Inspiring Video

This was posted in a Calib message, but it was too good to let pass. After having a woman speak at church this morning about working in a Cambodian orphanage and teaching basic hygiene and then to see this . We are so fortunate here to have what we have despite limited funding...

Do we hurt ourselves?

Yesterday, I attended a "Cyber Summit" at Yahoo! which was a fabulous day and I came away with some interesting insights into how to help my students and staff navigate the digital world we all live in.

At lunch, the organizers had divided the room into various groups and librarians were grouped with the teachers. However, the librarians sorted themselves away from the teachers and formed a smaller group. I debated about whether to stay with the teachers or to join the four other librarians. As I said to one of my teacher colleagues, I wasn't sure what to do because I felt a little like we hurt ourselves if we separate ourselves from the teachers. He responded, "well your not really teachers..." which I responded "oh, yes I am!" but I joined the librarians. We had a fabulous discussion on our role in cyber safety and the afternoon speaker, a librarian himself, joined us.

I'm glad I went with the librarians...but do we hurt ourselves when in public events like this we opt to move away from our teacher colleagues?

Nothing Library Related

This is not at all library related...I just loved the video. A sure sign of your age when the Muppets cover a song from your teenage years.

What are you thankful for?

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, it always turns my thoughts to gratitude and this year is no different. There are so many blessings in my life and I am thankful. Unlike many people, I have a job that I love and even earned tenure this year. Library world may be a rocky ride these days in California, but continuing to advocate for strong libraries and getting the message out there is important. I'm also grateful for my family, my health and my home...there are so many less fortunate than I.

Happy Thanksgiving!

CSLA Day 3

Another good day at the CSLA convention with some intriguing sessions that have given me more good ideas to take home.
Booktrailers--A how to session that gave me some ideas on another way to promote books.
Clout--This session just reinforced that I'm on the right track for making myself indispensible in my school. Involvement, patience and persistence will pay off.
Reluctant Readers--more with book trailers and book talks and a great book list all of which I can use when I return to school on Monday.
Membership meeting and the Brag book...I need to work on my bragalogues but I'm getting better at letting others know what good things are happening. Small steps...

I'm glad I made the effort to make it to the conference. It was well worth the trip. I'm going home with good ideas and the confidence that I'm doing things right.

CSLA 2009--Days 1/2

I made the trek to Southern California for the annual conference and so far I haven't been disappointed. While it's obvious that budgets are tight, our numbers are smaller the commitment to school libraries is obvious throughout the last two days. The sessions I've attended have all given me good ideas to take home and to use quickly with my staff and students.

Thursday:
I attended two workshops:
Deb Stanley's Research using Web 2.0 and interactive white boards which gave me a lot of "I could do that..." moments
Michael Cart's Best Books for YA is a can't miss workshop for me. His lists and passion for books helps my collection development every year!

Friday:
Testing Tidbits--Wow! This is stuff I can use with my English dept. ASAP. Here's another way to show my value with the CST tests.
PLC's and Libraries--Reinforced the idea of my role as a partner in the PLC process. It's the role I've adopted, but I wasn't quite sure if I was on the right path...this session validated my process.
Web 2.0--Anna and Marie are amazing in what they do with their students. I'm in awe of the tools that they use and the creative ways they've incorporated these tools into their library programs.
GALE's Power Hour was fun a little wine, some munchies and I won $25 Starbucks card.
The President's reception with the Follies was a fun cap to the day...

Can't wait for tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Sesame Street

If you've been to Google at all this week, you've probably noticed their doodles have featured various Sesame Street Characters. That's because it's the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street this week. Google posted this video on their blog and it just brings a smile to your face...not to mention the video is from 1982 and Google the company didn't exist until 1998...

A bustling and vibrant library

I love days when every period has classes come into the library...the place is bustling and there's an energy that's different. Today was one of those days. Every period saw a different group of students there to work on projects for English, World History and Sociology. But something was missing...why did they come here? For the space to spread out, for access to the computers, but what role did I play? This was one of those days that was busy, but my role was limited. No one needed help except on the computer they couldn't get signed onto. No one asked for my expertise in helping find good information for their research--google and wikipedia were the sources of choice. The teacher's don't include me in their plans. As much as I've tried with one of them, she rebuffs my overtures of guidance. I felt like the clerk not the expert in the room. How do I change the perception?

This year is my third at this school. More classes are using the library this year. More teachers are open to collaborating and finding the best ways to provide their students with information. But still the students don't ask and if they're teacher hasn't allowed me the opportunity to teach in even a small way, how do I make the student's realize what a resource they have in me?

Pondering...just pondering?

Musings...

I don't post here often and I wonder if I should just discontinue this blog. Still sometimes it's nice to have a place to ponder the work that I do and what's happening in my library world. Where else can I vent frustration over 5 days in the last two weeks that closed the library due to testing? Where else do I get to ponder if the little steps I take to help staff or students really make a difference? As I sit and wait for school site council meeting to start I wonder where education in this state is going? Money is now "flex" money so SSC has no real say in how it's spent. Luckily, I was able to advocate for only a 20% cut to my library budget when I met with my administrator and showed him how I would spend the remaining 80% to serve the whole school.

Summer Reading Final Analysis

It's a good thing I wasn't being graded or quizzed on my summer reading list because I didn't accomplish much. The idea was to read 10 books before today. My list was supposed to help me on my job as well as expand my own horizons.

I'll start with the good. I did read:
Gentlemen--A bizarre, scary book about teenage boys and the teacher that freaks them out into jumping to conclusions.
13 Reasons Why--I can see why the teens are attracted to this book. You want to keep reading to find out why...
Year of Wonders--Not as good as People of the Book or March, but I still enjoyed this story of the plague and the village that isolated itself.
Dog On It--Probably, my favorite on the list. Recommended by a fellow colleague I wasn't sure I would enjoy this mystery. But it was a fun read with the dog's voice narrating this mystery.

I didn't read:
Guns, Germs and Steel--I don't know if it's size of the book or the topic, but it was just too much for a "summer read".
Tale of Two Cities--I tell students that I'm not a "literary" librarian because I don't read a lot of literature. While I remember liking this book in high school, I couldn't force myself to slog through Dickens' language.
A Classic I'd never read--I started Walden Pond by Thoreau but again, it was too much "work" for my summer vacation.

Did I read more? Sure I did and enjoyed many of them...Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside, My Life in France, Summer Kitchen, No Reservations...and many more I can't recall at the moment.

School's Back in Session

The second week of school is well underway and I am back in the library! It was an interesting spring as I prepared to teach social studies this fall, but the middle school librarian that was bumping me is teaching 4th grade instead. While it's sad that our middle schools have no credentialed librarian, I am grateful to have my job. I know I will feel the impact next year when our 9th graders enter with little or no prior library instruction.

The new year has started with some exciting initiatives. We have had a schoolwide SSR program that was being implemented in a haphazard fashion. This year, we are trying to reinvigorate the program as we take on literacy as a schoolwide focus area (formative assessment and differentiation are our other areas of focus). To that end, our English department lead and I met over the summer to put together a structured component one day a week. 56 teachers out of 120 volunteered to participate in this structured reading. Each week they receive a different reading activity to do with their students. The first two weeks were read-alouds from Gary Soto and Funny in Farzi. Next week is a cloze activity created from a Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul book. So far feedback has been positive and I had a senior checking out a library book tell me "they're taking SSR seriously". I've booked multiple classes in for Book Talks and checked out 282 books in the first week of school.

I'm also doing a library orientation with my freshman English teachers. Last year, two teachers asked for the activity. So far this year six teachers are bringing their students. I do a "scavenger hunt" type activity, but each component involves a resource that they will need to use during their time at the school. For example, our seniors have a word etymology project that requires the Oxford English Dictionary. On the scavenger hunt, students have to locate the book and find a word as a preview of what's to come down the line. They use the library database to look up some simple country data so they see it before they come in for formal research with their history classes. The students have been engaged.

Ok, enough bragging for now. It's only the second week...there may be more to come.

Summer Reading Update

I may not make this deadline but thought I'd comment on what I have read...

Year of Wonders was interesting and intriguing. I like this author's historical fiction and her storytelling makes you feel like you are there.

Dog On It was a great recommendation even outside my genre. It was fun to read from the dog's perspective even though I figured out the "mystery" realitively early in the book.

I'm still working towards some of the others. Currently, I'm reading Olive Kitteridge which has been on the best seller list and since she was a math teacher I thought I'd try it out. Sometimes I just don't think I'm "deep enough" or "intellectual enough" for certain books. I never seem to "get" books that are Oprah's suggestions.

Summer Reading?

I ran across this summer reading challenge and found it interesting.

Read 10 books by September 21.
1 classic you've never read but always meant to
1book you've read and always wanted to reread but haven't yet
at least one book featured on AuthorsNow!
1 book outside of genres you usually read
1 "impulse" book that chatches your eye during the summer
5 others of your choosing


My choices so far:
Classic: Hmmm...I don't know which one to choose there are so many I never read I have to ponder this one
Reread: A Tale of Two Cities
Authors Now!: The Forests of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (I brought this one home from school for my summer read)
Outside my genre: Dog on It (mystery recommended twice by a teacher at school and I'm not a mystery reader at all)
Impulse book: Many of my bookstore buys are impulses, so I don't know what I'll count

Others:
The Mad Ones (saw it on Jon Stewart decided I must have)
Gentlemen--came in the new books at school, so I brought it home for the summer
Guns Germs & Steel--I started this when I thought I'd be teaching world history next year now I need to finish it
Thirteen Reasons Why--the kids at school love this one and my niece read it in one night.
Year of Wonders--I've read other books by this author and liked them. I've already started this one.

Summer has arrived!

Summer vacation is upon me and I've spent these first five days sick with a cold. Today's the first day back on the computer and I'm playing catch up with my google reader, email and other social tools. My plans? ASCD conference in Houston next week on formative assessment. Some time spent developing my Web 2.0 skills. I've got the blogging and the reading down, now what's next? A way to organize those websites I want to remember. Revamping the library webpage to make it more student appealing....I don't know exactly.

Two things I found today in my catch up...

Save the Words--http://www.savethewords.org/ Fun to play with. Turn on your sound it's even more fun.

Digital Wish List http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/home--reminds me of donors choose. I put a flip video camera on my wish list. We'll see.

Happy summer...once I feel better.

My video debut...

Our student TV group made a video to promote an upcoming wrestling fundraiser...someone posted it online. I make a cameo appearance since some of it was filmed in the library.

Relief

My principal just came by and I won't be leaving the library after all. The woman who was bumping me has taken an elementary classroom position and I get to remain in the high school library. I'm still saddened by the fact that our K-8 schools will have no consistent library services. Selfishly, I am so relieved that I get to remain and continue to build a stronger library program at the high school level.

School Library Journal's Battle of the Books

The winners have been announced and if you didn't follow this "battle" you missed out on some great dialogue and analysis of some great books. I thourougly enjoyed reading the authors' opinions on fellow authors and stories. While I couldn't get into Tender Morsels myself, reading others' opinions I may now be able to sell it to some of my students. I hope SLJ does this again.

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1180000718.html

Spring Break

I can't believe it's been three years since I took this photo in Indiana on spring break. Another spring break comes to a close. I didn't do much with my week, but I think I'm refreshed enough to go back to work on Monday and face the last six weeks of school. The time is going to fly by as I move towards the next phase in my career. I'm booked for the ASCD conference in Houston in June to attend workshops on formative assessment. I've been talking to others about what I need to do to get ready for the history classroom next year. I'm buying and reading books on history topics although I'll never get through the whole stack. Went to lunch with my pastor today and he brought up an interesting book on his Kindle that might be interesting to read, too. His Kindle sure is tempting, but no extra $$ to spend on one at this time. But it sure would save on the stacks of books around the house...Let's see there are three on the dining table, the barnes and noble bag on the kitchen counter, the pile on the night stand...I've finished three this week...two more days...can I finish two more?

Advocacy

I admit that I'm not always good about advocating for school libraries. It may be that I've tried and failed. It may be that I'm moving out of the library again and I'm tired of trying again to convince another group of people that the credentialed librarian is important. I don't know...but I did decide that I couldn't let Library Legi Day pass without something, so I sent the following text in four letters to state legislators...(my elected officials and the two that represent the districts that encompass my school).

Hopefully, today you met with librarians or other library
representatives who spent time reminding you of the importance of libraries in
our schools and communities. I didn’t participate in today’s visit because
my school is in the midst of the STAR testing and I felt it important that I be
on campus to do my part. However, I do believe that it is important that
you know my story in the world of school libraries.

In 2001, I moved out of the classroom and opened the library at Evergreen Valley High
School in San Jose. I was privileged to open a new school, select materials and
begin the journey of providing students with 21st century skills.
Unfortunately, budget issues in 2005 led to the superintendent ordering
principals to reduce the credentialed librarian services by 50% at the
semester. In January 2005, I began teaching two periods of Economics and
the school library was closed for the mornings. Because I felt strongly,
that students were losing in this environment, I found a job at Aragon High
School in San Mateo. In 2005-2006 when I arrived at Aragon, an established
environment of collaboration between the librarian and the teachers already
existed. I followed a skilled teacher librarian who had worked hard to establish
this collaborative environment. I learned much from my colleagues on
how to incorporate information literacy and research skills into existing
curriculum. I introduced students and staff to technological resources
that supported what was already happening in the classroom. However, in
October of 2006, budget issues led to the district opting to have one
credentialed librarian cover two schools. Since I was the last hired, I
was transferred to a different school and placed back in the classroom. In
August 2007, I became the teacher librarian at Milpitas High School. Here,
I’ve introduced students and staff to the use of databases for quality
research. I’ve created a library webpage that is dynamic and interactive
to assist students in becoming information processors who know how to use
today’s technology for supporting their learning. I collaborate with staff
to provide relevant instruction during their library visits. Due to budget
cuts, I will be moving back into the classroom next fall. Our middle
schools will no longer have a credentialed librarian and because of seniority
that person will transfer to the high school.

So, why do my job woes matter to the students of California? California ranks 51st in
the nation with a ratio of teacher librarians to students of 1 to 5,124 while
the national average is 1 to 916. (2006-07CBEDS Report and Digest of Education
Statistics Tables and Figures2006, National Center for Education Statistics.) My
experience is indicative to that inequity as schools continue to cut
credentialed librarians from their payrolls despite research showing that
credentialed librarians contribute to student achievement.

I have been a teacher since 1985 and I believe that the education of our students is
vital. The school library unlike any other classroom on campus—serves
every student. The materials selected provide the lowest and the highest
achieving student access to information that supports their school experience.
On any given day, you’ll find a star athlete, the drama aficionado,
the English Language Learner, the special education student or a campus leader
in the library. The library isn’t just about checking out books, it’s
about providing students with the resources to become life-long learners and
explore beyond the walls of the classroom. It’s about showing students
that there is a vast world awaiting them if they have a knowledgeable guide to
show them the way.

As you continue to work in the legislature, my hope is that when library issues come before you that you will remember it’s about providing our students and our communities with the very best services. Thank you for your continued support of education.

What's next

World History, U.S. History, Government & Economics, those are the courses I'll be teaching next year. As I think about incorporating my library background into these courses, what are the key skills/needs that I could utilize. I expect to be with the same students. Particularly the sophomore group that will be mine until they are seniors...How do I structure the information literacy skills into the curriculum that builds on their prior knowledge. With limited librarians in their background, I can imagine they'll have little background unless they were with a freshman teacher that came into the library. The opportunity here is grand to restructure...what an opportunity for collaboration with new teaching partners and with the librarian to come. Optimism...you've got to have it.

Musings

I've been think about life, jobs and a variety of different things the last few days. Last weekend I was at a Great Aunt's 100th birthday celebration. This escape to Oregon provided a respite from a intense week and a half at work.

First on Wed. March. 4th the head of HR came by to let me know that I had a teaching job next year but once again would be bumped out of the library. This is due to the fact that our middle school librarian who serves two schools has seniority. The board voted to eliminate her position. Trying to look at this in a positive light was (is) difficult. This is the third time this has happened, but the district could easily have laid me off completely because I'm only probationary. But they didn't.

This intensity was followed by our WASC visit which started on 3/8. I was the "hostess" for their visit since the team was housed in the library conference room. A sub was hired to manage the library circ desk while I made sure they had paperwork they needed, printing access, and of course the all important food.

Then I left for Oregon and realized that more important than the job and the craziness of the work world, what really matters is relationships. Whether this be with colleagues, friends or family. 100 years old is an accomplishment and this aunt accomplished a lot in those 100 years. She was widowed in her late 30's with 4 teenagers to raise. She baked pies and sold them to a local cafe to generate income. She then worked as a school janitor which led to being a school cook. After retiring from that job she went back to school to become a dental assistant. Resiliance and faith that's what got her to 100. It was fascinating to listen to her stories and to see what a full life she has led. She feels blessed.

I should too...there is much to be grateful for in my life...family, friends, health, a home of my own...and a job that provides me with new challenges each and every day. I don't know what the future holds. We never do, but I'm thankful for the life I have.

Pink Friday

CTA is encouraging teachers and other school supporters to wear pink on Friday the 13th. This is to coincide with the "pink slips" that will be going out to thousands of teachers (including many teacher librarians) throughout the state of California. Find out more at: http://www.pinkfriday09.org/

Job security...

When I took the job I have now, I did my research. Having been cut out of two school libraries due to budget cuts, I wanted to make sure my next librarian position would be secure. This school has always had a credentialed librarian in it's entire 30-year history. Last week, my principal stopped by to give me a heads up that the district administrators would be meeting to discuss budget cuts for next year. He expects my position to be mentioned in the brainstorm and he didn't want me to hear about it through the grapevine. At the same time, he believes that it won't happen. Still...it makes one wonder and worry.

I took a look at Doug Achterman's research into CA libraries again this week. Only 40.7% of our high schools have full time librarians. In Santa Clara County, the number is even lower...what are we doing to our students? How do we change this in tight budget times? Talk, share, advocate, we have to keep fighting. Some of us are foot soldiers, others are warriorsand others are generals, whatever role you are there is a job to be done and the students in our schools need our voices.

There are tools out there to help:
CSLA: Toolkit for Advocacy & Action
Doug Johnson @ Blue Skunk Blog: When Your Job is on the Line
AASL--Crisis and Health& Wellness Toolkits
Saskatchewan School Library Association--50 Ways to Love Your Library