How to make a PBJ OR reading a review journal...

In a past life, I taught elementary language arts.  One of the dreaded writing prompts that came up every year was, "How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich."

Of course it's a fairly ridiculous prompt.  A toddler could practically make a PBJ.  But the idea was that the kids could write the steps more clearly if they knew the task at hand well.

Looking back, I probably didn't make the why of the assignment clear.  "She thinks we don't know how to make a peanut butter sandwich?  Sheesh."

I'm hoping I won't insult your intelligence in a similar manner by writing the steps to reading a review.  If you are an old hand at this, feel free to skip the rest of this post.  If you are a new librarian, and a few time-saving steps to reading reviews may be helpful, read on!

How to read a review journal...

1.  Begin by finding the section of the journal with reviews applicable to the grade levels or ages that you serve.  For this example, let's say you're a middle school librarian with grades 6-7-8 at your campus.  

2.  First flip through the entire review section, glancing at the grade designations as you go.  

3.  Place an X through any review that doesn't include grade 6, 7, or 8.  If the review is for grades 4-6, leave it for now.  Ditto for a review of grades 8-up.

4.  Go back to the first review without an X.  

5.  Read only the last line of this review.  If it's a negative review, stop reading and put an X over it.  You're not likely to order a book that's negatively reviewed, so this will save time.  If you feel like this is slacking off, be my guest and read the negative reviews as well!

6.  Move on to the next review, still reading only the last line.

7.  Proceed in this fashion until only positive reviews for the grades at your campus are left.

8.  Start at the first of these positive reviews and read the entire review carefully.  

9.  Circle the review if it sounds like a book that your students would enjoy or if it would be useful for the curriculum.  You may need to be picky if your budget is tight.  If so, pay particular attention to starred reviews.

10.  Highlight the review and come back to it if you're not sure about the book.  Sometimes it's helpful to seek out another review for these books on the bubble.  OR your selection policy/guidelines may specify that you need more than one positive review before ordering a book.  

11.  Know the difference between selection and censorship (Not sure? Your gut or a trusted colleague can probably tell you).

12.  Use the front cover of the journal to jot down the page number for the books you want to order.

13.  Proceed until you've finished the journal.

14.  Use the page numbers on the front of the journal for quick reference, and add these titles into your online ordering tool once you're sure of your selections.

15.  Start over with the next journal in the same manner.  

16.  Transmit your online order when you've reached the desired dollar amount and you have a P.O. number.  Remember to over order to account for fill rates.

17.  Revel in the great new books when your order comes in. 

18.  Read, read, read.  

19.  Match the right book to the reader.

20.  Realize that you'll make mistakes and order klunkers sometimes.  The selection process will get easier as you go!  

Disclaimer #1:  Yes, I realize this method is not very techy.  But I like working out of print journals in this way because they're so portable, and you can read a bit in line at the grocery store or at soccer practice. 

Disclaimer #2:  There are tons of ways to read a journal, but this happens to work for me.  Other ideas?  Share them here!

QR codes...found!

In a previous post, I mentioned QR codes, so I was interested to find examples some recently. 

You know how some convenience stores have ads and human interest stories running on screens that you can watch while you're pumping gas?  As I was filling up the other day, I caught the end of a spot about QR codes.  I have no idea why this was on "gas TV," but it was cool.

I've also seen QR codes on a couple of books.  When you scan the code for Lauren Conrad's Sweet Little Lies, for example, it takes you to a mobi site about the author and book.

For an interesting article about "Digi Novels" that mentions QR codes, read this post by the Steve Laube Agency.

QR codes.  Digi novels.  Keep your eye out for more of this type of technology that can draw readers in with a link from the printed book to online coolness.  Not just for kids!

Frisco Reads 2010

If you live near the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, I hope you'll make plans to attend Frisco Reads 2010 on Tuesday, October 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 at Heritage High School in Frisco, TX.

This community-wide event is free and open to everyone.  Featured authors include Gordon Korman, Sonya Sones, Anastasia Suen, Jason Henderson, and Joseph Hughes.  Browse two book fairs, purchase a book to be signed by our authors, and attend a variety of breakout sessions related to reading in many genres and formats.

Want more information?  I'd love to hear from you!

Leigh Ann Jones
jonesl@friscoisd.org

Cool tools for libraries--Doodle

Stop me if you've heard this one, but Doodle is great.

Doubtless you've tried to schedule a meeting with several attendees.  You start the hunt by emailing your group with possible dates to meet.

Sally can come to the first two, but none of the others.  David is only available the last date, but not at the time you specified.  The emails fly, as does your patience.  Eighteen emails later, you have a meeting date.

Eliminate all this with Doodle.  Go online, set up a free poll (no registration is required), and email the link to your attendees.

Each person indicates which dates he/she is available to meet.  Now that's a cool tool!

If your library were a car...

Cars aren't something I know much about, but for some reason I noticed some odd ones on the way home from work today.

A teeny red smart car tootled past me with a tall man folded up inside.

An amazing car that I'm pretty sure is a Lamborghini screeched off as the light turned green.  I'm betting that car is worth more than my house and a couple of the neighbors' houses put together.

An ancient truck sputtered along, keeping to the right as impatient drivers passed it time and again.

And, of course, there were the usual vehicles.  Lots of gas-guzzling SUVs, pickups, mini-vans with babies on board, and the ever-present mid-size sedans.

A friend and I used to play this silly game in which we'd try to decide which animal we/our peers most resembled.  Variation:  What name other than your own fits you best?  (Goofy, I know.  But try it; it's fun.)

All this led me to a fairly odd train of thought.  If your library were a car, what kind would it be?

Take this (also goofy) quiz for fun:

1.  My library is a '64 GMC pickup.  It smells kind of funny, has gum underneath the seats, and is not very reliable.  If given a choice, no one would be caught dead in it.

2.  My library is a brand-new Ferrari.  It's shiny, gorgeous, and state-of-the art.  I'd prefer that you not touch it because you'll probably get handprints everywhere.

3.  My library is a 2002 Subaru.  It's not too flashy, but it's still pretty dependable.  Sure, it's a little out-of-date, but who has the money to replace it in this economy?

4.  My library is a dented white, four-door Taurus.  To be honest, it's a little embarrassing, so we try to drive another car when possible.

5.  My library is Mustang convertible.  It runs like a top, and it's fun to drive.  You're welcome to come along any time.

Ok, it's your turn.  If your library were a car...

What I wish I'd known as a new librarian...

No, really.  I love it when you come to the library.

School Library Journal is awesome.  Every issue is chock full of good stuff such as the recent article, "What Every New Media Specialist Needs to Know," smartly reblogged by Mary Woodard in Top Shelf.

The article put me in mind of my first year as a librarian, and the many things I didn't know (see tags).  To this end, the following is a partial list of things I wish I'd known.




As always, the list is in random order and not necessarily by order of importance...

1.  There is no such thing as a library emergency.  
The laminator film may be wrapped many times around the spool, but trust me, it's not an emergency.

2.  People are more important than things.
Books to be shelved?  Reader's advisory to be done?  Pick the kids every time.

3.  Most of the deadlines in the library are your own deadlines.
Do you find yourself working later and later because you can't pack up the library like the bag of hope you dragged home every night as a teacher?  Tend to what's on fire, and then go home and read a good book.  You'll be a better librarian for it tomorrow.

4.  The kids can spot a fake every time.
Don't recommend books you haven't read.  Ditto for booktalking.  The kids will know, and they will decide that the books must be crummy if you can't bother to read what you're trying to get them to read.

5.  Three strikes and you may be out.
One of my library school professors claims kids will give you three chances when you recommend a book.  After the third dud, she believes they won't ask you again.  Pretty scary, huh?  That means you need to listen, get to know the kiddo, and read like a maniac.

6.  The library is a shared space.
It's not your personal space.  It's not your classroom.  It's not even your library.  It belongs to the entire school.  Let your attitude reflect this philosophy.

7.  Say yes more often than you say no.
This goes for helping kids as well as helping adults.

8.  Everything you do that first year sets a precedent.
Think carefully before you answer, and remember that it's ok to say, "Let me check and get back to you."  

9.  Don't be afraid to leave your footprint.
Make the library and library program your own.  Give it your own personal flair.  That's what will draw students and staff in.  Change things slowly?  Not on my watch!

10.  You have sixty days to view your job with fresh eyes.
This isn't my wisdom, but I wish I'd said it.  Don't waste even one of those sixty days.

Librarians, what would you add to this list?  Whether you've been in the profession two weeks or twenty years, what do you wish you had known?

Hosting a successful author visit OR ruby red grapefruit juice

Image www.tropicana.com

Thanks to terrific administrative support, our school district has an excellent visiting author program.

This year each student in all 30 elementary campuses and the early childhood school will meet Anastasia Suen.  All 12 of our middle school campuses will host either Gordon Korman, Cinda Williams Chima, and/or Neal Shusterman.   Aspiring writers in four of our high schools will be fortunate enough to attend a writing workshop led by Sonya Sones.

In the past we've hosted Rick Riordan, Jordan Sonnenblick, Grace Lin, Sharon Draper, and Jarrett Krosoczka, to name a delightful few.

Almost every author we've hosted has been fantastic.  Warm, engaging, and truly gracious.

After years of authors visits, I've made some wonderful friends and gathered some interesting stories.

We've been stuck in traffic so long after picking up an author from the airport that she missed her first session.  I've covered for a no-show author (and believe me, the eighth graders were unimpressed with me).

We have realized on Thursday that three different librarians have treated our author to the same Mexican restaurant three days running in an attempt to show off a little Tex-Mex cuisine.  

After a late evening airport pickup, I have frantically searched our local convenience and grocery stores at 10:30 p.m. for ruby red grapefruit juice, no sugar, while another librarian waited for our author's to go order.  "Your author is hungry, and I don't do fast food!"  Yes, it was a long week, and no, this author is not listed among the lovely folks above.

Our visiting author program is a hit with the kids, their parents, our teachers, librarians, and administrators.  Our circulation stats show sustaining interest in books by these authors, and I truly believe the program fosters a community of readers and writers in our district.

Its continuing success, even in lean budget years, is due to administrative support, advance planning, hard work by our librarians and teachers, and a host of fabulous authors. 

Want a few tips for a successful visit?

*Start a year in advance. Don't be afraid to contact big names.  You never know!
*Gain the support of your administrator.  Collaborate with teachers to create a schedule that is agreeable with them.
*Ask an author who may be popular with a wide segment of students.
*Be sure you keep emails about the honorarium agreed upon. If needed, get vendor paperwork to your district several weeks in advance. 
*Seek a grant, ask your principal for a bit of budget money, use book fair funds, or ask PTA to help sponsor the visit.
*Partner with a neighboring district to share travel costs.  You will be responsible for the author's daily honorarium, flight, hotel, transportation, and meals. Honorariums can range from $500 a day to $3500 a day and more.
*The summer prior to the visit, consider holding a professional development session for your teachers to familiarize them with the author and his/her work.
*Be sure your library has books by the author for checkout.
*Acquaint your students and staff with the author beforehand. Show the author's website, play book trailers, read one chapter of a novel each day at lunch, and create a great display.
*Set up a wiki with the schedule, librarians' contact information, start/end times for the sessions, and any pertinent info that may help the author and the librarians be informed.
*Have two campuses split the day, with two sessions and a signing in the morning and two sessions and a signing in the afternoon.
*The morning librarian picks the author up at her hotel. The afternoon librarian takes the author back to the hotel. Both librarians and the author have lunch together, which makes the campus switch easy and creates relationships.
*Work with your local bookstore to provide books to sell to students and staff.  Consider selling the books at your cost in order to pass the savings along to your patrons.
*Pick up your author at the airport. Offer a welcome packet with his/her check, schedule, and a handwritten note.
*Prepare the students on audience etiquette and thoughtful questions for the visit.
*Publicize the visit in your local newspaper--it's great PR for your library.
*Enjoy the vist!

No funding sources?  Consider local or new authors who might come with no honorarium but the opportunity to sell books. 

Or call your local bookstore.  Our excellent bookstore calls occasionally to ask if we'd like to host an author who is visiting their store.  We've been fortunate enough to host Stephenie Meyer and Jenna Bush, and we are looking forward to Laurie Halse Anderson next month.

Any tips that have worked well for you?

Cool tools for libraries OR there's an app for that

If you live on an iPhone, you may already know about Gale's cool tool, Access My Library.  With this free app, you can access the Gale databases of your school and public libraries.  Now that's cool!

Do you know of similar apps?