Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Two book to choose from.
Doesn't it seem that we start one book then inevitably forget it and start a second, third, etc. Many students and adults find difficulty in following two stories. Maybe it's the multitasking mom thing but I'm okay with it. In fact, for me it's like overindulging in food; I always have room for more. So... what am I currently reading?
Book 1: "The Help" by Katheryn Stockett. A young white woman, Skeeter, comes back from college with the drive to follow her career path in Journalism unlike her friends who chose to give up their dreams to marry and have children. She convinces the maids of prominent socialite families to write about their experiences serving white people. Set during the Civil rights era of the early 1960's, the story delves into the relationship and expectations women during this time when women's rights were still evolving and the dangerous times for African American's searching for a voice for equality.
Book 2: "Thirteen Reason's Why: by Jay Asher. Clay Jensen comes home to a packag
e filled with several cassette tapes from a girl who committed suicide two weeks earlier. In the tapes she explains the thirteen reasons why she decided to take her life.Both books so far have been intense and intriguing. I actually find similarities in the way both books explore the relationships the girls/women have with the men in their environment. In both cases the women are fit into stereotypical roles that they rebel against in completely different ways.
I would recommend either to higher middle school to high school and up.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Books, Books, Books
My Blog is about to change it format. I hope you don't mind!
"Book Scouter" will be my muse for the books I've read. Since I work in a middle school, many of the books will be appropriate for grades 6-8. However, there may be more adults books as well. If anyone out there finds this blog and reads it, please fell free to comment.
Current favorite: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
More to come...
"Book Scouter" will be my muse for the books I've read. Since I work in a middle school, many of the books will be appropriate for grades 6-8. However, there may be more adults books as well. If anyone out there finds this blog and reads it, please fell free to comment.
Current favorite: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
More to come...
Saturday, May 9, 2009
10 Things Every Teacher Needs to Know About Technology (updated 5/8/09)
Looking at the list we began at the beginning of the module, I can see how I had a much narrower viewpoint about technology than I currently have. Everything I listed was based in purchased software and individual computers. Although the above list still remains solid for a basic beginner, I would like to add some additional comments with my new perspective in mind.
1. Know your basics; every teacher should be familiar with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint presentations, and how to search for information on the internet. You should also be aware of the fact that if your personal computer doesn’t work, there is an online application that can replace it. For example, Zoho can replace Microsoft Word, Animoto can replace PowerPoint. We don’t have to have a Microsoft product and use valuable hard drive space.
2. “Only thing to fear is fear itself” (FDR) Keep an open mind. Most computer programs are designed to be user friendly. Explore, Explore, Explore!!! Web 2.0 is your oyster!
3. Even technology comes with an owner’s manual. If it’s a program, then it’s that little book that comes in the box or inserted in the front cover of the plastic CD holder. Check out the “help” section in a program or on a website. There is a lot of information there to assist with questions.
4. Go ahead and play! Do you test drive your car? Slam the doors? Kick the tires? Then why not try out a new program. Take it around the block a few times to see how it operates. Take the time to check out what is available on line to make your assignments easier and more effective. There is most likely a free online application available that will enhance your lesson. Your playground doesn’t have to have fences that hold you into your comfort zone.
5. Practice what you teach. If you assign a website or use a program, try it out first to make sure it runs and is compatible with your computer’s operating system. If you are assigning an internet site make sure the links are valid. Always have a backup just in case. (I still agree with this one as is. I see this happen over and over with educators who come into the library with their class to use the computers for assignments)
6. If a computer/VCR/DVD/TV isn’t working, check the connections first. Is everything connected? (This happens more often than you may think.) I can’t say I would change this one either. It seems to be a common mistake and an easy fix too.
7. Not all students are proficient on computers. There are those who actually don’t have access to a computer at home. Be patient!
8. You learn something new every day. Take a class or two. There a hundreds of classes available for learning about new technology. Check out your public library, local community centers, colleges or online to name just a few. Go ahead! Choose the one that fits your needs.
Suggestion; take a lesson plan you like. Then go online to see how it can be enhanced by online applications. Students will jump at the chance to use technology instead of the same old writing assignment.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what the IT specialists and library media specialists are trained for. Know your resources and be open minded to suggestions!
10. There is life beyond Wikipedia. Although Wikipedia is a quick source for information, it’s not always the most accurate. There are so many excellent government, museum and educational websites, to name just a few, with a wealth of information far superior to Wikipedia. This statement takes on a whole new meaning now.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
This week's assignment really worked well with what has been happening at our school library over the current school year.
Last year, the Middle school library media specialist was asked to take on an important assignment. Even though the middle school and high school libraries had been automated, the 5 elementary schools in town were still using card catalogs. The 2007-2008 budget was approved with a provision to automate the elementary schools but the LMS for the elementary schools had been dealing with a long-term chronic illness. She was unable to complete the inventory and paperwork required to complete the contract in the allotted time. The School committee was concerned about losing the contract with Follett, so Mrs. LaFlamme was asked to step in.
It was an arduous task, the elementary LMS had not inventoried any of the elementary schools in a number of years. Hundreds of books donated by parents were literally stuffed under desks in the school's libraries. Most of the libraries were run by paraprofessionals. They were often taken away from thier library duties to be classroom aides, secretaries, and playground or hall monitors. The card catalogs were submitted to Follett for computer cataloging but it took weeks to sift through them, removing the out-of-date cards and damaged books from the inventory . The elemenraty library media specialist passed away in November. Finally, the cards were submitted to Follett, but.... 48,000 barcodes takes a while to add!
The original RetoFit proposal included the option to upgrade the High School and Middle school library's our current operating software, Spectrum to Destiny. It seems logical to have all schools running on the same system. Unfortunately, with the current budget, it's unlikely the school committee will authorize budget approval for the upgrades for the 2009-2010 school year. But the class assignment led to many conversations between the Middle school library media specialist and myself about automation, OPAC options, writing proposals, and cataloging. We are both at least satisfied that our elementary schools are on-line.
For the elementary school libraries, the new Destiny system is a wonderful addition. Students can choose books easier using the computer catalog. Printing reports, statistics and inventory lists are amazingly quicker for the new Library Media Speciaist. The Destiny system is kid-friendly; having online access will help with school work for families and educators. Adding Destiny to the elementary libraries will prepare the young children for the researching skills that will help them throughout their educational career.
Last year, the Middle school library media specialist was asked to take on an important assignment. Even though the middle school and high school libraries had been automated, the 5 elementary schools in town were still using card catalogs. The 2007-2008 budget was approved with a provision to automate the elementary schools but the LMS for the elementary schools had been dealing with a long-term chronic illness. She was unable to complete the inventory and paperwork required to complete the contract in the allotted time. The School committee was concerned about losing the contract with Follett, so Mrs. LaFlamme was asked to step in.
It was an arduous task, the elementary LMS had not inventoried any of the elementary schools in a number of years. Hundreds of books donated by parents were literally stuffed under desks in the school's libraries. Most of the libraries were run by paraprofessionals. They were often taken away from thier library duties to be classroom aides, secretaries, and playground or hall monitors. The card catalogs were submitted to Follett for computer cataloging but it took weeks to sift through them, removing the out-of-date cards and damaged books from the inventory . The elemenraty library media specialist passed away in November. Finally, the cards were submitted to Follett, but.... 48,000 barcodes takes a while to add!
The original RetoFit proposal included the option to upgrade the High School and Middle school library's our current operating software, Spectrum to Destiny. It seems logical to have all schools running on the same system. Unfortunately, with the current budget, it's unlikely the school committee will authorize budget approval for the upgrades for the 2009-2010 school year. But the class assignment led to many conversations between the Middle school library media specialist and myself about automation, OPAC options, writing proposals, and cataloging. We are both at least satisfied that our elementary schools are on-line.
For the elementary school libraries, the new Destiny system is a wonderful addition. Students can choose books easier using the computer catalog. Printing reports, statistics and inventory lists are amazingly quicker for the new Library Media Speciaist. The Destiny system is kid-friendly; having online access will help with school work for families and educators. Adding Destiny to the elementary libraries will prepare the young children for the researching skills that will help them throughout their educational career.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I think the debate on where to place certain books in the library has been interesting. I understand that the location is important. We want our patrons to be able to find the books there are searching for. There are purists who feel book collections should be shelved by Dewey decimal number only. There are others with more liberal views on how to make book collections available for easy access. Shelving a book can be a difficult decision and librarians can become passionate about their viewpoints! Because of this shelving controversy, I thought it would be fun to "play with the passion". Here is what I came up with.... I hope you like it!
Literary Divers search local library for missing books
by The Libris Newsroom
Thursday, April 23, 2009, 7:53 PM
By Rhoda Crowell
Rpcrowell433@gmail.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD Literary divers have been searching the West Springfield Public Library this morning for missing book collections. Authorities say Traditional Literature, Graphic Novels and certain fiction books have been mysteriously taken from their shelves. B. O. Grafies, a Library Media Specialist told reporters the books were placed prominently in a display for easy retrieval by patrons. Grafies said “I like to keep these collections out because so many children like to have them in one location. This morning I arrived to find the book displays empty.”
Catalog police were called in to investigate. Further investigation found the missing books were placed in the non-fiction section of the library. A radical traditionalist librarian from a near-by town was taken into custody for the crime. She will plead guilty to transferring the books from their prominent locations in the Youth Room, re-shelving them by their Dewey Decimal number in the Non-fiction sections. Unnamed sources report that she moved the books, claiming the books were going through separation anxiety.
Additional information was not immediately available.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Future of cataloging
Emerging technology needs to be addressed when discussing cataloging as we are this week in class.
I recently came across this speech given by Deanna B. Marcum, Associate Librarian for Library Services Library of Congress at the Ebsco Leadership Seminar Boston, Massachusetts January 16, 2005. ttp://www.loc.gov/library/reports/CatalogingSpeech.pdf
In her speech of 4 years ago, Ms. Marcum discusses the growing trend toward using metasearch engines like Google and Yahoo for researching information. She asked her audience what direction library cataloging should head with the emergence of new online applications. She mentions the announcement by Google who began working with Universities to offer a way to search scholarly literature. The result today is Google Scholar. Her concern was how to adapt the metadata stating, "Cataloging now involves identifying metadata that already exist and taking advantage of existing description and access points. Different approaches are needed depending on whether resources are archived or linked and how long they will last. New hybrid systems take advantage of traditional library catalog information along with abstracting and indexing tools and online reference tools." There have been adaptations in cataloging occurring since this speech of course.
Through our reading assignment from Catalog it! A Guide to Cataloging School Media Materials (2nd edition) by Allison Kaplan and Ann Riedling, I found how important such cataloging systems as the Library of Congress are in organizing library collections throughout the United States and the world. The importance of having an accurate record in place for patrons/students to have easy access to relevant research information in imperative to the future of libraries with adaptations to changing internet technology. Most students would say they research data through sites like Google, Dog Pile and Wikipedia because the information is found quicker and easier than through a library catalog. In truth, although Google, Alta Vista and other search engines give them quick information, that information is not always relevant to the subject being searched and often comes with commercial advertisements, forcing people to search the search results for the relevant links. In the end, the "quick search" doesn't very happen quickly at all. Yet students still choose metasearch engines first. Why? Because they are easy to use. Libraries are still key to providing relevant and commercial-free information. Training by librarians and educators in proper researching is key for effective students learning. And accurate, detailed and consistent cataloging is essential for making those libraries the more logical place for finding the information they need quickly and effectively.
I recently came across this speech given by Deanna B. Marcum, Associate Librarian for Library Services Library of Congress at the Ebsco Leadership Seminar Boston, Massachusetts January 16, 2005. ttp://www.loc.gov/library/reports/CatalogingSpeech.pdf
In her speech of 4 years ago, Ms. Marcum discusses the growing trend toward using metasearch engines like Google and Yahoo for researching information. She asked her audience what direction library cataloging should head with the emergence of new online applications. She mentions the announcement by Google who began working with Universities to offer a way to search scholarly literature. The result today is Google Scholar. Her concern was how to adapt the metadata stating, "Cataloging now involves identifying metadata that already exist and taking advantage of existing description and access points. Different approaches are needed depending on whether resources are archived or linked and how long they will last. New hybrid systems take advantage of traditional library catalog information along with abstracting and indexing tools and online reference tools." There have been adaptations in cataloging occurring since this speech of course.
Through our reading assignment from Catalog it! A Guide to Cataloging School Media Materials (2nd edition) by Allison Kaplan and Ann Riedling, I found how important such cataloging systems as the Library of Congress are in organizing library collections throughout the United States and the world. The importance of having an accurate record in place for patrons/students to have easy access to relevant research information in imperative to the future of libraries with adaptations to changing internet technology. Most students would say they research data through sites like Google, Dog Pile and Wikipedia because the information is found quicker and easier than through a library catalog. In truth, although Google, Alta Vista and other search engines give them quick information, that information is not always relevant to the subject being searched and often comes with commercial advertisements, forcing people to search the search results for the relevant links. In the end, the "quick search" doesn't very happen quickly at all. Yet students still choose metasearch engines first. Why? Because they are easy to use. Libraries are still key to providing relevant and commercial-free information. Training by librarians and educators in proper researching is key for effective students learning. And accurate, detailed and consistent cataloging is essential for making those libraries the more logical place for finding the information they need quickly and effectively.
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