SPRING BOOK DISPLAY IDEA

Spring sports just started last week in our district. I took a $1 green plastic tablecloth (the dollar store by Kmart has become my new best friend!) and cut it in half. Use one half to cover a box and the other half to cover a table/counter, etc.

I pulled various non-fiction books about golf, baseball, track& field, and soccer, then displayed them on this table. I also found some fiction books about baseball.

"Jump into a good book" "Swing into a good book", etc.!

Just an idea for an easy display!
Ann at LYMDSR

Flickr Editing

Flicker picture editing tip.
I found if I was in Citrix I could not download the Flickr editing program. When I closed out of Citrix I could. It is basic but it works just fine for my needs at this time.

Periodicals

Per our Media Clerk meeting today regarding periodicals, I wanted to post this question:

What periodicals work for your library and what Library are you located in? We are weeding out a few, and adding a few new. I would like a good technology magazine for teens, and a snowboard magazine (both Middle School level). Have you had any luck on these topics where they are popular with your students, and if so what magazines are they?
Thank You!

Flip Video Camera Update

Multimedia message
Originally uploaded by Bud the Teacher

Well...we love the ease of use, the portability of the video files, the price, and all the ideas for use in the library. We plan on getting, at least, a couple more to get into the hands of teachers and students for projects. When everything works...

A word of caution: There does seem to be some issues with the Flip Video Camera software working on the district server. It won't work on the Citrix environment, either. The software actually resides in the camera, but the computer still has to recognize it when it is plugged into the USB port.

Our hero, Nick from DTS, spent a lot (a lot) of time trying to make this work for us. So far? ...well, it is still showing some errors when we plug the camera in. We'll do some more playing, editing, and investigating to make sure this is a great camera for use in the library.

Just a note: I plan on getting one for my own use. It works like a dream on a non-school computer (my laptop or home computer). When time permits (?), I'll post a sample video here for you to view. Coming soon...

Photo: Multimedia message Originally uploaded by Bud the Teacher

Flicker Frustration

I have decided to trust Flickr and have begun to upload my many, many pictures from my documents files. What I am getting frustrated with is the slowness of this program. So far I can only load 6 at a time. This is too labor intensive when you have tons. Has anyone found an easier way to download more at a time? Also, Flickr only is set up with three "sets". Surely they jest. How can anyone have but three identifiers. I understand the tag vs set but I don't see using the tags as I would use the sets. Can anyone help me?

ILL Checkin

Good morning, Everyone! I'm just doing an update to the issue that I brought up at the last MC meeting. Lynn was nice enough to run a test with me and I found that when she returned to me the book that was ILL'd to her...I checked it in, but the CI window came up with no text in it. When I rescanned the barcode, I got a "this book wasn't checked out" error window. However, when I checked the barcode in the system, it showed "shelving cart". So, even though the first scan produced no text in the CI window, the book actually had been categorized properly. My suggestion is that instead of having a blank window show up on first scan, have it show "shelving cart" as it does with any other checked in book.

Have a great day, Ladies! Kim

Library Learning 2.0 for Media Clerks

We are now in our third week of learning about Web 2.0 tools, applications, and ways to use them for our own productivity and in the library with our staff and students.

So far? Blogging, RSS, Technorati, Flickr, Image Generators, and lots of exploration ...a TON of learning going on; discovery, laughter, some frustration, some jubilant outcries, and some chaos. What fun.

You can visit our path and progress here. Take some time to browse, see what we are up to, visit a few blogs, and maybe even leave a comment or two.

Media Clerks Cherry Coffeecake recipe

Holli asked me to post this recipe for the cherry coffeecake that I brought to the clerks meeting.
Cherry Coffeecake Ann @LYMDSR 1/08
2 sticks oleo
1¾ cup sugar *
4 eggs, add one at a time
1½ tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
½ tsp salt
1½ tsp baking powder

1 can cherry pie filling
1 tsp almond extract

Cream oleo & sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.
Add flour, salt and baking powder. Spread ¾ batter in greased 12x15 inch pan.
Add almond extract to cherry pie filling. Spread cherries over batter. Drop remaining
batter hit and miss over cherries. Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes.

Make icing: Warm 2 Tablespoons oleo and 2 Tablespoons milk until oleo melts. Add
½ tsp vanilla. Stir in 1 cup powdered sugar to make a thin icing. Drizzle over warm coffee cake. Cool. Serve!
*high altitude tip, I always reduce the sugar in any cookie or cake recipe, for every cup of sugar in a recipe...use ¾ cup sugar and ¼ cup powdered milk.

Book suggestions for 9th grade girls?

Does anyone have some book suggestions for a group of 9th grade girls that have read the three books by Stephanie Meyer? They like romance and loved the Meyer series of Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse.
Any suggestions would be quite helpful! Ann @ LYMDSR.

The Darkest Evening of the Year

The Darkest Evening of the Year, by Dean Koontz, was next on my shelf of holiday reads. I like to be scared, I like supernatural, I like thrillers, and I like Golden Retrievers. It should have been a home run. Not quite. After reading some really good books lately, this one didn't make the grade.

In typical Koontz's style, this is a story of evil building for a confrontation with good. Intermix some supernatural elements and you have his formula. He used this story for the advocacy of Golden Retriever Rescue and a plea for the humane treatment of dogs -- that is a good thing. But I felt that it got to the point of lecture, not story. I also found the horrible things that his antagonist(s) thought and did very distasteful -- perhaps the scary part was that humans perhaps do have the capacity for that kind of evil.

Even with the supernatural elements, my love of Goldens, and the triumph of good over evil, this is not one I will recommend.

The World Just Got a Lot Smaller

As I ponder the possibilities in 2008, my first task is to let go of the remorse for things left undone in 2007. On the bright side, my to-do list is already populated for the new year. As I look forward to the new year, I am excited about the prospects -- and all of those prospects all revolve around education – more precisely, learning. My learning journey.

I am 54 years old and I feel like I’m just entering a new realm…again. The world continues to shrink – I am amazed that I can participate in world conversations via the Internet. My goals, this year, are to become an active participant in that world and create some personal learning networks. But, I won’t go alone. I plan on taking lots of people with me, as this is too big of a thing to keep to oneself.

Learning is my keyword for 2008. Not just my own, but I am fortunate enough to be in education – not as a teacher, but as one who can influence. Maybe that's even better.

Mission: Organziation...Simply

As I sit here pondering why my clock has been geared up to hyper-speed, my plans for the last week of the break are to set myself up to finally be organized (after the jaunt to Vegas, of course). My solution to chaos, in the past, has been to take on "one more thing" -- somehow thinking that the added pressure will force me into increased productivity. It has generally worked in the past, but I'm finding that my energy and creativity reserves are dangerously compromised anymore. My goal is to simplify; do less and, hopefully, do it better. ...at home and in the library.

This year I am going to set up a new planner system. I have stumbled upon a great, new resource to help jumpstart my organization mission -- I hope that you will find it useful, too.

In this marvelous world of evolution to open-source productivity tools, this is exactly what I need for the New Year. There's tools for everything from health, work, and creativity, all the way to special projects, scrapbooking, time management, and technology.

The D*I*Y Planner is a system of do-it-yourself, printable forms in several different sizes and layouts for professional and personal use. This system was created and is maintained by Douglas Johnston, and it is released under the terms of a Creative Commons Non-Commercial No-Derivatives License.

Here's to a new year of productivity (and simplification)!

Photo attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/akearns72/2143598133/

Happy, Happy, Happy Break!

I hope you all have a happy and restful break with family and friends. I'm so looking forward to reading, watching basketball, and playing with new tech toys -- and, spending Christmas with my kids. Bliss.

Hm-m-m...on the reading table for the break:

• The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz
• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
• A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink
• The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
• The Book of Lost Things: A Novel by John Connolly
• The World Without Us by Alan Weisman

I'm so looking forward to spending Wednesdays with all of you doing our PST when we return in 2008. It will be a good time. Merry Christmas to all!

Flip Video Camera

We just ordered a Flip Video Camera for the library. Luckily, I'll be able to try it over the break and practice using it. According to the description on Amazon, it sounds great. Ideas for use? ...video for blogs, presentations, student creations for projects, direct play to TV, website video, library marketing video. It could be a relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use alternative to the video cameras for student use. It is self-contained, with it's own software, USB arm, and boasts easy uploading, editing, sharing, and archiving. I'll keep you posted as to what we think...

There's also a query on Flickr for reviews from people using the Flip as well as several reviews on Amazon.

The Golden Compass

I'm sure that you have just about heard enough on The Golden Compass controversy. The exchanges continue and several libraries still are removing the series from their shelves. Sad, sad, sad... and, you know that most have not even read the book. If they did, they would know that the Authority was not God, only posing as God. I did want to share this article from the Christian Science Monitor regarding the decision by adults, authority figures (no pun intended), or religious organizations making the blanket decision that the series is inappropriate:

What these topics and messages don't do is spark the kind of rigorous, open-minded questioning that defines truly mature thought. They're group-think in disguise. That is to say, they're still what adults – those arbiters of publishing for children – have, collectively, deemed "appropriate." And sadly, what's appropriate" often sidesteps that which can't just be conveyed as information – the deep intellectual, ethical, and spiritual issues that require children to be thoughtful participants in a dialogue, not just empty vessels waiting to be filled.
Meanwhile, Pullman compels his young readers to do the edgiest thing of all, which is to think for themselves.

Please read the entire article, it's excellent.

Another incredible resourse on the topic is Scott Westerfeld's blog, Westerblog. If you want to read some thoughtful and serious comments by kids, spend some time on his posts about The Golden Compass. Great stuff. Probably the most important point is this: that the trilogy is NOT about killing God.

But how do I know this rumor isn’t true? Well, unlike rumors about what happened at someone’s party or who kissed whom, everything in His Dark Material is written down, and you can read it to find out exactly what happens. So if you go to page 188 of the US mass market paperback of Amber Spyglass, you’ll discover that Pullman’s Authority is not the creator. He’s not god. Ogunwe says so in the following words, “It shocked some of us, too, to learn that the Authority was not the creator.”
Case closed. The Authority is a fraud. He’s a liar, just like the people who started the rumor that in His Dark Materials the characters “kill god.” In a funny way, those people are trying to pull off the same kind of trick as the Authority. Okay, they’re not exactly playing god, but they are lying to control what you read, which affects what you think, and what you believe. They are frauds. (Or VERY sloppy readers.)

Strong words? Perhaps. But, notice the exchange of comments from kids. Westerfeld is treating the kids as if their opinions are valid and as if they are intelligent enough to form their own opinions. What a concept!

Library Learning 2.0 for Media Clerks -- It's a Go!

Alright ladies, get ready. The PST is approved. You can register at any time at the Office of Professional Development site.

We are going to have a great time exploring, experimenting, and producing great content starting in January. There is an extensive lineup of fun things to discover, but there are so many more; we will just be looking at the tip of the iceberg.

As a teaser, I'll be posting some things that Helene Blowers, the creator of the "23 Things' program suggested to prepare for our journey.

Don't feel obligated to spend much, if any, time on these. You just may find them interesting and a helpful introduction to our PST. One of the first assignments suggested in the "23 Things" project is to listen to the online tutorial Seven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners. Enjoy!

The ONE thing that we always can control is our own learning journey. As someone (a-hem)comfortably over the big 5-0, the new things 'out there' continue to amaze me. If you have never read Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, grab it off your library shelf and spend an afternoon reading it. Don't let the simplicity of the story get in the way of the monumental parable. Whether or not we like where we are right now, we can always put everything we have into it and learn all there is to learn while are on our journey for our own treasure.

To review any of our past posts on the PST and '23 Things', just go to the Professional Study Team topic category on the side bar.

Oh, so completely off topic...

...but so incredible. I'm a very (very) frustrated guitar player -- I haven't quite decided if I'm inspired or if I should donate my guitar to some worthy recipient. I found this video on YouTube sometime ago and saved it...just found it again and thought I'd share it with you. It's more than 7 minutes long, but even watching just a few moments will amaze you. I think we can still view YouTube videos on Citrix -- I believe they are only blocked on the student computers.

Blogs -- In Plain English

Here's a great 3-min. video from Common Craft on blogging. I thought it may be one more tool in your tech-belt for explaining and/or using blogs.

"I Am Legend"

I had to read this one -- the movie, I Am Legend, will be out this holiday season. Yes...I admit to all -- I love classic horror. This is one of the best and has been since 1954. Movies and stories have tried to mimic this novella by Richard Matheson, but few have succeeded. Past movie adaptations were mediocre, at best, so I'm hopeful that this movie will stay somewhat true to the story and that Will Smith will portray Robert Neville as in the book.

Although the science is dated, this is one of the first takes on vampirism as scientifically plausible. Robert Neville is possibly the last man on earth, surviving a plague that took every man, woman, child, and animal. His days are spent gathering food, eliminating the threat, and preparing for the onslaught and terror that comes with the night. For that terror is the undead, who want him as part of their own -- and then they want him as the threat to their very existence.

Although this is a great horror story in the classic sense, it is an interesting view of a man who is the last -- the loneliness, the apathy, the courage and ingenuity, and the fear of stepping over the grey line of insanity. All in all, a good read, a must-read for horror buffs, but definitely not for everyone.

So much to explore, so little time...

It was great seeing everyone at the meeting! Thanks to Maddie, Pat, and Mary for giving some great presentations. I wanted to give you a quick update, and get some feedback, on our PST (Professional Study Team). If you weren't at the meeting, or missed some of the facts, here's a quick rundown of where we are right now concerning the PST:

• It should clock in at around 25 professional development hours


• We will meet at Skyline High School on Wednesdays from 4-5:30 pm beginning on January 16


• We have oodles to cover, but yet I wanted to get your feedback on things you really, really, really want to cover under the Web 2.0 umbrella...or, just sit back and hang on for the ride. We will have fun exploring, learning, and expanding.


• So far...blogging, RSS, wikis, nings, social networking, photo/video applications, online productivity tools, social bookmarking, ...and brainstorm how to use these in the library.

If you know you want to participate in the PST, let me know. If you know that you cannot participate, let me know that, too. I'd like to have an idea of numbers when I turn in the application next week. I'll keep you posted as to when you can register for the PST and further details.

"The Other Boleyn Girl" Movie Trailer

The trailer is now available for the movie The Other Boleyn Girl and I thought I'd post here for you. If you'd like to see the trailer full screen, you can go to this site and click the full screen option. I hope the movie does justice to the book.

More on "The Other Boleyn Girl"

I was just going to add a comment to Linda's post about The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, but I wanted to offer up some more information and links on the series.

First, I loved this book (thank you, Linda, for the recommendation) and I'm ready to read the next. I wasn't sure if the books were intended to be read in any particular order...so I went to the source, Philippa Gregory's website. The chonological order for Henry VIIIs Court history is: The Constant Princess, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, The Queen’s Fool, and The Virgin’s Lover. She has great information on her new book coming out next year, discussions on her current books, and even further research on characters!

Check out her new research on Mary Boleyn and her children. I, too, anxiously await the movie.

Book Groups and Reading Clubs

When we find some spare time (ahem), we would like to sponsor a reading group. We have so many readers and it would be wonderful to really share and nurture this passion. I've noticed some schools have set up book circles and blogs for students to share and come together as a community. How are those going? ...any recommendations for schools considering forming book circles?

We will be launching our reading blog, Skyline Reads, next week and we are excited about it. We'll send the URL, as soon as it is up, in hopes that you will take a look at it for us and offer any suggestions or ideas. We will just be offering book reviews and recommendations in hopes of not only turning kids on to new reads, but establishing a two-way communication with the kids.

I found a couple of sites to share with you for resources on book clubs and reading groups...ideas, questions to ask, and tips for starting books groups: The YA Librarians' Homepage and Reading Group Guides. Many of you know Karol Sacca, the booktalk queen, quite well. She created the "Circle of 10" reading group project and it has evolved into many forms used at schools throughout Colorado and the country. Take a look at her recent project: Book has created ‘one town’ among schools.

What a great idea! Perhaps we should consider a "One Book, One District" for kids and staff to voluntarily read a book as a district project. We could facilitate online book discussions and communication across school boundary lines. If online safety is an issue, we could use Moodle as the online delivery medium allowing for moderation, control, and district-only access. Maybe a mini-grant from DMS or the district to buy multiple copies of a book? Too ambitious? ...perhaps that is something we could discuss at a future meeting.

The Thirteenth Tale

A captivating read, Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale is a wonderful yarn about books, mysteries, ghosts, and family secrets. This is Diane Setterfield's first novel...and what a master wordsmith she is! I was swept into the story, not only by the unfolding mysteries, but by the flowing lyricism and master craftsmanship of her writing.

Margaret Lea, sheltered within her father's bookstore and own haunted past, is invited by reclusive Vida Winter, a world-renowned writer, to pen her biography. Ms. Winter has yet to tell the truth regarding her mysterious past; so why now does she want to tell her true story? ...and why to Margaret? Margaret is soon drawn into the story of Vida Winter and The Thirteenth Tale -- a story of haunting mysteries, ghosts, twins, and family skeletons. Is Vida Winter telling the truth now? How frustrating, and tantalizing, are Ms. Winter's rules for Margaret (and the reader) to not ask questions and not jump ahead in the story.

This is a wonderful Gothic mystery in every sense. What a joy to read a book about books, libraries, writers, and the love of reading. This is one of the best books I have read in quite some time and I highly recommend it. This is another one we need to discuss! Please visit the website, too! This is one of the best websites I've visited -- don't explore too much, however, until you've read the book.

Teens Reading More than Ever!

I found a couple articles that I wanted to share with all of you. They are a bit dated, but still validate what seems to be a surge in teen reading as of late. We have so many new readers at Skyline this year -- it's exciting. We have been scrambling to find new books for them to read (looking for lots of vampire books...thanks to Stephanie Meyer)! We were hoping that it was a result of our superb marketing displays, but we just do think that kids are reading more. If you have a chance, check out these articles. In Teens Buying Books at the Fastest Rate in Decades, the author attributes the surge to better writing and more great young adult authors (and J.K. Rowling):

Not only are teen book sales booming -- up by a quarter between 1999 and 2005, by one industry analysis -- but the quality is soaring as well. Older teens in particular are enjoying a surge of sophisticated fare as young adult literature becomes a global phenomenon.

Do kids have more time on their hands? ...more disposable income? It's not just that there's more great Young Adult literature, though. They are just reading more. That's an interesting statistic in light of increased computer use, social networking, and increased use of tech gadgets. Research Reveals Teens Read More Magazines, Not Less also indicates that teens are reading more magazines than ever before.

Hm-m-m, an interesting thought -- teens are reading MORE even as many thought MySpace, social networking entities, and computer use would steer kids away from reading. So...thank you to the J.K. Rowlings' and Stephanie Meyers' of the world, great marketing by publishing companies, and to us -- for providing the services we provide!

Question: What other authors are really grabbing the kids' interests? ...Westerfeld, Tiernan? What are the books that you just can't keep on the shelf?