BookNews from the Library
September 2007

Please share this newsletter with other teachers at your school.

New TeacherZone

Look at the new section on our web site just for you. The TeacherZone
( http://www.mrcpl.org/TZ/ ) is a great place to start when you are looking for lesson plan ideas, great resources for teachers, book ideas for kids, and information about Library services to teachers.  You can also use the Assignment Alert form to let us know what you are doing in the classroom, so that we can make sure students will find what they need to complete their assignments.  We will change the links and other information periodically throughout the year.  If you have any suggestions, let us know.

Books and Brunch

Our popular Books and Brunch program for school librarians and teachers will be Thursday, September 27 from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.  Our featured speaker this year is award-winning author, Richard Peck.  He has written many wonderful books for youth, including the Newbery winner, A Year Down Yonder.  We will have good food, lots of new resources to share, and shopping at the Evergreen Bookstore.  If you are interested in attending Books and Brunch, call 419-521-3110 to sign up by September 20.  Attendees at past Books and Brunch programs have found useful information and materials that they can use at school.  All school librarians, teachers and administrators are welcome. 

Summer Library Program

Our Summer Library Program was a great success this year with 5648 children joining the program and 2959 of those completing the program by reading 8 ¾ hours and visiting the library at least 5 times.  That means 52% of the children joining the Summer Library Program completed the requirements!

Thanks to all who encouraged students to keep reading over the summer.

Reservation Station

The Reservation Station is here.  If you want to use the public computers at the Library, you will need to sign up at the Reservation Station with your library card and your PIN number.  It will sign you up for a specific time on the computer.  You can reserve 60 minutes at a time with the option of up to 3 hours of computer time a day.  Printouts are retrieved from the Print Station where you can get your 5 free pages and pay 10 cents for each page thereafter. 

Make sure you have a PIN number so you can use the Reservation Station, as well as check your account and reserve items on line.

Access Brochures

You should all be getting your Access Brochures soon with information about the services we offer to teachers.  We have added some programs, and we have changed the procedure for getting a Teacher Card.  There is no coupon in the brochure this year.  To apply for a Teacher Card, you will need to bring in your Library Card and proof that you work in one of the schools in Richland County (except for Shelby).  You can use school ID, a pay stub, or a letter from the principal stating that you work at the school.  You can apply for a Teacher Card at any Library location.  If you already have a Teacher Card, you don’t need to apply for a new one, but we do ask you to update your information yearly.

ACT/SAT Strategy Session

Cheryl Welch from the Sylvan Learning Center will present an overview of how to raise ACT/SAT scores on September 18, 7:00 pm at the Main Library.  Students can call 419-521-3110 to sign up.

Sit, Stay and Read!

Children in grades 1-6 can improve their reading skills by reading aloud.  Several library locations are offering children the opportunity to read to a therapy dog.  Call Bellville, Butler, Lucas, Madison or Ontario to find out more and sign up for a 15 minute session.

RADCAB

Do you know what RADCAB stands for?  It is an information evaluation acronym that reminds students to critically evaluate an information source.  The letters in RADCAB stand for Relevancy, Appropriateness, Detail, Currency, Authority and Bias.  The idea was developed by Karen Christensson, the library media specialist at Calvin Christian School in Edina, Minnesota.  For more information go to http://www.radcab.com.
(Library Sparks, Aug/Sept 2007)

BookLinks

The September issue of BookLinks has the Best New Books for the Classroom for preschool through high school.  You will find thematic links for each book to expand its use in learning. 

Writing with a Team Approach by Mindy Hardwick, shares an idea for a group writing project that uses young adult novels written with multiple viewpoints to motivate students. 

Got Art? by Lizabeth Deskins and Christina Dorr lists ways to infuse art into social studies content areas with books for students in elementary school through middle school.(BookLinks, Sept 2007)

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