IBSC Ideas Lab
Professional Conversations for School Librarians in Boys' Schools
Starting January 27, 2026
This IBSC Ideas Lab has reached capacity. Please contact Bruce Collins at collins@theibsc.org to add your name to the waitlist. Thank you.
IBSC Ideas Lab invites school librarians in boys’ schools to connect virtually using Zoom. Limited to 14 participants plus the facilitator, this IBSC Ideas Lab includes three one-hour sessions for participants to discuss relevant topics.
Designed as an interactive exchange among colleagues, IBSC Ideas Lab engages dedicated educators who learn and grow together. Before each session participants engage with relevant resources to provide a foundation for discussions. Together we surface fresh ideas and build mutual support structures and enduring professional friendships.
Available exclusively to IBSC member schools, first-time participants who can commit to joining all three sessions get preference in registration to support the success of each small group. No more than two participants from one school may register for an IBSC Ideas Lab.
In the spirit of open dialogue and collaboration, IBSC Ideas Labs are not recorded, allowing participants the freedom to express themselves openly and share their experiences candidly.
Who Should Attend?
School librarians, library staff, and faculty interested in supporting boys’ reading, developing their media literacy, and leveraging school libraries as hubs for creativity, innovation, and collaboration
Format
IBSC Ideas Lab attendees participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Melissa Ramon, head librarian, St. Andrew's College (Canada), facilitates each session.
Conversation Topics
Conversation 1
Igniting the Love of Reading
Tuesday, January 27, 4:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM SAST
Wednesday, January 28, 5:00 AM AWST, 8:00 AM AEDT, 10:00 AM NZDT
Check the event time in your your time zone.
60 minutes
How can we, as teacher-librarians in boys' schools, strategically curate collections, design engaging programs, and create library spaces that genuinely foster a lifelong love of reading? What are the most effective strategies for addressing common challenges like reading reluctance or helping boys break out of narrow genre interests?
Share your experiences and learn from fellow teacher-librarians in this dynamic conversation. Explore practical, proven methods for building a vibrant reading culture, moving beyond simple circulation numbers to measure true engagement. Bring your success stories (and your challenges!) as we collaboratively build a toolkit for inspiring the next generation of male readers.
Conversation 2
Developing Information and Media Literacy in the Digital Age
Tuesday, February 3, 4:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM SAST
Wednesday, February 4, 5:00 AM AWST, 8:00 AM AEDT, 10:00 AM NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
How are you equipping boys with the critical thinking skills to navigate today's complex digital information landscape? In an age of misinformation and sophisticated AI-generated content, how can we effectively teach them to discern credible sources, understand algorithmic bias, and become responsible, ethical digital citizens?
Join a candid conversation with your peers about the front lines of information literacy. This session is designed for sharing curriculum ideas, digital citizenship frameworks, and new approaches to teaching research skills in the AI era. Engage with fellow librarians to refine your strategies for preparing boys to be savvy, critical consumers and creators of information.
Conversation 3
The Library as a Hub for Creativity, Innovation, and Collaboration
Tuesday, February 10, 4:00 PM EST, 9:00 PM GMT, 11:00 PM SAST
Wednesday, February 11, 5:00 AM AWST, 8:00 AM AEDT, 10:00 AM NZDT
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
How can we transform the library from a quiet study space into a dynamic makerspace, media lab, or collaborative hub that unleashes boys' creativity? Furthermore, how can we effectively partner with classroom teachers, IT staff, and other departments to integrate library resources and skills seamlessly into the curriculum, supporting the holistic development of boys across all subjects?
Engage with your peers to explore blueprints for making the library the true intellectual and creative heart of the school. Share your strategies for fostering interdisciplinary exploration, supporting project-based learning, and building powerful faculty partnerships. This conversation focuses on practical ways to elevate the library's role in promoting problem-solving, innovation, and hands-on learning.
Registration
IBSC member rate: US $180
This IBSC Ideas Lab has reached capacity. Please contact Bruce Collins at collins@theibsc.org to add your name to the waitlist. Thank you.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend, you must cancel your registration in writing by emailing IBSC@theibsc.org by January 13, 2026. IBSC will refund 90% of registration fees if a written request is received via email by this date. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after this date. Schools seeking to register an alternate to replace a participant unable to attend should contact IBSC@theibsc.org.
Please note: Watch your email for login information for this IBSC Ideas Lab by January 20, 2026. If you registered later than this date, watch for login information within 24 hours.
Participation certificates: Participants present for all three conversations will receive a certificate of participation within two weeks of the final session.
Facilitator
Melissa Ramon
Melissa Ramon is the teacher librarian at St. Andrew's College (Canada), an independent all-boys boarding and day school in Aurora, Ontario, serving students in grades 5–12. With 20 years of teaching experience at St. Andrew's, she brings a deep commitment to fostering literacy, inquiry, and a love of learning among young men. In addition to her role in the library, Ramon teaches grade 8 history and lives in residence as part of the boarding community.
Currently pursuing a master of teacher librarianship at Charles Sturt University, Ramon is dedicated to advancing her expertise in information literacy and library leadership. She also served as co-lead of the 2023–25 IBSC Special Interest Group, which explored boys and reading culture—a reflection of her passion for understanding and supporting the unique literacy needs of boys.