Here's the answer...

A duct tape purse!!

What am I doing lately?

Great question. I've been crocheting, making duct tape purses, learning to make plarn, (yarn from plastic bags) and trying to be an extreme couponer (and failing miserably.) Can you guess what my latest project is? Here is pic #1. I'll pst the answer later this week. See you soon.

Debut

Davis made his debut in the church's praise team last Sunday. He sang the opening song with us. He said he felt God wanted him to. So happy right now! W. Houston coined the phrase in the 80's " I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way."

The easiest cobbler ever

I made this apple cobbler for a family dinner today after church. Easy breezy. Topped it with French vanilla Cool Whip. Yum yum

The Final

I'm so excited to say that this is our last assignment during the 6 week "change up" on my blog.  From now on, it will be fun personal posts and not so formal.

For this post we read an article by Marjorie Pappas titled "Virtual School Library Media Center Management Manual."  We had to correct the dead or outdated links with more meaningful ones for me.

The following is an excerpt from that article.

School library media specialists often post messages on LM_NET and other state listservs I monitor, requesting examples of information that I used to maintain in a management manual when I was a school library media specialist. I started my manual when I was a student in the organization and administration course we all take in library science programs and I kept it current with information gleaned from conferences, workshops, and networking with other school library media specialists. Manuals are easier to maintain today because of networking through listservs and the Internet. In thinking about the requests for information related to policies, job descriptions, cataloging, resource acquisition, etc., I decided a virtual version of this traditional paper manual might be an interesting and useful concept.

Setting Up My Virtual Manual

My concept of virtual is paperless. Virtual manuals can be maintained without the challenge of adding pages and adjusting page numbers. Virtual manuals can include hyperlinks to information located on the Web. Before starting the development of my manual, I thought about who might access the manual besides the school library media specialist. Library assistants, volunteers, and, occasionally, substitutes should all be able to access this manual. Also, the library media specialist should be able to access the manual when working at home. The best way to achieve that flexibility is to post the manual on the library media center's website or on the school's network, assuming the network is Internet accessible. If a library media center website or network is not available, the concept is still feasible, but a little more challenging, because new versions would need to be loaded on separate computers. Once this decision has been made, the next step is to scan and/or key-in the existing information related to the specific library media center. Following are sections and weblinks to include.

Policies

Some policies need to be written to fit the unique needs of a specific library media center, for example, circulation policies that establish the time periods books circulate and the cost for replacing lost books. Other policies, like copyright, are based on federal legislation. Links to Web-based copyright information will be useful to supplement local policies.

Policy weblinks:

• Complete Copyright. ALA. A collection of documents related to copyright issues and libraries on the American Library Association website.
• Computer Network/Internet Use Agreement. PDF. Goodman-Armstrong Creek School District: Goodman WI
• Copyright Basics and the internet Reidsville Middle School: Reidsville NC
• Lost/Overdue Materials Guidelines The School Board of Broward County, Florida. School Libraries Policies and Procedures.PDF.
• Mesa County Valley School District 51; Grand Junction, Colorado. A comprehensive collection of policies for school library media centers.
  

Personnel

The school library media specialist's job description should be posted, but it also would be useful to link to job descriptions for student and parent volunteers. The Web provides examples of job descriptions for this section.

Examples of job descriptions:

• Certified School Librarians:Duties and Responsibilities Clayton County Public Schools, Georgia 2012.
• Job Descriptionan: Library Assistant Spring Branch Independent School District: Houston TX
• Job Description: Media Specialist . Howard Country Public School
• Library and Media Staff Job Description ALA Overview of Library Support Staff.
• Librarian/Assistant Interview Pointers Mr. Library Dude. “Nailing the Library Interview.”
  

Collection Development and Acquisitions

The purchase of resources and technology for the library requires access to information about producers and jobbers.

Useful websites:

• Acquisitions, Collection Maintenance and Electronic Access . North American Serials Interest Group. Example of position statement
• The New AcqWeb Publisher and vendor information.
• The Librarian's Yellow Pages. Publisher, periodical, jobber, and vendor links.
• School Library Collection Development ALA Collection Development wiki.
  

Forms

Examples can help school library media specialists develop the forms for use in the library media center. This is a section that can be developed over time.

Examples of forms:

• Audio Visual Review Committee Report Georgetown University Internal Library Review Report
• Collaborative Planning. Library Learning Walk Standard 2.5 with template.
• Elementary Library Services Monadnock Regional School District: Swanzey NH
• Full-length Feature Films to be Used for Classroom Instruction. Truman State University Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
• Faculty Recommendation for Library Materials. Form. Baltimore County Public Schools, Maryland.
• Library Monthly Update. PDF. Kevin Finkle. Baltimore County Public Schools, Maryland. Form to gather information from teachers about future units and lessons.
• Teacher/Librarian Collaborative Unit: Planning. PDF. School District of Philadelphia, 1999.
• Disaster Preparedness – Bridge Multimedia: New York City (2011). Government guidelines for schools.
  

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District Portal as Manuals

School library media services in larger school districts have developed excellent portal pages. These portals provide school library media specialists with both instructional and management resources and tools.

Examples of portals:

• PBWorks John Peter. Site for Educators.
• Missouri School Library Facilities Handbook. PDF. Missouri Standards for School Library Media Centers (July 2008).
  

These virtual manuals and portals enable parents, community members, and other school library professionals to view how school library media specialists manage media centers and teach students to gather and use information. Now all we need is a portal page to the portals.

Librarian as a Teacher and a Learner

Now that is a mouthful of a blog topic. As soon as I become a teacher/librarian without learning, I need to be looking for a different job. True educators never stop learning. It seems very ironic but it is actually never been more true. A librarian is indeed an educator not simply a “clerk guarding dead paper” as written in the blog by Joyce Volenza.

Once upon a time, there was a person who wanted to become a school library media specialist. Chapter 3 of our text goes through the steps on how to become a certified librarian. Each state has it's own requirements to consider when completing the program. It's important to choose carefully when desiring an education and to continue your professional education even after receiving you get your “dream” job.

There are many things to consider and learn when choosing this “dream” job. One is the many guidelines mandated from on high. We must keep abreast of any new guidelines and constantly be learning about how to follow them. The patrons that visit our library have rights. We must contain their confidentiality as mentioned in Chapter 8 of our text and not deny them access to any of our materials. Another consideration is that we must manage our collections and select approriate materials to meet the needs of our patrons. There is constant learning going on while we keep up with what is updated and correct information and in the removing of false or invaluable information.

Today's libraries have made the turn toward technology with enthusiasm. The librarian should be the introducer of all new technologies to the school. Therefore, that person will need to learn how to use them successfully. That is when the librarian is the learner. Chapter 2 of our text reinforces the fact that our role also encompasses collaboration and providing in-service training to assimilate the information we have learned. That is an example of the librarian being a teacher.

I found in chapter 10 of our text a very a powerful statement. The library media center is seen as a classroom and also seen in the classroom. The Common Core Standards is quite daunting to all of us I education. Teachers forget that the librarian is an advocate for them. We can help classroom teachers with the requirements of the standards. Sara Kelly Johns blog titled “Make Some Noise” says that when finalizing yearling budgets, the shift is funding subjects that will help focus on Common Core. The library is one of them. There are many standards that the library already teaches.

The Youtube video from Crescent Heights High School is embracing the Learning Commons philosophy as mentioned in my previous blog post. I loved watching the comments from educators, students and the principal. We should all work together in the school. Librarians have a unique situation because we are able to reach all disciplines and all students from one large classroom. The principal said that “learning is a natural process.” We have to take the time we have with students and other educators to make a positive impact on their learning.

Though face-to-face learning is probably not going to replaced by online learning, Josh Catone writes about online learning vs face-to-face learning. It seems that the results from a study done by the United States Department of Education was pretty inconclusive. Online learning is not necessarily the “easier” of the two, in my opinion, but it does have it's positive attributes. One part of the future of learning is online learning. Libraries will not disappear but we must help facilitate the future. Therefore, we are learning and teaching and learning and teaching constantly.

TEXT: Empowering Learners:  Chapter 2, “Teaching for Learning”

TEXT: Empowering Learners: Chapter 3, “The Learning Space,” (pp. 33-34); “ Collection and Information Access,” (pp. 36-40)

TEXT: Woolls, Chapter 8, “On the Job: Managing Access to Information”

TEXT: Woolls, Chapter 10, “On the Job: Managing Services”

Catone, Josh. “What Is the Future of Teaching?” Mashable 31 Aug. 2009. Web. 30 May 2011. <http://mashable.com/2009/08/31/online-education-teachers/>.

Johns, Sara Kelly. “’L ibrary Skills’=Information Literacy Skills=Common Core Skills.” Make Some Noise. 23 March 2012. Web. 4 June 2012. < http://blogs.slj.com/make-some-noise/2012/03/23/library-skills-information-literacy-skills-common-core-skills/#comment-31>.

Librarycommons. "CHHS Learning Commons Part 2." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Apr. 2011. Web. 01 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVipfjDk6A8>.

Valenza, Joyce. “Tell Me, What Do You Teach?” NeverEndingSearch 26 May 2011. Web. 27 May 2011. <http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/2011/05/26/if-they-come-for-you-what-will-you-do/>.

Budgeting for a School Library

As I grew up and had my little bit of allowance, I would only buy something if I was going to receive change back. If it took all my money, I wasn't interested. I was also one of those small children who felt if their money was in all ones, it was definitely worth more. I was raised by two very frugal people and that molded me into who I am as a parent, mother, wife and librarian.

My first year as librarian, I had no idea how to spend the money in my budget. Did I spend it all so that it “seemed” like I needed every penny and please don't lessen the amount? Did I not spend it all so they would see I'm a great steward of what they gave me? Well, I did the latter and I learned my lesson the hard way for sure. I had my budget cut that first year by 75% in February and I freaked out. I called the head librarian and after a few conversations with the superintendent, claiming ignorance, I had some of my money back. Woo, that was close.

So the next year, with the lesson learned, I wrote PO's like the “hare” instead of like the “tortoise.” I agree with Jacquie Henry in her blog post titled “Book Budgets – Hanging on to What Is Yours” when she said “encumber those funds right away.” I wrote PO's for things I wasn't buying until 3 months down the road. I was so paranoid that my money would disappear again. It was completely against my nature to spend so freely but it is what I needed to do to be the best librarian for my patrons.

So with that in mind, I rely heavily on the head librarian to get her advice and guidance. On our annual report we always list what we desire as our budget totals and remind them of what the state standard is per pupil. Karen Jerolamon's "Library Budget as Line Item" says that there are some very different ideas out there about library budgets for school districts. She stated some information to take into consideration when proposing a budget. Taking the state standard per pupil and comparing it to what we are asking for, is a good strategy. At my school, the comparison translates to the school board is getting the best bang for their buck.

I am totally convinced and even inspired to form my budget request with goals and objectives. Doug Johnson in is Blue Skunk Blog says to “get out your spreadsheets and show decision makers how much your program requires if it is to be successful.” I feel my goals are pretty broad when it comes to budget requests and I need to be more specific in the future.

Our text “Empowering Learners” also states that budget practices need to be outcome-based. The need to compliment and support school wide curriculum should be the over arching objective of the library goals. Details need to be presented on how the library will do that. If you are asking for an increase in your budget, it is usually the only way it will happen. A well thought out budget with goals and objectives is definitely the best approach.

One eye opening and almost jaw dropping reality was brought to my attention from our text “The School Library Media Manager.” I have a large cost accountability in my library. The example given in the text -paraphrased- blew my mind. Let's say there are 20,000 books in my library and average replacement cost is $24. I oversee $480,000 worth of inventory for our school. If 200 books were circulated in a week and multiply that by 9 weeks (one quarter) then students would have borrowed $43,200 worth of books. Wow! That is a unique position for the media specialist to be in compared to other certified staff in the building.

So, overall, what I feel is important when it comes to libraries and budgets, I need to make sure and have a well thought out plan when I begin spending money. I need to support my budget requests with objectives that relate to the school curriculum. If I don't have a vision for my library, I should definitely should a different profession.

Design Project

click here to see my design project assignment.

Library as a Physical Space

No, I am not a superhero. I do not even take a multi-vitamin. However, I can hold hundreds of books in my hand and even turn the pages with one hand tied behind my back, but using a Kindle, iPad etc, to read will not diminish the need for the physical space in todays libraries. However, the traditional view of spaces that are sterile and quiet is changing.

Reading Chapter 6 in our text, Woolls offers many nuggets of good advice when thinking about the facility that a school calls the library media center. It lists dimensions of shelving regarding width and height and according to the age of students. I don't think I've ever been given that information before. I am very lucky in my current situation. I have a wonderful library that is about 10 years old. Even with the new emphasis on a “learning commons” I feel that I won't have to reconfigure the basic library floor plan for many years, if ever, until I retire.

One interesting thing mentioned by our text book author is the thought that building a new space for the library might be easier than trying to remodel the old one. The old space can be divided for conference rooms, classrooms, reading/technology labs and then the library can be located elsewhere. It reminds me of searching for an emergency exit in the movie theater or maybe an airplane. The closest exit may not be the one in front of you but the one behind you. Though it seems the one in front is logical, it actually is not the best. Therefore, remodeling the old may not be the best.

When planning a new physical space for the 21^st century library, we need to keep in mind the increase of digital resources and the decrease in the need for print material. The concept of a learning commons is the new mindset. The blog article by Michael Whelton and the screencasts by Jessica Hansen give some specific ideas on the transformation from a traditional library to the learning commons. Making a large open space is very important in the design. There needs to be space to encourage collaboration and also space available for individual reading and studying. Many electrical outlets needs to be available as well as smartboards. Also the LMS should encourage collaboration with other core or special subject teachers such as the art and music departments. They can help create areas for performances and galleries.

Tom Corbett in his article in the School Library Monthly, April 2011, mentions that the learning commons concept requires deep consideration of the digital library world. Therefore, the physical space can be effected. It opens up the space to new uses. Not only can they work collaboratively like previously mentioned but they can even produce multi-media projects and get an occasional latte. If I had a library for high school or college students, I would definitely look into the possibility of a place for sipping a beverage while reading or discussing the collaborative project of the day.

Sharry Bryan shared in her screencasts called “Calgary 2012 LC” that there are some common desired outcomes in changing the physical space of the library to a learning commons. One is giving students authentic real world situations. Most careers require working with others to solve problems or at least to get along and to be organized. The learning commons space should be one that students feel is theirs. They should feel free to be creative and have conversations as they problem solve and inquire. I personally changed up the concept of what is appropriate behavior in the library. I think conversations about projects or what someone is reading is exciting and appropriate. 
 

In our text by Woolls, chapter 7 discusses managing personnel. In order for a library media center to reach it's full potential, there must be people employed and/or volunteering that can help patrons with confidence and capability. I'm lucky to have 7^th and 8^th grade library aids almost each hour during the day. How I manage those, since it is a new undertaking, is constantly evolving. I assume to much when it comes to those students. They are the elite well behaved students but sometimes they do not want to put books back on the shelf in the exact spot. They get lazy and have a tendency to wander around unless I give them specific tasks. Sometimes they can make the library run less smooth then when they aren't there.

As the library media specialist, I am in charge and make the final decisions regarding aids and volunteers and even my full time assistant. They are only as good as I train them and if they can't seem to do well, then the hard decision has to be made by me to dismiss them. It is very important to remember that concept and keep the ultimate goals of the LMC in mind when hiring and training personnel. Our text Empowering Learners also emphasis the importance of having full-time highly qualified and certified librarian, but also for qualified support staff. I plan to make sure my volunteers/aids and my valuable full time assistant is better trained to help the library and it's patrons be more successful and thriving.

TEXT: Empowering Learners: Chapter 3, “Staffing” (p. 32); “The Learning Space” (pp. 33-34)

TEXT: Woolls: Chapter 6, “On the Job: Managing the Facility”

TEXT: Woolls: Chapter 7, “On the Job: Managing Personnel”

Corbett, Tom. “The Changing Role of the School Library’s Physical Space.” School Library Monthly. Apr. 2011. Web. 1 June 2012. <http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/articles/Corbett2011-v27n7p5.html>.

Bryan, Sherri. "Calgary LC 2012." Calgary LC 2012. Web. 03 June 2012. <http://sites.google.com/site/calgarylc2012/home>.

Hansen, Jessica. "The Learning Commons."Screencast.com. TechSmith. Web. 01 June 2012. <http://bit.ly/Kv4aeF>.

“The Learning Commons: Physical Learning Commons, Virtual Learning Commons.” Screencast.com. TechSmith. Web. 5 June 2012. <http://bit.ly/Kv4Y38>.

Whelton, Michael. “Our 21st Century Learning Commons Journey Begins…” Michael Whelton, 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 3 June 2012. <http://michaelwhelton.com/2012/04/18/our-21st-century-learning-commons-journey-begins/>.

Advocacy and Leadership

As a 21^st century librarian, what do I advocate for? Is it the chant that says print books will never die. That if you embrace the change to the digital world you will be black balled? Or maybe it is the rhythm of the phrase “the restrictions of print are dead” as Dowd mentions regarding the usefulness of the printing press in her article “The 'M' Word – Marketing Libraries: Godin, Gutenberg and Going Forward.” I can definitely say that in my personal advocacy corner, I'm for building communities of responsible citizens who think of others, strive for new knowledge and, of course, enjoy a good book -I use that term lightly.

In the article “Are Librarians – Not Seth Godin, The Ones Missing the Point on Libraries?” Hamilton writes something I strongly agree with. In the library, we need to find ways to encourage conversations for learning. When I told friends I was going to be the librarian, they asked me if I had been practicing my “sshh” as that is what librarians tend to do. To a point, I understand that people are reading, having a small intervention class and other things going on at the same time that need to not be distracted, however, I love having conversations in the library between teachers, students and parents. We are social people and we need to mix that need for social interaction with respect for others.

Gwyneth Jones, better known as “The Daring Librarian” wrote an article about being a transparent educator. By the title, I thought she would be discussing being open with students and peers and to share when we discover a new tool or resource. As I read, I realized she simply meant, get yourself “out there” for people to see. She listed 8 social media avenues that she recommends. I read the 8 and thought that I could never maintain all of them. She said to choose one that works for you as your “main” source, then have all the other-such as wikis-facebook-blogs and so on, link to the one that has the meat of your information. She said to think of it as a “funnel” to get people where you want them.

In continuing to find ways to advocate for my library, I read “Guest Point: Visibility Works!” by S. Jones. I may be doing super-fantastic things in my library but only my students are impacted. Well that's my main goal, of course, but if I want my library and its importance to stick around for many years, I need to get visible. She loves Animoto.com and so do I. I am very inspired to make a video(s) to show how important our library is by including stats and pictures. I don't know if I can squeeze that in with this grueling UCM schedule but I'd love to.

It's important if I am going to fight for my library that I'm seen as a leader in my school and profession. It's thought of for many years that in order to be a professional, you have to belong to a professional organization. Doug Johnson writes an entry on his blog complaining about how ridiculous it is to pay the high price for annual dues and yet he insists it's necessary. He list many reasons why it's important and my favorite is “paying dues gives me opportunities for inter-species communications.” At anytime I have visited with other librarians, I come back inspired by their ideas, or even thankful that I have the specific job structure compared to theirs.

Chapter 12 in our text “The School Library Media Manager” focuses on being an advocacy for our libraries. In the marketing aspect of the library media center, it needs to be well planned and basically “on purpose.” Ways I plan to market my library should not be a reaction to something in a staff meeting or throwing stuff together hoping it will work. True marketing involves analysis, planning and being in firm control of every aspect.

Chapter 15 in our text focusses on being an advocate by being a leader. Our past is a detriment to our future because libraries started out maybe being part-time and possibly rotate between more than one school. It will take extra effort for us to be seen as professional leaders. The text mentioned many ways that this can be done. Some of which, I've already mentioned i.e. joining a professional organization. Some other ways I can be seen as a professional in my district is to be involved with legislators by even inviting them to visit. When I can, I need to document the activity and send it out to others. The chapter even suggests dressing like a professional and definitely to smile and like my job. 

So count me in on striving to be an advocate and a leader in the library!

American Association of School Librarians. Empowering Learners. ALA: Chicago, 2009. Print.

Dowd, Nancy. “The ‘M’ Word - Marketing Libraries: Godin, Gutenberg and Going Forward.” New Marketing Trends 14 May 2011. 25 June 2012. <http://themwordblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/godin-guttenberg-and-going-forward.html>.

Hamilton, Buffy. “Are Librarians, Not Seth Godin, The Ones Missing the Point on Libraries?” The Unquiet Librarian 16 May 2011. Web. 25 June 2012. <http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/are-librarians-not-seth-godin-the-ones-missing-the-point-on-libraries/>.

Jones, Gwyneth A. “ Transparency is the New Black.” The Daring Librarian. 3 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 June 2012. <http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2012/04/transparency-is-new-black.html>.

Johns, Sara K. "Guest Post: Visibility Works!" Make Some Noise! School Library Journal, 9 Mar. 2012. Web. 26 June 2012. <http://blogs.slj.com/make-some-noise/2012/03/09/visibility-works/>.

Johnson, Doug. “BFTP: Why I Belong to ALA/AASL.” The Blue Skunk Blog. 14 Apr. 2012. Web. 26 June 2012. <http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2012/4/14/bftp-why-i-belong-to-alaaasl.html>.

Woolls, Blanche. The School Library Media Manager. Libraries Unlimited: Westport, Connecticut, 2008. Print.