Library Services Newsletter
April, 2018 ParaLibrarian Edition
Summer Reading Incentives
Check out our Summer Reading Smore with details and share widely (you know we love our Smores in ETLS!)
Spring Overdrive Contest!!
See the Summer Reading Smore for the 2nd and 3rd reading contests with literacy incentives.
New Library System Update - Destiny
For future reference, we will refer to our new library system as Destiny (as that is its brand name, which is owned by Follett).
- The deadline to check in all library books is Friday, June 1st. Set a deadline in May for all books to be returned. Notify your school community to return books on time.
- No library fines or fees will be transferred to the Destiny system.
- Overdue items from only the 2017-18 school year will be migrated (No lost, missing, or overdue items that were checked out before 8/1/17.)
- Kudos! So many of you have signed up for the August training! If you have questions about the training sessions please contact the library helpdesk at libraryhelpdesk@dpsk12.org or 720.423.1842.
- Follett Destiny goes live on August 1st, 2018!
Digital Resources of the Month: Ask DPL
Makerspace Hub...kits coming soon!
Blocks & Blueprints Learning Center
Little architects can’t wait to grab their blueprints and get building! Packed with 50 smooth wooden blocks, our center challenges children to re-create 20 different designs using blueprints to help guide their building. Each blueprint features a footprint of the structure that kids can build right on top of—plus illustrations that show the design from 3 different angles…so children get lots of practice with spatial reasoning, building 3-D structures, early STEM skills and more! With 10 double-sided, laminated 13" x 13" blueprints at 3 levels. Recommended for 3 yrs. - 8 yrs. / Preschool - 3rd Grade
Circuit Cubes
With Circuit Cubes, toys come to life. Circuit Cubes are electronic building blocks that add sound, motion, light, and sensors to young Makers’ creations. Designed by STEM teachers, Circuit Cubes provide an easy-to-use platform that helps kids develop confidence while experiencing the joy of discovery. Whether a design uses LEGO-style bricks, favorite vintage toys, or pool noodles — with three Circuit Cubes, you can create just about anything you can imagine! Three kits to choose from: Bright Lights, Smart Art, or Whacky Wheels. Recommended for Grades 3+
DropMix Music Gaming System
DropMix was recommended by the DPS music department coordinator, Amy Martinson, as a creative way to teach composition and arrangement to students.
DropMix lets you play music like never before! This fast-paced music mixing game gives you a new way to collect, discover and combine favorite tracks. Compete with your friends (up to 4 players) and create unexpected song mixes! Keep the music pumping with 3 ways to play: freestyle, clash, and party.
The DropMix Music Gaming System includes the DropMix board and 60 DropMix cards, and the free downloadable app controls the game. Recommended Ages 16+
Library Spotlight
This month we are turning the spotlight on Vicky Garcia, paralibrarian at Abraham Lincoln High School and Respect Academy. Vicky has worked for DPS for 16 years! Vicky has managed the Lincoln High library for the past 3 years. Previously she enjoyed being the paralibrarian at two elementary schools. Vicky has done a fantastic job of transitioning from elementary to high school and she is excited to be part of a dynamic high school experience where she finds inspiration every day as she sees high school students setting goals and achieving them.
The thing that Vicky loves most about her library is the warm, welcoming environment that it provides to students and staff. She is especially happy that new furniture was recently added as it has made the library more appealing and has contributed to an overall comfortable atmosphere - see photo below. For a fun challenge, Vicky has set out a 2000 piece puzzle for students to work on when they need a break from their usual routine. Nice brain break for high school students!
Vicky feels it’s important to give students a tour of the library at the beginning of every year so they can learn how to utilize the library more effectively and efficiently. In addition, she makes sure that her students are knowledgeable about all the online resources (eBooks & databases) that are available to them. To ensure that her collection includes books that students want, Vicky has a suggestion jar available for students and she takes their suggestions seriously when placing an order. (She also has provided a recommendation binder for both students and staff.)
Vicky feels that her love of reading has helped her connect with her students. She is very proud of the book club she has established – Lancers Book Tribe – which currently has 18 members. Their motto is “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” They have lunch together every three weeks and during this time they engage in lively book discussions and plan upcoming events and celebrations. The books they have read this year are “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio, “Turtles All the Way Down” by John Green, and “Every Day” by David Levithan. The next book on the list is “Heartless” by Marissa Meyer. Vicky’s favorite is “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio because it is an inspiring story that that emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with respect. A positive impact of the book club that Vicky truly appreciates is that students are challenged to read books outside of their comfort zone – they are reading books that they may not necessarily have chosen on their own. What a great way to introduce students to variety of genres and influence their independent reading! A super fun activity that Vicky enjoyed with her book club members last year was attending the 2017 Colorado Teen Book Con in November. The students were excited to meet their favorite authors and each was able to have a book signed. The Lancers Book Tribe is busy planning their next author visit in April at Metropolitan State University where they will have the opportunity to meet Diane Guerrero, author of “In the Country We Love: My Family Divided”. The book club is also planning a visit to a DPS elementary school this spring to read to students. See photo below of Vicky with and book club members. Way to go Lancers Book Tribe!
Vicky enjoys creating fun, eye-catching displays to motivate reading – see emoji display below. She feels that libraries are an important part of a school community because they provide a safe space for reading, studying and research as well as providing free resources for the community. Vicky wants to give a shout out of thanks and gratitude to her principal, Dr. Larry Irvin, for being so supportive of the library as well as the book club.
In addition to providing valuable resources for students and staff, Vicky feels it is also important to provide a positive and welcoming learning environment. Her words of wisdom to her colleagues are, “Enjoy every day! The service you are providing is invaluable!”
We celebrate Vicky Garcia FOR PUTTING KIDS FIRST in the ALHS Library!
Curriculum Collections in Overdrive
One Book 4 Colorado
Library Services
Email: libraryhelpdesk@dpsk12.org
Website: http://etls.dpsk12.org/library_services
Location: 1617 S Acoma St, Denver, CO, United States
Phone: 720-423-1842