Our library blog has been in a bit of a hiatus for some time, but now it's time to breath a little life back into it again. So here's the first post for the year. There seems to be lots to catch you up on and a number of things to look forward to over the coming months.
What's Been Happening?
- Our library is used as a learning space by many children and teachers. At any time you could come into our library and usually see workshops taking place, children doing their itime or people returning and issuing books. In fact Harakeke hub consider it an extension to their hub and it is as valuable as any other learning area. It's a living space!
- All our children plan when they come to the library to get new books out. They plan it into their personalised timetables You will see Koru hub children with a timer (and usually a friend) independently browsing and getting their books out using the RFID.
- This year Angela has taken on responsibility for the library (and often gets completely immersed in it).
- Elizabeth is employed six hours a week to keep the day to day running ticking over. She is a master at finding lost books, processing new books and making sure everything is returned and in the right place and in great condition.
- Diane and Alpha are our dedicated and reliable parent help library volunteers. They are experts on our visual search on the online browsing site.
- The "Access It" library computer system has had some adaptations made. You will just receive two emails now for over due books, and no email for under due books. Hopefully you won't be over flowed with emails from the library anymore.
- The visual search option on OPAC is now set up. OPAC is our online website that shows our school book collection.
- Harakeke hub have set up school librarians as part of their leadership programme. Koru hub has selected children to be library guardians. We'll introduce you to our librarians and guardians in the next blog post.
- Koru club has been set up again for the year. Koru hub children have been invited to have a day a week in the library at lunchtime. Harakeke students run this and read to the children while they eat their lunch.
- Every Monday all children rotate through a library workshop with Fiona this term. They have been learning how to use the library properly, becoming independent at returning and issuing books and have learnt how to use OPAC.
- Our four year olds who are pre-enrolled to start at Amesbury School have borrowing access to our library. Some four year olds and their parents know how to issue and return books and are onto their 3rd library book now.
BIG NEWS!
- Use this link to browse our library collection from home. This site is called OPAC. You can reserve books and renew from the comfort of your own home. The instructions on how to do it are on the front page. To log in click on "My Library" on the left hand side, then click on "Borrowing Detail". Your child's borrowing ID is their first name, then a full stop, then the first initial of their last name (eg. santa.c). If you have problems with your child's ID email angela@amesbury.school.nz to find out the borrowing ID details. Another bonus is that you can use visual search to use pictures to help find books you want - this is helpful for emergent readers and writers.
Up and Coming Developments:
- Parent Book Exchange. We are on the search for a funky book shelf that can be put away or locked. Once we have this we can invite any adults to put a book in the shelf, and exchange it for one you would like to take home and read. Teachers are already eyeing up their own bookshelf on what they can contribute to the book exchange shelf.
- ebooks are on the plan to have up and running this year. Children will be able to borrow kindles and to download ebooks using other devices. That's the plan anyway!
- Scholastic book fair is scheduled for Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 November.
Remember:
- The library is open to returning and issuing 8:30am-3:30pm.
- When issuing books please check they are being issued under the correct name not someone else's by mistake.
- If possible return books through the computer system rather than putting them in the returns box. The books that are in the returns box only get processed on Friday. You may get an overdue email after the books have been put in the box but before they have been returned through the computer system.
Ka Kite Ano!
