Day 2: 1/30/12

Today was to be expected. It was busy, and crazy, but enjoyable. I learned to check in and check out books. How they process holds and magazine check outs. I helped the news team set up and watched what they do which was very interesting.

The teacher using the MC today did not need any library assistance, so we were able to work on a number of projects. I took down the old displays for January. I helped create and set up one of the new displays with two students. Marian created a list of books that had never been checked out. We did a "adopt a book" display, with little hearts on each book. The students who check out these books will write their names and homeroom teachers on the back and be entered to win a prize. I spent a good hour or two creating the hearts and cutting them out very carefully...until two student workers came to help and cut as 7th grade boys do, very messily :/ Overall it was a fun project and I got some ideas on how to create book displays.

I helped a Spanish teacher set up plans for a class project. Helped a teacher who was not very technology savvy figure out her laptop and printing (it was quite amusing!). Learned out to create appointments for the computer lab in the MC.

The media assistant (hmmm, a name...Lizzy) is only working part time at this point (more on that later) so I took her place most of the day. I checked out a bunch of books for students, helped them to find materials, and did anything that needed to be done around the room.

The big lesson of the day is that I really feel like I am in the right career. I loved helping the students and teachers. I liked the creativity needed for displays. Even day to day items seem like fun. Being a MC Librarian isn't easy, in fact there are a million things to do, and little time to do them. It feels like you are 10 different positions, but that keeps things moving, and keeps the day flowing. I can't wait to see what's to come!

Day 1! 1/23/12

I showed up to my first day at Anonymous Middle School (AMS) and was quite confused. I had spoken with the librarian/media specialist previously and she told me to come on in today. When I drove up to the build there weren't many cars, and I saw no students. Once inside there weren't very many teachers. Finally I realized: Teacher Work Day!

I am actually very glad I started on a day like this. It was a slower pace, and quiet. I got to know staff members and met the principal again. The librarian and I were able to go to lunch and get to know each other a little better. She needs a name, let's go with Marian (the Librarian)! Marian and I met the previous year during another class project. I enjoyed the environment and thought that she would be a great mentor.

I learned the Media Center's (MC) morning routine:

• Setting up the space: starting the morning clock and powerpoint for the TVs in the whole school, turn on all computers and set up Destiny.
  
• Check in any books in the return bin.
  
• Read emails, check teacher Blackboard messages, and the MC calendar.

We arranged the MC for a teacher workshop; set up the SmartBoard, moved tables, etc.

Then I got to experience a Teacher Workshop, which I hadn't done in years. It was very interesting and informative. This one was about Race to the Top (day 3). The teacher adviser directed the meeting, but Marian supported her. Marian taught a lesson on technology that can be used for lessons as well as why tools on the MC website are better than Google or Wikipedia. We learned about active learning and multiple tools such as voicethread, glogster, animoto and dipity. I was really excited to try some of these items myself and see how they could be used in the MC with other teachers. The subject area teachers met together for some group work. Marian and I assisted the teacher adviser to watch over the groups and keep them on task.

Overall it was a great day. I feel like I learned more than expected and can't wait to share what I learn from all of the technology!

What is this?

For now this blog is to document my time spent at a local middle school media center. I will not mention the name of the particular school to keep the students and teacher anonymous; and the stories more interesting! The hours i log will count towards the time needed to become a real live media center librarian!

I hope to use the blog in the future to keep track of media center related issue to help me remember what is important.