If you are looking for learning opportunities for you and your staff there are several places to look for quality staff development. One of theses is WebJunction . Webjunction offers free webinars to library staff. There are many training opportunities which are complied and shares by the Wyoming State Library. Check it out each month on the WebJunction site page and see what they have!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Banned Books Week 2015
The Banned Books Week National Committee has announced that September 27- Oct 3, 2016 will be Banned Books Week. This year the focus is on YA literature. They have released the ten most challenged books of 2014 and most of them were for teens.
You can read more and check out the list at the School Library Journal Website!
You can read more and check out the list at the School Library Journal Website!
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Book groups for libraries and beyond
Think outside the box for your next book group! Yes the Adult book discussion group is a standard fir many public libraries. Our book group for our library originally was in the library. Now our new adult programmer librarian is branching out to other venues.
For the past several months the group meets a the local brewery - she calls it Pints & Pages. The group shares an appetizer , and discuss the monthly novel. This is an evening session and it works out very well.
In July , the group will meets at a local coffee / eatery on the back deck/ Having a book group in a public venue provides more exposure. Patrons frequenting those places will notice the groups and perhaps be inspired to check out the group or go to the library so see what else is going on there
So now we want to think of some more venues for our future books groups. Can any of you share your innovative places for book groups? Let's share some ideas!
For the past several months the group meets a the local brewery - she calls it Pints & Pages. The group shares an appetizer , and discuss the monthly novel. This is an evening session and it works out very well.
In July , the group will meets at a local coffee / eatery on the back deck/ Having a book group in a public venue provides more exposure. Patrons frequenting those places will notice the groups and perhaps be inspired to check out the group or go to the library so see what else is going on there
So now we want to think of some more venues for our future books groups. Can any of you share your innovative places for book groups? Let's share some ideas!
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Book Review- Divergent
Divergent by V . Roth ( Katherine Tegen Books, 2013)
Beatrice has a choice, actually many choices of factions to belong to after her schooling. She chooses one faction she knows will be exciting and challenging, but she does it on a whim and she is not sure why she has chosen it. But did she make the wrong choice?
Tris ( as she decides is her new name) has new friends. There are some in her group who are not sure and aware of her ca[abilities. Tris learns a lot and builds up her body as a member of the Dauntless group.
As a final acceptance into the group, Tris learns the truth about the factions and her leaders. She must help her old factions and the others to avoid being controlled by a few. This YA book is intense Science Fiction story.( Similar to the Hunger Games) Now I want to read the second novel to see what happens next.
If you liked the Hunger Games , this intense novel is for you. Roth is an exceptional author bring characters and events to life.
Beatrice has a choice, actually many choices of factions to belong to after her schooling. She chooses one faction she knows will be exciting and challenging, but she does it on a whim and she is not sure why she has chosen it. But did she make the wrong choice?
Tris ( as she decides is her new name) has new friends. There are some in her group who are not sure and aware of her ca[abilities. Tris learns a lot and builds up her body as a member of the Dauntless group.
As a final acceptance into the group, Tris learns the truth about the factions and her leaders. She must help her old factions and the others to avoid being controlled by a few. This YA book is intense Science Fiction story.( Similar to the Hunger Games) Now I want to read the second novel to see what happens next.
If you liked the Hunger Games , this intense novel is for you. Roth is an exceptional author bring characters and events to life.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Organization of Library Materials
Normally books and materials in libraries are organized on the shelves by collection and classification. You may also have a Reference section and a periodical/magazine section. Sections For audio visuals, listening kits, and cd's may depend on the amounts in each category. You may have then placed together or you may have each in its own collection and area.
If you have books in demand- lets say you are doing a special program ( Caldecott Challenge, Battle of the books, specialized classroom reference project, display or theme) you may want to pull out the books and isolate them from the regular collection. Place those books and resources in an easily accessible location for ease of use for both student, patron, and staff use.
Shelving is done every day. checking shelves of relocated items is also recommended,again depending on the length of the special program or theme. Why is this important?
It is important that patrons, students, or staff will be able to trace items form the catalog to the shelf. To be able to find books / information quickly is the the usual trade mark of a good library system
If you have books in demand- lets say you are doing a special program ( Caldecott Challenge, Battle of the books, specialized classroom reference project, display or theme) you may want to pull out the books and isolate them from the regular collection. Place those books and resources in an easily accessible location for ease of use for both student, patron, and staff use.
Shelving is done every day. checking shelves of relocated items is also recommended,again depending on the length of the special program or theme. Why is this important?
It is important that patrons, students, or staff will be able to trace items form the catalog to the shelf. To be able to find books / information quickly is the the usual trade mark of a good library system
Thursday, May 28, 2015
June ideas for Library Bulletin Boards
It's almost June- where did the year go? Some ideas for you for your June Bulletin Boards:: It's the end of the year so get ready for lots to do!
Summer Read- Feature covers of student favorites . Use names and say" Jeanne recommends"
Get Carried away with Books- Balloons or hot air balloons. If you want - add titles to balloons.
Hot Days- Cool Books- summer scene- reading on the beach
Photos of students reading their favorite books in their favorite places.
Dive Deep Into Reading- under the ocean, fish, sharks, water plants.
Special Days:
Fathers Day
Flag Day
Summer
Summer Read- Feature covers of student favorites . Use names and say" Jeanne recommends"
Get Carried away with Books- Balloons or hot air balloons. If you want - add titles to balloons.
Hot Days- Cool Books- summer scene- reading on the beach
Photos of students reading their favorite books in their favorite places.
Dive Deep Into Reading- under the ocean, fish, sharks, water plants.
Special Days:
Fathers Day
Flag Day
Summer
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Library Lib Guide
Our library system, ( we have 3 branches) has a great tool for staff education and communication which is our LibGuide. It is a password protected site that staff can use and was developed for us by our Library Director.
The lib Guide is our source for our staff to at so we all keep up to date on what is going on in all our branches, and also helps us keep up with policies, procedures, for both our internal and external needs.
We can check on the community calendar to see what programs are being offered at each our branches. We can read policies and procedures the moment they are updated. We can print out forms that are needed, ( community room use, volunteer applications) and we can print out monthly calendars, and flyers for programs.
Also on our lib guide is equipment and computer use policies and procedures, The Tab under Forms has many forms that are used on a monthly basis. This is a convenient place to have them, because they can be easily brought up and printed out if needed.
One of the best tabs is our system and regional tabs, Under our own system we have our staff calendar, ( this includes staff vacation days, & where our Director will be on a monthly basis ( meetings, branch visits, ect) , There are also staff meeting notes, manager meeting notes, job descriptions, payroll information , and an organization chart that shows where everyone is at each branch and days they are at work.
All in All, this libguide is very very helpful tool in all our branches!
The lib Guide is our source for our staff to at so we all keep up to date on what is going on in all our branches, and also helps us keep up with policies, procedures, for both our internal and external needs.
We can check on the community calendar to see what programs are being offered at each our branches. We can read policies and procedures the moment they are updated. We can print out forms that are needed, ( community room use, volunteer applications) and we can print out monthly calendars, and flyers for programs.
Also on our lib guide is equipment and computer use policies and procedures, The Tab under Forms has many forms that are used on a monthly basis. This is a convenient place to have them, because they can be easily brought up and printed out if needed.
One of the best tabs is our system and regional tabs, Under our own system we have our staff calendar, ( this includes staff vacation days, & where our Director will be on a monthly basis ( meetings, branch visits, ect) , There are also staff meeting notes, manager meeting notes, job descriptions, payroll information , and an organization chart that shows where everyone is at each branch and days they are at work.
All in All, this libguide is very very helpful tool in all our branches!
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Inventory Time
Well it time again to think about inventory! An exhausting time but a necessary task! Start out getting all books ( or as many as you can) back into the library , checked in , and on the shelves.
I try to spend a little time reading shelves putting books in the right order. However, during the year , as I am putting books away , I take some time to check the shelves that I am replacing books on. I figure that if books were taken, there is a likely-hood that some items might be misplaced. In our library( elementary level) we only go beyond one decimal point. This helps me while shelving and also helps the student learn about the DD system without too much aggravation.
Anyway so as I am shelving, I am correcting misfiled books- so it is one time time deal . This seems to work in the library I am presently in. Past libraries, I have begun at the beginning and read the entire collection.
Does anyone have any comments on inventory? tips on reading and shelving and getting books Back? I send out over-dues to students. My staff can keep books that they are using and hopefully bring back what they do not need at the time.
I try to spend a little time reading shelves putting books in the right order. However, during the year , as I am putting books away , I take some time to check the shelves that I am replacing books on. I figure that if books were taken, there is a likely-hood that some items might be misplaced. In our library( elementary level) we only go beyond one decimal point. This helps me while shelving and also helps the student learn about the DD system without too much aggravation.
Anyway so as I am shelving, I am correcting misfiled books- so it is one time time deal . This seems to work in the library I am presently in. Past libraries, I have begun at the beginning and read the entire collection.
Does anyone have any comments on inventory? tips on reading and shelving and getting books Back? I send out over-dues to students. My staff can keep books that they are using and hopefully bring back what they do not need at the time.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Book review- Firecomb Manor
Firecomb Manor ( Riordain, Harper Collins, 2015) pairs two characters : Alice ( 1933) and Elizabeth ( 1898) as they await the birth of Alice's first and Elizabeth second child. Alice becomes pregnant by a married man - her parents send her away in shame, Elizabeth struggles with her demanding , always angry husband with his need to have a male heir. Elizabeth has been unable to hold on to many pregnancy's
The novel begins with Alice in London , just 22 and finding her self pregnant. Her mother send her to Firecomb manor to an old friend who is the maid /caretaker of the place. This is where she begins to read the diary of Elizabeth as it outlines her daily life.
The chapters go between Elizabeth and Alice, as we learn about each of them. Alice learns about Elizabeth and feel a definite kinship with her The ending appears to be natural conclusion although endearing and exciting, Alice decided what she will do with her life providing us with a nicely wrapped package ending,
The novel begins with Alice in London , just 22 and finding her self pregnant. Her mother send her to Firecomb manor to an old friend who is the maid /caretaker of the place. This is where she begins to read the diary of Elizabeth as it outlines her daily life.
The chapters go between Elizabeth and Alice, as we learn about each of them. Alice learns about Elizabeth and feel a definite kinship with her The ending appears to be natural conclusion although endearing and exciting, Alice decided what she will do with her life providing us with a nicely wrapped package ending,
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Planning your day
Planning - how much do you do? Do you plan what you will do each day or do you just go into work and then wing it? For many years ( more than I like to admit) I just did lesson planning ( when I was at School) and the rest of the time I just sort of "winged" it. That worked out fine for a long time because I had great support library assistants and when a big job came around we got it done.
When I lost my full time assistant was when I really took the time to plan out what I needed to do and how in the world was I going to get it all done. To add fuel to that idea was the fact that I did have people coming into to help but they would be with me for a period or at most maybe two periods .
Its similar in the public library, especially when staff are different each day or vacation time rolls around like now when everyone is getting their time in .
So I really took stock to determine what I would have them do when they arrive at the door. Now, some of those aides really jumped in and did what ever they thought was the best for the library. But some of the aides had never been in the library before so I had to train them in various jobs. Which was not always easy because most of the time I had many many classes, or programs and projects going on.
Anyway my point is that whether you have help or not. Or whether you have a full time or part time person, you will accomplish more and feel better if you at least plan out part of your day. If you know you have a certain task to complete , and it is a big one , break it down into segments and begin to work on it when you have a block of time during your day.
Look at your schedule - with classes and special programs and decide what you will do to further you jobs completed.
Check out my ebook- The Organized Librarian. This details how my days went from 'winging it' to more organized and efficient.
When I lost my full time assistant was when I really took the time to plan out what I needed to do and how in the world was I going to get it all done. To add fuel to that idea was the fact that I did have people coming into to help but they would be with me for a period or at most maybe two periods .
Its similar in the public library, especially when staff are different each day or vacation time rolls around like now when everyone is getting their time in .
So I really took stock to determine what I would have them do when they arrive at the door. Now, some of those aides really jumped in and did what ever they thought was the best for the library. But some of the aides had never been in the library before so I had to train them in various jobs. Which was not always easy because most of the time I had many many classes, or programs and projects going on.
Anyway my point is that whether you have help or not. Or whether you have a full time or part time person, you will accomplish more and feel better if you at least plan out part of your day. If you know you have a certain task to complete , and it is a big one , break it down into segments and begin to work on it when you have a block of time during your day.
Look at your schedule - with classes and special programs and decide what you will do to further you jobs completed.
Check out my ebook- The Organized Librarian. This details how my days went from 'winging it' to more organized and efficient.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Master list - to help you stay organized
I find that Master lists ( of to do's ) and Daily lists help me greatly in getting task and activities done on a daily and weekly basis. I try to keep my lists in sight as I go about my daily routines , whether I am at work or at home.
The reason I do this is because it really helps me stay organized and focused on what I need to do. I also use my lists and prioritize the tasks on them. I use a simple way to tag the activities I must do.
When I put lists on paper ( or on the computer- but I feel paper is better for me , because then I can SEE the list) I will delegate a letter- A most important, B and C. That's where I stop( as far as letters go)
Another idea that I like to do with my Master list is to make two columns : one for most important things I NEED to do, and a second column of things I WANT to do. I also place due dates on items that have a complete by date so I know when I must be done.
Also on my Master lists I will put do by dates if I have them. This way I can focus on what is most important.
Check out my book The Organized Librarian- click on the link above for ordering instructions.
The reason I do this is because it really helps me stay organized and focused on what I need to do. I also use my lists and prioritize the tasks on them. I use a simple way to tag the activities I must do.
When I put lists on paper ( or on the computer- but I feel paper is better for me , because then I can SEE the list) I will delegate a letter- A most important, B and C. That's where I stop( as far as letters go)
Another idea that I like to do with my Master list is to make two columns : one for most important things I NEED to do, and a second column of things I WANT to do. I also place due dates on items that have a complete by date so I know when I must be done.
Also on my Master lists I will put do by dates if I have them. This way I can focus on what is most important.
Check out my book The Organized Librarian- click on the link above for ordering instructions.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Ideas on Professional reading! -
However when I do professional reading ( books, journals) I have my notebook with me.I like to jot down ideas that I gleam that I can use , ideas for lessons, quotes that inspire me, ideas for advocacy, or ideas to share with library colleagues or teachers. I can look back in this notebook and make sure I have the quote or idea correct.
Also I can look back and reread . It sometimes sparks an idea for displays, organizing, or staff development. This is also a record of what I have read- Yes I do note titles and authors, So if some one asks for a recommendation , I can give it to them . This is especially true of really good professional books,
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Bulletin Boards for May
It is getting toward the end of April , so I am thinking of what to do about those bulletin boards.
here are some ideas of what I have sued in the past.
Sneaking around with a good book- copies of sneakers , students will put on their favorite spring books and them on the board.
-"When we read we Grow.'May flowers- Blue Back ground
Battle of the Books - groups. scores , announcement.
"We're wild about Books!"- Jungle theme ( animals , trees) around slogan, maybe even titles on tree leaves, or book jackets if you have more room.
"Read, Return, Repeat" Make slogan like the Recycle, Reduce, Reuse green arrows- put book jackets around that.
"Don't be angry -Read a Good Book" Angry birds and book jackets or titles
here are some ideas of what I have sued in the past.
Sneaking around with a good book- copies of sneakers , students will put on their favorite spring books and them on the board.
-"When we read we Grow.'May flowers- Blue Back ground
Battle of the Books - groups. scores , announcement.
"We're wild about Books!"- Jungle theme ( animals , trees) around slogan, maybe even titles on tree leaves, or book jackets if you have more room.
"Read, Return, Repeat" Make slogan like the Recycle, Reduce, Reuse green arrows- put book jackets around that.
"Don't be angry -Read a Good Book" Angry birds and book jackets or titles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)