Facebook & Twitter

Facebook

Facebook is one of the largest social media sites with 1.8 billion active users worldwide. Facebook allows people to keep in contact with family and friends through status updates, photos, and videos. You can reconnect with old friends from school and meet new friends with common interests in groups. Over the last several years, Facebook has evolved to be used by many business owners, organizations, and schools. 

I did a search for "school library" to get a better idea of how school libraries are using Facebook. I found many local school library pages to explore. I noticed that many of them use their page to promote events such as book fair, share makerspace activities, highlight student club activities, and post library hours and important information. Even though the pages had many followers, I noticed that very few people comment, or even like the posts. It makes me wonder how many parents and students are really paying attention to the information shared. Exploring the library pages made me realize that like anything, there are advantages and disadvantages to libraries using Facebook pages. 

Advantages:

• Free platform to communicate with families
• Many people are already using Facebook
• Promote school and library events
• Share photos of what the students are doing in the library
• Share new books, makerspace tools, or technology
• Post library hours and schedule

Disadvantages:

• Not every family uses Facebook
• Time consuming to keep information up to date
• Followers often don't engage with the page through likes or comments

Twitter

Another popular social media network is Twitter. Unlike Facebook, tweets are limited to 280 characters. Twitter is used by many people to keep up with breaking news, entertainment, and politics. I have never been very comfortable with Twitter, but it is my goal to start using it more this year and become more familiar with this platform. For my assignment, I was given a list of people to follow and explore on Twitter. I hope that you'll find some new faces to follow as well. 

Kathy Schrock: @kathyschrock

Kathy Schrock is frequently posts about technology. She is definitely one for librarians to follow as we shift into a more tech driven school environment. However, her posts aren't solely directed at librarians. Much of the information she shares is relevant to the general public. I was excited to see this tweet about Microsoft Office. 

Linda Braun: @lbraun2000

Linda Braun is an educator, librarian, learning consultant, and a previous YALSA president. She frequently retweets YALSA and tweets about youth services. You can tell she is passionate about being a teen advocate. I personally liked this article that she shared about how libraries have transformed in this digital age to stay relevant. 

https://t.co/5pp2PeY3NN

David Warlick: @dwarlick

David Warlick's Twitter bio says that he's mostly retired. That makes sense, because most of his tweets are about nature, music, and politics, with a few tech tweets sprinkled in. 

The Daring Librarian: @GwynethJones

The Daring Librarian, Gwyneth Jones, is Future Ready Librarian and public speaker. She has a huge following, not just on Twitter, but also on other social media and her blog. She is extremely active, posting multiple times a day. She is a must follow for any librarian! I love that she uses her social media presence to get people involved through challenges like this post. 

Jim Lerman: @jimlerman

Jim Lerman is an educator, author, and speaker. He posts tips for using various forms of technology, tutorials, and many educational helps. He is very active, posting a couple times a day. He would be a great person for any educator to follow. I really enjoyed reading the article he shared about collaboration with librarians. 

https://t.co/UO9zgxILeX

Blogs and Blog Readers

Honestly, I had never heard of a feed reader before this assignment.

After reading the suggested article, I feel like I have a better understanding. Like many people, I struggle with keeping up with all the various formats of information available. I have accessed a few blogs over the years, mostly by following links on Facebook or Pinterest. However, I have always felt it was too time consuming to keep up with multiple websites. Enter the RSS, or Really Simple Syndication. This allows users to access all of the websites or blogs that they want to follow in one easy to use location.

After reviewing the various blog readers in the article, I chose to join Feedly. It was quick and easy to join. You have the option to connect via your Google or Facebook account, or you can simply create a separate account. I was easily able to search for content and within minutes I was already following several blogs. The blog feed is neat and easy to read. You can save posts to read later and share with other users. You can even share content on your various social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook.

Below are the 5 blogs that I chose to follow. 

Mighty Little Librarian http://www.mightylittlelibrarian.com/
Tiffany Whitehead is a self proclaimed "obsessive reader, social media user, and technology geek." She blogs about various library topics such as lesson ideas, book challenges, and displays. I have followed her on Facebook for awhile, so I was excited to add her to my blog list. 

Mrs. ReaderPants  http://www.readerpants.net/

Leigh Collazo has spent the last four years as a librarian in China. Before that, she was a middle school librarian in Texas. Her blog is full of useful book reviews, lesson ideas, and management tips. She even has a wide variety of podcasts. I've been a fan of hers for awhile, but was surprised at how much information was available on her blog. Her blog is a great starting point for new librarians. 

The Adventures of Librarian Girl http://www.librarygirl.net/
Jennifer LaGarde has served in public education for 20 years. Her blog posts are witty and informative. She looks for ways to infuse technology into lessons, while still serving the literacy needs of her students. She also hosts an online book club that "meets" on Twitter.

The Daring Librarian https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/
Gwyneth A. Jones covers pretty much everything library related on her fun blog. She discusses Twitter, bitmojis, makerspace ideas, reading lists, and much more. She has been recognized by many groups and organizations for her innovative library practices, including being named one of "15 Librarians to Follow on Instagram" by Scholostic.

The Incredibly True Adventures of a School Librarian  http://www.nikkidrobertson.com/

Nikki recently made the move back into an elementary library after many years at the high school level. In her blog, she shares many of the library procedures and practices that she is trying. She shares lots of videos and pictures, which helps add to her fun and helpful blog. This is a new one to me, but I look forward to reading more of what she has to share.

Besides jumping into the world of blog readers, I also decided to join Tumblr. I've heard a lot about it over the years, but have never explored it myself. This is another new adventure for me, but I am excited to try something new. You can find me at http://vmslibrary.tumblr.com.

Roller Girl

Jamieson, V. (2015). Roller Girl. NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.

2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Summary
Twelve year old, Astrid and her best friend, Nicole, do everything together. When Astrid's mom takes the girls to watch a Roller Derby, Astrid falls in love with the sport. Nicole, on the other hand, doesn't like the violence. When Astrid finds out about Roller Derby camp, she naturally wants Nicole to go with her. Rachel has plans of her own, and wants to attend ballet camp. This causes a rift in their friendship. Astrid learns that skating isn't as easy as she thought, but she learns to never give up on her dreams so that she can become “Asteroid” the Roller Derby Girl!

Commentary
I have found that I really enjoy graphic novels. This one was fun and full of color. I feel that this book has a great message for young readers about working hard and never giving up. Young adults are entering a stage of their lives where they are finding what they are good at and what they want to be. It was also nice to see a book depicting a girl playing sports.

Book Trailer

Author Talk

Eleanor and Park

2014 Printz Award Winner

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and Park. NY: St. Martin's Griffin.

Summary

Eleanor and Park live in Omaha, Nebraska. Eleanor is a teenage girl with several little siblings and an abusive father. Park is a biracial, teenage boy with a little brother and a dad obsessed with Tae Kwan do.  One day Park catches Eleanor peaking over his shoulder to read tales of The X-Men, and he leans in closer so she can read it.  They began to build a friendship, which helps as Eleanor copes with a troubled home life.  Eventually, living at home has become unbearable for Eleanor. Park and his dad help her move to live with her aunt and uncle in Minnesota.  Park writes to Eleanor, but she doesn’t write back for six months.  When she finally writes back, she sends a postcard declaring her love for Park.

Commentary

My daughter suggested this book to me. She read it a few years ago and really enjoyed it. There is a bit of language, so it probably isn't ideal for younger readers. The characters come to life in the pages of this fiction novel. Sadly, too many young people can relate to the fear and sadness that Eleanor faces. It is a relief to see Eleanor finally escape the abuse of her father. The author did an excellent job of creating memorable characters that teens can relate to. I am glad that I finally gave this book a try.


Book Trailer

Group Reading Questions
https://us.macmillan.com/static/eleanorandpark/pdfs/Eleanor%20&%20Park%20Reading%20Group%20Questions.pdf

When You Reach Me

Stead, R. (2009). When You Reach Me. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary

Miranda is a twelve year old girl in middle school. Her best friend, Sal, lives in her building.Miranda and Sal's friendship changes after he shuts her out and begins distancing himself from her. She makes with a girl named Annmarie. She also notices that the new kid, Marcus, seems to be around a lot. One day, Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes that seem to predict the future. The writer tells her that they need her help to save her friend's life. One day, it all starts to come together and the notes start to unfold. When Sal is almost hit by a car, it is a "homeless man" that saves him. Miranda eventually learns that Marcus is the homeless man, and has learned how to time travel. He was sending her the notes all along, to save Sal.

Commentary

I am not usually a fan of science fiction, but I did enjoy this book. The mystery keeps the reader on edge, wanting to know what will happen next. It leaves you guessing about who is sending the mysterious notes. The book really focuses on changing friendships, which is something that young adults and adolescents are dealing with. They can relate to Miranda's struggle to figure out relationships and find something she is good at.

Book Trailer

Question and Answer with the Author

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

King, A. S. (2010). Please Ignore Vera Dietz. NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Summary
Vera Dietz and Charlie are best friends until he starts hanging out with new friends. When Charlie dies, Vera is left with guilt and a secret that she isn't sure she should tell. After years of trying to blend in, she now faces life differently. She tries to cope with the pain using alcohol, while keeping it hidden from her father. When life becomes too much, Vera must face the events of her life instead of hiding from them. Her and her father work through their problems and face the future.

Commentary
Many students deal with the same issues as Vera on a daily basis. They struggle with making the right choices when something else feels better in the moment. The book really plays on the changing roles of adolescents with their parents. Vera has to come to come to terms with how her parents' pasts have shaped them and influenced them to be the way they are.

Book Trailer

Author's Website and Discussion Guides
https://www.as-king.com/educator-resources

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Middle School Mayhem

Russell, R. (2017). The Misadventures of Max Crumbly Middle School Mayhem. NY: Simon & Schuster.

NYT Bestseller List - Summer 2017

Summary

This book picks up where the last book left off. Fortunately, they provide a recap in case you haven't read the first book. Max Crumbly is still trying to recover his dad's comic book from three thugs that are vandalizing the middle school. Max has one thing on his mind, and that is getting that comic book back. Rather than enlist the help of the authorities, he sets off on a series of misadventures with the help of his best friend Erin. 

Commentary

When I first saw this book cover, I thought that it reminded me of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. When I realized it was written by the same author, I knew that I wanted to read it. I always liked reading those books with my daughters. My 6th graders loved the Wimpy Kid series, so I will definitely recommend this series as well. Although I don't think it is as good as her previous books, young readers will still enjoy the comedy and fun illustrations. This book would be great for reluctant readers. It leaves off on a cliff hanger, which leaves you wanting more.

Book website

http://maxcrumbly.com/

Book Trailer