Tis the season-for lists! Over the next month, CMLE will highlight the “best of” 2013 books.
Image by sirexkat. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.
This week, we would like to share the Library Journal’s list of top picks for graphic novels, published in 2013. Graphic novels are a continuation of the popular superhero comics from the 1940’s and 50’s. According to Internet Public Library 2 (IPL2), one of the first novels recognized in this genre was, A Contract With God and Other Tenement Stories, published in 1978 by Will Eisner.
Packed full of dynamic illustrations, with minimal text, these quick reads are also resources for librarians/media specialists to engage reluctant readers. Additional information about graphic novels can be found online at http://tinyurl.com/6q6rjca.
Tip: A free webinar on graphic novels will be held on December 13th. Click here to learn more.
Image retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.
This week, CMLE links members to an online resource that combines technology, literacy and learning by capturing simple stories. TeachThought developed a list you can use to create books with apps including; Story Buddy 2, Book Creator and Scribble Press. Follow the link to review the complete list of 15 Literacy Apps to Create Books on the iPad (July 2013.)
Tips: Incorporate one of these apps with a community activity in the public library. Collect stories from a classroom instruction to share with parents as they stop by during conferences. Capture success stories to help demonstrate value added programming.
Image retrieved online 12/4/13 at Blue Skunk Blog.
Adding to Doug Johnson’s long list of career achievements, this author-librarian-director’s blog landed on the list of the top 50 blogs for school libraries/librarians. Blue Skunk came in first place, ranked according to the site’s popularity and social media engagement.
Image by Fibonacci Blue. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.
Mark your calendars, 2014 MN Library Legislative Day
Minnesota Library Legislative Day has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2014.
Base of operations for the day will be Room 400 N in the State Office Building, in St. Paul.
Additional details will be made available as that date draws closer.
Jim Weikum, 2014 Chair, MLA Legislative Committee
Arrowhead Library System Mountain Iron, MN
Walk alongside another librarian for a day to see how alike or different your worlds are!
Image by Pings and Needles. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.
The CMLE shadowing service is relatively new, but promises lots of potential in Central Minnesota. CMLE staff pay attention to the details of academic, public, school and special libraries in 319 locations in 12 counties. Through our work in the field, our communications to library staff, and our use of tools like our Quick Question Polls, we strive to have a good grasp on the library landscape in Central MN. Then, by using that knowledge, our staff can play matchmaker and connect you to a library setting other than your own. We call this activity shadowing.
Who could benefit from a CMLE shadowing experience?
Many librarians wonder wistfully whether they made the right decision back in library school about what type of librarian they wanted to become. Maybe shadowing can provide clarity without the professional risk of changing jobs!
Are you a para running a school media center, wondering if you should pursue a degree? Particularly in K-12 schools, the experience of media specialists can be quite different, depending on whether the school is moving into Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or One-to-One Initiatives (1:1). CMLE staff know which schools are in these stages of transition and can provide you with the right fit.
Are you an academic librarian trying to anticipate how the high school student coming out of a BYOD or 1:1 school might approach a college experience differently? Will there be impact on how you provide an academic library or teaching experience?
Are you a high school media specialist feeling beyond stretched as you single handedly run the media center and teach classes? Are you wondering if a public or academic library might be a better fit for you?
Are you a special librarian, working fairly solo (often not feeling so special), and wondering if it might be time for a larger setting and a team of people with whom you can work?
If any of these scenarios sound like you, our shadowing program may be a good option for you. Or, maybe you are simply a curious person, willing and anxious to understand a bigger library world….that is ok too.
If you are interested in setting up a shadowing experience, please make contact with me to sort out the details. I will help you with connections and logistics.
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