Yes, Virginia, there is a Sesame Street... (LC submission one)
Thinking about different places in my neighbourhood/community brings me back to watching Sesame Street. I am taken back to my childhood; going to the public library with my mum, brothers and sisters. I loved it there!!
During elementary school, library time was my favourite. I loved sitting on the steps built into the corner of the library, listening to Mrs. Marwood reading a favourite story. The polyester swishing of her pants suit was the only sound that could be heard other than the turning of pages.
Fast forward thirty years - my favourite place to take my kids was the St. Albert Public Library. The best EVER summer reading program filled the back storage areas of the library and involved the whole community; high school students to seniors. I would sing the Sesame Street "people in my neighbourhood" (Click here if you need to hear it) song to my kids on our long walk to the library.
Now, those three little kids in the stroller are growing up and moving away. Where am I drawn? The library, of course. I am now working as a Teacher Librarian in a K-8 French Immersion school library and couldn't be happier. What I want to do is help grow a Library Learning Commons Community.
This is my very first blog but I hope to turn this into a space where I can collect my ideas, share resources and offer support in the best way possible. There will, of course, be a recipe corner. After all, what better way to build community than through the sharing of food?
One of the first obstacles in our library was to tackle the on-going library software management system. It is, unfortunately, not adequate for the needs of a large French Immersion library. My job share partner has been trying to get a different system for several years, with no success. September saw the two of us present our concerns to all teachers. I brought cake and cookies. It was not intentional bribery, however, an announcement of "treats in the library at recess" sure lures teachers in a hurry! (Similar to getting parents to a PAC meeting by posting an agenda including discussion of condom machines in washrooms!)
We still do not have a new software system, but we do have coffee, tea and treats in the library every Friday at recess. It is an opportunity for teachers to come and "check out" some of our new books and enjoy the opportunity to connect with other teachers and staff, many of whom they never see since there are varying bell schedules.
It is my goal through the Teacher Librarianship course I am taking to discuss and focus upon how I will work toward creating a vibrant and welcoming Library Learning Commons Community.
It's not all about the books, technology and system management software; it is also about people, relationship building and feeling safe and supported.
Fast forward thirty years - my favourite place to take my kids was the St. Albert Public Library. The best EVER summer reading program filled the back storage areas of the library and involved the whole community; high school students to seniors. I would sing the Sesame Street "people in my neighbourhood" (Click here if you need to hear it) song to my kids on our long walk to the library.
Now, those three little kids in the stroller are growing up and moving away. Where am I drawn? The library, of course. I am now working as a Teacher Librarian in a K-8 French Immersion school library and couldn't be happier. What I want to do is help grow a Library Learning Commons Community.
This is my very first blog but I hope to turn this into a space where I can collect my ideas, share resources and offer support in the best way possible. There will, of course, be a recipe corner. After all, what better way to build community than through the sharing of food?
One of the first obstacles in our library was to tackle the on-going library software management system. It is, unfortunately, not adequate for the needs of a large French Immersion library. My job share partner has been trying to get a different system for several years, with no success. September saw the two of us present our concerns to all teachers. I brought cake and cookies. It was not intentional bribery, however, an announcement of "treats in the library at recess" sure lures teachers in a hurry! (Similar to getting parents to a PAC meeting by posting an agenda including discussion of condom machines in washrooms!)
We still do not have a new software system, but we do have coffee, tea and treats in the library every Friday at recess. It is an opportunity for teachers to come and "check out" some of our new books and enjoy the opportunity to connect with other teachers and staff, many of whom they never see since there are varying bell schedules. It is my goal through the Teacher Librarianship course I am taking to discuss and focus upon how I will work toward creating a vibrant and welcoming Library Learning Commons Community.
It's not all about the books, technology and system management software; it is also about people, relationship building and feeling safe and supported.
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