The Bubbly Librarian

I went into my new school last week to start getting organized and the custodian told me that I had a package. I have to say that one of the perks of being a librarian is getting packages on a regular basis.  They always contain new books or other goodies. I was especially excited because I hadn’t ordered this one, so it was a surprise. Unfortunately, this was not a good surprise; it was a book fair organizer’s kit! I’ve been a school librarian for 9 years, but I’ve never run a book fair.  I’ve never had ANYTHING to do with book fair! Don’t get me wrong, I love book fairs! I’ve never run one because I’ve never had to, not because I didn’t want to. To top it off, there was nothing in the box to indicate the dates for the fair or who to contact.   

My first thought was to post to LM_NET, the listserv that has helped me on more occasions than I can count. As always, they came through with lots of good advice, a few people even offered phone numbers for their Scholastic reps to help me out. What can I say, they are an amazing group.

Yesterday I finally got an answer.  The book fair is scheduled to start on Sept.5.  School starts Sept. 3. Yes, you read that correctly.  The book fair will arrive on the third day of school, before I’ve even met all of the children. And the previous librarian ran it herself. There is some willingness to reschedule, but apparently the date was chosen so that the last day of the fair would coincide with Open House.  I don’t want to mess that up.

So, not only will I be learning a whole new building, faculty, and students, I’ll be learning how to run a book fair.  All in the same week.  I probably won’t be posting here.  And, to the LM-NETTer who gave me her phone number for advice – I might be calling you!

You already know that I started this blog in an effort to keep up with this ever-changing world. I started another experiment this summer and am just now realizing how contradictory my two experiments are.  My second experiment involves line-drying my laundry.  Just as I quickly became obsessed with blogging (reading WAY more than writing) I also realize that I am beginning to rely on the sun and breeze to dry my laundry.

I don’t have a clothesline of my own so I carry my basket next door to the neighbors.  I started with bedding…mmmmm… that was fine with everyone.  I moved on to towels.  That was not nearly so well received, but in a few short weeks I have come to prefer line dried towels.  They really are much more absorbent, though I can’t figure out why.  I’ve never used fabric softener on my towels.  Now I dry pretty much everything out there.

I find myself watching the weather forecast in order to plan my laundry.  Today I was annoyed because it was supposed to rain all day.  Instead we had a long sunny period that I could have used!  Who would have thought I’d ever be annoyed by unexpected sun? What is happening to me??? In the beginning, I was just looking to cut expenses in any way possible as I faced unemployment. Now I’m trying to figure out how I can continue line drying my laundry after school starts and I’m back at work. (And the neighbors return from their summer camp!) My friends suggest that my husband could hang it out,and I’m sure he could, but there’s something about the task that I enjoy.  I can’t explain it, but I will miss it when summer ends. Even the beetles that sometimes sneak in for the ride.

The SLMS Leadership Retreat wrapped up a few days ago.  As always it was an energizing, motivating experience.  Being a school librarian can be a lonely job. It is often misunderstood and rarely is there another librarian in the building to commiserate with.  Most observers think the librarian has it easy – all we do is read stories and check out books, right? Maybe toss in a few bon-bons every now and then. Ha! It’s always to good to spend some time in a room full of other librarians who understand the true nature of the job.

This year’s retreat was made even better by neat new (to me) technology that allowed those who wished to blog notes live as the retreat was happening. I have always felt some stress in situations where I wanted to note something the speaker was saying but feared missing something while I was writing. I’ve never been good at writing and listening at the same time.  Anyway, there is a website called CoverItLive that allows you to blog as you go.  Many people at the retreat who are more capable than I blogged away and now the notes are available for all to review. (If you decide to check out the notes, you’ll find that Day 1 is under Day 2, so scroll down) I love it! Thank you to Chris Harris for introducing this to us.

This year’s retreat was all about the new Standards for the 21st-Century Learner.  I remember feeling totally overwhelmed when I first saw this document. I thought it was just too much, but after spending time talking about the standards and working with them with my peers, they are far less intimidating.  In fact, I have already shared them with my principal and was rewarded with a spontaneous invitation to join a discussion he was having regarding how to improve student performance.  I think I’m going to like this school! 

It is starting to thunder out, so I should probably log off.  More later.

Well, I have abandoned my family at the campground and am now sitting in the computer lab at Cornell University getting ready for the SLMS Leadership retreat that starts tomorrow.  I haven’t even been to my room yet, but I just couldn’t wait any longer to check my email.  I have felt so disconnected since Wednesday. 

Don’t get me wrong, being disconnected is the whole reason we camp.  It’s the only time we actually really hang out as a family.  If you happened to be a Treman State Park on Thursday afternoon you would have seen two teenagers (and their parents!) playing on a “wicked sick” playground.  It was a blast!

I hated leaving tonight, but I love this retreat. It is always energizing to be surrounded by my peers and building my professional knowledge. The fact that I don’t have to cook for two days is a nice bonus!

It’s gettting dark, so I better go find my room.  I’ll blog more about the retreat tomorrow.