Friday Focus
Friday, November 8, 2019, vol. 7, no. 13
Friday Focus is a quick digest of news and notes
for members of The Indianapolis Public Library Shared System.
One great idea: Book Tastings
Audience: just about any age, prepare for one class at a time
Supplies needed: helpful teacher, DIY bookmarks for students to list nextreads on, tables, chairs, stacks of books, cute catering signage for your tables
Ask the helpful teacher to help you with a list of six genres or characteristics of books students might be intrigued by. For example, dystopian, horror, realistic fiction, novels in verse, biographies. Set out stacks of books in those categories on the tables. Plop down a sign with the category heading and a foodie description (Savor a morsel or two of these horror novels, bite into some biographies, you get the idea). Hand out the bookmarks and ask students to pick a table where they will spend the next six minutes getting a taste of the books there.
Kick it up a notch: Add tablecloths, restaurant music, and flameless candles
From: Carli Sauer, middle school librarian at Carmel Middle School, "How to Make Your Library THE Place to Be, Or Why My Library Will Always Be a Mess"
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Editor's Note: I heard so many great things at the Indiana Library Federation conference this week that I wanted to share them as widely as possible. Many thanks to the Library Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation which made it possible for me, and many others, to attend the conference.
Polaris Migration
GETTING READY: Remember to get in and practice some routine and oddball transactions after your training. If you did not get the URL for Polaris, let me know and I'll send it to you. What you do in Polaris isn't live so you can't break anything!
From now on, we will always need to know if you get a new computer or iPad to use with Polaris LEAP. Please be sure to send me the name on this form: https://forms.gle/kAZF9dGp1mwhdnmM9.
TRAINING: I'm sending you evaluations after you go to training so you have time to process what you learned. I especially value lingering questions after training is over. Great fodder for Friday Focus
CATALOGING DATES: Tammy is almost at capacity with the amount of rush cataloging! The sooner you get those items in, the greater your chances of receiving them before Horizon cataloging comes to a full stop on December 13. Remember, it will not resume until the end of January. You may send things in now marked RUSH (on a post it note on the tote tag). You may also send non-rush items in with the understanding that they likely will not be cataloged until February.
Heard in Passing (or at Lunch)
Alannah Cataldo, library assistant at Cathedral, says last year's freshmen hardly ever came to the library. This year's class are crazy readers. Circ is up 49% already.
Teachers there have started adding book jackets of what they are currently reading to their school name badges. Great conversation starters - and the idea started in the library.
Cathedral has a faculty book club, well, three of them to be exact. About 15 teachers participate. They read the book over fall, winter and spring breaks, and meet to discuss it after the break. This fall they read The Year We Left Home, which is the One State/One Story title from the Indiana Humanities Council. They'll vote on a classic for the next break, and then a nonfiction title for spring break.
Stephanie Steiner, school library manager at the Indiana School for the Deaf, highly recommends the Who Was... series for high school students who need to develop background knowledge quickly. We have 447 titles in the series in the catalog, 152 downloadable ebooks, and 43 downloadable audiobooks in Axis 360.
photo credit: <a href="https://pixnio.com/">free images</a>
One Great Idea: Teen Library Council
Supplies: Snacks, lots of snacks
Requirements for membership: Advocacy, attendance, Reading/writing, Volunteering
Although this came from a public library, Carmel Clay, it could easily be implemented at a high school or middle school. Teens apply online and have to give references. Having to ask for references lends a little more weight to the position. Carmel Clay has 158 teens on their council. The students have to attend seven of the nine scheduled meetings, they have to read and post a review of one book a year (hey, how about on Bibliocommons?), and they have to volunteer at one event a year.
The teen librarians noticed that there was a lot of social emotional learning going on. Council members developed self management skills and social awareness. They learned to collaborate with lots of different kinds of people. And many of them connected through books!
The Council curates the Teen Choice Picks (that's why they write book reviews). They don't earn service hours for reading the books, but they do for writing the reviews, attending meetings, and planning student-led events.
Sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it. Do you think it would be worth the effort to bring more students into your library and encourage them to talk to their peers about what's happening there? And maybe read some of the books you have? How do you measure the Return on Investment for that?
from: Jamie Beckman, Katie Blackthorn, Mike Cherry, Karen Steinberger, and Laura Swangin
"Beyond Video Games - Thinking Critically about Teen Services"
Admiring Fan Meets Very Cool Author
As you may know from reading his books, Jason is a gifted storyteller. The story he wove as his keynote speech at the Indiana Library Federation conference was sadly too long for Friday Focus, so I'll have to be content with sharing just a few of his thoughts.
Maybe it's not about the books. The books are just collateral. The books aren't the sacred thing. Neither are the authors. The kids are the sacred thing.
So how do we do this in real life? Humility goes a long way. Embarrass yourself. Ask questions. Ask them to teach you how to dance the floss. It gives them power.
Everybody thinks being polite is showing gratitude. You would be surprised at how many kids never hear thank you. Every kid who comes in your library, say "thank you for coming in." I promise you it will shift the climate in your building.
After his talk, he took questions from the audience. Someone said "I'm a white librarian in an all-white school. What books can you recommend that would give them a window into the lives of people who don't look like them?" Jason answered "We are so lucky to live now - there are so many good books out there for them to read! I can recommend these books, but I can't guarantee the parents..." Here's the list he gave:
His last suggestion was a new book, Stamped, which is coming out in March, . He coauthored it with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. He said Stamped is a definitive history of race in America, written for kids. I discovered an excerpt on Mr Schu's blog (hope you have seen this blog before!) and think it's going to be a title every school will want to have on their shelves. It looks like a book that will be accessible to grades four through high school. Please go read the blog post!
Getting to Sesame Street - through Kanopy!
To help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the premiere of Sesame Street, we’re excited to announce the definitive children’s educational program is now streaming on Kanopy Kids. Join Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and all of your favorite characters in the beloved show that helps kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.
It’s the perfect time to make the most of your Kanopy Kids access thanks to our recently refreshed viewing model: unlimited access to the entire Kanopy Kids catalog for 30 days after the first play. Check out our curated collection of enriching children’s programming today to watch, learn, and grow with Kanopy Kids!
from Kanopy email in my Inbox this week
You've Read the Books, Now See the Exhibit
Remember to check out the exhibit called The Wartime Escape: Margaret and H.A. Rey’s Journey from France at the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis through Nov. 29th.
When authors Margret and H.A. Rey were forced to flee Paris as the Nazi army began to invade, they began their dangerous journey of escape on bicycles, pedaling to Southern France. The manuscript and illustrations for the Curious George book were among the few possessions they were able to take with them. The exhibit includes original and reproduction works of art depicting the miraculous escape of the Reys from Nazi-occupied France during WWII.
Drop by anytime throughout the month of November to see the exhibit. For more information, contact Amber Maze at amaze@jfgi.org.
Move Over, OverDrive!
Stephanie Steiner, school library manager at the Indiana School for the Deaf is also in charge of technology. She has installed the Axis 360 app on all student iPads and removed Libby. Next step is teaching students how to login for the first time by selecting their school and entering their library card number. After that, they are good to go.
You're Invited to Fall Fest 2019
Hello, Shared System! I am excited to tell you about our free upcoming event: 2019 Fall Fest and Slammin’ Rhymes Challenge event. It will be held on Saturday November 16, 2019 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Central Library, 40 East Saint Clair Street in Clowes Auditorium. We have some amazing performers this year, including performances by FeelGoodFriday with Dr. Leonard Scott and Shawn Cowherd, B.E.A.T.S Music mentoring, 2015 Emmy Awards nominated group from Chicago The Glide8orz Skate Crew, and Pike Red Devil Varsity Dance Team.
Students will be able to express themselves in a positive and encouraging environment using this year’s theme “In it to Win It” during the Slammin’ Rhymes section of the event. We will also have a poetry reading by Inaugural Indianapolis Youth Poet Laureate Alyssa Gaines
Our featured speaker this year will be the The Step Stool Chef Julian Frederick. Mr. Frederick’s presentation will include Cooking demonstrations! (He was a 2016 finalist for the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, in partnership with the White House and Let’s Move Campaign.)
Once again, this event is free and open to the public. We welcome you and your family to our Fall Fest and Slammin’ Rhymes Challenge. We are excited and hope you can join us again! Remember to get there early to ensure that you have a seat!
Cordia Watkins
Member Access Coordinator
P.S. There's a pdf flyer attached to this issue. Could you help promote this event at your school?
Thankful for Books
I love the Thanksgiving season for many reasons (it does lead straight into all of the ho-ho-holidays!), but especially because of the importance gratitude has in my life. I have learned that being grateful for what I have feels a lot better than lamenting what I don’t have.
That said, one of the primary things in my life I am grateful for is books! I’ve edited several, published one, and read thousands—and their appeal has never waned. In 2016, Amy Sachs wrote a post on BookBub that included 15 quotes that remind us why we’re so thankful for books (https://www.bookbub.com/blog/quotes-that-remind-us-how-thankful-we-are-for-books). I absolutely LOVE her #2 reason:
#2. Books are proof that humans can work magic.
Ever since “Bewitched” and “I Dream of Jeannie,” I’ve been on the lookout for magic in the world. Magic fuels imagination. Whenever I sit down to write, it feels a little like magic (for me as the author) and I want to create that feeling in the reader, as well.
This weekend (Nov. 8-9) and next (Nov. 14-16), is another Book Sale at Indy Library Store—another opportunity for you to discover magic. What kinds of books are your preferred form of magic? Which authors cast a spell over you as you read? On the list of books you’re grateful for, which book is #1?
Here is mine. This book absolutely transports me and transforms me each time I read it (or listen to it). I just finished time #6. Visit the Indy Library Store and find your magic!
Michael Ehret
Coordinator, Indy Library Store
Friends of the Library Preview Night is Friday, November 8 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The book sale opens to the public on Saturday, November 9 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and continues on Thursday, November 14 from 12 noon - p.m. Half-Price Day is Friday, November 15 from 12 noon - 7 p.m. $7 Bag Day is Saturday, November 16 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proceeds support Library programs and services through the Library Foundation. Held at the Library Services Center, 2450 North Meridian.
Dates to Remember
There's a lot to do this month! Check out the calendar for The Learning Curve @ Central Library attached to this newsletter.
Nov. 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Friends Night @ Indy LIbrary Store Book Sale
Nov. 9, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Indy LIbrary Store Book Sale
Nov. 14, noon - 7 p.m. Indy LIbrary Store Book Sale
Nov. 15, noon - 7 p.m. - Half-Price Day @ Indy LIbrary Store Book Sale
Nov. 15 - CICF Library Fund fall application deadline
Nov. 16 - American History Committee's Fall Fest, Slammin' Rhymes @ Central Library
Nov. 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - $7 Bag Day @ Indy LIbrary Store Book Sale
Dec. 13 - Hard stop on cataloging
Jan. 5 - Lawrence branch library closed
Jan. 18 - Horizon is shut down
Jan. 20 - Martin Luther King Day
Jan. 21 and 22 - No circulation in Shared System
Jan. 23 (anticipated) - Polaris launch date (104 days)
(Circulation begins only AFTER all branches report they have caught up with offline circulation!)
About Us
Email: sbatt@indypl.org
Website: www.indypl.org/about/shared
Location: Library Service Center, North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: (317) 275-4707