these days remind me of why I became a librarian

Day #2 of Summer Reading and I am so thankful that I get to sleep in and close the Library tomorrow.

Today looked like this:
  • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) Tuesday, K-5th grades: *Working in teams of 5-6, the kids had 10 minutes to build structures with 50 toothpicks and 100 mini marshmallows that would withstand an earthquake; earthquake simulated by placing structures in an aluminum foil pan full of jello and me shaking the bejeezus out of them. I was surprised how creatively the kids built the structures; we talked about what strengthens structures and what kind of buildings would handle the shock an earthquake better than others. Lots of laughter and lots of fun!
  • Vision Screenings
  • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) Tuesday, 6th-12th grades: *Tweens/teens made compost bottles--creating the beginnings of a compost pile in 2 liter pop bottles; discussed composting process.
  • Family Storytime: Theme was growth/plants; books: Compost Stew Mary McKenna Siddals, The Tiny Seed, Eric Carle; Planting a Garden, Lois Ehlert; kiddos planted seeds or potted flowers.
  • Adult Book Group: One summer month/year we do a graphic novel, this year I did reader's choice, so we went around and discussed: 1. Why we chose this particular graphic novel 2. What we did/didn't like about it. 3. Would we recommend it to others? Actually made for a lively discussion and I walked away with some fun recommendations from others.
Wanted to just mention that the Vision Screening is both an easy passive program and a great community collaboration opportunity. The local Lions Club wasn't able to host the yearly FREE vision screening at the preschool this year, so we offered to host it, and scheduled it after our K-5th grade program. We didn't have the best turnout, but any turnout is better than none. And we've established another connection with another non-profit community org!

Today was a record breaking day for us; a combined total of participants in today's programs totaled 96 people! I still am shaking my head at those numbers! So proud of our little library and all we are trying to do.

Hope everyone that's in the throes of Summer Reading '14 is having as much fun as us!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

eggnog with lighter fluid and other cherished Christmas memories

Image
I started digging to find my favorite Christmas-esque scenes/lines from movies and I was pleased with what I found. In spirit of my 14's lists, here goes: 1. Charles De Mar: "Ah, come on! It's Christmas Eve! I could be home right now, drinking this *monster* eggnog my brother makes with lighter fluid." ~ Better Off Dead I also love the present opening scene on Christmas day, where his mother is dressed like a reindeer, his father gets an ardvark jacket and the kids get freezer dinners. Pan out to the neighbors Christmas when the French foreign exchange student gets a framed picture of Ricky. I LOVE THIS MOVIE! 2. When Zuzu says to George Bailey, "Look, daddy! Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an Angel gets his wings." George quietly agrees, "Attaboy, Clarence," as "Auld Lang Syne" rings out. That scene makes me cry everytime. (I also love that if George had never been around, Mary became a spinster librarian--see pic) ~ It's a W
Read more

sample retirement acceptance letter

Image
The hardest part of being the Director in a small library is that we don't have an HR person, so on top of everything else we do we also get to do the paperwork for the new hires, and retires. Thank God for the internet or these processes would take a lot longer!  One of my board members pointed out that though I'd been informed of staff retirements, I had to officially accept them with a letter...I am finding that a paper trail is an important thing. So, I found a short and simple letter on one university's HR website (sorry forgot which!?) and honed it to work for us. Attached is my sample of a retirement letter.  Is anyone else out there going through this process too?
Read more

Juvenile Collection Librarian in a college setting?

This afternoon the Human Resources lady at the university (the one who helped me fill out all my paperwork when I was hired in) called our library, looking for the name of an author for a children's book. She did not provide an explanantion, rather just told me about how someone had told her about this book. As it is a children's book, I assumed that it might be a gift for one of the girls who just went out on pregnancy leave. (Her) Now, I can't remember the name of the author. (Me) Well, ok, what is the name of the book? (Her) The Very Hungry Caterpillar . (Me) Oh, that is Eric Carle, he is one of my favorites. I actually collect his books. I collect all children's books. (Her)Hmmm, you know that yada yada yada is retiring soon, and she is in charge of the Children's Collection here. (Me) Yes, I knew she was retiring. End of August, right? (Her) When are you graduating again? (Me) I finish classes in December. (Her) Well, if you have Children's Books as a speci
Read more