How can we help?

I always thought I did a good job advocating my library program and making sure the library was the center of what the students were doing at school. I knew there was more I could do and I was ready to do it, but sadly I was not given the chance.

When it came down to a hard budget cut in my state, the position was reduced to have one person cover both the elementary and middle school library in our school. In an impromptu survey of school websites in the area it appears that is the case in many schools in my area, with some only having one teacher-librarian to cover all buildings and some cases even multiple districts. In my state school districts are only required to employ one teacher-librarian, which is a step up from when teacher-librarians were written out of the requirements in the late 90's.

As part of a class I am taking to finish up my reading endorsement, I have spent some time revisiting the 21 state studies that show the positive link between having a quality library program with a full time librarian and reading test scores. More information can be found on the Library Research Service page and my blog if you want specifics, but all 21 states that did the studies showed the positive effects that happen.

Looking at this information again made me even more excited about being a teacher-librarian again. So I got to work creating a Prezi (click on the word Prezi to see it) to share this importance with my former administration and anyone who would listen.

I was kindly thanked for my information, but informed the school was facing declining enrollment and tough budget decisions again, so now was not the time to be looking at adding positions back.

I am very grateful my information was looked at and the importance is known, but I want more. I want to help, so my question is now what? If the funding is not there, what can be done? How can we make sure our students get the most quality library program without money available? Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The librarian in search for some shelves,

Melissa K

New Design!

Sharing the Shelves is getting a new blog design! The change will take place over the next several weeks as I shop around for and play around with new blog designs. Previous blog posts and pages will remain intact.  Only the look is changing.   So stay tuned to see what the final design will be...

...and thanks for Sharing the Shelves!

Sharing the Shelves is Looking for Librarian/Media Specialist Bloggers!

Sharing the Shelves is a place to share library/media center ideas with other teacher librarians and media specialists. I'd love to add you to the list of authors!  If you are interested in blogging for Sharing the Shelves, just shoot me an email.  jnase1@gmail.com

Free Internet Safety Curriuculum

Part of my job as the Instructional Technology teacher at my previous school was to teach about Internet Safety, even to Kindergarten. It's never too early to start learning how to be safe on the Internet.

When I first started out, I had no curriculum to go by, but after searching the for resources, I soon found CyberSmart! It was a comprehensive FREE Internet safety curriculum that included parent letters, handouts, lessons and lots of links. They even offer online workshops for teachers. My county paid for one teacher per school to take the training. I was chosen for my school. I found it very informative and even fun.

I also learned about Common Sense Media about the same time and soon began to use it to look up information about websites, movies, video games, and books for my students and kids.  It gave reviews from CSM editors as well as it's users and I have continued to find it a valuable tool.  I often direct parents to this site when they are wondering about whether or not a book or a movie is appropriate for their child. It is a wonderful, free website that all parents and teachers should utilize.

CyberSmart has since merged with Common Sense Media, but the free curriculum has not suffered with the merge. There are still FREE parent letters, handouts, lessons and links to enhance lessons.  But now there are also videos to go along with each lesson.

If you have not checked out Common Sense Media's free curriculum, I highly recommend it.

Fun Poetry Sites

April is National Poetry Month so what better time to share poetry with your kiddos than now?  Have you ever thought about using the Internet to promote/teach poetry?  There are a ton of poetry sites out there that you can share with your students...for free.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Giggle Poetry

Giggle Poetry is a site full of fun poems for kids. They can even rate the poems on a "Giggle Meter" after reading them.  

Splatt Poetry Game

Make your own poetry with these virtual poetry tiles and even send in your poems to the site to be published.

Haiku Creator

And here's one just of Haikus

Kool Kids Write Poetry LiveBinder

Karen Barry of KB...Konnected has created this livebinder FULL of poetry links, lessons, and resources.  I highly recommend bookmarking this one.

And I LOVE this Poem in Your Pocket Day freebie from Karen Barry of KB...Konnected.  You can find it here on TpT.

What resources do you use for National Poetry Month?

Teacher Librarians on the Web

Do you ever feel like you're alone in your profession as a public or teacher librarian?  There are many times when I wish I could just meet and talk with others who are in the same boat as I am.  Since that isn't always easy to make happen, the next best thing is meeting viturally through the Internet.  I have come across some great blogs and Pinterest boards of public and teacher librarians and made some connections through these.  And now Cari of the Centered School Library blog has started a directory just for TLs and MSs.  Just head on over to her blog by clicking here to add your blog or website link and grab your TL badge.  You might even find some new friends in your area.

You can also link up your library blog or website here on Sharing the Shelves!

Just click on the Librarians on the Web link and add the link to your library blog or website.

And thanks for Sharing the Shelves!  =)

Children's Choice Book Awards

It's time to let the kids vote on their favorite books, authors, and illustrators of 2013.

Go to http://www.bookweekonline.com/voting to have your students cast their votes now through May 9th.  Winners will be announce May 13th.

There are some great titles, authors and illustrators nominated this year.  For a complete list of the finalists, go to http://www.bookweekonline.com/2013Finalists

Happy Voting!