Think Tank Library - AASL Webinar follow-up

Thanks to all of you who attended our AASL webinar:  Get Thinking!  
(We realize that many got closed out as the virtual room was "full."  The archive will be posted soon.)

EQ:  How will you get your students thinking today?  

It was great to share ideas for elevating thought during library time, research, and collaborative learning adventures!  As promised, here is the 20% off ordering code to be used when ordering a copy of our Think Tank Library: Q41320. 
Available @ ABC Clio  

The K-5 level book was released in December, and the 6-12 level book will be released imminently.  Please email us at thinktanklibrary@yahoo.com with any questions for "repackaging" your lessons to include higher level thought and real world issues.  We'd love to dialogue and brainstorm with you. 

After the webinar, I realized I never advanced the slides to the credits and wanted to include this slide below to insure that librarians Sara Kelly John, Sue Kowalski, and Rebecca Burkett get credit for some of their great photos!  (I'm not sure whether the recorded archive will pick up the last 2 slides that were there but not advanced.) 

Thanks to all and I look forward to our continuing conversation! 

Research: Are you anchored?

As a kid I grew up near the water where we knew the value of an anchor.  No one in their right mind would ignore the condition of their anchor line.  If you were out for a sail on a sunny summer day or out fishing on an incoming tide, you needed to know you could drop your anchor and that it would hold.  That's what an anchor does: It keeps you rock solidly placed where you need to be…for a reason.

The ELA Writing Anchor standard, Research to build and present knowledge, is  there for a reason. However, teachers all over are ignoring this. They haven't checked on their anchor.  They haven't thrown it overboard in a port of call where kids could engage in this activity, and many haven't learned what real research is.

A sailor should never be afraid of an anchor.  An anchor is a friend.  It's a tool.  It's an essential piece of equipment.    Tell your teachers you'd gladly "cover" this ELA Writing standard for them.  Invite them to your port of call to participate in an investigative, research and writing project.  Model how this tool can be used to experience depth of knowledge and deep understanding.

Celebrate the ELA Anchor standards which will help keep students grounded in a sea of misinformation.

There are many reasons why students should be dropping anchor in your library.  Here are a few from the Common Core: 

Remember. It's all about the kids.  Let's teach them to anchor their views with credence.  Anchor them in data, information, evidence, credibility, reliability, and safe ports of call.  

AASL13 IdeaXchange Recap

Every national conference I look forward to the booths of the  IdeaxChange.  There are so many great ideas buzzing in one place and I collect tips, hyperlinks, brainstorms, and pre-tested wonders to bring back to all our local librarians.  If you didn't get the opportunity to attend AASL 2013, please mark your calendar for Columbus, Ohio in 2015.    Listed below are just a few of the great ideas shared during this fabulous conference:  

• If you are wondering where to get started with LIBRARY CENTERS,  then you will want to check out this website from the 'Centered School Library http://librarylearners.com/  This group presented how they are committed to library centers as a way of learning in their space.  
• The John Hersey High School, outside of Chicago, developed an Academic Resource Center to support academic success by providing space, resources, a store, help, technology, etc.   Why not check out their page or drop them a note and ask questions.  Come up with a "name"  to make what you already do "visible"  and take it to the next level!  http://bit.ly/167kuLf 
• A few librarians from Boston Arts Academy demo'd an App called "Nearpod"  which was interesting.  This App enables teachers to use their ipads to manage content on students' ipads, ipohone, or ipods.  I guess this is virtual device sharing?!  
• The Heifer International Group was there with a booth suggesting that they are utterly a great "action" cause for classrooms who get a "call to community action."   While speaking in Arkansas, I had the opportunity to see the Heifer International Headquarters and was impressed.  This is such a worthy cause and I made contact with our state representative who will come and do in-building connection and provide ideas for curriculum integration.  It so happens that in NY, some "exemplary" curriculum has just the "spot" for this endeavor.  We will be rolling out this beautiful bovine idea locally, hopefully, this winter.  
• Two Connecticut librarians  shared their idea of using Library Pals - shared blog to connect with primary grade students.  I loved this idea of getting kids used to "contributing" (presenting knowledge) early in their educational career.   There link:  http://tiny.cc/libPals 
• Songbird Sue Kowalski and her bullhorn,  proclaimed the merits of her IStaff student tech team in Syracuse NY.  Not only is Sue always smiling and funny, but she is known for her unique student integration programs.  If you haven't seen the merits of her student IT training, you should contact her.
  
   This highly acclaimed student-empowering program is easily replicated and helps all teachers in her building.  Her website is: http://pinegrove.libguides.com/iStaff   
• Digital Citizenship was discussed by a couple of booths, and here's one link for your perusal: https://sites.google.com/site/digitalcitizenlessonplans/  Don't miss it. 
• Long-time library friend and publisher, Hilda Weisburg was there with her recently released fantasy novel: Woven Through Time - Don't miss this award winning new book.  And...the cover is lovely.  We librarians know that books are often chosen for their cover! This is on my must-read list. 

• DO NOT MISS  this wiki which is a wonderful resource of Mentor Texts!  http://best-book-lists.wikispaces.com 
• Stacey Ratner presented her "mock" Newbery program which successfully picked Ivan last year.  Even her students will tell you this is not "mock"  This is serious business. This too is easily replicated in your library.   
• IF I HAVE MISSED YOUR IDEAxCHANGE, please leave your links and message in the comments and share those with all!  We'd love to see you showcase your great idea! 

So mark your calendar for the next AASL conference and plan on attending to bring home many great innovations to your space.   

Ebook Solutions - Sustainable as well as obtainable?

In response to the many questions we fielded after the EBook Summit from SLJ, there are a few poignant thoughts to share that will help others create their solution for addressing the exploding need to embrace digital content via a virtual platform.    

There are many models and when you talk with each vendor, each solution will sound like an appealing, viable option.   If you survey your needs, and create a plan ahead of time, your plan will determine the solution, rather than the convincing voice of a salesperson.  I've met most of the vendor sales people and I love them all.  However, all the models have their own nuances, strengths and weaknesses and only you will determine which ebook models match your needs.  

As you plan for funding, you need to address not only where to obtain your funds, but also whether the annual fees are sustainable.  If you do your homework and plan accordingly, it is likely that annual fees can be budgeted for, if the tool is being used effectively.   The annual fees we pay to certain vendors range from $50.00 per site to a many thousand.   However, we are maintaining a number of eBook, virtual models for 84 libraries, 32 districts and over 30,000 students.  

When crafting a plan for funding, keep in mind the following: 

• Your plan should be framed to support student achievement 
• Data should be provided from reputable sources, regarding the 'capacity' of the market to access the ebooks.  The Horizon Report, for instance, says that we are within three years of students entering our buildings with their devices in hand. Make it a goal to have the virtual presence to accommodate their access with CARS (Credible, Accurate, Reliable and Supported) data and eBooks. 
• Align your eBook library presentation with district goals. 
• Align your eBook library plea with building or the Principal's goals.   
• Do your research and get some parents on your side.

We eventually chose Overdrive as a download library to support digital content delivery and they have been wonderful to deal with.  This library is not isolated, but the marc records can be embedded into our specific library catalogs as well as our union catalog.  That way the books are accessible and the marc record points them directly to the URL of the book.  

Last year, I heard our former Commissioner of Education for NYS, David Steiner, say, "I am so tired of visiting schools and seeing their professional quality football fields.  Why am I not seeing wonderful libraries?"  (NYLA Conference Nov 2010)

If districts can find an extra million in their budget for a new artificial turf field, then why wouldn't they spend the money on a virtual library that will support instruction for every student?  That would place us all on an even playing field.  Let's go and try to get into this eBook game!