SV Library Media Books & Bytes

APRIL 2022

Reading Programs

Free YA Audiobooks - All Summer Long

Once again, AudioFile Sync is offering free YA (Young Adult) audiobooks all summer long.


Starting April 28, 2022, each week, Sync will offer 2 free audiobooks. Patrons can use the Sora app on their phone to access the books. For information on how to register, go to the Audiofile Magazine website.


We'll update again in the May newsletter with more details as we get them.

Big picture

April is National Poetry Month

To celebrate the library will be offering various poetry-related events and opportunities:



  • Poet-Tree decorating with favorite poems - April 11-15

  • Blackout Poetry - April 18-21

  • Visit the National Poetry website to sign up to receive a poem a day.

  • Virtual Poetry and the Creative Mind Gala - April 28

  • Provide a "poem in your pocket" for students - April 29

What's up in the Library Media Center?

Collaboration Stations & Breakout EDU

Classes came to the library for book checkout and rotation, but we also had bookings for other uses. Mrs. Yager's 8th grade English classes used the seven collaboration stations for peer editing of project. Collaboration stations allow students to use one large screen for small group discussion, instruction, and peer editing. Placed throughout the library, these stations allow classes to spread out and have plenty of room for rousing conversations.


Mrs. Dowell and Mrs. Southard brought their Spanish II classes to the library for Breakout EDU action. After completing the reading of the novel, students worked through a series of clues to find the answer to a variety of locks on the breakout box. A thorough understanding of the Spanish novel was needed to reach success at the end.

Student-designed displays

Student displays were quite engaging this month. One display was based on popular online game, Wordle. Students created a hallway display and featured one-word, five-letter books in the display case.


The other event is the JAWKS March Madness. Sponsored by CHS & AHS, this event features 64 books in a bracket match-up. Students and staff voted for their favorite of two throughout the brackets. The final four match-up occurs this week with the overall favorite winning book announced Monday.

TECHNOLOGY TIPS & BYTES

Online Library Catalog and MackinVIA eBooks & Audiobooks Reminder

Students need to use the Google option for logging into both of these databases. And students should use the MackinVIA link from the website or type into the URL bar: ankeny.mackinvia.com.

Chromebook Reminder

As the year begins to draw to a close, this is a reminder that students keep their Chromebooks over the summer. Current 9th grade students will turn their Chromebooks in at the high school next fall and get new ones; current 8th grade students will keep theirs throughout their 9th grade year.

Library Quick Stats

  • Books checked out: 1048 (even with spring break week!)
  • Fav genres: graphic novels (270 checkouts); realistic (113 checkouts); suspense (92 checkouts)
  • Whole class daily reservations: 6 days
  • Top 3 most checked out books: One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus & Scythe by Shusterman were tied for first, Backfield Boys: : A Football Mystery in Black and White by John Feinstein, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, & The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas tied for second.
  • Previous newsletters

Katy Kauffman, Digital Teacher Librarian

The mission of the Ankeny Library Media Program is to enable all students to be independent learners who are skilled users of information, and who appreciate literature and other creative expressions.
Ankeny Community School District does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, military affiliation, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Inquiries or grievances may be directed to Kenneth Morris, Jr., Equity Director, 306 SW School Street, P.O. Box 189, Ankeny, IA, 50021-0189, (515) 965-9600, kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org; or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA, 50319-0201, (515) 281-4121; or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661.