Transforming a drab library

Gilcreast, J. (2014). FROM DRAB TO FAB. Knowledge Quest, 42(4), 38-43.

Jessica Gilcreast is a librarian in New Hampshire. In this recounting, she describes the years-long process of transforming a library both physically (furniture, layout) and spiritually, transforming the culture of the school to recognize the value of a library (complete with librarian).

Breaking it down to a year-by-year description with the incremental goals, Gilcreast reveals creative problem solving techniques (grant-writing, advocating to the PTA) combined with an ambitious agenda to transform her library.

Librarians who work in or have worked in inner-city schools will recognize the institutional neglect combined with the students who deserve more – and get it from Ms. Gilcreast.

--Jono Jones

Best AASL-approved apps

American Association of School Librarians. (2014). Best apps for teaching & learning 2013. 

Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/best-apps/2013#stem on May 01, 2014.

I was forwarded this guide to AASL-approved educational apps. I have an iPad and the school I work in has a cart of 30 for the Computer classes and I expect this to eventually become the norm in the library. In the meantime, one must sift through an enormous amount of apps that purport to be educational. Having a guide can provide a standard with which to compare existing apps to.

The page with reviews is part of the larger AASL site. The 25 apps reviewed are organized by subject:

•    Books

•    Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

•    Organization & Management

•    Social Sciences

•    Content Creation

I think it would be a valuable guide to any novice to intermediate librarian trying to stay abreast of developments that can alter or affect teaching.

Things that keep us up at night.

Valenza, J. K., & Johnson, D. (2009, October). Things that keep us up at night. School Library Journal, pp. 28–32.         Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2009/10/future-of-libraries/things-that-keep-us-up-at-night-the-future-of-the-school-library/

Summary: Although written almost five years ago, this article is a still timely discussion of the changing role of the school library and school librarian. Framing their argument in terms of economic changes, intellectual property shifts, the challenges of embracing the role of technology expert, and the need for advocacy from stakeholders, Valenza & Johnson describe straightforward ways to assess and improve your position as a 21st century librarian.

Evaluation:
The call to "evolve, adapt, and thrive" is inspiring and overwhelming. The authors' assertion that this is a critical time in the history of libraries resonates with me as I envision transtioning our school library to a learning commons. I appreciated their succinct discussion of the important trends and concrete ideas on how to adapt to a new role. Many of the ideas echoed strategies discussed in 233.

Yatzee and biscotti: A visit to Southern California's board game cafe

Jolene Kemos

Gonzalez, S. (2014, May 1).  Yatzee and biscotti:  A visit to Southern California’s board game cafe [Web log post].  KCRW Which Way L.A. Retrieved from http://blogs.kcrw.com/whichwayla/2014/05/yahtzee-and-biscotti-a-visit-to-southern-californias-board-game-cafe

Descriptive Summary:

This article profiles a new cafe in Los Angeles. GameHaus houses over 700 board games that range from the traditional to the obscure.  The cafe and model for business responding directly to the needs and wants of the community.  They provide space, snacks, and games catalogued by theme.  As a means of introducing patrons to new games, they offer regular special events and tutorials. Further mention is made of the culture that is developing in which strangers are willing to play with each other, or support the learning of new games. Employees are tasked as "sherpas" to bring patrons into the full experience of the gaming options.

Evaluation:

It is very inspiring to see models of user service and participatory service in unexpected places. GameHaus models meeting the needs and desires of a community and employs its customers as creators of knowledge content and expertise.  This is a perfect analogy to the participatory culture we are trying to cultivate in LIBR 233.  

Tribes: We Need You To Lead Us

Jolene Kemos

Godin, S. (2008). Tribes: We need you to lead us. New York: Penguin Group.

Descriptive Summary: 

Tribes is a motivating, if somewhat unorganized, attempt to light a fire under…well…everyone…to affect change in the status quo!  In a mere 147 pages, Godin defines stagnant and ineffective organizational structures/approaches and, through personal experiences, company and leadership profiles, paints an inspiring portrait of the layman’s unprecedented potential for leadership.

Evaluation:

As we continue to evolve library structures and services to meet the needs of, and involve our users, bold leadership is required. Godin's work is a shot in the arm to get us going. In the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, particularly in public schools, this is a much needed call to action. Godin has very little patience for complacency or cynicism. He constructs a strong argument for grassroots efforts and rejection of the status quo. My favorite metaphor in the book is the call to be a "unicorn in a balloon factory." Small movement can create huge impact!

Role of the Library Media Specialist

This blog post is about how the implementation of the Common Core requires librarians to be firmly implemented into the educational system more than ever. The Library Media Specialist becomes an integral part of a school by adopting the technology integration specialist mantle as needed. Supporting the research needs for every grade will contribute to the success of a school or a district.

The onus to become very tech-savvy falls upon the librarian, naturally, but it sounds like it beats puppet shows and booktalking the Hardy Boy series.

Monti, James. (2014). The library media specialist: a changing role in turbulent times. Retrieved from http://www.ednetinsight.com/news-alerts/voice-from-the-field/the-library-media-specialist--a-changing-role-in-turbulent-times.html?elq=68e3d6a3aad34d1a973d1767db947fb4&elqCampaignId=66

Padlet-Collaboration Tool

http://padlet.com/

Grades: Grades 6-12

I found this free tool through a Common Sense Media review of the 10 best new applications for educators. (The review is here: http://www.graphite.org/website/padlet.) Anna Taylor and I are using it to collaborate for a project and I'm really inspired by its functionality.

Padlet lets you pin videos, text, links, images, anything that can be added to a board with a simple drag-and-drop system. It enables you to share ideas from many different mediums, including documents, class notes, and completed assignments, in one easy to access place. Since more than one person can contribute to a Padlet wall, its useful for teamwork and group project. I like one educator's suggestion that you can post a prompt, ask each student to contribute, and then once everyone has posted, you can change the setting so everyone's input can be seen.

Anna found this great Padlet mini-tutorial on YouTube which explains some of the features that are especially useful for teachers.