Library News - January 2017
Newsletter
Newsletter
I will be starting a monthly newsletter in order to keep everyone up to date and informed about the comings and goings in our library here in Rensselaer! In this newsletter I hope to share what is actually happening in the library as well as share some resources that I think may be interesting and helpful to you.
I will be starting a monthly newsletter in order to keep everyone up to date and informed about the comings and goings in our library here in Rensselaer! In this newsletter I hope to share what is actually happening in the library as well as share some resources that I think may be interesting and helpful to you.
Displays
Displays
Bulletin Board
Bulletin Board
So far we have had a couple different things on our library bulletin board. We displayed information about Overdrive eBooks a while back. We now have Sudoku up and running! Puzzle number one has been completed by a few students and will remain up until the end of the week. A new puzzle will be posted for next week. A more difficult one this time!
So far we have had a couple different things on our library bulletin board. We displayed information about Overdrive eBooks a while back. We now have Sudoku up and running! Puzzle number one has been completed by a few students and will remain up until the end of the week. A new puzzle will be posted for next week. A more difficult one this time!
Main Doors
Main Doors
On the main library doors we tried to entice students into checking out some books by displaying "One Liners". We also continued this into the library itself by displaying books on one of the fiction shelves. It seemed that it caught the students eyes and increased circulation a little. We now have a "What are we reading?" display on the doors showing students what the faculty and staff are reading here at Rensselaer. If you would like to add what you are reading to the door please let me know.
On the main library doors we tried to entice students into checking out some books by displaying "One Liners". We also continued this into the library itself by displaying books on one of the fiction shelves. It seemed that it caught the students eyes and increased circulation a little. We now have a "What are we reading?" display on the doors showing students what the faculty and staff are reading here at Rensselaer. If you would like to add what you are reading to the door please let me know.
Classes in the Library
Classes in the Library
Book Talk with Ms. Leonard's Classes
Book Talk with Ms. Leonard's Classes
Recently, I conducted a book talk with Ms. Leonard's classes. I have to say, I had a lot of fun and I think that it went really well! I had initially pulled 15 books to talk about. By the end of the last book talk of the day all the original books for the talk were checked out plus more that I pulled to talk about. If I had to take a guess I probably talked about 25 - 30 books in the course of the day!
Recently, I conducted a book talk with Ms. Leonard's classes. I have to say, I had a lot of fun and I think that it went really well! I had initially pulled 15 books to talk about. By the end of the last book talk of the day all the original books for the talk were checked out plus more that I pulled to talk about. If I had to take a guess I probably talked about 25 - 30 books in the course of the day!
If you would like to bring your classes to a book talk please let me know. They are great to do before a book report is assigned or just to help your students find books to free read!
If you would like to bring your classes to a book talk please let me know. They are great to do before a book report is assigned or just to help your students find books to free read!
Ozobots
Ozobots
We were able to get Ozobots on loan through the Questar III School Library System. Ozobots are small robots that can be programmed to complete certain functions using color codes. I used them a few times with students during study halls as well as conducted introduction lessons with Mr. Beiter's physics class and Mrs. Murphy's extra math class.
We were able to get Ozobots on loan through the Questar III School Library System. Ozobots are small robots that can be programmed to complete certain functions using color codes. I used them a few times with students during study halls as well as conducted introduction lessons with Mr. Beiter's physics class and Mrs. Murphy's extra math class.
Students are still coming up to me and asking to use them! I may have to find a way to bring them back here.
Students are still coming up to me and asking to use them! I may have to find a way to bring them back here.
Ancestry Research
Ancestry Research
Mrs. Jones brought her 6th period class to the library for a couple days in order to conduct some research on their ancestors. The students used a few different search strategies and websites to find more information in order to start their project with Mrs. Jones. During their research they found out many interesting things. One student even had an ancestor that was a mayor of Rensselaer!
Mrs. Jones brought her 6th period class to the library for a couple days in order to conduct some research on their ancestors. The students used a few different search strategies and websites to find more information in order to start their project with Mrs. Jones. During their research they found out many interesting things. One student even had an ancestor that was a mayor of Rensselaer!
Resources
Resources
Resource #1 - NoodleTools
Resource #1 - NoodleTools
NoodleTools is a great resource to use when conducting research for a paper or project! Once you have an introduction to it the tool is really pretty easy to use.
NoodleTools is a great resource to use when conducting research for a paper or project! Once you have an introduction to it the tool is really pretty easy to use.
To get started:
To get started:
Each user must create a "personal folder" (i.e., select a personal ID and password) by clicking the "Create a Personal ID" button on the login screen. Access for most schools is enabled via both IP authentication and a username/password. When a student who is IP-authenticated clicks the "Create a Personal ID" button, they will be taken directly to a screen where they can select a personal ID and password. Otherwise, they will first be prompted for a subscription username/password when they click that button, where they would need to enter login information. See your librarian for this information.
Each user must create a "personal folder" (i.e., select a personal ID and password) by clicking the "Create a Personal ID" button on the login screen. Access for most schools is enabled via both IP authentication and a username/password. When a student who is IP-authenticated clicks the "Create a Personal ID" button, they will be taken directly to a screen where they can select a personal ID and password. Otherwise, they will first be prompted for a subscription username/password when they click that button, where they would need to enter login information. See your librarian for this information.
Let me know if you would like to introduce NoodleTools to you or your students!
Let me know if you would like to introduce NoodleTools to you or your students!
Resource #2 - Padlet
Resource #2 - Padlet
This is a free online application that you can use to create an online bulletin board on any topic. You can add images, links, videos, and more. Use this to create and collaborate with just about anyone!
This is a free online application that you can use to create an online bulletin board on any topic. You can add images, links, videos, and more. Use this to create and collaborate with just about anyone!
See me if you would like a quick tutorial.
See me if you would like a quick tutorial.
Extra
Extra
Items Needed
Items Needed
If any one has extra boxes, bigger preferably, for library jenga or legos for our library lego tower challenge please drop them off at the library.
If any one has extra boxes, bigger preferably, for library jenga or legos for our library lego tower challenge please drop them off at the library.
Me - Your Librarian
Me - Your Librarian
Even though I have been here for a little while now I wanted to tell everyone, officially, a little about me.
Even though I have been here for a little while now I wanted to tell everyone, officially, a little about me.
My name is Heather Jenner. I completed my undergraduate work through The College of Saint Rose in 7-12 English Education. I am still in the process of obtaining my masters degree online through the University at Buffalo and will graduate at the end of this year. I currently hold a supplementary certification in School Library Media and an initial certification in 7-12 English Education.
My name is Heather Jenner. I completed my undergraduate work through The College of Saint Rose in 7-12 English Education. I am still in the process of obtaining my masters degree online through the University at Buffalo and will graduate at the end of this year. I currently hold a supplementary certification in School Library Media and an initial certification in 7-12 English Education.
Here is some more personal information about me. I am married and have one beautiful 15 month old daughter named Emma. We have one dog right now but plan on having a mini farm someday with just about every farm animal imaginable. My husband and I bought our first house back in June over in Stephentown NY that sits on 14 acres. Which means I drive about 40 minutes to come to Rensselaer and work with all you wonderful people!
Here is some more personal information about me. I am married and have one beautiful 15 month old daughter named Emma. We have one dog right now but plan on having a mini farm someday with just about every farm animal imaginable. My husband and I bought our first house back in June over in Stephentown NY that sits on 14 acres. Which means I drive about 40 minutes to come to Rensselaer and work with all you wonderful people!
