To Be Censored Or Not To Be Censored (That is the Question?)

Recently, 50 Shades of Grey has stormed onto the movie scene with an incredibly high turn-out of people ready for a steamy Valentine's Day at the theater.  However, the hysteria this subject matter has produced has existed for quite some time in the form of censored/banned literature in public schools and libraries all over the country. If you would like to check out a controversial situation at one Pennsylvanian middle school involving the novel 50 Shades of Grey: http://www.inquisitr.com/1840920/monessen-middle-school-puzzle-fifty-shades-of-grey-sparks-controversy/

In fact, there has been recent controversy over this racy book in my school district as well.  Apparently, a conversation about the novel took place in my classroom between a substitute and a few of my students.  Whether what was mentioned included the graphic details OR simply harmless light-hearted conversation, one student and her parents went to the school board and complained, which led to various larger issues at the high school being placed under the microscope as well.  Recently, I've had to answer questions about my knowledge of students reading this questionable novel, and even whether I've discussed it with them and to what extent.  All of this "firestorm" (AKA "wasted time") over one book started me thinking about censorship in schools, and even the library's role in all of it.  

As a high school Language Arts teacher, I have been encouraging all of my students to read for pleasure outside the realm of school.  Although I don't agree with the subject matter and firmly believe 50 Shades of Grey has no literary value, I cannot fault my students for seeking knowledge through literature.  Even after all of this controversy, one of my students, whose first statement to me this school year was, "I hate reading," possesses a copy of the book and is currently reading it outside of school.  Can people tell me there is no educational value in that?

Librarians are guardians of literacy, and while I would definitely NOT obtain a copy of 50 Shades of Grey for my school library (check out Mack Rowden's article http://www.cinemablend.com/pop/Why-Libraries-Banning-50-Shades-Grey-Isn-t-Funny-42304.html about a public library that had to remove the book from its shelves), I will most definitely protect the rights of my patrons (in this case, students) to read for literacy and knowledge, and respect the educational value that literature (even banned material) offers to various readers.  I also believe that librarians MUST investigate censored books and find out what, if anything, these books have to offer.  After all, seek first to understand in order to be understood.  A link to the Library Bill of Rights is the best place for a librarian to consult to know his/her rights, as well as the patron's. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/library bill

An interesting website to consult would also be the ALA's list of banned books, and reasons why these books have been challenged by communities and school districts around the country. http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics

“Circle, circle, dot, dot, dot…”

No, I do not need a cootie shot.  I need a BLACK Sharpie marker, six symbols and a lot of volunteer help drawing symbols.

Let me give you a bit of background information here. My first year in an elementary library has brought a lot of joy. Walking in for the first time with my mama, I stood in the middle of the library and dropped everything I had in my arms, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Ahhhhhh, this was it! My library! I started laughing and turning circles while looking at all of the shelves full of books. WOW, I’m a Librarian! Then it caught my attention...dots! Not just single colored dots on a few books, but SEVEN different color dots on practically every book on the shelves. OH NO!  I could see one of my professors cringing as I stood there. Evidently the decision maker here previously did not know the color blind child would struggle with this.

Having taught for twenty-six years, and many of those collaboration classes where a percentage of students had special needs, I knew multiple ways to differentiate the curriculum to help them learn. We webbed, drew pictures, sang songs, made note cards, visualized, and color coded.  Yes, I color coded too, but when I found out that colors can be a deficit for students who are color blind, hindering their success within a place of learning, I quickly changed my ways. Now, I too cringe when I see color-coded anything.  So the next time you go to label your library or classroom, think, will this benefit all of my students? Don't you want your library to be an inviting comforting place where all students can explore and expand their knowledge with ease? I do.

If you are further interested in this, visit the Colour Blind Awareness site and they will give you some visuals and further explain color blindness. 

Potluck Dinners...It All Looks So Good!

We have all been there. You walk in with your green bean casserole and see the tables filled with the most delicious items you have ever seen at a potluck meal.  You pick up your plate and rather than getting your normal-size meal, you get a little bit of everything that grabs your attention.  By the time you sit down, your plate is unrecognizable and there is no way you can eat everything on it! At times, this is how I feel about my first year...outstanding apps with no devices, MakerSpace ideas with no space or limited supplies, blogging, 3D printing, running after-school groups, online book clubs, green screen rooms, virtual field trips, MAYker Mondays, etc.  I am wanting to do it all and I know that I can’t.  So, it’s time to hit the rewind button and get back in line with a clean plate.  It’s time to think about what it is that I want to have on my plate during this first year.  What is it that is most important?  What do I want to look back on and say that I completed or tried in Year One?  Let the reflecting and planning begin.

Create Relationships with Teachers

One of the first things that has happened as I have been reflecting is that I need to make sure I make it through year one.  It’s frustrating because I want to be able to implement ideas like I did in the classroom, but it’s not about just one class and one teacher.  It’s about an entire school with a large faculty.  What I’m realizing is that the 700 students are not my only students.  The teachers are my students as well.  I have to use this first year to let them know that I am here for them--to help them learn and grow as well.  I need to spend this first year creating teacher relationships that once built, will be a sturdy foundation on which to stretch and grow together.

Plan to Utilize my PTA

While fostering those relationships, I will take small steps towards a larger goal of a MakerSpace in the library with a PTA committee to work with me.  It’s not something I can do alone without an IT position in our building and a fixed schedule of 31 sections. I have started a notebook of “Ideas for Year 2 and Beyond!”   Possibly getting  littleBits, Q-Ba-Maze Cool Colors, Sphero 2.0 with the technology/tools to make it happen.  Being that we are a school that is not eligible for grants, I may need to work with them to try DonorsChoose.org.   The PTA could even help in starting an afternoon blogging club.

Complete Simple Ideas...

I need to let myself take small, steady steps to success. Completing simple ideas can help to get you on your way. Below are several ideas I am planning on trying to complete over the next few months.

• Paint several tables with dry erase paint
• Weed Reference Section to make space for simple centers (MakerSpace as time goes on)
• Construct a Lego Wall  
• Collaborate with teachers (not every single one)
• Share tips at faculty meetings
• Create “Wish List” for Spring or possibly beginning of next year for PTA
• Try out some simple STEAM lessons for fun!
• Stay inspired...just like Caine!                                                                          

Celebrate Accomplishments 
Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love being a librarian and can't imagine that there is a better job out there! So when it is all said and done, take time to celebrate where you have been this year, where you are right now, and where you are headed in the future.  As first year librarians, we get so caught up in figuring out this new path that we don’t always see the progress that has been made.  Take time to savor those beautiful moments and know that you are making a difference. And remember, don't take too much when you are going through the potluck line--you can always go back for seconds if you are still hungry!

Best of Both Worlds

  Like most little kids, I changed "what I wanted to be when I grew up" by the week. However, by the 6th grade I knew I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I had always loved school and had some of the most amazing and dedicated teachers of my own. Secretly, there was always a small part of me that wanted to be a fashion designer or home decorator, but I knew there was measurement involved and math just wasn't my thing. So last semester in SLIB 670: Administration of School Libraries, one of our assignments was to design the library space of our dreams, no limit on budget. The only stipulation was using the existing space of our current library. 

  

  This assignment was one of my favorites of the program. Sadly, I'm not a teacher or a librarian, but I have volunteered and substituted in the same elementary school library for the last four years, so I am somewhat of a fixture. I am very familiar with the school philosophy, the administration, the students, the collection and everything within the four walls of the library. So many times I have said to myself or the librarian, "wouldn't it be nice if . . . " Well, the library design assignment let me put all my dreams down on a piece of paper. May sound like an easy assignment, but when you consider all we have learned in the Librarianship program and the ever-changing library, it wasn't so easy. I had to create a library that suited the needs of the 21st Century Learner, yet still instilled a love of reading.

 We were assigned articles to read and websites to browse. They were helpful in reminding me of the current trends and technology, but remembering who the library was for was by far the most important aspect. I want a library that is warm and inviting, a place where students feel welcomed and at peace and a place they want to return to again and again. I really liked an article by Traci Lesneski that kept the child/student in mind when creating a library space.  Lesneski said that many times we discount a child's ability to see and appreciate the aesthetics. I WANT an aesthetically pleasing library. The current library is located in the center of the school and it is from the original school built in 1938. Which has it's charm, but honestly the room is old, the collection is old, and everything needs an update. I have no doubt if the fire marshall came in to inspect, the computer center area would be condemned. There are cords and plugs everywhere. 

  I'd love to see the library modernized. I can spend hours on the internet or Pinterest looking at pictures of libraries and daydreaming of "one day." Well, that "one day" is going to happen this summer at WHES. While I was the long-term substitute librarian, the county's head architect and head librarian paid me a visit. They had heard of some issues that occurred in the library because of work done on the heating/air conditioning units over the summer. The architect looked around and said "I have money and as long as we don't have to do any structural changes, we can renovate this library." They started asking for ideas and I quickly let them know it wasn't MY library, but if it was - here are the immediate changes I would make (long discussions had already taken place with the librarian). The assignment I did for SLIB 670 is actually coming to fruition, which is beyond exciting and wonderful for the students. 

 We have talked about 21st Century Learners, technology, maker spaces, collections, and so much more. I would love to hear from seasoned teachers and first year librarians, what areas could you and your students not live without in the library? I know the students are the main stakeholders, but I'd love to hear what you have done in your spaces to make it great.  Sounds like funding is not going to be hindered too much other, and this includes some collection updates as well. 

  I have to run. Time to start creating the new learning commons and Library Store has some great items!

Am I a Teacher or am I a Librarian?

If you've seen the 2011 Jason Segel Muppets Movie, than you can instantly relate to this title (and if not, just watch this 2:58 minute video to get a clue).

This totally relates because I'm in my own little world of 'wandering wonderer,' where I don't quite know yet who I am. As I'm taking the fast-track path to become a librarian, I'm still a full-time English teacher...so where do I fit in? 

My librarians are talking to me more now about Conferences and jobs they do around the school, but I still attend my CLT meetings and plan lesson plans. And even with just beginning the process, I'm still finding myself kind of confused on my standing within the school right now. Colleagues who know about my plan either 1)totally see it as a good fit, 2)are confused on why make the change over from teaching, or 3)suggest other things I should have done (like Sped teacher or become Admin). I'm always trying to explain to them what librarians do, but I honestly am still learning all that inside jargon and detail. 

I recently came across this nice little article that not only will help me clarify for those confused teachers of what and why a librarian, but to also remind me of what I'm hoping to be when I am truly a librarian and not just a squire. It's from Publishers Weekly, and all the while that it's explaining about schooling and duties of a librarian, it's using tons of  humor and relatable examples (referencing characters from the movie Desk Set and the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer...YES!). The perfect extended metaphor of what kind of librarian I hope to be is everything within this article: informative, humorous, and just a touch too nerdy. 

While not everyone will laugh at my jokes or get some of my references (how many other 20-something year olds even know who Katharine Hepburn IS let alone Desk Set, let alone incoming generations of teenagers), the point is that I can still be my goofy, fun self WHILE being helpful...and that is something everyone can rely on. 

Welcome to our class blog for SLIB600, Emerging Trends in School Librarianship!

For Assignment #3...
Blog:  By Monday, February 16--Post a commentary on the class blog on an issue pertaining to school libraries that is of interest to you.  Your post may be an opinion piece or provide helpful tips.  It MUST contain links to articles, Web sites, and/or other blogs or wikis related to your topic. There is no required length for the blog post, but it should be short and must demonstrate reflective thinking, new ideas/approaches, and/or justifications for the opinion presented. 
By Monday, February 23--Respond to at least one classmate’s blog post. 

*Happy blogging!