Thursday, June 19, 2014

Happy Summer!!!!!!

Well, I can't believe it is that time, summer is here!!! This will be the last post until school starts up again in the fall. This blog has been one of my favorite things this year. I love being able to communicate all the amazing projects, lessons, thoughts that have happened this year. I hope it has been enjoyable for all of you to read!

So as we move into the summer I would like to end with some quotes about libraries, reading and research. It has never been more important to understand and appreciate the value of libraries, library teachers and the research skills it takes to be an effective student in today's world. Have a lovely summer, read, research and relax!!!

Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.

–Ray Bradbury


A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.

–Andrew Carnegie

To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.

–Carlos María Domínguez
Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all    your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.
- Angela Carter

It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations--something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.
- Katherine Patterson

A book is the most effective weapon against intolerance and ignorance.
- Lyndon Baines Johnson






Friday, June 13, 2014

Get Your Read On!!

It is almost vacation! And what will you be reading this summer? The library has many great books available for the summer. One of the shifts I made when I began working here was to allow books to go out over the summer. I firmly believe the books should be used and the summer is a great opportunity to take some time for oneself and read some of the books you couldn't get to during the school year. With this change, we have many students who now will take a bag full of books home for the summer. It is great to see the enthusiasm for reading! In addition to the print books, we have just loaded our elibrary through OverDrive with 200 more titles! There are now over 300 books available for download!! Any student or staff member can access the ebook library and "check out" any of the offerings. Ebooks can be downloaded onto a number of different devices such as, laptops, smart phones, and tablets. The link to access OverDrive is the following: https://natickma.libraryreserve.com/10/45/en/SignIn.htm?url=Default.htm
The link can also be found on the front page of the library website, along with all of our resources. For those that have some summer work to complete, don't forget you have access to all of our online databases and digital books 24/7! 


Friday, June 6, 2014

The Fault In Our Stars.....but really it's all about John Green!

Today is the day so many young adults AND adults have been waiting for, the movie release of "The Fault In Our Stars" I have not seen this kind of devotion to a movie and it's book since Harry Potter came to our world! And with the devotion to Harry Potter, there was also a fascination with author J.K. Rowling. Her "rags to riches" story enamored the public and gave much deserved accolades and kudos to an author! I would suspect that John Green has garnered even more recognition, hype and star status! John Green has created stories of young adults where the characters are real, flawed and like many of the people we run into every day. The adults in his stories are not behind the scenes, or some crazy individual who has created a hostile and dangerous environment where kids have to overcome impossible odds. And while this is a reality for many teens, it is nice as an adult to read a story where the parents play a healthy and supportive role. His appeal to both young adults and adults has risen him to an almost cult like status.

So I would argue that although the excitement for the movie is insane, I believe it is the book and more importantly John Green that has driven it to legendary heights. John Green's ability to connect and relate to young adults in all forms, through Twitter, Tumblr, Skype, email etc makes him accessible and real. He is an adult teens can understand because he himself is flawed and doesn't hide it. His devotion to his fans, his craft and to creating realistic characters is his gift to the world.

The following is an article about John Green from The New Yorker. It is comprehensive but worth the time to read. It brings to light the man, the myth and I would say the future legend. He has put young adult literature back on the map where it so richly deserves and I hope through him, other young adult authors will be recognized for their contribution to such an important genre.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/06/09/140609fa_fact_talbot?currentPage=all