12-15-10

1. Which selection tools do you like best? Why?

• I really enjoy LMC. I find all the helpful hints and suggestions on the many topics the cover extremely helpful. I just found the CCBC books on the shelf and can't wait to see how those will work for me. They look promising.

2. How are you doing on your web page? It's due at our next class. Questions? Comments? Be ready to present it to your class.

• My web page is coming along. I think I have all the sections I want right now. I know I need to add more graphics and I am still working on getting LibraryThing up and running. Here is my website: http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/JNaber/ . Please take a look and send me suggestions. This is a work in progress, right?

3. How are you doing on the Three-Year Plan? Questions?

• I have completed my surveys using google forms. I am gathering the demographic info. Based on the surveys and talking to students and teachers, the magazines, audio books, and the professional library all need work. I am not sure where to start. I ran circulation statistics on the mags and there are a couple that could use replacing. Plus kids have asked for a few different ones.

4. Describe 2 things that you would like to do to promote your library and its resources.

• I would like to promote my website as a tool for library users. Also, I don't think enough teachers use the databases. So, I would like to do some in-service work there. Plus, based on the survey, some teachers don't know how to use the patron catalog to find things. I think I need to do some work there. I also want to have some way to have teachers help promote reading. Maybe I will have pictures that feature teachers with their favorite books and a blurb about the book????

5. (Louis Questions): How has our class and this week's activities affected you in your professional life? Discuss two things that you've learned this week.

• While I do love LMC, my eyes have been opened to more possibilities for finding new titles for the library. Heck, I even found some of them on the shelves behind my desk.
• I know that I have to continue to meet the needs of all of the patrons (students and teachers) by providing a variety of materials in the library. So, as I am making selections I have to think about the end user and if it is something that will be engaging. I also need to keep in mind the levels of the users in the school so that all students are encouraged to use the library.

Weekly Blogger Reflection 12-8-10

What are your thoughts about BadgerLink?  Did you find it easy to use?

• I was fortunate to have an in-service in my district that focused on BadgerLink. If you have enough time to play with it, it becomes easier to use and you can find your way around in it.   

Do your patrons know about it now?  What items can you use at BadgerLink so that you don't have to purchase them out of your budget?

• The language arts teachers that were in the building last year know about BadgerLink because of the in-service.  I am not sure if any other departments know about it.
• I would definitely talk to my teachers about Encyclopedia Britanica and TeachingBooks.  The Kid's Search feature is also very neat.

What other databases does your library have now?  Would you buy others?  Which ones?

• We currently have Culture Grams, BrainPop, Discovery Education, netTrekker, and Sirs Discoverer.  I have not had a lot of time to look for anything else.  I did have a 30 day free trial for the NBC archive database and that looked very usable.

Which selection tools are you using/or think you'd like to use most when selecting resources for your library?

• I currently use Booklist, Library Media Connection, Titlewave, and the ALA website.

What  kinds of formats do you want to have in your library? 

• I would like to have Playaways,  DVDs, books, magazines, databases,  graphic materials, graphic novels, and realia.

(Louis Question):  How has our class and this week's activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss 2 things that you've learned about this week.

• I have to make sure that I think ahead when purchasing materials, especially when it comes to puchasing listening materials.  The tapes and CDs in my library already seem out of date.  The Playaways seem like a medium that might last.  I also need to pay attention to databases that are free.  If I can find free databases to replace what we use (like BadgerLink), I could use that money for other things. 

December 1, 2010

Have you had a chance to get a Titlewave account set up?  What features did you especially like that were pointed out during the Follett presentation?  Do you think this tool will help you in your work as a library media specialist?  How, specifically?

• The former librarian walked me through the basics of ordering on Titlewave this past summer.  I knew that it could do way more than I was aware of, but after listening to the Follett presentation, I was amazed.  I really like the reports that could be run.  I went to school on Thursday and looked at the old analysis reports that were done on the collection. I tried to run an analysis of the collection.  I think I did it correctly.  I am very fortunate that the average age of the collection is 1999 and the average amount of books per student is 22.    This tool will help guide my decisions about what to order.  I can run reports and take them to common planning meetings and talk to the teachers about what the library has to offer them and what we still need to work on to supplement their curricular needs.  Titlewave will also make weeding and replacing books an easier process.  After looking at the collection analysis report I can see that I am in pretty good shape in this area.  There doesn't seem to be a lot in any one area that needs to be weeded.

     -  What questions or comments do you have about the Follett presentation or Titlewave as you start to explore it on your own?  The presenters didn't talk a great deal about what's called "full processing".  Do you know what that includes?  (If you don't, don't worry, we'll talk about it in class.)  If you are familiar with this, what is it?  Would you spend your library money on it?  Why?

• I always order full processing.  It saves a lot of time.  I have had to process a book here and there, and it does take time.  When they come with the barcode, the spine label, and covering it is really nice.  I also love that I can download the Marc records into my system from Follett and be done with it.  No messing with computer entries.  I can't imagine how long it would take to process the order of 200 books that I got in last week.   All I had to do was stamp them and download the Marc records and they were ready to go.  Full processing really does allow you to spend your time on other library issues.

     -  How is your Library Web Page progressing?  Any concerns, comments or tips that you have this week?

• With Dan's help I muddled my way through GoogleSites.  But, I think I have determined that I like the ease of SchoolWorld much better.  Now that I have made the decision to stick with SchoolWorld things should go more smoothly.  I am glad that I took a look at GoogleSites and I am still thinking of showing it to the kids when they come to the library as something they could try.

     -  Does your district have a Selection Policy for library materials?  How would you rate it?  Why?

• Yes, my district has a selection policy for library materials.  I would rate it very high.  It is very detailed.  It has a well thought out philosophy that is linked to the ALA and DPI.  Its objectives and criteria for selection are very complete and cover a great many situations.  Overall, it is just a very complete plan in comparison to others that I have looked at. 

     -  Any questions or concerns that you've run into as you start to think about your Needs-Based Three-Year Improvement Plan?

• I am still trying to figure out where to start.  I know that once I do my surveying it might clear things up.  But, with Christmas vacation coming up, I know that I will have to get those done very soon.  I know that I would like to start a section with books written in foreign languages.  The population of ELL students continues to grow at my school.  We don't have very many books in our library that meet the needs of the ELL students.  I am not sure how to write that into the plan because it doesn't necessarily connect to the curriculum.

     -  Please describe 3 things that you found out about at the Milwaukee Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 4.

• It has been ages since I have been at the MPL.  The children's department has definitely changed and expanded since the last time I was there.  I learned that the MPL children's department really tries to get involved in the community.  They work with consultants and day care providers to improve the collections day care providers have, which will hopefully increase literacy.  I learned that they conduct several weekly programs for kids that are aimed at increasing literacy and community involvement.  The one area in the library that disappointed me was the teen section.  MPL has not invested as much time or money in this section.  It was uninviting, unlike the children's section. 

     -  Discuss 2 features of the Stritch Library that you really liked on your December 4th visit.

• The Stritch library definitely changed since I worked there in college.  I like the computer lab they have upstairs.   It makes it very convenient to do research in the library and write papers at the same time.  The collection of children's books was extensive.  The librarian that we talked to (Laurie) was very helpful and encouraged us to call when we needed help.  She also showed us NoodleBib.  A nice site to help you cite sources.  Where was that in my undergrad years?  I also like the interlibrary loan setup and the fact they will ship to you.   It seems that the Stritch library is very user friendly.

Weekly Reflection 11/17/10

  Describe your progress on your Library Media Website.  What software application are you using?  Google Sites?  Something else – which software package?  Have you explored other library websites for ideas?  List 1 that you think is really good.  Have you added anything to your site yet?  Describe. 

• My progress has stopped.  I started trying to use Google Sites and ended up stopping because of my frustration.  I have attempted to make new pages without much luck (yes I saved).  I am having trouble arranging the sidebar the way I want to.  I am not sure if it is the template I am using won't let me arrange all of my pages under the listing of Home, or if it is something I am not doing correctly.  I find that my SchoolWorld webpage account works is easier to arrange, but it costs money each year.
• I have looked at several websites and liked pieces of many of them.   I have found both good and bad sites.  Some are very "friendly" looking, while others are too "academic" looking.  I liked  http://horacemannimc.blogspot.com/ .

  Were you aware of the Common School Fund before our reading and tonight’s discussion?  What are your thoughts about this unique funding?

• I was aware of the Common School Fund, but not its history or all the details involved. 
• I think we are very fortunate to have this funding.  It provides a great deal for our libraries.  We need to work hard to keep this funding.

Basing your comments on our readings this week, react to this quote from Chapter 1 of our textbook:  “Make a difference in the lives of students and positively affect their learning.” 

• We have to be an integral part of the education process.  We need to let teachers and students know that we are here to make their lives easier. 

 Again, based on this week’s readings and discussion, has your impression of the job of Library Media Specialist changed?  If so, how?

•   As a classroom teacher, I always knew I could go to my library media specialist.  I am not sure that everyone else in my building did the same. We need to be advocates for our programs.  It is important for us to be visible in school. We also need to be leaders in technology in the schools; not only for the kids, but also the adults.

Any questions or other comments you have?

 (Louis Question)  How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.  

• I need to continue to advocate for the library.  I have to do a good job of getting out there and letting other teachers and students know that I am here to help.  I went around to the planning groups at the common planning time this week and talked about Common School Funds and how they could be used.  So far I have had three people come to me with ideas for the professional library. 

Weekly Blogger Reflection

Which Google Tools are most interesting to you at this time?  Why?

• I just started introducing Google SketchUp to the kids last week.  I am taking the first 10 minutes of their library time to demonstrate it.  Several kids have come back to tell me about all the neat things they have done with it. I would like to show them GoogleDocs and even the calendar tool in the coming weeks.

Are you using any of the Google Docs in your professional life?  Which ones?  If not, which ones might you try first?  Are you collaborating with others in your professional life?  Are you expecting your students to collaborate?  If yes, how are you doing this?  If not, where do you think you could do this with your students?

• I began using GoogleDocs this week.  As I was evaluating other websites I made a table of the things I liked and didn't like so that I can refer back to it when I work on my library website. 
• I have been talking to teachers in my building about GoogleDocs and several are interested in learning more.

What have you learned about PLN's?  Which networks do you plan to join or work with?

• PLNs can be a very useful "tool" in gaining much needed information on the latest information on managing a library and on technology.  I am currently a member of Classroom 2.0 and am looking into ALA, AASL, and WEMTA.  I will have to do some more checking to see which one(s) will be the most beneficial.

Do you think it's important to have a Library Media Center Web Page?  Why?

• ABSOLUTELY!!  It is a great way to promote everything the library media center has to offer and a great way to make sure the library is an integral part of a school.

          -  (Louis Question)  How has our class and this week's activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week?

• To be honest, class has stressed me out.  I have begun to realize there is so much about my job that I am just learning about. Class and the textbook have been very enlightening. I also learned that I need to advocate for my program; really get out there and sing the praises of my job.  I am trying to figure out how I am supposed to be a good advocate when I don't know everything I need to know yet to be that advocate.  I know that it will be very important to have this discussion with the other two intermediate school library media specialists in my district (PLN).