Auntie Librarian

While reading another school librarian Tamara Cox's post on non-traditiional shelving, I began thinking about how I can make my library more user friendly. Sadly, I keep trying to think of ways to help students use their library on their own without assistance from an adult. Students have recently been practicing ratios in math. Maps and map reading are always a part of social studies and even language arts.

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I came up with the idea of making a map of the library and having several copies of it available near the sign in area to help students find materials independently when necessary. Then, I thought, "Why not have students make the map?"  And so the "make a map of the library" contest was born. Entries were due March 30th and only five maps came in despite the prize of book fair bucks. I think I made my requirements too detailed. I had over twenty required items for the maps.


In any case, if none of the student made maps work out, I will make my own and see what the response is like. Even if I don't make copies, I can post the map for student reference. I definitely see myself using it with my new 6th graders during orientation. This would even be a great project on the school level. What a better way to help school visitors find their way than with a student made map.

I did a book review program last year that I would like to share. I was certainly inspired by someone else, but I cannot remember who or where.  I do not claim that this is my original idea.  It was fun and I am going to do it again soon.


I called my version of this sticky note book review program, "Read! Write! Win!" students had to read a book, and get a numbered sticky note from someone at the circulation desk. Each sticky note had a different number on it. On their sticky note they had to write the title of their book, the author's name and a review of the book. The review had to assign a number of stars to the book with five stars being the best.


I did this program for a month. Each week we drew a number and matched that number with the number on the sticky note to determine who the winner was. The sticky note reviews kept coming in and brought a nice pop of color to the library. They filled up two doors and a door sized column.

When I do this again I will keep a running list of titles and star ratings and post it somewhere in the library and on the library blog. I enjoyed watching students read each other's reviews and use the reviews to get reading suggestions. .

I stumbled upon a great math/art/science YouTube channel by Vihart that has dazzled me.


Flocabulary is also awesome if you don't already know about it.

And the possibilities of iBooks author? Wow, my head is spinning.

I went to the SCASL conference this past Thursday and Friday. The conference was awesome. It was time and money well spent. I am up to my ears in technology at school and I have been neglecting the book part of my job. I chose to attend sessions without a technology focus as a librarian-chakra balancing prescription. I think it worked.  Here are a few of the tools, ideas, tips and tricks that I will be returning to and sharing with my fellow teachers.

This is the photo I submitted to the This is What a Librarian Looks Like  blog project.  Bobbie Newman and Erin Downey Howerton are "challenging the librarian stereotype one post at a time."  I really enjoyed looking at the pictures on the site and I bet you will too. I have yet to spot a bun I tell you! I am proud to be included among such a lovely group!

A few weeks ago I purchased two refurbished iPads for the library. The iPads are now available to students for in-library use and are soon to be available for teachers to check out. I purchased Otter Box protective cases, screen protectors and an App Store gift card to load the iPads with a few apps. I called Apple with my questions about setting the iPads up and creating a library account. They were very helpful. My School Librarian guru Cathy Jo Nelson was even more helpful with a few tips. I am especially thankful to know that the Apple login remains "open" for window of about 15 minutes after each session. I must be careful not to lend out the iPads immediately after I have been logged on with our account, especially if there is money left in the account.


We will be having the first iPad workshop for teachers after school on Wednesday. Teachers who are interested in checking out the iPads will be required to attend one of the workshops that will be offered and sign a copy of the iPad policy. Teachers who are not interested in checking out the iPads are also encouraged to attend. The iPads will be checked out to teachers in a neoprene zipper case with the charger, an iPad to VGA cable and a 6ft VGA cable to act as an extension enabling teachers to connect the iPad to their Smart Board for display purposes.

 Students have been checking out and "playing" with the iPads during their lunch periods. The students with iPads must sit and stay at a designated table while they are using the iPad. Once I have checked out the iPads to students during any given lunch period, it is not long before there is a small crowd surrounding the two students. I have loaded strictly educational apps onto them. I enjoy watching the students use the iPads, thinking they are just playing. It also makes me smile when I see the students show each other how to use the iPads. Hearing the astonishment in students voices as they say, "We can use those iPads? You bought them for US to use?" (translate: Really? You trust us? They are not just for teachers?) has made me feel rich (and daring) like a king presiding over a feast.


I remember reading somewhere that one thing that shaped Bill Gates was access to a networked computer at school, where the thirteen-year-old Gates learned to program. Two iPads may not have a tremendous impact on my entire school, but the possibility that it might impact one or two students is the reason I made this leap. Some of my students have their own iPads and iPhones. Most of them do not. There are schools where every student has their own iPad - right now. My school is not one of them, but my students will have to compete for the same jobs and opportunities as the students who come from these schools.


I have been partnering with Pam Fowler, a technology teacher at my school in setting up the iPads, planning the training and learning about the educational possibilities these iPads could inspire. It is our hope that teachers will check out the iPads, recommend apps for downloading, and offer students the option of using an iPad in a future project or assignment. I think it has been a good move to start off with just two iPads while we learn the ropes. If all goes well, we will apply for grants and look into purchasing more.