’s Conference Committee. In her free time, Melissa loves to travel (and is really hoping to get to Iceland soon), practicing yoga, continuing her never-ending house renovation, and snuggling with her new dog, Abby. If you cannot find her in her office at SWBOCES, try a Starbucks.