Welcome Back!!

Welcome to the new school year! It's going to be a Grand Slam of a year! Thanks to a grant, I was able to update some of the furniture in the library. Here are a few pictures:

Fiesta Book Fair and Library Displays

These decorations were for my May Scholastic Book Fair and the beginning of the year bulletin boards for 2014. I love changing things up and decorating the library to make in more inviting for the students.

I am getting ready for my next book fair, so look for new pictures soon. I am also adding some decorations for the holiday season. 

Hello Again!

It is my goal to get better about blogging! I feel it is important, as a librarian, to toot our horns and let people know what we do! This belief has been reinforced by attending TXLA- The Texas Library Association Conference. Awesome doesn't even begin to describe my experience. More to come about that later. I have so much information and so many notes, I need to process them all to be able to share my experiences in a coherent manner :)

Sorry everyone, I got tied up with work and personal issues and dropped the ball on my blog. Hopefully, things will be better this year.

I am starting out this school year without an aide, which has been a bit hectic to say the least. I will be getting an aide in the next couple of weeks, which will be a blessing.

More to come soon!

Fantastic Fiction

If you are looking for the books in a series or can't remember what book comes first, second, third, and so on...

Looking for other books by an author...

This is the website for you! I use it almost daily.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

Protecting Paperback Books

Paperback books get mistreated. It bothered me to spend library funds on paperbacks, when I knew how mistreated they were and that their shelf-life is relatively short. A library aide at another campus shared her method of prolonging the life of paperbacks and I haven't looked back since.

You will need scissors, a book, roll of transparent contact paper, and a food scraper. I roughly measure out the contact paper to fit the book and cut it.


Partially peel the backing from the contact paper. Place the contact paper slightly over the edge of the book cover. Use the food scraper to smooth out any are bubbles and adhere the contact paper to the book cover.

 

At each corner, cut diagonally across the contact paper. Also cut diagonally at each corner nearest the spine. Then fold over each flap onto the inside cover of the book. Use the food scraper to smooth about any air bubbles and adhere the contact paper. 

Finish peeling the backing from the contact paper and cover the spine and opposite cover with the contact paper. Repeat the above steps. Finally, trim the excess flaps at the top and bottom of the book's spine.

Library vendors such as Demco and the Library Store sell individually cut-self adhesive book covers if you have the budget for them. They are definitely a time saver and easier to use, but I still use both materials depending on the size of the book that needs covering.

 

Hope this helps protect your paperbacks!

Inspired design

I was looking at my drab plant holders around the library and decided to jazz them up a little.

I laminated some book jackets and wrapped them around the pots. It took two book jackets per plant.

It does liven up the library and I have received several compliments and comments on the idea and books advertised.

It really is a small idea that has a big impact and adds a little pizazz to the library.