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!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Site Visit
Today we had a successful site visit at Rowen School! I met with two trustees from a family foundation that I applied to for funding for Rowen's library.
They saw the library and the school, which was great. They were impressed that the library space was so big - alot of schools have tiny rooms designated as the library.
We won't hear from them until January however (because that's when the whole board meets). But it was a great morning, and a good first site visit experience for me!
Tomorrow I am meeting with the director of libraries in the School District - should be a great meeting - I already have a list of about 20 questions to ask of her, so there will be more updates here tomorrow!
They saw the library and the school, which was great. They were impressed that the library space was so big - alot of schools have tiny rooms designated as the library.
We won't hear from them until January however (because that's when the whole board meets). But it was a great morning, and a good first site visit experience for me!
Tomorrow I am meeting with the director of libraries in the School District - should be a great meeting - I already have a list of about 20 questions to ask of her, so there will be more updates here tomorrow!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Great Nonprofits
I just found out about the Great Nonprofits site this past weekend. Its like Amazon.com, but for nonprofits. People can sign in and leave reviews of a nonprofit's work, their experiences, etc.
So, here's our profile:
I'll keep working on it, but you can check it out!
Also, thank you very much to everyone who has emailed me or contacted me in some way! I really appreciate all of the support! If I haven't gotten back to you yet - I will!
Thanks everyone! Have a great week!
So, here's our profile:
I'll keep working on it, but you can check it out!
Also, thank you very much to everyone who has emailed me or contacted me in some way! I really appreciate all of the support! If I haven't gotten back to you yet - I will!
Thanks everyone! Have a great week!
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush
I spent the morning at The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush. The principal there invited me to come by and see the school and their library space.
I had looked at their website before going, but I didn't really know much about the school.
Here's a rundown:
- Benjamin Rush School used to be a middle school, but it was shut down, and the School District began a multi-million dollar renovation of it.
- In 2008 it opened as The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush.
- It is a college prep high school, and a site select (not a neighborhood school), so students from all over Philadelphia can apply in the 8th grade to attend Rush.
- This is the first year that they have a senior class, because they have added a grade each year since 2008.
The school is beautiful. Here's the entrance (with Halloween decorations):
But, then there's the library:
It's beautiful too! It was fully renovated and refurbished. The District put in beautiful book shelves and furniture, and brand new carpet, when the renovation was complete.
But, true District-style, what did they not give The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush?
Books.
The shelves are empty. The principal has very little budget for the school (just like all principals in this city), and has been unable to truly put a library into the school. They have been able to raise some money in the last few years to get a very small collection, and they have received book donations, but nothing that fills the space.
I'm trying to think of ways that Library Build can get involved with The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush. It seems like a truly great opportunity for us because the space is already beautiful, and the principal is very dedicated to getting the best for her school.
Stay tuned!
I had looked at their website before going, but I didn't really know much about the school.
Here's a rundown:
- Benjamin Rush School used to be a middle school, but it was shut down, and the School District began a multi-million dollar renovation of it.
- In 2008 it opened as The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush.
- It is a college prep high school, and a site select (not a neighborhood school), so students from all over Philadelphia can apply in the 8th grade to attend Rush.
- This is the first year that they have a senior class, because they have added a grade each year since 2008.
The school is beautiful. Here's the entrance (with Halloween decorations):
But, then there's the library:
 |
| New furniture and bookcases. |
It's beautiful too! It was fully renovated and refurbished. The District put in beautiful book shelves and furniture, and brand new carpet, when the renovation was complete.
But, true District-style, what did they not give The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush?
 |
| Empty. |
Books.
The shelves are empty. The principal has very little budget for the school (just like all principals in this city), and has been unable to truly put a library into the school. They have been able to raise some money in the last few years to get a very small collection, and they have received book donations, but nothing that fills the space.
 |
| The beautiful librarian's desk that was put in during the renovations. |
I'm trying to think of ways that Library Build can get involved with The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush. It seems like a truly great opportunity for us because the space is already beautiful, and the principal is very dedicated to getting the best for her school.
Stay tuned!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
New Pictures of Rowen School's Library
I spent the day at Rowen School on Wednesday. Here are some new pictures of some of the more challenging features of Rowen's library:
This door is by the librarian's corner. It leads to a creepy basement area of the school - obviously it needs to be fixed and then locked so kids don't go through it.
Yeah, this is nasty.
I'm not really sure whats under the grating here. Probably pipes of some sort that need to remain accessible in case of school repairs.
The delightful drop ceiling. Probably not much we can do about that, but this picture also illustrates the terrible lighting fixtures in the library.
General clutter.
I sent out newsletters today to everyone who has donated to Library Build in the last year! Look for yours in the mail soon! Make sure you read the newsletter for news about our exciting new project which I will be announcing next week (after those who have donated see it - more reasons to donate!).
School District Shortfall (Again)
Kristen Graham's article today in The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Philadelphia schools face additional $39 million budget shortage" illustrates why Library Build's work is so important, and also why Library Build can not rely on the School District to pay the salaries of our librarians.
I think people assume that because Teach for America was able to convince school districts to not only hire un-certified teachers, but to also pay them full teaching salaries, that it must be fairly easy. Wrong. The whole reason we are in this mess is because school districts (not just Philadelphia), have been laying off librarians (and support staff, and music teachers, etc) for decades.
The current shortfall merely just says to me that there really is no way even in the future that the School District will pay for librarians. This must be something that Library Build provides to the schools it works with.
I think people assume that because Teach for America was able to convince school districts to not only hire un-certified teachers, but to also pay them full teaching salaries, that it must be fairly easy. Wrong. The whole reason we are in this mess is because school districts (not just Philadelphia), have been laying off librarians (and support staff, and music teachers, etc) for decades.
The current shortfall merely just says to me that there really is no way even in the future that the School District will pay for librarians. This must be something that Library Build provides to the schools it works with.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
MLK Day of Service Director
Have some time? Interested in working with Library Build?
MLK Day of Service Director
On Monday, January 16, 2012, Library Build will be working in Rowen Elementary's library in NW Philadelphia.
Scheduled activities include, but are not limited to:
-painting walls
-going through the existing collection and throwing out old books
-getting rid of old furniture
-putting together new furniture
The MLK Day of Service Director will be responsible for the following:
1. Marketing the Day of Service on Facebook, Twitter, on campus, online, etc.
2. Procurring paint, furniture, trash bags, boxes, and other necessary supplies with the support of the CEO
3. Working with local restaurants to obtain low-cost or donated lunch for volunteers
4. Managing online MLK Day of Service sign-ups, tracking T-shirt sizes
5. Answering questions directed to Library Build about MLK Day of Service at Rowen School
Qualifications:
- Desire to "own" the service project for the next two months
- Excited about the opportunity to lead a project in a city-wide service event
- Be hard-working and enjoy taking initiative
- Be successful with little overhead
- Be capable of connecting with, and reaching out to volunteers
- Have an interest in service or education
- Be reliable
Email Callie at calliehammond@librarybuild.org
MLK Day of Service Director
On Monday, January 16, 2012, Library Build will be working in Rowen Elementary's library in NW Philadelphia.
Scheduled activities include, but are not limited to:
-painting walls
-going through the existing collection and throwing out old books
-getting rid of old furniture
-putting together new furniture
The MLK Day of Service Director will be responsible for the following:
1. Marketing the Day of Service on Facebook, Twitter, on campus, online, etc.
2. Procurring paint, furniture, trash bags, boxes, and other necessary supplies with the support of the CEO
3. Working with local restaurants to obtain low-cost or donated lunch for volunteers
4. Managing online MLK Day of Service sign-ups, tracking T-shirt sizes
5. Answering questions directed to Library Build about MLK Day of Service at Rowen School
Qualifications:
- Desire to "own" the service project for the next two months
- Excited about the opportunity to lead a project in a city-wide service event
- Be hard-working and enjoy taking initiative
- Be successful with little overhead
- Be capable of connecting with, and reaching out to volunteers
- Have an interest in service or education
- Be reliable
Email Callie at calliehammond@librarybuild.org
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