Online Communities - Visualized - AMAZING

Credit: http://xkcd.com/802/

My Computer Tells Me What To Read

Humans are biased. No changing that. So maybe you want a book suggestion, but don't want human bias. The magic of technology now allows users an alternate method of finding new reading material.

I started following the googlecanyouhearme.com project pre-library school. It is the project of Aaron Stanton. He had the crazy idea that readers advisory could be reduced to an algorithm. I haven't had time to really research the effectiveness of the project recently, but I think the trend is worth watching. With some quick internet searching I found a few other sites that offer algorithmic book suggestions.

Anyone know of any others?

http://www.whichbook.net/
http://beta.booklamp.org/reader/
http://www.librarything.com/suggest

What Makes worthwhile YA?

 From LibraryThing

I just read this great book called The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart.

I’ll leave the traditional book reviewing to the professionals and experienced. I have just a few words to say about one narrow aspect of the book.

I really liked the concept of 'neglected positives' presented in this book. It is (as far as I know) not a real grammatical rule. I’ll have to use my librarian powers to dig past my initial Google search of the term. I have always struggled with grammar; I especially find it difficult to be interested in. Past participles, gerunds, passive voice, etc., it just doesn’t click with me.  But after reading about Frankie’s ‘gruntled-ness’, I felt inspired. I remember hearing about a podcast called Grammar Girl. I think that I just might load it up and become my own grammar girl.

This is the type of young adult book that I look for. I want an intriguing story that connects its readers with a worthwhile concept…it could be a connection to a classic book, like in Finding Alaska or exploring mortality like in Going Bovine, or dealing with difficult life situations like in Speak and Tyrell.

As I gain experience with ‘RA for YA’ I hope to continue to develop my ability to connect books with interests, personalities, and life situations of my students. 

BTW, I just found this great blog called Forever Young Adult: http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/. 

RRLC Annual Meeting

Image from RRLC Annual Meeting 2010

Earlier this summer I attended the RRLC Annual Meeting. It was a great opportunity to get to know some other librarians in the area. I was really inspired by the winners of the Library of the Year award. I was especially inspired by the energetic personality of the Barclay Elementary librarian, Suzanne Shearman. She has a wonderful program that truly engages the students.

Sign Language for Librarians

My Sign Language for Librarians workshop lives! The RRLC will be hosting my workshop this November. I am working to improve the format. I received a few great ideas from a local librarian. I will be adding more interactive components and more general signs. Can't wait to get started! I am excited to see this workshop continue to grow. 

Sign up here: http://www.rrlc.org/Calendar/RRLCEvents/tabid/406/ctl/ViewEvent/Mid/781/scheduleId/11211/Default.aspx

School Librarians!

ALA | AASL votes to adopt the professional title school librarian

Yay! I am beyond happy about this.

Dr Renee. Franklyn did a survey last year with some interesting results. http://www.sosspotlight.com/site_creator/view/425

Announcing...Free Freedom to Read Foundation Membership!

I view intellectual freedom as the most important role of librarians today. Take a look at this great offer from FTRF!

Freedom to Read Foundation offers free memberships to new library school graduates

CHICAGO - The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is offering free one-year memberships to students graduating from ALA-accredited MLS and MLIS programs and from school library media programs recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), an educational unit accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Students whose graduation date was Aug. 1, 2009 or later can, upon their graduation, download a membership form at www.ftrf.org/graduates and mail, fax or e-mail it to the Freedom to Read Foundation.

See original Press Release for full details: http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/october2009/freememberships_ftrf.cfm

Question? Contact Jonathan Kelley at jokelley@ala.org or (800) 545-2433 x4226.

Discounts for ALA NMRT Members!

I received this notification a few months ago. Thought I would share.

NMRT members receive a 50% discount to Library Journal, the oldest
independent journal covering the library field. Or School Library
Journal the most widely read magazine for librarians serving youth -
whether in schools or public libraries.

Here are the links to order:

Library Journal -
https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=LJL&cds_page_id=65542&cds_response_key=I97ALNMRT

School Library Journal -
https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=SLJ&cds_page_id=65548&cds_response_key=I97ALNMRT

School Media Specialists?

http://www.sosspotlight.com/site_creator/view/425

Dr. Renee E. Franklin did a small study on what School Librarians like to be called. I was unhappy to see that School Media Specialist received high scores. What's with this title? Why do people like it so much?

Are school librarians trained in media? Nope. I have an undergraduate degree in New Media Publishing, and there is a lot about media that the MLS program does not even begin to cover. Now, there are exceptions, but why give this profession the name of something it's not. I agree that we work with various media and its important for us to know about various media, but it's not our focus, information is our focus.

We are librarians who work in a school, why not call us that?

Although, I am open to debate...