Selection, deselection and awful library books

It has come around to the end of the school year, which means it's time to do a bit of weeding. Weeding in a library is similar to weeding in a garden. You go through the collection carefully looking for any books which may once have been a beautiful hibiscus, but which have now become a dried up old thistle... Maybe that's a bit of a stretch but you never quite know what you will find tucked away in a forgotten corner.

While some books are lovely and only get more charming with age, this doesn't mean they will always be appropriate for a modern school library collection.
We also need to look at books for currency - information can quickly go out of date. The overall condition of a specimen is important. Who wants to read a spotty, smelly old book with a cover which looks like 1990's finest (but 2011's lamest)?
Ok some people would (like maybe me in a whimsical mood) but whimsy is not a good reason to keep something that is manky. Neither is the 'it's old so it must be good' idea. But at the same time, it's essential to keep older books which are still in ok condition and appropriate for the curriculum and student needs. Some of the books we weed are still great books, they are just no longer appropriate.

Careful management of library collections is essential for presenting students with the best possible library experience.

The collection is already in pretty awesome shape, so only a little careful weeding is required. But it's important to keep on top of it. If you don't, you could easily end up with a collection that actually puts people off books and libraries. Looking through the collection to find books which need to be removed also highlights gaps - so we will know what we need to buy for the coming school year.

There's a fantastic library blog called Awful Library books. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) there's nothing here that we can submit to them! Random old books do have a certain charm... In the meantime, I'll keep looking!

At the moment there is a trolley of books available on the second floor of the library. These are for staff and students to take home and keep. The ones which are not snapped up will be donated to charity book sales. Come along and grab a few for yourself - you could just end up with a hidden gem!

Making masks in the library

Today was one of the best Primary lunch time 'Making Stuff Day' craft sessions so far.
Around 40 students came along to make themselves a superhero mask.
It was so good to see lots of kids come along and be creative. Everyone did a fantastic job with their masks!

We have two more craft sessions left for this year. What will we make? Not sure yet, but it's going to be a lot of fun!

Advice from your dear friend, Dr Seuss

In 1971 a new library opened in Troy, Michigan. The Children's Librarian, Marguerite Hart, wanted to attract as many children and young people as possible to use the library. So she sent letters to famous individuals asking them to write letters about what libraries meant to them.

Marguerite recieved many replies, including advice from Dr Seuss (Theodore Geisel), E.B White, Isaac Asimov and Neil Armstrong. All of these people cared enough about libraries and children to send their reply.

Even though forty years have passed since these letters were written, libraries are still an important part of many people's lives. Libraries are about more than just books. They teach children about waiting your turn, sharing, having fun and even organisation. Well ordered books and well ordered data have more in common that you'd realise at first glance. Being able to find your way around traditional paper based formats (ie. books) can make it easier to explore the mess of information that is the internet.

No matter what medium you're doing it in (be it paper, computer based, e-book reader or android phone) the simple advice of Dr Seuss still makes a lot of sense. Because in order to make sense of the written world and to navigate your way around the unwritten one it really helps if you can read, and do it well.

A great fantasy fiction author

Diana Wynne Jones is one of my favourite authors ever. It was really sad to hear that she has passed away.

One of the best fantasy fiction novels I've ever read was Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.

This story has it all - magic, mystery, alternate universes and amazing creatures.
After inexplicably upsetting the wicked Witch of the Waste Sophie Hatter finds herself changed. It's not long until she realises that the Witch has turned her into a 90 year woman! Sophie decides to leave her small village and somehow ends up at Wizard Howl's castle. Not sure what to do, Sophie forces herself into the castle and hopes that Howl will find a way to stay until Howl agrees to help her. The problem is, the powerful spell prevents her from revealing to anyone that she is under an enchantment.

Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli made the story into a movie, which was great too. Not quite as good as the book, but still, pretty amazing. One of the highlights of the film is the fantastic animation. It also stars Billy Crystal as the voice of Calcifer (Howl's fire demon).