Summer Reading!

Library Horoscope

This horoscope recently circulated over the NYC school librarians' list-serv.

HELP!!!

Volunteers Needed!

June in the library means gathering all the materials that have been borrowed.  Now it's time to put them all away.  If you have any time to spare to help shelve -- 10 minutes...20 minutes...1 hour...whatever... -- please stop by.  

One World, Many Stories

This is the theme of New York's Summer Reading Program.

Throughout the month of June, or fabulous neighborhood children's librarian, Mrs. Thea, will be coming in  to speak to classes about the public library's summer reading program.  Children can keep a written log of what they've read, or record their reading online at www.summerreading.org.   The site has been built like a social networking site.  Children can create avatars (symbols of themselves), track their reading, and earn virtual badges.  Please note:  TNS students should combine this log with the Read-a-thon list, to earn "bonus points."

Our Library to Share Catalog with New York Public Library

Our Library has been selected to be in a DOE/NYPL union catalog pilot!  A union catalog is, basically, a list of the combined holdings of several libraries.  In this case, select libraries in the New York City school system will merge their records with those of the New York Public Library.

According to the folks at NYPL organizing this initiative, this means that our school(s) will receive:

·         Better and more equitable access to resources through a web-based catalog that will let students and teachers see our collection, the collections of other pilot schools, and the vast resources of the New York Public Library;

·         Greatly increased number and variety of resources available to teachers and students;

·         Free delivery and pickup of materials requested by our teachers with their Educator Cards;

·         Cataloging and automation support from the experts at NYPL and the automation vendor, Innovative Interfaces;

·         24/7 virtual learning opportunities;

·         Opportunity for increased use of digital materials;

·         A chance to share book lists (for example, in support of the Common Core), comments and reviews among teachers, librarians and students using NYPL’s new BiblioCommons product;

·         Professional development and support to make this a very successful collaboration and enhanced library services for everyone at our school.

Making Comics in the Library

During "All School Work Time," students of varying ages came to the library to make comics.  They used a free, online comics program called Make Beliefs Comics.  Here are a couple comics they produced in 40 minutes' time:

Author Visit: George O'Connor!

Our kids are crazed with Greek mythology as well as with graphic novels.  Put them together and what do you get?  George O'Connor's Olympians series!  We were so lucky to have a visit from George in our library with fourth graders who are in the middle of a graphic novel reading and writing unit.  We await the release of Hera this summer!