NPI MEDIA CENTER
A library is a palace of dreams. ~ M. C. Beaton
Media Matters
The month of November was filled with much activity in the media center. In remembrance of “Celebrate Freedom Week,” I played a Jeopardy game with each class. The categories were U.S. Flag, Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Freedom, and Pledge of Allegiance. The classes in each grade level with the highest score were: 3rd – Botts, 4th – Beck, 5th – Rowton, and 6th – Etheridge.
Third graders have been working on dictionary skills and alphabetical order. We had a fun time of practicing when I challenged students to put themselves in ABC order by first name. It was good training for them and a great aid for me in learning their names. We also had dictionary races to see who could find Thanksgiving words the fastest, and then we looked at the guide words on each page as well as various parts of the word’s entry. Fourth and fifth graders have been learning about using an index. We’ve been focusing specifically on the differences between topics/subtopics and cross-references. We practiced these skills by playing a game which involved using their language arts textbook index for answers. Sixth graders have been studying author’s purpose and point of view and how these affect research.
We are in the process of preparing for an upgrade to our library circulation software. Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Meda Beall, has generously written a grant to fund this improvement for each of the district’s nine Media Centers. The new program called “Destiny” is a state-of-the-application that combines circulation, cataloging, searching, reporting, and management in one centrally installed library software system. Patrons will be now able to access the system through any workstation with a supported web browser, through the district’s network, and on the Internet. To help facilitate this transition, we will not be checking out books during the month of December. This is necessary while the company takes our current information and converts it over to the new system. In order to still give students plenty of reading material, I will allow each student to check out up to 5 books on November 24-25. This will give them extra reading material that will hopefully carry them through until we come back from Christmas break in January. Students with overdue/lost books will not be afforded this privilege. The library will remain open in all other aspects. I will continue to teach lessons and students may continue to do research, use the Internet, or take Reading Counts tests. Although it will be an inconvenience for a few weeks, the new software will be worth the wait. I’ve already had a preview, and I promise--it’s definitely worth the wait!
As we approach the holiday season, remember that books make wonderful gifts! It’s also a great time to stay inside, sip hot chocolate by the fire, and read a good book. “From home to home and heart to heart, from one place to another, the warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other.” As we draw closer to the holiday season, may these words by Emily Matthews permeate our thoughts. After all the trees are decorated, stockings stuffed, and presents wrapped, let’s remember that the holiday season is not about things but about being with the people we love. Mrs. Romero and I send our warmest wishes to everyone for a peaceful, happy holiday season…Season’s Readings!!
