Madison, Marley, and Macedonia

by Kirran Iveson

As the term ends, we can now take a ecnalg to the term and as Madison gets fatter, we can take “pets a” and take a look at how the past few months have been.

Let me begin by quickly explaining that Madison is not a person, she was simply a pre-labeled empty file folder that I adopted as my own when I first arrived in the BE Library. Throughout the term, I have been slowly feeding her and helping her to fulfill her purpose of containing papers once again.

If Madison could read her contents, she would be incredibly well versed in the world’s news from September 2013 through December 2013. Madison would also be able to stump even the most intrepid riddle-solver. Packed with rebuses, logic puzzles, and cryptics, Madison boasts an impressive repertoire.

However, throughout the term, before anything went to Madison it had to pass certain tests. Let’s start with the news. This test is simply subjectivity at its finest. I would trawl through the BBC each morning to find stories I thought the students should know about and would write short summaries on three stories. As a rule of thumb I would choose one world event story, one science story, and one new story that highlights an individual's achievements, but certain days consisted of just one story, such as the recent passing of Nelson Mandela.

In order for the riddles I post to find themselves within Madison’s embrace, they would first have to be solved by the students. Any unsolved riddle would remain posted until the answer was given. In fact, a few cryptic crossword clues remain up there from my tribute to the passing of John Graham, aka Araucaria, a much-beloved crossword creator for "The Guardian." However, a new riddle would be posted at the beginning of each week with occasional supplementary riddles popping up on a Wednesday or Thursday.

While feeding Madison’s hunger took up some hours of the morning, the rest of my days were mainly spent adding new books to our Mandarin system, commonly known amongst us elite librarians as “cataloguing.” Few realize how slow and arduous the task of cataloguing can be. With the infamous British system hiccup and The Great ALC Closure of ’13 (which we’ll all remember as the few days America had “no government” resulting in the closure of its library website), many factors can influence how fast we are able to catalogue. Not to mention Bob Marley (our printer) who won’t stop jamming. To be quite honest, I’m getting fed up of his songs and his repertoire has really suffered in his old age. I’m sure we’re all too familiar with hits such as “Paperless Paper Jam,” “Please Don’t Stop Now," and “Oops, it Appears I’ve Done it Again.” My all-time favourite used to be “A3 Blues,” but too many copiers out there started playing it as well (pun was SO intended).

The hardest aspect of cataloguing, without a doubt, is Dewey hunting. The difficulty of finding the Dewey decimal number for any given book can range from easy to “finding Waldo.” However, with excellent deductive skills you should be able to comb through the Internet to find the red and white rascal. Chopac, LinkCat, and ISBNdb may not mean a lot to most people, but they are a Dewey hunter’s godsend.

When there was a lull in the library and I found I had some free time, another co-op and I decided we would learn every single country’s flag.

And we did. I currently know every autonomous country’s flag, along with some very strange ones involving hats on sticks and beheadings (good ol’ Preraria and Benin).

To contribute back to the students, we put on a library lecture all about flags and vexillology. Perhaps some may think it’s not the most stimulating and engaging of topics, but we made it fun and the students who did come said they enjoyed it.

To really sum up my time in the library, I made sure that whatever I was doing both furthered my knowledge on a subject as well as the students’ - or at least provided an option for them to learn about it. I love reading the news, so I made the summaries; I love riddles and solving them, so I gave the students riddles to challenge them; I learned all about flags, so I made a presentation on it – all of these are things I very much enjoy, and I made sure I brought it into my work.

The library is a place for learning. World events, riddles, and flags are only three options. There are thousands of knowledge fields: impart what you can to the kids and make sure you learn along the way. J

Library Couch-Craze

by Alexandra Paz-Berreiras

Footsteps are gradually getting louder…. Soon, students are seen running down the hall, racing to get through the door. What could they possibly be so excited about? What must be the root cause for all this chaos?

Of course! It’s the coveted library couches!

Every week the Savoy Library is host to dozens of classes looking for a refreshing change of scenery from their normal classrooms. In August, when Rebecca and I moved around the furniture, we hoped that the students would also enjoy the new layout and find the library to be a comfortable place they would be happy to use as their space. Now, nearing the end of December, the result of doing so is clear – it’s a hit!

It’s great to see students genuinely excited to be in the library. The Savoy Library has become the hub for both studying and socializing and I couldn’t be happier about it. Everyday I see students come in to sit in their favourite cozy spot. Our designated Silent Study Room allows students who would like a more isolated study experience to enjoy their time in peace and quiet.

As my co-op term comes to a close, I can certainly say that I will miss this place. The Savoy Library was practically my home, even taking a nap on one of the couches in the off hours. For months to come I will definitely be reminiscing about the smiling (and even the frowning) students, the teachers, the staff, and all the other people that makes the library a great place to be. Until next time…keep reading! 

October 10th Minutes, Media Studies Dept. Mtg.

MEDIA STUDIES DEPARTMENT MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Present: Wes Goldsberry, Rebecca Leonhard, Jan Lowman

The meeting was convened at 4:12pm, following some slight difficulty with google+.

The department greeted the approval of Rebecca’s library fine proposal with pleasure and relief. Though questions such as “Will theft increase?” linger in our minds, we feel that the institution of library fines will encourage LAS students to be responsible (as per the mission statement). After some discussion, we have determined that the policy will be put in place next marking period. Before this happens, though, we will need to do some “marketing,” i.e., signage, bulletin announcements, and an explanation in assembly. Rebecca will take the lead with enthusiastic support from Jan.

Rebecca reported that she has visited 9^th grade English classes (S. Brocklehurst’s and Joan Flynn’s) to teach about plagiarism. Similarly, Jan did a research/plagiarism presentation in four of Jean Molly’s English classes. In both cases, these visits were prompted by teacher requests. We are both willing and eager to visit other classes when invited.

The minutes from our last meeting on September 19, 2013, were approved and then used as guidelines for our discussion.

The boxes of ACS books still need to be moved. Rebecca showed Ade where they should go (from SS floor of Savoy to the ground floor alcove).

Rebecca is still working on the proposal for cataloguing the ACS books. Upon reflection, we feel that our original “goal” of one box per day is unrealistic and overly ambitious. Perhaps three boxes per week would be possible. Although we are working hard at it at both libraries, cataloguing (particularly of old books) is an arduous and time-consuming process. Jan pointed out that at her previous international school, there was a 3/5 library cataloguer just for regular acquisitions (no large donations of books as we have here at LAS).

The question of possibly having ID cards serving as library cards arose again. Jan has agreed that she will look for an opportunity to inquire of Christophe Ott about when the optimal time for such a discussion would be.

In regards to the patron upload, some staff members are still missing. Rebecca will contact S. Dormond again to try to get the complete list for the library.

Rebecca is also working on inter-library loans but has been having some difficulty with the system. The first book arrived via our World Cat-OCLC resource sharing. It is too early to publicize this library service, but if someone wants something, Rebecca can try to get it. We will go public once the bugs are out of the system.

UpToDate, the Health Center database, is up and running. Although Rebecca is still a bit uneasy about it, Chris Magnuson reports that it seems to be working.

The first Book Give-Away was a success. The next one will be on November 13^th.

Two upcoming Library Lectures are planned, and Rebecca either has sent or will send out “save the date” reminders. Sarah Goodman will be presenting for faculty only on TPR in language learning on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 pm, in her classroom. On October 29^th, at 6:30pm in the Savoy Library, Habitat for Humanity will present on the Zimbabwe trip. The Flynn-Padicks and students will present on last year’s trip, and the Hanowitzes will present on this year’s plans.

Wes G. is “on the docket” for November, and Paul Magnuson is setting up dates for some of the LAS professional learning groups to present as part of the Library Lectures.

Savoy is still working on inventory.

Jan is still working on writing about CAS at LAS for the library website. (In all honesty, the reason she’s procrastinating is that she’s not quite sure how to give the information a library cast to make it relevant.)

Wes reported that he spent time in the library during his weekend as AOC and had at least one happy patron and no misuse of the facilities.

Rebecca reported that Guida, the library volunteer, got a job and left. She was very helpful, and the Savoy Library benefited from her efforts.

Respectfully submitted by Jan Lowman. 

Media Studies Department Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Media Studies Department Meeting

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Via Google Hangout

3:15-4:12pm

PRESENT: Wes Goldsberry, Rebecca Leonhard, Jan Lowman

1. In the interest of transparency, these minutes will be posted on the Library blog.
2. Rebecca inquired about whether Jan should attend Department Head meetings, since last year she (Rebecca) attended as Belle Époque librarian. We reached the consensus that Rebecca could represent both libraries. If she is ever unable to attend a meeting, Jan will attend in her stead.
3. Rebecca updated us on the textbook project, which has been on hold through the beginning-of-the-school-year flurry. She has an idea, which she plans to trial before introducing it to the faculty. At some point later in the school year, Rebecca will email department heads to attempt to get a list of texts.
4. Around 70 boxes of ACS books are changing location from the back Art room in Savoy to an alcove on the ground floor of Savoy. This solution/change has been done with the approval and support of Thom Padick and Neal Hanowitz.
5. Wes reported that Steve Dexter would like us to create an Action Plan for progress on the cataloguing of ACS books. Some discussion of the complexities and challenges of the task ensued. With two librarians, two co-ops, and two volunteers, we decided that we should be able to set a goal of one box a day catalogued. This is an ambitious goal, given the nature of the cataloguing process and the many judgment calls involved in determining whether or not some of the books should be added to the LAS library collections.
6. Rebecca gave us an update on the ID cards, which she had hoped would contain information for library check-out. According to C. Ott, faculty and staff cards presently being issued are not compatible with the library system. We concluded that it’s a matter of “too late/too early.” We need to find the optimal time to send an email revisiting the issue for the future benefit of the school libraries.
7. Rebecca also reported on the progress of the patron upload. Some faculty/staff/spouses were not on the initial list, so Stephanie Dormond will be sending an updated list so that all members of the LAS community can have library privileges.
8. In addition, Rebecca has deleted duplicate students records from the Mandarin system.
9. Rebecca has also received communication from WorldCat. We will have access to interlibrary loans.
10. As requested by the Health Center, Rebecca has ordered UpToDate, a medical database. There have been some glitches with log-ins, but Rebecca is working on it.
11. Wes is working with Alex Paz-Barreiras, who plans to organize books sales once a month. This will be a good way to move unwanted books out and raise a little money for the library.
12. Rebecca and Jan are working on the website.
13. Rebecca and her Savoy cohort are moving furniture and conducting the early stages of an inventory to determine how many books are missing from Savoy. We have noticed a sad pattern of missing books; all too often requests for Extended Essay sources from Belle Époque cannot be filled because the books are listed in the catalogue but not present on the shelves.
14. Wes inquired about whether we would continue the library lecture series. We plan to have at least one a month, possibly with our department head, Wes G., leading the charge. Rebecca hopes to enlist language teachers and Habitat for Humanity as lecturers. We discussed the possibility of Monday evenings once a month, alternating between Savoy and Belle Époque (the Petite Salle).
15. Wes also mentioned that he has been asked whether the Savoy Library would be open this year “like it was last year.” Rebecca reminded us that the library was merely unlocked last year, not staffed. She has been locking the library doors over the weekend because the library contains expensive equipment and valuable books. In addition, the library has been an illicit rendezvous point in the past. She realizes that the cost of staffing the library over the weekend may be prohibitive. A similar situation arose at Belle Époque last year, and having the weekend rovers stationed in the library solved it. We discussed the possibility of having the weekend AOC sit in the library to provide some coverage.

Submitted by Jan Lowman.

Story Time

by Sam Lynch

I cannot seem to figure out how children can go from bouncing off the walls one minute to sitting stiff as statues listening someone reading stories the next.  It is a bizarre phenomenon that occurred even when I was a youngin; the fictional stories captivating and inspiring us to use our imaginations.  When I first started at LAS, I saw then Children's Section of the Savoy Library and wanted to work on it. Since then, I've worked to catalog the growing collection, and have been a part of storytime on Mondays, with children from town attending on occasion and multiple grade nine students from Ms. Flynn’s English class coming to read to them.  

Mondays in the library are unique experiences within the school, where a sense of community is very apparent.  Watching grade nine students who would, in normal circumstances, not be inclined to read to a group of small children, and watching the way the children respond to the stories has been an incredible experience. I couldn't help smile as I was watching, one of those rare moments when selflessness emerges and the community comes together.  Not to mention, it’s a rare occurrence when we can get six children to sit quietly for long intervals!

Printer Problems

by Vanessa Carvalho

Office Space, 20th Century Fox, 1999

Throughout this term, I have had the pleasure of working with not just with Rebecca, Glenn, and Samantha, but with some of the most sophisticated library equipment known to man. Yes, I am talking about the BEC Library Printer.

Scanning, faxing and printing a multitude of information to students and teachers everyday, it is one of the most common ways of transferring and copying information. A wonderful idea don’t you think? If only it were that easy.

Now we aren’t blaming anyone but the printer here. I honestly think it has a mind of its own, and just decides which items to print on which days it feels like printing.

Not only is it selective, but it also lies! If you’ve ever seen Office Space you know where I’m coming from, and you're probably quoting Samir and Michael Bolton right now.

Samir: Why does it say paper jam when there is no paper jam?!! One of these days, I...I...I just kick it out the window!
Michael Bolton: You and me both, man. That thing is lucky I'm not armed.

So I guess you could say I have a love-hate relationship with this printer.

The soothing sounds of fresh paper coming out of the printer are but some fond memories I have. However, the printer and I did have some paper jams along the way. I’m immediately alert when I hear the beeping. The error messages like “low on paper”, or “original copy still in scanner” were the continuous nagging remarks sent to me everyday. I even got quite a few  “offending command” messages which I think means “I’m not going to do anything but beep for the next half hour”. Note to self: never offend a printer.

I would like to say that even though this printer gave me a headache, it was just another amusing quirk that gives the Belle Époque Library so much character. I really enjoyed my stay here at LAS, and I hope it won’t be my last! Until then, just another tale from the stacks.