Wow - its already Friday! Where did the week go?
We had three successful gift-wrapping days, and made more than $400 dollars in donations!
A special thanks to everyone who came out and volunteered for Library Build:
Alpha Phi Omega @ UPenn
W Girls
Ty Gambrell
Megan Trainer
Theo Thompson
Kathy Barnes
Lisa Doi
Karinn Figdore
Karen Bloemker
If I forgot someone, please let me know!!
Also, you have one more day to shop online at Barnes and Noble in support of Library Build! Just use code 10570174
Thanks for everyone's support, and get ready for MLK Day of Service!!
Showing posts with label book fair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book fair. Show all posts
Friday, December 16, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Books and their Impact
When I tell people about Library Build and our mission, I often get push back from those who believe in the almighty power of new technology.
While I agree that technology can provide our students, (not to mention adults) with access to ready information, and I similarly understand the appeal of the E-reader and the ability to take multiple books at a time with you at all times, there is still a need for books.
Thats right. Just a book.
No buttons or lights, no batteries.
I was at Rowen yesterday for some meetings, and just in general, to work with the teachers there. This week at Rowen was their Scholastic Book Fair. The kids were pumped. They had an assembly about the power of reading. While a man on the stage shouted, "we read books" the kids excitedly answered, "WE READ BOOKS!!". It was fun to watch. (Now, yes, they were excited because they were having an assembly on a Friday afternoon and were thus, out of class. I know, I was a teacher! But, the message of the assembly, and their excitement was a powerful one).
Meanwhile, during the assembly, parents were pouring in to the school asking if the book fair was still open so that they could buy some books for their kids.
Books have power. They transport kids one story at a time to other places. Books, unlike movies, give kids the power to imagine their own stories and visuals, to be creative.
Here's my story about books (and obviously there weren't E-readers back then.... )
When I was in the first grade, I hated reading. I got a C in phonics (yes, phonics), and I thought it was the most unnecessary subject ever. For the record, I also hated math and could not figure out how 5:05 and 5:50 on a clock differed - really, I was kind of dull.
For the next few years I fought reading. But when I entered the fourth grade, something happened. My teacher announced a reading competition. The winner each week was the one who had read the most pages (as signed off by the parents). I didn't like reading very much - but I was not going to let Brittany win. No. Way.
So I started reading. And what really got me going was that same fourth grade teacher taking the time every day after lunch to read to our class from "Where the Red Fern Grows". I got so angry that she would only read a few pages a day that I went to the library and checked it out so that I could just finish it already.
The rest of the year, Brittany and I traded back and forth on who won. We both tried out a variety of strategies. She believed that reading multiple books at a time worked best, while I believed that just focusing all of my attention on one at a time was the best.
By the end of the year, I liked reading. No, I loved reading. I didn't stop. And I haven't stopped since then.
This is what kids today need. They need a teacher to interest them in a book. They need a school library where they can easily go find the book that might change their life.
Which is why I believe in the power of school libraries.
While I agree that technology can provide our students, (not to mention adults) with access to ready information, and I similarly understand the appeal of the E-reader and the ability to take multiple books at a time with you at all times, there is still a need for books.
Thats right. Just a book.
No buttons or lights, no batteries.
I was at Rowen yesterday for some meetings, and just in general, to work with the teachers there. This week at Rowen was their Scholastic Book Fair. The kids were pumped. They had an assembly about the power of reading. While a man on the stage shouted, "we read books" the kids excitedly answered, "WE READ BOOKS!!". It was fun to watch. (Now, yes, they were excited because they were having an assembly on a Friday afternoon and were thus, out of class. I know, I was a teacher! But, the message of the assembly, and their excitement was a powerful one).
Meanwhile, during the assembly, parents were pouring in to the school asking if the book fair was still open so that they could buy some books for their kids.
Books have power. They transport kids one story at a time to other places. Books, unlike movies, give kids the power to imagine their own stories and visuals, to be creative.
Here's my story about books (and obviously there weren't E-readers back then.... )
When I was in the first grade, I hated reading. I got a C in phonics (yes, phonics), and I thought it was the most unnecessary subject ever. For the record, I also hated math and could not figure out how 5:05 and 5:50 on a clock differed - really, I was kind of dull.
For the next few years I fought reading. But when I entered the fourth grade, something happened. My teacher announced a reading competition. The winner each week was the one who had read the most pages (as signed off by the parents). I didn't like reading very much - but I was not going to let Brittany win. No. Way.
So I started reading. And what really got me going was that same fourth grade teacher taking the time every day after lunch to read to our class from "Where the Red Fern Grows". I got so angry that she would only read a few pages a day that I went to the library and checked it out so that I could just finish it already.
The rest of the year, Brittany and I traded back and forth on who won. We both tried out a variety of strategies. She believed that reading multiple books at a time worked best, while I believed that just focusing all of my attention on one at a time was the best.
By the end of the year, I liked reading. No, I loved reading. I didn't stop. And I haven't stopped since then.
This is what kids today need. They need a teacher to interest them in a book. They need a school library where they can easily go find the book that might change their life.
Which is why I believe in the power of school libraries.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Gift Wrapping and Bookfair
Next week is the big week! Our gift wrapping event and the Barnes and Noble bookfair!
Remember, the online code for the bookfair is 10570174 - and a precentage goes to Library Build! Please pass this along to others! Its free for you, and helps us out so much!
Remember, the online code for the bookfair is 10570174 - and a precentage goes to Library Build! Please pass this along to others! Its free for you, and helps us out so much!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Its here! Sign ups for Gift Wrapping!
On Monday December 12, Wednesday December 14 and Thursday December 15, Library Build will not only be holding a book fair with Barnes and Noble, but we will also be gift wrapping!!!
ALL proceeds from the gift wrapping go directly to Library Build - so its a great way to get involved and to know that you really helped out Rowen's students!
I have broken all three days into two hour shifts, but feel free to sign up for an "off" shift - I appreciate any and all help (and customers won't be pleased if its me gift wrapping for 10 hours a day... by the end the presents won't look so good, I'm sure...).
So here's the breakdown:
For December 12, 14, and 15 (yes, I know the 13th is skipped - we won't be gift wrapping on the 13th).
8AM - 10AM
10AM - 12PM
12PM - 2PM
2PM - 4PM
4PM - 6PM
6PM - 8PM
8PM - 10PM
Send me an email of a time, or times, when you can help out, at calliehammond@librarybuild.org
Here's what you can look forward to as one of our volunteers:
1. A performance by Rowen's students on one of the days (still deciding what day, but will announce it soon!)
2. Artwork all three days by Rowen's students featuring drawings of their favorite stories, books, and what books mean to them!
3. A chance to greet people during the holiday season and tell them about the need for libraries in Philadelphia's public schools!
4. My eternal gratitude!
5. Emails and invitations to upcoming Library Build events, including a Book Festival in the works for June or July, and to our launch party, and other amazing events!
6. A cool Library Build button!
Sign up! Go! and go libraries!
ALL proceeds from the gift wrapping go directly to Library Build - so its a great way to get involved and to know that you really helped out Rowen's students!
I have broken all three days into two hour shifts, but feel free to sign up for an "off" shift - I appreciate any and all help (and customers won't be pleased if its me gift wrapping for 10 hours a day... by the end the presents won't look so good, I'm sure...).
So here's the breakdown:
For December 12, 14, and 15 (yes, I know the 13th is skipped - we won't be gift wrapping on the 13th).
8AM - 10AM
10AM - 12PM
12PM - 2PM
2PM - 4PM
4PM - 6PM
6PM - 8PM
8PM - 10PM
Send me an email of a time, or times, when you can help out, at calliehammond@librarybuild.org
Here's what you can look forward to as one of our volunteers:
1. A performance by Rowen's students on one of the days (still deciding what day, but will announce it soon!)
2. Artwork all three days by Rowen's students featuring drawings of their favorite stories, books, and what books mean to them!
3. A chance to greet people during the holiday season and tell them about the need for libraries in Philadelphia's public schools!
4. My eternal gratitude!
5. Emails and invitations to upcoming Library Build events, including a Book Festival in the works for June or July, and to our launch party, and other amazing events!
6. A cool Library Build button!
Sign up! Go! and go libraries!
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