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!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
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!
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!
Friday, April 20, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, April 16, 2012
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! :)
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! :)
Saturday, April 14, 2012
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?
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?
Thursday, April 12, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
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?
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?
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Slow Crawl of Spring
Well I last posted a week ago, so I feel obliged to say "hi" today. Other than that, not much to update.
- I have been doing more research on possible grants. It's super exciting.
- I discovered that I can't buy books online with Library Build's debit card, because Library Build does not have an "address", we have a PO box... Not sure how to work this mess out. (This is part of a much longer story in which it is actually illegal to run a nonprofit out of a private home - unless that home has an established home office - so people like me get PO boxes, but then you can't get anything sent to your nonprofit. And, sadly, my 4 square feet of "home office" doesn't count.) - Yes, equally as exciting (and infuriating) as the grants.
- I started getting some applications for the Library Fellows position, so that is actually exciting (not joking about this one).
- I have discovered a loop hole in which new / start up nonprofits do not get free stuff from corporations, but medium/ 5 year old nonprofits do get free stuff (LIKE WEBSITES). Yes, its exciting too.
- News about me personally: I now am connected to the larger world when I am not at home, because I now have an IPad! I do not have a laptop, blackberry, etc, and I have never had a phone that has internet (yes, its a log, and even complete strangers laugh at me when I am out in public because my phone looks like its from 2007 - because it is...). So, now I am instantly available, and I finally join this century!
All in all, a recession is a good time to start a nonprofit, no?
- I have been doing more research on possible grants. It's super exciting.
- I discovered that I can't buy books online with Library Build's debit card, because Library Build does not have an "address", we have a PO box... Not sure how to work this mess out. (This is part of a much longer story in which it is actually illegal to run a nonprofit out of a private home - unless that home has an established home office - so people like me get PO boxes, but then you can't get anything sent to your nonprofit. And, sadly, my 4 square feet of "home office" doesn't count.) - Yes, equally as exciting (and infuriating) as the grants.
- I started getting some applications for the Library Fellows position, so that is actually exciting (not joking about this one).
- I have discovered a loop hole in which new / start up nonprofits do not get free stuff from corporations, but medium/ 5 year old nonprofits do get free stuff (LIKE WEBSITES). Yes, its exciting too.
- News about me personally: I now am connected to the larger world when I am not at home, because I now have an IPad! I do not have a laptop, blackberry, etc, and I have never had a phone that has internet (yes, its a log, and even complete strangers laugh at me when I am out in public because my phone looks like its from 2007 - because it is...). So, now I am instantly available, and I finally join this century!
All in all, a recession is a good time to start a nonprofit, no?
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