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?

About 2 months ago, I began a new venture called The Friday Find.  I wanted a simply way to share all of the wonderful tools that are shared with me through my PLN and other resources. 

I decided to create a wikispace for the sole purpose of  posting and linking web 2.0 resources.  The design of the wiki is simplistic - intentionally so.  I want to give people a fighting chance when evaluating new tools.  So often, I venture onto websites that contain hundreds of links to new tools.  For someone who counts every minute of each day, these types of websites can be overwhelming and defeating.  The Friday Find is organized by posting date. Each resource is linked for easy access.  And only 3 resources are posted each week.  Why 3?  3 seems to be  a reasonable amount when attempting to quickly assess the usefulness of a resource.  As mentioned earlier, many sites boast about having lists of the 50 newest tools, or the 100 best apps, or the 30 greatest resources...   Agh!  Too much, too much, too much.  Most teachers are only looking for one or two great tools to be incorporated into a unit / marking period / semester.  I want to encourage the use of new tools, so 3 it is!

The Friday Find includes resources to be used for a variety of purposes.  Some of the resources are new on the web 2.0 scene while others are oldies but goodies.  All of the tools are ones that I have taken the time to test and evaluate (using my judgement - not predetermined criteria).  There is no sense in posting a tool that is glitchy or destined to send a user down a path of failure.  It is my goal to share great tools that others will find useful. 

If you are looking for a great new tool or are simply curious... visit The Friday Find!

Not Mine...YOURS!

Yesterday, while hectic and crazy, was one of the best days I've had in the library this year.  Every period was filled with research, collaboration, projects, and a great deal of productivity.  And yet, my absolute favorite part of the entire day was watching the faces of students when they realized that all of the new book purchases came from their recommendations lists.  To see their eyes light up as they saw the names of authors they love and the titles of books from series they enjoy, validated everything I strive to do in the library.  More importantly, the students now feel a sense of ownership for their library.  I LOVE IT!

It's important to give our students opportunities to take the lead and make decisions.  I know... giving up control is difficult, but absolutely necessary if we truly want to prepare our students for the world that awaits them when they leave the safety of our schools.  No amount of promotional paraphernalia can produce the results that I saw from the students when they realized their voices had been heard and their choices mattered.  Isn't this what education is supposed to be about?

Not only does our library have new and exciting titles specifically recommended/requested by students, but also the students now see the library as theirs, not mine.  It's a great day to be in the library.  Come check it out!

Where to Begin?

There has been so much going on in the library the past few weeks, I find myself neglecting my blogging - yet again! Ok, so I need to be more dedicated to documenting life in the library. This is proving to be more difficult than originally planned. In an effort to bring this little blog up to speed, this post is dedicated to documenting the exciting new changes that occurred in September.

1. The library is a hoppin' place! The September calendar was jam packed with teachers bringing classes to work on projects, conduct research, and learn about the library. It was fantastic to see computers buzzing, collaboration between students, and teachers willing to take that leap of faith to try something new! Lunch to library passes also increased library usage by allowing students to bring their lunch to the library and enjoy time to socialize, do work, or simply enjoy a nice spot away from the chaos of the cafeteria.

2. New fiction titles were added to the catalog and went on display. Many of the titles were checked out or are currently out on loan. This is a great thing! KEEP READING, ELCO!

3. Our Donors Choose items were delivered and are ready for circulation. How exciting that students now have the ability to easily capture video footage and import it without the hassle of any cables, chargers, or tapes.  Checkout this little lovely.  I didn't specifically order red, but how fun is this color!

4.  Banned Books week was celebrated with multiple displays of books that have been challenged or banned for a variety of reasons.  How sad that censorship is still an issue!  FREE TO READ!  Celebrate this freedom by choosing to read!

5.  Databases are now available for student use at home.  Logins and passwords are available for any student who would like to take advantage of using our Ebsco and ProQuest databases at home.  See me for this information!

6.  Transformations to the library wiki are constantly occurring and continue to make the wiki a great resource for students (at least I think so).  I'm still working on a glitchy Twitter gadget, but otherwise, things seem to be working smoothly.  I'm particularly excited about the new tool being used to share valuable Web 2.0 resources.  I came across PearlTrees and am very excited to have transferred all links to ELCOHSLIBRARY PearlTrees.

7.  The Friday Find is a new wiki that I started as means for sharing resources that I discover over the course of a week.  While some of the resources are not new to the techie world, they are worth posting and sharing.  I hope that all who visit The Friday Find will discover some great tools to incorporate into projects and curriculum.

8.  K-cups and Treats officially began today!  I'm so excited to be able to offer the use of a Keurig to our students.  Today's sale of coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies was a huge success.  Thanks so much to the Renaissance program for supporting the purchase of the Keurig.  Based on the overwhelming student response, we will continue to offer K-cups and seasonal treats for student purchase EVERY MONDAY MORNING.  Why Mondays?  Monday mornings are high traffic times for the library as students visit to select new books or renew their reads for Reading Across the Curriculum.  All money raised will be used to replenish supplies as well as purchase new fiction titles to update our collection.

So... what is on tap for October?  Well, I'm still working on processing the 5 Nooks.  I was really hoping to have these ready to go for the start of the school year.  Oh well.  Better late than never!  Stay tuned for an official announcement that the Nooks are ready for checkout.  I'm also working on some collaborations with teachers for exciting projects to end the first marking period.  I love that the library is a busy place.  I hope that others love it too!

Until next time...

Too Much To Say...

It's September 19th, 3 weeks into the new school year, and I find that I haven't written a blog post since June.  Well, this isn't entirely true.  I was writing a lot of blog posts for my graduate courses.  I just wasn't posting here.  I apologize for my neglect.  However, it's me that I feel really sorry for...  Since I haven't posted in over 3 months, I now have so much to say that it's stressing me out.  Seriously.  How do I meld together the variety of topics that I want to share without risking my credibility as an English teacher?  Biggest pet peeve with student writing:  random topics with no connection to thesis or each other for that matter.  I've decided that it's just not possible or practical to try and incorporate all that I've learned, discovered, explored, and evaluated over the summer into this one blog post.  So, where to go from here?  I guess the easiest place to start is with the present.

My focus for the last few weeks has been on library promotion.  I WANT YOU IN THE LIBRARY!  But how do I get you here?  I find myself still battling the stereotype that a library is a quiet, rule stricken room, policed by the batty old librarian.  Most students, and sadly, many educators still think of the library in these terms:

 (Photo credit to web20classroom)

Truly, this sign makes me nauseous.  What good is a media center if media isn't allowed within its 4 walls!  I've been inspired to create my own sign to be displayed at the entrance to our library.  I'm not sure what it will look like, but it will definitely welcome the use of MP3 players, phones, food and drink.  For the love of all that's good - PLEASE EAT in our library.  Just remember to be neat about it!  

I guess I'll wrap it up for now.  My mind is wandering in a million different directions thinking about all of the great resources I want to share with you.  Maybe just one for the road... check out THE FRIDAY FIND.  This is a wiki that I started in order to share resources with students and teachers.  My goal is to update The Friday Find every Friday - get it?  I will post new resources that I discover throughout each week as well as old finds that I think are simply amazing and worth mentioning again and again and again.  

Don't forget to follow the library on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

Breaking Stereotypes

Today marked the last day of my first year in the library.  Overall, it was a fantastic year.  The kids really began to gravitate to the library and made it a thriving environment.  I can't wait to start implementing all of my ideas for next year.

Today, I also had the opportunity to present a resources workshop to my fellow faculty members.  Despite having to attend an inservice day on June 10th when most of us are just ready to hit the beach, my colleagues were so receptive to all of the information I had to share with them.  This is so exciting!  It validates my decision to move to the library and gives me great hope for next year.  Collaborating with each other only makes the work we do with our students that much more meaningful.  My list is already growing with new project ideas and team teaching opportunities.

I began my presentation using Prezi (in order to demonstrate the power of a non-linear presentation).  The first stop in my Prezi was SHHHHHHHHHHHH!  Why?  ...in order to emphasize to my colleagues that the library is no longer a place for whispering and worrying about stepping out of line.   I moved through some stereotypical images of librarians.  Clearly I don't fit the old spinster with reading glasses and a bun stereotype.  Short hair and an affinity for shoes will keep me from falling victim to this outdated image.  I think my colleagues grasped my message. With that it was off to the myriad of resources that are currently available and will be available in the upcoming school year.

What a great day!  Now summer begins.  In the upcoming weeks, look for a "Year in Review" blog post, as well as announcements regarding new resources, events, and opportunities in the library for the new school year!

It Really Works!

I received exciting news yesterday!  The Donors Choose project that I created on behalf of the library was fully funded!  I was ecstatic reading the notification.  In designing my first Donors Choose project, skepticism loomed in my mind.  Do people really have a generous spirit?  Do they really go in search of charitable opportunities?  Yesterday's notification provided me with the answer!  Some people really do care about education and are willing to open their wallets to prove it!

The Donors Choose project will supply the library with 2 new flip video cameras for students to use to develop projects and support their classroom work.  They will arrive prior to the start of the 2011-12 school year.  I'm so excited that the library will be able to offer more resources for students to use.  And now it's time to develop a new Donors Choose project.  I can't wait to submit a new idea and see the generosity of our community.  I also can't wait to see the students in action, using the resources provided from this Donors Choose project.  Next year already proves to be an exciting year in the library and for our students.

As soon as my next Donors Choose project is available, I will post a link to it here, as well as on the elcohslibrary twitter page.

Music to My Ears!

This morning, a student told me he really likes using databases for research.  He mentioned the ease of use and convenience they afford at locating relevant, current, and reliable information.  (Insert the angelic strains of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus)  This is music to my ears.  I have been working all year to change the climate of the library, the perception of the library, and the way students find information.  If we want our students to succeed beyond the walls of this high school, these changes must happen.  

I knew it would be a slow process.  There are still many people who envision a quiet library and a librarian with reading glasses propped on the edge of her nose and her hair tightly wound into a bun on the back of her head.  NOT IN THIS LIBRARY!  We also have people who believe that librarians are a thing of the past.  Again - NOT IN THIS LIBRARY!  

Do you know how to find the most current information regarding important events of the day?  Do you know how to search the Internet in the most effective and efficient manner?  Do you know that most print materials are also available online in a variety of formats?  Do you know how to differentiate between an authentic website and a hoax? Do you know what a widget is, a wiki, a QR code, Web 2.0...?  I DO!   I CAN TEACH YOU!

So, thank you to the students who realize the importance of information literacy.  Thank you to the students who come to the library on a daily basis just because they like the inviting atmosphere.  Thank you to the teachers who ask me to help them build lessons and activities that involve information literacy.  

And THANK YOU to the student who made my day by sharing his appreciation for all that the library has to offer!

Live White House Webinar

This afternoon, we had the opportunity to listen to Ben Rhodes, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speech Writing.  After a 15 minute overview on the recent events surrounding Osama Bin Laden's death, students were given the opportunity to submit questions.  Our students backchanneled during the webinar, discussing the presentation as it occurred.

It was a great activity and opportunity for our students to learn about a current event with significant importance to our lives.  While I listened to the webinar and watched the backchannel, I couldn't help but think about how far education has come since I was a student sitting in high school.  What a difference from sitting at a desk with a textbook open just taking notes - BORING!  Now students are able to interact with one another and people all over the world.  The education they are getting is much richer and more experiential than even just five years ago.

Anyone who says that technology isn't important to education is out of touch with today's students.  I'm so glad to have shared in this 21st century learning experience.  I know that the students participating in today's webinar learned a great deal about our government, country, and military and they didn't have to leave the building to do it.  These real world experiences are priceless in education.

Today was a great day!

QR Code

 

 So what is this thing?  It's called a QR code.  In a nutshell, it's a code, that when scanned by a QR reader (look for apps for your smartphone), provides the user with additional information.  QR codes are popping up everywhere!  Look in magazines and you will see them!  Many products now have a QR code as part of the label.  The next time you're out shopping, look for the QR code and you might find yourself linking to product reviews, commercials, or product demonstrations.  Scan the above QR code and see where it takes you!  In the near future, you might just find QR codes on new books in the library.  If you have difficulty selecting which book to read next, scan the QR code for a book review to help you decide!

Information at your fingertips!

Free Verse Fun

We're nearing the end of April and National Poetry Month. Yes, a bit sad... BUT, what a great month it has been in the library! We were busy doing all kinds of things, but my favorite has to be the Free Verse Poetry Gallery. I am blown away by the creativity of our students. The choices made in their poetry interpretations are fantastic.

It seems all we hear lately is how awful the state of education is and struggling budgets and negative, negative, negative. Rather than contribute to the negativity, I would rather highlight the outstanding efforts and work of our kids. If you have a chance, visit the virtual free verse gallery and be inspired. Our students are doing great things. Why not celebrate them?

Trouble for "Tea"

After watching a 60 Minute segment on Sunday night, I couldn't help but feel disappointment at, of all things, a book.  Ok, that's not quite right.  My disappointment isn't really with a book as much as it is with the so-called author of the book, Greg Mortenson.

If you haven't read Three Cups of Tea, you're probably wondering why it, and Mortenson, elicit such an emotional response.  Here's the deal.  Mortenson built, and supposedly continues to build, schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  His memoir, Three Cups of Tea documents his accounts.  Here's the catch.  Reportedly, some of his accounts are not accurate or are potentially outright works of fiction.  You might still be wondering why my reaction is so strong to hearing this information.  I LOVE THIS BOOK!  I love it for its message of hope and overcoming adversity.  I love it for the fact that it shines light on the power of humanitarianism.  And now all of that might be a lie?

Then I got to thinking.  Ok, so what if Greg Mortenson fabricated parts of the story.  Yes - he allegedly lied.  But at the end of the day, I still love the book.  It still resonates with the messages of hope and overcoming adversity that I loved the first time I read it.  I am still inspired by acts of humanitarianism, even if Greg Mortenson's humanitarian efforts are more self-serving than he cares to admit.  I don't like that Mortenson potentially has made  fools of his readers, including me.  I don't like that he allegedly lied.  I don't like that he won't come forward to defend himself if he is innocent.  I don't like that he won't  come forward and admit the truth if he is guilty.  But I do like the book.  And for a reader, that's the power of literature.  Fact or fiction, truth or fantasy, a good story is inspiring.  End of story.

Read Three Cups of Tea and decide for yourself. If, in fact, parts of the story are fabricated, then read it as a work of fiction.  Odds are, you'll still find yourself inspired.

YouTube's New Copyright Video

YouTube created a new video and policy regarding copyright infringement for uploaded videos.  I have to say, the video is pretty good.  There are hefty penalties for breaking copyright.  It's important to be conscientious consumers of information.  Not only is it against the law to plagiarize and infringe on copyright, but also it's unethical.  Remember to give credit when credit is due and follow the law!

Blah

What is going on with this weather?  I know the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers" but the little buds are waterlogged!  Needless to say, all the rain is certainly not helping our moods.  So, I decided that if spring is a little slow in making an arrival, I will hurry it along by bringing spring to the library.  Colorful flowers can be found dangling from the ceiling and sprouting from the plants. But my favorite addition are our little poetry trees.  

Aren't they great?  As a way to welcome spring and celebrate National Poetry Month, visit the library, pick a poem off a tree, read it, and then share it with someone else.  The poems are small enough to fit in your pocket or wallet and can easily be passed to a friend to share a little poetic inspiration.

Poetry!

IT'S NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!  I guess since I'm an English teacher and librarian, I'm a bit more excited to celebrate than most.  But hey, celebrations are fun no matter the shape or size.  I've decked out the library with poetry trees, posters, and all sorts of poetry books.  This afternoon the Free Verse Project Gallery will go on display.  I hope more students will decide to participate throughout the month of April!  Check out the virtual gallery @ http://elcohighschoollibrary.wikispaces.com/Free+Verse+Project+Virtual+Gallery!  Digital free verse creations can be sent to me @ atempleton@elcosd.org.

The library is also hosting a tweeting party.  Be the 100th follower of the library @ELCOHSLIBRARY and receive a sweet treat.  The contest is open to all ELCO students, staff, faculty, and administration during the month of April.

That's all for now.  Come to the library and PICK A POEM off a poetry tree.  READ IT, BE INSPIRED, SHARE IT, INSPIRE!

"What's in a name?"

I decided to take my library blog and migrate to blogger.  Why?  Change is good.  It makes us stronger and keeps us on our toes.  Plus I like all of the features that blogger has to offer.  So, even though all of the posts look like they were written today (March 31), I've really been blogging since the beginning of the school year.  One small glitch I'm willing to accept with the switch to blogger.

That leaves me to explain the change in the blog's title.  Originally I came up with the title, The Book Binder, not because I bind a lot of books, but simply because I liked the sound of it.  It seemed to have a nice ring to it.  However, I've realized that this title just simply isn't accurate for the type of librarian that I consider myself to be.  Actually, it's rather limiting.  So... new blog title.  The Unconventional Librarian.  I think this, too, has a special ring to it.  But more important than that, it is far more accurate to who I am as a librarian.

I definitely am not the stereotypical librarian that most of the general population imagines.  I don't have my hair wrapped tightly in a bun - my hair is short.  I don't wear reading glasses propped on the edge of my nose with a protective string attached to ensure I don't lose them - I have 20/20 vision.  I don't tiptoe around the library spouting "SHHHH" - I like a bustling library with noise and activity.  I LOVE books, but I love technology equally as much.  This leads to me to be rather non-traditional or... unconventional.

Ok, so now you know why the switch to blogger and why the name change.  Now it's back to business.  April 1 begins a busy month for the library!  It's National Poetry Month and School Library Month.  Lots to prepare for and get excited about in the next few weeks.

Until my next post...

@ELCOHSLIBRARY

Did you know the library is on Twitter? FOLLOW US @ELCOHSLIBRARY! Twitter is a fantastic resource for communicating the latest news about library happenings! Stay informed by following us. I will also post links to great resources for students and teachers.

Happy Tweeting!

State of the Library 2010/11

State of the Library 2010-11

It has been one full semester since I began my journey as the high school librarian. I find myself pondering the last several months, wondering if my impact in the library is as great as it was when teaching in the classroom. So... in the spirit the State of the Union Address here is my attempt at the State of the ELCO High School Library.

The 2010/11 school year has brought many changes to the library.

• Summer months were spent weeding the periodical collection and transforming the periodical room into a tutoring lounge for National Honor Society members and students needing assistance with coursework.
• While appearance might suggest a drastic reduction to the size of the periodical collection, the amount of periodicals available for research is immeasurable as the EBSCOhost Database was purchased. This database contains thousands of print documents, images, and links for students to use as they build research papers and projects. 
• Furniture was rearranged to create a more casual and relaxing atmosphere.
• Plants were added to create a more inviting environment.
• Students are now permitted to bring their lunch to the library during their lunch period in order to be able to study, socialize, or read while enjoying their meal.
• Research skills are being taught to a variety of classes and various avenues for locating resources are being introduced to the students.
• A library website was created to help keep students informed and educated about library resources.

In addition to the changes listed above, the library experienced many positive achievements during the first semester.

• Students nominated the library and voted for a 15 day period. Their efforts won a $1000.00 Best Buy gift card for the library. This gift card will be used to purchase iPads to be used by students.
• The first annual Poetry Out Loud competition was held on the evening of January 13. The participation and attendance at this event was wonderful. The library was filled with spectators listening to and enjoying the poetry performances, musical pieces, and refreshments.
• Extended library hours were offered the week prior to first semester final exams. Many students took advantage of this opportunity to complete research assignments and receive help on proper documentation and formatting.
• The Get Caught Reading campaign was highlighted by faculty posters hanging throughout the building and every student receiving a "Get Caught Reading" bookmark from the library.

The second semester promises to hold more exciting changes and achievements for the library.

• New books will be purchased to enhance the collection.
• Lessons will continue regarding effective research strategies and proper documentation.
• Teen Tech Week will bring some new opportunities for students to become involved with the library.
• National Poetry Month will be celebrated in April.
• A major weeding of the collection is underway with the intent of updating and modernizing the resources available to students.
• Extended hours will once again be offered to students at the mid term and end of the semester.

I feel all of the items highlighted in this blog post confirm the fact that being the librarian has in fact helped me reach the students in much the same way that I did when I was teaching in my classroom. I guess my classroom has just grown a little bit and is no longer restricted to four walls. While there has been a great deal of change to the library over the past few months, it still does not meet my vision for its potential. I am very excited to see what the future holds and look forward to championing new changes that will impact students and help the library be a place that students feel empowers them as lifelong learners.

Poetry Out Loud a HUGE Success!

What happens when 23 students come together to recite poetry? A great event... that's what! Thanks to the hard work and excellent recitations, ELCO's first annual Poetry Out Loud competition was a huge success. The high school library was filled with the sounds of poetry and music helping to create a wonderful atmosphere for the competition. Thank you to the students who dedicated themselves to memorizing and interpreting poetry. You make us VERY PROUD! Thank you to Tyler Newhouse, Owen Shartle, and Connor Smith for providing music for the event. We LOVED your guitar experiments! Additionally, a special thanks to Ms. Kokan, Mrs. Taylor, Ms. Haas, Mrs. Noll, and Mrs. Velazquez for helping to make the competition run smoothly and for supporting this endeavor.

1st Place Winner: Kristen Palashnyuk (left) reciting "Author's Prayer" by Ilya Kaminsky

2nd Place Winner: Sarah Bair (right) reciting "I Am" by John Clare

Click for full-size image

Great Job to all 2010/11 Poetry Out Loud Participants

Click for full-size image

You Did It!

The students of ELCO came through for the library in a big way! Thanks to the daily voting of our students, the library is the winner of a TEACH @15 award sponsored by Best Buy. This is a $1000.00 award that will be used to purchase iPads for the library. The iPads will replace outdated print media and help to bring the library into the 21st Century!

A BIG THANK YOU to all students who voted and the teachers who encouraged student participation and enthusiasm for the contest.

Poetry Out Loud

Click for full-size image

ELCO will hold it's first Poetry Out Loud competition this coming January. Registration is currently open for any high school student in 9th through 12 grade. Registration materials are available in the library. See Mrs. Templeton with questions and to register.

Poetry Out Loud is a poetry recitation competition sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. School winners will advance to a regional competition and then to a national competition to be held in the spring.

The process is simple. Students select a poem from the Poetry Out Loud Anthology. It is available in the library as well as at the Poetry Out Loud website. The poem must be memorized. Students will then recite their poems at the first annual Poetry Out Loud Poetry Slam on January 13 at 6:30 in the High School Library. This evening will be a fun event filled with poetry, acoustic performances, and casual refreshments. ELCO's winner of the Poetry Out Loud competition will be determined from the evening's performances.

If interested in participating, stop in and see Mrs. Templeton in the library. Registrations will be accepted until December 23.

You also can download a registration form on the ELCO High School Library Wiki.

The Library Needs Your Help!

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, please consider helping the library! In my quest to find additional funding for the library, I came across a way for students to support the library, no money needed! As a matter of fact, this opportunity for giving is very simple!

Visithttps://www.at15.com/, register to become a member, and vote for ELCO High School! Membership is free so there is no obligation other than logging onto the website each day and clicking the vote button for ELCO High School!

Included in this post is a brief instructional video for the account creation process.

Only students between the ages of 13 and 18 may become members and vote. Tell your friends, brothers, sisters, and peers to become members and vote!

The voting period is open NOW until DECEMBER 13. You are permitted to cast one vote per day.

If the library is so fortunate as to win an @15 grant, the money will be used to purchase iPads to use in the library.

Visit the library wiki to view an instructional video that will walk you through the registration process.

ELCO High School Library Wiki

Booktalks

Visit the ELCO High School Library Website for a new feature: BOOKTALKS! Booktalks are short narratives highlighting specific features of a book. They provide a brief overview of the book without giving away too many details or the conclusion. During the course of the school year, I will post new booktalks to help you make informed decisions about books you would like to read.

I have included the first booktalk below!

Gratefulness

In this holiday season in which we focus on giving thanks, I find myself having so many people and moments for which to be grateful. One of the most inspiring moments happened only a few days ago. Not only am I the library media specialist here at the high school, but also I am the head field hockey coach. At the end of every season, the field hockey team gives me a gift to show their appreciation. This year's team gave me a gift that goes above and beyond thoughtfulness. Knowing that I am trying to update the high school library's collection with more modern literature, the girls asked me for a wish list of books for the library. I developed a list consisting of award winning young adult fiction titles and books most frequently requested by students. The night of our field hockey banquet, the girls surprised me with 24 books from the list I generated.

This gift means more to me than any other gift I've received in 11 years of coaching. By truly thinking about what I value, the education and passion of our students, the girls have given a gift to everyone who visits the high school library. I am so excited to be able to share these new books with our students. I wouldn't have been able to do so otherwise in these difficult economic times.

I can't begin to express how grateful I am to the hockey team for their thoughtfulness and kind gesture. Each time I checkout one of these books to a student, I will be reminded of the positive contribution that these fine young ladies have made to their school!

Banned Books Week Promotional Videos

Watch the 30 second Banned Books Week promos 

that aired each morning on ENN during Banned Books Week.

Banned Books Week

If you walked past the library this week or stopped in for a visit, you couldn't miss our celebration of Banned Books Week 2010. Is there nothing more criminal than hindering a person's right to access information? In honor of our FREEDOM TO READ, all books currently in the library are books that have been placed on banned books lists. Most of these books are literary classics. Titles such as "Catcher in the Rye", "Huckleberry Finn", "Of Mice and Men", "The Color Purple", "Slaughterhouse-Five", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" all have found their way onto a banned books list since first printing. What a shame to deprive the reading audience of such great pieces of literature!

In addition to the various book displays, each morning of Banned Books Week, the student body has been greeted by 30 second promos on the morning announcements. Each promo contains some of the most popular titles in the canon of literature and yet these titles are some of the most frequently challenged books as well.

Exercise your FREEDOM TO READ by picking up a banned book today!

Happy Reading!

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September 22, 2010

 

by Amanda Templeton

Get Caught Reading

A year-long celebration of reading! Sound crazy? Not really. All it takes is a little motivation and a good book. Walk the halls of the high school and you will find many motivational posters encouraging all of us to pick up a book and enjoy the journey between the covers. Our GET CAUGHT READING campaign kicked off on Monday with the distribution of Get Caught Reading bookmarks to every high school student. While only 6 faculty members were "caught" on the bookmarks, every faculty and administrative member is "caught" on a poster hanging somewhere in the building. The bookmarks are clearly a big hit as they have become the library's version of trading cards. Be on the lookout for new bookmarks in the coming months! In addition, any "smarty" who stops by the library on a Monday might just find a special treat waiting at the circulation desk upon renewal or checkout of a great book! So... don't be "dum dum"... READ!