beccablog, teacher-librarian

Help with the design of the new library web page.  I need specific assistance with the front page.

Go to http://www.bvswlmc.com

Then answer the following questions on this Google form.

Thanks!

When we opened West nine years ago, I remember creating a website at the beginning of the school year.  It was very basic, blah, and wasn’t really ready to go until a month into the school year.  In the wayback machine, I found the oldest archive of the site over a year later.  Much improved, but still very blah.

Years later, I am opening a new building and one of the first things on my super long list  - the web page.  I do the school web page for the new building and the school site has over 56,000 hits; I posted on SW Libguides links to naming the school alma mater, yearbook, store, and newspaper – it has over 400 hits in two weeks.  There is excitement for opening the new building and I want the library to be a part of that excitement.

So I have the front page done along with creating accounts for the many 2.0 sites it links.  I am thinking of creating a survey to provide feedback.  I really won’t know how ‘well’ the site works until we get students in the building using the site.  I am sure many things will change.

Which brings me back to … I can’t wait to have a colleague in the library to share the nervousness and excitement of opening this building.  I have been so lucky to have a great partner in the library at West - so I know how valuable it can be to have someone share ideas and work through the many obstacles and triumphs.

Check out the page so far… http://www.bvswlmc.com

I’m going to create a survey right now to get feedback.  Check back for that – any input would be appreciated!

Here is the library logo (for the new library – Southwest).  I purchased the tree on istockphoto and then a talented friend of mine (soon to be a graphic designer – although this shows she is already) was able to make it specific to Southwest.  I had to enlarge the library for web, but for print  ”the” and “library” will be much closer together.

I am not really good at the marketing and design of things – but this is a great start.  I have visions of using the ‘tree’ in the physical library as well as on the web.

Love the idea of this and saw several links to blogs and flickr accounts with postings.  Not sure if I am going to attempt it yet, but wouldn’t it be interesting.  I think I would need to carry around a device to record everything.  Librarians are the best ‘multi-taskers’, so our lists/photos would show us doing five things at once (or more!).

http://librarydayinthelife.pbworks.com/

We won first place in the AASL I “Heart” 21st Century Skills contest.  Thank you to those that voted for us! 

Click here to see the website.

Amanda and I created a short video for the I Heart 21st Century Skills Contest sponsored by AASL.  The top three videos are posted on the following site along with a link to vote. If Youtube is blocked at your school (like mine), see our video below.   Don’t forget to vote!!

A Library Provides an Opportunity

I was able to be a part of teaching our teachers how to use and incorporate 2.0 tools into their curriculum.  Each participant began feeling overwhelmed, but as they were able to use the tools, you could see their excitement building each day.  It was a fun experience.  To see the blog and list of participant blogs, go to http://bluevalley.edublogs.org.  The Blogroll has a list of resources including a delicious link to all 2.0 tools discussed.  

At the KLA conference last week, Don McMillan was our closing keynote speaker.   He was funny and engaging as he discussed technology and libraries.  However, during his presentation he describes what “not to-do” when using powerpoint.  See the video below, Death by PowerPoint.  Compare his funny version of what “not to-do” to the handout I use with students –  powerpoint.  Which do you think is more engaging with students?  Yes, the funny one.  It got me thinking of how I could do a better job of using humor during instruction.

Download Video: Posted by zztoppers05 at TeacherTube.com.

I saw this  on Joyce Valenza’s blog & had to contribute – I love to see what others are passionate about in our profession.  I have to say – I couldn’t just use one picture – so I combined a few.  AND of course, it took me forever to think of the “one thing” I am most passionate about student learning.  So, here goes my quilt….

Here are the directions…
*Post a picture from a source like FlickrCC or Flickr Creative Commons or make/take your own that captures what YOU are most passionate about for kids to learn about…and give your picture a short title.
*Title your blog post “Meme: Passion Quilt” and link back to this blog entry.
*Include links to 5 folks in your professional learning network or whom you follow on Twitter/Pownce.  

Great video – click here.

KSU 84, KU 75