SV Library Media Books & Bytes

FEBRUARY 2022

Reading Programs

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY

The SV Library Media Center has celebrated Black History Month since we opened our doors as a middle school. Displays focus on contributions and success of Black Americans in a variety of fields and studies, and highlight books by authors of color and about Black achievement throughout history.


Interesting Facts about Black History Month


  • It began in 1926 as Black History Week.
  • President Gerald Ford was the first U.S. president to officially acknowledge Black History Month.
  • Each year has a theme, and this year's is Black Health and Wellness.
  • The event is the brainchild of several prominent Black Americans, but most highlight historian Carter G. Woodson as its founder.
  • Other countries around the world designate a month to celebrate Black History.


To see some of the books offered that may pertain to Black History Month, search the online catalog "Black History Month" resource list.

Black History Month Podcasts

Young Adults (13-17) are increasingly listening to audible books and podcasts. According to Statista, almost half of them listened to a podcast in 2020 and that percentage is steadily growing.


Jeff Glade from Heartland AEA has put together a resource of podcasts pertaining to Black History Month figures and events. Encourage your young adult to check out one of the Black History Month Podcasts.

Upcoming Makerspace Activity

Throughout the month of February, students are availing themselves of many of our maker opportunities.


Wordle

We are exploiting this Wordle craze like crazy! Using our 75" Clevertouch, students are collaboratively using the touchscreen features to draw practice words prior to typing them into the big screen. Library staff are able generate as many Word puzzles for students as they can handle in a period using mywordle.me. Fifth period study hall is winning, completing a whopping 11 Wordle puzzles in one period. Check a couple of the quick snapshot below.


Uno Tournament

We have a group of students during 6th period study hall who meet daily to play Uno. We provide the cards and the space, and through the month of February, the students are keeping track daily of their wins. The student with the most wins at the end of the month will earn a small pizza to enjoy on their last day of the tournament.


Crochet

It's that time of the year, and we've stocked up on yarn and hooks. We'll begin with scarves and hats, hoping to contribute to children's hospitals by the end of the month.

TECHNOLOGY TIPS & BYTES

Library Quick Stats (3 Weeks in December)

  • Books checked out: 1097
  • Fav genres: graphic novels (219 checkouts); realistic (121 checkouts); dystopian (101 checkouts)
  • Whole class daily reservations: 3 days
  • Top 3 most checked out books: Ground Zero, by Alan Gratz, One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus, Divergent by Veronica Roth
  • 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.