Library Services Newsletter
November, 2018 Paralibrarian Edition
DPS Reads: Cookies & Cocoa
The DPS Review Crew invites you to an evening of connecting with your book-loving colleagues across the district and learning about highly recommended, recently published books. Enjoy the hot chocolate bar and homemade cookies while book speed dating and listening to DPS Review Crew members book talk our favorite new books for DPS students.
All attendees select a new book for your school library and can enter to win one of three book lover's gift baskets. And we encourage to invite a colleague from your building to share the fun! Have a wonderful holiday season, and we hope to see you soon!
DPS Reads: Cookies and Cocoa
Thursday, December 6th from 4:30-6:30 pm
George Washington High School Library
Please RSVP here: http://evite.me/5yjS8Fk1B2
Indigenous Reads by Indigenous Writers
"Only 1% of the children’s books published in the U.S. in 2016 featured Indigenous characters, and even fewer (1/4 of the 1% = 8 books total) were written by Indigenous authors" according to #IndigenousReads by Indigenous Writers.
Library Services is committed to making our digital collections as diverse, reflective and responsive as possible. We always love to hear about resources that help us do this and in this spirit, pass along resources we have found helpful. Below are some links to the article cited above, and additional bibliographies that do the critical work of finding Indigenous stories by Indigenous authors/artists.
#IndigenousReads by Indigenous Writers
Native Writers
Best Books
https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/p/best-books.html
Makerspace Hub...new kits!
littleBits Gizmos & Gadgets
Unleash your students' inner inventor and provide an opportunity for the 4 Cs (creativity and critical thinking.) littleBits makes a platform of easy-to-use electronic building blocks for you to create inventions large and small. It turns screen time into hands-on learning. Create DIY games, remote-controlled cars, crazy contraptions, and silly pranks. It comes with everything you need to build fun inventions, then use your smart device to control them wirelessly! Step-by-step instructions for 16 inventions. Gizmos & Gadgets recommended for Grades 3+
littleBits Synth - The Synth kit is a modular synthesizer, developed with world-renowned musical instrument maker KORG. Explore the science of sound while making music and creating instruments. Includes step-by-step instructions for 10 inventions and inspiration for tons more on the littleBits Invent app. Synth Kit recommended for Grades 9+.
littleBits Droid inventor kit - Kids can create their own Droid and bring it to life using littleBits electronic blocks! With the Droid Inventor app, they can control their Droid, give it new abilities with easy block-based coding, and take it on 22+ missions. Recommended Grade 3+
littleBits Gizmos & Gadgets
littleBits Synth
littleBits Droid Inventor
Advocacy Tip of the Month
Go to minute/second 9:35, to see her get a shout out for successfully advocating for more books for students through the boost grant program.
Please share with us how you are advocating for your library program. Your colleagues would love to know!
Free, copyright compliant digital video??!
Looking for educational videos but your school doesn’t purchase a movie license? Or videos for indoor recess? Denver Public Library is pleased to offer Denver residents Kanopy, a diverse streaming video catalog. Customers are entitled to eight free streams per month.
Engage your classrooms with Kanopy Kids, highlighting films and TV series that inspire and inform through entertaining and educational videos. Educators logging in with their Denver Public Library card must be Denver residents to use Kanopy Kids. And regardless of who is logging in, make sure you don’t charge a fee for after school events (that always violates copyright even though you are an educational, nonprofit entity.)
Go to Kanopy https://denverlibrary.kanopy.com/
(limited to Denver residents) and create an account and then link it to your library card. For more information, visit the Kanopy Help Page https://help.kanopy.com/hc/en-us/categories/200923998-For-Viewers
Thank you Denver Public Library!
Library Spotlight
This month we are turning the spotlight on Alexandra Arias, Paralibrarian at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Middle and High School. Alex has been with DPS for a total of 14 years! For the last 10 years she has been passionately devoting her time and energy into making a difference in the lives of her Kunsmiller students.
Upon entering the beautiful two-story Kunsmiller library, you first notice the large high windows offering fantastic mountain views but then your eyes are drawn to a multitude of colorful and eclectic art proudly displayed on every wall and every available nook and cranny. Alex truly enjoys being surrounded by the amazing works of art created by students, and the students are delighted that their art is being displayed and appreciated by everyone who visits the library. (Being an artist herself, there are a few lovely pieces she has created that are also on display.) One of the things that Alex is most proud of is her work in transforming the austere library she inherited into a welcoming and dynamic space that not only offers a great collection but also effectively reflects the creative and artistic talents and interests of her school community.
Every month Alex creates new book displays to pique student interest in new titles and generate interest in all that is available in the existing collection. She hosts two book fairs per year where proceeds help improve the library. Alex advocated for the addition of a lounge area with comfortable furniture and thanks to a supportive principal, students can enjoy this relaxing area (see photos below.)
Alex loves working in the library and she enthusiastically supports the objectives of her creative arts academy. She provides informational and appealing art genre that is valued by both students and teachers. Alex has a steady stream of teachers, classes, and individual students utilizing the library appreciating all that it has to offer.
She takes the initiative to apply for boost grants and this year she is thrilled and grateful to again receive funds. She has very specific plans to enhance her collection in a way that will best serve her school community. The Kunsmiller secondary library has had the highest circulation for 6-12th grade libraries for the past few years. Congratulations Alex!
Alex has sponsored a Reading Reward Challenge where, after reading a certain number of books, students can choose a prize (fun prizes from Scholastic book fairs.) For Valentine’s Day, she created an eye-catching “Blind Date with a Book” display where students could check out different genres from a selection of books concealed in wrapping paper. The girls were much braver in choosing blind date books than most of the boys! This year she has plans to promote a Reading Challenge Bingo that would challenge students to read out of their comfort zone and read something they otherwise would not choose. In keeping with promoting creativity, you can find colored pencils/markers and unique and whimsical coloring sheets on every table that offer students a great way to relax and unwind.
Alex is committed to promoting “student voice and choice” when it comes to selecting books for the library. She keeps a Book Request Notebook on her desk where students and teachers are welcome to write in book titles they would like to see available in their library.
Alex believes that the library is a paradise for the mind and life is definitely better with books! Her favorite quote is from Dr. Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!” We celebrate Alexandra Arias FOR PUTTING KIDS FIRST in the Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Middle & High School Library!
Denver Public Library Recommends Youtube Channel!
Go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQPHvdgvOBPPOPyYhkAFfgxmhBrTMH_p0&disable_polymer=true
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award
1. Visit http://www.coloradobluespruceaward.org/
2. Make sure you have the 2018 nominated books.
3. Download and print posters and/or bookmark ballots from the website.
4. Create a Blue Spruce display and/or booktalk the nominees.
5. Submit votes by December 31.
Its that time of year again...
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