Volunteers Rock!

Volunteer Solange Henschen aka Mrs. DeWidt helps her very own son, 4th grader Thymen DeWidt, find a book of interest on animals.

Last week I was thrilled to see over 25 women squeeze into the cozy new library space to hear me yammer on about VOLUNTEERING in the school library at the Volunteer Orientation.  Without these women (and this year they are all women!) I truly could not manage the running of the entire school library.  The women who volunteer in the school library provide the hands, heart, talents and time that the library needs to run in an organized fashion.  I am so happy so many experienced volunteers have come back this year - and equally pleased to have some new volunteers as well.

Due to the space limitations of the new library, I have not been able to recruit new volunteers as heavily as I have in the past though there is always something to do in the library so the more hands the better. Despite the smaller footprint of the library, I feel like our current home is both new and IMPROVED and I know that the volunteers will help me organize it further and nurture it too so that what we can and will do here in the library will expand as the year progresses.  For that, I am very very grateful - and our students are very lucky to have such helpful assistance. As our students would say "Volunteers Rock!" Thank you volunteers. You make a huge difference in the library!

It's the Simple Things...

So I was walking back into the school building after Friday dismissal this week and as I wandered down the hall back to the library the sun was shining in on the main hallway and from the corner of my eye I caught the perfect picture...2nd grader Sarah B. waiting for her babysitter and relaxing in the sun while reading a book. It was such a perfect way for me to end a busy week.   Seeing Sarah reaffirmed the purpose of my entire week...a hectic week of organizing book clubs, arranging for volunteers, Open House and preparing for a new circulation system.  I loved seeing Sarah reading, peaceful, smiling, just a beautiful sight after a very hectic week.  She was the manifestation of what I work towards every single day.

This week in the library the Kindergarteners and first graders talked apples and seasons.  Students in grades 2-5 got to play with new iPads or at least learn who their iPad Buddies will be as well as what their iPad Research #s are for the year.   Grades 3, 4 and 5 talked about the new Book Clubs and it looks like we will have a lot of participants this year.  I emphasized how important it is that students sign up for Book Club because they are interested...not because their friends or parents tell them they should join.  Open House brought many, many visitors and I was thrilled to hear the positive feedback of parents some of whom said the new library space felt even BIGGER than the old space.  A busy, productive week of talking books and meeting people ended with the quintessential ending... Sarah B.  visibly enjoying a moment in the sun with her book.  I'm not sure where her mind was at that moment but I know it was a happy place...and all thanks to the gift of reading.

Its the simple things in life that bring true joy...for me this week it was Miss Sarah doing her thing...in the sun, alone, just reading.

Rain On Me...Til The Sun Shines!

I know its not popular to appreciate a bunch of rainy days in a row but...when its September and we're trying to get back in the swing of the school thing, the rain is really not so bad:)  Our cozy new library was even cozier with a cool breeze and the cloudy skies...until today when the sun shined brightly (blessedly!) on our beautiful new library space! What a great week we had in the library...the Kindergarteners came to the library for the very first time and all the other students in grades 1-5 visited and may as well have been 5 years old all over again...they were as wide eyed and awed by the new library space as the Kindergarterners! This week we introduced two Library Lunch Book Clubs - one for 5th grade and one for 3rd& 4th grades.

I'll link the schedule of Book Club dates and titles next week after all the students get the lists.    I'll also provide information on Volunteering in the Library.

Here are a few photos of the new library.  Its coming together!! And most importantly, the students seem to love it!

In Retrospect...

The summer flew by in a blur for me as I was busy managing the library move into the main building.  I spent many hours here in these halls during the summer days and what struck me most yesterday, the first day of school, was in retrospect.  I hadn't realized just how empty the building felt all summer.  Yes, there were others here working away the warm days, music playing, laughter - but yesterday when the buses and cars drove up and the doors opened to all the children it was like the building suddenly started breathing again.  The energy was palpable.  It put a bounce in my step and a smile on my face and it just goes to show that school really is all about the children! Without the children, its just a building, just a workplace.    The children's joy, enthusiasm and energy are what make this building a school. 

So now we're off to what promises to be another great year!  I hope you'll sign up for blog highlights so you know when new posts are added.  I'll be using this blog to communicate weekly library happenings and events, share ideas, talk about books, authors, etc.  And look forward to hearing from you here as well!  Until next time...

Happy Labor Day Weekend - and of course, Happy Reading!