Sad Times

My mother-in-law passed away this past weekend. Cancer took her in about 6 months once we realized she had that dreaded disease. She was 78 and a gem. I hope she is in heaven visiting her family members, including her husband and my husband who both died of heart attacks way too young. The only good thing about funerals is seeing people you haven't seen for a long time...and knowing your loved one is not in pain anymore.

Whirlwind

Well, we've been in school over a week and I feel so far behind. Some of our technologies weren't working at school, so we gradually are getting up to speed. Librarians are rolling out the new login, TSF, and email systems but just getting everyone's password for the Social Studies classes was a chore. Twenty-five different teachers teach Social Studies at North Middle! Wow! My assistant is helping to get AR classes set up and transferred into the STAR reading program. I have so many sticky notes to fix or work on things that I can't count them all....

Back to School 2010

It's time for a move across town and a change in libraries. This year I will be the librarian at North Middle! I've been settling in to my office and starting training on all the new changes with the district this year!

Time - Where Does It Go?

Well, it's 2009 and I'm not very good at updating my blog! This summer I had more training and classes and am reading and posting to two different "nings." The freshmen netbook program at school is going to be exciting for Sioux City schools. We have 4 teachers with access to new technologies for teaching and I hope to assist them in keeping things running smoothly. I didn't do much traveling this summer, did a little fishing and boating, went to a reunion in Dubuque, and will be going to a Hawkeye game soon. I've read a few ITA and IHSBA books, and I also became a "grandma" again in May.

Tech Stuff

Teachers go to class too, and I'm learning about Web2.0 this summer. So far it's mind-boggling--all of the tons of stuff on the Internet and now add blogging, wikis, social bookmarking and podcasts! There's one thing about humans - we love to communicate and what a way to go - online and wired in! I'm even texting more, but dang I'm slow! Help me jazz up the library with technology - what are your ideas?

I Hate to Read!

No doubt there are things we all "hate to read." That's understandable. But I wonder why my freshmen say they hate to read when they can check out ANY book they want in the library, fiction or non-fiction, for FREE (just watch the due date)!! They can read for pleasure--no tests, no cramming, no pressure, no lexile level. Want to learn how to condition your body for soccer? Want to hear about a girl who's dad was murdered? Want to see how to go to college on a small budget? Want to get carried away? Try browsing in your free time and recommend books you've heard about to library staff! See what the Sioux City School Libraries have!

Book Talks and Audio

Librarians love to talk about and hear about books - how about sharing your thoughts on what you have read or listened to recently? Has anyone downloaded an audio book from the public library to your computer or MP3 player? Are you working at a job where you could listen to a great book with your iPod? Check out the library's eCollection (www.siouxcitylibrary.org) and tell us what you find! By next year at this time there should be plenty of new files available.