A SIRS Collaboration

Recently seventh grader language arts students visited the library for a refresher lesson using one of our AEA databases, SIRS. Students accessed the site from the DCG Middle School Library Symbaloo:

You can access the Symbaloo HERE.

This is a pro/con site that features hundreds of topics in a variety of user-friendly ways. Students can browse an A-Z list or conduct a visual browse of topics; they can see essential questions that feature articles in support and against the topic; and, they can access multiple viewpoints for one topic.

One of the site's component--but something students will see often when conducting online searches--was Boolean searching. To demonstrate how Boolean searching works, students participated in a "search" that used them as the "search terms." If students satisfied the "search term," they stood. This was one example: "boys OR athletes AND wearing a hoodie." Another example, shown below, was "students AND boys NOT in band."

Students also had time to work on the site and determine if topics of interest were included on SIRS. While browsing, some students were able to narrow their topics, while others revised topics as needed. Students eventually will be writing pro or con essay that includes at least two sources. Topics that students searched included:

• cell phone use in school
• beauty pageants
• distracted driving
• overmedicating children
• cheerleading as a sport
• keeping soccer players safe
• compensating college athletes

More Library Displays!

With the return to classes, it's time to update the library displays. Students might first notice the lighting that stretches along all of the fiction shelves.

Also on the fiction side of the library is a display highlighting several of our "snowy" titles. Thanks to Epic Reads for the display inspiration!

Finally, the newest display called "Made for each Other" features companion novels--novels, while not direct sequels, that do include repeat characters and/or plot lines.

Come on in to see the new displays and perhaps check out a featured book! See you soon!

2015: The Year in Review

Happy New Year! To ring in 2016, I thought we'd take a look back at library statistics for 2015; check it out:

Created using Canva

Other statistics that you may find interesting. . . 

• The collection totals 7,577 copies.
• More than 650 patrons from around the district and in the building checked out 7,772 items.
• The top ten titles were checked out a total of 314 times.
• More than 30 titles were put on hold in the last year. The top three titles requested were Monument 14, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, and The Eleventh Plague.

Happy 2016, and here's to more great books and reading!