Saturday, March 31, 2018

Learning From Rising Sixth Grade Readers: How Nooks Shaped Students’ Reading Behaviors During a Summer Independent Reading Initiative

Chapman, Sherry

Mitchell, C. (2015). Learning from rising sixth grade readers: How nooks shaped students’ reading behaviors during a summer independent reading initiative. Literacy Research and Instruction, 1-24.

https://www-tandfonline-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.1080/19388071.2015.1061623?needAccess=true


Summary: This article is on a small study using Nooks loaded with 75 titles in a summer reading program for struggling sixth grade readers. The implications suggest that although this is a limited study, there is a perception that the electronic device providing access to a variety of ebook titles promotes reading for pleasure and has the potential to support and even promote literacy. Evaluation: I am struggling to get ebook access for my middle school students, and this article makes a good argument for student access to ebooks in spite of cost. Although it focuses on a project to prevent summer slide, the outcome can apply to all digital forms of reading and particularly access to ebooks all year. The responses from students show that a student will take a Nook loaded with 75 books everywhere with them all summer. They would not carry around 75 hard copy books. When they finish a book, they can easily access the next. Since they don’t know how long each book is, the result is sometimes reading a 400 page book they would not otherwise have read. I like the idea of this project and wish that my school district would let students keep their devices over the summer or create a reader device checkout system with an array of titles for those who want to read. This will be one of my quests in the coming year. I would love to develop a program like this

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Exploring engagement with non-fiction collections: Sociological perspectives.

Chapman, Sherry

Exploring engagement with non-fiction collections: Sociological perspectives. (2018). Collection and Curation, 37(2), 43-49. Retrieved from https://sjsu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=TN_emerald_s10.1108/CC-08-2017-0034&context=PC&vid=01CALS_SJO&search_scope=EVERYTHING&tab=everything&lang=en_US

Summary:
This paper finds that development of non-fiction collections from a sociological perspective is necessary to empower individuals and groups to resist power structures and social inequality.

Evaluation:
This paper is thought provoking when considering developing non-fiction collections in libraries and their value to readers. It also points out the “readers often appropriate non-fiction texts for purposes unintended by the authors.” The sociological perspective advocates for support for these materials in spite of dwindling budgets.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Simple Weeding Guidelines

Lugo, Adriana
Manning, P. (1997, May). When less is more: Cultivating a healthy collection.
School Library Journal. p. 54.


This article presents  very direct, clear guidelines to follow when weeding
a collection of books. The article explains what steps to take in order to
begin sorting, repairing or discarding items. It presents us with four criteria
to follow when trying to decide what to do with a book. As the article goes
on, it further presents what to consider when weeding nonfiction instead
of fiction. It’s a very well written, clearly stated article that would help
beginning librarians or paraprofessionals in charge of school libraries in
updating their collections. I highly recommend reading it.

Friday, March 23, 2018

To Float or Not to Float by Noel Rutherford





Banyoles, Pla de l'Estany, Girona, Spain.. [Photography]. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. 
https://quest.eb.com/search/137_3143344/1/137_3143344/cite

DiBello, Amy

Rutherford, N. (2016). To float or not to float? Inside Nashville PL's examination of the method's performance. Library Journal, 141(6), 46.

To float? Or not to float? 

That is the question for many public libraries.
Whether 'tis nobler in each branch to suffer sacrificing precious shelf space to accommodate too many copies of certain titles or to have each branch possess their own copy.

Noel Rutherford is a collection development and acquisitions manager at the Nashville Public Library. Her article discusses her library system's float experience, which follows in the footsteps of many libraries who have "floated" their collections to decrease hold transit time and add variety to their collections without purchasing more books. A patron driven collection was another objective of implementing floating, along with the hopes for increased circulation statistics.

As a paraprofessional who works in a public library with a floating collection, I have a ton of opinions on floating collections. I am anti-float and cling fiercely to my biases. However, I'll be keeping my $00.02 on this topic until I read a few more articles about the pros and cons of float. 

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

What the 21st-Century Library Looks Like

Cassandra Swartzwelder

Najmabadi, S. (July 02, 2017). What the 21st-Century Library Looks Like. The Chronical of Higher Education. Retrieved from https://www.chronicle.com/article/What-the-21st-Century-Library/240494

Summary:
This article is about the changes that occurred at DePaul’s John T. Richardson Library. Recently the library went through a renovation that reflect today's digital world. The main floor no longer holds books, but instead offers a space where patrons can gather, talk, and get technical help from the Genius Squad counter. This part of the library has transitioned from being a library of collections to a library of people. The internet has taken the place of books. Due to this some libraries have moved their books off-site to create more space for their users. Libraries are getting rid of items or placing them in storage. The article notes that HathiTrust, is making sure that at least one of its member libraries holds onto a physical copy of each resource hosted online. This allows the library to free up much needed space that is requested by its users while preserving its collection. This also has had an effect on a librarian’s job. Librarians are spending less time with collections and more time teaching. In order to fit their new role libraries are buying less print and more electronic resources.

Evaluation:
This article reflects the climate of today. It address how libraries and librarians jobs are changing due to technology. It also notes the importance of preserving the libraries print collection. By doing all of these things, libraries will be able to provide the user with their needs for the years to come.
Preserve technology storage collection downsizing

Urban Libraries Conference Highlights STEAM

Leala Arnold

Enis, M.  (2016) Urban libraries conference highlights STEAM for kids, programs for adults, and DC Makers in residence. Library Journal.  Retrieved from: https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2016/05/shows-events/urban-libraries-conference-highlights-steam-for-kids-programs-for-adults-and-dc-makers-in-residence/#_


This article was about the Urban Libraries conference, and discusses a number of the discussions that took place during the conference.  Some of the programs discussed the importance of STEAM in libraries and Social media marketing.  The idea was to make sure that the community understood how important libraries are for the community.  "Despite the advent of Google and other tools that have simplified access to information, public libraries have maintained their relevance by responding to complex problems within their communities."

I thought this was an informative article that highlights all of the interesting discussions that took place during the conference. It helps you to understand exactly what goes on in the conference, and also informs the reader of the importance of the discussion topics.


Thursday, March 15, 2018

Sacred Stacks: The Higher Purpose of Libraries and Librarianship by Nancy Kalikow Maxwell, MLS


St. Jerome in his Study, 1480 - By Domenico Ghirlandaio - 
Italian Artist - Ognissanti, Florence, Italy - SAINTS - 1480 - fresco

DiBello, Amy
Maxwell, N. (2006). Sacred stacks: The higher purpose of libraries and librarianship
Chicago: American Library Association.
Nancy Kalikow Maxwell, MLS, M.A., is a Jewish librarian who maximized
her time during her tenure at the Catholic University, Barry University,
by getting a degree in Catholic theology.Her book Sacred Stacks: 
The Higher Purpose of Libraries and Librarianship is a treatise about the 
spiritual and sacred qualities of libraries and librarianship.
Maxwell begins with an examination of how many Americans identify as
"spiritual, but not religious". The sacred and secular blend of libraries is something
most library patrons have identified and expressed to me over the years.
I also consider libraries to be sacred and feel blessed to have meaningful work
in our admirable profession.

There are the patron saints of librarianship to look up to St. Jerome,
St. Catherine of Alexandria, and most notably St. Lawrence,
who would not surrender the archives to Imperial Roman officials in 258 BCE,
which resulted in his being grilled alive. St. Lawrence is famous for telling
his torturers that he was done on one side and to turn him over.

Sacred Stacks 
equates librarians as confessors through the art of the reference
interview and social justice warriors fiercely protecting patrons' privacy.
Melvil Dewey, creator of his famous Dewey decimal classification system
referred to the education of librarians as “the suburbs of the holy field.”
Librarians do not have supernatural powers, such as parting the Red Sea,
but their knowledge and instincts with cataloging, classification and
saving patrons from drowning in fruitless Google searches, earns Maxwell’s
accolades of “Representing the universe of knowledge through organized systems
for thousands of years.”

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Trends in Mobile and Outreach Services


Sharon Vigil

Yarrow, A., & McAllister, S. (2018). Trends in mobile and outreach services. Public Library Quarterly, Retrieved from https://www-tandfonline-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/doi/full/10.1080/01616846.2018.1436365

Summary:

This article discusses trends in alternative service offerings which include bookmobiles, homebound services, kiosks, and pop-up libraries. A questionnaire was sent out to 140 North American public libraries to determine what types of services are being provided to their customers who face barriers in using physical branches. Libraries seem to be prioritizing populations that are physically or socially disadvantaged, such as those living in poverty, community housing, detention centers, and rural areas. This study indicates that many public libraries are offering traditional services such as bookmobile and homebound services along with experimentation with innovative services such as kiosk services with lending machines and holds pick-up lockers, and pop-up libraries. Mobile outreach services appear to be popular and are likely to continue to be used in the future.

Evaluation:

This article emphasizes the importance of reaching out to patrons that cannot physically come to the library but are in need of the library’s services. Public libraries should not only focus on patrons that come inside the building, but also provide services for those who are homebound, have limited or no transportation, or live in a shelter or detention center. By going out “into the field” libraries display their commitment to customer service, promote their programs, and benefit the community.



The Blackbelt Librarian: Real World Safety & Security by Warren Graham


DiBello, Amy 

Graham, Warren. (2012). The Black Belt Librarian: Real-World Safety & Security. ALA Editions. Available from: American Library Association. 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Tel: 866-746-7252; Fax: 770-280-4155; e-mail: editionsmarketing@ala.org; Web site: http://www.alaeditions.org.


I was recently transferred to a public library in the center of the city with one of the busiest bus lines. Although 99% of our patrons come here for all the right reasons, the 1% can shake up our day. However, there's book to help you with troublemakers: The Blackbelt Librarian: Real World Safety and Security by library security expert Warren Graham. Graham has traveled all over the United States, empowering the meekest librarians to take charge of their libraries and stop cowering behind the reference desk. 

Security is about more than banning problem patrons. It's about protecting your collection from theft, your peaceful patrons from harassment, and preventing your staff from becoming exhausted and embittered. This empowering book is also funny and realistic. Graham has been in the trenches with stressed out librarians and seen first hand what they're up against. He sums up his philosophy as "playing chess with the checker players" and treating everyone fairly. 

Here is how ALA sums up his book: 

Sharing expertise gleaned from more than two decades as a library security manager, Graham demonstrates that libraries can maintain their best traditions of openness and public access by creating an unobtrusive yet effective security plan. In straightforward language, the author
  • Shows how to easily set clear expectations for visitors' behavior
  • Presents guidelines for when and how to intervene when someone violates the code of conduct, including tips for approaching an unruly patron
  • Offers instruction on keeping persistent troublemakers under control or permanently barred from the library
  • Gives library staff tools for communicating effectively with its security professionals, including examples of basic documentation
The Black Belt Librarian arms librarians with the confidence and know-how they need to maintain a comfortable, productive, and safe environment for everyone in the library.

I had the pleasure of attending one of Warren Graham's workshops at the New Mexico Library Association in 2015. He had the room roaring with laughter in between role playing our most common security challenges. At one point, he even chased a librarian around the room to emphasize what he referred to as a "game over" scenario, when a librarian absolutely needs to stop negotiating and pick up the phone and call 911 instead.




Monday, March 12, 2018

Hosting an Appy Hour in the Library

Chapman, Sherry

Hosting an Appy Hour in the library. (2016). Library Hi Tech News, 33(4), 7-9. Retrieved from https://www-emeraldinsight-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/LHTN-12-2015-0086

Summary: This article discusses introducing technology apps in the library on an ongoing basis for teachers to learn new technology and then use it in their classrooms. The administration began presenting, and teacher librarian presented and was already the go to tech person for help. Then it moved to teachers and they began presenting too.

Response: The possibilities for sharing expand exponentially. Teachers can see actual implementations and become confident with the technology.

Collaboration: ILL and Resource Sharing Between Public and School Libraries

Chapman, Sherry

Smith, D., Shea, M., & Wu, W. (2014). Collaborative resource sharing between public and school libraries. Interlending & Document Supply, 42(4), 159-164. Retrieved from https://www-emeraldinsight-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/ILDS-09-2014-0045



Summary: This study proposes that school librarians invite public librarians to school events to sign students up for public library cards. They should also work at collaborating on developing interlibrary loans. This collaboration and resource sharing may increase overall impact on learning in the community. It is noted that this study focuses on the perspective of public librarians but does not include the perspectives of school librarians.

Response: This is an interesting study that proposes a non-traditional layer of collaboration between schools and public libraries. The findings suggest that there are possibilities that need further study to benefit youth and develop lifelong learning.



Saturday, March 3, 2018

What is a library?

Lugo, Adriana


Bennett, Charlie. (2014, March 1). The library is not a collection of books. Video
retrieved from https://youtu.be/tFGCB51xb6U

Charlie Bennett, a current librarian discusses his opinion that libraries are not
a collection of books. He explains the history of libraries and how with clay
tablets, we learned about major events, past marriages and more. The
speaker also takes us thru a journey in which we learn about how paper
books came to be. Bennett explains how the library’s role was to “preserve
information and make it accessible.” He argues that we must collect whatever
we need to, not only what we bind into a book, to make a better future. The
video is quick, clear and very en pointe. A great opinion piece to watch.

Friday, March 2, 2018

The Librarian's Guide to Homelessness


 Homeless
Homeless. [Photograph]. Retrieved from Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest.
https://quest.eb.com/search/300_1172706/1/300_1172706/cite
DiBello, Amy
Librarian's Guide to Homelessness. (2018). Librarian's Guide to Homelessness. Retrieved 2 March 2018, from http://www.homelesslibrary.com/

Although this topic has little to do with collection management, those of us who work in public libraries serve patrons from all walks of life. Our homeless patrons deserve respectful, compassionate service, even in the most challenging instances. 

Dowd offers online training in dealing with homelessness in public libraries. Dowd's Website also offers helpful tips on how to respectfully, but assertively handle sensitive conversations about sleeping, snoring, hygiene, panhandling, and patrons burdened with delusions. You can subscribe to his email list for tips and advice on serving your homeless patrons with empathy, respect, and better outcomes.