Smart Librarians: November 2016

Thursday, November 17, 2016

The "Quotable" this week is REALLY good!

November 17, 2016

Every Thursday, you’ll get this short, fun, relevant newsletter. It will contain a quote or smile about the library and those who love it, an idea you can use to promote your library or reading in general, and an occasional shameless plug for the programs I offer. Enjoy!

If you are new to us or have missed any previous issues, you can read them all at www.smartlibrarians.com. And, please; tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

I LOVE to Read!

Quotable!

Getting the Work Done!

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

I LOVE to Read!

It’s not just something I say. It’s the TRUTH! I LOVE to read! Newspapers, magazines, books, websites, t-shirts, signs on the wall…if it’s got words on it, I want to read it!

Every Monday morning, for example, I read Gina DeLapa’s Monday Morning Pep Talk! It’s a free weekly newsletter that is relevant, fun and easy to read. In just 3-5 minutes, I get information, encouragement and something to think about.

For instance, this week I read this nugget:

“People who are great at what they do are willing to invest in their abilities, willing to sweat, even willing to look foolish. They may get complimented on being a "natural," but they know natural ability doesn't begin to tell the whole story.”

That sounds like a media specialist to me!

Click here and look at the top right corner of the page to find out how to subscribe to Gina’s newsletter. You’ll thank me for it!

Quotable!

“You should never read just for “enjoyment.” Read to make yourself smarter! Less judgmental! More apt to understand your friends’ insane behavior, or better yet, your own! Pick “hard books.” Ones you have to concentrate on while reading. And…don’t let me ever hear you say, “I can’t read fiction. I only have time for the truth.” Fiction is the truth, fool! Ever hear of “literature”? That means fiction, too.”

John Waters, Writer, Author, Actor, et.al.

Encouraging reading – from 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes – Getting the Work Done

29. Recruit and TRAIN volunteers to help with checkout, shelving, website, checking in orders. Whether you call them Media Moms or just helpers, they need to feel confident that they know what they are doing and that it is important work. You MUST train regular volunteers, if you hope to retain them. You also must appreciate them and let them know that you do.

A well trained, appreciated volunteer who feels that she is making a difference is an UNBELIEVABLE asset and can be an amazing advocate for you. Principals listen to parents, and media moms can be passionate friends of your library.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Really Truly Thankful

November 10, 2016

If you are new to us or have missed any previous issues, you can read them all at www.smartlibrarians.com. And, please; tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

It’s November!

Quotable!

Getting the Work Done!

Looking Ahead!

It’s November

Leaves are falling, the election is over, and ALL those holidays are looming large on the horizon. Like every other kid I knew growing up, I have always loved Christmas. But as I have gotten older, I have started really enjoying Thanksgiving more and more. Partly because of the food, largely because of the family, but MOSTLY because it reminds me and others I know to be thankful. Thankful for people who mean so much to me, for opportunities to discover and grow, for simple things and complicated – and for contemplating things that go unnoticed or underappreciated for much of the rest of the year.

One of those things I am really grateful for is a love for reading and the ability to do so – whether I am reading directions, the new Jack Reacher novel, super hero books to my grandson, or a blog about library work. Being a reader has made my life (and, I suspect, yours!) so much richer. And it is pretty awesome to be a part of a team of people who spend much of their lives instilling that love in others. Thanks for letting me play!

And keep up the good work!

Quotable!

“We don’t need to have just one favorite book. We keep adding favorites. Our favorite book is always the book that speaks most directly to us at a particular stage in our lives. And our lives change. We have other favorites that give us what we most need at that particular time. But we never lose the old favorites. They’re always with us. We just sort of accumulate them.” — Lloyd Alexander, Newbery Winner

Encouraging reading – from 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes – Getting the Work Done

I saw a bumper sticker that said “What I need is more time, more money, and less $%#@&* from you people!” There never seems to be enough time or money to get the work done and many media specialists have lost hours and personnel, and some have even been moved to the classroom for part of the day. Here’s one way to make the best of the situation.

28. Get substitute teachers to come and help in the Media Center during planning period. If you have two subs per day who will help for 30 minutes per day, you will get 5 hours of help each week. If you have set tasks for them to do so that you don’t have to stop and tell them/show them what you want, it becomes a time saver, not a burden. Once subs get the hang of it, you have help every day! Since some of your subs are also parents at your school, you can begin training media center volunteers!

Looking Ahead to Spring and the End of the Year

“Teacher In-Service Training” – many times, that phrase strikes worry and concern in the heart of the media specialist. The county or your local school provides learning opportunities for classroom teachers and so that it won’t be unfair, you have to attend. What if there were sessions designed just for media specialists? Would THAT make the time more worthwhile?

I can help. Check out the topics I offer at little or no cost to groups of media specialists at www.tommyjohnspresents.com/tjp/teachers/. I’d love to come to your district or regional training event and be a part of your professional development!

Let me know how I can help! See you next week!

Encouraging kids to read, I am
Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist

PS – Don’t forget to share this newsletter and blog with your colleagues!

Thursday, November 3, 2016

You Probably Already Do this, but…

November 3, 2016

If you are new to us or have missed any previous issues, you can read them all at www.smartlibrarians.com. And please tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

You Probably Already Do this, but…

Quotable!

Experiences are WAY Better!

All Aboard the Arctic Express!

You Probably Already Do this, but…

There are lots of websites and social media sites that can help you in your work as a media specialist. One that you probably already take part in is Pinterest. In addition to cake recipes and gardening tips, there are hundreds of media specialists sharing their great ideas about encouraging reading, getting the administrative part of the job done and THIS ONE about an easy to set up, low tech MAKER SPACE! Click here to check it out!

Quotable!

One of the best ways to help a child learn empathy is through great stories. I love this quote from Joyce Carol Oates.

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.”

Joyce Carol Oates, American writer

Encouraging reading – from 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes – Encouraging Reading

10. Reward readers with EXPERIENCES, not just stuff. EX. Lunch in the Library, first checkout of new books, or allow a hold on a favorite series. People remember the things they DO and EXPERIENCE longer than they remember the STUFF that they get. So why not give your kids experiences! Going to a show, going first in line, being the first one to checkout a new book, having lunch with YOU – all these things man a lot more than a plastic rainbow colored Slinky shaped like a book!

All Aboard the Arctic Express!

There are still several open dates in December for this fun and educationally significant program! Arctic Express looks like a magic show that tells a story about a boy who loves trains, but it is really a reading assembly program that teaches your students about winter holidays that are celebrated around the world. Your students can join the hundreds of audiences who have experienced this one of a kind program. To find out more, click here to go to the website, or hit reply and say “Tell me more!”

Let me know how I can help! See you next week!

Encouraging kids to read, I am
Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist

PS – Don’t forget to share this newsletter and blog with your colleagues!