Department Meeting, 12/16/09

We met with the public librarians for our annual get-together and discussed the following:

1. All staff members in the Uniondale School District are entitled to work-in-district library cards. Depending on the patron's home library, these may offer additional borrowing privileges.

2. An online registration form for library cards for residents will be available in January. When that happens, we will publicize through e-mail. Elementary students without cards will receive forms from building librarians. Recommendation: invite representatives from the library to attend school functions where parents will be present in order to distribute library card registration forms.

3. Visits to the schools by public librarians are always welcome! YA visits included a program on databases, and it was suggested that this be extended to the elementary schools as well.

4. The library provides online homework help through tutor.com.

5. The annual Global Village is scheduled for January 24, 2010. Black History Month will feature a program by a jazz player, and visitors to the library will be treated to an exhibit of murals on the African Diaspora.

6. The library's Kwanzaa program was highlighted in VOYA.

7. School libraries will publicize the winter reading club, Driven to Read. Lots of enticing prizes will inspire students to participate, including entry into the Monster Jam World Finals.

Library Blog, and Library Nourishment

Library Blog:
David Lee King, Social Web, Emerging Trends, Libraries

New York Times library story:
Stoking the Furnace, and a Love for Books

Librarian in Black Blog

Thanks to Mary for sharing this blog:

Librarian in Black Blog – Sarah Houghton-Jan via kwout

I especially appreciated the post,

IL2009: Information Overload is the Devil

where she supports the premise that we are "...far more adept in generating information than we are in managing it." (Jonathan B. Spira) Check out her 10 tips for managing information overload.

Classic Recap

Nancy R. happened upon an article that introduces readers to a website that captures the essence of literary classics and entices students to read one. Check out the article, "A Novel Approach" http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/10/31/a_novel_approach_to_getting_kids_into_classics/
and then visit the site:

60 Second Recap via kwout

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Department Meeting, October 21, 2009

AGENDA
October 21, 2009

1. Follett Destiny—update and issues
2. PowerSchool
Problems syncing with Follett. Inconsistencies. Will follow up with techservices. Forward examples of new admits not syncing.

3. Staff Development options, November 3, 2009, 8:00-3:00

a. ActivInspire software

b. Digital storytelling--with high school ELA and Social Studies teachers; most appropriate for secondary librarians and/or those who didn't take this staff development previously

c. NSLS workshops--evaluating library programs and creating personal learning networks (two separate sessions on location at BOCES)

Decision:
Two will start with digital storytelling and then go to BOCES.
Everyone else will start with ActivInspire. Some will go to BOCES in the afternoon.
Remaining will continue work on ActivInspire.

4. Budget—Status and Preparations
Consider any equipment or extraordinary needs for budget development.

5. Department Meeting with Public Librarians—12/18/2009

6. National Geographic books for distribution and sharing
Books were selected for collections.

7. Other--Kidpix? Any other solution for elementary art program? Will investigate.
Will invite Promethean trainer to conduct a session with our group.

Websites of Note:

ALA AASL Best Web sites for Teaching and Learning Award via kwout

Free online tutoring:

HippoCampus http://www.hippocampus.org/

CliffsNotes http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA

FactMonster http://www.factmonster.com/

Interesting article on social networking through the library automation system--Follett Destiny is featured: http://www.mmischools.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14806


If you're interested in any of these articles, let me know:

The Library Media Specialist's Role in Teaching Online Safety (Library Media Connection, August/Sept 2009)

Literature Circles in Library Class (Library Media Connection, August/Sept 2009)

Have We Lost Our Way? Examining the Purpose of Libraries in a Post-Literate Society


Actually, the magazine is chock-full of interesting articles. Let me know if you want to borrow it or if you want me to photocopy anything for you. The October 2009 issue also has articles of interest, particularly one about local museums, delivery and design of instruction, wikis and action research, supporting reading instruction, graphic novels, personal response systems.

Off the Shelf, Onto the Laptop

Check out the article in today's New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/books/15libraries.html

Curling Up with Hybrid Books

What do you think of this development?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/books/01book.html?scp=1&sq=hybrid%20books&st=cse

Department Meeting, September 16, 2009

1. Follett issues
2. PowerSchool
3. Interactive whiteboards--ActivInspire tutorial http://www.prometheanlearning.com/
4. Summer reading program follow-up
5. Finance Manager--budget information
6. Lesson plans
7. Staff development--survey
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dFR4Vk5SeUxFdnpYNVlKNmhzRVA0WEE6MA....
8. Videoconferencing
9. Websites of note

America’s Story from America’s Library takes the primary source materials from the Library of Congress and creates an interactive story with activities
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/

Listening skills using the Animal Sounds Library from SeaWorld/Busch Gardens.
http://seaworld.org/animal-info/sound-library/index.htm

DigiTales—The Art of Telling Digital Stories--resources for creating digital stories in the classroom.
http://www.digitales.us/

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art virtual tour. http://www.carlemuseum.org/

Homework Helper from Time for Kids
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/hh/rr

Welcome Back, September 3, 2009

1. Today we'll learn how to navigate PowerSchool to extract information we need:

a. usernames and passwords
b. addresses
c. other fields as needed

2. Follett Destiny 9.0/SIF update

3. ActivInspire, the replacement program for ActivStudio Professional

Lexile Book Lists

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Find a Book with Lexile via kwout

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Create book lists by Lexile level.

Reading Lists for Animal Lovers

United Animal Nations : Programs : Humane Education Ambassador Readers : Suggested Reading List via kwout

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Stop Watch Tool

Great tool for keeping track of precious seconds--or minutes.
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Online Stopwatch via kwout

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Food for thought about our libraries and our practice.

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13 Point Checklist updated - Home - Doug Johnson's Blue Skunk Blog via kwout

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Libraries for a Post-Literate Society

Check out this Doug Johnson article in Multimedia & Internet @ Schools: http://www.mmischools.com/Newsletters/MmisXtra.aspx?NewsletterID=744#1. Doug Johnson defines a post-literate society as one in which people can read but who "...choose to meet their primary information and recreational needs through audio, video, graphics, and gaming. Print for the postliterate is relegated to brief personal messages, short informational needs, and other functional, highly pragmatic uses..."

Twitter and FriendFeed

If you're like me, you might find all the interest in Twitter a bit baffling. Check out this article in Library Journal for a librarian's perspective.

The Future of Books and Reading

Check out this panel discussion on the future of books and reading: http://www.futureofeducation.com/forum/topics/panel-discussion-on-the-future.

PDF Booklet Creator

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BookletCreator - create a booklet from any PDF document via kwout

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Department Meeting, May 20, 2009

We had a productive meeting:
1. We finalized database selections. Cara will look at Soundzabound to see if we should add to it.
2. We agreed to update our periodicals lists and send them to Delores.
3. I will arrange to have the summer reading partnership flyers translated.
4. We will follow up when mailed overdue notices are returned to us.
5. We picked up the summer reading baskets and will put them on display to entice summer reading participants.
6. We confirmed our training session for Discovery Education (June 1, 8:30-10:30, BOCES, 1 Merrick Ave.)
7. We will distribute UPL censorship exhibit literature.
8. Our final meeting for the school year will be on June 25, location TBA.

Newer Professional Books!

Today's School Library

A movie is definitely worth 1,000+ words:
http://henrico.k12.va.us/hcpstv/vv_library.html

Learning4Life from AASL

NPR Library Blog

NPR has a library blog. Check it out:

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NPR: As A Matter Of Fact via kwout

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An interesting take on creativity and copyright in today's world

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Larry Lessig says the law is strangling creativity Video on TED.com via kwout

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Library of Congress is on You Tube!

YouTube - LibraryOfCongress's Channel via kwout

If you see any videos you would like to make available to your students, submit the url to me and I'll post it on the SafeVideos site.

Department Meeting, March 18, 2009

1. Summer Reading update—Public Library Partnership and In-District Program

2. Poetry Contest and Film Festival at the Uniondale Public Library
Deadline—March 20

3. NovelNY Databases--Grolier and ProQuest added as of 4/1

Go to http://novelnewyork.org/pressroom.php for a listing of the changes.

4. Professional/National Geographic Books

5. Curriki http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/SummerofContent
From the website: Do you have an instructional unit or course you’re proud of that you’d like to publish and get paid for? Interested in earning money this summer to develop a new unit that will be shared with a global audience? For our Summer of Content initiative, Curriki is soliciting elementary and middle school content in ELA, math, science, and social studies. Apply by April 15th, 2009.

6. Taking it Global--Participate in a community of global educators.
http://www.tigweb.org/tiged
From the website: TIGed provides rich, interactive learning experiences designed to improve students' global citizenship, critical thinking, and leadership skills, bringing the world to students and preparing students for the world! You can access existing projects, create a safe, interactive, virtual classroom, access online learning activities and resources.

7. Websites of note:
The Unquiet Library Blog http://theunquietlibrary.wordpress.com/
The Unquiet Library Wiki http://theunquietlibrary.wikispaces.com/
Google Apps in the Classroom http://www.google.com/a/edu/
HotChalk http://www.hotchalk.com/
Joyce Valenza Workshop http://joycevalenzaworkshop.wikispaces.com/
Speaking avatar http://www.voki.com/

New Professional Books!

AASL has new website

AASL has a new website. Check out the details at
http://www.mmischools.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=14378

and visit the site at http://www.aasl.org.

Department Meeting, February 25, 2009

1. New students and Follett. Is the sync working correctly?

2. I was relieved to see that there is a stay in the ruling concerning lead in books published prior to 1985. Check out http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/January2009/leadlawstayed.cfm for details. We would have an awful lot of weeding to do if this law is applied to libraries!

3. Summer Reading

I would like to update the list of recommended authors to include in our summer reading newsletter. Take a look at the one from last year (posted http://district.uniondaleschools.org/www/uniondaleschools/site/hosting/uniondalenyorg/Summer_Reading/summer%20reading%202008.pdf) and e-mail me your suggestions.

4. Carousel of Careers

We'll complete our project. Anyone interested in showcasing an online presentation? We could run it on a laptop without being present. Let's brainstorm ideas.

5. NSLS is moving to 1 Merrick Ave.

6. Discussion:
Heroes and Villains--What happens when a hero becomes a villain and we have titles about the individual prior to his/her unfortunate transformation? Read this article: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6632974.html

Websites of Note:

Flowgram http://www.flowgram.com
findingdulcinea.com http://www.findingdulcinea.com

Sweet Search http://www.sweetsearch.com
School Library Media Activities Blog http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/


Articles:
Learning with Wikis and Blogs
http://ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/Learning_with_Blogs_and_Wikis.aspx
Dewey Decimal Sudoko http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com/articles/Montgomery2007v23n10.html
Impact as a 21st Century Library Media Specialist
http://www.schoollibrarymedia.com/articles/Creighton2008v24n7.html
What Are They Reading for Fun? http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6636538.html
That's Infotainment http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6632973.html
This article suggests software to create video tutorials. We can do this with Promethean software. If anyone is interested in learning how to do this, let me know. (Flowgram, website listed above, is another way to do this).

Department Meeting, January 21, 2009

Today we're going to create our contribution to the Collage of Careers event that is scheduled to take place on May 19. Be sure to bring any materials with you that you want to use. We have a collection of words for our "wordle", courtesy of Grand Avenue's fifth graders.

A reminder that the deadline is approaching for the winter edition of LITE Bytes. Please send your contributions to me or post them yourselves on the litebytes wiki (http://litebytes.wikispaces.com/). If you decide to post your article, let me know so I can prepare it for viewing.

Elementary librarians may be interested in Lookybook, a web 2.0 tool for sharing favorite picture books.

K-12 Instructional Media Center has links to websites to help students with their research and teachers with their professional development.

If you haven't looked at the Library of Congress website lately, take a look at the Learning Page, replete with resources for teachers.

Take some time to look through the National Plan for Implementation of Standards for the 21st-Century Learner and Guidelines for the School Library Media Program, courtesy of AASL. Acronymed L4L (Learning for Life), this implementation plan was created to support states, school systems, and individual schools preparing to implement the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. Forthcoming there will be guidelines for the school library media program.

Do you know about commoncraft, a free site for online video tutorials? I just watched one about RSS feeds and it cleared up any remaining confusion that lingered. Definitely worth a peek.

Leapfish is a new search engine with innovative features. Not quite the same as searchme (did you try it yet) but pretty powerful.

Follett Destiny

Mary and I are at a Follett Destiny user group meeting and we are learning!

We just made a change you might like. On the first screen of the catalog, students can search for Award Winners. In the field next to Search Award Winner, select New York. Then, place your cursor in the search box and hit enter. Voila! You will see the list of award winning titles your library holds, and I know you will be impressed.

You can also search for literary prize-winning titles. In the Search Award Winner field, scroll to the second choice, Literary Prizes, and in the bottom box, either leave it as "all" or select the prize you want to locate. Once again place your cursor in the search box, and hit the enter key.

We also made two discoveries. Well, actually one discovery and one reminder. Check out Library Bytes (no relation to our own LITE Bytes) and 23 Things.

Did you know you could add subjects to your Visual Search? Take a look at the high school library catalog, select Visual Search, and click on Famous People and then Barack Obama. If you're interested in learning how to do this, let Mary or me know. Alternatively, when you're logged on, you can go to help and do a search for Visual Search.

One more tip. When you're in help, you can do a search for "Quick" and you'll get a list of all the tipsheets that are available.