Smart Librarians

September 25, 2014

Greetings!

Every Other 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, a Common Core implementation idea and a shameless plug for the programs I offer.  Enjoy! 

If you are new to EOT 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:

Something to Smile About – from two VERY different authors

Promote Reading – Promote the work of the media center!

Common Core – Change is tough!

BONUS - Retailers with Teacher discounts

Shameless Plug

Library Quote/Smile

“Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.”  

Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women

“Read! When your baby is finally down for the night, pick up a juicy book like Eat, Pray, Love or Pride and Prejudice or my personal favorite, Understanding Sleep Disorders: Narcolepsy and Apnea; A Clinical Study. Taking some time to read each night really taught me how to feign narcolepsy when my husband asked me what my “plan” was for taking down the Christmas tree.”

Tina Fey, author of BossyPants

Promote Reading – from 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes

1. Post your stats and update them every week or so. From an office supply store, get a sign board with changeable letters (right) and share at least the following information:

SO FAR THIS YEAR, WE HAVE CHECKED OUT

765 items to staff

2,376 items to students

3,141 Total checkouts

This is a 17% increase over last year!

Way to go, Bobcats!

Remember, she who tooteth not her own horn, the same shall not be tooted! We MUST self-promote. The work of the media center is too important to be passive!

Common Core Tip

I found this excellent article to be a good reminder during the first week of fall: http://www.devstu.org/blogs/common-core-tip-53-change-is-hard

Below is my “Readers’ Digest Condensed Version” of the article. Take a few minutes and read the entire article for yourself, soon!

Remember, change is hard. Even after a lot of information, training and exploration, many of your teachers are still struggling with new ways of doing what they have always done. And Common Core is more than just a different set of standards or curriculum. In many ways it is about changing the mindsets of the teachers AND the learners. Don’t be discourage if you (and your colleagues) don’t have CCS firmly in your grasp. And finding a kind, non-threatening way to remind your administrators and school board about this would probably benefit ALL involved – students, staff and leadership. It’s a process and even for those who are excited about the new way of doing things, it will take time.

BONUS - Retailers with Teacher discounts

Susan Grigsby found this article from @TeachThought and shared it so you could share it with your teachers!

http://www.teachthought.com/industry/90-retailers-offer-teacher-discounts/

Shameless Plug

What is your theme for the school year? Chances are I can customize a show to fit your theme. Give me a call or send an e-mail and ask about how I can increase awareness of your theme and encourage your students to read!

Here’s what your colleagues have to say about the programs I offer:

“You were so easy to work with.  You did exactly what you said you would do.  You were prepared and on time!  Awesome!”

Betsy Simmons, Media Specialist

Oglethorpe Point Elementary

St. Simon’s Island, GA

(I never realized what a big deal it is to be “prepared and on time” or “easy to work with” until so many clients started telling me their stories about other performers, and making similar comments on their feedback forms.  I thought those things were the baseline.  I had no idea that just doing these simple things would set me apart from the competition!  TJ)

Let me know how I can help! See you in two weeks!

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

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

www.TommyJohnsPresents.com 
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com
Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
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