Good old Oscar Wilde!
Well, I've made it to 2008 without getting fired or even reprimanded. Pat on the back for me. Yet, I feel as if I'm not completely fulfilling my librarian oath. Much like the Hippocratic, this oath guides my choices, and commitment to librarian excellence, oh and keeps me from getting sued.
I am coming to the realization that I can NOT keep up with the kids in reading. Of course, no one can keep 850 kids satisfied 100% of the time with a constant feed of books that are exact fits. This didn't exactly hit me until today. When the 10 books I read over break didn't quiet my little book devouring hoards.
I can not believe the active reading in this school. Community look to my kids if you feel kids are only sitting around watching TV or playing those horrid, evil video games (which by the way I am sooo addicted to my, I mean my son's, Wii). These kids eat up everything I give them. I can't keep up, I'm running a marathon, where I'm the only one wearing metal boots (much like the amazing Link in Twilight Princess-sorry much obsessed).
How do I keep up? How do I satisfy all my beloved student's needs for: short books, long books, challenging books, short challenging sci-fi books, books about hunting, books against hunting, books about vampires, books that are not about vampires or next to books about vampires, sports books, horse books, adventure books, books about girls, books about boys, books about girls liking boys that are short and challenging, mysteries, suspense but not too creepy, books that smell like cheese and have a cover with a moose on it?
Must stop, my head exploded.
January 8, 2008
November 9, 2007
November 5, 2007
Wiki-tastic
I picked a guinea pig group of students last week and tried out a wiki for our school library...holy cow has it taken off. I just checked it and kids are doing it at home! I do need to work out some bugs, and maybe even pay the 100 bucks so that I can really use all the features. However it is working out great. (FYI-do not take visitor count as accurate, I just put one on.)
We have created a "Student Recommendation" page where students recommend their favorites (not just a clever name), and a "Wish List" for students or teachers or parents to write down books or magazines, etc., that we should have in the library. They can also comment, I'm debating about a chat room. This will eventually be linked to our new library home page (which is taking me a billion years to create due to the large amounts of Bridge playing, skin diving, and ninja star collecting I do on the weekends). What excites me is the kid's excitement...they love to talk books. Teachers are even considering making this a weekly assignment!
What fun! Next...disco ball!
We have created a "Student Recommendation" page where students recommend their favorites (not just a clever name), and a "Wish List" for students or teachers or parents to write down books or magazines, etc., that we should have in the library. They can also comment, I'm debating about a chat room. This will eventually be linked to our new library home page (which is taking me a billion years to create due to the large amounts of Bridge playing, skin diving, and ninja star collecting I do on the weekends). What excites me is the kid's excitement...they love to talk books. Teachers are even considering making this a weekly assignment!
What fun! Next...disco ball!
October 14, 2007
Not Fred's lady
My head is spinning...too much to do...to much to try...too much to teach my darling teachers and students.
Sum up WLMA conference in one word: parfait
What, you ask? Well like a parfait, the conference had many layers upon layers of stuff to teach this infantile librarian.
Where to begin...what can make the most impact upon my school right now! and since they have already asked I do a little tech fair (I know I too am shaking my head with nervousness and disbelief) I guess utilizing social bookmarking, wikis, and blogs makes the most sense. My principal (who I am infatuated with) already writes a newsletter...I almost walk into this one.
My website needs extreme attention...and I should NOT be putting this off. In the day of iphones, ipods, icandy, and islippers this should be my first priority. My darlings don't even realize the amazingness of Nettrekker or elibrary, readergirlz, or book crush, etc.
Well, I guess I should recharge, and unglue these iballs from the screen. Maybe I'll find something del.icio.us.
PS. nadean you are awesome!
Sum up WLMA conference in one word: parfait
What, you ask? Well like a parfait, the conference had many layers upon layers of stuff to teach this infantile librarian.
Where to begin...what can make the most impact upon my school right now! and since they have already asked I do a little tech fair (I know I too am shaking my head with nervousness and disbelief) I guess utilizing social bookmarking, wikis, and blogs makes the most sense. My principal (who I am infatuated with) already writes a newsletter...I almost walk into this one.
My website needs extreme attention...and I should NOT be putting this off. In the day of iphones, ipods, icandy, and islippers this should be my first priority. My darlings don't even realize the amazingness of Nettrekker or elibrary, readergirlz, or book crush, etc.
Well, I guess I should recharge, and unglue these iballs from the screen. Maybe I'll find something del.icio.us.
PS. nadean you are awesome!
September 1, 2007
The Best Job Ever!
So first week on the job, and besides it being my dream job, extremely fun, something I can't wait to wake up for, I could take it or leave it. As the immortal Garth from Wayne's World would say "Pysche!"
Middle school is so cool. The kids still think reading is fun, and you can get them to come in for an assigned check out period but the books they like are my favorite. I'm not babysitting, but also not constantly trying to keep a "I know everything already" attitude in check so much...yet.
What is awesome is the teacher support. They come in with the class, they help them pick books, etc. There are some great reading teachers that really love to read, and are passionate. That is the best part-in sense they are supporting what I'm trying to do, makes my job so much easier.
I've spent a lot of time "fixing" the library. The former librarian must have loved cats...so much so that over my head was a way to realistic looking stuffed cat...who wants that watching? It's like Big Brothers pet is watching. I keep getting comments..."wow it's so open and clean in here"-loving it.
Hey what is with kids and A Child Called it? They are obsessed with the book and its sequels. Why? I need to look into this.
Middle school is so cool. The kids still think reading is fun, and you can get them to come in for an assigned check out period but the books they like are my favorite. I'm not babysitting, but also not constantly trying to keep a "I know everything already" attitude in check so much...yet.
What is awesome is the teacher support. They come in with the class, they help them pick books, etc. There are some great reading teachers that really love to read, and are passionate. That is the best part-in sense they are supporting what I'm trying to do, makes my job so much easier.
I've spent a lot of time "fixing" the library. The former librarian must have loved cats...so much so that over my head was a way to realistic looking stuffed cat...who wants that watching? It's like Big Brothers pet is watching. I keep getting comments..."wow it's so open and clean in here"-loving it.
Hey what is with kids and A Child Called it? They are obsessed with the book and its sequels. Why? I need to look into this.
July 5, 2007
How do you spell hoky?
I'm currently taking this last little class to finish up my degree before I leave for my new job!!
Did I mention I obtained a school librarian job finally...
This class is amazing it is a survey course on Children's lit, and is showing me incredible ways to get kids into books. Not just learn how to read so they can pass standardized tests while standing on there head...because let's face it this in a valuable skill...but to enjoy reading.
Last Tuesday we talked about how to set up kid versions of book clubs (we also talked about this in previous library sci courses). Sounds so obvious now that I write it down, but no one in any school I have ever subbed in ever did this. It was always read this book...write notes...sticky notes are especially popular these days...take this test, answers these questions...etc.
Remember when we did this in school. Now tell me one positive experience where you enjoyed the book. But think if you were able to choose the book with your friends then talk about what you liked, didn't like, or didn't understand? Wouldn't that have helped you love reading more?
Look out new job, cause I'm instilling some serious book clubs. I know, I know, I'll need to model this, and have some structure, but hey doesn't it sound I should try it out?
peace out
Did I mention I obtained a school librarian job finally...
This class is amazing it is a survey course on Children's lit, and is showing me incredible ways to get kids into books. Not just learn how to read so they can pass standardized tests while standing on there head...because let's face it this in a valuable skill...but to enjoy reading.
Last Tuesday we talked about how to set up kid versions of book clubs (we also talked about this in previous library sci courses). Sounds so obvious now that I write it down, but no one in any school I have ever subbed in ever did this. It was always read this book...write notes...sticky notes are especially popular these days...take this test, answers these questions...etc.
Remember when we did this in school. Now tell me one positive experience where you enjoyed the book. But think if you were able to choose the book with your friends then talk about what you liked, didn't like, or didn't understand? Wouldn't that have helped you love reading more?
Look out new job, cause I'm instilling some serious book clubs. I know, I know, I'll need to model this, and have some structure, but hey doesn't it sound I should try it out?
peace out
June 5, 2007
I love the word JOBBER!
I'm taking the wonderful Praxis test this Saturday...I'm thinking of just winging it. What could possibly go wrong, I mean it's not like I spent over a hundred dollars on the test...oh wait.
I've been looking up study questions, and guides, and figured that what I already know SHOULD let me pass the test. I hate tests. They don't really measure anything. I'm sure there are tons of librarians that could pass the test, but wouldn't give a crap about what Johnny needed, or Ms. Smith wanted, or how to incorporate this with that, etc.
For every test question, the answer could have been easily LOOKED UP...the skill they are testing you on. So why answer a question, that a librarian should not necessarily know the answer to, but be able to look it up and find the answer. Now that would be an authentic test!
By the BY
I GOT A LIBRARY JOB....YEAHAH! TAKE THAT PRAXIS TEST.
However the coolness is starting to wear off, and the freak out is starting to set in.
I've been looking up study questions, and guides, and figured that what I already know SHOULD let me pass the test. I hate tests. They don't really measure anything. I'm sure there are tons of librarians that could pass the test, but wouldn't give a crap about what Johnny needed, or Ms. Smith wanted, or how to incorporate this with that, etc.
For every test question, the answer could have been easily LOOKED UP...the skill they are testing you on. So why answer a question, that a librarian should not necessarily know the answer to, but be able to look it up and find the answer. Now that would be an authentic test!
By the BY
I GOT A LIBRARY JOB....YEAHAH! TAKE THAT PRAXIS TEST.
However the coolness is starting to wear off, and the freak out is starting to set in.
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