Besides the incredible classes that I took and the new insights gained, sabbatical has been a great time to reflect on my job as a library media specialist in a big, busy high school. There are the obvious pros and cons to the job in general, and when one is immersed in the day-to-day routine it is sometimes difficult to lift your head above the wave of requests, schedules, events, etc. to see what is truly happening around you. One of the things that has appeared more clearly is that one librarian as hard working and good-intentioned as she may be, is often unable to meet the demands of all of the groups and individuals requesting her attention at the same time. Our PSLA group has carefully set staffing guidelines to ensure that libraries run efficiently but unfortunately staffing falls too short in many schools as it does in mine. But we all soldier on through our devotion to our students and staff and the passion we have to make our digital natives more aware of good information sources and what to do with them once they find them. As I plan for the school year beginning in September I know I will want to make some thoughtful and serious changes in the way the program is delivered. My most important goal is to educate my students in finding and interpreting the best information they can find from the best sources I provide for them and the skills to find information on their own as they grow from high school to college to career. Also important is to learn to be aware of the world around them and the effects that their personal information has on others. To do this I must work closely with my wonderful staff to incorporate digital literacy throughout the entire curriculum so that at the end of the day I know that I did the best that I could to prepare my students for their constantly evolving future. There isn't a minute to waste!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Starting to reflect...
Besides the incredible classes that I took and the new insights gained, sabbatical has been a great time to reflect on my job as a library media specialist in a big, busy high school. There are the obvious pros and cons to the job in general, and when one is immersed in the day-to-day routine it is sometimes difficult to lift your head above the wave of requests, schedules, events, etc. to see what is truly happening around you. One of the things that has appeared more clearly is that one librarian as hard working and good-intentioned as she may be, is often unable to meet the demands of all of the groups and individuals requesting her attention at the same time. Our PSLA group has carefully set staffing guidelines to ensure that libraries run efficiently but unfortunately staffing falls too short in many schools as it does in mine. But we all soldier on through our devotion to our students and staff and the passion we have to make our digital natives more aware of good information sources and what to do with them once they find them. As I plan for the school year beginning in September I know I will want to make some thoughtful and serious changes in the way the program is delivered. My most important goal is to educate my students in finding and interpreting the best information they can find from the best sources I provide for them and the skills to find information on their own as they grow from high school to college to career. Also important is to learn to be aware of the world around them and the effects that their personal information has on others. To do this I must work closely with my wonderful staff to incorporate digital literacy throughout the entire curriculum so that at the end of the day I know that I did the best that I could to prepare my students for their constantly evolving future. There isn't a minute to waste!
Sunday, April 21, 2013
My rating: 5 of 5 starsAfter seeing Maggie Stiefvater at The National Book Festival I could not wait to read The Raven Boys. Like The Scorpio Races, this book is infused with folklore that adds such a rich background to her novels. Blue Sargent lives with her mother and other random psychic women who conduct readings. Blue, although not psychic herself, creates an energy field that adds to the paranormal experiences. As proclaimed by the women, Blue's ultimate fate is to kiss a boy who will then die and this causes her great consternation as she meets several Raven boys from the nearby academy whom she grows fond of. Gansby is one who is in search of 'ley lines" when crossed may awaken the medieval King Glendower. Gansby's roommates are along for the interesting ride as well, and they have their own demons to cross. This is a different novel full of interesting characters both good and bad, supernatural intrigue and of course the hint of romance.I can't wait for the sequel.
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Monday, April 8, 2013
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