L.L.L4L.L.L.

It's time to sing a new song Mr Garrett.

2012-02-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

The Hub posted:

National Year of Reading demands action on school libraries

"Considering the list of the things the Federal Government can do, as it has in the past and is doing now, to influence educational policy and programs in Australia" > What do you think is the most important thing that the Federal Government could do to address this issue?

Further Reading

How to Encourage Students to Read

A wiki full of wonderful library resources

2012-01-29T02:26:00.001-08:00

Have you checked out http://schoollibrarywebsites.wikispaces.com/ ?
There is so much to explore!! :)

2012 National Year of Reading for under 12's

2012-01-28T19:18:00.000-08:00

Have you seen: Are We There Yet? the National Year of Reading program for under 12s

This will be a fun, educational activity for #under_12s and their families. We're basing it on Alison Lester's book "Are We There Yet?", which tells the story of her family's #journey around #australia in a camper van. Review by CMIS

screenshot

NYR will be running a #national_competition for primary age children to tell us about their home town or a special place they have visited in Australia. They can upload a postcard or a letter with a drawing or photo to our website and the competition will move around the country on a month by month basis, beginning in the Northern Territory in February 2012 and ending in Victoria.
And Are We There Yet? provides all kinds of opportunities for creative reading events at a local level, in addition to the national competition.

NYR will be loading information about the children's program for Are We There Yet? tour and competition soon.

Educational tools and activities
Penguin Educational Notes These wonderful educational notes for Alison Lester's Are We There Yet? from Penguin are available from their education centre free of charge - just remember to give appropriate recognition to Penguin when using them.

Further Reading

Alison Lester -biography
Are We There Yet? Teaching Challenges blog-Penny Ryder

Alison Lester - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Are We There Yet? -NT DET

Reflection worth taking time to think through.

2011-11-21T02:00:00.001-08:00

Things to think about

More PowerPoint presentations from Joyce Valenza

Is this what is going to happen to your library?

2011-11-17T00:52:00.001-08:00

Sad times...students are losers.

New library 'without a librarian'

2011-11-17T00:15:00.001-08:00

I received this update because I registered..... You, too, can register to receive the updates.

"Share with others

We’re really enjoying the lead up to the National Year of Reading and we hope you are too. Please feel free to share this email with other organisations and encourage them to register with the National Year of Reading and get involved http://www.love2read.org.au/registration.cfm

Thank you for registering with the National Year of Reading and helping us spread the word about the importance of literacy. This is just a short email to give you some information that may assist you with your promotion of the National Year of Reading. Please let me know if you would like any further information on any of the below items or any other areas.

Wiki

Did you know that we have a wiki full of resources and information for reading professionals? We’ve included resources on the wiki that we think will help you to get the most out of 2012. www.love2read2012.wikispaces.com

These resources include:

· National Year of Reading - Key messages – www.love2read2012.wikispaces.com/file/view/KeymessagesOctober2011.pdf

· National Year of Reading literacy factsheet

· Information about merchandise

· Logos, logo information (such as PMS colours) and logo use ideas such as the A3 pull up banner available from Office Works (costing around $25-$30)

· Ideas for events

· Funding application templates – to assist you with any applying for grants with government and other organisations

· Media information and resources

· Collateral such as flyers and posters

· Information and resources for all of our national programs (these will be available as we launch each program. At this stage, collateral and information is available for Our Story only)

Media clippings and Newsletter stories

Have you or your organisation appeared in your local or state media (newspapers, newsletters, magazines, websites etc)? If so, can you send me a copy of the clipping torobyn@thelibraryagency.org.au and we’ll include it in our reports back to government. We’re also writing a monthly e-newsletter and would love to have stories to include. Our latest newsletter is available at http://www.love2read.org.au/library/files/NYRNewsletter%2018October2011.pdf. If you haven’t had a chance, you can subscribe to our newsletters at www.love2read.org.au (on the right hand side)

Entertainment Store characters

The Entertainment Store is giving libraries a fabulous 50% discount on their characters (see attached form). Imagine having Mr Bump or Angelina Ballerina at one of your events next year!

Good Reading Magazine – content and advertising

Good Reading Magazine is offering a fabulous discount to advertise for all libraries, bookstores and not for profits for the months of Feb and Aug 2012 – their 2 special National Year of Reading issues.

· Quarter Page - $415 (standard $1660)

· Third Page - $656 (standard $1875)

· Half Page - $920 (standard $2300)

· Full Page – 1300 (standard $3265)

Contact Tatyana Kovalyov, National Advertising Manager

tatyana@goodreadingmagazine.com.au or phone 02 8090 1051
www.goodreadingmagazine.com.au

Good Reading Magazine is also seeking stories for their magazine. Do you have any interesting things happening at your organisation for the 2012 National Year of Reading? Let Good Reading know about them and your organisation or story might be featured in Good Reading magazine during 2012!

Just email your story, no longer than 400 words, with any images to Rowena Cseh at editor@goodreadingmagazine.com.au (images need to be high resolution print quality - a minimum of 300 dpi resolution). Or feel free to email Rowena about any big ideas you might have.

Syba Signs

Syba Signs is excited to be involved in the National Year of Reading 2012 and is offering a new range of promotional resources to help you support the National Year of Reading campaign. As well as the banner series, we are releasing a range of window stickers and graphics, promotional and informational posters, bookmarks and library mats. Whether you are holding a National Year of Reading event, encouraging reading in your library or simply believe in reading for pleasure, brighten up your space today with this range of products. Let us help you discover and rediscover the joy of reading! See attached flyer or visit www.sybasigns.com.au/NYR2012.html"

from:

Robyn Ellard – Project Director

The Library Agency

GPO Box 1551, Melbourne VIC 3001

M: 0412 659 919 E: robyn@thelibraryagency.org.au

T: 1300 313 443, F: 1300 323 448, W: www.thelibraryagency.org.auhttp://www.angelinaballerina.com/au/news-events.asp

2012-Year of Reading -so close

2011-11-12T23:17:00.001-08:00

Bookstores and Libraries - Register soon!

Announced on September 30, 2011-so time is RUNNING OUT!!

There are some great benefits to be had by registering your library or bookstore with the National Year of Reading!

Registered outlets will hear about promotions, free, downloadable materials, and advance information about national events.

All you have to do is complete the registration form by 15 November 2011!

from National Year of Reading

Check out the news feed for more ways to be involved and informed.

You could also join them on twitter @love2read2012

Help promote the National Year of Reading by including the image below in your email signature:

Spreading the word.....

2011-11-12T18:20:00.001-08:00

AASL Librarian Image

View more presentations from wsstephens

Looking for the bestselling kids ebooks?

2011-11-12T18:06:00.001-08:00

Visit this website:

Kids' Ebook Bestsellers

For anyone who reads, writes or buys children's fiction.

ARCHIVED KIDS' E-BOOK
BESTSELLER LISTS

TOP TEN BESTSELLING KIDS' E-BOOKSBY STORE

Have fun exploring!!

Join the celebrations -2011 Lady Cutler Award

2011-11-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia NSW Branch will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Lady Cutler Award on 15 November. This prestigious award commemorates the contribution to the CBCA NSW Branch by Lady Helen Cutler, wife of Sir Roden Cutler, Governor of NSW. She was Patron for many years and even after Sir Roden’s retirement, she continued until her death in 1990.

The Lady Cutler Award is presented annually for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature in New South Wales and is sponsored by Peribo.

The 2011 Award will honour children’s author Margaret Wild – ‘for her dedication to her craft and to her audience and for the important place she has in the history and development of Australian children’s picture books’.

Bookings are open for the dinner at the Menzies Hotel, Sydney: $75 for CBCA members/$85 for non-members. Phone: 02 98183858 or email: cbcansw@bigpond.com<mailto:cbcansw@bigpond.com>

Booking forms available here: http://nsw.cbca.org.au/userfiles/file/NSW/2011/Lady%20Cutler%20flyer.pdf

Researcher needs a little of your time...

2011-10-23T02:14:00.000-07:00

Tricia Kuon
Assistant Professor, Library Science needs your help

"I am doing some research on administrators' perceptions of the role of
the librarian and the impact of the librarian on student achievement. I am
surveying librarians and administrators to see what beliefs
administrators have about the importance of the librarian's position
in the school and I am surveying librarians to get an accurate report
about the many essential tasks they complete that are "secret" in
that they must be completed but they are unknown to students,
teachers, and administration. I have two separate links for two
surveys.

The administrator survey link is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JVGZKKH

The librarian survey link is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JVVLYLS

Please feel free to share these links with anyone in these positions
who might be willing to participate.

Thank you so much for your time,

Tricia Kuon
Assistant Professor, Library Science

College of Education
Sam Houston State University"

School Libraries: What's Now, What's Next, What's Yet to Come

2011-10-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

FREE ebook download now

School Libraries: What's Now, What's Next, What's Yet to Come

A crowdsourced collection of over 100 essays from around the world about trends in school libraries written by librarians, teachers, publishers, and library vendors.
Edited by Kristin Fontichiaro and Buffy Hamilton.
Foreword by R. David Lankes.
Photographs by Diane Cordell.

Listed below are some other articles I had bookmarked on the future of school libraries for those interested.

DesignShare: Imagining the Future of the School Library

The Changing Role of the Teacher-Librarian in the Twenty-first Century

Should We Shrink Wrap Our School Libraries? | Powerful Learning Practice

Shelf Consumed: What does a 21st century school library look like?

My iCentre presentation at SLAV’s Future School Library Scenarios conference |

Doug Johnson Website - dougwri - Are Libraries Heading Toward Extinction?

Hybrid synergy – more on the future of school libraries « HeyJude

Teacher Librarian- Teacher of the Year Award!!

2011-10-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

Wonderful to read that Mark Ray is the 2012 Washington State Teacher of the Year. He is a teacher librarian and instructional technology facilitator at Skyview High School in Vancouver. Ray has led his school in piloting an initiative called BYOD or "bring your own device," which helps students and teachers make educational use of any kind of gadget they bring from home, including cellphones and game systems.

"Getting to the truth has never been harder than it is today. The loss of libraries, teacher librarians and the ascendance of truthiness fundamentally hurts our nation. We are losing the expertise, resources and skills necessary to be informed voters and citizens. This is not about politics. All corners of the political and cultural debate contribute to our factually impaired fog. This is about fundamentally preparing our young people to be successful in work, college and life." Read more of his comments.

Considering the comments below and the fact that there are very few TLs in this State...Could it be that by innovating and evolving has kept him in his job?

"He reinvented himself and his job at the same time." said Skyview Principal Kym Tyelyn-Carlson.
"So proud to finally see one of my fellow teacher librarians honored in such a way. Perhaps this will bring awareness to the ways in which teacher librarians prepare students by teaching Information Literacy Skills -- evaluating websites for accuracy and currency, recognizing bias in both print and digital media, accessing information for multiple sources and and making sense of it, respecting copyright and intellectual property rights; the list goes on and on. Only with these skills in their "tool kit" can students become productive members of a democratic society and not sheep following blindly the ranting of FauxNews and their ilk." Information Sorceress October 4

"My God! We haven't laid off the last librarian yet? Surprising news." soy_bobo October 4

"Fantastic. Congratulations to a colleague, who teachers, manages a budget, orders when there is a budget, reads constantly, teaches students and teachers, keeps up to date on technology. We librarians are information brokers and ESSENTIAL to the successes, both in college and career, of our students. We touch every single student in our schools. We are irreplaceable. Now, state of Washington, restore our funding!" Kathryn H. October 4

Comments: Vancouver teacher librarian named 2012 Washington Teacher of the Year

Vancouver high school librarian WA teacher of year

Wouldn't it be fabulous if Mark Ray went on to win the National Teacher of the Year Award? With his opportunities to create a greater awareness for the importance of the role would there be a chance that there would be a restoration of funding? I would love to believe so... What do you think?

I wonder how many other educators have introduced BYOD programs, or similar, into their schools and learning institutions. Have you? Maybe the article below may help you see some of the benefits of introducing them. Click on the link to read it.

Mobile phones and authentic learning tasks

"Dr Jan Herrington, explores the use of mobile phones as powerful ‘cognitive tools', where students’ phones can be used to research, produce and publish polished products of learning. Jan is Professor of Education at Murdoch University, and she discusses here some strategies for the design of innovative learning activities and tasks for mobile devices, using authentic learning principles, where whole units of study or projects can be designed around complex and engaging tasks." from edtalks.org

Sad sign of the times? or What the * ?

2011-10-19T03:19:00.000-07:00

An advertisement for a manager for a Queensland school library- with NO BOOKS!!

The school is looking for someone to open a digital library- expertise in digital systems, resources, learning and ICT.

Would you want your children to go to such a school?

A brief letter to the editor of the Courier Mail at http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/editorials/letters-form may help bring attention to this backward step.

(Letters must be short and may be edited. All letters to be considered for publication must have a name, street address and phone number so their authenticity can be checked.)

Another copy to the Principal of Tambourine Mountain College could make even more of an impact!!principal@tmc.qld.edu.au

The Hub: Campaign for Quality School Libraries in Australia

A Qualified TL in Every School. Sign our petition now. 3080 and climbing!:

My School Library site for parents

Teachers, Principals and Teacher Educators Connecting with Teacher Librarians

Get Parliamentarians to Support our School Library Service Declaration

Teacher librarians need your help to step up campaign.

2011-09-24T03:06:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a strong future as a TL ?

Please take a few minutes to help get action from the Inquiry recommendations. The Hub has plenty of suggestions of ways you can help support your chosen profession. Your time is up Peter Garrett.. . .It has now been over three months since the report on the federal Inquiry into school libraries and teacher librarians has been tabled in parliament.

_Let the Government know you care about school libraries and the education of future students!!_Visit The Hub Bookmarks for Garrett

Advocates fear that a parliamentary inquiry report into teacher librarians will be passed over in a busy parliament.

The report from the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment was tabled in May but has yet to be debated. Read more at: Teacher Librarians step up campaign-Education Review

What a difference a school library makes

The Australian Library and Information Association and Australian School Library Association have created this wiki to enable parents, students, teachers, and everyone else who is concerned about the state of school libraries, to find out more information about this highly topical issue and to join in the discussion.

NEW!! THE BOOKMARK CAMPAIGN

"There is an urgency to ‘make this noise’ as we only have a three week window of opportunity. The sending of the bookmark, which takes no more than 15 minutes to complete, needs to be undertaken by Monday 10 October 2011. Please encourage everyone you know, from any place in Australia, to send this bookmark. Everyone’s single act, together, will create the postal avalanche that is needed." stated Anne Girolami, on behalf of ALIA Schools

THE BOOKMARK CAMPAIGN - CLICK HERE
ACT NOW DEADLINE 10 OCTOBER 2011

Bookmark templates are available at the ASLA/ALIA

campaign wiki

Work together for the common good.

2011-09-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

In "United we stand or do we?" Jude O'Connell asks many very important questions of teacher librarians.
Where do you stand? Is your local or state group promoting the national needs of teacher librarians?
We need to work together. IT IS TIME!!
Please help to encourage the Government to table the report: School Libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australia.
It would be so sad to have all the effort that went in to arranging the report, developing the 380 + submissions, the interviews conducted by the Inquiry committee all over Australia and the hours and hours of discussions and formulations of the final report.....and then NOT get it tabled!! We need it tabled and the recommendations undertaken.

ALIA Schools Group - What a difference a school library makes campaign - next action

Anne Girolami, ALIA Schools Convenor wrote to ALIA School Group members encouraging them and all their associates and friends to push for the "School libraries and teacher librarians in 21^st century Australia Report" to be tabled in Parliament.

We have been advised that we need to make a louder noise for the Report be placed on the Parliamentary agenda. It is vital that the office of the Minister on Education and Employment takes notice of our concern. Therefore this next action, in the campaign, is to post a bookmark to Canberra.
What do you need to do? Simply print the file below. It contains a template of the bookmark and a letter explaining the reason for this action. Follow the instructions provided in the letter making sure youinclude your signature and address. Unsigned bookmarks will not be recognised by the Minister’s office. Feel free to use colour paper or to add some colour to the text. Please do not change the words.
There is an urgency to ‘make this noise’ as we only have a three week window of opportunity. The sending of the bookmark, which takes no more than 15 minutes to complete, needs to be undertaken by Monday 10 October 2011.
We strongly urge you to post the bookmark and to encourage everyone you know, from any place in Australia, to send it too. Everyone’s single act, together, will create the postal avalanche which is needed. Please give some of your valuable time to do this.

You can also help by choosing to ‘like’ the Facebook page
ASLA What a difference a school library makes.

Reading Lists Galore

2011-09-08T01:42:00.000-07:00

If you are ever looking for lists of books on any topic....
Check out ATN Reading Lists.
ATN Reading Lists was started in 1996 as part of a librarian collaborative project, All Together Now, begun by Dale Copps
Book Lists has grown significantly since its birth in 1996 and now there are approximately 1,400 lists on the site! AMAZING!
Their "original goal of a librarian collaborative is finally a reality. By using Wikispaces, the lists can be updated, added to, deleted from, corrected, etc., by librarians all over the world. How exciting is that!!"
It includes pages such as:
Authors
Focused Reading Skills
Genre
Online Videos
Professional Reading
Read Alikes
Read Alouds
Readership Targeted Lists
School Subjects
Themes
Values
Thanks to Steph Westwood on Maang for alerting me to this terrific resource.

Future Ready?? Is your library?

2011-08-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yale 2011

View more presentations from Stephen Abram
"Stephen Abram is ably capable of providing tips and techniques for strategic thinking and innovation in libraries. He has visited hundreds of libraries in many different countries and is uniquely positioned to spark ideas and insights to the listeners of this blog."

Have you visited or used the resources from the NSW Teachers Federation Library

2011-08-27T04:14:00.000-07:00

NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION LIBRARY

23-33 Mary St, Surry Hills 2010 Locked Bag 3010 Darlinghurst NSW 1300
Ph 02 9217 2113
Fax 02 9217 2481
Email library@nswtf.org.au

Web

Catalogue

OPENING HOURS
Mon - Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Council Saturday 10 am - 1.30 pm

Have you started incorporating e-books into your library yet?

2011-08-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

Dianne McKenzie, a teacher librarian in Hong Kong, shares in her blog post:

E-Books - the decision has been made

"Wheelers is catering to the school library market, which means their product is affordable, they supply records through SCIS and the platform can be accessed through the library OPAC AND the website - hoorah! We can also add other documents to the platform such as student work, Gutenberg texts and other ebooks we purchase through non excrypted means (not amazon purchases). If we decide we do not want to use their platform any more, we still own the books, but we need to transfer them to another DRM platform to retain access. Wheelers has everything I was looking for in an ebook platform at an affordable price."

Wheelers ePlatform

The ePlatform is an eBook library lending platform that facilitates the secure lending of eBook titles purchased by a library.
Once your ePlatform is established, login to the Wheelers website using your account details and purchase titles in the usual way. Following purchase the titles will appear instantly in your library’s ePlatform – ready for lending.....Wheelers uses DRM. DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. DRM is encryption technology used to protect the copyright of titles lent to library members. The DRM stops a title from being shared, copied, printed and is required by the publishers who provide the titles.

Sounds great to me.
What about you and your library? Are you ready to expand your services to include e-books? Have you chosen a different provider?

Are you looking for answers?

2011-08-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

Marion Silk from ASLA shares: Over the past few months. there have been questions & discussions on this listserv about e-books, digital literacy, Clickview & alternatives, the future of print resources, student research needs - to name but a few.

You can get ANSWERS, TALK to representatives & see DEMONSTRATIONS of many programs and solutions at the Trade Exhibition at ASLA XXII Conference....ALL IN THE ONE PLACE!!

Here is a brief selection of what will be available:

Q. Will you launch into e-books and how can you manage a growing digital collection ?

n Access-It: Web-based management of e-books and digital material; which integrates seamlessly with SCIS; ClickView; Active Directory and LDAP; Single Sign On; automated emailing; texting, and many others

n Softlink : A suite of advanced library and information management including Integrated Library Management Solutions, reference and research tools used by thousands of schools across Australia, U.S., NZ & UK.

n Readcloud: The World’s first social eReading software platform designed for educators, We provide education institutions with a digital distribution mechanism for eBooks.

n Wheelers: a comprehensive library supplier with an active database of over 10 million books. Experience the first eBook platform that has been developed, and priced, specifically for school libraries.

Q. Which delivery platform for digital resources would best suit your school?

n Clickview: combines innovative digital video software and a digital video library and it allows any number of students to view digital video, at any time, at their own pace, using a school's existing computer and network infrastructure

n DVC: DVC technology backbone provides educators and students with access to the ultimate in multimedia educational experiences, along with the ability to integrate with and utilise other learning platforms such as on-line learning management systems. In addition to providing a vast library of content, including over 10,000 educational videos, study guides etc pre-loaded on the DVC system, DVC gives you the tools to continue to grow and manage your library, often for free.

Q. Where can you go for quality print books to support the new curriculum?

n Macmillan: one of the leading educational publishers in Australia, with a vigorous publishing program catering to the needs of Primary and Secondary schools by producing a quality range of Library, Literacy, Digital, Text and Teacher Resource Books.

n The Booklegger: Supporting school librarians with curriculum related library books for over 30 years.

Q. Which packages will best support your students’ research needs?

n Britannica Digital Learning: Through each of the age-appropriate resources, Britannica provides instructional and research content that will fit the needs of every user from one simple access point.

n EBSCO Publishing: Through a collection of tens of thousands of magazines, books, newspapers and various other publication types from renowned publishers, EBSCO Publishing serves the content needs of all school students and staff.

n Library Webs: Online educational research service providing an Internet Library of approximately 80,000 carefully selected links. Students using LW have immediate access to authoritative Internet resources and are able to stay focused on their learning outcomes

n World Book Forward Learning: Schools and libraries around the world consider World Book products to be a vital resource, providing valuable, accurate and up-to-date reference information in all communication mediums: print and online.

Q. What is happening with reading, literacy & children’s literature?

n National Year of Reading 2012: linking together all the great things that are already happening around books, reading and literacy, and giving them an extra boost, with inspirational programs and events taking place across the country. Find out what is happening…..

n AUSTLIT/QUT: AustLit is a collaboration between the National Library of Australia and a network of Australian Universities, including Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Get ANSWERS

at the Trade Exhibition

ASLA XXII Conference

2-5 October, 2011

http://www.asla.org.au/pd/conference/

Feeling overwhelmed......?

2011-08-17T03:11:00.000-07:00

Feeling overwhelmed by the expectations and demands made upon Teacher Librarians and school libraries? Do you still have to remind others about your unique role in teaching and learning? Looking to re-focus and reinforce your instructional role as a TEACHER librarian?

Then we have some sessions & workshops for YOU!

For example: Quality Teaching, Research skills for students; Wide reading programs for the middle school; Using ICT and collaborative teaching with your colleagues, Providing new professional development opportunities to enhance Quality Teaching in your school…..

Register today for ASLA XXII and be informed and inspired…

Mrs Margie Wallin, Southern Cross University

What your teacher librarian can do for you!
Student teachers often lack opportunity and/or encouragement to visit school libraries while on placement. Local teacher librarians and principals have collaborated with Southern Cross University Library to produce a series of videoclips, showcasing what school libraries and teacher librarians can offer. The clips are now available to share.

Ms Jackie C Hawkes

The ABCs of L=PAALs : Learning = People + Attitudes + Atmosphere+Libraries

School libraries are in the people and learning business. Jackie’s library “learning zoo” has always succeeded in creating a supportive and energizing place where learning is shared, valued, promoted and expected for each individual learner. This session summarizes an ABCs approach of some of the practical methods she has used in her library to connect People, Attitudes and Atmosphere to promote effective Learners.

Kerry Pope, William Clarke College, Kellyville, NSW

A Touch of Humour! Captivating students through the GiggleIT Project

Come and learn about GiggleIT! See how we have successfully implemented the GiggleIT Project, an initiative of IASL, with Year 5 and 6 students as part of our library program at William Clarke College. Involvement in this new, exciting, online project based on humour has given the students a reason to read, research, discover, discuss, write, reflect, communicate with others and publish their work. Working closely with class teachers provides opportunities to assess, evaluate and modify the program as necessary. The extensive use of technology and the strong international focus is appealing to all students. They can’t wait to get to library lessons!

Mrs Stacey Taylor, Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College, NSW

Tools to support senior research

A hands-on workshop designed to explore the myriad of tools available to share with senior students to use on their research journey during their final years of school. We'll look at online tools like Zotero and Evidence Chart which help students organise their thoughts and their resources.

Ms Nerelie Teese, Rosstrevor Middle School, Brighton Grammar School, VIC

Introducing and establishing a wide reading program in the middle years of schooling

This presentation outlines a Wide Reading Program and details its introduction to English classes in the middle years of schooling. Some challenges encountered in the introduction and establishment of this program are also discussed. The evolution of formats for collection and presentation of evidence based data are also outlined

Mrs. Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, NSW

Guided Inquiry: does it work?

Guided Inquiry is one of the keys to establishing the elusive collaboration that teacher librarians have been seeking for many years now. This presentation will essentially be an analysis of the learnings of a team of teachers and teacher librarians about Guided Inquiry as two inquiry units are planned, carried out and evaluated during 2011, with the aim of identifying what works and what doesn’t, and the organising principles behind Guided Inquiry, from the practitioners’ perspectives.

Greg Swanson, Marist College, Eastwood, NSW

Collaborative learning project: E-textbook

What do you do when a group of tech savvy students say a unit of work looks less than inviting. Couple this with a desire from the students to incorporate laptops into the learning dynamic. What develops is an innovative collaborative learning project that engages the students with their own learning; uses new and emerging technologies to motivate both staff and students; and culminates in an e-textbook that is both challenging and visually exciting.

Mrs Henrietta Miller, Roseville College, NSW

Reforming the face of teacher's professional development through the use of Twitter and Techie Brekkies

A session for teachers and leaders who may themselves comfortable with technology but who believe that it is time to foster a culture of personal professional development with the other staff in their schools. Learn how to inspire your staff, through the medium of Techie Brekkies.

-shared from Marion Silk from ASLA

Further sessions can be found on

the ASLA XXII Conference website

Follow us on Twitter @asla2011

or search the hashtag #ASLA2011

Register now -- http://www.asla.org.au/pd/conference/registration.htm

"There's no better time to be a TL...."

2011-08-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

AND .. there’s no better time to treat yourself professionally …!!

Be educated, motivated, inspired and uplifted…

Register for ASLA XXII today!! ……

Here are just a few examples of the many workshops available at the Conference:

Mrs Sharon McGuinness, Thirroul Public School, NSW
Innovative web2 tools for instruction and integration
Voki, storybird and photopeach are three web2 tools guaranteed to engage your students in their learning. In this workshop, participants will integrate the tools into an instructional unit of work for students. These tools can be used with both primary and secondary students.

Mrs Sue McKerracher, The Library Agency
National Year of Reading 2012
How are you going to use the National Year of Reading to put your school library centre stage in 2012? Tap into the great programs, fun events, media coverage and celebrity supporters, and let’s use this opportunity to help students discover and rediscover the joy of reading.

Mrs Henrietta Miller and Mrs Prudence Thomas, Roseville College, NSW
Communicating for the 21st century: using tools such as edmodo and student blogs to connect students with an authentic world wide audience
By using Edmodo, a secure forum together with personal student blogs, our students are?connecting and collaborating and so gaining a real world perspective together with an authentic audience for their work.

Ms Lisa Nash, Learning Exchange, Catholic Education, Diocese of Parramatta, NSW
Exploring iPads in learning and teaching
Students today consume, create and make sense of content via a range of mobile digital technologies. This workshop will discuss feedback from a classroom trial of iPads as well as exploring the innovative features the iPad and various Apps can play in enhancing and engaging students in learning.

Ruth Buchanan – Colo High School , NSW

Re-imaging your school library

Looking for fresh, practical, easy ideas to transform your library? While time and money may be limited, imagination is not. Starting tomorrow, how can you develop your 21st century school library as a quality learning space, a welcoming sanctuary, a positive and encouraging resource centre supporting your students and staff?

Ms Deborah Cohen, Australian Children's Television Foundation
My Place: a multimodal destination that brings to life Australian history
My Place (2008-1778): a multimodal destination that brings to life Australian history through the ‘eyes’ of children. It is a resource that traces the diversity of Australia and the many cultures that have enriched an Australian way of life.

Further sessions can be found on

the ASLA XXII Conference website

Payment by is accepted on the ASLA site.

The 2011 Worldwide Virtual Library Conference

2011-08-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Worldwide Virtual Library Conference

November 2 - 3

All Free

No transport costs No accommodation costs No time lost

  All Online in Blackboard Collaborate

Submit to present or to be kept informed at http://www.Library2011.com

To be kept informed of the latest conference news and updates, pleasejoin the Library 2.0 network.        Library 2.0

The call for presentations is now open and submissions are due by September 15. We are also looking for conference volunteers, commercial and non-commercial partners, and conference advisory panelmembers!

Electronic Resources for libraries

2011-08-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

Electronic Resources Australia (ERA) is a consortia for Australian libraries for collaborative purchasing of electronic resources.

ERA has negotiated subscription terms and conditions for the ERA Productson behalf of Australian libraries.

If you are from an Australian library, you can request a password so you can see pricing for products offered - send an email request to era@nla.gov.au. Once you have received a password and considered the pricing and vendor Head Deed agreements, contact the participating vendors to arrange a subscription.

For further information: http://era.nla.gov.au/

ERA Meeting in Perth - 19 September

ERA is holding a meeting for members and other interested representatives from Australian libraries at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (Perth) on Monday 19 September 2011.
We are delighted to welcome the following guest speakers:

Cheryl Hamill (Fremantle Hospital and Health Service)
Sandra Naude (St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls)
Gemma Lyons (State Library of Western Australia)

Other sessions include an update on the developments of Trove and a vendor panel with the following ERA vendors:

Gale Cengage Learning
Foward Learning (World Book)
RMIT Publishing (Informit)

A copy of the agenda is available on the ERA website.
Registrations are now open. If you are interested in attending, please register by 12 September 2011: attendance is free but places are limited.

ERA Review Committee - seeking your views on ERA

The ERA Executive Committee has appointed a Committee to review the operation and vision of ERA.
It is considered timely to undertake a review to ensure that ERA continues to benefit and meet the expectations of Australian libraries and continues to make progress towards its objectives for national licensing in the short and long term.
The members of the Review Committee are:

Judy Hanlen (TAFE NSW-Illawarra Institute)
Geoff Strempel (Public Libraries Network South Australia)
June Wall (Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview)
Diane Costello (CAUL)
Caryl Armstrong (SA Pathology).

The Review Committee is initially seeking submissions from representatives within the different library sectors.
Submissions should address one or more of the points below:

the benefits and impediments for libraries within your sector participating in ERA and suggestions for overcoming any barriers to participation in the short to medium term;
the appropriateness of the current ERA licence terms and product range (i.e. titles, format and categories) for your library and sector;
the meaning and value of national licensing for your library and sector, and how national or whole of sector licences (either externally funded or self funded) can be achieved through a consortia based approach;
the key priorities that ERA should focus on in the next 12-18 months (including any co-ordinated lobbying activities or collaborative initiatives); and
the most effective way to communicate and engage with your sector and other consortia.

Submissions should be forwarded to era@nla.gov.au by Monday, 12 September 2011.
More information about the ERA Review can be found on the ERA website.

Make sure the admins hear!!! "Times they are a changing..."

2011-08-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to embrace this manifesto?

Manifesto for 21st Century School Librarians

What librarians make. Or Why Should I be More than a Librarian?

READ from Ocoee Middle School

2011-08-02T03:12:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the new offering from Ococee Middle School to promote literacy?? Here's the TV report on the latest Oocee youtube effort - apparently this song is an original creation by the school!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdF9b8K2dYQ&feature=related Their new video:

I love how they have moved beyond their Black Eyed Peas version...to their own.....................which has updated reading through the inclusion of digital reading.

Congratulations to Susanne Gervay yet again!!

2011-07-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Barbara Braxton for bringing this to my attention:

"Susanne Gervay’s Always Jack has won the 2011 Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature."

This is the review Barbara Braxton posted last October ...

ALWAYS JACK

Susanne Gervay

Cathy Wilcox

Angus & Robertson, 2010

9780732290207

Jack’s back! Hero of I am Jack and Super Jack and his family, including Nanna (and her infamous purple underpants), are back in another story, this time dealing with a crisis that so many families face - breast cancer. Known for being the author who tackles the big issues, Susanne has drawn on her experiences as a breast cancer survivor to weave a story of how a family can receive such shattering news and then pull together to emerge stronger than ever.

The cover, by Cathy Wilcox, sets the scene perfectly. Jack is on his surfboard paddling on calm waters unaware of the big wave that has risen behind him and is about to come crashing down. His world, at the moment, consists of his scientific experiment with his ponto, his photography, his budding relationship with both Anna and soon-to-be brother Leo, and THE wedding between his mum and stepdad Rob. What happens when his mum receives the news after a routine mammogram makes for an intriguing and intimate look at this family’s relationships and you soon understand that this disease is a family problem, not just a mum problem.

Initially, in her innate bid to protect the children, Jack’s mum tells the children to keep it to themselves, not to worry and that she will be all right. But this is not what Jack and Samantha need to hear. They are worried, they need to tell their friends and they can clearly see mum is not all right so feel she is lying to them. They feel confused, powerless and shut out of this thing that is SO big that even the wedding is postponed. But Nanna has some remarkable advice that brings the family together and helps them endure the surgery and the subsequent radiation treatment so that it becomes almost a positive in their lives.

“Story gives children a voice”, Susanne says, “particularly in these sorts of circumstances. My job, as an educational psychologist and a storyteller is to give them that voice so that those around them know what they are thinking.” But this is not a sad , heavy book – Jack’s zany jokes, his life-changing project on Vietnam with his friend Christopher, and his deep love for his sister despite the surface bickering, shine through to provide a positive, uplifting tale that leaves a real impact on the reader. It is not didactic but there is a powerful message both between and beyond the lines.

Endorsed by the Cancer Council NSW (http://www.cancercouncil.com.au) and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (http://nbocc.org.au) this book is an essential addition to your collection. But it is also an essential addition to the libraries of those organisations whose role is to support families affected by cancer so perhaps, as Christmas draws near, you might choose to donate a copy to them. My colleague and I gave one to our local McGrath Foundation breast care nurse. A percentage of the proceeds goes to the Cancer Council and the NBOCC so your purchase will touch so many lives.

If you are affected by this disease, the helpline number is 131120 and details of the National Screening program is athttp://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/

Thanks to Barbara Braxton for sharing this good news.

Boolify to the rescue for struggling searchers.

2011-07-15T22:33:00.000-07:00

Boolify is a great tool for students learning how to search more successfully.

"Boolify makes it easier for students to understand their web search by illustrating the logic of their search, and by showing them how each change to their search instantly changes their results."

There are search lessons available.

E-books-are you ready??

2011-07-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Given that research shows that voluntary reading is the best indicator of success around Stephen Krashen, an advocate of free voluntary reading says: "readers do well on tests because they have no choice, because they have acquired, not learned, grammar, vocabulary, and the conventions of writing." I would rate that as my no 1 priority to address: Make the discovery of fun, enjoyable, interesting, comfortable reads possible for all of our students -many need mountains of encouragement and guidance in this area.
Sadly, students see themselves as a failure as other peers, who have been voluntary readers from very early days, are so much more competent students than they are. The divide is wide and for many it seems like it is too hard to ever narrow that gap. The earlier we can enthuse our students the better!
In the School Library Journal article: Are E-books Any Good?
Do digital books help young kids learn to read,or are they mostly fun and games? Lisa Guernsey, director of the Early Education Initiative at the New America Foundation states: "States and school districts in America are starting to make deals with ebook companies to provide yearly subscriptions to thousands of students at a time."
What about here in Australia? Are there any moves to provide National subscriptions in line with our new National Curriculum and stretch pressurised school budgets and provide some equity in resource availability for our students.
Researchers such as Stephen Krashen, and others who study what helps children learn to read, consider providing kids with easy access to an abundance of nonfiction and fiction books of paramount importance. Should libraries turn to electronic picture books to help them provide that access? Will E-books help or hurt?

Read all about e-books to make a well informed decision.
Polanka, Sue. No Shelf Required® includes eBooks, audio books, and other digital content found in libraries as well as the technology needed to read and listen to this digital content.
From Paper to Pixel: Digital Textbooks and Florida’s Schools [White Paper]
Lagarde, Jennifer. Hooked on e-Books This informative session shows how to best incorporate e-readers into classroom instruction.
Parker, Kathleen. E-Book Educators Group features a variety of e-Book-related topics, including the iPad, special needs, e-Book reading issues, and kindles.
Foote, Carolyn. (2009) Which way do we go? The “e-book” dilemma
INFOhio E-Book Study Group - eBooks and eTextbooks can be used effectively in school libraries. This group also studies issues related to the mobile devices that can be used to read eBooks.
Casida, Fiona. Pixilated Librarian E-Book and E-Reader Blog Comprehensive sources of current E-book and E-reader information (as they relate to classroom and instructional use. Topics include “DRM and File Formats”, “E-reader Rental Form”, etc.
Suggestions from Essential Links E-books and E-readers

In his post, The future of print: 21 interesting e-books for kids | Dangerously Irrelevant | Big Think, Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University, states that: "the lines between electronic books, videos, animation, interactive games, and learning software are blurring and it’s going to be fascinating to see what gets created as authors, artists, animators, game designers, photographers, videographers, educators, and publishers work together over the next few years."

Suggested further reading from Are E-books any good?:

The young reader

School libraries: Ready to adopt?

What’s an ebook anyway?

Help or hindrance?

Bigger collections, easier access

Why would we not include such engaging resources for our students?

Check out some of the e-Books I have shared with my school community.

I will let Carol Horner, Director of Technology at the Wesleyan School, have the final say in this blog post: "Today's students have grown up using technology to communicate with and engage society. They have had access to computers, cell phones, email, and the internet since birth. They speak the language of technology fluently and are as comfortable with the digital screen as past generations have been with pen and paper. Education must evolve to keep up with the way these digital natives learn and process information. Ebooks, if implemented properly, have the potential to revolutionize education."

What are your plans for including e-Books in your library?

It's a MAGIC booktrailer....and shares a really interactive book....

2011-07-12T23:48:00.000-07:00

I love booktrailers. I have plans to get some of my students to create some booktrailers this term. Our netbooks are almost up and running. We are getting closer to action stations.
If you would like some help to find interesting sites to explore you could try: Create book trailers to encourage reading.
Kids booktrailers: Booktrailers for kids to explore and booktrailers created by kids.

Here is one of my favourite booktrailers from Chronicle Books:

Have you already or do you have any plans to explore booktrailers with your students?

Should We Shrink Wrap Our School Libraries? | Powerful Learning Practice

2011-07-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Where is your library headed? Are your students becoming transliterate?

This article spoke volumes to me and led me to many valuable resources provided by the AASL.

For all teacher librarians ( school librarians) and their administrators it is a must read.

Should We Shrink Wrap Our School Libraries? | Powerful Leahis article spoke volumes to merning Practice

2012 Year of Reading gets a financial boost.

2011-07-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

08/07/2011 -NEWS: Australian Government announces $1.3M funding for the National Year of Reading 2012 or read it here
Read the June issue of the National Year of Reading 2012 e-newsletter
National Year of Reading flyer- Can you read this?
For more information visit the National Year of Reading 2012 wiki
and make sure you check out:
Stuff for Kids

Concerned students share: "Why I need my High School Library."

2011-07-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

Check out the video presentation below:

Winner of the ALA "Why I need my High School Library" 2011 Contest! Over 150 student groups also participated in The American Library Association's Why I Need My Library Video Contest, by creating creative videos on why School Libraries are important.

Can you see your students creating something similar about your library?

Uncovering the rules for scanning book covers

2011-07-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

Teachers scanning book covers

Teachers (inc teacher librarians) can scan book covers for use in digital presentations (including review blogs, slideshows and book trailers) under the Statutory Text and Artistic Works licence. These presentations must be for the educational purposes of the school, i.e. use in teaching, preparation for teaching, classroom/homework exercises, library resources to encourage reading and/or notify students of books available in library as well as professional development exercises.

These digital presentations can also be uploaded to a content repository (e.g. school intranet, learning management system, class wiki or blog) provided access is password protected and limited to teachers and students of the school.

A teacher cannot upload these digital presentations containing the scanned book covers to content repositories available to the public. If they wish to do this, they will need to seek the permission of the copyright owner (illustrator/s and/or publisher). This will involve contacting the copyright owner in writing and outlining exactly what you wish to do with the book cover, e.g. scan book cover to include in presentation that is placed online (state whether website, wiki and/or blog) and accessible to the public. The copyright owner will need to agree to allow the teacher to do this before the teacher can proceed.

See the Smartcopying website at: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/scw/go/pid/653 for information on how to seek permission from copyright owners.

Students scanning book covers

Students can scan book covers to include in digital representations and upload these representations on a password protected repository as part of their classroom or homework under fair dealing for study and research. Students should attribute the copyright owner of the book cover (illustrator/s and/or publisher).

We need some more information on why the students would make these digital presentations available online to the public before determining whether fair dealing will apply to allow students to do this.

Can you please provide some examples of when students would want to make their presentations containing scanned book covers available online to public so we can provide further advice.

For further information on fair dealing, see Smartcopying at: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/scw/go/pid/1016

Students designing their own book covers

There are no copyright issues arising from students designing their own book covers. Students own copyright in the original material they create.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further queries, please give me a call.

Regards,

Sylvie Saab

National Copyright Officer, National Copyright Unit

Ministerial Council on Education, Early Childhood Development

and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA)

Level 5, 35 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000

t: +61 (0)2 9561 8730 f: +61 (0)2 9561 1499

e: sylvie.saab@det.nsw.edu.au

Thanks to Barbara Braxton for sharing this information.

Hot off the press! Literature to support the Australian curriculum.

2011-06-27T03:53:00.000-07:00

Literature to support the Australian curriculum
by Fran Knight has just come off the press!

The book contains annotated lists of literature that support the Australian curriculum. This is sorted into Asian themes, Indigenous themes, Sustainability themes, Poetry books, Books suitable for class sets and Books suitable for reading aloud.
There is a range of titles including many that are newly published as well as some that may already be available in the library.

Each title is annotated, giving a taste of what the book is about. Approximate age levels are given and the lists are divided into the following age groups: Entry level to Year 3, Year 4 to Year 6, and Year 7 to Year 10.
Check out the sample which shows a selection across the K-10 years.

The titles have been carefully selected by Fran Knight, children’s literature
specialist. They contain a range of books including many that are newly
published as well as some that may already be available in the library.

Order from https://www.pledgerconsulting.com.au/secure/secure.cfm or use order form
http://www.readplus.com.au/download/order2011.pdf

Price $35 ($46.20 including postage and GST)

All Australian Students need Teacher Librarians in their schools.

2011-06-26T04:03:00.000-07:00

"The school library—and the job of the librarian—have both morphed into something that most adults these days would hardly recognize. Helping kids find books to read is only part of the job, say those on the profession’s leading edge. Today, a major mission of the librarian, aka media specialist, is to teach students digital literacy by showing them how to use the Internet to efficiently find, organize, and share information with peers." http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/502

School Libraries may have changed, however, research shows that they provide many very valuable services for staff and students in their learning communities and that those services help students to become successful lifelong learners.

Below are two of the recent media stories that are helping to keep School Libraries on the agenda. We need your help! The Government only has until the end of August to respond to the eleven recommendations of the Inquiry. We need to make plenty of people know how we all feel about the importance of school libraries for our students.

Open publication - Free publishing - More inquiry report

Visit The Hub post:

ACTION Teacher Librarians Campaign

"We petitioned. We got an Inquiry. We now have a Report. The federal government has until the end of August to respond to the Inquiry Report. Many of our concerns were not strongly addressed. Now more than ever we need to keep up the campaign. In each state and territory as well as federally."

There is plenty of great support and advice available at the above post at The Hub. Visit to find out how you can help.

ERA responds to House of Reps call....

2011-06-17T03:04:00.000-07:00

Electronic Resources Australia

Electronic Resources Australia (ERA) is a consortia for Australian libraries for collaborative purchasing of electronic resources.

Below are a few of the major news items from the ERA eNewsletter: June 2011

House of Reps Committee calls for a nationally funded set of online resources for schools

In mid May, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment released its report on school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia’s public and private schools. The report investigated the issues of role, adequacy and resourcing of school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia.

The Committee Chair, Ms Amanda Rishworth MP, said: “The Committee was struck by thepassion and enthusiasm that teacher librarians have for their profession. We hope that this report goes some way toward highlighting the issues faced by school libraries and teacher librarians, and showcases the valuable contributions that they make to educational outcomes in schools across Australia.”

The Committee makes 11 recommendations in the report, including a recommendation that the "Commonwealth Government partner with all education authorities to fund the provision of a core set of online database resources, which are made available to all Australian schools."

This is a very very important recommendation and ERA will be following up with ALIA, ASLA and the department about possible directions.

Roxanne Missingham (Chair, ERA Executive Committee)

Do you already have a subscription to GALE or Informit?

You should be excited!

ERA announced that Trove now searches millions of articles from Gale and Informit

The National Library of Australia has released Trove 4.0. Trove now searches across millions of articles from ERA vendors GALE and Informit.

These articles are found in a new zone called “journals, articles and datasets”. Library users can view most of these articles online for free if their library has already purchased a subscription from GALE or Informit.

The NLA is continuing to work with vendors and libraries to further improve the quality of article links and authentication.

The Trove homepage has also been redesigned to make it easier to communicate with you, and for new users to understand the benefits of Trove.

This version would not have been possible withoutcollaboration across the library sector.

Information for libraries with Gale and Informit subscriptions is available here.

Further links of interest:

How does my library subscribe to a product via ERA?

Free product trials

Another service may be axed without your voice....

2011-06-14T00:56:00.000-07:00

I was totally surprised and disappointed to hear the news that Edna's services were to be closed. I have been using Edna for over ten years to access reviewed and catalogued resources for my staff and for many others in my PLN, through my blogs, to support learning.

As the result of a year long review, edna is to be decommissioned. The decommissioning of edna will commence on 30 June 2011, and be completed on 30 September 2011.

Services to be closed:

edna news, events and resources
The edna website and most associated services will cease, including:
>    news headlines, newsletters, news RSS feeds
>    resources, theme pages, search and browse functions and associated RSS feeds
>    event listings, schools calendar, event RSS feeds

OzProjects (http://www.ozprojects.edu.au)
OzProjects is funded as part of the edna suite of services and therefore will cease on 31 December 2011.

This review did not include the major states using edna, WA, NT, SA and Tasmania.

The National Curriculum is struggling to provide supporting resources, as they search for copyright free digital resources through the National Digital Learning Resources Network. Edna Resources is already up and running and half way there. It has over 40,000 resources for all education sectors and around 23,000 for schools.

Teachers and teacher librarians and library officers will be struggling even further to find time to locate appropriate resources for quality teaching and learning.

See http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/ednaclosure for further information.

We don't have time to wait for the federal government to realize that a portal, as Erica Jolley says in our latest Hub blog, A message from the heart, is not the one stop answer to real learning. Erica is Education/Health liaison, Australian Federation of Graduate Women-SA

Erica Jolley encourages people to have a look at the item Ian Purcell sent her. Ian wanted to share what has been happening in USA. " In the USA we have a tendency in this country to wonder where something went and valuing it when it is irretrievable. The report re School Libraries and Teacher Librarians did not push for action now. We do not need more reports. We need to protect the school libraries still in existence and bring in teacher librarians where they have been lost." Libraries as Safety Nets

Some comments about the wide range of services that EdNA has provided over the years to many people can be found at The Hub and other comments can be left at http://www.groups.edna.edu.au/mod/forum/view.php?f=13877#p165987

For specific enquiries regarding the closure of edna contact 1300 003 362 (1300 00 edna) or email support@edna.edu.au

Ring and email your local federal member now.

Say NO to Edna's closure, especially if no one asked YOU!http://hubinfo.wordpress.com/

Susanne Gervey-award winning author

2011-06-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Sydney author Susanne Gervay OAM who has been awarded a Medal in the General Division of this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.
Her titles include:

I am Jack;

Super Jack; Jack Forever; Butterflies; The Cave.
Susanne is the only children's/young adult author in this years awards.

I would like to share a post by Barbara Braxton (with permission)

"This is such a richly deserved award. If you haven't read any of her works,

then you must. Her latest is 'Always Jack' and its focus is breast cancer .

This is the review I wrote last year:"

ALWAYS JACK Susanne Gervay Cathy Wilcox

Angus & Robertson, 2010

9780732290207

Jack's back! Hero of I am Jack and Super Jack and his family,

including Nanna (and her infamous purple underpants),
are back in another story, this time dealing with a crisis
that so many families face - breast cancer. Known for being
the author who tackles the big issues, Susanne has drawn on her
experiences as a breast cancer survivor to weave a story of how
a family can receive such shattering news and then pull together
to emerge stronger than ever.
The cover, by Cathy Wilcox, sets the scene perfectly. Jack is on
his surfboard paddling on calm waters unaware of the big wave
that has risen behind him and is about to come crashing down.
His world, at the moment, consists of his scientific experiment
with his ponto, his photography, his budding relationship
with both Anna and soon-to-be brother Leo, and THE wedding
between his mum and stepdad Rob. What happens when his mum
receives the news after a routine mammogram makes for an
intriguing and intimate look at this family's relationships and
you soon understand that this disease is a family problem,
not just a mum problem.
Initially, in her innate bid to protect the children, Jack's mum
tells the children to keep it to themselves, not to worry and that
she will be all right. But this is not what Jack and Samantha need
to hear. They are worried, they need to tell their friends and they
can clearly see mum is not all right so feel she is lying to them.
They feel confused, powerless and shut out of this thing that is SO
big that even the wedding is postponed.
But Nanna has some remarkable advice that brings the family together
and helps them endure the surgery and the subsequent radiation
treatment so that it becomes almost a positive in their lives.
"Story gives children a voice", Susanne says, "particularly in these
sorts of circumstances. My job, as an educational psychologist and
a storyteller is to give them that voice so that those around them
know what they are thinking."
But this is not a sad , heavy book - Jack's zany jokes, his life-changing
project on Vietnam with his friend Christopher, and his deep love
for his sister despite the surface bickering, shine through to provide
a positive, uplifting tale that leaves a real impact on the reader.
It is not didactic but there is a powerful message both between and
beyond the lines.

Endorsed by the Cancer Council NSW (http://www.cancercouncil.com.au)
and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (http://nbocc.org.au)
this book is an essential addition to your collection. But it is also an essential
addition to the libraries of those organisations whose role is to support
families affected by cancer so perhaps you might choose to donate a copy
to them. My colleague and I gave one to our local McGrath Foundation
breast care nurse. A percentage of the proceeds goes to the Cancer
Council and the NBOCC so your purchase will touch so many lives.

If you are affected by this disease, the helpline number is 131120 or visit
the National Screening program for details of the program.

If you are interested in the 2011 recepients of the OAM you can read this doument

Coffs Harbour Library invites you to come along....

2011-06-11T02:49:00.000-07:00

Come along and join the fun

EARLY LITERACY EXTRAVOGANZA

WITH “MR JIM”

Coffs Harbour 14 – 19 June 2011

Presented by Coffs Harbour City Library.

Dr James Thomas has over 20 years’ experience teaching and working to promote early literacy awareness with adults and their little ones. He specializes in developing activities that encourage language and early literacy skills in under two’s. Coffs Harbour City Library is pleased to facilitate the following workshops & information sessions being conducted by “Mr Jim”. Parents, Carers, Community Workers, Child\care workers and Educators are most welcome to attend.

· SESSIONS FOR LITTLE ONES & THEIR PARENTS / CARERS

Young & the RestlessFor Children 12 -24months and parent / carer.

Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 10.00 – 10.30 Coffs Harbour City Library

Language based program for Adult caregivers and 12 – 24mnth old child. Adults will learn how to engage with their child in early literacy activities that foster development and understanding of concepts, language, movement, exercise, signing and interactive social play. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session) Refreshments to follow

Itsy-Bitsy Babies (for mothers and others)For babies 0 – 12mth and their parent / carer.

Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 11.00 – 11.30 Coffs Harbour City Library

Unique language play program for adult caregivers and their newborns to 12 months The 30 minute activities demonstrate age-appropriate finger plays, songs, signing, body movements, and books for babies. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session) Refreshments to follow

Man in the Moon (for male carers) For babies 0 – 12mth and their parent / carer.

Saturday 18 June 2011 10.00 – 10.30 Coffs Harbour City Library

· HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS – Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers

Language Play for Infants – WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers

Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 12.30pm – 2.30pm – Cavanbah Centre, Room A & B

Activities and ideas for captivating and communicating with one year olds. This is a fast paced program of body movement, songs, yoga, and signing, demonstrated can be adapted to any home, library or childcare environment. Participants will learn ways of organizing a setting that will be interesting & engaging for little ones. Refreshments included.

Ready to Read early literacy workshop.WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers.

Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 5.30 – 7.30pm– Cavanbah Centre, Room A & B (Also on Saturday)

Saturday 18 June 2011 – 11.00 – 1.00 – Coffs Harbour City Library

Early Literacy, what children need to know about reading and writing before they actually learn to read and write is crucial to success. Participants will learn about the six early reading skills, how they relate to brain development, and how to integrate them into daily routines.

· INFORMATION SESSION FOR ADULTS – Suitable for parents and educators.

Boys, Books and Reading:The REAL ChallengeSuitable for parents and educators.

Thursday 16 June –5.30 – 6.30 Cavanbah Centre, Rooms A & B

An informative one-hour presentation about ways to engage boys with reading including lots of recommended titles. Discussion will include the various genres that hold the greatest appeal, and identify appropriate programming ideas for boys.Refreshments to follow.

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL for all sessions.

Reserve your place early to avoid disappointment.

All sessions are FREE.

Please contact Judy Atkinson for additional information.

Phn: 66484900

Email coffs.library@chcc.nsw.gov.au

Mr Jim’s Web info

itsybitsybabies.pbworks.com;

rtor.pbworks.com

2s3s4s.pbworks.com

boysbooksreading.pbworks.com

toddlericon.pbworks.com

An important message from ALIA

2011-06-09T03:09:00.000-07:00

This message is from Anne Girolami, ALIA Schools Convenor:

School libraries and teacher librarians

in 21^st century Australia

School libraries and teacher librarians in 21^st century Australia by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment is the result of the Inquiry into the role, adequacy and resourcing of school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia’s public and private schools. The Report documents the evidence collected from March 2010 until July 2010. The Inquiry was then suspended due to the Federal election. Towards the end of 2010 the Inquiry was reinstated. The Report was tabled in parliament on Monday 23 May. Eleven (11) recommendations have been made.

Call to Action

In response to the release of the Report, the Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA] and the Australian School Library Association [ASLA] have created a:

These social networking tools enable parents, students, teachers, teacher librarians and everyone else who is concerned about the state of school libraries to find out more information about this highly topical issue and to join in the discussion. Both Associations see the importance for positive, informative and engaging advocacy activities. You are encouraged to share the wiki and the Facebook page with your school community, your parents, your friends, your local MP and everyone on your Christmas list.

Now is the time for our profession to work together, speak with one voice and begin this concerted lobbying campaign to ensure the recommendations are implemented. Here is a list of actions that if completed by each person will show the ‘passion and enthusiasm of teacher librarians’.

This is your call to action:

Visit the wiki on a regular basis
‘Like’ What a difference a school library makes Facebook page
Download and read the Report
Write an article for your school’s newsletter informing the school community of the Report and invite parents to complete The 10-point checklist and to visit How good is your child’s school? and feel free to use any material on the wiki
Invite everyone you know to ‘Like’ the What a difference a school library makes Facebook page - the more ‘likes’ the more interest our politicians will have
Write to your Federal Member of Parliament and State Member of Parliament, for sample letter go to http://alia.org.au/schoollibraries/
Book an appointment with your Principal to discuss the Report
Ask to be on the agenda at an upcoming staff meeting
Place facts about school libraries regularly in your school’s newsletter
Sign the A qualified teacher librarian in every school petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/a-qualified-teacher-librarian-in-every-school.html
Visit The Hub at http://hubinfo.wordpress.com
‘Like’ the Facebook page A Library in Every School at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/ALibraryInEverySchool

Be an active part of the vision for school libraries and teacher librarians in 21^st century Australia.

For more information visit the ALIA website.

How does your school library measure up?

2011-06-07T01:45:00.000-07:00

This wiki is the basis for a campaign by library associations and teacher librarians to bring parents into the discussion about the future of school libraries.

I feel confident that our school library provides most of the ten point checklist provided for parents.

Unfortunately we are only a four day a week library due to our school size so we do not open on Fridays.
What do you think?
How does your school library measure up?

The 10-point checklist for parents

* There is a qualified teacher librarian managing the library
* The library is open whenever the school is open
* Students learn information processing skills in the school library
* Students can borrow the resources they need, when they need them
* There aren’t long waiting lists for popular fiction
* There’s more than enough space for a whole class to fit into the library
* There is high speed access to the internet
* Students are encouraged to use online electronic resources, not just Google
* There are special activities eg for Book Week, the Premier’s Reading Challenge
* Your child thinks the library is ‘awesome’

Check out their new What a difference a school library makes facebook page.

How wrong can they be? School librarians are not dragons in pearls!!

2011-06-05T01:06:00.000-07:00

"We're not dragons in pearls, say librarians, we're just misunderstood"....so the heading in a recent Sydney Morning Herald article by Dan Harrison and Kim Arlington on May 24, 2011 stated.

The article also shared that "witnesses (at the Parliamentary Inquiry) told the committee stereotypical images of librarians continued to prevail. Librarians were seen as ''elderly, staid … a bit of a dragon'' with ''cardigan, pearls and bun'', while colleagues were likely to think of it as a cushy job, where ''all you do is read books or newspapers or stamp books in and out.'' Read more of the article:

I wonder where the public gets their misconceptions from???
Nancy Pearl- Librarian Action Figure that goes "Shush" ....

cropped with SnipSnip

What kind of teacher librarian are you? Can you help dispel this negative pearl wearing, cardigan dressed, bun held high perception of 21C librarians?

Download a comprehensive teacher resource on the 30 shortlisted CBCA books.

2011-06-04T04:09:00.000-07:00

I am sharing a message from Tina Cavanough President – Children’s Book Council of Australia (Qld Branch) In 2011, Inside the Shortlist will be offered as an e-book only. Payment must be made in advance and once it is available, you will be sent the download link.
Please email pre-orders on the Word document as followed:

A comprehensive teacher resource on the 30 shortlisted CBCA books.

Published by CBCA (Qld Branch)

Click here for a sample page from the 2011 book (Graffiti Moon) (jpeg)

Quote from Qld Branch President on the 2011 publication:

Welcome to our first completely electronic edition of Inside the Shortlist. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (Queensland Branch) is very proud to be involved in this, our fifth annual publication. The opportunity to share this information with you in an electronic format is very exciting.

We believe the new format is kinder to the environment, allowing you to print and use only the pages/sections you need, thus eliminating some of the surplus paper floating about in our libraries and classrooms!

#environmentally friendly #paperless

Inside the Shortlist is an invaluable resource to those promoting quality Australian literature for children and young adults all around Australia. It contains extensive teacher notes on all of the 2011 shortlisted books, including tips on the use of these books within the Australian school curriculum. It also provides practical display ideas for each book and links to relevant websites that will be of use to both school and public libraries.

Don't miss the opportunity to join in the 2011 book trailer competition: Do you make Book Trailers? Are you in Years 5 - 7? Years 8 - 10? Are you a teacher or librarian who works with students on these? Visit their site to find further details.

Check out the CBCA Short List & Notables for 2011

I would love to take this opportunity to thank all of the Children’s Book Council of Australia judges for all of their time, interest and devotion to promoting children's books. All work is voluntary and done by passionate people who are committed to bringing children and good books together.

Anticipate! Appreciate! Applaud!

"Get reading" says the wiggles

2011-06-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

Exciting times for school libraries in Australia!!

2011-05-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

I am sharing a message from Karen Bonanno:

Well, what a week it has been here in Australia.

On Monday, the Chair of the House Standing Committee on
Education and Employment tabled the report from the Inquiry
into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australian Schools
— School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia.
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ee/schoollibraries/report.htm
It has been a long journey since March 2010 to reach this point.

The Committee has presented 11 recommendations for debate
by the House of Parliament and we now enter into a three to
six month response time.

In response to the release of the report I have been working with the
Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the
Australian School Library Association (ASLA) to create a wiki
http://schoollibraries2011.wikispaces.com/
and a Facebook page (the link is on the wiki)
to enable parents, students, teachers, and
everyone else who is concerned about the state of school libraries,
to find out more information about this highly topical issue and to
join in the discussion. I encourage you to share the wiki and the
Facebook page with your colleagues, your family (every parent
should be interested in this topic), your friends and anyone who
is interested in school libraries.

I’d also encourage you to revisit the series of blog posts on
school library advocacy
http://www.karenbonanno.com.au/tag/library-advocacy/
and to revisit the webinar presentation on 7 successful
strategies to develop your advocacy toolkit.
http://www.schoollibrarymanagement.com/presentations.html

Stay tuned as this will be an exciting time."

The report is delivered to my door!!

2011-05-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

I am so excited

to have received a copy of School Librarians and teacher librarians in 21st Century Australia from the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment. If you did not receive your own personal copy it is available for download. This report is comprised of preliminary pages, 6 chapters and 4 appendices.