Library Journey

So how do you try to support the variety of teaching styles and disciplines with ICT that a school holds? Very thoughtfully. Aside from dealing with changing technology, a TL must also continually try to find ways to support the interested colleagues as well as the reluctant library venturers and technology integraters.(Yes, I made that last word up.) I have seen the library use go up by at least 100% so I am actively promoting new acquisition of computers that can be signed out by students and not only used at a station. I am also encouraging teachers to use the library for things other than research. For example, science fairs, displays,  meetings, speakers, demonstrations, etc. This is a small snapshot of the library and a science fair project. I have done a number of things to encourage use of the digital resources we have access to. Our Resource Center has a number of database and other subscriptions with ERAC and so I have been promoting the use of these as research t...

I had emailed WorldReader to ask if they went to areas other that Africa and this was the reply. It sounds like they are really moving along on their two big programs. I appreciated the response and am interested how this program will expand.     Dear Jennifer, Thank you for reaching out and for your interest in our programs, and apologies for the delayed response. We are now mostly doubling down efforts on our existing programs in Kenya & Ghana, where we have a physical presence.  We recently rolled out our e-reading program to all 61 of Kenya's public libraries, which you may find interesting; more here:  https://www.worldreader.org/blog/kenya-libraries-go-digital/ .  We have not yet expanded to Latin America, but are looking forward to starting a project in Mexico soon:  https://www.worldreader.org/blog/too-many-mexican-youth-dont-read/ , with the hope that countries in South America will follow.    The good news ...

 This is Safe Haven Library / TYIN Tegnestue, in 2009. The concrete base of the library is cast on a bed of large rocks gathered on-site. Walls made of plastered concrete blocks cools the building during the day, while the open bamboo facade gives a good ventilation. Iron wood makes up the solid frame construction and serves as comfortable floor for the children to play on. Go to the website you can see inside the structure. www.archdaily.com/30764/safe-haven-library-tyin-tegnestue/ Wow! Thinking about libraries around the world, here is a unique one. It may seem way out there, but it is really trying to best utilize the environment and climate to creating a pleasant and useful space. I also remember meeting a woman at the airport. She was refugee from Somalia and she had been a librarian at an academic facility. People had to ask for books to be retrieved and could not browse shelves. It was also one of the first places destroyed. From the resear...

This week’s topic is to explore how you can continue to develop your own skills, pedagogy and professional development on your own, back in your own library/classroom and environment. What strategies, tools, resources and networks can you implement to maintain your explorations and development? What are some of the ways that educators and professionals are connecting and sharing their learning? What can you do during this class and after it is over to maintain your connections and networks, to further develop your knowledge, experience and skills? This topic is not an easy one for me as I never really consider what my tools, networks and resources are as a whole, I use them when I need them and add to them when I need to. So, as an exercise this has been a a great gathering for me. I started with webinars and access to people. 1)  The first one was a free webinar series on Learning Commons offered through the Calgary   Regional Consortium crcpd.ab.ca/ 2...

I have purposely titled my blog with Big Guns due to something that happened today which directly connects with this weeks topic. We are supposed to consider what we can do to bring in our community whatever for it takes. I have been working at this for a few years and am still eagerly looking ideas so am looking forward to the other blog posts. When I started in the library I immediately asked that the staff meetings be held in the space. It was a good move as it brings everyone in at least once a month. They have been able to see the changes and some have even given commentary and ideas! I have encouraged teachers to hold their science fairs and project reviews in the library which has gone over well and they see how versatile the space is. I have also had other meetings in the space including union meetings after school, and community clubs. On school parent nights I put out yearbooks and encourage parents to come in with the kids to find themselves or see what the school and st...

One of the things I have been doing since taking on the library is trying to create a space that is seen by staff and students as more than a place to do research. It started in small steps: opening up both doors rather than one, holding events and contests, actively promoting different activities in the school through displays and contests, opening for lunch with table cloths, and allowing in closed containers for drinking. All logical right? But it goes against the grain of a traditional library and since we are only one high school here there are no other examples for students and staff to pull from. I am feeling pretty innovative but I know there is a great deal more that can be done. One of the biggest changes is the reorganization of the space itself and making it as flexible as possible. We have tables on wheels (teachers love them), there are counters and stools (but the stools seems to float around to tables too),  there is comfortable furniture, all trying to make the s...

Hi Oraca group, It's nice to meet you all. I fell behind and did not realize it. I missed a week somehow. So, I have just posted my two missing blogs and will try to be ahead of time if not on time. I must also tell you that I am dealing with a displaced replacement disc in my neck and nerves being compressed and I can only type for short periods, so I am slower than normal. (Grouchier too :) Cheers, Jennifer

Inquiry-Based Learning Being told is the opposite of finding out. James Britton                                          literacytoday.ca/talk/classroom-contexts/inquiry-based-learning/ My topic has been determined and it is inquiry-based learning (I-BL) Readings were relatively easy to find. The articles were fairly short and well-focused. I started with the terms 'collaboration' and 'coteaching' connected to the library. This was good, but, on reflection, I didn't feel that it was what I was really looking for. Much of what I read does mesh very well with inquiry so I am able to connect some of the ideas together. One of the things I want to do is connect teachers to the library through the TL, more as a place for them have support and collaboration, not just a place for...