In Pictures

As a classroom teacher, empty bulletin boards and learning centers generally signified the end of a successful year - or a fresh start to a new year filled with anticipation. The same can be said about bulletin boards in the IRC; while updated periodically throughout a term with new books and resources, completely empty boards are a rarity.

It is a 'no brainer' to remove faded and dated materials from the bulletin boards in the IRC.  Crafting new information can be an intriguing conundrum, should they be refreshed with updated images and paper or should they have new topics? Boards in the IRC are instructional and informational in nature, they provide directions for laminating and Ellison machines, covers for new books, reviews for books added to the collection, and general price lists for services.  Naturally location matters, laminating and Ellison directions are placed above the machines and the price list adjacent to the register.

After mapping out a plan of attack for the empty boards (tables and graphs were detailed!) and waiting for an order placed for fade-resistant paper, seven new bulletin boards are in place for incoming and returning students using the IRC. Two of three pictured here feature directions for using the desk top and roll top laminators; the third provides extended information on QR Codes (use and available apps for phones). One week before the students return, I'm wondering if there is space for another board or two.

Getting ready for fall

Each semester I have the opportunity to present a Mock Caldecott session with one of the children's literature classes.  In addition to choosing titles that meet basic Caldecott critera (illustrator residence, year of publication, picture book for children), I focus on books that are new to the library juvenile collection; generally speaking, this group of students explore the books before they are placed into circulation. This year the scheduled session is in early September and I've been perusing newly arrived titles for inclusion.  One that caught - and held - my attention is Clink, by author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Matthew Myers.  The students will enjoy studying Myers artwork and are sure to be charmed by DiPucchio's storyline. 

I enjoyed the tagline on Myers site "Painting So Good You'd Swear He's Dead," so much that a screen shot of his web site is my picture this week ...

I have not selected all of the titles we are going to explore as of yet; I have a cart of juvenile books waiting to be ordered!  Here is a sampling of titles tagged for this session (in no particular order):

• The Little Girl with the Big, Big Voice
• We Are America
• Boy Wonders
• Substitute Creacher
• The Great Race
• If I Never Forever Endeavor
• No Sleep for the Sheep
• Fabulous! A Portrait of Andy Warhol
• Passing the Music Down
• Where's Walrus
• Perfect Square

I'm looking forward to perusing Grandpa Green, Farmyard Beat, and The Sleepless Little Vampire when they arrive.

Summertime in the IRC

This post is a loose adaptation of borrowed idea; one of the blogs on my feed reader has begun sharing a picture or image “of the week.” While unsure if this will be a weekly occurrence, I’m pleased to present today's photo, my updated literature rack with freshly developed LibGuide QR codes - in color!

The first literature rack slot introduces QR codes and suggests three popular (and free) smart phone barcode apps RedLaser, Kaywa, and ScanLife. Subsequent signs invite users to "Take us with you!" and present simple instructions for QR code use. LibGuide titles are detailed and QR code color matches or compliments the header. Color adds visual appeal to the rack, located on the wall next to the second floor printer station.

Literature rack text deliberately echoes QR code slides developed for the library’s digital sign on the main floor. Color and presentation are great, but the purpose remains providing quick and easy access to online information for our users.