Really Truly Thankful

November 10, 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:

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!

www.TommyJohnsPresents.com 
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com 
Call 770-315-3339 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
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