Grand Opening!

This morning, Library Build and Rowen Elementary School celebrated the grand (re)opening of the Rowen library - a library that had been closed for 15+ years.

Parents, teachers, community members, students, and volunteers came out - we thank you!!

I'll write a longer post later, but for now, enjoy our first pictures!

Librarian's desk with the refreshment set up! So happy about the green bookcases!

Behave, kids! Just kidding, love your library!

Here's something I didn't know: tv cameras are scary

Cutting the ribbon at the door of the library!

Our fabulous student volunteers who gave tours of the library AND recited great poems about books and reading.

A class already enjoying the new reading corner.

A good view of my epic columns :) 

 More to come later! Thanks so much everyone!

Email Callie at CallieHammond@LibraryBuild.org if you have thoughts or questions!

Tomorrow is the big day

Well folks, tomorrow is the big day.

I always have tried to keep this blog very positive - which is why I'll never write about fights with the school district, disappointments from people who I thought I could count on, money issues, hearing for the ten billionth time "why don't you talk to me after you've done a library..."

But I'll be a little more honest with the blog tonight. Today was one of those days that make you go crazy, the day when you feel like no one's giving you a break, everyone wants something but no one will help you a little, the traffic won't stop, there's no food in the house, your credit card got stolen, your car got hit, there are no parking spots.

I was driving down Broad Street in a fit of total road rage - not the best road on which to have road rage in Philadelphia. Many thanks to Ryan Seacrest for playing some jamming tunes. I needed them.

And then I got to the library. Panic: what needs to be done, can I do it right now, sh*t I never bought a rug!, why is the floor still a mess?, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT THESE COLUMNS?

Because apparently 12 months isn't long enough to finish a library.

So I started painting the columns. It's 4PM the day before our grand opening and I thought, "Yes, I should paint the columns."

So there I am, no one else in the library, painting. the. columns.

Actually, there were people. The principal had gotten the district's maintenance crew to come out and clean. So it was me, standing on a table and painting while they cleaned. Also, I'll tell you something - I had no idea what they were talking about, it was like code. "We need the green packs, thats the M3, where's the 104." Huh?

And I thought, I might get sued by some union now - I'm probably not allowed to stand on tables and paint in a school district school. Note: this sentence may have to be taken out.

But they didn't seem to mind me, in fact they were kind of amused by my color choices for the dang columns.

You want to know what the funny thing about standing on tables and painting columns is? People come and talk to you.

There was talk about tomorrow, about the future of the library, the future of Rowen. About the 20 years the Rowen community hasn't had a school library.

And I got it: my library therapy. 

So while I'll always feel like I didn't do enough, didn't raise enough money, didn't make it perfect enough, the library is wonderful and I'm happy with how it turned out, and happier still that the kids will have some semblance of a functional library space.

Happy too that I followed through as well as I could with the resources I had. It's not perfect, but nothing is.

So, tonight, my wish for you all is that you find something that makes you go total bonkers, question why you're doing it, makes you feel stressedoverwhelmedcrazy, makes other people say "are you nuts?", but gives you a sense of the things that you can do if you just put one foot forward and... don't over-think.




And now what to do about a rug? 

It's almost here!

A lot of very exciting things have been happening for Library Build recently:

1. Our grand opening is scheduled for December 7!

2. Our last Saturday work day is Sat, Nov. 17! Want to come? Email Callie at calliehammond@librarybuild.org

3. We are very pleased to be receiving logo and website redesign from a verynice design studio - looking forward to unveiling our new look!

4. The board and I are working out the next stage of Library Build's growth - we'll fill you in soon!

Most recent work day

Here's some great pictures from our most recent work day - we had a great group of volunteers and got a lot done!

Hard at work

Our fixed up tables!

The fiction section taking shape

This note says: "New books to be processed, 2001" guess what? the books are sitting in a cabinet

Finally finished painting! Empty for now, but not for long!

Insurance and the Grand Opening

Happy October!

Library Build has been quickly picking up steam this fall, here's some overview:

- We had our second to last Saturday work day: finished painting, continued shelving new and donated books, and even worked on fixing up the old tables!
- We're planning to hold ONE more work day to put the finishing touches on the space, and then....
- It will be time for the Grand Opening! The date is still TBD, but the principal and I are very excited!
- Our two library Fellows have been working in the library now for TWO weeks! Yes, two! They have been hard at work shelving, making the space work for them, and planning the awesome programs that they are going to be running in the program! I could not be more excited to see what they do this year in the library.
- In more mundane, but most exciting to me: Library Build's insurance is complete and we now have D&O as well as program insurance. The principal and I will be signing an MOU, which will go directly to the SRC (yes, really), and then Library Build can be an official and sanctified nonprofit working in the school district.

Stay tuned for more pictures of the library's transformation - its coming!

Libraries on the floor of the PA House!

A few months ago I participated in a roundtable discussion about the state and future of PA libraries, out on by the Education Law Center here in Philadelphia. Yesterday I got an email from one of the organizers about a hearing that the PA House will have a week from today in Harrisburg about school libraries. I unfortunately can't attend, but if you are in the area and have the desire, I wanted to pass on her email (with her permission), and the information:

 Our statewide school library project  and research are progressing well, and we expect to have a release of that new research in October.  We will notify you when the “roll-outs” are planned and ask for your participation.   When we met as focus groups to learn more about the findings of the State Board of Education Study, we discussed the importance of presenting those findings to the legislature.   We are pleased to let you know this is happening soon—and we’d love to have you present in Harrisburg for the hearing. 

On Wednesday, August 22, from 10:00 AM to Noon, the Education Committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will hold a Hearing on School Libraries at the capitol in the House Majority Caucus Room.  You’re invited and encouraged to attend!

• The purpose of the hearing will be to inform the legislators about the findings and recommendations of the 2011 Pennsylvania School Library Study completed by the State Board of Education and the status of school libraries in Pennsylvania. The legislators will be updated on how the study’s recommendations are being implemented and the impact of recent budget cuts on school library services and instruction for students. 
• Dr. Mary Kay Biagini, University of Pittsburgh, will present the State Board Report followed by a panel of speakers, including Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, Education Law Center, Pennsylvania PTA, Librarians, School Superintendent, and students. 

·         If you are available, please attend the hearing.  Although only those slated to testify will be speaking, a huge crowd of supporters in the audience sends a clear message that this issue is important. Bring your colleagues and friends.

• Submit written testimony if you feel you want to make additional comments about school libraries to the legislature, specifically focusing on student learning.  Anecdotal stories from your school district would be very powerful. 
• If the Representative who represents either you or your school is a member of the House Education Committee, call and email him/her encouraging attendance. Let them know how important school libraries are to the children, teens, and families in their legislative districts. (See list below of House Education Committee Members.)

More than ever, your active support of school library programs is needed. Numbers are important to show support! Why not bring the family for a tour of our beautiful capitolbefore school starts? Click on the link and discover information about the Welcome Center, tours, and the rich history and architecture of the capitol building.   Do you know a special group of students who would benefit from witnessing the democratic process in action?  Please let me know if we can help you with any arrangements or other details.  

Important:  If your legislator serves on the House Education Committee, please call and email them and request that they attend this hearing. 

On behalf of Deb Kachel, Project Director, and all of our partners, researchers, and staff members, we hope that you will join us in Harrisburg where we have a chance to participate in the process and make a difference.  Please let me know if you can attend next week. 

Sandy Zelno

Education Law Center

szelno@elc-pa.org

412-255-6414

Why are we "saving" libraries?

First of all, sorry for my absence! I was just in NYC for the StartingBloc Fellowship - a whole week on social innovation and how to be a better leader. In fact, I might just write a blog post on it. Or, feel free to email me if you are interested in it!


Second, I ran across this blog post (I don't even remember how!): Its time to stop trying to save libraries
which provides the interesting argument that our constant language about "saving public libraries" almost ensures that they become almost obsolete in our minds.

What do you think? Is the language and fight of "saving libraries" necessary, or should we be branding it in a different way?

Seattle - How to Pay for Public Libraries?

I recently found out about a controversy brewing in Seattle over their public library system. Much like other major US cities (and school districts!), Seattle is struggling with where and how to pay for their libraries.

Right now the answer seems to be a seven year levy to pay for all general operating expenses of the library. As you can imagine, there are supporters, and critics of such a plan, you can read the overview article of it all here: Library Battle in Seattle. 

Not sure I want to wade into whats right or wrong here, but it is interesting to hear about, and read about, how other cities are attempting to pay for their public library systems. As far as I know.... no one seems to have figured it out. 

12 Baltimore Libraries!

Wow - amazing news! The foundation that gave Library Build its first grant (eternally grateful!), the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation are planning on a $5 million dollar project to renovate - and restaff! - public school libraries in Baltimore! Here's the article: Renovate Baltimore Libraries.

It's great to hear that other organizations are interested in redeveloping school libraries in America's neediest cities - hopefully we'll hear great things from this project!

Library Build Updates

I've been away from Library Build recently - quitting one job (where I was underpaid and underemployed) and taking a new, better job will do that to you. Sometimes people need to realize that I am one person running Library Build - on the side of many other things in my life!

And, there hasn't been much news lately about libraries, or the Philadelphia School District. Well, except this story about how a few Free Library librarians embezzled late fees. That's kind of a downer story, though.

Well, its mid-July now, which means school will be ramping up soon - and so will the new library at Rowen! Stay tuned!

Updated Rowen Pics

One of the corners with college flags!

our green book cases - finally got painted last Saturday work day!

don't the new books look good? don't worry, we'll have better looking last name placecards by the time we open!

Better view of the library.

Love the circles

the beginnings of the kids reading corner with bins full of books.

Libraries as Sanctuaries?

So, I’m not sure that I want to promote libraries as a place where you go for free air conditioning and electricity, but it is interesting that public libraries have made the news in the past few hours because of the storms that have hit the East Coast:

Libraries become Cool Again 

Residents Use Library as Outages Continue

Louisiana Cuts Funding to Public Libraries

If you’ve been following this blog for any amount of time, you know a frequent topic and point of discussion is the ever-dwindling supply of resources for school libraries and public libraries. 

Latest on this list is the state of Louisiana which, to meet budget demands, has decided to cut almost 1 million dollars from its public library system.  The LA administration, in its own defense, stated that local public libraries can instead be supported with local money, rather than state money. 

But, this thinking hurts rural and poorer areas of the state that may not have the ability to tax their local citizens – or to even ask them for donations. 

And although I don’t have numbers or statistics on this one, I’m going to bet that most (or all, if we’re being honest), of those rural areas can’t provide their youth with school libraries either. 

 

Check out the article at: LA eliminates state funding forlibraries.

 We all understand that during times of economic crisis, things need to be cut from the budget to preserve vital systems. States are struggling to make ends meet, school districts, counties, etc, you name it. If the state of Louisiana feels that cutting library funding is their best option, then perhaps it is. My point isn't to argue with that - I haven't even looked at their budget.

But I would like the point to be the beginning of a general discussion on how we, as Americans, aim to solve this problem. 

Students (and adults too) without books can't begin to learn and explore - both academically and, yes, for fun. How can we expect these students to grow up and become successful, go to college, know how to write intelligibly, if we never gave them books to read? I'm not talking about these boring text books that have been mass produced by curriculum companies, our "education" system, I'm talking about real books that kids want to read. 

The kinds of books that grab young students by the ears and get them interested in a genre or a type of book, that leads to them reading more books, and exploring stories and non-fiction - the kind of books that allow escape, and the kinds of books that offer a path to the future. 

 If that's not in the budget, then why not?

And what can we do to fix it? 

Are books as important as health care, as teachers, as whatever else we deem essential? Or are they lower on the totem pole? 

Is this a problem for nonprofits to solve? Should corporations be creating libraries in communities? Should Bill Gates be the next Carnegie rather than trying for about the 30th year in a row to solve malaria? (Okay, maybe a little harsh on that one!). 

My point is, whose problem is it, and who is going to solve it?

A Library in a Day

Thanks to one of my Philadelphia librarian friends for posting this to her facebook! Check it out: the San Fran Library in a Day.

Elementary Librarians Let Go in Upper Darby

Philadelphia isn't the only school district in the region dealing with harsh budget cuts. Upper Darby announced in May that it would have to cut: "elementary art, music, and physical education classes, elementary school librarians, and middle school language and technology classes."

Faced with criticism, the Upper Darby school board put funding back into the budget for arts and p.e. classes - but not librarians....

"None of the 10 elementary school librarians scheduled to be laid off was recalled. In all, about 25 professional staff positions are to be eliminated."

Check out the article here: Upper Darby restores some school arts cuts...

Houston Elementary Library

I sometimes receive emails and questions about how other groups can start up a library in their local school. I don't claim to have all the answers (far from it!!), but it's always awesome to chat with others who are working towards the same goals as Library Build!

I received these pictures today from a woman and her organization in Houston, Texas where the group has been working to receive donated books for the elementary students who have been without a library for years!

It looks awesome!!! Also, Library Build is totally getting cool beanbags like the ones in the bottom picture for Rowen!

Why do we need School Librarians?

This blog post serves as a sort-of follow up to my recent post, “The Unemployed Librarian.”  An important factor leading to the lay-offs of librarians, both in schools and in public libraries, is the sentiment that anyone who kind of, sort of, likes books, can be a librarian.

I stumbled across this blog on The Atlantic’s site: What People Don't Get About Working in a Library, illustrating 4 “myths” about library work and the common refrain: “This job requires a Master’s degree for a reason.”

Here they are (though, I’m sure, not inclusive):

The Librarian #1
"We are not mere cart pushers. This job requires a Masters degree for a reason."

The Librarian #2
"I am an aggregator, a citation machine, a curator, a specialist."

The Librarian #3
"I am not your doormat. Make your own copies."

The Librarian #4
"I am not a babysitter for teachers' planning periods."

The biggest issue that I see, and hear, from school librarians is #4. School librarians, IF a school has a librarian, are often seen as indispensable teacher substitutes, asked to cover classes, set up everyone’s computers when they have no idea how to log in to the network, etc. And, I’ve said it before:  the predicament of schools having no librarian at all began in the 70’s and 80’s during the first few rounds of urban school budget cuts – because – “well, teachers can teach the kids how to read,” “why do we need librarians to just stay in the library?,” and “the kids can just go to the library and get the books they want without help.”

If you’ve ever worked in a school, you know those are stupid things to say. 

- They teach students how to conduct research.

- They often teach students how to use computers.

- They help students find specific books that will turn them into eager, life-long readers. (I know. My elementary school librarian told me to read “Zlata’s Diary” and it set me off on a reading frenzy about diaries and biographies.)

- They monitor the library environment and ensure student safety. 

- They keep track of books checked in, checked out, lost, missing, ripped, torn, etc. 

- They research and purchase new books based on teacher needs, student wants, and current events.

When there’s no school librarian… these things don’t get done.

E-books and Tablets

Sometimes library news is few and far between, but here are some interesting updates for today!:

- Barnes and Noble just posted a loss for its fiscal fourth quarter of this year - and according to the Wall Street Journal, has been suffering from lowered sales on Nooks.

What does that mean for e-readers and books? Are people less interested in expensive e-readers and preferring "real books" again? Or, is the market tapped for people who wanted the e-reader in the first place?

- While B&N sees a drop in Nook sales, Microsoft just announced a competitor to Apple's iPad - the Surface tablet. Which, much like the iPad, I'm sure you'll be able to read and download e-books as well.

Maybe the time of the e-reader is gone, and people are more interested in the tablets and small computers that have more function... or, I'm reading too much into all of this. :)

The Unemployed Librarian

The hunt for jobs is brutal right now - for everyone. It's on the nightly news, local news, in the local newspapers, all over CNN and Yahoo - no one can find a job.

And it's all the more infuriating when you have a Masters degree (believe me, I know) and know you have the skills to tackle just about anything, but you still aren't employable.

Now, I'm not a librarian, nor do I have a library science degree, but it seems to be a common theme that I have picked up on from the library community: librarians, certified librarians, can't find jobs.

It's not really surprising to me: Every school in Philadelphia, that's 250+ schools, used to have a librarian. Now only about 50 do. Obviously, grim prospects if you wanted to be a school librarian, and unfortunately, most urban and rural school districts haven't fared any better than Philadelphia.

One article describes the librarian's disheartening state as this:

"Regardless of prior professional experience in another discipline or some type of work experience within libraries or information agencies, the job search was lengthy for the 2010 graduates—even for those who ended up in temporary or part-time positions. Some spent three or four months landing a job only to end up unemployed again after only a couple of months when economics caught up with their employers. Respondents remarked that the job search felt interminable after being dropped back into the job market unexpectedly. Graduates also expressed frustration with potential employers who did not take time to acknowledge the receipt of résumés; the grads found not knowing worse than outright rejection. Some grads decided to delay the job search until 2012 in hopes that the job market would turn around or at least ease. The lucky ones found employment before or upon graduation. Such coups did not, however, guarantee either permanence, stability, or a professional position. "


And even more recently, is this article by a Spring 2012 library science grad who, like so many, can't find a library job.

The big question is: even when the economy turns around, will we see the unemployment rates for librarians decrease? Or will cities and school districts try to avoid hiring librarians by arguing that the internet and iphones and ipads means that librarians are outdated? (Obviously I don't think that, but cutting corners is the new big thing).

I think it's up to librarians, and schools of library science, to let us know what they can offer. Somehow they need to convince everyone else that they are as necessary as teachers in a classroom. A classroom can't run without a teacher, and a library shouldn't run without a librarian.

Let's advocate, librarians.

Rowen Work Day!

 As promised, here are some pictures of our Saturday work day! I actually forgot my camera in my haste to get out the door, but Kathy and Alicia sent me these photos that they took with their phones so everyone could still get a sense of what we got done!

We had 12 people who sorted, processed, and shelved books, and we had a team of 3 guys who took over the painting of some our last book cases!

We were able to get ALOT done, and we are so thankful to all our volunteers, and especially to the members of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church who came out to help!

A few of our college pennants on the wall!

Sorting books

Our book sorters in action!

The process.

Clarence and Juanita - too bad we can't see their faces! These two were cracking it up the whole time they shelved books! Thanks for your hard work!

Books that have been half processed! But check out our awesome colorful circles in decoration! 

Outdoor Libraries / Libraries as Art

I ran across this blog post by Colossal Art and Design with pictures of an outdoor library - in the middle of a vineyard! Sounds like heaven to me.

Check out the pictures - very cool!



 And for those of you who are more practical than the rest of us: it was designed to be art, and local people in Belgium were invited to take the books for a small donation. So everyone won: fun library art, cheap books, and wine.

This got me interested though - there has to be other outdoor libraries in the world. A quick google search revealed these, enjoy!:

Detroit - locals started these outdoor spots after a few public library branches closed:






















Paris: It seems its popular in one neighborhood to have outdoor book sellers. I know its not a library, but still fun.






Beijing: Okay, also a book fair, but a good picture!












Any other pictures of outdoor libraries or book fairs?

Happy Tuesday!

I'm Back!

I had a blog absence last week - I went on vacation to New Mexico and Colorado, and had an eventful time! But now I'm back and ready to tackle the next three months of crazy before the Rowen Library is complete and opened, AND Philly Girls Read kicks off. Who's ready?

And what a better way to celebrate the beginning of a crazy Library Build summer than by promoting the Free Library of Philadelphia's summer reading programs for kids and teens! Check out their page to find activities and other things going on in your neighborhood: Summer Reading!

Coming up immediately, we are having Rowen work days on June 2, and June 9 if anyone is interested in joining. We're sorting books, organizing the library shelves, getting rid of furniture, etc. Contact me, calliehammond@librarybuild.org

Also, anyone have good ideas for our grand opening celebration at Rowen this fall? We're starting the planning process!

Are libraries outdated?

Today on Philly.com is quite a rant about the Free Library system in Philadelphia: Does the Free Library even know what Century its in?

Mostly it is just that: a rant. It's really not even worth debating, and after you read it, you'll see why.

Yes, the Free Library could be more tech savvy. But with what money? As far as I can tell, the Free Library (and most public schools for that matter) try to do the best with the resources they have. In fact, I just found out about the Free Library's TechMobile: "Techmobile, basically, a 25-foot, updated version of a bookmobile that will travel around the city, offering residents the chance to learn on assorted laptops and iPads, with technical advice provided by staff." If that's a great use of technology in support of Philadelphia's citizens, I don't know what is. City's Digital Divide

Similarly, the article argues that it is cheaper to make copies at Kinkos/Staples/Fed Ex instead of at the Free Library. I've never heard this one before - seems a bit silly. The mission of the Free Library is not to offer you a really great price on copying. In fact, just because you pay taxes for it, does not mean that you get free access and free reign to its resources. If that were the case, there would be nothing left.

The mission of the Free Library is also not to allow you the easiest way to rent out movies and cd's - all based on the newest technology.

The mission of the Free Library, and all other library branches in this country, is to provide access to information. Mostly, that is through books - real books that can be held and flipped through - because, believe it or not, that's how most Americans still get their information.

And most library systems in this country are doing that and more with limited resources, personnel, and money.

Is the Free Library system perfect? Of course not. But I believe in the power of public and school libraries to provide the things that most Americans don't have: access to almost any book at any time, or any piece of information at any time.

We should be arguing about how to make libraries more accessible, widespread, and better-funded, than whether or not the library should have VHS or DVDs, the best copy machines, or a Geek Squad.

Boxes of Books!

Guess what arrived in the mail yesterday?

One thousand dollars in books from Scholastic!

And now they need to be sorted, and processed, and labeled, and shelved...

Obviously librarians have it easy, right?

Oh well, lets just celebrate BOOKS AT ROWEN for today!!! :)

Happy Friday!

Throwing away resources

I wrote about this topic a few months ago - the statewide library system operates library resources for the blind (or those who otherwise can't read or hold a book). The resources are currently split between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, but for no apparent reason (see the article), the two are being merged and now housed in Pittsburgh... and they are requiring the library for the blind in downtown Philadelphia to throw away all of the books on tape.

Alot of this story makes no sense, I will admit.

Why can't the books on tape be donated? Why do they need to be just thrown away?

I understand laying off employees in the Philadelphia branch because of funding cuts, but we need to shut down the whole branch and send the resources to Pittsburgh, even though more people in Philly are blind and need the resources?

Check out the article here.

Service Days!

Yes, finally!

We are planning THREE Saturday service days! We will be painting, cleaning, moving out furniture, and putting in NEW books into the Rowen library!

The dates are: May 12, June 2, June 9

I am putting a cap of 20 people on each day so that we can really focus and get a great deal done.

If you or your group is interested, please email me at calliehammond@librarybuild.org

Thanks!

The search continues...

I am reposting the add for members for the Librarians Council on Bridgestar: http://www.bridgestar.org/MyCareerCenter/PositionDetails.aspx?jobId=11167

Hopefully someone is interested?

Also, I've received a good deal of interest already in the Library Fellows program, and in the Philly Girls Read Mentor program, so hopefully the resumes continue to come in!

An update on me today though: I am starting a "real" and full-time job this Thursday, April 26. It's obviously not the best situation for Library Build, but its a good situation for me and my bank account. In the perfect world Library Build would pay a salary, and I could continue to fight the fight every day - but thats not in the cards right now.

But don't worry! Library Build will still be plugging along as planned. We will celebrate the grand opening of Rowen's library this September! So soon!

PA School Library Project

I am in Newark right now! Oh, the powers of IPad technology! :)

 So this is Day 4 of the NJ Social Innovation Institute - should be a good day.

On Wednesday I participated in a PA School Library Project focus group.

Here's the basic run down: - the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant is paying a great researcher named Keith Curry Lance to conduct a study of PA school libraries to measure just how much a library and a librarian increases student learning, test scores, etc.

Most of my own research for Library Build comes from Lance's research in at least 20 different states, including a study in PA back in 2000. Thanks Keith! - The focus group was meant to interest, and interact with local groups in Philadelphia, to increase awareness of the problem, and to generate enthusiasm for the project.

 I got to meet with some people in Philadelphia who are also doing great work in public education - schools, libraries, etc. But I won't bore you with the details. Instead, in honor of Friday, I'll just share some delightful tidbits of info and stats that will really get you excited about libraries.

1. By law, schools in Pennsylvania are not required to have a school library. But, by law, every correctional facility in the state must have a library and a librarian.
 2. Students in Pennsylvania score better on the PA state tests when they have a full time librarians - and disadvantaged students benefit proportionally better!
3. In New Jersey a study revealed (though, we can obviously extrapolate this to almost any state in the nation) that the lower the socioeconomic status of the school's population - the fewer the books in their library.
4. In Pennsylvania, recently measured in 2012, 66% of school library collections age between 12 to 21 years old! (Poor Rowen throws that off the scale with its average of 30 -40 year old collection...)
5. According to 2011 Guidelines for PA School Libraries, $41 PER STUDENT is recommended a year in library resources. Thus, with 475 students, Rowen should be spending almost $20,000 a year on its library! I doubt the principals of local elementary schools in Philly even get that much in their discretionary budget these days, much less all for the library.
 6. Despite #5's numbers, about 60% of PA schools spend only $1 to $15 dollars per student on library resources. Try zero dollars in Philadelphia...

So, now that we know all the facts, can we change it?

A very interesting question that was brought up in the focus group was: given our limited resources in PA, what do we value most in a school library? Librarians, technology, computers, books? The state obviously can't, and won't, create a multimillion dollar budget just for elementary school libraries - despite the fact that I'm sure Lance's research will without-a-doubt prove that our students need libraries and librarians. So how do we decide what it is most important for our students? And most of all, how do we get the funding? I'll keep this blog updated on results, ideas, etc.

Happy Friday!

Philly Girl Writes

I am almost done writing and editing the Philly Girls Read curriculum! Whew! So far it is over 170 pages - and counting. It's beautiful, if I do say so myself.

Want a copy? Email me and I can have one printed for you (in B&W they will cost about $4.50 per book).

Also, yesterday I participated in a focus group for the PA School Library Project. It was great, and fascinating. I'll post about it today or tomorrow, depending on how working on Philly Girls Read goes.

Happy Thursday!

Dark Day for Books?

I ran across this article on CNN over the weekend, and managed to find it again this morning: Dark Day for the Future of Books.

The author, who runs a self-publishing site for authors by the way, argues that the government's new decision to force publishing houses to stop colluding on book prices will mean the end of publishing houses. But that authors deserve more pay for their books, and that publishing houses shouldn't disappear even though they are out of touch (12 months for a book to be printed and marketed?!), and that e-book prices are too high.

Yes, the article is a bit all over the place. And I really wasn't quite sure what he was really going after, even after reading it about 3 times.

But, I do think the interesting point is made that publishing houses have for so long colluded to keep "real" book prices high, and they keep stores from offering too-low prices (like Barnes and Noble). Apparently that could all change. Will bookstores offer prices like Amazon?

And why are e-books so expensive?

I think this story about book and e-book pricing, and the future of publishing houses is going to be around for awhile - and it will be interesting to see the outcome.

Philly Girls Read Mentors

Happy Monday!

Our listing for Mentors/Program Coordinators for the Philly Girls Read program went live today! Check it out at Idealist: http://www.idealist.org/view/internship/D3KdhwCXcSCp/

Please pass along to anyone in Philadelphia who you know may be interested!

Also, unlike the Library Fellows which I am still playing around with my budget on, there is a definite stipend for Mentors of between $500 to $600. Not bad for a bi-weekly program that will be FUN too! :)

Libraries Make CNN

Check it out - the President of the American Libraries Association (ALA) wrote an op-ed on the importance of libraries. She focuses mostly on community libraries rather than on school libraries, but her points are still applicable.

Sort of.

First of all, its a good article. It's emotional and nostalgic about libraries while also arguing that libraries have a special place in our communities as they continue to provide resources and access to new skills and technologies that most people might never get without the library.

But, it also doesn't really address why thats so important. What kinds of jobs do people who use their public libraries end up getting? Do their new skills translate into a better job? And while its nice that 27% of public libraries allow people to check out e-readers, where are these libraries? I'm fairly certain they aren't in inner city libraries.

I understand those are hard facts to find out - and require an expensive multi-year study. I know, I know.

But, I do often get frustrated at the arguments for libraries that simply involve, "well, it would be sad without them..." Yes, I agree, or otherwise I wouldn't be working on Library Build.

BUT, to convince the federal government, state governments, local governments, funders, investors, and grant-giving organizations, you need to provide them with more than "wouldn't you be sad if...." Because, lets face it: they wouldn't be sad. They have the money, and I'm pretty sure they can buy themselves e-readers, their kids go to college, and they can buy themselves any book they want.

So how do you convince them?

Those of us who support libraries - public or school - need to increase the level of our conversations to provide an outlook of what it would look like if there were no libraries. And in fact, you can start with school libraries - look at what has happened to Philadelphia youth who haven't had access to school libraries for over 20+ years - graduation rates hover between 50 to 60%.

Emotional pitches have their place, but lets tell it like it is.

What will America be like without libraries?

Turning Point Prize

It is now official! I won the Turning Point Prize from the Women for Social Innovation here in Philadelphia! The Women for Social Innovation is a group of women, who for the last 4 years have come together to fund projects and programs in Philadelphia that especially benefit girls, women, and families.

They have funded some great projects in the past: a free after-school music program for kids, and a project to help single moms get the resources and help they need to go back to school.

So obviously, I am very honored - and excited - to win. Its great to finally get positive feedback about the work that I am trying to do.

The award itself is actually not for Library Build though - however, it did spin out of Library Build. I wrote the application for a program that I have wanted to implement for some time now. The idea comes from curriculum I wrote on Anne Frank while I was teaching, and from a program for fifth grade girls that I created and ran in a Philly middle school back in the days of being the intern.

The program is called Philly Girls Read, and hopefully later can be expanded to other cities, and it is an after school reading program that promotes and encourages active reading. Here's what I mean by active reading. Girls will read 6 books:

1. The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank
2. Esperanza Rising, Pam Ryan
3. Red Scarf Girl, Ji-li Jiang
4. Sold, Patricia McCormick
5. Zlata's Diary, Zlata Filipovic
6. Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry, Mildred Taylor


And in the context of reading these 6 books, girls will learn about the circumstances that revolve around the protagonist in each story. For example, the history of WWII and racism while reading Anne Frank's diary. But beyond learning about those circumstances, because let's face it this is an after school program and should be fun!, girls will learn how to create and implement their own advocacy campaigns based around the issues brought up in the books that truly effect them.

That's the general overview. I am working on writing the curriculum right now. I'm more than half way through it, and will start smoothing out the other kinks in my business plan so that this can get off the ground and running in 2012-2013 school year.

I set up a website: www.phillygirlsread.org, though there's not much on it right now. I also have someone working on designing a logo as well, which I am very excited about!

I'm sure there will be more updates soon!

E-Books!

I have spent a lot of time contemplating the transition of libraries and bookstores to e-books. The question that always arises is how one could create a public school library based on lending e-books. E-book lending is not common yet, its complicated, and even more so in a school setting. (Such as, Library Build obviously can not pay for every student at Rowen - 475 kids - to have an e-reader, so how will we promote reading at home if they have no way to read their snazzy e-book? You tell me.)

BUT, I have thought about it. Why? Well, for a number of reasons. First, I think funding would be easier to secure if we provided e-resources rather than brick and mortar libraries. Second, in the long run (albeit about 10 years) the e-book route would be cheaper because you wouldn't spend the 10 years constantly replacing books that got old, ripped, etc. An e-book always remains in good condition. Now of course the problem with all this is that an e-resource library requires a LOT more funding at the start of the project than I currently have.

Today CNN has an article claiming that reading in America (among adults) is actually on the rise because of e-readers. They claim that e-readers make it easier, faster, cheaper to buy books. But, are people who already read just buying the e-readers, or are we actually seeing an increase in the number of adults who read? They didn't address that.

Of interest as well, is an article explaining just how you can borrow an e-book from your library. And its no picnic. Basically, it requires that your public library - and public school library - have a software system in place that allows you to access, lend, and return e-books. Believe it or not, such software is not free.

So in the end, e-books are complicated and expensive, real books are complicated and expensive, whats a public school library to do?