Friday, December 5, 2008
books teachers books
I'm doing a booktalk in January. For those of you who aren't familiar with the librarian-jargon, a "booktalk" is where you hype up good books really quickly for an audience. Most of the time, in my albeit limited experience, this is done either one-on-one with a patron, or for a group of young adults or children. The upcoming january booktalk's audience is: teachers.
Teachers have always amazed me. From the ones I had as a child- Miss. Horvath & Mrs. Paxson, Mrs. O'Brian and others- their dedication and ways of thoughtfully uplifting a child while concurrently teaching them academically is astounding. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has a teacher that made a profound effect on them in one way or another- and I've been blessed enough to have several of these teachers. Now I'm a grown up, and I deal with teachers again- not as often as I'd like. I wish teachers wanted to partner-up more with public libraries and librarians. I wish they'd remember us as a resource as often as they should. Sadly, many do not- but some do.
I also have the pleasure of working with a former teacher (former as in a 3 years ago or so) who handles our Homework Help Center. Younger than me, she's single-handedly supplied the HHC with the textbooks, rulers, protractors, T82 calculators, building blocks and colorful posters. She helps students ranging in age from 4 years old to high schoolers, on things like Algebra and basic introduction to reading. It is amazing to watch her remember such things, and witness how quickly she can recall algebraic equations and scientific terms. I'm in awe of her dedication. Like me, she's got a Masters degree and she (like any teacher) is not paid nearly what she is worth to these kids, their parents, their teachers at school, or to the library. But she loves her job. And it's really cool to watch her in action.
All of that being said, working so closely with a teacher has made me terrified of this booktalk. I would much prefer to be hyping up books to 13 year olds than to adults who work as hard as teachers do. My main concerns are that the books I will pick will be obvious ones, and the teachers will take nothing away from the conversation. I do not want to waste their time. My other (and probably more rational) fear is that I will freeze up, forget the book entirely, and just stare.
So in the process of readying myself for this talk, I've started frantically reserving a TON of middle-school age books. I brought home seven of them last night. I also brought home an adult nonfiction book and a Teen book that is NOT appropriate for middle grades- but both of these items are much more intriguing to me right now. So what am I doing? Of course: reading them instead.
HEre's to speed-reading over the next month or so, and let's hope that I can find some stuff that is age-appropriate. My own taste apparently doesn't linger around the middle grades much. Le sigh.
I will try to remember to post the books on here, so the two dots from my previous posting's map will have these books as resources. haha!
Teachers have always amazed me. From the ones I had as a child- Miss. Horvath & Mrs. Paxson, Mrs. O'Brian and others- their dedication and ways of thoughtfully uplifting a child while concurrently teaching them academically is astounding. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has a teacher that made a profound effect on them in one way or another- and I've been blessed enough to have several of these teachers. Now I'm a grown up, and I deal with teachers again- not as often as I'd like. I wish teachers wanted to partner-up more with public libraries and librarians. I wish they'd remember us as a resource as often as they should. Sadly, many do not- but some do.
I also have the pleasure of working with a former teacher (former as in a 3 years ago or so) who handles our Homework Help Center. Younger than me, she's single-handedly supplied the HHC with the textbooks, rulers, protractors, T82 calculators, building blocks and colorful posters. She helps students ranging in age from 4 years old to high schoolers, on things like Algebra and basic introduction to reading. It is amazing to watch her remember such things, and witness how quickly she can recall algebraic equations and scientific terms. I'm in awe of her dedication. Like me, she's got a Masters degree and she (like any teacher) is not paid nearly what she is worth to these kids, their parents, their teachers at school, or to the library. But she loves her job. And it's really cool to watch her in action.
All of that being said, working so closely with a teacher has made me terrified of this booktalk. I would much prefer to be hyping up books to 13 year olds than to adults who work as hard as teachers do. My main concerns are that the books I will pick will be obvious ones, and the teachers will take nothing away from the conversation. I do not want to waste their time. My other (and probably more rational) fear is that I will freeze up, forget the book entirely, and just stare.
So in the process of readying myself for this talk, I've started frantically reserving a TON of middle-school age books. I brought home seven of them last night. I also brought home an adult nonfiction book and a Teen book that is NOT appropriate for middle grades- but both of these items are much more intriguing to me right now. So what am I doing? Of course: reading them instead.
HEre's to speed-reading over the next month or so, and let's hope that I can find some stuff that is age-appropriate. My own taste apparently doesn't linger around the middle grades much. Le sigh.
I will try to remember to post the books on here, so the two dots from my previous posting's map will have these books as resources. haha!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Who Reads my Blog?
Apparently these are the people who read my blog...wait a second, nobody's on here. Hmmmm....a hint perhaps?
time for a quickie
Yesterday at the library I was on desk doing my checking-in, checking-out thing when a regular of ours, a beautiful little 4-5 year old girl comes up to the desk, decked out in her stocking cap and winter clothes. Her mother is handing her books they've checked out (from their last visit) so she can put them in the bookdrop located in the desk, which is conveniently eye-level for this little girl.
I've heard this little girl talk before, and she's a riot. So I began the small talk, asking if she enjoyed her books. She started going ON and ON about each one, as she would put it in the slot:
"And Pete doesn't get any toys from Santa Claus because he'd been a bad boy..."THUNK
"And a monkey TOOK A BANANA WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT, and there are no words in this book, only pictures"....THUNK
"And this *laughing hysterically* is about a Dragon on the Doorstep...it was so funny!"...THUNK...
She had about 10 books. As I checked them in, I looked and she told the proper synopsis of each picture book she tossed in there.
I looked at her mom and said, "She doesn't miss a beat, does she? She's a riot!"
Her mom just laughed and listened the whole time.
If I ever have kids, I hope I can listen to them and allow them to tell me exactly what they think, just as she did...
I've heard this little girl talk before, and she's a riot. So I began the small talk, asking if she enjoyed her books. She started going ON and ON about each one, as she would put it in the slot:
"And Pete doesn't get any toys from Santa Claus because he'd been a bad boy..."THUNK
"And a monkey TOOK A BANANA WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT, and there are no words in this book, only pictures"....THUNK
"And this *laughing hysterically* is about a Dragon on the Doorstep...it was so funny!"...THUNK...
She had about 10 books. As I checked them in, I looked and she told the proper synopsis of each picture book she tossed in there.
I looked at her mom and said, "She doesn't miss a beat, does she? She's a riot!"
Her mom just laughed and listened the whole time.
If I ever have kids, I hope I can listen to them and allow them to tell me exactly what they think, just as she did...
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Cop-Out Posting
I haven't written anything on here of substance lately, so I'm doing a survey. It's the easy way out to inform you all of my mindset (whoever reads this.)
1. What's your name?
Mandy, that's it. Not Amanda, just Mandy, like the stupid song.
2. What is your favorite thing to wear?
men's Hanes tank tops and pajama pants
3. Last thing you ate?
brownie from Loralie's brownies. Oh. My. God. Delicious.
4. One place you will NEVER eat at?
Long John Silvers
5. I say Shotgun, you say:
Jerk.
6. Last person you hugged?
Gabe
7. Does anyone you know wanna date you?
hm, doubt it.
8. Would you date anyone you met online?
I've done that before, and had a bad experience. So for myself, No. For others- have at it and good luck.
9. Name something you like physically about yourself:
I have nice hair.
10. The last place you went out to dinner to?
well we got carryout from Champp's last night, but had Sweet Henri's for breakfast in Wadsworth, OH over the weekend. (Sweet Henri's does not have a website- which I probably should've guessed from the outdated decor)
11. Who is your best friend?
if we're not counting gabe, then my siblings, equally share that status.
12. What time of the day is it?
7:35 pm
13. Who/What made you angry today?
Not much really, except I really hate being on desk and having to check in reserves at 9am or 1pm -- I was on desk both times today.
14. Baseball or Football?
football, hands down.
15. Ever gone skinny dipping?
affirmative
16. Favorite type of Food?
i really like greek food.
17. Favorite holiday:
thanksgiving, as it permits unlimited caloric intake
18. Do you download music:
I do, but mostly legally
19. Do you care if your socks are dirty?
absolutely.
20. Opinion of Chinese symbol tattoos?
i think it's a sweet way for people to think they're cultured.
21. Would you date the person who posted this?
well, John Green posted it first. Though I find his work amazing, and have met him in person and think he's a pretty sweel human being, I am currently in love with someone and he is married. Maybe in another time/universe/etc.
22. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally?
Yes.
23. Do you love anyone?
I love a lot of people
24. Are colored contact lenses sexy?
no, appreciate your own color.
25. Have you ever bungee jumped?
never, that is stupid.
26. Have you ever gone white-water rafting?
no, but i would like to
27. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you
yes, it happens frequently, as I have an old-timey look about me, and old men tend to prefer redheads- contrary to the "gentlemen prefer blondes" belief
28. How many pets do you have?
none. But I have two dog-nephews.
29. Have you met a real redneck?
I fairly certain I have redneck in my DNA
30. How is the weather right now?
bone-numbing cold.
31. What are you listening to right now?
Drop Kick Murphys- Gabe's music is on satellite radio
32. What is your current favorite song?
Winter Song on Hotel Cafe winter cd.
33. What was the last movie you watched?
Fracture
34. Do you wear contacts?
No.
35. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
the library. where I work.
36. What are you afraid of?
cancer. legit fear.
37. How many piercings have you had?
ears only, never again.
38. What piercings do you want?
see above
39. What's one thing you've learned this year?
i need to chillax.
40. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
used to be lattes, but now I'm watching my milk intake so now it's a mixture of whateverIneedatthat moment
41. What Magazines are you reading?
I regularly read Publishers Weekly, VOYA, American Libraries and Library Journal. Occasionally I peruse People, India Today, Newsweek, Real Simple, Women's Fitness, etc.
42. Have you ever fired a gun:
No thank you.
43. Are you missing someone?
if you say no to this, you are mentally ill.
44. Favorite TV show?
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
45. Do you have an obession with WoW?
no. it is not my thing.
46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb?
in england people stopped me and told me i "look like that girl from the telly". I had no idea what they were talking about but said thank you.
47. What celeb do you look like?
I don't look like anyone.
48. Who would you like to see right now?
If you could raise the dead I would say Grandma Simon, then probably shakespeare. Maybe Einstein or Lincoln, too. Let's have a party!
49. Favorite movie of all time?
I can't really answer this since I don't really watch movies all that much, and the ones I watch aren't interesting to most people.
50. Do you find yourself loved?
I do, yes.
51. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't suppose to?
Good times.
52. Favorite smell?
home, meaning- my parents' house.
53. Butter, plain, or salted popcorn?
a little of each please
54. What's something that really bugs you?
uninformed, narrowminded racist and otherwise ignorant people.
55. Do you like Michael Jackson?
I feel sorry for Michael Jackson.
56. Taco Bell or Burger King?
Taco Bell
57. What's your favorite perfume?
Angel.
58. Favorite baseball team?
I don't care about baseball.
59. Ever call a 1-900 phone number?
only 800 for me.
60. What's the longest time you've gone without sleep?
probably 30+ hours back in college
61. Last time you went bowling?
Too long ago. Bowling is so fun!
62. Where is the weirdest place you have slept?
Probably on the floor of a strangers house, again in college.
63. Who was your last phone call?
um, Kim, the sister
64. Last time you were at work?
until 6pm, that glorious hour that comes ohsolateintheday
65. What's the closest orange object to you?
the label on the mod podge I need to use for christmas gifts.
OH- ANOTHER NEAT SURVEY:
* Grab the book closest to you. Now.
* Go to page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Copy these instructions.
* Don't go looking for your favourite book, or the coolest one you have -- just grab the closest one.
Mandy quotes: "And between the screaming kids and the car horns, the whole scene is just crazy." ~Kendra by Coe Booth.
1. What's your name?
Mandy, that's it. Not Amanda, just Mandy, like the stupid song.
2. What is your favorite thing to wear?
men's Hanes tank tops and pajama pants
3. Last thing you ate?
brownie from Loralie's brownies. Oh. My. God. Delicious.
4. One place you will NEVER eat at?
Long John Silvers
5. I say Shotgun, you say:
Jerk.
6. Last person you hugged?
Gabe
7. Does anyone you know wanna date you?
hm, doubt it.
8. Would you date anyone you met online?
I've done that before, and had a bad experience. So for myself, No. For others- have at it and good luck.
9. Name something you like physically about yourself:
I have nice hair.
10. The last place you went out to dinner to?
well we got carryout from Champp's last night, but had Sweet Henri's for breakfast in Wadsworth, OH over the weekend. (Sweet Henri's does not have a website- which I probably should've guessed from the outdated decor)
11. Who is your best friend?
if we're not counting gabe, then my siblings, equally share that status.
12. What time of the day is it?
7:35 pm
13. Who/What made you angry today?
Not much really, except I really hate being on desk and having to check in reserves at 9am or 1pm -- I was on desk both times today.
14. Baseball or Football?
football, hands down.
15. Ever gone skinny dipping?
affirmative
16. Favorite type of Food?
i really like greek food.
17. Favorite holiday:
thanksgiving, as it permits unlimited caloric intake
18. Do you download music:
I do, but mostly legally
19. Do you care if your socks are dirty?
absolutely.
20. Opinion of Chinese symbol tattoos?
i think it's a sweet way for people to think they're cultured.
21. Would you date the person who posted this?
well, John Green posted it first. Though I find his work amazing, and have met him in person and think he's a pretty sweel human being, I am currently in love with someone and he is married. Maybe in another time/universe/etc.
22. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally?
Yes.
23. Do you love anyone?
I love a lot of people
24. Are colored contact lenses sexy?
no, appreciate your own color.
25. Have you ever bungee jumped?
never, that is stupid.
26. Have you ever gone white-water rafting?
no, but i would like to
27. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you
yes, it happens frequently, as I have an old-timey look about me, and old men tend to prefer redheads- contrary to the "gentlemen prefer blondes" belief
28. How many pets do you have?
none. But I have two dog-nephews.
29. Have you met a real redneck?
I fairly certain I have redneck in my DNA
30. How is the weather right now?
bone-numbing cold.
31. What are you listening to right now?
Drop Kick Murphys- Gabe's music is on satellite radio
32. What is your current favorite song?
Winter Song on Hotel Cafe winter cd.
33. What was the last movie you watched?
Fracture
34. Do you wear contacts?
No.
35. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
the library. where I work.
36. What are you afraid of?
cancer. legit fear.
37. How many piercings have you had?
ears only, never again.
38. What piercings do you want?
see above
39. What's one thing you've learned this year?
i need to chillax.
40. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
used to be lattes, but now I'm watching my milk intake so now it's a mixture of whateverIneedatthat moment
41. What Magazines are you reading?
I regularly read Publishers Weekly, VOYA, American Libraries and Library Journal. Occasionally I peruse People, India Today, Newsweek, Real Simple, Women's Fitness, etc.
42. Have you ever fired a gun:
No thank you.
43. Are you missing someone?
if you say no to this, you are mentally ill.
44. Favorite TV show?
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
45. Do you have an obession with WoW?
no. it is not my thing.
46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb?
in england people stopped me and told me i "look like that girl from the telly". I had no idea what they were talking about but said thank you.
47. What celeb do you look like?
I don't look like anyone.
48. Who would you like to see right now?
If you could raise the dead I would say Grandma Simon, then probably shakespeare. Maybe Einstein or Lincoln, too. Let's have a party!
49. Favorite movie of all time?
I can't really answer this since I don't really watch movies all that much, and the ones I watch aren't interesting to most people.
50. Do you find yourself loved?
I do, yes.
51. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't suppose to?
Good times.
52. Favorite smell?
home, meaning- my parents' house.
53. Butter, plain, or salted popcorn?
a little of each please
54. What's something that really bugs you?
uninformed, narrowminded racist and otherwise ignorant people.
55. Do you like Michael Jackson?
I feel sorry for Michael Jackson.
56. Taco Bell or Burger King?
Taco Bell
57. What's your favorite perfume?
Angel.
58. Favorite baseball team?
I don't care about baseball.
59. Ever call a 1-900 phone number?
only 800 for me.
60. What's the longest time you've gone without sleep?
probably 30+ hours back in college
61. Last time you went bowling?
Too long ago. Bowling is so fun!
62. Where is the weirdest place you have slept?
Probably on the floor of a strangers house, again in college.
63. Who was your last phone call?
um, Kim, the sister
64. Last time you were at work?
until 6pm, that glorious hour that comes ohsolateintheday
65. What's the closest orange object to you?
the label on the mod podge I need to use for christmas gifts.
OH- ANOTHER NEAT SURVEY:
* Grab the book closest to you. Now.
* Go to page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Copy these instructions.
* Don't go looking for your favourite book, or the coolest one you have -- just grab the closest one.
Mandy quotes: "And between the screaming kids and the car horns, the whole scene is just crazy." ~Kendra by Coe Booth.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving
Well again it's been too long since my last post. Things have been busy and just ok- dealing with strange things at the library and interesting encounters with patrons, of course. Because it's a holiday week, I'm not going to get into the details but instead I've decided to post my "dewey number" according to a random website that I found on a friend's blog:
Mandy Simon's Dewey Decimal Section:
838 German miscellaneous writings
Class:
800 Literature
Contains:
Literature, criticism, analysis of classic writing and mythology.
What it says about you:
You're a global, worldly person who wants to make a big impact with your actions. You have a lot to tell people and you're good at making unique observations about everyday experiences. You can notice and remember details that other people think aren't important.
Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com
Mandy Simon's Dewey Decimal Section:
838 German miscellaneous writings
Class:
800 Literature
Contains:
Literature, criticism, analysis of classic writing and mythology.
What it says about you:
You're a global, worldly person who wants to make a big impact with your actions. You have a lot to tell people and you're good at making unique observations about everyday experiences. You can notice and remember details that other people think aren't important.
Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
embracing the good parts of a day
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
embracing the good parts of a day
Wow I've been forcing myself to do a lot of this lately. Bad days seem to string together for me in the late-fall and early-winter, mostly because I HATE being cold. I hate it with every inch of my being. My toes go numb, my fingers go numb, I have constant goosebumps and all I can think about every day is coming home, sitting near the heating ducts in my house in my warm fuzzy bathrobe.
Last year's winter didn't seem so bad- mostly I think because I was "falling in love" with the boyfriend, which warmed my heart enough to ignore my freezing appendages. This winter, I'm still in love, but being cold is more evident. I also spent the last few days thinking, "What other differences were there between this year and last?"
I was only working part time at a different library.
I was finishing up grad school.
My best friends still lived here.
I mass-sending-out-resumes for jobs.
I was running- working out like a crazy person, because I was only working part time.
Since then, I've
Bought an entire collection of teen books.
Bought a lot of other books (adult, children's, etc.).
Processed them.
Moved them.
Shelved them.
Made a space look pretty.
Opened a library.
Helped run a library.
Went to my first conference.
Learned more stuff than I thought I would in a job, ever.
So all of those things are good. Definitely forward movement. I need to focus on these things. I'm moving in the right direction, and the above lists only a few things that have happened in the last year or so. So I'm going places.
But on days when we're slammed, and I'm the only one on desk, and I wore the wrong shoes and my back hurts and my feet hurt and I leave work when it's dark out- I need funny moments, I need happy moments, I need moments (usually patron interactions) to get me through the day.
And yesterday I had a few of those moments. And two of my regular teens came in, and one of them read to me some of the things she's been writing. And I just want to force her to sit down with a pen and paper and never stop writing. She's so incredibly talented, and I know that she barely thinks her writing is interesting, but needs reassurance that's it's good.
So I listen to her read things to me in brief moments at the desk. And I tell her to keep going. Keep going! It's so good! I want to know what's going to happen next!
And she looks at me like I'm a crazy person.
I hope those kids know how much their arrival at 4:00pm makes my day.
embracing the good parts of a day
Wow I've been forcing myself to do a lot of this lately. Bad days seem to string together for me in the late-fall and early-winter, mostly because I HATE being cold. I hate it with every inch of my being. My toes go numb, my fingers go numb, I have constant goosebumps and all I can think about every day is coming home, sitting near the heating ducts in my house in my warm fuzzy bathrobe.
Last year's winter didn't seem so bad- mostly I think because I was "falling in love" with the boyfriend, which warmed my heart enough to ignore my freezing appendages. This winter, I'm still in love, but being cold is more evident. I also spent the last few days thinking, "What other differences were there between this year and last?"
I was only working part time at a different library.
I was finishing up grad school.
My best friends still lived here.
I mass-sending-out-resumes for jobs.
I was running- working out like a crazy person, because I was only working part time.
Since then, I've
Bought an entire collection of teen books.
Bought a lot of other books (adult, children's, etc.).
Processed them.
Moved them.
Shelved them.
Made a space look pretty.
Opened a library.
Helped run a library.
Went to my first conference.
Learned more stuff than I thought I would in a job, ever.
So all of those things are good. Definitely forward movement. I need to focus on these things. I'm moving in the right direction, and the above lists only a few things that have happened in the last year or so. So I'm going places.
But on days when we're slammed, and I'm the only one on desk, and I wore the wrong shoes and my back hurts and my feet hurt and I leave work when it's dark out- I need funny moments, I need happy moments, I need moments (usually patron interactions) to get me through the day.
And yesterday I had a few of those moments. And two of my regular teens came in, and one of them read to me some of the things she's been writing. And I just want to force her to sit down with a pen and paper and never stop writing. She's so incredibly talented, and I know that she barely thinks her writing is interesting, but needs reassurance that's it's good.
So I listen to her read things to me in brief moments at the desk. And I tell her to keep going. Keep going! It's so good! I want to know what's going to happen next!
And she looks at me like I'm a crazy person.
I hope those kids know how much their arrival at 4:00pm makes my day.
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