Library Ties

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been introducing our students (and teachers) to a new resource we have at our school.  myOn Reader <www.myon.com> is a new product from Capstone Digital.  The product is a collection of hundreds of digitized books.  Students can read (or have them read to them) from books on a variety of topics and levels.  Teachers have the option for them taking a short comprehension quiz at the end of the book.  There are also options for the text to be highlighted as the computer reads it to the students.  A dictionary is available for students to use while reading as well.  Beside the quiz, students can also rate and write book reviews about the titles the read, too.  The collection of online books can be accessed from any computer in the building or student can login from home to read even more.

myOn has even more features.  There is an interest survey where students let the computer know what it likes as well as a quiz to determine their Lexile reading level.  Based on that information, the computer also recommends books to the students that meet their interests and reading level.  However, students are not just limited to those books and can read any book in the database.  Teachers can also create lists of books based on their theme or classroom units of study for students to read.

My role as the librarian has been to get it set-up, give student an introductory lesson, and provide support for our teachers with the program.  I can also help make recommended lists for students based on their classroom curriculum and topics.

I’m a member of the Capstone Digital Advisory Board, and as soon as they showed us this product I knew I wanted to try it with our kids.  We’re just scratching the surface.  I’m sure once we have all the students logged in and using it, we’ll find more ways to utilize this resource.  Our students seem to really enjoy it and our teachers are up for trying this new resource that is just another way to get books into students hands.  There are lot of data options we can check to see how students and teachers are using the program, so we’re excited to get started with it.  I’m excited to see how this new tool takes off and the potential it has.

Tags:   Capstone Digital · myOn ReaderComments Off

As I sit here watching it snow on top of the ice from the last week, I’m getting a little time to play catch-up on a few things.  Last Saturday I spent the day at the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library at the Indianapolis Youth Literature Conference.  This is the second annual conference sponsored by IMCPL, IUPUI School of Library and Information Science, and Kids Ink Bookstores.  This year’s speakers were Andrea Davis Pinkney, Brian Pinkney, and Patricia McCormick.

Andrea and Brian spoke together sharing about the marriage between words and pictures and a little bit about how the marriage of an author and illustrator work.  It is always so interesting to see how they work, where there ideas come from, and how all of that comes together to the books we all love to read.  The Pinkney are interesting because they work so much together.  Typically authors and illustrators do not work together.  So, this is a unique relationship that has produced some amazing books.

Patricia McCormick shared some of her fascinating research that has lead to her young adult novels.  The slides and photos were unbelievable.  While not the most uplifting presentation, it was just amazing to listen to her stories.

Besides the authors, there were breakout sessions with chance to ask the authors questions, learn about graphic novels, listen to some of the new and upcoming titles, and eBooks, etc.  Lots of choices for learning besides just the author presentation.  Oh, and there were plenty of chances to buy books!  I came home with several bags full!

It was a great one day conference.  The conference is the perfect size where you get time to interact and meet with the authors.  A great way to spend a Saturday in January!

Tags:   Andrea Davis Pinkney · Brian Pinkney · Indianapolis Youth Literature Conference · IUPUI School of Library and Information Science · Kids Ink Bookstores · Patricia McCormickComments Off

One of the major “to do” items on my list as President-Elect of the American Association of School Librarians is to appoint all the committees, task forces, and editorial boards.  Below is a message I am sending out via various AASL Communication channels.  If you are a member of AASL, consider volunteering!!!

———————

AASL Members –

I’m so excited to kick of 2011 by beginning the process to appoint all the various AASL Committees, Task Forces, and Editorial Boards.  This is where the work of our association happens.  As we speak there are committees and chairs hard at work helping to move our association forward.  My task as President-Elect with support from the AASL Appointments Committee is to begin appointing chairs and committee members for works that will begin/continue in July of 2011.

This is where you, the members of AASL, are critical.  We need YOU to become active and involved in our association.  So, how do YOU get involved?

1.)  Go to the AASL website and check out the list committees. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aboutaasl/aaslgovernance/aaslcommittees/committees.cfm

2.)  Consider which ones you think you would like to be involved.  Realize, too, that there are some committees everyone wants to be a part of, so make sure to have more than one on your list.

3.)  Go online and fill out the AASL volunteer form. (You will need to login into the ALA website for the form to work!)
http://www.ala.org/cfapps/committee/volunteerform

4.)  Fill out the form.  Make sure to choose several committees you would like to be involved.

During the month of February, appointments will begin.  My goal is to get as many people involved as possible.  But, the process doesn’t end here.  Throughout the year, the Board will also create Task Forces that have a specific job and time frame.  So, this will be another place for member volunteers!

Last year the AASL Board decided that committees have the option to work virtually.  Each chair will determine how best for their committee to work.  Even if you aren’t able to attend Midwinter or Annual, you can still be involved in an AASL committee by working virtually.

The volunteer database needs to be updated each year, so for those that have served on committees in the past, please make sure to go and fill out the form again!

If you aren’t a member of AASL, this is a perfect time to join!

Thank you for taking time to volunteer.  I look forward to working with you to help more the association and the profession forward.  Take this opportunity to get involved!

Carl A. Harvey II
AASL President-Elect

Tags:   AASL · American Association of School LibrariansComments Off

It’s Data Week at my school this week.  One of three or four times a year that we rearrange our daily schedule to provide teacher with a block of time to look at the data we’ve collected on each student.  Each day a different grade level has a 2 hour block of time to look at their data.  Special education teacher, our literacy coach, and the principal all attend.  They look at each and every student who is not on benchmark (determined by a variety of data points) and determine what interventions they need to move them forward.  We also use a database to track all the interventions so that we can keep track of what we’ve tried, what didn’t work, and what did work.  In a few weeks, we’ll put our building wide data team together to look at the data to see if their are curriculum or programmatic changes we need to make as an entire school.

So, what does this have to do with the library and me?  Several things:

1.) First of all, I attend all the data meetings.  I’m part of the conversations in seeing what our kids need and helping coming up with solutions.  I can recommend resources we have available in the library that might be helpful part of the interventions.  This keeps me aware of the issues for our kids, in our various grade levels, and provides me the change to be more helpful as we plan curriculum and instruction each week.

2.) Our database where we track student data was something we borrowed from another school and that I modified.  We are constantly revising our FileMaker Pro database.  I am by no means an expert with the program, but I continue to work and refine our database.  As we talk in the meetings, we’re constantly seeing need to add additional fields for data, sort data by certain fields, etc.  This is another role that I play.

3.) As we have become more efficient with our data meetings, we’ve found that sometimes they don’t take the entire 2 hours.  Rather than let anytime goes to waste, this is often a place that we provide additional professional development support.  For example, this week I’m working with each grade level on using our new online tool myOn Reader.  I love training in these small groups because I can customize how they might use the tool for their specific level.  It can be hard when offering training to show how a product works for both Kindergarteners and 4th graders when you have all the teachers in a large group.  These small group settings allow me to really focus in on how the tool will work best for each grade level.

So, for two hours every day this week, I’ll be working with a different grade level.  Each morning will be time well spent.  I’ll be learning and sharing with my colleagues all week long.  I’m certain there will be multiple opportunities for me to make connections and demonstrate the role our library program plays in the school.

Tags:   advocacy · data analysis · school library programsComments Off

Here it is almost a week since I got home from San Diego and ALA Midwinter 2011 and I’m finally get a few free minutes to reflect back on the conference.  When I got home, I quickly became engrossed in all the day-to-day things that need to get done as well as getting caught up from being gone.  So, now that those things are back on track, I can take a few minutes to reflect on the visit.

• AASL Board of Directors – The biggest part of my Midwinter agenda was the AASL Board of Directors meetings.   The Executive committee met twice to finalize the agenda for the board meetings and to review next steps decided at the board meeting.  For the last several years the board has used one of its meetings at Midwinter as a board workshop to work on the strategic plan.  Paul Meyer from Tecker Associates has helped facilitate this discussion of mega issues.  At the board meeting on Saturday, we reviewed action based on the concerns brought forth by the Affiliate Assembly in June as well as spend some time evaluating the strategic plan and how we are progressing.   The minutes from the meeting will be posted on the AASL website.
• President-Elects Meetings – One of the opportunities that I have enjoyed the most in being President-Elect is the chance to get to know ALA President-Elect, Molly Raphael, and the other division President-Elects.  We first got together at our President-Elect training in October where we spent a lot of time as a group.  At Midwinter we had the opportunity to come together again, albeit for a short time frame, to share and network.  I learn so much hearing what is happening in the other divisions and I really enjoyed the time.
• AASL Candidate Forum – The cycle continues.  Seems like it was just yesterday I was giving my speech at the AASL Candidates Forum.  In reality it was a year ago in Boston, and 2011 brings the next round of candidates.   I was privileged to be able to attend and listen to all those individuals who are running in the 2011 election.  We have amazing people on the ballot.  Make sure if you are a member of AASL to take a few minutes to vote this spring.
• Exhibits – My schedule was so crazy that I really only got time on Monday morning after the Youth Media Awards announcements to spend any time in the exhibits.  I always enjoy looking at the books coming out in the spring, checking on new products, and catching up with my vendor friends
• Youth Media Awards – One of my favorite things each year is to attend the Youth Media Awards.  It is always so much fun to see which book is going to take home the top honors.  A complete list is available here: http://www.ala.org/yma/
• Affiliate Assembly – One of my favorite meetings to attend each conference is Affiliate Assembly.  This is really one of the major pipelines for information from AASL to get to the various states and for information form the various states to get to AASL.  I got my start in the Affiliate Assembly when I was President-Elect of the Association for Indiana Media Educators.  From there, I continue to get more and more involved in AASL.    It is a great introduction to the work of the association.  This year there was also a wonderful presentation from the Texas School Library Association about some of the great resources they’ve put together to help connect parents with school librarians.  Here is the link: http://www.txla.org/tasl/parent-resources
• All Committee – Here is where most of the AASL committees meet during Midwinter.  Although some committees decided to meet virtually, others had face-to-face meetings during the conference.  Staff and board liaisons are available to provide support for questions and concerns as well as giving committees time to work on their minimum intended outcomes.  It is so much fun to see all these groups working together.  We know they spend many hours outside conference for the work of the association.   Soon I’ll be appointing committees for the 2011-2012 year.  Consider volunteering at: http://www.ala.org/cfapps/committee/volunteerform
• Networking – Lastly, my favorite thing about any conference is the networking.  I always learn so much hearing what my colleagues and friends all over the country are doing.  The chance to catch-up with vendor friends and listening to the projects they have on the horizon are always amazing.  Midwinter was a great chance to catch-up with friends and meet new ones…

A few others notes I made from MW….

• There is not much time left to apply for some of the many AASL Awards.  Deadline is February 7, 2011 for most of the awards. - http://www.ala.org/aasl/awards/
• AASL National Conference – Turning the Page – Minneapolis, MN – October 27-30, 2011.  Registration is now open! – http://aasl11.org
• AASL release a statement about re-authorization of Elementary Secondary Education  Act – http://www.ala.org/aasl/positionstatements
• Building Level Toolkit for AASL’s Learning Standards and Program Guidelines – http://www.ala.org/aasl/toolkits/
• AASL is working on a crosswalk between the Common Core and AASL Standards.  They are working on getting it all post online – http://www.ala.org/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/
• School Library Counts survey now open – http://www.ala.org/aasl/slcsurvey/ Please take a minute to respond about your library!
• Learning 4 Life Student Video Contest – http://www.ala.org/aasl/l4lvideocontest/

Tags:   AASL · ALA · alamw11Comments Off

I think I’ve mentioned on this blog before that one of my consulting projects is that I write a monthly E-Tools newsletter for C.L.A.S.S. Every January issue contains a list of some of my favorite books from the previous year and ways you might consider using them in the classroom or library.  Below are the list of this years book.  All the ideas will be posted on the C.L.A.S.S. website under E-Tools in a few days.  Past lists from 2008, 2009, and 2010 are also available.

• Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates
• City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems
• Ernest the Moose Who Doesn’t Fit by Catherine Rayner
• Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
• Art and Max by David Wiesner
• We Are in a Book by Mo Willems
• Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
• The Present by Bob Gill
• How to Clean a Hippopotamus by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
• LMNO Peas by Keith Baker
• Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton
• The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements
• Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming
• Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems
• 100 Ways to Celebrate 100 Days by Bruce Goldstone
• It’s a Book by Lane Smith
• The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
• Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I Don’t) by Barbara Bottner
• The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
• Guyku by Bob Raczka

• Early Word Best of 2010 – Mashup – http://www.earlyword.com/2010/12/03/best-books-mashups-2010/
• Peggy Sharp’s Best Lists! – Usually posts her favorites, so check back later for 2010. – http://www.peggysharp.com/index.php
• NY Times Best Illustrated Books 2010 – http://www.nytimes.com/gift-guide/holiday-2010/best-illustrated-childrens-books-2010/list.html
• Newbery and Caldecott Medals will be announced Jan. 10th @ 7:45am PST / 10:45 EST – http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/presskits/youthmediaawards/alayouthmediaawards.cfm
• Publisher’s Weekly’s Best of 2010 – http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/45090-pw-s-best-children-s-books-2010.html
• School Library Journal’s Best of 2010 – http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/888269-312/best_books_2010.html.csp
• Read Kiddo Read – http://www.readkiddoread.com/uploads/kiddos.php
• Booklist Editor’s Choice - http://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=4573403
• Chicken Spaghetti Blog – Links to lists of Best Books from 2010 – http://chickenspaghetti.typepad.com/chicken_spaghetti/best-kids-books-2010.html
• Cybil Awards – Children’s Lit Blogger Awards – http://www.cybils.com/2011/01/2010-finalists.html

Tags:   Best Books 2010 · C.L.A.S.S. · Children's LiteratureComments Off

Today I saw on AASL’s Twitter page that the deadline is soon for the National School Library Program of the Year Award (NSLPY).  Applications are due January 3, 2011.  That leaves a little more than a month (if you don’t include the holidays in there!) to write it all up and submit it.

My school was privileged to be one of the 2007 award winners.  The experience has been one of the professional highlights of my career, and I was so honored to celebrate the work that my students, teachers, and administrators have done to create our program.  It truly was a team effort!  Awards like the NSLPY really demonstrate to the learning community that the library program they helped create really is amazing!

But, there is more to the NSLPY than a check and a beautiful crystal award (although those are both wonderful!).  First there is the process.  Writing our application was a group project.  I solicited input and opinions from our teachers, parents, and students.  We used their ideas and words in our application.  The process was a great evaluation of our program compared to the AASL Guidelines.  We could see some of the weakness we had as well as the strengths of our programs.  Thinking about our entire program was a great reflective process.  Writing out what we do and how we do it really gave us a chance to think about our program which often doesn’t happen as we are just trying to do the day to day things needed to run the program.

We turned it in….and promptly did not win.  I was bummed.  I thought we had a pretty good program and so it was a little sad to know we didn’t reach the top of the pile.  But, a wise friend reminded me that “if at first you don’t succeed; try, try again!”

So, the next fall I pulled out that application.  Went through a similar process, again.  Refreshed the documented, updated some of the new things we were doing (some of the ideas we got from going through the process the year before), and then made sure we were very clear in our wording.  Again, the time reflecting on our program was all well spent.  This time we were honored when we received word that we had won.  It was a school-wide celebration!  I can still remember the principal calling all the students outside in front of the school so we could tell them about the award.  He had run out and bought popsicle for all the students and staff so we could celebrate!  It was just too cool!

Here we are 4 year later and I think back to how our program has continued to grow.  Our program has experienced some challenges and hurdles in this economy — who hasn’t?  We’re dealing with them as best we can!   We know where we need to grow and improve, and we spend each and ever day moving that direction.  The NSLPY process and award helped us to internalize that reflective practice of looking at our vision and charting a course to get there!

So, if you are sitting there wondering….should I apply?  should I not?  To me, the answer is clear!  Apply!  The process alone will be good for your program.  Working through it with your teachers and administrators can give you ideas and directions on how to make your program even better and better.  Comparing yourself to the national guidelines can provide good conversations on how your program needs to grow if it isn’t meeting those standards.  At the same time, if you turn it in, you just never know.  You can’t win if you don’t apply!  They may just be calling you in a few months to let you know that your school library program is the 2011 winner of the NSLPY!!!    Good luck!!

Tags:   AASL · American Association of School Librarians · National School Library Program of the Year · school librariesComments Off

AASL has started sending out a daily advocacy tips. From the simple idea of making sure there was a link to the library homepage from the main school page to setting up an advisory committee. Each day there is a little gems. Sometimes they are great reminders of things I keep meaning to do, but maybe haven’t quite the time. Sometimes they are ideas I hadn’t even thought of, and I start to wonder how that might work in my school. Every once in a while there is one that I know I’m doing!  It gives me that feeling of “I’m on the right track!”

If you are a member of AASL you can get these little tips emailed directly to your inbox – once a day, once a week, or once a month depending on your preference. You also have the option to get them as an email or text.  AASL also has been posting them on their Twitter.  So, lots of ways to get access to these wonderful ideas! If you have ideas that you think make great tips, make sure to share those with the AASL office. You might see them as a future tip down the road.

Tags:   AASL · advocacy · American Association of School Librarians · Professional Development · school library media programsComments Off

I guess these posts are a little backwards.  The Forum was before the ILF conference, but I’m a bit behind with comment about it.  After the whirlwind travel month of October and early November, it has taken me a little while to get caught back up.  Anyway…..The Fall Forum was in Portland, OR and while there I did get a chance to visit Powell’s Bookstore (thanks to Marge Cox and Julie Walker) and the VooDoo Doughnut Shop (thanks to Cassandra Barnett’s).  But, the main reason for the trip was the professional development opportunity.

There were some amazing speakers this year.  The Fall Forum is held in years opposite of the AASL National Conference.  It is a focus two day event that dives deeper into a topic than might be possible in a concurrent session or keynote speech.  Kicking off the event, Paige Johnson from Intel gave us some glimpse of what our students are going to need to compete in the 21st Century.  Johnson is an active part of the Partnership for the 21st Century Skills, which AASL is a member organization.

Dr. Gail Dickinson lead us through Essential Questions.  There is a wiki of resources here.  We talked about essential questions that are focused on program outcomes based on the student learning.  Essential questions start with “How” and not “What” or “Why”.  After Gail’s presentation, we worked in small groups to think about essential questions both for student learning and for our field – like “How do we show the value of school libraries on students achievement?”   The next day we started with Dr. Leslie Maniotes whose presentations focused on enduring understandings.   The key ideas include knowledge that transfer, principles that apply to many situations, flexible strategies, and conceptual understandings.  The last speaker was Dr. Ross Todd.  I’ve heard Ross several times talk about evidence based practice, but I always come away learning the process and concept just a little bit better.  One of his quotes from the presentation was, “Without evidence, we are condemned to be oblivious.  With it, we have a shot at being a part of the future.”  Certainly wise words for our field as we navigate through the touch economy and changes in education in this country.

As with all conferences, my favorite part were the conversations at the table, in the hallway, at the reception party, during the breaks, and at dinner.  To me that network time is invaluable, and the format of this years Forum provided plenty of opportunity to strengthen connections and make new ones, too.  The 2012 group will be starting soon to plan the next Fall Forum.  I can’t wait to see what they plan for us!

Tags:   AASL · AASL Fall Forum 2010 · American Association of School Librarians · conferences · Gail Dickinson · Leslie Maniotes · Paige Johnson · Ross Todd · school libraries2 Comments

Past AIME Presidents, Leslie Preddy, Carl Harvey, Kim Carr, and Rick Jones

After missing the 2009 ILF conference because I was sick, I was glad for the chance to catch-up with my Indiana friends this year.  The 2010 Indiana Library Federation conference was full of good times and great opportunities for learning.  The Association for Indiana Media Educators (AIME) had some big changes with this year’s conference.  Formed in 1978, AIME was a combination of the Indiana School Librarians Association and the Indiana Association for Educational Communications and Technology.  At the ILF conference this week, AIME went through another change and renamed the organization to the Association of Indiana School Library Educators (AISLE).

We were also lucky enough to have a visit from the current AASL President, Dr. Nancy Everhart, who made a swing by Indianapolis on her way to continue visiting schools all across the country as part of her Vision Tour.  Nick Bruel came to accept his Young Hoosier Book Award for Bad Kitty.  He provided a hilarious speech sharing about where the characters came from in his books. The main event at the conference, however, was the performance

Past, Present, and Future AIME Presidents, Jill Youngblood, Vicki Builta, and Lael DuBois

from A.R.T. — Authors Readers Theatre.  The troupe included Avi, Richard Peck, Pam Munoz Ryan, and Sarah Weeks.  Performing as a group, they did Readers Theatre performances selected from the books they’ve written.  It was absolutely amazing!  For me, I got a chance to meet Sarah Weeks who will be coming back to Indiana in March for our annual author visit.  Our kids are going to love her!  But, as always my favorite part of any conference are the conversations – at lunch, in

A.R.T.-Richard Peck, Pam Munoz Ryan, Avi, and Sarah Weeks

the hallway, during a break, or in the vendor hall.  The time to share, to commiserate, to celebrate, and to learn from one another is so invaluable for school librarians.  Our world can be so isolating as we’re the only one that has our job in the school.  We need that opportunity to find others like us.  It helps us grow and develop as professionals to be even better for our students and staff.  Next year the ILF conference will be going back to Ft. Wayne.  Looking forward to it already!

Tags:   AASL · American Association of School Librarians · Association for Indiana Media Educators · Association of Indiana School Library Educators · Authors Readers Theatre · Avi · conferences · Dr. Nancy Everhart · ILF2010 · Indiana Library Federation · Pam Munoz Ryan · Professional Development · Richard Peck · Sarah Weeks · school librarians · school libraries · Vision Tour1 Comment