Behind the Circulation Desk

After a visit from a local public librarian, when she talked about services and programming related to our two local public libraries, students in Novels class visited the library for a presentation and activities related directly to their own school library. The presentation was called "Behind the Circulation Desk" and focused on book recommendations, book selection and purchasing, and book processing.

 

Part of the presentation included discussions about choosing books for the library using the criteria we librarians use. Considering descriptions and reviews from our vendor's website, students evaluated a new fiction release by a popular author, a series book, a poetry book, and an older fiction book. Each group of students shared whether or not they would include the title in the collection and defend their choices using the criteria we'd discussed.

As part of the book processing piece of the presentation, students themselves covered paperback books for the English department. Following a step-by-step process, students were able to independently cover trade paperbacks from a classroom set--learning a step in the school library process while helping one of their English teachers at the same time!

👀 #TakeALookTuesday--Book Awards & Novels Class Edition

In Novels class, students are taking a look at several different book awards and some of the nominees and winners of those awards. Using the same genre categories that students worked through earlier in the semester, nominees and winners were grouped into six categories related to different national awards, including these:

Award nominees and winners were grouped into genre categories and set out on tables so students could rotate through, looking at the titles there. Students had time to read, and the handouts with each group provided access to the official websites related to the different awards related to the books there.

Graphic novels and realistic fiction

Mystery and historical fiction

Nonfiction, science fiction, and fantasy

The class met in the library so groups and students could spread out to read and look several of the books grouped by genre.

As part of their work, students wrote a quick synopsis of a book, searched online to find any judges' comments related to the award won, and reflected on whether or not the book was something they might read. Finally, students evaluated whether or not they believe the book was deserving of the award won based on the short time they spent with it. To wrap up their time in the library, students talked with a partner, reflecting on their chosen books and their work related to it.

Novels Class Book Tasting

Recently students in Novels class participated in a book tasting as a way to consider different genres and explore the digital offerings from MackinVIA.

After input and guidance from the Novels teacher, ten different groups for students emerged as categories to browse, with graphic novels included in many of them.

Each category included around ten books for students to look through and think about, and students had a notecard to fill in as they made their way from table to table.

Over the course of the class period, students had time to browse, read, and make notes about potential reads, with many students choosing books from the tables to check out, and others seeking read-alikes or other books from the shelves.

The Novels class is one that will visit the library throughout the semester for different activities and literacy-based work. Stay tuned for more!