This is What a Librarian Looks Like
My quarterly blog for IRA
11 years ago
Little blog, you haven't been forgotten
So little time to take care of this blog, much as I want to. Some librarians like the title "technological bibliophile". That's our library. Technology! Books! Technology! Books! So little time!
We have embarked on a major weeding project, leading to remodeling frenzy. Our nonfiction collection is about 20 years old. Why? Money, it's always money, so let's not even go there. But, that's okay. So much of what can be found in our nonfiction books can be just as readily found on the Internet, and it's more up to date. We're pulling books that haven't been checked out in YEARS. I will continue working with students to make sure they are finding credible sources, even if it's rarely opening up a book lately. Being a librarian continues to be about teaching information literacy, regardless of the delivery. So, we are removing nonfiction books by the hundreds. As shelves empty, a wonderful volunteer called Mr. Stratner is remodeling them, and we will eventually rearrange them. So, don't mind the noise and the mess (although you probably haven't noticed, since the library is always noisy and messy anyway). Hopefully by next school year, you will LOVE it!
Google Docs - What's new?
Every time I turn around, Google Docs has made some more improvements. Most people still use commercial products (can't name names) they've downloaded to a computer because it's comfortable. STOP! Use your Google Docs instead! For a free product, it's pretty impressive. AND, as long as you can get to the Internet, you can get to your documents. No viruses, no incompatible formatting. The wave of the future!
YAllapolooza! Phoenix Public Library
YAllapolooza! January 28th, 2012 - meet some of your favorite YA Authors at Burton Barr Central Library. Yippee!!
Young Adult literature. Only louder.
Young Adult literature. Only louder.
Hang with your favorite YA authors, enjoy pizza, and get books autographed. Participating authors include: CJ Hill, James A. Owen, Tom Leveen, Adam Rex, Janette Rallison, Robin Brande, Amy Fellner Dominy, Aprilynne Pike, Bree Despain, Cecil Castelucci, Kiersten White, Anna Carey.
Books from partcipating authors will be available for purchase from Changing Hands Bookstore at Burton Barr Central Library on the day of the event.
YAllapolooza is presented by Changing Hands Bookstore and Phoenix Public Library.
I have such hope for our future
Two recent articles reflect the statistics of what I see in working with awesome teenagers every day.
First, a research study that proves that IQ is not fixed in the teenage brain. The common belief was that your IQ, which is your ability to learn, not what you already know, was set at birth and therefore your destiny. With the technology we have today that allows us to peer inside the brain, this study found the remarkable plasticity of the teenage brain. In other words, you CAN change your IQ with persistence and hard work. Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration". He was right.
Secondly, the statistics that show the world is becoming more peaceful. Because of the instant access to what is going on in the world, it would be easy to believe that the world is a violent place. However, statistically speaking, it is much less violent. For example, in the Middle Ages, 500 out of every 100,000 people were killed in battle. Now, it is three-tenths of a person per 100,000. There were 20 democracies in 1946. Today, there are almost 100. The researcher says that this is a result of people becoming smarter. A more intelligent and educated population tries to reduce wars and violence. And, teenagers are smarter with each generation. "This year's average kid would have been a near-genius a century ago."
Hidden formatting in Word Docs - from Data Doctors
Headwhack of the Week: Hidden Formatting in Word Docs
If you use Microsoft Word, you've run into a problem with a paragraph or column that won't go where you want it to, an extra page that always prints or a myriad of other nagging issues that you can't seem to figure out.
If you use Microsoft Word, you've run into a problem with a paragraph or column that won't go where you want it to, an extra page that always prints or a myriad of other nagging issues that you can't seem to figure out.
Well, often times, extra formatting has occurred that you aren't aware of and if you could see these invisible changes, you could fix them!
Well there is a button that looks like this: ¶ that could be the answer to your problems!
This button toggles the option to show or hide paragraph marks and other hidden formatting like hard returns that can help you track down the problem.
This button toggles the option to show or hide paragraph marks and other hidden formatting like hard returns that can help you track down the problem.
I'm a librarian... and it's complicated
There never has been a more exciting time to be a librarian. It's well worth your time to watch the entire video.
Ready for class at 7:30 am on August 11th?
Excellent tips for getting enough sleep, so that you're ready to learn.
McCartney stashes his extraordinary library in the cloud
Ah hah! Boys and girls - if a 69 year old can do this, so can you! Use your pvLearners to create and save all your work.
Goodreads Makes Great Readers
What a great idea! Free Technology for Teachers has turned into my favorite blog. This is just one of so many fantastic posts, I can't keep up with them all.
Free Technology for Teachers: Goodreads Makes Great Readers
QR codes for book trailers - oh, this is fun!
Install a QR code (barcode scanner) on your camera phone and take a picture of these:
Cloud computing, web 2.0, and you
Recently, I've come across so many cool links, I just had to share them. The evolving concept of "cloud computing" is changing the way we teach and learn. Does that create a "digital divide"? Well, yes. But, at NCHS, we do our best to provide access to computers and the Internet as much as possible. PVLearners is yours to use. Use it. If you want help with any of it, we'll help. Some of the links below will open as a Google doc. If you sign in to pvLearners before you open the links, you will be able to save the doc in your own Google docs for easy access later. See if you like any of these ideas:
Creating an Interactive Portfolio with Google Sites
65 Interesting Ways* to Use Google Forms in the Classroom by Tom Barrett
Tips and Tricks: Making the Most of Google Docs
32 Interesting Ways* to use Google Docs in the Classroom
Google for Educators - Classroom activities: 6th - 12th grade
Google Art Project: Super High-Resolution Images, Virtual Tours, and More
Create a fake Facebook wall for a fictitious or historical character
New Google Docs Tools to Try
Web 2.0 tools presentation by Joy Millam
and my personal favorite:
Book Trailers for All
Creating an Interactive Portfolio with Google Sites
65 Interesting Ways* to Use Google Forms in the Classroom by Tom Barrett
Tips and Tricks: Making the Most of Google Docs
32 Interesting Ways* to use Google Docs in the Classroom
Google for Educators - Classroom activities: 6th - 12th grade
Google Art Project: Super High-Resolution Images, Virtual Tours, and More
Create a fake Facebook wall for a fictitious or historical character
New Google Docs Tools to Try
Web 2.0 tools presentation by Joy Millam
and my personal favorite:
Book Trailers for All
Celebrating the Freedom to Read
September 25−October 2, 2010
Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.
Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
For more information on getting involved with Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, please see Calendar of Events and Ideas and Resources. You can also contact the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4220, or bbw@ala.org.
Schoolz and Toolz - Rat race schools
Schoolz and Toolz: Rat race schools
This documentary looks very interesting. I'm curious how it will be interpreted. It seems to me that we test our students so much, that we're stealing all the joy out of learning. And yet, how else will we know what our students have learned? Can we do both? I watched "Two Million Minutes" and I came away from it with the impression that the American students portrayed still had imagination and creativity, and the Chinese and Indian students who were portrayed were spending so much time studying that they were shortchanging themselves. Then, I listened to the documentary filmmaker of "Two Million Minutes" speak, and realized that that was not what he intended at all. He was trying to warn American students that if they did not spend their two million minutes wisely, they would lose out to the Chinese and Indian students. So, again, can we do both? Can we learn how to solve problems and collaborate too?
Ellen Hopkins - Censorship Bites
Ellen Hopkins - Censorship Bites
I've been so busy getting the teachers and their technology ready for the kids, that I've completely neglected my blog and Twitter. And look what I'm missing! Ellen Hopkins is, by far, the favorite author in our library. When all the copies of her books are in, they take up two shelves; but during the school year, those shelves are always empty. I've mentioned before that as a librarian, I abhor censorship. One of my favorite quotes: "You’re entitled to your own opinions. You’re not entitled to your own facts.", variously attributed to Daniel Moynihan and James Schlesinger. Our students are old enough to look at all sides, use the upbringing their parents have given them, and make good decisions. I trust in them to do that, but the decisions will be faulty if they don't have as much material as possible to work with.
Things Librarians Fancy | 100 Scope Notes
Things Librarians Fancy | 100 Scope Notes
All of the above, predating my actual job as a librarian.
