Library Links

"Content that might be of interest to Teacher-Librarians..."

26.10.13

Download Vintage Film Posters in High-Res

Want to add atmosphere to your library?

Dress up a library display with a vintage movie poster:

FreeVintagePosters.com offers "hundreds of high quality printable posters in advertising, travel, food/drink, art, movies, westerns, military, magic and much more." You may have an interest in all those facets of human experience, but we imagine you'll find especially appealing the site's selection of high-resolution film posters, suitable for printing at home or elsewhere and hanging on walls in need of cinephilic flair.

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24.10.13

Gateway to the world

The difference a library can make

The documentary "Gateway to the World" is set in Namibia's capital city, Windhoek. The film follows two young people who work at the local library, which functions as a gateway to a better life. Trevelin, 20 years old, did not pass grade 10. Persuaded by a friend, he found his way to the nearby library, got interested in studying computers and now gives basic computer classes as a volunteer teacher in the library. Anna, 13 years old, is a schoolgirl at Olof Palme primary school. Every day after school she heads to the Greenwell library where she helps school kids with their homework and library customers with computers.

This library serves as an example library to the Libraries for Development project, which started in 2012. The good lessons learned will be extended both around Namibia (20 libraries) and to Tanzania (2 libraries in the initial phase).

Duration: 29 min

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23.10.13

Beyond the Book exchange

The literacy hub of the school

I was browsing past copies of "The Teaching Librarian" and came across an article in the Autumn/Winter 2001 (Vol 9, No 1) issue entitled "Eight ways an Elementary School can improve literacy" by Marilyn Willis. (p16-18)

While the issue is old (!), Willis has some great suggestions for making the library the literacy hub of the school. Knowing that many of you wear multiple hats, I'm wondering what you do to provide a library program that goes "beyond the book exchange"? Obviously, with time constraints, it's impossible to "do it all", but it's worth looking for an activity/innovation or two that helps solidify your library's reputation as the "literacy place".

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Organizing fiction by Genre

Genrefication - help your readers help themselves!

I must confess, I am a genre-aholic. I have my favs (sci-fi, mystery, fantasy) and I always gravitate to those areas at Chapters and other bookstores.

First of all, rather than right or wrong, it's really about what works best for your community. We went to genre spinners for fiction at McRoberts years ago when I was there, and I noticed an immediate surge in circulation. Students do develop preferences, and want to read more of what they like! (Don't we all.)

We can help students discover authors and genres outside their comfort zone by booktalking, creating "these-just-in" displays and promoting exciting authors. (I would never have read the "Adrian Mole" or "Bridget Jones" series if they hadn't been recommended - they don't appear in the sci-fi section!)

I'm not suggesting de-dewey-izing the non-fiction. In some ways, DDC is already genre-ified. (Sports with Sports, Robots with Robots, Dogs with Dogs, etc.) Browsing non-fiction lets you explore a narrow, specific interest to your heart's content.

Is it all or nothing? Some libraries keep the fiction by author, but add spine stickers to genres to help kids spot their favourites. Others only pull out some of the genres (sci-fi, mystery, romance) and leave the rest by author. You need to know your students and their interests.

Krashen talks about the three secrets to becoming a strong and dedicated reader: 1) reading great amounts..., 2) in a narrow interest area..., 3) at your reading comfort level. (link, link, link - especially p5 -narrow reading) Whether we genrify or not, it's all about promoting and supporting an exciting reading atmosphere!

Read on!

Want to read more about this?

Genrefy Your Library: Improve Readers' Advisory and Data-Driven Decision Making.

Genrefication Project

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22.10.13

NFB 2013-14 catalog

Explore NFB's catalog
View this catalog of National Film Board offerings. Titles labeled with a blue "C" are available for streaming via NFB's enhanced access called "Campus".

"1,000 emotions in 100 films filled with valuable lessons - This year we've decided to draw from our rich collection of films both new and old to bring you our 100 favourite educational titles. These compelling works will evoke a range of emotions while introducing students to a colourful cast of fascinating characters. Ambitious, artistic, funny, engaged, brilliant, sensitive... are but a few adjectives to describe the heroes of these films."

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Read-Aloud Handbook - Intro online

"the single most important activity"
"The 1983 Commission on Reading made two important declarations in its final report: 1) "The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." and 2) "It is a practice that should continue throughout the grades." ... The experts were saying reading aloud was more important than work sheets, homework, book reports, and flash cards. One of the cheapest, simplest, and oldest tools of teaching was being promoted as a better tool than anything else in the home or classroom— and it's so simple you don't even need a high school diploma in order to do it."

Read more on the site.
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Dystopian fiction flowchart

Hungering for more?

Lawrence Public Library has put together a "Hunger Games flowchart" for teens looking for new novels to scratch that young adult dystopian itch. Full of both old and new titles - discover a new author or new novel!

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Virtual Field Trip - HR Macmillan Space Centre

Skype into the Planetarium

"Do your students have challenging questions about space science and astronomy? We might have the answers! Connect your students with our staff so we can share their passion and knowledge with them through video Skype. Your virtual field trip will include a short demonstration related to one."

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Transforming Curriculum & Assessment

Draft Curricula available

The new curriculum IRPs are designed to be "flexible, competency-driven, concept-based and inclusive." Currently, some K to Gr 9 curriculum documents are available for browsing and comment.

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