Big Picture

This is my second summer as school librarian.

Last summer, I spent my time up at school weeding through the VERY out of date nonfiction collection. I withdrew about 2,000 books from the system. Everyone of them justifiable. I mean really, who needs computer books from the 1980s?

Before school was out this year, the library received much needed new bookshelves. So, all 11,000+ books had to come off the old shelves. Which means...that all 11,000+ books have to go back on the shelves.

It's not at easy as it sounds. What you'd think would fit, doesn't. Books have been moved three, four, or five times to accommodate the rest of the collection.

I've been up to school at least 5 days this summer. This wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that there's no AC. Have I mentioned that I work in Texas? If you haven't heard, it's hot here.

Today, I finally got all the books that are staying back on the shelves. (Thanks to the help of my mom and my 7 year old daughter.)

I have had to order new book ends and a new barcode scanner.

I refuse to go back up to school until the scanner get here. I'm hoping it won't show up until November. Let you know how that works out for me.

The Quest for a "Good" Book

So, it's summer. I have all this time on my hands to read. Yet, I can't seem to get motivated to do it. I consider myself an avid reader...so, what's the problem?

I have read about 20 books in the past month. None of them have been outstanding. They've been "alright" Not a one that I'd say, "You HAVE to read this" to any of my students.

Again, I ask, what's the problem?

My guess, it's me. I've picked up several books and made it half way through and can't take it anymore, so I quit. I never use to do that. Have I become that picky reader?


Or is there nothing that great out there? --- I seriously doubt that. Maybe I'm not finding those "great" books. Where are they hiding?



Here's what I've read this summer:
Girlfriend Material
The Dark Divine
The Juvie Three
After Ever After
Wanted (Pretty Little Liars #8)
The Sweet Second Life of Bree Tanner
Something Like Fate
Oh. My. Gods.
Dork Diaries #2
The Gardener
Goddess Boot Camp
My Life with the Lincolns
Smile
Hex Hall
The Deathday Letter
Glimpse
Only the Good Spy Young
The Gorgeous Game
Wicked Girls
Once

and currently reading:
The Six Rules of Maybe

I tend to read dark and depressing. I tell my kids that someone almost always dies in the books I read. But, some of my all time favorite books are: Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie and Notes from the Midnight Driver.

Great book, where art thou?

We Shall See What We Shall See

This is a saying that my grandma use to say to me when I would ask what we were going to do.

This is my first blog. My grandma's statement "We shall see what we shall see" seems appropriate for this. I'm not sure how my blogging will go or how long it will last. I am hopeful though.


I guess an introduction is appropriate.

I am a middle school librarian. Before completing my Masters in Library Science from the University of North Texas I taught. In my 8 years of teaching experience, I taught 4th grade, 3rd grade, MS Spanish, 6th grade Art, 6th grade Study Skills, and Texas History. My certification covers me to teach several things, so anything that was without a teacher became mine.

Getting my masters was something I wanted to do since I started teaching. My hurdle...the GRE. I was scared to death of the GRE! Yes, I know, it's just a test. A very important test, that I was certain I wouldn't pass. Obviously I did, but not without studying and a few minor moments of panic.


Unfortunately, I landed into by dream job at the loss of a friend. Our campus librarian was diagnosed with cancer in September of 2008. She passed away in February 2009. There's not a day that goes by that I don't walk in the library and miss her. (I especially miss her when it's time to change the laminator. She was a wiz at it. Me, not so much.)

The 2010-2011 school year will be my 2nd full year in the library. This also fits the title of this post. I don't remember much of last year. Let's see if I do better this year.