Has the Librarian Left the Building - NETA 2013

NETA 2013 Presentation

 I realized well into my first year as a librarian my craft was really about connections: some literal (like climbing a ladder and disassembling a Wirelss Access Point) and others more figurative (helping students make connections between their own experiences and something really abstract and scary like poetry).

There was one failing connection that really surprised me.  The connection to our students with regard to reading. Alarming - because that's why I became a librarian and it was what I spent the least amount of time doing. When I asked some other librarians, they were having the same quandry.  

How can I connect students to great book choices when I'm not in in the library - or often times, even in the building. 

Social Media is a powerful tool in making this connection

1. Models digital citizenship

2. Advocates for your library & creates transparency

3. Provides power professional development for you as a librarian

Books/Articles to Read on Libraries and Social Media

King, D. (2012). TECHNOLOGY: Dispatches from the Field. Social
       Media?. American Libraries, 43(11/12), 27.

Steiner, K. (2012). Strategic planning for media. Chicago: ALA
       Techsource

Solomon, L. (2012). Librarian's nitty-gritty guide to social media.
       Chicago: American Library Association Edition.

Smallwood, C. ed., (2012). Marketing your library. Jefferson, North

        Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. 

LakeviewLibrarian  

@LVlibrarian

@cynthiastogdill

Lakeview Community Schools Libraries

Tweeps to Follow

@Shannonmiller

@gwnethjones

@odiep77   (ESU #7 Tech Blog)

@catlett1

@skm428

#tt4t

#nebedchat

#tlchat

10 Things any Class Can Do With an iPad

Image Retrieved from apple.com

Ready to think outside the box?  How about we get rid of the box? Regardless of content area, there are so many amazing and engaging ways we can use iPads in the classroom.  The following list is just the tip of the never-ending iceberg of possibilities.  

Poll Everywhere: Project small group discussion results on classroom screen or create a running narrative/description
Socrative: Check for understanding with m/c or short answer
Google Drive: Access student accounts and district domains for collaboration & creation
I-nigma: Project QR code on a screen.  Students scan for website, read & respond
Colorbox HD: Create summary of a story, concept or lesson
Comic Touch: Take photo relating to lesson and summarize
Common Core: Search and identify standards they have mastered in your class
Evernote: Create accounts (accessible from any device - anywhere) & compile ideas, articles, & notes
Flashcardlet: Students create their own flashcards to study and share
Haiku Deck: Create and share presentations on any topic or concept

**Bonus**Show Me: Create animated presentation to illustrate or describe any concept through drawing and importing photos.

Inspired by Google

Retrieved from Mashable.com

Yesterday, I had the greatest collaborative meeting.  Our conversation stemmed from Mrs. G's desire to integrate the new iPads into her research project and further advance her goal to be as paperless as possible this semester.  We went through Google Docs, Drive, and how we could pull all of those pieces together into a cohesive and authentic research project.  It was awesome.  In addition to that, we continued our discussion throughout the day through Google Chat as we fined tuned the reading selections the students would have available to them.

It took alot of conversation and her whole plan period including some live practice with sharing and commenting on documents, but the results were so amazing.  It felt like we were really shifting the learning experience for our students toward something incredibly powerful and dynamic. Citations, research, and notetaking will still be an integral part of the process, but with Google, students will have access to comments and the collaborative process, as well as access from any computer.  Granted, I don't have to write the papers, but I am so excited for the process.

Thanks, Mrs. G for taking the leap and I am so proud of the strides you are making in the technology race. Our students will be the winners.

Trilogy

Montmaray Journals

So...yesterday I was shelving some books and passed by The Fitzosbornes at War  by Michelle Cooper which arrived a few months ago from one of our book services.  I had been mulling over reading it, but had hesitated because this was Book 3 in a series.  As it happens, over a week ago,  my assistant was cleaning out some drawers and came across three or four books that had never been cataloged.  Interestingly enough, one of them was The Fitzosbornes in Exile which was Book 2.  So again, I thought well, maybe I'll start with Book 2 and add Book 1 to my next purchase list. I opened up my Mackin (great book supplier - by the way) and looked the title of Book 1, Brief History of Montmaray. Since I  have our entire catalogue uploaded to Mackin - when I look up books the database tells me if I already own that title or have it on a list. Crazy, crazy - we already have that title in our collection.  Found it on the shelf. Check it out to myself. Happy girl.

And the moral of this story?  There isn't one except to say that sometimes things just come together in unexpected ways and isn't it fun to just appreciate the small things.

Journey

Yesterday, my daughters walked into a volleyball match, side by side with matching warm ups and bags.  I asked myself, how did we get here already? I'm pretty sure just last week, I had one child and we were spending every Saturday in January watching Dad coach wrestling. My journey as a parent has been marked by these moments - and sometimes I forget to stop and look back.

My journey as a librarian has been marked by my students and the books that have changed me along the way.
        * The Snowy Day - Ezra Jack Keats (The power of a little school participating in a simultaneous national reading program - yes, we can make a difference.)
         * Little House Chapter Books - Adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder (Watching a first grader discover she is a reader.)
          * Healing Spell - Kimberley Griffiths Little (Connecting with a national author through our elementary library blog)
          * Perfect Chemistry  - Simone Elkes (Really listening to a student's passion for a book.)
          * Crank - Ellen Hopkins (Students' freedom to read and the power of our students' passion for reading.)

Retrieved from communities.washingtontimes.com

I seem to roll through my whole life at full speed - one thing to the next. I just completed my master's in December, and some reflection seemed appropriate. I tell my students all the time when we talk about research, technology, and love of learning, the journey is more important than the destination.

Just like Alice - I give great advice, but seldom take my own.

I have been truly blessed with an amazing PLN which has brought me new friends and colleagues (#nebedchat). I get starstruck when I meet one of my Tweeps - and I hope that never stops. My students continue to inspire me everyday with their insight and wisdom. I look toward the future for more books to mark my journey. Most of all - I am humbled by the blessings and opportunities being an educator have brought to my life.

#NEBEDCHAT Leadership Books & Inspirations

Books recommended by the #nebedchat rockstars on leadership and inspiration:

 Books

Drive by Daniel Pink

Shifting the Monkey by Todd Whitaker

What Great Teacher’s Do Differently by Todd Whitaker

What Great Principal’s Do Differently by Todd Whitaker

Fish by Lundin, Paul, & Christensen

Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader by  Mark Sanborn

Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn & John Maxwell

Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges

Lincoln on Leadership by Donald Phillips

Why School by Will Richardson

Energy Bus by Jon Gordon

Wonder by RJ Palacio

Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

First Days of School by Harry Wong

Mind Gym by Gary Mack

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Servant Leader by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov

Art of War by Sun Tzu

Servant Leader by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges

Teaching Matters by Todd Whitaker & Beth Whitaker

Secret Solution by

Undaunted Courage by S. Ambrose

Ruby Payne’s Framework for Understanding Poverty

One Piece of Paper by Mike Figliuolo

Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

The Shack: reflections for everyvday of the year by William Young
8 to Great by MK Mueller (Added November 24th)

 Chats/Channels

#nebedchat, #nebedu, #tt4t Channel on Youtube 

 Bloggers

Leadership Reading Favs  (Added November 24th)

Seth Godin E Book “Stop Stealing Dreams” http://t.co/VWIx6bLi

Chris Wejr Blog – The Wejr Board  http://chriswejr.com/

Whitaker Blog Post  http://t.co/knMvMnZE “When we get there, are we going to be happy we arrived?”

The Librarian Has Left the Building

Yesterday I attended my first librarian workshop. Last year, as a first year librarian, I felt like I couldn't leave my library. Too much work to do, too many this, not enough that. The place would crumble without me. By the end of the year, I was out of energy, ideas, and good humor. I attended a technology workshop in late May and also presented at that workshop. I came away from those two days with the realization that I may be busy, but I am a much better professional when I step away and recharge my batteries. The air was charged with ideas and creativity, and I felt like a sponge soaking up all the great stuff floating around.
One of my goals for this year is to take advantage of those opportunities, both personally and professionally. The Library Goddess is sending us weekly reminders to take care of ourselves, even though she knows we will probably still take care of everyone and everything before we do so.  I registered for two conferences this fall and promised myself I would NOT feel guilty for leaving the library in the hands of my capable helpers. Carving out time for some favorite Twitter chats (#tlchat & #nebedchat) is on the agenda, as well.  I also promised myself a regular visit to the Butterfly Pavilion at HDZ just to walk through and visit the fluttering beauties.
Yesterday was one of those conferences and today I am back in the swing.  I spent the day diving into great digital resources and stopped at the apple stand on the way home. The building is still standing and I have a calmer and lighter spirit.