Successful Programming

Middle school and high school libraries are entirely different beasts than elementary school libraries.  Usually in elementary schools, students get library instruction at least once/week.  This allows teachers to have plan time and breaks.  In middle school teachers might sign up to visit the library every couple of weeks for their students to check out books.  Some teachers decide not to bring their students to check out books.  There is so much curriculum that needs to be completed in the classroom that often teachers don't have the time to bring their students to the library for an extended period of instruction.  In high school, class attendance to the library falls even further to the wayside, with the library usually utilized for class research projects in which a teacher might bring an entire class once or twice a year.

Because of this, I believe that programming can play just as important a role in a middle school library as it does in a public library.  Some students might not have frequent chances to visit the library with their teachers, so I have been trying to offer a variety of opportunities for students to come in during lunch period or study halls for special events and activities.

Our first special event of the year was Halloween Storytime, which was offered waaaaaaay back in October.  (Hey!  I'm getting caught up!  Did you miss my previous post??)  Students could come to the library during their designated lunch period to listen to stories.  I thought I might have a couple dozen students per lunch period.  Man.  Was I wrong!

As students came in, I had Michael Jackson's Thriller playing.  It set the tone perfectly, and students could eat a bit as they watched before they started reading stories.

6th grade was the largest group by far.  Kids on the floors, sharing seats, and being completely awesome and respectful the entire time.

Our last group was 7th grade.  The "smallest" group still had over 30 attendees.  This is when our principal stopped by to listen to some stories, too!

I have to admit, I didn't expect this type of turn out, but it was great!  I also didn't expect so many students who wanted to participate.  I had printed out several stories to read, but I only read one very short story at the beginning of each lunch period.  The rest of each period was spent with students volunteering and sharing their own stories (like in the 6th grade photo) or reading stories they had selected and brought themselves (the 7th grader above).  This was a great kickoff to what has been a year of successful programming so far.  I'll describe more events we've held over the next few days.  I know you're excited to read about more!

I Think I'd Die

I have a new dream.  It's lofty...OH SO LOFTY.  But, I can't get the image out of my head.  What image you might ask?  This image:

My new dream is to have David Tennant lead storytime at my future school library.

On Wednesday, the Unofficial David Tennant Facebook page posted that he visited his sister's school earlier this week.  He praised her life's work of assisting and teaching students with special needs.  They then posted pictures of him with the students at the school and reading to them in the assembly room.

There are so many things here going on that makes my head want to explode.

1.  His sister is a teacher for students with special needs, and he praises her.  He knows what a hard, yet rewarding, job this is.  Swoon.
2.  He chums around with the students.  His sister said many of her students absolutely adore Doctor Who, and he made their dreams come true.  Double swoon.

3.  He said his sister asked him to visit, and he still has to do what his older sister tells him to.  Adorable.
4.  He led storytime.  I'll type that one again: HE.  LED.  STORYTIME.  Brain officially BURSTING!

I kind of want to write him an impassioned plea to come visit my school next year, wherever that may be, and beg him to lead storytime.  I have to start crafting this letter now.  Too bad his latest show, Gracepoint on FOX, is bombing in the ratings.  He might be hesitant to visit the States again.  I'll just assure him he'll receive a very warm reception when he arrives at the library.  I need to make this happen.  And, he needs to wear that Mr. Cool tee again.

Halloween Storytime!

It's never too early to start thinking about Halloween storytime!

I may be working in a high school library, but I want to sing the praises of one of my favorite Halloween books, which just happens to be a picture book...by Jerry Seinfeld.

Seinfeld took one of his best bits and, with the help of illustrator James Bennett, created a Halloween book that should be in every library--personal, public, or school.  The illustrations are childlike, whimsical, full of color, and lil Jerry Seinfeld is adorable.  The font is engaging, big, and bold.  Even if you haven't seen Seinfeld perform this bit of stand-up live, you can still create voices/sound levels and movements that go with the text.  I feel it's the perfect read for Halloween storytime.

When I was a 6th grade reading and writing teacher I would read this every Halloween.  (And, I'd be so sad if Halloween fell on a weekend, because I couldn't perform it for them.)  My students had never heard of Jerry Seinfeld, but they still loved the book, because of the energy and enthusiasm I put into the reading of the text.  And, please, PLEASE let's not forget that picture books are for everyone.  Think about doing this awesome book for a Halloween storytime.  It doesn't matter if you're in a pre-school or a high school, it's sure to be a crowd pleaser and totally awesome!

And, if you haven't enjoyed Seinfeld's original stand-up bit, watch it NOW!