What is a Primary Source?

My last post was in June.  Says it all... doesn't it?  Let's face it.  My blog has never been more sad than over the past 6 months.  Not a post, not a comment, not even a thought to energize it and bring it to life.  So here we are in December and I'm finally getting back to it.  A lot has happened in the last 6 months. I went from being the librarian, to being the librarian, building technology... (not sure what my title actually is), and English department chair.  Don't get me wrong.  I like to be busy and feel that I'm being productive.  But my lack of attention paid to this blog clearly indicates that my daily routine has gotten significantly more full of responsibility, and I LOVE IT!   I have had many days when a subject for a blog post surfaced, but the minutes just weren't there to actually sit and put it in print.  Maybe today marks the turning of a corner?  We'll see.  As for now, a few ramblings.

It's coming!  Or perhaps I should say, it's here.  The big CC!  The Common Core.  With these new standards comes a lot of responsibility for educators to provide students with access to quality resources, teaching practices, and learning environments.  Increased attention is being paid to utilizing primary source materials to help students think critically and make connections.  So, when I had a teacher ask me what a primary source is, I almost fell over. Call me crazy, but I figured everyone knows what a primary source is. After regaining my composure, I provided a basic definition and some well-known examples.  Following this small teachable moment, I reflected on the idea that not everyone does know what a primary source is, nor do they know how to find them.  

In the spirit of the CC and primary sources, here is a brief lesson:


The Library of Congress is a great resource for learning about primary sources.  Did I mention that I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE LOC!  It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  More on that in another post.  Anyway... I love the LOC's definition for primary sources.  Short, sweet, and easily understood.  Here it is,

"Primary sources are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects which were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts or interpretations of events created by someone without firsthand experience."   See - http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/.

Got it?  If not, how about this?

Primary sources are "things" we can read, look at, hold, admire, talk about that are original to the time period in which they were created.  For example:  The Declaration of Independence is a PRIMARY SOURCE!  It is the original founding document of our great nation's freedom.  Anything written about the Dec. of Ind. is NOT A PRIMARY SOURCE.

PRIMARY SOURCE

SECONDARY SOURCE

Hopefully, these examples clarify the meaning of a primary source.  For additional information, visit: http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/index.html.

Oh, Where oh Where Have My Blog Posts Gone?

I'm back!  Ok, let's face it... I haven't been as faithful to my blog as I truly would like.  I don't dare look back at the last school year to count my number of posts.  I already know the number fits on one hand.  Shameful.

So what's been going on since January?  Too much to mention in a single post.  Let's just say that I believe I'm in what most intelligent people call a state of denial.  Flash back a year and you can find me happily establishing myself as the new librarian in the school for which I once was a student, followed by being an English teacher for the past 10 years.  I hit the ground running, helping to modernize the library, engage students, and convert the thinking of my colleagues. Fast forward to April when retirements were announced.  No, I'm not close to retirement.  However, several of my colleagues announced they were ready, and with that... my responsibilities and routine were set into a tailspin.

I'll spare the details.  Suffice it to say that I'll be a bit busier this school year.  In addition to all of the exciting plans I have swirling in my mind for the library, I'll be hard at work serving the technology needs of the building as well.  It's going to be hectic, crazy, invigorating, and fun.

More posts to come this summer!

State of the Library 2011

It's that time of year again to reflect on the state of the library in 2011.  It was a busy year that saw a lot of growth and change occur to the library.  Yes, I said growth despite dwindling staff and budget!  I figure it's all about making do with what you have.  Ok, not just making do... making great. 

1. January 2011 was an exciting time in the library as we hosted our first annual Poetry Out Loud competition. The event was supported by 24 student participants and over 70 audience members. It was a fantastic night of poetry recitation, delightful snacks, and artistic celebration.
2. In honor of National Poetry Month, April was dedicated to the reading, reciting, and artistically depicting poetry.  A poem-a-day was posted to the ELCOHSLIBRARY Twitter feed as well as on the library wiki.  Students and visitors to the library could help themselves to Pocket Poems found hanging from the branches of our mini poetry trees placed throughout the library.  We also created a virtual gallery as well as an in-house gallery of FREE VERSE PROJECT participant work.  Students were asked to choose a verse of poetry and represent the verse using photography.  
3. Through the generosity of individuals wanting to make a difference in education, we were fortunate to have our first Donors Choose project fully funded.  This project allowed for 2 Kodak Flip Video Cameras to be cataloged and circulated for student use.  Check out our current Donors Choose project HERE!  Please consider donating to this wonderful project and support our students and the love of reading.
4. The library experienced a mini-makeover that has had a powerful impact on the climate of the room.  Two large rows of bookshelves were removed in order to expose the beautiful picture window located at the front of the library.  Where did all of the books go?  They were simply consolidated into the remaining bookshelves!  While it was quite the task to physically re-shelve almost 2000 books, the result is well worth it!  An additional seating area and coffee table were added to create another space for reading and relaxation.  The light that now enters the library creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
5.  2 new database subscriptions were purchased in order to provide students with access to better, more reliable content for research and projects.  ProQuest eLibrary and SIRS Issues Researcher have allowed students to make better informed decisions about the types of research material they view and use.  The quality of research has improved as students recognize differences between a variety of sources.
6. Collaboration with teachers continues to increase as does library usage.  More and more teachers and students are utilizing the library for various needs, making it a hub for learning, reading, researching, and communicating.
7. In September, the library went dark as we recognized and supported Banned Books Week.  This week serves to remind us of the pitfalls associated with censorship and celebrates our freedom to read.
8. The library served as the backdrop for Mrs. Sara Velazquez's students as they conducted their "Ugly Fashion Show".  Runway, spotlights, and music served to highlight the students as they demonstrated their use of Spanish vocabulary and strutted their incredible styles on the catwalk!
9. Student created book trailers were added to the library wiki in order to make reading selections a little bit more exciting and a lot more simple.  The book trailer initiative called for students to read a book and create a 1 minute book trailer using a web 2.0 movie maker.  All books are now tagged with a QR code linking patrons directly to the trailer for each book.  Not sure what book to select next?  Scan the QR code on the book and watch the trailer to see if it's the book for you!
10. More and more resources become available on a daily basis. Keeping track of them all can be daunting.  In order to fuel student creativity and expand their horizons into the world of technology tools, a brand new tool allows students to review various web 2.0 tools with the simple click of a button.  Visit ELCOHSLIBRARY PEARLTREES to see what tools will work for you!
11. The library went social in 2011, utilizing the popular social networking tool Twitter.  The library feed is used to update students on current library happenings, share new resources, and develop a direct line of communication with all patrons.  Follow ELCOHSLIBRARY on Twitter for the most up-to-date library information.
12. The ELCO High School Library now provides access to resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!  Yep!  You can now conduct research from any room in the building, the comfort of your own home, or while standing on a street corner!  EXCITING STUFF!  All you have to do is visit the ELCO LIBRARY WIKI for access points to databases, online materials, and a variety of other resources.  

As you can see, the library is a thriving hot spot of activity with many more exciting plans for 2012.  Stay tuned for future posts about library events, new resources, and new books.  And remember... the library is the heart of the high school, so 

LOVE YOUR LIBRARY!

Dragging My Feet

Usually when it comes to technology, I'm not the person making excuses for why something won't work, complaining about why I don't have time to be bothered, or shuddering at the constant need to keep up with change.  On the contrary, I am quite the opposite of said behaviors.  If something isn't working the way I believe it is supposed to work, I find a way.  I stay up late (too late) investigating all of the new resources popping up each day.  I LOVE the evolution of technology and seek out the newest tools and updates.  

SO WHY AM I FINDING IT SO DIFFICULT TO GET MOVING WITH EBOOKS?

Truly, what is the issue?  I wish I knew!  The Nooks are charged, barcoded, and ready for action.  People are waiting to check them out.  And yet... I'm dragging my feet.  I wish I could say that it was difficult to download books - it's not.  I wish I could say that nobody is interested in reading ebooks - they are.  I wish I could say... I can't come up with one good reason why I haven't set the Nooks free.


I don't really believe in New Year's resolutions and don't make them in my personal life.  However, professionally, an intervention is needed.  Therefore, I resolve to jump feet first into downloading high interest ebooks and circulating the Nooks.


I have set a goal to have the 5 Library Nooks ready for circulation by the start of the new semester.  This deadline gives me approximately 2 weeks to get my act together and embrace the ebook revolution.

HOLD ME TO IT, PEOPLE!  Don't let me off the hook!

Can you believe it's the final week of school before Christmas break?  Where has the time gone?  It hit me this morning when I realized that our Poetry Out Loud competition is only 3 weeks away.  I have been hearing bits and pieces about students practicing and preparing for their recitations.  I'm very excited to see what great performances are delivered.  Last year's event was such a success!  I hope this year's competition is just as fantastic!

Here are some highlights to anticipate:

• AWESOME STUDENT RECITATIONS!
• Great poetry!
• Yummy snacks!
• Eclectic music!
• A cool vibe!

Don't miss out on a great night of poetry and culture!  

You still have time to register.  Registration forms are available in the library and on the library wiki.  Return your form to me in the library by Friday!  You can also come and support the performers if participating isn't your thing!

Thursday, January 5

6:30 pm

High School Library!

The Flying V

It's that time of year when the birds are flying south for the winter.  The classic flying V formation of the migration to warmer climates has inspired me to consider my own sort of migration.  No, I'm not planning on leaving the brisk winter season of Central PA.  But I am contemplating moving my blog to a new blog host and the library wiki to a different platform all together.  What's the big deal, you might ask?  Well, I've spent a lot of time developing the wiki for my library.  Hours have been dedicated to designing, redesigning, adding, deleting, moving, and editing content.  I finally have it to the point (after a year and a half) in which I can actually whisper that I might just like the way it looks and what it has to offer to the school community.  So why change what doesn't appear to be broken?  That's the question I asked a group of REALLY SMART PEOPLE!  And now I find myself pondering the idea of a big migration which would lead me away from wiki world into a new world of content curation.  As for my blog - BORING!  I'm not happy with its design and want to make a more concerted effort at faithfully posting my musings and ramblings.  

Ok, you're probably still deliberating over my bird flying south analogy.  Stay with me... it's all about the flying V!  Remember learning about why the birds fly in the V?  To keep it simple, it's just plain easier to make the trip together rather than go it alone.  There it is, folks.  My connection.  I have discovered that being an educator is much easier when collaborating with others rather than trying to figure everything out on my own.  

Flashback... I said I posed a question to a group of REALLY SMART PEOPLE.  I asked my fellow librarians in this great state of PA for their insight and was thrilled to have so many of them respond with exceptional information.   I immediately realized that I am part of a wonderful network of people who are REALLY SMART!  These librarians make my daily life as a librarian so much easier because they are willing to share what they know and help each other out whenever the need arises.

So... will I migrate to a new blog?  Will I migrate from a wiki to another resource?  I'm not quite sure yet. But what I do know is that I'm "flying in a V" with some really great people who make these decisions a little bit easier to navigate!

A Thankful Librarian

It's almost here... Thanksgiving break!  I have so much to be thankful for in my personal life, but what about professionally?  Yep, professionally as well.  I LOVE WHAT I DO!  Growing up, I never imagined myself as a librarian.  I ALWAYS had the career goal of being an English teacher.  For 11 years, I taught English in the traditional sense of literature and writing.  When I transitioned to the library last year, I feared I would lose touch with the very things that I loved the most about my subject area... sharing great pieces of literature and developing the skills of young writers. Thankfully, I still have the opportunity, on a daily basis, to share with students elements of literature and to assist students in growing as writers.  In addition, there are so many other reasons to be thankful.

• I am thankful for my colleagues who support my efforts to bring 21st century learning to our students.
• I am thankful for the students who have discovered the library and realize it is a welcoming environment with many resources available to them.
• I am thankful for abundance of free resources available that make building a 21st century library possible despite difficult economic times.
• I am thankful for my PLN that continually inspires me to continue to strive for change and advancement in the library and the way we educate our students.
• I am thankful for the opportunity to do what I love!

In this season of giving thanks, what are you thankful for?