AASL IDEAxCHANGE

Whew! Poster sessions feel like speed-dating, only with more substantial conversations. We had wonderful discussions--thank you! Please send us comments or questions as you reflect on the conference.

Idea Xchange at AASL in Hartford

We are excited to be presenting at the AASL Conference and Exhibition in Hartford on November 14, 2013!

http://national.aasl.org

Please say hello if you've been on our blog--we'd love to hear from you!

More about those in-between, Fact & Story, non-fiction-ish picture books!

I've been thinking a lot about how our category system allows us to shelve FACT and FICTION about a topic together, where a reader is more likely to find an array of information.Some books are such a melding of facts and story, or narrative with non-fiction, that we're glad we can put them together where they'll be found by readers looking for either information or fiction!Here are a few books in this category ---Are some readers missing these great books?

This is a list of "mixture" books of fact and fiction, and where they are located at several of the NY area libraries. Where could you put them to get more use? Any ideas? 

A splash of red: The life and art of Horace Pippin / by Jen Bryant ; illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

J92 PIP

J 759.13 B91s

JB Pippin

E Bryant

The boy who drew birds: a story of John James Audubon / Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

JB 598.092

921 Aud

East Biog AU

j598 DAV

On a beam of light : a story of Albert Einstein / by Jennifer Berne ; illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky.

J 530.092 BER

j92E Einstein

J Picture Ber

Look up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer / Robert Burleigh ; illustrated by Raúl Colón.

JB Leavitt B

J 520.92 BUR

Step Gently out / poem by Helen Frost ; photographs by Rick Lieder.

J PIC F

J POETRY F

E FROST

jE 811.54

BUGS JE FROST

Self Check-out

Self check-out at the public library, at the grocery store: it works pretty well these days. So why not give it a try in your school library?

Kids feel a stronger sense of ownership when they scan a barcode and check the screen at each beep. Instead of handing over their book to someone else to take care of, they know they are responsible for their items.

Here is a photo of the lower grade check-out station. The computer is logged into Follett Destiny with a special user, "Self CO" that only allows simple transactions. Students are blocked if they have overdue materials or when they reach their 5 item limit. A librarian can override and continue check-out for the student.

Each class in first and second grade has a personally decorated shelf marker with name and a patron  barcode sticker. Once the books are checked out, the shelf marker goes back in the color-coded container.

Students have learned to use the date stamp without changing the date, even though it's tempting.

Our 3-5th grade students have their name and barcode on a separate page of the class book. Even though they know their library patron number by heart, scanning it instead of typing it prevents errors.

When a student is asked about an overdue book, we've noticed something new: instead of a blank stare and "I don't have that book," he or she is more likely to remember the transaction. Who knew that personal responsibility is such a pleasure to teach?