This blogpost ending 2019 will be a bit different. Instead of discussing my library and upcoming events, I want to send a message to my fellow librarians. If you disagree, that is fine. If you agree, that is fine. We all have the right to have and voice our own opinions.
I love being a school librarian. (I loved being a classroom teacher, too, until I was told my projects and activities - which are still remembered by my former students as being meaningful and relating even to the world today - did not prepare students for the mandated state reading tests and would no longer be allowed. After all, teaching students to read, research, and think critically in order to apply knowledge to solve global issues can't have real educational value, right? Please note the sarcasm in that last sentence.)
What I don't love is the "my way or the highway" attitude of some of my peers.
Librarians are VERY knowledgeable and opinionated professionals. Some, however, do not feel there is any other way to do things. Some will call out others for working with their clientele and the needs of that group if it means they don't have makerspaces, loads of e-books, or specific books on their shelves.
It's time for ALL of us to get off our high horses and stop looking down on others.
I belong to a multitude of online librarian groups in which I mainly lurk because of the type of feedback that is commonly given. These groups are filled with librarians from all over the world who work with a wide variety of students, parents, administrative teams, communities, and school boards. Yet the most vocal participants of these groups fail to see that different libraries need different programs and resources and policies. They publicly shame librarians (a.k.a. teacher-librarians, media coordinators, media specialists, and a host of other titles) who ask about "clean" books, graphic novels that do not contains certain images, the use of fines, and other topics relevant to their situation.
This needs to stop.
Example: At my last school, I had a small selection of books in Spanish. These were requested by a group of native Spanish speaking students, and did not circulate widely after those students graduated. There was no need to spend money building a larger collection to collect dust. My current school has huge Modern Foreign Language collections in the lower school and the upper school (Junior School and Senior School, elementary and middle/high). We have books in five main languages plus a small collection of a few other languages. I will spend a big percentage of my budget updating the most popular language's books in this section. Since I do not speak the language, I need the advice of different people to build this collection. Different clientele, different needs.
Therefore, I ask my colleagues around the world not to criticize a peer who needs information regarding the amount of overdue fines they should charge (if they are charging them, don't start hating on them for doing so when you don't like overdue fines!) or books with a specific type of protagonist (if you can't recommend a book in the category they've mentioned, don't comment!) or books that will encourage boys to read (don't argue about gender stereotypes when getting a student to read is the issue and you don't know the student, but the original poster does!). Answer if you have sound advice, but don't lambast, harass, or leave negative feedback. Remain silent if you have nothing but negativity to share. This is not the time to engage the original poster in a social issue argument. You don't know their clientele, their students, their situation. (And this, of course, should be your guidelines for any and all discussion groups.) Just be helpful!
That is, after all, what librarians are supposed to be.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Mike Curato Comes to Shrewsbury
Just a few weeks ago, the marketing department came to me to help with the logistics of a second author visit! This visit was in conjunction with the Nielson-Hayes Library's 150th Anniversary celebration.
This Literature Festival brought in authors from all over the world for people to meet. One of those author/illustrators happened to be Mike Curato, creator of the Little Elliot books. Shrewsbury International School - Riverside sponsored Mr. Curato and had him come visit our Y1 and Y2 students in the Memorial Hall. The Y1 and Y2 students at Shrewsbury City Campus came for a fabulous morning with Mr. Curato.
Mr. Curato shared one of the Little Elliot books on the "big screen" as the students watched and enjoyed.
They also had the opportunity to ask questions as Mr. Curato moved around the Memorial Hall.
Some students even managed to get on the stage with him!
Although I was unable to be present, since I was returning from the AASL19 conference in the US, the library team did a fabulous job, with the marketing and ICT departments, making everything go smoothly.
This Literature Festival brought in authors from all over the world for people to meet. One of those author/illustrators happened to be Mike Curato, creator of the Little Elliot books. Shrewsbury International School - Riverside sponsored Mr. Curato and had him come visit our Y1 and Y2 students in the Memorial Hall. The Y1 and Y2 students at Shrewsbury City Campus came for a fabulous morning with Mr. Curato.
Mr. Curato shared one of the Little Elliot books on the "big screen" as the students watched and enjoyed.
A favorite part of the presentation: watching Little Elliot come to life on paper!
Some students even managed to get on the stage with him!
Although I was unable to be present, since I was returning from the AASL19 conference in the US, the library team did a fabulous job, with the marketing and ICT departments, making everything go smoothly.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Steve Swinburne Rocks!
On 6 November, we had the privilege of hosting author Steve Swinburne at Shrewsbury! He spoke with Year 4, 5, and 6 students, ate lunch with a great group of students, and worked with a small group at a writer's workshop. The excitement knew no bounds!
Each presentation ended with a sing-along for "One in a Thousand." All the students and staff participated enthusiastically in this (especially Mr. Williams).
Then a group of students enjoyed lunch with Mr. Swinburne and his wife.
After lunch was the year 4 presentation. (We saved the most energetic group for last!)
The writers moved to the senior library research room for a special session.
I never thought I would see students reluctant to leave school at the end of the day! But they were having too much fun and didn't want to stop.
Many students bought their own copies of Mr. Swinburne's books to read and enjoy.
In the morning, Mr. Swinburne talked with year 5 and 6 students, explaining how he gets his ideas (will they ever forget coffee, bagels, and Brooklyn's Famous Car Wash...). Then he discussed ways to make your ideas SPARKLE! (Cool details, strong verbs, and HOOK the reader)
Each presentation ended with a sing-along for "One in a Thousand." All the students and staff participated enthusiastically in this (especially Mr. Williams).
Then a group of students enjoyed lunch with Mr. Swinburne and his wife.
After lunch was the year 4 presentation. (We saved the most energetic group for last!)
The writers moved to the senior library research room for a special session.
I never thought I would see students reluctant to leave school at the end of the day! But they were having too much fun and didn't want to stop.
Many students bought their own copies of Mr. Swinburne's books to read and enjoy.
Of course, a highlight for me was dinner with the Swinburnes the night before, along with Miss Marivic and Donna Stephens, librarian at City Campus who hosted him the day before!
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Some Things Never Change
Classes are well underway, Wednesday after-school story time is a lot of fun (as is Tuesday morning story time for the Early Years classes), research lessons have begun with sixth form students, and an author visit is next week! (More on that in a moment)
Through all of this, today I reaffirmed a universal truth: technology is our friend...until it stops working at the worst possible moment!
I am growing used to the lack of technology to use during lessons unless in another space...something I hope to remedy in the future. For over a decade, I have had access to an interactive white board and a set of individual devices to use with students in the library. While going to classrooms or reserving a presentation space is not a problem (unless those other spaces are in use!), when the internet refuses to connect...ahhh...it's just like back in the USA!
This week we are preparing for our visit with author Steve Swinburne. Students in years 4-6 are excited as we get ready, but then the internet stopped this morning in our presentation room (the laptop decided not to connect). Fortunately, we were adaptable and the students were great sports as we trekked back upstairs to their classroom and then back down for checking out books.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow that the internet works so students can hear the "Barnacle Rap," "One in a Thousand," and other great videos from Mr. Swinburne's website!
Through all of this, today I reaffirmed a universal truth: technology is our friend...until it stops working at the worst possible moment!
I am growing used to the lack of technology to use during lessons unless in another space...something I hope to remedy in the future. For over a decade, I have had access to an interactive white board and a set of individual devices to use with students in the library. While going to classrooms or reserving a presentation space is not a problem (unless those other spaces are in use!), when the internet refuses to connect...ahhh...it's just like back in the USA!
This week we are preparing for our visit with author Steve Swinburne. Students in years 4-6 are excited as we get ready, but then the internet stopped this morning in our presentation room (the laptop decided not to connect). Fortunately, we were adaptable and the students were great sports as we trekked back upstairs to their classroom and then back down for checking out books.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow that the internet works so students can hear the "Barnacle Rap," "One in a Thousand," and other great videos from Mr. Swinburne's website!
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Excitement Knows No Bounds
...when the library can finally be seen!
Today the Junior School Classes (all 30 of them from Y1-Y6) had personalized tours of the new library. These tours were hosted by book characters: a fairy tale queen, the Cat in the Hat, Emily the Strange, Alice (from Wonderland), Wally (who wasn't lost in the library!), Hermione Granger, the Princess from the Princess Diaries, and Elephant (from the Mo Willems series). Highlights of this tour included learning where their favorite books are now shelved, the rabbit hole, the story and lesson circle, as well as an opportunity to visit the senior school library! All of the new seating was a big hit, as were the many features of the library.
Instead of talking too much, I will let a few pictures show the excitement of the day. If you have a soundtrack of children squealing, play it with the pictures.
Today the Junior School Classes (all 30 of them from Y1-Y6) had personalized tours of the new library. These tours were hosted by book characters: a fairy tale queen, the Cat in the Hat, Emily the Strange, Alice (from Wonderland), Wally (who wasn't lost in the library!), Hermione Granger, the Princess from the Princess Diaries, and Elephant (from the Mo Willems series). Highlights of this tour included learning where their favorite books are now shelved, the rabbit hole, the story and lesson circle, as well as an opportunity to visit the senior school library! All of the new seating was a big hit, as were the many features of the library.
Instead of talking too much, I will let a few pictures show the excitement of the day. If you have a soundtrack of children squealing, play it with the pictures.
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