Sorry, I'm All Booked with Emily Golightly

The squeak of metal cart wheels, the crinkle of poster sleeves, and the distinct aroma of scratch-and-sniff bookmarks can only mean one thing: Book Fair Season is here! In this episode of Sorry, I’m All Booked, Emily Golightly dives into a topic that evokes equal parts pure childhood magic and deep systemic existential dread for school librarians across the country. We’re pulling back the curtain on the traditional school book fair—the good, the bad, and the piggy banks. In this episode, we unpack: The Magic & Nostalgia: Why walking into a book fair still feels like a candy store for kids (and why parents are obsessing over nostalgic Scholastic mugs). The Systemic Reality: The uncomfortable truth about funding public school libraries on couch-cushion change and 25% cash-back profits in an era of slashed state budgets. Equity in Action: How to use "not-so-random" drawings to ensure every single child leaves with a book, regardless of what's in their wallet. 5 Practical Survival Hacks: Pro tips for digital e-wallets, wishlist days, volunteer management, and navigating cash vs. vendor credit payouts. Bonus Book Reviews: Heartfelt middle-grade recommendations featuring Lisa Graff’s A Scar Like a River and Jamie Sumner’s Wish You Well. Grab your coffee and hit play to join the conversation on balancing the dream and reality of hosting a book fair! Shownotes: Link to #TrueBookFairs Episode w/ Julie Stivers Book Fair Pinterest Board Link to Scholastic Book Fairs Link to Literati Book Fairs Link to Gigi’s Library (Contact Gina Mays to schedule your own curated book fair in NC or SC area)[email protected] | 803-924-2466 More About Gina Mays HERE (Podcast episode about her transition from educator to bookseller) Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: OBUHXC441ZJZJDGB, LLFOBF93Y0JVLSMI, QXAGAKRVQJVEOBLF, KQ3VUF9UVNZQEO7Q, UQSQ5ZPQ0ETZYTK1, XHESWIURSTVZRH3P

Is your school library budget running on fumes and optimism? Join Emily Golightly on Sorry, I’m All Booked for an action-packed guide to hunting down grants and unlocking alternative funding for your media center! Whether you’re working in North Carolina or anywhere across the nation, this episode breaks down how to secure serious cash without losing your sanity in the process. In this episode, we cover: The "Master Folder" Hack: How to organize your core specs once so you can pull off fast, stress-free grant applications in under an hour. Where the Money Is: Key opportunities in North Carolina (Bright Ideas, NCSLMA, SLNC) plus major national grants (Laura Bush Foundation, Dollar General, EJK Mini-Grants, and more). Compelling Storytelling: How to blend human impact with hard data to turn standard applications into winning narratives. The Do's and Don'ts: Essential guidelines, budget rules, and administrative steps to keep your application at the top of the pile. Grants are opportunities, not guarantees—and the more you apply for, the closer you get to funding your dream library projects. Press play, grab your coffee, and let's get that library funded! Have a favorite grant or funding secret that wasn't mentioned? Leave a comment below—we’d love to feature your ideas in an upcoming episode!

Are school author visits really worth the budget, stress, and schedule juggling? Spoiler alert: The data says a resounding YES! In this episode of Sorry, I’m All Booked, host Emily Golightly dives into the real magic—and hard numbers—behind bringing published creators into your school. We’re unpacking how author visits dramatically boost literacy, double student reading levels, and ignite a passion for writing in even the most reluctant readers. Whether you're a school librarian, teacher, administrator, or PTO volunteer, hit play to learn how to make author visits seamless, affordable, and high-impact!

Follow me on social to stay connected, share ideas, and ask questions! Facebook: @emilyg143 X/Twitter: @EmilyGolightly3 Instagram: @sorryimallbookedwithemilyg or @egolightlyLinktree Episode Resource Links: Discovery Education Blog: The Pros and Cons of AI in Education: Benefits, Risks, and Real Examples AI Safety & Insider Warnings: Recent statements and safety concerns from frontier AI developers and researchers Diffit MagicSchoolAI Curipod

Unpacking what recent national data tells us about student reading habits, how we unintentionally created a culture of "readicide" in our schools, and most importantly, how small, deliberate shifts—like bringing back dedicated choice reading time and protecting school libraries—can completely turn the tide Links: Follow me on social to stay connected, share ideas, and ask questions! Facebook: @emilyg143 Twitter: @EmilyGolightly3 Instagram: @sorryimallbookedwithemilyg or @egolightlyLinktree References: Gallagher, K., & Allington, R. L. (2023). Readicide: How schools are killing reading and what you can do about it. Routledge. Miller, D., & Anderson, J. (2013). The book whisperer: Awakening the inner reader in every child. Jossey-Bass. Miller, D., Kelley, S., & Lesesne, T. S. (2014). Reading in the wild: The book whisperer’s keys to cultivating lifelong reading habits. Jossey-Bass. Mowreader, A. (2026, June 10). Reading for pleasure sharply down among Schoolkids, Education Department report shows. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/kids-reading-less-lower-levels-department-education-study-rcna348987 National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). NAEP long-term trend assessment results:reading and mathematics. The Nation’s Report Card. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/ltt/2025/