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...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
@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
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Great Job to all 2010/11 Poetry Out Loud Participants
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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
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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.
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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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!
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