PLEASE RETURN YOUR LIBRARY BOOKS

Hello all,

It is hard to believe that June is already in full swing. Before you leave for the summer, I hope you will return your library books. Currently, our school has over 700 overdue books. That translates into approximately $14,000.00 in lost materials. Sadly, our book budget has been cut for five years in a row and will decrease again in the Fall. So, it is very important to hold on to the books that we have in our collection in order to make sure our students have plenty of good quality materials to read for pleasure and to support their exit projects and other research assignments.

When you return your books, I will clear your record in the computer system. You will not be charged a late fee, even if the book is years late. If you lost your books, please check with me to find out the cost of replacement.

Thank you for your help in maintaining our school library.

Your friendly librarian,

Mrs. Kinast

This Book Trailer is AWESOME!!

The IS 68 Library Book Club made this book trailer video using Animoto software and I am very proud of their work.

Check out the hotness by clicking the link below:

IS 68 - Hunger Games

Then, read the book!

Check the SweetSearch widget I just added to this blog!

SweetSearch is a great way to make sure your search isn't polluted with advertisements, personal websites and harmful or inaccurate information. The SweetSearch4You is a search engine that allows you to search only safe, educational information. It is a great tool for school research. Give it a try.

Exit project season

Are you finding the best information for your exit project? If you aren't sure, consider trying out the databases on the library homepage. You can access them from any computer with Internet access as long as you have the username and password (available upon request). Just send me an e-mail at bkinast@is68.org if you want the login information or if you'd like some guidance in finding quality sources for your research.

Technology Classes

Class 270, 272 and 273 are currently working on designing their own online communities or social networking sites. I have seen some very interesting ideas already and I am anxious to see which individuals or teams come up with the most creative plans.

If you are in my Tech class, please remember to check your snapgrades account regularly to make sure you have turned in all homework assignments and access extra credit opportunities. The snapgrades URL is http://snapgrades.net/.

FYI - Your school library has what you need.

Here are just a few examples of what you can find in your IS 68 Library:

Primary Documents
Articles
Non-fiction
Databases
Maps
Encyclopedia
Graphic Novels
Fiction
Websites
Almanacs
Dictionaries
A helpful librarian

Spelling Bee Champions

ALL of the spelling bee contestants deserve praise for winning their class spelling bees and making it to the school-wide competition.

Three students will be going on to compete at the district-level spelling bee in January.

They are: Carolyn Elyzee, Megane Nacier and Leanza Mclean

We are so proud of you and we know you will make us proud at the district bee!

Library Research

Classes 275 and 265 came to the library today for research lessons. I am available for research help throughout the year. See you in the library.

TOP 5 Most-checked out-books at IS 68

FYI (For your information) -

These are the most checked out books of the month at Bildersee -

1. The chronicles of Vladimir Tod : tenth grade bleeds FIC BRE Brewer, Heather.

2. The Hunger Games FIC COL Collins, Suzanne.

3. The music of dolphins FIC HES Hesse, Karen. Published 2005 Reading Level: 3.5 Interest Level: 3-6

4. Prince of Persia, the graphic novel 741.5 SIN Sina, A. B. I

5. Breaking dawn FIC MEY Meyer, Stephenie, 1973-

Spelling Bee and Book Fair

October = fun with the Book Fair and the school-wide spelling bee just around the corner!

Here's what you need to know:
1. The book fair will be here from October 22 through October 29. Ask your teacher when your class is signed up to visit and be ready to shop!
2. Each class will have a spelling bee this month to determine who will go on to compete in the school-wide spelling bee in November. Go to www.myspellit.com or www.wordcentral.com to find word lists and fun ways to practice.

Library Procedures

These procedures should be posted in your classrooms, but just in case you haven't seen them, here they are:

YOUR LIBRARY @ I.S. 68

Services: Lending books, computers for research, research assistance for students and teachers, library orientation, information skills lessons, database training, SmartBoard for presentations, meeting space

Procedures for using the library:

1. Request permission from your teacher to visit the library (at least one day in advance). You must visit the library during a class or auditorium period. Your pass should include a purpose for visiting the library and you must stay on task in the library. Lunch passes will not be given by teachers.

2. Books may be borrowed for two weeks before they are considered late. You may request one renewal if you need the book(s) for more than two weeks.

3. Return your borrowed books to the library BOOK DROP in the hallway, not to the librarian’s desk.

4. Late books will result in (1) a late notice, (2) a hold on your report card, (3) and/or cancellation of all borrowing and visiting privileges. Lost books must be paid for in order to reinstate your library privileges.

5. Computers are for research or academic use only. Non-educational games or websites are not permitted. Accessing non-educational games, downloading material, instant messaging, social networking or viewing inappropriate content on the Internet will result in your loss of privileges and referral to your teacher/dean.

6. The librarian reserves the right to send students out of the library for inappropriate behavior. Extreme cases may result in contacting your dean or a permanent library ban.

7. Students are responsible for saving documents and checking out books before the bell rings. At the sound of the bell, students must exit the library promptly.

8. The library is open for appointments during the following periods Monday through Friday: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8.

Teachers are welcome to visit during open hours to request services. Teachers may also contact me at extension 2320 or bkinast@is68.org.

Your librarian,

Mrs. Kinast

WELCOME BACK!!

I hope all of you had a wonderful summer vacation filled with fun and some good books too. If you read something great over the break, let me know. I will order it for the library. I am taking suggestions for books to add to the collection. Enjoy your first day back and have a great year! Keep checking the library blog for updates.

See you in September

Hello library friends,

I guess the library closed earlier than I expected it would because my baby came two weeks early. I hope that you will put your books in the book drop if you still have books checked out. For those of you who will be returning next year, I look forward to seeing you in September. To the 8th graders, I'll miss you and I wish you all the best in your future. Don't forget to keep reading over the Summer to keep your brain sharp for the Fall.

- Mrs. Kinast

Library Closing Early

Hello Everyone,

As I will be having a baby very soon, there will be no more check outs for the remainder of the school year. It is very important that you return the books you currently have in your possession as soon as possible so that the library will not suffer from too much book-loss this summer. If you return your books before I leave, you will not be charged any late fees.

Please drop your books in the book drop or come in to pay for your lost books right away. I'll be back in September and your borrowing record will still be in the computer. If you haven't returned books from this year, you will not have borrowing rights next year until you return or replace the books.

To the graduating 8th graders -

Congratulations on completing this part of your educational career! Read as much as you can and keep challenging yourself. You already know how to use computers for fun and communication, but try to also learn how to use technology for research and projects. Remember that you are the master of your own destiny, so don't wait for your teachers or friends to tell you what to think. Do your own research and make up your own mind. Think for yourself and be the unique individual you were meant to be. Stand out from the pack! Creative thinking and hard work are the tools that will lead you to success in the next four years and beyond. You can do it!

Great Author Visit from Rita Williams-Garcia

Thanks to Ms. Rita Williams-Garcia! The author visit yesterday was fantastic and somehow even better than last year. It was extra special because it was her birthday. We enjoyed learning about Rita's life and her stories. Her animated personality and interesting book topics were both entertaining and educational.

You should definitely check out her books for children and young adults, such as:

Like Sisters on the Homefront, Every time a Rainbow Dies, No Laughter Here, One Crazy Summer, and Fast Talk on a Slow Track. All great!

Love your library

If the Internet was broken for a long period of time, where would you turn for information? Probably the library. What if there were no library to turn to? Then what?


As National School Library Month approaches, think about what it means to have a library. Libraries are special places for finding great stories and useful information. These are just a few titles that speak to the power of libraries in our world.

Upcoming library events

The I.S. 68 Library will be hosting Rita Williams-Garcia, acclaimed author of childrens and young adult books on April 13th.

The Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) Scholastic Book Fair will be April 12 - April 16th. Stay tuned for the date and time of our book fair Family Night!

April is National Library Month. Sadly, libraries are losing funding, which means less open hours, fewer staff, fewer programs and sometimes closing altogether. Show some love for the school and public libraries in your life. Comment on this post with a message about why you love your library. More importantly, when you have the chance, vote to keep libraries properly funded.

Library Update

March is here and that means exit projects should be underway. The library has resources for your research project in print and online, so make an appointment with your teacher to visit the library and find the information you need. I am here to show you where to find online articles and encyclopedias if you can't find a book on your topic.

March is also Women's History Month. We have many biographies on extraordinary women in history and in modern times. Look for a new bulletin board highlighting women near the library this week.

Last, but not least, it is time to start saving your allowance for the Buy One, Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair. The book fair will be from April 12 - April 16. It's a great bargain, the profits go to purchase more books for the library and you can use the books to get a jump on your summer reading.

Black History Month Celebration Today

In honor of our celebration of Black History Month, I would like to suggest some great fiction and nonfiction titles in our library that highlight African-American people, culture and history.

It is said that history repeats itself, but we are only doomed to relive our past if we fail to learn from it. The past is not a map to where you are going, it's a record of where you have been. Its purpose is not to drag you back through emotional muck, but to serve you best by reminding you of lessons learned so you can avoid them in the future.
~from React or Respond by Kimberly and Tom Goodwin

Discover African American heritage through the many resources available to you in your school library. We have databases and online encyclopedias, graphic novels, poetry, historial fiction, biographies and history books full of primary documents - all at your fingertips.

Here a few great places to start:

* Online Encyclopedia: Britannica Online/School Edition (see me for password)
* Website: www.blackpast.org
* Poetry book: A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson
* History: Without Regard to Race - The Integration of the U.S. Military After World War II by Hedda Garza
* Historical fiction: Nzingha, Warriar Queen of Matamba by Patricia McKissack
* Biography (historical): Two Tickets to Freedom, the True Story of Ellen and William Craft, Fugitive Slaves by Florence Freedman
* Biography (modern): Barack Obama, A Biography by Joann F. Price
* Graphic Novel: Satchel Paige, Striking Out Jim Crow by James Sturm

District Spelling Bee today!

Good Morning Bildersee! Today, three Bildersee students will be competing in the distric spelling bee at Andries Hudde school. Please wish the best of luck to Sharee Campbell and Briana Merilus of class 261 and Ernica Sanon of class 281.