A First Semester Review

 

I realize this is only telling part of our story, but I am pretty proud of those numbers.  We have been working hard to bring all of our students into the library.  I think these numbers show we are doing just that.  In addition, students are using our databases and checking out books.  Our class visits have gone down, but that is to be expected.  The first 6 weeks usually includes me seeing all of our ELAR classes for either a library introduction or a library review.  So I am okay with that number trending down . . . for the moment.

Now here is what the numbers don't say.  In looking back at what we did last semester, our most successful programs include . . .

• National Day Giveaways
  
  
• Drones
  
  
• Fri-YAY!
  
  

I talked about all of these in the November 2022 post.  At the time, I was speculating these programs were the reason our numbers were increasing.  After analyzing the whole semester, now I am sure these programs helped increase our foot traffic.  When students come in to participate in programs, they also end up checking out books . . . eventually.  I try to create fun activities in the library to build those relationships.  When those relationships pay off and students come to me to talk about books, I know I've got them hook-line-and-sinker.  I just love that!

If you need more details about our 1st semester, here is a recap of our Six Weeks Usage Reports.

• 1st Six Weeks, August 17-September 23
  
  
• 2nd Six Weeks, September 26-October 28
  
  
• 3rd Six Weeks, October 31-December 20

What's in the Box?

I can't believe half of our school year is almost over. Doesn't it go by in a blink? I have one more day of school tomorrow, and I am just a bit jealous of all those school districts that ended their semester on Friday.  However, tomorrow will go just as quickly as today.  Unfortunately, that means the whole break will do the same, but I am getting ahead of myself.

Let's talk "Mystery Boxes."  That is just an easier title for BreakOut EDU.  Last year I started creating a breakout box for the library each month.  Last year I took most of my ideas from the "lock of the day," which is a part of the BreakOut EDU platform.  It's usually a one lock problem, and mostly digital.  I just recreated that problem with a physical box and placed that box in the library.  I always have books in the mystery box along with some candy or stickers.  To be honest, it didn't go as I had imagined it.  Most of the mystery box enthusiasts solved the problem and opened the box at the beginning of the month, and then the box stayed on the table (collecting dust) for the rest of the month.  Despite that less than stellar debut, I decided to repeat the activity this year.

This year I have been very strategic with the breakout box.  Up until December, I still only did one problem per month. I also tied it to our district Vision 2030 guiding statements, the one that particularly goes with Algebra.  I was trying to decide how to support math in the library and decided to create math breakout box problems.  In addition, I also started advertising on the morning announcements and on social media.  The results are in, and the mystery box is way more popular this year.  In fact, I have an office aide who loves them so much, she created an alternate problem for December.  That made everyone happy.  They were able to break open the mystery box twice this month.  Once by solving a math problem and again by decoding the secret word.  We will probably continue the 2 boxes a month  now that I have a helper.

Here are the mystery box problems for December.  Mine is the green one, and it was up from Dec 1 - 9.  When the students solve the last equation, that is the combination to the lock. Then the white one came from my student, and it started on Dec 12 and will be running until tomorrow, Dec. 20th.  When the students find out what letters they need, they rearrange them to spell out a Christmas word, and then those letters correspond to a number from the chart.  Those numbers are the combination to open the lock.

I'm not sure if it is the variety that is bringing the students to the library to solve the "mystery box," or if it is the announcements, or maybe it's just word of mouth.  To be honest, it does not matter.  The mystery box is a very popular station in the library now, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Happy Holidays!

Bringing in the Patrons

One of my goals this year is to reach those students who are reluctant to come to the library.  I am really good about keeping my regulars coming back, but I need to reach more than just the library lovers if I am going to make an impact on all students.  My theory is to get them coming through the door with the fun stuff first.  Then I can slowly build those relationships in the hopes that they come to me later for help, be it research or books they might want to read.

I am trying 2 different things this year that seem to be working.  I have a National Day Give Away once a month.  For instance, on August 31st, it was National Trail Mix day.  So students came to the library to make their own trail mix to take back to lunch with them.  My latest one was "No Shave" November.  Since it was for the whole month, I just picked a day to hand out fake mustaches and book marks.  That has been the most popular one so far.  We gave out 250 mustaches and over 150 book marks.  It was crazy.  Who knew that mustaches were going to be so popular.  LOL! Here is a list of my Give Aways this year.

The second idea is called Fri-YAY.  On Fridays, we set out games, puzzles, poetry activities, crafts, the mystery box, and the latest to make it's debut are the Drones.  The drones are so popular that we fly them twice a week, instead of just on Fridays.  It gives more students a chance to fly them.  I picked up some cheap drones on Amazon.  

My plan was to cycle through different activities each month, but that has not happened.  Once I introduce a new game or activity, it is a permanent part of Fri-YAY.  I tried explaining that to the students, but they want what they want.  After all, getting them into the library was my goal.  As new things I have ordered come in, I add them to the Fri-YAY activities.  The only things that does change is the craft table.  It cycles with the seasons.  Here was my Fri-YAY list at the beginning of the year when I naively thought I was going to switch all activities each month.  Now it is just a Friday free-for-all.  The students are coming in which makes me happy, and they seem to be happy with all the choices they have each Friday.

SHS Library - the Second Six Weeks

 Our second six weeks was a busy one.  That's always a good thing!  This 6 weeks our highlights include our Fri-YAY makerspaces each Friday, book club (meets twice a month), and 37 Library Introduction classes.  We celebrated National Train your Brain Day, and we hosted a plethora of other Library activities as outlined by our October 2022 calendar.  In addition, we hosted the Yearbook photos, a faculty meeting and multiple PLC meetings.  Not bad for our little library.

SHS Library - Oct 2022 by Jeneene Tahaney

The First 6 Weeks: How did it go?

 

When you start off the year with a cyberattack, how do you recover?  My district was without internet and wi-fi for over a week at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.  That threw all of our well-laid plans into disarray.  I was  planning to target all of the English I & II classes this six weeks to do my beginning of year library introduction.  To be honest, I am at the end of the six weeks, and I am just now planning those classes.  I was able to see the Junior English classes for Book Speed Dating and a quick library introduction.  The seniors are on their own this year.

Having said all that, it has been a productive 6 weeks - at least when I look at my library usage statistics.  We have way more students coming into the library this year.  Our numbers are up before school and during lunch.  I even get a few students after school who need to print or check out a book before the busses roll away.  Yay! I love a full library.

Here are the 1st Six Weeks Usage Statistics for the SHS Library.  They are a bit longer this year.  After doing so many presentations with Pam last year about telling our library's story (see presentation here), I realized that the library is more than just numbers.  So the 2nd page of my statistics includes snapshots of tangible things that happened in the library.  You have to show the "fun stuff" as Pam said so often during our presentations.  That is what I am doing this year.  Showing the quantitative and the qualitative information in my report which seems to broaden my range of people who are interested. Nice!

This year started off a bit of a nightmare, but we are slowly starting to gain momentum.  By the end of the next 6 weeks, I am hoping to have all of my library introductions done.  I guess only time will tell if that will come to fruition.

I'm still planning to have a fantastic year.  I hope you are too.

Getting Down to Business - 10 Years Later

 It is hard to believe that 10 years ago I started this blog to record my every day adventures of being a high school librarian.  Where does the time go?

 I did a lot of reflection at the end of the year last year as to what I want to do and where I want to go next with the library.  Since my previous 5 year plan was complete, I made the bold decision to plan for one year at a time.  Details to come.

Here was my previous 5 year plan that was finished at the end of the 2021-22 school year: SHS Library Strategic Plan, 2017 - 2022, and here is my one year plan to be completed at the end of the 2022-23 school year: SHS Library Strategic Plan, 2022 - 2023

The difference between the 2 plans

• My 5 year plan was more about the physical space and the book collection. It was about the library.  Now that those items have been accomplished, I am ready for this year.
• The 1 year plan has more to do with me and my role as the librarian.

The Mansfield ISD librarians did a book study last summer, and it really inspired me.  I've been coasting along since COVID, and I decided this was the year to get back into the game, so to speak.  Hence the one year strategic plan which I believe will hold me accountable.  With a 3 - 5 year plan, it is easy to schedule things way in advance, and not do much year 1.  Now I have a plan for just this year.  Can't put that off!

The book we read was Leading for School Librarians: There is no other option by Hilda K Weisburg,  and I highly recommend it to any and all librarians out there.  I am good at my job, but I wasn't giving it 100% of my effort.  I think with my new plan and this book under my belt, I am ready for a new year.

Bring on the 2022 - 2023 school year!  I am planning it to be fantastic.  Hope you are too.

Book Review: Why Humans Build Up

Why Humans Build Up by Gregor Craigie

In his nonfiction book, Why Humans Build Up; The Rise of Towers, Temples and Skyscrapers, author Gregor Craigie walks the readers through the evolution of these great monuments.  In the beginning, these buildings were erected for safety and religious purposes.  Now the main focus is to build tall towers for population booms.  Some newer skyscrapers are even built to reduce pollution and help battle climate change.  Each chapter explains this progression from safety to sustainability.  The author anchors the readers’ learning by citing well-known high-rise structures such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Eiffel Tower, and The Empire State Building. In addition, the author stretches the readers’ learning by discussing other lesser known structures.  These include The Lighthouse of Alexandria, The Shanghai Tower, Hong Kong High-Rise, and The Manitoba Hydro Palace just to name a few.  

Both the illustrations and the photos included enhance Mr. Craigie’s story and assist the readers in understanding the content. The language is clear, and the author includes a glossary for those who need it.  Consequently, it is a valuable resource for students who read below grade level, or those who are reluctant to read.  In addition, students who are fascinated by history and architecture will enjoy this book. It is similar to some of David Macauley's older books such as Cathedral (Clarion Books, 1981), Castle (Clarion Books, 1982) and Pyramid (Clarion Books, 1982).  Both authors have a way of using both language and illustrations needed to help the readers learn.

In summation, Why Humans Build Up: The Rise of Towers, Temples and Skyscrapers is recommended for audiences in grades 6 - 12.  It would be an asset for both school and public libraries.