ECVHS Library Highlights 2018-2019
Introduction
Introduction
Thank you for visiting! This page is meant to showcase a few of the highlights from the ECVHS Library.
Thank you for visiting! This page is meant to showcase a few of the highlights from the ECVHS Library.
The highlights you see below from the previous academic year show the progress our library has made following our library mission and vision statements, as well as our school's mission and vision statements.
The highlights you see below from the previous academic year show the progress our library has made following our library mission and vision statements, as well as our school's mission and vision statements.
I am looking forward to the 2019-2020 school year and working to continuously improve the library program in order to better serve our community of learners.
I am looking forward to the 2019-2020 school year and working to continuously improve the library program in order to better serve our community of learners.
Anthony Devine, ECVHS Teacher Librarian
Anthony Devine, ECVHS Teacher Librarian
Collaborating and Co-Teaching with Colleagues
Collaborating and Co-Teaching with Colleagues
Each period I meet with a colleague about instruction and each time I get to co-teach with a colleague, I add it to the library's Google calendar. This year I was especially careful to add each moment of collaboration, each period of co-teaching, because I wanted to have a baseline to grow from.
Each period I meet with a colleague about instruction and each time I get to co-teach with a colleague, I add it to the library's Google calendar. This year I was especially careful to add each moment of collaboration, each period of co-teaching, because I wanted to have a baseline to grow from.
Last year, I got to collaborate and co-teach with colleagues 205 times. I hope to improve on that number this year. I see my role as an educator and a resource for educators as my most meaningful contribution to our learning community.
Last year, I got to collaborate and co-teach with colleagues 205 times. I hope to improve on that number this year. I see my role as an educator and a resource for educators as my most meaningful contribution to our learning community.
205 periods of collaboration
205 periods of collaboration
Thank you so much to all the teachers who:
Thank you so much to all the teachers who:
--brought their students in for book talks/book selection,
--brought their students in for book talks/book selection,
--invited me to help students with digital portfolios,
--invited me to help students with digital portfolios,
--included me in planning/implementing research projects,
--included me in planning/implementing research projects,
--used the library resources to implement their own lessons,
--used the library resources to implement their own lessons,
--and generally helped keep me connected to the learning that is happening in our classrooms.
--and generally helped keep me connected to the learning that is happening in our classrooms.
How is it possible to have this much collaboration and co-teaching from the library? While I'm helping with instruction, our students still have access to the library's resources thanks to the diligence and professionalism of our Library Technician: Joan Tilley. Joan empowers me to meet with educators and classes. She's the reason behind the highlights shared on this page.
How is it possible to have this much collaboration and co-teaching from the library? While I'm helping with instruction, our students still have access to the library's resources thanks to the diligence and professionalism of our Library Technician: Joan Tilley. Joan empowers me to meet with educators and classes. She's the reason behind the highlights shared on this page.
More Students are Visiting the Library
More Students are Visiting the Library
More and more students are visiting the library. This means that more and more students are benefiting from the resources the library has available.
More and more students are visiting the library. This means that more and more students are benefiting from the resources the library has available.
33,604 visits in 2017-2018
33,604 visits in 2017-2018
42,038 visits in 2018-2019
42,038 visits in 2018-2019
21,418 visits in 2016-2017
21,418 visits in 2016-2017
Interesting: students who visit the library more frequently also have higher GPAs, on average.
Interesting: students who visit the library more frequently also have higher GPAs, on average.
Literature Circle Books
Literature Circle Books
Early last year, Christine Whitney met with me to ask which books we had available for literature circles. We had quite a few books available for literature circles, but most of them were published many years ago. Christine was hoping for more updated selections, so I approached our Principal Kim Patterson about updating our lit circle books. Kim wholeheartedly supported this. We were able to add about 50 titles, 10 copies each. I'm currently building up the website linked below with descriptions and book talks for our literature circle collection. It's a work in progress, but check it out! Many thanks to Christine Whitney, Jenn Bethe, and other teachers who have used this collection so far.
Early last year, Christine Whitney met with me to ask which books we had available for literature circles. We had quite a few books available for literature circles, but most of them were published many years ago. Christine was hoping for more updated selections, so I approached our Principal Kim Patterson about updating our lit circle books. Kim wholeheartedly supported this. We were able to add about 50 titles, 10 copies each. I'm currently building up the website linked below with descriptions and book talks for our literature circle collection. It's a work in progress, but check it out! Many thanks to Christine Whitney, Jenn Bethe, and other teachers who have used this collection so far.
Physical Space Overhaul
Physical Space Overhaul
Beyond getting a new library entrance, we now have a large, open space in the library to accommodate larger groups.
Beyond getting a new library entrance, we now have a large, open space in the library to accommodate larger groups.
I wanted to make the library a more flexible space, so I met with Kim Patterson about removing some of our metal book stacks, and adding shelving to our back wall in order to open up the library. Flexible space in the middle of the library surrounded by our book collection.
I wanted to make the library a more flexible space, so I met with Kim Patterson about removing some of our metal book stacks, and adding shelving to our back wall in order to open up the library. Flexible space in the middle of the library surrounded by our book collection.
Kim Patterson immediately supported this idea and she and Tony Martin worked to make this idea a reality. Joan and I (mostly Joan) moved thousands of books in order to prepare for the move. I'm thrilled at how this space is being used. Our library feels so much more open and welcoming.
Kim Patterson immediately supported this idea and she and Tony Martin worked to make this idea a reality. Joan and I (mostly Joan) moved thousands of books in order to prepare for the move. I'm thrilled at how this space is being used. Our library feels so much more open and welcoming.
In California, Teacher Librarians are required to have both a teaching credential and a library credential. Earning a Master's in Library Information Science (MLIS) took 11 more units than the credential alone, so I went for it. This meant many nights and weekends doing coursework over the last 3 years, but now I've completed my MLIS!
In California, Teacher Librarians are required to have both a teaching credential and a library credential. Earning a Master's in Library Information Science (MLIS) took 11 more units than the credential alone, so I went for it. This meant many nights and weekends doing coursework over the last 3 years, but now I've completed my MLIS!
Although I definitely feel like the application of our degrees is more important than our degrees themselves, you can rest assured that your ECVHS Teacher Librarian has paid his college dues (student loans on the other hand...):
Although I definitely feel like the application of our degrees is more important than our degrees themselves, you can rest assured that your ECVHS Teacher Librarian has paid his college dues (student loans on the other hand...):
SDSU English Undergraduate Degree & Teaching Credential (2005)
SDSU English Undergraduate Degree & Teaching Credential (2005)
PLNU Master's Degree of Teaching and Learning (Education) (2009)
PLNU Master's Degree of Teaching and Learning (Education) (2009)
SJSU Master's Degree of Library Information Science (with a dang 4.0 GPA to boot!) (2019)
SJSU Master's Degree of Library Information Science (with a dang 4.0 GPA to boot!) (2019)
For my final course in the SJSU MLIS program, I had the option of writing another ~50-100 page thesis like I did for my Master's in Education or creating a digital portfolio through which I demonstrated competency (through evidence from my coursework and through my professional work) in the program's learning goals.
For my final course in the SJSU MLIS program, I had the option of writing another ~50-100 page thesis like I did for my Master's in Education or creating a digital portfolio through which I demonstrated competency (through evidence from my coursework and through my professional work) in the program's learning goals.
If you know anything about me, you know that of course I went for the digital portfolio option. I appreciated the process of reviewing the learning goals of the MLIS program and proving my competency with evidence for each learning goal. I felt like I created a truly personal artifact of my learning.
If you know anything about me, you know that of course I went for the digital portfolio option. I appreciated the process of reviewing the learning goals of the MLIS program and proving my competency with evidence for each learning goal. I felt like I created a truly personal artifact of my learning.
Unfortunately, I can't openly link my SJSU MLIS ePortfolio on the Internet, but if you ever want to talk about what a college-level digital portfolio looks like, I'd be glad to meet with you!
Unfortunately, I can't openly link my SJSU MLIS ePortfolio on the Internet, but if you ever want to talk about what a college-level digital portfolio looks like, I'd be glad to meet with you!
Growth in Library Circulation
Growth in Library Circulation
We definitely have a pattern of growth the past few years for library book circulation. Thank you very much to the teachers who have brought students to the library to select books for reading and research projects!
We definitely have a pattern of growth the past few years for library book circulation. Thank you very much to the teachers who have brought students to the library to select books for reading and research projects!
Still, I think that our circulation is a growth area for our school. I'd love to get more students selecting books to read from the library. I buy books throughout the year to keep the collection current. Also, I've been growing the Graphica (comics and graphic novels) and World Language (books written in languages other than English) collections in the library. In fact, our World Language collection circulation has nearly quadrupled since 2016-2017!
Still, I think that our circulation is a growth area for our school. I'd love to get more students selecting books to read from the library. I buy books throughout the year to keep the collection current. Also, I've been growing the Graphica (comics and graphic novels) and World Language (books written in languages other than English) collections in the library. In fact, our World Language collection circulation has nearly quadrupled since 2016-2017!
Chromebook Troubleshooting and Repairs
Chromebook Troubleshooting and Repairs
The library is the primary point of service when it comes to all things Chromebook. It's important to balance the need for students to have access to a Chromebook device with the library's complete program. We have the 2nd most Chromebook repairs in the district. Helping students understand the importance of taking care of their devices is a team effort!
The library is the primary point of service when it comes to all things Chromebook. It's important to balance the need for students to have access to a Chromebook device with the library's complete program. We have the 2nd most Chromebook repairs in the district. Helping students understand the importance of taking care of their devices is a team effort!
Thank you to Joan Tilley, Shauna Winchester, and all ECV staff members who work to make sure students have access to their devices.
Thank you to Joan Tilley, Shauna Winchester, and all ECV staff members who work to make sure students have access to their devices.
Connecting with Professional Communities
Connecting with Professional Communities
My presentation on digital portfolios using Google Sites from the SDCUE Tech Fest.
Presenting at the California School Library Association conference in 2019. I'm very grateful that CSLA welcomed my presentation on how librarians can facilitate implementing student digital portfolios school wide. I'm also grateful for Kim Patterson making sure I was able to attend and present at this conference!
I joined the Comic Con Educator's Book Club to connect with educators from across the county. We read comics and make connections to literacy instruction.
I got to participate in the GUHSD Student Summit with educators and students from across the district to share ideas about making school better for the learners we serve.
Advocacy
Advocacy
Along with fellow GUHSD librarians Suzanne Sannwald (WHHS) and Stephanie Macceca (VHS), I had the opportunity to present a vision for Future Forward Libraries to the GUHSD Principal's Council.
Along with fellow GUHSD librarians Suzanne Sannwald (WHHS) and Stephanie Macceca (VHS), I had the opportunity to present a vision for Future Forward Libraries to the GUHSD Principal's Council.
The amazing Piktochart (filled with images, graphs, and links) to accompany our presentation was developed by WHHS Teacher Librarian Suzanne Sannwald, and it's available at bit.ly/fflibraries.
Author Visit
Author Visit
Former ECVHS student Fred Aceves reached out to me and offered to visit our school while he was in town attending an awards ceremony for authors in November. Fred spent a day speaking with students and sharing some of the messages of his book, The Closest I've Come (we now have 12 copies of his book in our Literature Circles collection).
Former ECVHS student Fred Aceves reached out to me and offered to visit our school while he was in town attending an awards ceremony for authors in November. Fred spent a day speaking with students and sharing some of the messages of his book, The Closest I've Come (we now have 12 copies of his book in our Literature Circles collection).
Summer Reading Program
Summer Reading Program
We ended the school year by encouraging students to read over the summer with the ECVHS Summer Reading Program. I hope to grow this program next summer!
We ended the school year by encouraging students to read over the summer with the ECVHS Summer Reading Program. I hope to grow this program next summer!
American Association of School Librarians School Leader
American Association of School Librarians School Leader
Please join me in congratulating Kim Patterson on being selected as an AASL School Leader Collaborative Leader! Only 7 administrators were selected nationwide! I nominated Kim because I am thankful to have an administrator who wholeheartedly supports libraries. So many of the highlights on this page would not have been possible without Kim's support. Thank you, Kim!
Please join me in congratulating Kim Patterson on being selected as an AASL School Leader Collaborative Leader! Only 7 administrators were selected nationwide! I nominated Kim because I am thankful to have an administrator who wholeheartedly supports libraries. So many of the highlights on this page would not have been possible without Kim's support. Thank you, Kim!
Moving Forward
Moving Forward
Continuing my connection with Miko Osada, Youth Services Librarian at the El Cajon Public Library.
Seeking to collaborate with ECVHS colleagues on research/inquiry instruction (infographic created by Suzanne Sannwald).
Better understanding Universal Design for Learning and its potential at our school.
Continuing to learn, collaborate, and advocate to develop a library program that serves the learners in our community.