The SurRural Librarian

Don’t get me wrong, I love my new computers. Thanks to the fabulous grant writing ability of my gal Jess, I am now the proud administrator of 7 brand new iMacs and 1 cute little Intel mini.

However, issues are cropping up left and right with software not running on the new Intel Macs. So far on my list of un-installables are Type to Learn and Thinking Maps. I need to update Alexandria, and I’m waiting to hear from Mavis Beacon and Tinkerplots.

This combined with moving the kids from Appleworks to Word is driving me to distraction. If anyone is getting some new Macs in soon, I recommend researching all your third-party software before you install.

One high note was the kids. I stood over their shoulders for a minute today and watched as they leapt into Word for the first time. Of course - they had to leap because I was just too busy moving machines around to really help anyone. It was a thing of beauty. They LOVED spell check. And I loved watching them. How quickly does it take a 5th grader to figure out all he has to do is right click on the underlined word? All of 2 seconds. Gorgeous.

I’m still disappointed by the spotty information I’ve found on graphic novels for k-8, but this new pamphlet from ALA has some interesting tips on shelving and challenges.

Graphic novels: Suggestions for Librarians
 (pdf)
ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has prepared a downloadable PDF booklet (with artwork by Sergio Aragonés), in conjunction with the National Coalition Against Censorship and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, that offers tips on how to develop a graphic novel collection, ways to deal with challenges in libraries, and where to shelve them….

Looking for a good Das Rheingold Debut Day gift for your favorite librarian?

Then get yourself over to Café Press for Librarians.

Hey, I’ll catalog for food.

Two great articles appeared in the main stream news this week. Two!

Why Johnny Can’t Code By David Brin in Salon is even worth sitting through the adds. (Just do something else while the flash goes by). I’ve been wondering a lot lately about how I can get kids interested in how computers work, and why schools don’t teach programming more often. Brin really nails it.

BASIC used to be on every computer a child touched — but today there’s no easy way for kids to get hooked on programming.

And yet another about MySpace, in US News & World Report no less. And it’s surprisingly balanced and in-depth. I’m going to make copies for my teachers and some parents.

Decoding MySpace by Michelle Andrews

It’s the coolest hangout space for teens-but parents might be surprised at what their kids do there. Here’s how to help keep them safe online

Below is a reply I received today from (my) VT Senator Leahy in response to an email I sent him raving on about DOPA.

It’s clearly a blanket statement, but there are a few tidbits of hope in there, among them, a stated understanding that the wording of the act is vague. Plus, a mention of the Constitution is always a good thing.

Any readers in Maine and New Hampshire might want to drop a line to their Senators Snowe and Sununu on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and make sure they know not to sit next to Ted Stevens.
Begin forwarded message:

Thank you for contacting me about the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) of 2006, H.R. 5319. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

On May 9, 2006, Representative Fitzpatrick introduced H.R. 5319. The bill would require public schools and libraries that rely on Universal Service funding to provide Internet access to prevent access to certain websites. On July 26, the House approved the bill and it is currently before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which I am not a member.

As a father and grandfather, I am very concerned about the need to protect our children from inappropriate materials that can be found on the Internet and elsewhere. We must work hard to meet this important goal; however, we must do so within the scope of the Constitution.

In an effort to bridge the “digital divide,” Congress authorized certain educational institutions and libraries to receive discount rates for Internet services under the Universal Service program. The discount assists these educational institutions in making Internet access available to more Americans. I understand the concern that language in H.R. 5319 is overly broad and may unintentionally limit access to an array of websites.

Thanks again for your comments on this issue. I will keep your views in mind should this or related legislation comes before the full Senate.

Patrick Leahy
UNITED STATES SENATOR

Please visit my website at:
http://leahy.senate.gov/

I had planned on doing a book talk* on Criss Cross with my 5-8th grades this week. I loved that book. But when I got to school, I slipped into the 5th grade class for a visual. It helps me to visit a class when I’m planning. Notes never really help me remember the unique personalities in each room. (You know - a picture of each class would be a great idea. hmmmm)

I took one look at those kids and realized, ugh, they’re going to hate it. The room is majority sports-loving, book-disdaining young boys.

I dashed back into the library and searched the DCF list for something with some action and recommended for 4th grade. Grabbed The Giant Rat of Sumatra. I liked it alright over the summer, pirates are big, no problem.

Well. I have yet to perfect the talent of reading a book as if I were a kid. I had completely missed the fact that the vocab is dense and pre-Victorian. This Trollope fan enjoyed it, but those 5th grade boys - not so much.

It’s a tough read. I had to stop at every sentence and explain what the heck was going on. The only thing that kept me from being egged were the little pirate tidbits I threw out every few minutes. Thanks Johnny Depp.

What broke my heart was seeing some of the boys straining to understand. They were so excited about a pirate book. When a kid has a very hard time reading, does it help for me to expose them to difficult language? Or did it just freak them out? One boy did bring it home, but he’s a big reader.

I still recommend Rat for those precocious Redwall (or Henry Fielding) fans. But it could send reluctant readers screaming from the library. I think I blew it.

*Does anyone have a better word for book talks? It sounds like it should read as BookTalk TM to me. Drives me nuts.

I first heard of Neil Gaiman from the students at the college where I used to work. I bought the Sandman series for that library and won instant approval for being so cool. Of course, I hadn’t read them and still haven’t (it’s easy to impress when you’re a librarian. You just buy stuff and the kids love you. You don’t even have to read it.) But now I’ve got a huge pile of Gaiman for grownups next to my bed, waiting for me to have a second’s break from YA.

Why the sudden interest, you ask?

The Dad I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is about as close to perfect as picture books come. I’ve been raving about it to everyone who will listen. (Your turn!)

Goldfish is the bomb. It’s hilarious. It’s one of the books that’s a perfect storm of excellent writing and fabulous illustrations. My four year old and I crack up just listening to it in the car on my iPod. But the pictures - bam! So funny. Dave McKean, what a guy.

I’m also searching for the time to read Coraline with my 5th graders, and can’t wait to try out The Wolves in the Walls with the 3rd graders who keep asking me for “darker” books. (Really they do. They want books on Black Sabbath too.)

Gaiman is one of the few writers who don’t underestimate the intelligence of kids. I just love how he doesn’t lay everything out, he leaves you something to ponder. Why does the dad just keep reading his paper? Why the Queen of Melanesia? Why does his kid sister mumble when his mom comes home? (An excellent example of an illustrator and author working together.)

I’m sure Gaiman’s not for everyone. As in many of Raold Dahl’s books, his grownups are often clueless. The dad in Goldfish, and the parents in Coraline, might as well be mumbling like the parents in the Peanuts TV shows. The books are dark, and sometimes a little bit scary.

Like I said, perfect.