Student Librarians

The posters went around school yesterday, and I have handed out 30 application forms so far. I'm pleased but fully realise that most of them won't stand the course of time. I am going to have a trial period so that I won't have to keep any on that are more trouble than they are worth! It also allows me to give them all a fair go.

I am currently requesting references from form tutors, and then will conduct interviews. I want it to be a formal as possible, so it gives it some level of status. They will then work towards different levels of certificate for their Record of Achievement.

It's been more boys than girls so far - so perhaps challenging a few stereotypes. There is also a nice mix of year groups - from 7-10.

The confused innocence of year 7

This week I had a small group of year 7 boys having a look around the library. They came across this book:

'Miss, is this allowed in school?'
'Of course!' I reply.
'But Miss...it's recruiting you to be gay'



The book is called 'Starting Out: Lesbian and Gay Recruitment Guide' if the picture is too small!

Feeling Blue?

My first attempt at a colour coded display. Its not great, but its ok, and hopefully each time it can get better. Its sat on an old art trolley.I aim to get a display board put up above it, on the wall, to extend displays up and create a larger impact. I may also look into buying a proper display unit.

Colour Coding - Supersized!

This is a bookshop transformed by 16 people, in one night to a colour coded theme. There were 25,000-30,000 books!

Here are some blogs talking about the artist Chris Cobb
There is nothing wrong in this whole wide world
There is nothing wrong in this whole wide world
There is nothing wrong in this whole wide world
An interview with Chris Cobb

A week down

I have technically been there a week, although had to have two days off for a hospital thing. What have I achieved so far? -

• Found the staffroom
• Started meeting staff, and even remembering some names!
• Chucked out boxes and boxes of stuff. I have cleared 80-90% of the filing system, many boxes of books (including those encyclopedias from this post here ). I have removed all of the videos - dvd only from now on! Luckily I managed to quite a lot passed onto to other staff members, I advertised things via staff email, and got some collected. Some old books are being used for art projects; old magazines are being read in form rooms; videos were collected for tutor groups; maps are being collected by the geography team and the list could go on. Very cathartic!
  
• I have removed all of the old library shelf dividers of their previous labels...and broken many a nail in the process. Here are what they looked like -
  

They will eventually be all printed in the same style, with
colour coding for each Dewey category.

• I have taken a poster made by another librarian and added to it, making a Dewey system that I feel will work in my library. They are colour coded for ease. It took ages to try and position it all exactly right, and it may still be a work in progress!
  
• I have made some bookmarks ready for when we open. Three of them give the colour coded Dewey codes, and three of them currently give advice on looking after a book.
• I have had sales reps in to try and help me decide which library management system to use, and which type of security to go with.
• I have had my Library Assistant make the things for our student librarians - an advert, a job description and an application form.
• I have made a wish list as I don't yet know my budget!
• I have rearranged some furniture and made a make-shift display area, incase my budget won't allow me to buy a nice snazzy display shelf!

I'm sure I've done some other bits and pieces but that is what sticks out in my mind right now!

My first day!

I am now officially a librarian, and no longer a teacher!

The day began with finding somewhere to lock up my bike, first challenge met when given key to bike shed. Second challenge was logging onto the computer - visited and met the IT men (important people to know!). It had started surprisingly well!

I met my Library Assistant, who is fantastic. We were both relieved to see we would get on and she seemed excited about my ideas.

I have made appointments with management system suppliers and security gate people, and I had an online demo from Eclipse today, so am really trying to push to get this done asap.

I had some children pop in, desperately asking when the library would be open, which was nice. I already have some who are waiting for me to advertise for student librarians, which is a positive start.

I left feeling really good, and feeling that I have made the right choice.

More display ideas

The Carel Press website has some nice photos of library displays if you are looking for any inspiration.

Reading is a form of liberation

This article from The Times made me smile. I particularly liked these quotes;

We’ve all been transported by the power of books, willingly kidnapped, bundled up and taken to distant lands and different times. With each abduction, we’ve returned unharmed, but somehow different.

So, a story has the power not only to place you in another life, but to connect you to otherwise indifferent individuals. With enough books and enough people, you build a shared culture.

Learning to read and write has the amazing capacity to change lives. An education can increase your income, setting you on the road out of poverty. An education teaches you about disease, helping to reduce maternal and infant rates of mortality. An education makes a person more confident, more responsible, and allows them to contribute more to the lives of those around them and their country.

This article, also from The Times about Sophie Dahl describes why she loved libraries as a child, and it connected to my childhood passion for them,

I loved the sanctity of the library, the still, dry whisper of it. I loved the choice and certainty; the ritual of picking a book.

Post Secret

Post Secret was one of the first blogs I ever read - before I even knew what a blog really was.

This was how it started, I believe in 2004.

There are now published books along with the weekly blog updates.

Each postcard is a mini work of art, and can be tragically sad, laughingly funny, wonderfully happy and everything in between.

There is a group on Flickr of some favourite post secrets have been stored, as the blog only displays the most recent week. It is here.

I think the idea of Post Secret could really tap into the creative and confused minds of teenagers. I am going to think about how I could get some sort of event going - it would make a wonderful display. I would have to consider what I would do with any that were particularly raw/controversial/linked to child protection issues. Perhaps giving it a theme would prevent some of these potential issues.

Producing a book written by students

We Are Writers

Scholastic provide a service where they publish work for free, produce a book, which is then sold on to the children.

We Are Writers is FREE and we also provide a FREE sample copy to check for mistakes and a FREE final copy for your school library. The price per copy to you is £5.00 each even if you order just 30 books. Post and packaging are also FREE.


I think it could provide a lovely focus for both a school competition and a school club. The children could be in charge of typing and editing the book. You could select a theme/genre. You are allowed up to 400 pages.

Visiting a library

I was lucky enough yesterday to have an invite to see another school library, and to just have a chat with another school librarian who also came to the profession in a round about way.

It gave me a chance to ask some questions that had been playing on my mind, and have a little look at what needs to be done to start a library from scratch.

The school was also the first academy school I have visited. It was an amazing building and really interesting to see how someone builds a school from scratch with a modern take on teaching spaces.

In particular we discussed the use of student librarians, the pros and cons of having them. The librarian gave me some helpful tips on how to manage them, and what to expect. I will start thinking more seriously about the system I want to set up, and will post my thoughts later.

I appreciated the fact that someone gave up some of their time, to help someone who was in a similar position to themselves two years ago. Hopefully I can do the same in a year or two.

School Libraries Advocacy

http://www.schoollibrariesadvocacy.org.uk/

This website, which seems to be closing later this year, contains a nice colourful document - lightweight rather than large and detailed, but contains some nice snippets of information.

'The School Librarian
• manages and operates a major learning environment used by
the whole school community
• makes a significant impact on teaching and learning
• makes reading relevant and enjoyable
• motivates both the convinced and unconvinced reader
• keeps up-to-date and is part of the big picture
• is a leader not a follower
• encourages readers to be creative and innovative'

I like the terms convinced and unconvinced, rather than the most frequently used words used to classify our readers. It adds the presumption that we have the power to convince them, and it doesn't try and presume their skill as a reader, it purely comments on their attitude.

'The school librarian
promotes reading and
literacy with:
• Reading clubs
• Summer school literacy schemes
• CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway
shadowing
• Reviews posted on the school’s
intranet
• Book promotions for staff and
pupils
• Author visits and writers in
residence programmes
• Displays celebrating reading and
books
• Reading buddies projects
• Reading reward schemes
• Family reading initiatives
• Events to celebrate World Book
Day, Children’s Book Week and
National Poetry Day'

These are the sort of things that attracted me to my new career. I can't wait to get the library up and running so I can start getting involved in all of these types of projects.

Nameless Letter - bookmark project

http://www.namelessletter.com/

This idea taps into my love of the Post Secret concept, and is an art project where you design a bookmark and purposefully leave it in a chosen book for others to find.

I find it strangely exciting when I find something unexpected in a library book, and like the idea of purposefully leaving things to make people smile.

It could also be a nice student project......

Beautiful Old Libraries

Whilst reading this blog here I came across this blog here.

WOW. It may now be my new life goal to go to these libraries around the world, and sit and read a good book in what must be some of the most beautiful rooms ever built.

I have added a couple of my favourites but the blog lists many many many photos of stunning libraries. Wow.

Promoting the library - Loyalty cards

An idea blogged about here got my attention.

Giving students loyalty cards for checking out and reading a book. The librarian says the student needs to be able to discuss the book briefly to qualify for a stamp on the card (similar to coffee shops). After ten stamps they get a reward.

I like the idea, although not sure if it would work in all schools - particularly larger schools, but its a nice fall back plan if borrower rates are low. It could also work during special one-off periods, or perhaps only themed books qualify.

However, does rewarding reading with external motivators remove the internal rewards we gain from reading? Can reading be its own reward for all readers?

Scholastic 2008 Kids and Family Reading Report

The report is here.

A finding that I found interesting is, 'Most kids say there are not enough really good books for boys/girls their age, and they say
finding books they like is one of the key reasons they do not read for fun more frequently.'

Along with, 'Kids like choosing their own books — 89% say their favorite books are the ones they
picked out themselves.'

This highlights the key part of my new job description, and of all librarians. Children need the opportunity to find a book they like, but they need support and guidance to do it. Displays, promotions and recommendations is the way to do this.

My dissertation for my teaching degree was about getting children to enjoy reading. One of my main findings is that children like reading in groups (either all around one book, or by discussing afterwards) and that they like to talk about what they read. This led to a controversial approach in my guided reading sessions - I didn't require them to be silent. I hope to continue this approach in my library.

Last one about organising by colour (well for a while!)

This one is from Flickr here

This from Flickr here


And this from here in Flickr

The yellow one is here


I think they are so eye-catching. Definitely one of my first display ideas!

Flickr inspiration take 2

All of the following are from PlayfulLibrarian on Flickr

I like this small table display focusing on one author.


Promoting audio books as an equal to regular books is a nice idea.



I really like this bookmark slip for book groups, so that they can remember where to read up to, and scribble down any ideas or questions (and not bend back pages!).

Great display for graphic novels.

Inspiration from Flickr

All of the following are from Pesky Library on Flickr:

Again. colour coding! I love the idea of colour coding a display. The original poster of the photo said it is nice to get books aired that may not usually be selected for display. I think its really eye-catching. Would love to work through the rainbow!



This one is a pic of a display, 'Read the Book - Watch the movie', which I really like the idea of.

These next two pictures reminded me of something my mother said during a discussion about my new library. She got all excited about an idea of having a puzzle all children can work on. I'm not sure whether it will work in my school, but would nice to give it a try. It obviously can work!

Search strategies for the net

I stumbled across this from another blog (This one), and liked it. Would be good for a session on search engines.

Here is one explaining twitter in plain english



Blogs in plain english



Wikis in plain english

Organising fiction

Now, traditionally fiction is all under the same Dewey code, and so it just organised by author. But how does this encourage and inspire perhaps less motivated readers to pick up a book?

However, what if books were organised by genre? You like horror...well come over to our horror section and find something else you may like.

This library Hinde House Library organises fiction by genre. The librarian told me that a year after doing that lending went up by 30%.

I really like this idea.
The rotating shelves I have would be perfect for highlighting different genres, which could change regularly.

There is the issue of books that cross genre...where do you place them? I think I will email the librarian from the library above, and ask how he addressed that issue.


Edited to add - I got a response from the Librarian in question (librarians are so helpful!).

He said that he has the following genres -

Horror, Sci-Fi, Humour, Mystery, Fantasy, Adventure, Best seller, Sports, Historical, Young Adult, Animals, Romance and War. He also has FSr (Fiction Short reads) for quick reads.

I really liked this final bit of advice he gave me, 'Never be afraid to go against the grain, even with Dewey. Put it where you think the kids will find it. Don't get too bogged down with beng correct.'

I guess that is the main point isn't it - where would the kids expect to find it?

Ooohhh.......another opportunity to colour code......


Edited to add point 2 -

LFC genre stickers These pre-printed genre stickers have these genres -

sports, classics, crime, poetry, sci-fi, fantasy, animals, romance, short stories, reference, horror, historical, young adult, war, mystery, multi-cultural, adventure, best seller, fairy tales, suspense, biography, historical fiction, language.

Colour coded Dewey Labels

I want to colour code the Dewey stickers. I did hear that this is some what babyish but I disagree, I think it makes it easier to use for students and librarians. Here are some pictures of successful colour coding. Thanks to Holmesdale Technology College Library for pictures of their displays.

My first task

The first job is to choose, buy and set up a Library Management System and security system. Without this the library remains a room of books, to be looked at but not used. We need the systems in place for children to take books home.

It is a big choice, and I think I will have to have different companies in for demonstrations of their products before I can start to weigh each one up.

Here are some companies I think I will need to contact:

Access It
3M
Eclipse
Alice and Oliver
Heritage

I understand that some are web based and some are based on your own computer, which I imagine is one big thing to consider. My personal hunch is that a stand alone system may be better, as I wouldn't need to rely on a strong net connection, and it would be a one-off payment.

Reading Connects

Downloadable Library Things Here are some useful looking posters/activities/bookmarks/shelf markers from Reading Connects

Database Here is a list of useful addresses and contact details, as well as publications and websites.

Case Studies 5 Case studies of school libraries. They are short, but inspiring.

This post is more a bookmark for myself, to remind myself of the Reading Connects Site!

Skerricks

http://skerricks.blogspot.com I am really enjoying reading this blog, and get inspired almost every post I read.

I was pleased to see they have used sorting by colour in one of their displays (one of my previous posts is filled with books sorted by colour). Here is the one from Skerricks blog -
I also love the display and the returns box. I am determined to get a returns box. It would really work to cut down the queue of children waiting for me. They aren't cheap though! But as I'm finding out, nothing is!

Skerricks is also the place I first saw bookmarks as a library initiative and I definitely will do bookmarks (I've seen a lovely bookmark display rack too!).

So if you haven't checked out this blog (and have an interest in libraries) I would highly recommend it.