Creating a community of readers

For me there's nothing more fun than the smile of a kiddo who has read a book and loved it.  And if it's a book that I recommended, that's an amazing feeling.

And creating a community of readers?  Making progress toward that wonderful and lofty goal would probably be enough for most of us to retire happy.

But how can we set the tone for a community of readers at our schools?  How can we create excitement for pleasure reading when many kids think that's an oxymoron?

Let's start with what it's not.

Creating readers is NOT:
*based on rewards
*mandated
*tested
*computerized
*censored
*judgmental
*solitary

And on the positive side...

What do readers need?
*Choice
*Adults to model a love of reading
*Someone to recommend books especially for them
*Time
*A variety of books in many formats
*An opportunity to share what they read

What can we do to set the tone for a community of readers?

*Read what the kids read
*Read a ton
*Have an awesome collection
*Talk to kids about books
*Provide programming that encourages reading
*Know a wide variety of authors to recommend
*Keep a list of what you read

I'd love to hear your ideas for creating readers--please do share! I'll be happy to post them here, along with a list of programs that may encourage reading.

In the meantime, there's a good book and a comfy sofa that's calling my name...

Yeah, do it for the kids!

My grandsons and I were doing some last-minute Christmas shopping a couple of days ago. Traffic was crazy, and one driver, impatient with the person in front of him, honked loudly.

"Geez," I said, "give the guy a break. It's Christmas!"

"Yeah," chimed in Jake, my six-year-old. "Do it for the kids!"

And when you think of it, that pretty much sums up a great library philosophy. Thanks for the reminder, Jake.

What does a 21st century school library look like?

For the past year or so, it's been impossible to open a professional journal or attend a conference without hearing about 21st century libraries.  And it's 2010...

 If our library godmother from the earlier post would appear, we'd have her whoosh all our libraries into the 21st century.  Since budget and buy-in are realistic constraints, we will concede to slower march toward change.  BUT that doesn't mean we can't get behind and push!

Normally when we talk about moving our libraries into the future, we discuss the changing formats of our collections and how we can collaborate to ensure that our students master new learning standards. 

But as they often do, my esteemed colleagues of the North Texas Area Library Administrators group (NTALA) raised my level of thinking.  At a recent meeting, we discussed 21st century library observables.

What I love about this idea is that it allows us to break this HUGE topic of transforming our libraries into smaller chunks. 


Coppell MS West

So, let's look at just this one piece from the collective eyes of many librarians whom I will credit at this end of this post...

What could we SEE in a 21st century school library?

(Not necessarily in order of importance.  Some typical items have been omitted in the interest of brevity.)

*A visually appealing and welcoming space
*Energized, productive activity of student and staff users
*Wireless laptops, netbooks, iPads, and other devices, which may edge out desktop computers
*Tables and seating that allow for flexible grouping
*Self check out which frees the librarian for professional duties
*Ubiquitous technology for learning and teaching
*Charging station for various devicees
*Download station for ebooks and audiobooks
*Large flat screen TV muted and tuned to news
*Flexible areas of the library which may allow for instruction, presentation, collaboration, quiet reading, and social interaction
*Digital production lab that can be closed to allow for creation of podcasts, book trailers, taped presentations, and other digital products
*Attractive displays, good lighting, intelligent signage, comfortable chairs, and standing OPAC/info stations
*Professional area with space and materials for teacher work, collaboration with librarian, and conferences
*Slimmer reference collection as online tools grow
*Vibrant print collection to support pleasure reading, browsing, and study
*And finally...a smiling, helpful, available, willing, and knowledgeable certified librarian!

With thanks to the forward-thinking ideas of...
*NTALA, especially Mary Woodard and Diane Lutz, for their individual contributions toward this post.
*Rose Brock (whose library is pictured), Lexanne Seifert, and Lynn Hevron, wonderful Coppell ISD librarians, for showing me their beautiful, newly-renovated libraries.
*The grandly-titled "Changing Libraries and the Future of Reading" committee of Frisco ISD librarians, and especially Ann Terry and Shelby Bivins for their individual contributions to this topic.

Now it's YOUR time to share!  What else can we see in your 21st century school library?

Ranganathan's Laws Say it All...

I'm back to library school mode today for a piece that I think is essential in shaping a library philosophy that centers around the needs of its users (aka students and staff).

In 1963, noted library scholar S.R. Ranganathan published the Five Laws of Library Science.  These laws are as follows:

1.  Books are for use.

2.  Every reader his book.

3.  Every book its reader.
4.  Save the time of the reader.
5.  The library is a growing organism.

From time to time, library scholars have attempted to revise Ranganathan's laws.  Surely we can't use the anachronistic pronoun he!  Everyone knows that the library has more than books! Certainly we must substitute the word media!  What about...? What about...?

Of course our libraries serve all students with all formats of materials.  We have digital collections and a virtual presence.  We are about information literacy AND books and reading.

But, aaargh!  Don't mess with Ranganathan.

I contend that his laws are perfect.  They are short and simple, they're beautifully written, and the embedded philosophy is one of meeting the needs of all users.

And if you really apply the spirit of Ranganathan's laws, I think you'll have a pretty fantastic library that prepares students to be readers and learners in the 21st century.