Group items tagged

In July, 2011, the AASL Board approved the Position Statement on Labeling Books with Reading Levels. The AASL position statement defines standard directional spine labels and compares them to reading level labels (associated with computerized reading programs) as they are often applied in school libraries. The statement also offers suggestions for concerned librarians to be aware not only of the possible negative effects of these  labels on children as they browse, but also offers suggestions for voicing those concerns. There are proponents and opponents to how computerized reading programs are implemented in schools and their effects on school library collections and students' free access to books of their choice.  A school librarian (name withheld) shares this story of how labels affect students' choices in her school. "Recently I helped a student who came to me while his class was in the library browsing. As the librarian of a middle school library, I often see situations such as this one. The boy had been most recently reading about George Washington and Ben Franklin. His class assignment that day was to checkout two computerized reading program books within his tested reading level and thus was "allowed" only one free choice book. "But I'd rather not have to check out labeled books and there are some books I'd like today that don't have the dots or reading level labels on the backs of the books. Does that mean Ican't check them out?" he asks me. The boy went on to say that he'd rather be allowed to check out three books on his favorite non-fiction topics, regardless of reading level. As he expresses his frustration, he lowers his voice and moves toward a corner of the library where there are no other students. "I'm a pretty good reader," he said quietly, "and I really like reading about the American Revolution. But I have to stay within a certain range. I can't find many books in my reading level that are really interest

Free games to reinforce the usage and spelling of contractions.

"A research-based approach to reading intervention, The Book Buddy Hear & Read program pairs print content with audio, using the accessible, enabling technology of the GoReader™. Pre-loaded with audio, simple to operate, and affordable. Individualize instruction, despite overcrowded classrooms. Self-driven support, through simple technology, scaffolds instruction while building confidence. Hear & Read helps students develop phonemic awareness and fluency by synchronizing the image of a word with the sound of that word, and ultimately, the meaning of that word. Tablets and smart phones are amazing multi-function units. You can take photos, watch movies, surf the web, and play Angry Birds(c). The GoReader™ has one function: to support a striving reader without distractions. This simple, personal, educational tool is priced so that every student has access. The best solution for striving readers is the one that helps them learn to read - period."

400 high interest titles from Teenreads.com. Consider for inclusion in summer reading lists or for a reading incentive program.

Register & Read Beta is a new, experimental program to offer free, read-online access to individual scholars and researchers who register for a MyJSTOR account. Register & Read follows the release of the Early Journal Content as the next step in our efforts to find sustainable ways to extend access to JSTOR, specifically to those not affiliated with participating institutions.

Debate on traditional vs. digital reading continues.

Let me be right up front about this: I am primarily sharing the good ideas of other far smarter people that I could ever pretend to be. Some primary sources for this list include: ■Beaman, Anita and Amy Obert. Reading 2.0 website ■Ludwig, Sarah "Going Beyond the BookTalk: Breathing New Life Into Book Programming with Technology" ■Valenza, Joyce. Reading 2.0 slide show I only steal from the best. So here we go. Johnson's Top Ten...

"In order to make this program grow, students will have to take a role in terms of creating and managing their badges. Of course, we will be there to guide the students, but it will require students to be a little more creative with their time in the library. We feel this will be a positive program to help student learn time management skills, as well as increase their reading throughout the school year."

Great way to help teens find the right read. There are many ways to modify the event and make it something you can do anytime classes come in to select a book.

School Library Staffing & PSSA Reading & Writing Scores From Assessing the Infrastructure Needs of 21st Century School Library Programs A National Leadership Grant research project

addthis_pub = 'ALAMarketing'; 152 pages6" x 9"SoftcoverISBN-13: 978-0-8389-0886-0Year Published: 2004Libraries eager to serve the underserved teen-to-twenty-year-old market can make the library a cool place to hang out. All it takes are zines, according to the author, young adult librarian Julie Bartel. Zines and alternative press materials provide a unique bridge to appeal to disenfranchised youth, alienated by current collections.For librarians unfamiliar with the territory, or anxious to broaden their collection, veteran zinester Bartel establishes the context, history, and philosophy of zines, then ushers readers through an easy, do-it-yourself guide to creating a zine collection, including both print and electronic zines. While zines have their unique culture, they are also important within broader discussions of intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights.Teen and young adult librarians, high school media specialists, and academic, reference, and adult services librarians will uncover answers to questions aboutthis new and growing literary genre:What is a zine and how does a library zine collection work?What are the pros and cons of having a zine collection in the library?When promoting zines, what appeals to patrons and non-library users alike?What is the best way to catalog and display?Where can libraries get zines and how much do they cost?Bartel shares these lessons and more from a major urban library zine collection, as well as a comprehensive directory of zine resources in this one-stop, one-of-a-kind guide.Table of ContentsFiguresPreface Part I: Philosophy, Arguments, and Background1. Welcome to the World of Zines 2. Zine Culture 101 3. Intellectual Freedom, the Library Bill of Rights, and Zines 4. To Collect or Not to Collect: The Whys and Wherefores 5. The Salt Lake City Public Library Zine Collection Part II: Zine Collections: A Do-It-Yourself Guide6. Getting Started 7. What Do You Do with Them Once You've Got Them

"This defines a new role for librarians as database experts and teachers, while the library becomes a place for learning about sophisticated search for specialized information." "How do we make information as useful as possible to our community now and over a long period of time?"

What an awe-inspiring professional development program.

The Seattle Public Library launched the 2013 Summer Reading Program by setting a new world record for the longest book domino chain!