The library has iPads available for student check out with parent permission. Parents must view an informational video on student iPad checkout (see below). This video will explain the parent/student responsibilities of iPad checkout, procedures, and replacement costs if the iPad is damaged or lost. In order for students to check out an iPad, parents will be required to view the video, read the online contract, and sign a google form giving their child permission to check out the iPad. Once we receive the completed google form, the library staff will follow up with a phone call to the parent to verify student permission. Once permission has been verified, students may check out iPads through the library. These iPads must be used for classroom assignments and can only be checked out for 5 school days at a time.
Monthly Archives: September 2015
Connecting with Educators
October is Connected Educator Month!
Don’t let your freedom to read become READstricted!
We are in full swing preparing for a week of celebrating YOUR right to read!
Banned Books Week is an annual event that promotes the freedom to express one’s opinions even if that opinion might be considered unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them (American Library Association).
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, while a banning is the removal of those materials. Books may be challenged or banned for a variety of reasons, including offensive language, being sexually explicit, or being unsuitable for an age group.
Learn more about the 10 most challenged books in 2014, why they were challenged, and who challenged them HERE.
The Tompkins Library is celebrating your right to read with challenged/banned books displays and an emoji contest. Pick up a contest form in the library. All entries must be received by Friday, October 2nd by 8:00am. Winners will be announced on Friday, October 2nd at 11:00am.
Stop by and show your support for Banned Books Week by checking out a banned book!
Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association.
2015 Teens’ Top Ten
Each
year the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) invites teens to nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. Voting begins August 15th and ends October 24th. The Top Ten titles will be announced on October 27, 2015!
Here are the 24 nominees!
View a list of nominees with annotations here.
Vote for your Top 3 choices HERE!
Monsters in Literature
Who doesn’t love a good monster book? The more terrifying, the more we want to read it, right? Some of the most horrifying monsters live in classic literature. Among these are: The Giant Squid from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne, Medusa from Greek Mythology, and Grendel from the Old English poem Beowulf.
Beowulf is the story of how Beowulf, the King of Danes, battles and defeats the monster that is attacking the mead hall in Heorot. The alliterative verse in Beowulf is studied by high school students year and year…including myself! As a high school student, I loved the story of Beowulf so much that I went on to read Grendel by John Gardner. Grendel is a retelling of Beowulf, but from Grendel’s perspective, which I loved so much!
Our Tompkins seniors are continuing the tradition of studying Beowulf and will begin researching monsters in other literature. One of my favorite contemporary “monster” works is A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, which was inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd. It is an absolutely brilliantly written story about “monsters” and dealing with loss.
The library has this title in print, audiobook, and ebook format. Read the book and then watch the movie in 2016 starring Felicity Jones and Liam Neeson!
What is your favorite monster book? Post it to the blog!