Hello!
I thought we’d talk about hobbies today. It is likely you have a hobby or two that you spend time doing. Our students are beginning to be interested in hobbies, too. Any information about hobbies will draw them to the library and spark an interest in reading. This subject in the library makes wonderful displays. Set up a hobby area and have students display their hobbies and pull books about it from the library. Your Student of the Week could be the one who displays his or her hobby.
There are lots of ideas for display. Involve students, or parents, or church members, or even community members who have interesting hobbies. If your library doesn’t have books about a particular hobby, it is quite possible that some of these adults might suggest books for you or even donate them.
Find out what interests your students have. If your library doesn’t have a book to support someone’s hobby or interests, buy a book and promise they will be the first one to check it out. He will feel valued and important and will be much more likely to make a connection with the library and reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Audrey
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
Student Workers in the Library
Greetings!
I have a group of students that come and help out in the library on a regular basis. This year marks the eleventh year I have had a Library Club here at Rogers. I did some research and learned what other schools do and then tweaked it to fit here. Because of time and scheduling, my Library Club members come to help for the 20 minute lunch recess period. That is what works out best at my school. This limits the club members to 5th and 6th graders and I seldom have any boys.
When I first started, I spoke to all the fifth and sixth graders and talked about helping in the library and had quite a few interested students. They all came to an informational meeting to learn more about what the job might look like and then some decided they would rather play at recess. Over the years I soon realized that I must limit the group. I have learned that ten students is just about all that we need or can handle here.
Students who are interested contact me and I have each student who is interested in being a part of Library Club fill out an application. The application must also be signed by a teacher and students must keep up their schoolwork in order to be a member. I have had a few students drop out because they just had too much on their plate.
I expect my Club members to come work in the library twice a week, but they may come more often if they choose. I expect them to work carefully and train them in each job that needs to be done. Students receive training in shelving books, putting the shelves in correct order, organizing, cleaning, and even helping with book fairs.
This is a service club, but we have a few perks for members. They can come to the library for lunch on certain days, occasional teats, free books and posters from the book fairs we hold, and a special ”Thank You” party in the spring.
Normally I don’t have junior high students in the club due to scheduling differences and also the social aspect of junior high. However, our junior high students need to complete a service requirement, and if they have been a member of Library Club, I am happy to have them work off their requirement in the library. I have even been asked for a job reference from a former Library Club member and was happy I could give a good reference for her.
Most of you have very small libraries, but you also don’t have librarians. It may be that you have volunteer parents to help with the library and that is wonderful, but if you don’t, I hope you consider using students. Any age will do as long as they are careful workers and know what to do for you. This is something that is not just busywork, but a real need. Students can help and be proud of their work.
Have a great week.
Audrey
I have a group of students that come and help out in the library on a regular basis. This year marks the eleventh year I have had a Library Club here at Rogers. I did some research and learned what other schools do and then tweaked it to fit here. Because of time and scheduling, my Library Club members come to help for the 20 minute lunch recess period. That is what works out best at my school. This limits the club members to 5th and 6th graders and I seldom have any boys.
When I first started, I spoke to all the fifth and sixth graders and talked about helping in the library and had quite a few interested students. They all came to an informational meeting to learn more about what the job might look like and then some decided they would rather play at recess. Over the years I soon realized that I must limit the group. I have learned that ten students is just about all that we need or can handle here.
Students who are interested contact me and I have each student who is interested in being a part of Library Club fill out an application. The application must also be signed by a teacher and students must keep up their schoolwork in order to be a member. I have had a few students drop out because they just had too much on their plate.
I expect my Club members to come work in the library twice a week, but they may come more often if they choose. I expect them to work carefully and train them in each job that needs to be done. Students receive training in shelving books, putting the shelves in correct order, organizing, cleaning, and even helping with book fairs.
This is a service club, but we have a few perks for members. They can come to the library for lunch on certain days, occasional teats, free books and posters from the book fairs we hold, and a special ”Thank You” party in the spring.
Normally I don’t have junior high students in the club due to scheduling differences and also the social aspect of junior high. However, our junior high students need to complete a service requirement, and if they have been a member of Library Club, I am happy to have them work off their requirement in the library. I have even been asked for a job reference from a former Library Club member and was happy I could give a good reference for her.
Most of you have very small libraries, but you also don’t have librarians. It may be that you have volunteer parents to help with the library and that is wonderful, but if you don’t, I hope you consider using students. Any age will do as long as they are careful workers and know what to do for you. This is something that is not just busywork, but a real need. Students can help and be proud of their work.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
New Nonfiction
Hello!
I have some more new books for you this week. I understand that I sent a few people to the library or the bookstore last week. I always hope that you find something you like each week.
This week I have all nonfiction titles for you.
Health Careers in Sports by Michael Burgan. Careers off the Field series. Published by MasonCrest, 2016. ISBN 978-1-4222-3268-2. $24.99 Llibrary Binding.
So many of our students want to be professional ball players, football, baseball, basketball, and so forth. It’s great to have ambition, but the fact remains that a very small percentage actually achieve that particular goal. Here is a way to be involved in sports and also have a very interesting career. This book describes the path to take to get a job in sports medicine. It also describes a number of jobs such as sports psychologist, sports surgeon or doctor, physical therapist, and athletic trainer. Students who are interested in sports may also be interested in this book.
Other titles in this series are Sports Marketing, Sports Media Relations, and Sportswriting and Sports Photography.
What You Need to Know About Concussions by Kristine Carlson Asselin. Fact Finders book. Published by Capstone Press, 2016. ISBN 978-1-4914-4834-2. $27.00 Library Binding, $8.00 paperback.
Concussions are an injury that happens when the brain is injured. It can be quite serious if not cared for properly. This book describes situations, stories, and experiences of people who have had concussions and also treatment for it. Photographs and illustrations help young people understand how serious this can be and why they need to follow the doctor’s instructions for healing from a concussion.
Other titles in this set are What You Need to Know About Cancer, What You Need to Know About Diabetes, and What You Need to Know About Meningitis.
What If I Need Stitches? By Therese Shea. Benched: Dealing With Sports Injuries series. Published by Gareth Stevens, 2017. ISBN 978-1-4824-4890-0. $17.00 Library Binding, $8.15 paperback.
No, not all of the books I am presenting today have to do with injuries, but they just happen to be new titles and some also deal with injuries. This series includes titles dealing with sports injuries, but anyone might need stitches. This book describes when one might need stitches and discusses different kinds of stitches. Photographs illustrate throughout.
Other titles in this series include What if I Break a Bone?, What If I Break a Tooth?, What If I Feel Faint?, What If I Get a Concussion?, and What If I Get a Sprain?
Another set of books has the title STEM in the Real World and has six books in the set. I have three of the set. Physics in the Real World, Robotics in the Real World, and Bioengineering in the Real World. In the Physics book, one chapter talks about how physicists can make things appear invisible through lenses and how this invisibility technology could be useful. Chapter two discusses the history of physics, chapter three talks about career paths, and chapter four looks at the future of the subject. Each book follows the same pattern – something cool to know, something about the history, something about the careers, and something about the future of the particular subject.
Other titles in this set include Astronomy in the Real World, Mathematics in the Real World, and Computer Science in the Real World. This is part of their Core Library which supports Common Core State Standards for grades 3 – 6. Set $196.74.
Physics in the Real World by Meg Marquardt. STEM in the Real World series. Published by ABDO Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-68078-042-0. $32.79 Library Binding.
Robotics in the Real World by Robin Koontz. STEM in the Real World series. Published by ABDO Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-68078-043-7. $32.79 Library Binding.
Bioengineering in the Real World by Meg Marquardt. STEM in the Real World series. Published by ABDO Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-68078-039-0. $32.79 Library Binding.
The Vaccination Debate by Rebecca Rissman. Published by ABCO Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-62403-905-8. $35.64 Library Binding. 112 pages.
If you have any questions about whether or not to get a vaccine, you will find both sides represented here. The pros and cons of vaccines are presented with lots of photographs to illustrate. I haven’t read the whole book, but I would not be surprised if the author leaned a bit toward the pro side of vaccines especially since the consultant is with the Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, and the Oregon Health & Science University.
This book is part of a set called ‘Special Reports’. It is geared toward the upper grades as far as content and reading are concerned.
I hope you find something really interesting in this post.
Have a great week!
Audrey
I have some more new books for you this week. I understand that I sent a few people to the library or the bookstore last week. I always hope that you find something you like each week.
This week I have all nonfiction titles for you.
Health Careers in Sports by Michael Burgan. Careers off the Field series. Published by MasonCrest, 2016. ISBN 978-1-4222-3268-2. $24.99 Llibrary Binding.
Other titles in this series are Sports Marketing, Sports Media Relations, and Sportswriting and Sports Photography.
What You Need to Know About Concussions by Kristine Carlson Asselin. Fact Finders book. Published by Capstone Press, 2016. ISBN 978-1-4914-4834-2. $27.00 Library Binding, $8.00 paperback.
Other titles in this set are What You Need to Know About Cancer, What You Need to Know About Diabetes, and What You Need to Know About Meningitis.
What If I Need Stitches? By Therese Shea. Benched: Dealing With Sports Injuries series. Published by Gareth Stevens, 2017. ISBN 978-1-4824-4890-0. $17.00 Library Binding, $8.15 paperback.
Other titles in this series include What if I Break a Bone?, What If I Break a Tooth?, What If I Feel Faint?, What If I Get a Concussion?, and What If I Get a Sprain?
Another set of books has the title STEM in the Real World and has six books in the set. I have three of the set. Physics in the Real World, Robotics in the Real World, and Bioengineering in the Real World. In the Physics book, one chapter talks about how physicists can make things appear invisible through lenses and how this invisibility technology could be useful. Chapter two discusses the history of physics, chapter three talks about career paths, and chapter four looks at the future of the subject. Each book follows the same pattern – something cool to know, something about the history, something about the careers, and something about the future of the particular subject.
Other titles in this set include Astronomy in the Real World, Mathematics in the Real World, and Computer Science in the Real World. This is part of their Core Library which supports Common Core State Standards for grades 3 – 6. Set $196.74.
Robotics in the Real World by Robin Koontz. STEM in the Real World series. Published by ABDO Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-68078-043-7. $32.79 Library Binding.
Bioengineering in the Real World by Meg Marquardt. STEM in the Real World series. Published by ABDO Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-68078-039-0. $32.79 Library Binding.
The Vaccination Debate by Rebecca Rissman. Published by ABCO Publishing, 2016. ISBN 978-1-62403-905-8. $35.64 Library Binding. 112 pages.
This book is part of a set called ‘Special Reports’. It is geared toward the upper grades as far as content and reading are concerned.
I hope you find something really interesting in this post.
Have a great week!
Audrey
Monday, January 30, 2017
New Books
Hello,
I have some fun new books for you to consider adding to your library.
Whoosh! By Chris Barton, Illustrated by Don Tate. ISBN 9781580892971 $16.95 US
I heard about this first title and knew that I had to get it. It is the story of how the super soaker water gun came about. Lonnie Johnson was an engineer that worked for NASA to help figure out how to ensure a constant supply of power to the Orbiter and probe Galileo that was going to go to Jupiter. While testing his idea for a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, he blasted a stream of water across his bathroom. “What a great water gun this would make,” was his first thought. And the Super Soaker was born.
White House Kids by Joe Rhatigan. ISBN 9781936140800, $14.95 US
The subtitle of this book is “The Perks, Pleasures, Problems, and Pratfalls of the Presidents’ Children”. This book covers all children who have lived in the White House through Barack Obama’s girls. There are lots of illustrations and photographs illustrating the history of the White House and the residents since then. At just under 100 pages, it is a great addition to your library.
The Secret Life of a Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht. ISBN 9780760336762 $17.00 US
This is an informational book about snowflakes. It is an up-close look at the art and science of snowflakes which is also its subtitle. There are photographs and illustrations on every page and the text is simple enough for younger readers (third and fourth graders) while also interesting enough for older readers. This is difficult to do. The author is a physicist at Caltech where he studies how crystals grow. He has two other books. One is titled “The Art of the Snowflake”, and the other one is titled “Ken Libbrecht’s Field Guide to Snowflakes”. I am having a hard time imagining who would need a field guide to snowflakes, but one is available apparently. He has a website you can check out, too. www.snowcrystals.com (I just had to check on Amazon.com to see if the field guide is there. It is.
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards, Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. ISBN 9780533497106 $17.99 US
Mrs. Goldman knits hats for everyone in the neighborhood. Sophie notices that Mrs. Goldman doesn’t have a hat and learns that Mrs. Goldman has given her hat away to someone who needed it. Sophie worries about Mrs. Goldman’s head being cold and decided to knot a hat for her. Sophie only likes to make the pom poms for the hats, but valiantly works to knit the hat. When she completes the hat, she sees that she has dropped stitches and has holes in the hat. Sophie solves her problem by making lots of pom poms and putting them all over the hat.
Will’s Words: How William Shakespeare Changed the Way You Talk by Jane Sutcliffe, illustrated by John Shelley. ISBN 9781580893682 $17.95 US
I had no idea how many common phrases and words we use that came from Shakespeare’s works until I read this book. The book also gives us some history of the time period. One side of the page has a paragraph or two about the history and Will’s Words are given on the other side with the information of the play it comes from.
Olinguito, de la A a la Z! written and illustrated by Lulu Delacre. ISBN 9780892393275 $18.95
This bilingual book written both in Spanish and English is an alphabet book focusing on a fairly newly discovered animal in the cloud forest of Ecuador and Columbia, the olinguito. In the information at the back of the book, you can discover more information about the olinguito and also explore the pages of the book. Each picture has real pressed leaves and flowers, a zoologist, and there are nine different kinds of birds in the book. More games and activities can be found at the author’s website. This is a good way to let students know that author information can have a lot more than just the story in the book.
A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. ISBN 9780763666491 $15.99
Ruben wishes he could have a bike like his friend Sergio, but his family just doesn’t have enough money to buy one. One day Ruben is buying something for his mother in the grocery story and notices that a lady has dropped a dollar bill. He quickly scoops it up and pockets it. After all, it’s only a dollar, so he doesn’t try to go after her. Later, when he is home in his room, he pulls it out and discovers that it is a one hundred dollar bill, not a dollar bill. He now has enough to buy a bike. His conscience bothers him all night and the next day. He is sent to the store again and is surprised to see the same lady! This time he chases her and returns the money. “You have blessed me, Ruben,” she exclaims. His heart is lighter and he runs home and tells his family his story. They are very proud that he did the right thing.
American Girl Ultimate Visual Guide by Carrie Anton, Laurie Calkhoven, and Erin Falligant. ISBN 9781465444967 $24.99
If you have students who love the American Girl dolls whether they own one or not, this book will be used and well loved. This book gives the history of the beginning of the American Girl dolls and the company and shows the complete line of dolls and their accessories. This book is new to our library and already I wish I had more copies!
I hope you enjoy these book suggestions.
Have a great week!
Audrey
I have some fun new books for you to consider adding to your library.
I heard about this first title and knew that I had to get it. It is the story of how the super soaker water gun came about. Lonnie Johnson was an engineer that worked for NASA to help figure out how to ensure a constant supply of power to the Orbiter and probe Galileo that was going to go to Jupiter. While testing his idea for a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, he blasted a stream of water across his bathroom. “What a great water gun this would make,” was his first thought. And the Super Soaker was born.
White House Kids by Joe Rhatigan. ISBN 9781936140800, $14.95 US
The subtitle of this book is “The Perks, Pleasures, Problems, and Pratfalls of the Presidents’ Children”. This book covers all children who have lived in the White House through Barack Obama’s girls. There are lots of illustrations and photographs illustrating the history of the White House and the residents since then. At just under 100 pages, it is a great addition to your library.
This is an informational book about snowflakes. It is an up-close look at the art and science of snowflakes which is also its subtitle. There are photographs and illustrations on every page and the text is simple enough for younger readers (third and fourth graders) while also interesting enough for older readers. This is difficult to do. The author is a physicist at Caltech where he studies how crystals grow. He has two other books. One is titled “The Art of the Snowflake”, and the other one is titled “Ken Libbrecht’s Field Guide to Snowflakes”. I am having a hard time imagining who would need a field guide to snowflakes, but one is available apparently. He has a website you can check out, too. www.snowcrystals.com (I just had to check on Amazon.com to see if the field guide is there. It is.
Mrs. Goldman knits hats for everyone in the neighborhood. Sophie notices that Mrs. Goldman doesn’t have a hat and learns that Mrs. Goldman has given her hat away to someone who needed it. Sophie worries about Mrs. Goldman’s head being cold and decided to knot a hat for her. Sophie only likes to make the pom poms for the hats, but valiantly works to knit the hat. When she completes the hat, she sees that she has dropped stitches and has holes in the hat. Sophie solves her problem by making lots of pom poms and putting them all over the hat.
I had no idea how many common phrases and words we use that came from Shakespeare’s works until I read this book. The book also gives us some history of the time period. One side of the page has a paragraph or two about the history and Will’s Words are given on the other side with the information of the play it comes from.
This bilingual book written both in Spanish and English is an alphabet book focusing on a fairly newly discovered animal in the cloud forest of Ecuador and Columbia, the olinguito. In the information at the back of the book, you can discover more information about the olinguito and also explore the pages of the book. Each picture has real pressed leaves and flowers, a zoologist, and there are nine different kinds of birds in the book. More games and activities can be found at the author’s website. This is a good way to let students know that author information can have a lot more than just the story in the book.
Ruben wishes he could have a bike like his friend Sergio, but his family just doesn’t have enough money to buy one. One day Ruben is buying something for his mother in the grocery story and notices that a lady has dropped a dollar bill. He quickly scoops it up and pockets it. After all, it’s only a dollar, so he doesn’t try to go after her. Later, when he is home in his room, he pulls it out and discovers that it is a one hundred dollar bill, not a dollar bill. He now has enough to buy a bike. His conscience bothers him all night and the next day. He is sent to the store again and is surprised to see the same lady! This time he chases her and returns the money. “You have blessed me, Ruben,” she exclaims. His heart is lighter and he runs home and tells his family his story. They are very proud that he did the right thing.
If you have students who love the American Girl dolls whether they own one or not, this book will be used and well loved. This book gives the history of the beginning of the American Girl dolls and the company and shows the complete line of dolls and their accessories. This book is new to our library and already I wish I had more copies!
Have a great week!
Audrey
Monday, January 9, 2017
Steps to a Better Collection, part 2
Hello,
I know that weeding is difficult – I have a hard time with it, too. Do what you tell your students to do. Break it up into smaller sections and do a section at a time. Start with one section – maybe do only the 100s and 200s this year. Find better books to improve just those two sections. Next year, weed and buy books for just the 300s and 400s. Keep going and in five years your whole library will be done and you will be ready to start again on the 100s and 200s again.
This week I want to also remind you to vary your reading levels as you weed and buy. How many books on Native Americans do you have? What reading levels are they at? At our school, the only classes who use this particular subject in their curriculum are in the primary grades, so I know that I need to have books on the lower levels for them as well as upper levels for the older students who are interested in this subject. This information can help me in the weeding process and also the buying process.
I know that some of you feel at a loss as to what kind of books are good? Where do I get them? How do I know what to buy? Find a professional who knows books and follow them. I can help you with books that I get for our school. I often share these titles with you. I also publish these weekly emails on my blog, so if you missed one or want to see them again, just go to sdalibrarian.blogspot.com and you will see all the posts I have made since January 2009. Other spots to find people would include Pinterest. Follow Deborah Ford, and you will find others that you like, too.
One of the most important things to do is to read the books you buy. You need to know what you are putting in the library and when a student needs a particular subject, you will likely remember and be able to help them. (The students will also think that you have read every book in the library!)
Audrey
PS – If you need ideas or titles for a subject, let me know and I may be able to help. I’ll also post an email about it since if one person has a question, others may have the same question.
I know that weeding is difficult – I have a hard time with it, too. Do what you tell your students to do. Break it up into smaller sections and do a section at a time. Start with one section – maybe do only the 100s and 200s this year. Find better books to improve just those two sections. Next year, weed and buy books for just the 300s and 400s. Keep going and in five years your whole library will be done and you will be ready to start again on the 100s and 200s again.
This week I want to also remind you to vary your reading levels as you weed and buy. How many books on Native Americans do you have? What reading levels are they at? At our school, the only classes who use this particular subject in their curriculum are in the primary grades, so I know that I need to have books on the lower levels for them as well as upper levels for the older students who are interested in this subject. This information can help me in the weeding process and also the buying process.
I know that some of you feel at a loss as to what kind of books are good? Where do I get them? How do I know what to buy? Find a professional who knows books and follow them. I can help you with books that I get for our school. I often share these titles with you. I also publish these weekly emails on my blog, so if you missed one or want to see them again, just go to sdalibrarian.blogspot.com and you will see all the posts I have made since January 2009. Other spots to find people would include Pinterest. Follow Deborah Ford, and you will find others that you like, too.
One of the most important things to do is to read the books you buy. You need to know what you are putting in the library and when a student needs a particular subject, you will likely remember and be able to help them. (The students will also think that you have read every book in the library!)
Audrey
PS – If you need ideas or titles for a subject, let me know and I may be able to help. I’ll also post an email about it since if one person has a question, others may have the same question.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Steps to a Better Collection - Weeding
Hello,
I hope you had a good vacation and are fueled up to start the second half of the school year.
This week I want to tell you more about what I learned at the BER seminar I attended in October with Deborah Ford. Deborah is associated with Junior Library Guild and has access to all the newest books. She also is a great proponent of ‘growing’ a great library collection.
By ‘growing’ I mean that your library is changing on a regular basis. You keep the books that are useful in your curriculum and discard or weed the ones that no longer have a place there. Many librarians call this ‘shelf worthy’. Does that particular book deserve a space on your library shelves? Do you need three or more copies of this book? The answer may be yes and the book deserves a spot on the shelf.
The age of the book is not always a reason to discard a book. I was helping one school to organize their library a few summers ago and as I was cataloging, I came across a copy of Kate Greenaway’s ABC book titled “A Apple Pie”. The original rhyme was first mentioned in a religious work in 1671. Variations appeared in the early 19th century and the most popular illustrated edition was Kate Greenaway’s edition in 1886. The rhyme introduces the apple pie and then proceeds to use verbs that tell what happens to the pie. The story begins “A was an apple pit. B bit it, C cut it, D dealt it, E eat it, and so on. The story can be found online if you are interested in it. In any case, I looked for the publication date and only saw the 1886 date. I did not see any reprint dates and I looked all over it. Then I began to get excited and called out that I had found a treasure that I thought was a first edition. I told that school not to discard this since it may be valuable. So you can see that the age of a book might not be a bad thing.
However, this kind of book sighting is fairly rare and the age of a book might be a very good reason to discard a book. Think science books, current events, computer or technology books – all these will have a limited shelf life if they are to be useful.
Discard books that are in bad shape or are ugly or missing pages. Discard books that have very fine print, few or no illustrations, illustrations that are out of date, or too technical for your library.
Discard multiple copies of books that aren’t useful. Keep one copy or possibly two if you have children who like to read the same book, but get rid of the others. Discard or remove to your church library any of Ellen White’s books that aren’t useful for your school curriculum. I advise that small schools have one set of the Conflict of the Ages series, one set of the Testimonies, a copy of Education and any others that you know will be useful at your school. Take the rest to your local church to put in their library or to a book sale or put in a “Free” box at church.
While you are weeding your library, you are also completing a collection analysis. You are learning where your worst areas are or where you are missing books. This is where you will need to put your book money.
I know what you are thinking – I don’t have time to do this! I don’t know where to start. Here are some suggestions for you.
1. Find a parent (or even an older student or two) to come in and go through the shelves. She or he will need to take each book off the shelf and glance through looking at the book. They will consider the condition of the book and look for the things I mentioned above. Any book that they feel is not appropriate, have them put the books in boxes. Have one box for books that they think is not appropriate in regard to age of the book, copyright date, fine print, etc. Another box would be for books that are in bad shape, covers missing or loose, marking inside the book, or missing pages.
2. Now the hard job is done and you can look through only those books that have been pulled off. Go through the books and make a final decision. You may find that a favorite book of the school is in bad shape, so now you need to either get the book repaired or replace the book. It may be that a newer edition is available or a better book can take its place. Write down the subjects or titles, then discard the books. Now you have a plan of what to get.
Deborah Ford is ruthless when weeding. I am more careful since I know that there are some books that are useful to our Adventist libraries even if students aren’t reading them much. It is fun for their parents to come in and happen across a book that they read as a child and become nostalgic.
At the same school I mentioned above, the teacher had a helper who was ruthlessly weeding the shelves. When I visited, the teacher was noticeably distressed over this. I went to the boxes that had been weeded and started looking through them with her at my side. I actually found many books that were useful to the school even if the students hadn’t checked them out such as books on careers. Those are books that are used, but not always checked out. They might be used at school or in the library. We kept them. I pointed out books that I could mend when I came in the summer and we put those in a box, and I pointed out books that needed too much repair, so we tossed them. As we worked together, the teacher relaxed and began to feel better. We kept quite a few of the ‘discarded’ books after all, which was a relief to the teacher.
If you have any questions about what to keep, first think of your curriculum. Is this something that supports my curriculum? Will I use it in my lessons? Is this something that is shelf worthy? If the answer is no to any or all of these questions, it may be time for that book to leave your school. If you still have questions, I would be happy to help you if I can.
Have a great week.
Audrey
I hope you had a good vacation and are fueled up to start the second half of the school year.
This week I want to tell you more about what I learned at the BER seminar I attended in October with Deborah Ford. Deborah is associated with Junior Library Guild and has access to all the newest books. She also is a great proponent of ‘growing’ a great library collection.
By ‘growing’ I mean that your library is changing on a regular basis. You keep the books that are useful in your curriculum and discard or weed the ones that no longer have a place there. Many librarians call this ‘shelf worthy’. Does that particular book deserve a space on your library shelves? Do you need three or more copies of this book? The answer may be yes and the book deserves a spot on the shelf.
The age of the book is not always a reason to discard a book. I was helping one school to organize their library a few summers ago and as I was cataloging, I came across a copy of Kate Greenaway’s ABC book titled “A Apple Pie”. The original rhyme was first mentioned in a religious work in 1671. Variations appeared in the early 19th century and the most popular illustrated edition was Kate Greenaway’s edition in 1886. The rhyme introduces the apple pie and then proceeds to use verbs that tell what happens to the pie. The story begins “A was an apple pit. B bit it, C cut it, D dealt it, E eat it, and so on. The story can be found online if you are interested in it. In any case, I looked for the publication date and only saw the 1886 date. I did not see any reprint dates and I looked all over it. Then I began to get excited and called out that I had found a treasure that I thought was a first edition. I told that school not to discard this since it may be valuable. So you can see that the age of a book might not be a bad thing.
However, this kind of book sighting is fairly rare and the age of a book might be a very good reason to discard a book. Think science books, current events, computer or technology books – all these will have a limited shelf life if they are to be useful.
Discard books that are in bad shape or are ugly or missing pages. Discard books that have very fine print, few or no illustrations, illustrations that are out of date, or too technical for your library.
Discard multiple copies of books that aren’t useful. Keep one copy or possibly two if you have children who like to read the same book, but get rid of the others. Discard or remove to your church library any of Ellen White’s books that aren’t useful for your school curriculum. I advise that small schools have one set of the Conflict of the Ages series, one set of the Testimonies, a copy of Education and any others that you know will be useful at your school. Take the rest to your local church to put in their library or to a book sale or put in a “Free” box at church.
While you are weeding your library, you are also completing a collection analysis. You are learning where your worst areas are or where you are missing books. This is where you will need to put your book money.
I know what you are thinking – I don’t have time to do this! I don’t know where to start. Here are some suggestions for you.
1. Find a parent (or even an older student or two) to come in and go through the shelves. She or he will need to take each book off the shelf and glance through looking at the book. They will consider the condition of the book and look for the things I mentioned above. Any book that they feel is not appropriate, have them put the books in boxes. Have one box for books that they think is not appropriate in regard to age of the book, copyright date, fine print, etc. Another box would be for books that are in bad shape, covers missing or loose, marking inside the book, or missing pages.
2. Now the hard job is done and you can look through only those books that have been pulled off. Go through the books and make a final decision. You may find that a favorite book of the school is in bad shape, so now you need to either get the book repaired or replace the book. It may be that a newer edition is available or a better book can take its place. Write down the subjects or titles, then discard the books. Now you have a plan of what to get.
Deborah Ford is ruthless when weeding. I am more careful since I know that there are some books that are useful to our Adventist libraries even if students aren’t reading them much. It is fun for their parents to come in and happen across a book that they read as a child and become nostalgic.
At the same school I mentioned above, the teacher had a helper who was ruthlessly weeding the shelves. When I visited, the teacher was noticeably distressed over this. I went to the boxes that had been weeded and started looking through them with her at my side. I actually found many books that were useful to the school even if the students hadn’t checked them out such as books on careers. Those are books that are used, but not always checked out. They might be used at school or in the library. We kept them. I pointed out books that I could mend when I came in the summer and we put those in a box, and I pointed out books that needed too much repair, so we tossed them. As we worked together, the teacher relaxed and began to feel better. We kept quite a few of the ‘discarded’ books after all, which was a relief to the teacher.
If you have any questions about what to keep, first think of your curriculum. Is this something that supports my curriculum? Will I use it in my lessons? Is this something that is shelf worthy? If the answer is no to any or all of these questions, it may be time for that book to leave your school. If you still have questions, I would be happy to help you if I can.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Monday, December 5, 2016
Christmas Display idea
Greetings!
Just twenty days until Christmas! I love Christmas stories and Christmas music. Last year at about this time I shared some of my favorite books. This year I have an idea for you. As you read your favorite book, do what you can to illustrate it either on a board or set up a diorama. I read a book titled “The Story of Holly and Ivy”. In that book, part of the story takes place in a toy shop and I decorate my display case to look just like that toy shop. I have done it every other year and now students in older grades come by and have fond memories of the story.
It may be that you have students read a Christmas book and for their book report could be to bring items or set up a diorama to illustrate that book. I like this because the teacher does not have to decorate so extensively, the students love to do it, and they also take it down and haul it away. I also like tying a display to a book or books.
What book or books do you read that might lend themselves to helping to decorate your classroom?
Have a great week.
Audrey
Just twenty days until Christmas! I love Christmas stories and Christmas music. Last year at about this time I shared some of my favorite books. This year I have an idea for you. As you read your favorite book, do what you can to illustrate it either on a board or set up a diorama. I read a book titled “The Story of Holly and Ivy”. In that book, part of the story takes place in a toy shop and I decorate my display case to look just like that toy shop. I have done it every other year and now students in older grades come by and have fond memories of the story.
It may be that you have students read a Christmas book and for their book report could be to bring items or set up a diorama to illustrate that book. I like this because the teacher does not have to decorate so extensively, the students love to do it, and they also take it down and haul it away. I also like tying a display to a book or books.
What book or books do you read that might lend themselves to helping to decorate your classroom?
Have a great week.
Audrey
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