What's the point of having a media specialist if they aren't specialists in the media forms of the day?

A student posted this on his school librarian's Twitter account. The conversation that began with that question proved to redefine every one's ideas about what libraries and librarians should be. To read their conversation and thoughts go to: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1340000334/post/1860043986.html?nid=2413&rid=#reg_visitor_id

Educational Computer Games

Spring is here! It's warming up, and kids are enjoying playing outdoors. This season, however, also brings rain, and kids often get stuck inside instead. Next time that happens, show them this super online indoor playground. There are two dozen games that will keep them amused, fascinated, and learning, for a long time. All of the games and activities are fun, but also challenging.

http://www.funbrain.com/brain/SweepsBrain/sweepsbrain.html

Nation’s Report Card: 17-Year-Olds See Few Reading and Math Gains

The average test scores of 17-year-olds in reading and math haven’t changed much since the early 1970s, but kids ages 9 and 13 have seen significant gains in both areas, says the lastest report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Gaps in reading scores between white and black students have narrowed for all three age groups since 1971, though those gaps did not change significantly from 2004 to 2008. Reading score gaps between white and Hispanic students were smaller in 2008 than in 1975 at ages 9 and 17, though there were no significant changes from 2004 to 2008. To read the report in full, go to: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6655327.html?nid=2413&source=link&rid=765062269

What do noodles, art, frozen food and the American Red Cross all have in common?

Give up? They all have a celebration in March. March is National Noodle Month, Youth Art Month, National Frozen Food Month, and American Red Cross month. For a complete list of all of the reasons to celebrate March visit http://www.theteacherscorner.net/calendars/march.php

DOE Report Praises Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program

Students attending schools that received grant money from the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) program perform higher on state reading tests than those in schools that didn’t participate in the program, says a recent report by the Department of Education. The program, originally created by Wisconsin educators to avoid losing funding as the result of low test scores related to the No Child Left Behind Act requirements, is now in its sixth successful year. Overall, the goal is to increase instruction related to literacy skills, specifically research skills. The full report can be read at: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6638887.html

Friend no more?

Forgot what is due the next day and want to call the teacher to double check. No problem. Want to "friend" your teacher on Facebook. Banned. The School District of Elmbrook, in Brookfield, WI, has recently created a policy banning communication on instant messaging or social networking applications not sponsored by the school district.
The policy, approved by the school board on February 10, stipulated a range of “practices considered irresponsible,” including personal communication between staff and students via social networking and IM.
During the school day, accessing sites deemed problematic is less of a problem as many schools have filters in place that prevent anyone, staff or students, from logging on to Facebook, MySpace, and even select email servers. But policing this new ban during a teacher’s off-hours may prove tricky. While the restricted sites aren’t named, it’s understood that these popular applications, perhaps even Twitter, are included.
Still, Elmbrook does allow students to communicate with teachers and other staff through email and other district-sponsored applications. The district reportedly plans to add other social networking sites that have an educational component in coming years. For now, though, writing a note on a teacher’s MySpace profile or transmitting content to students through Facebook is off limits.
The full article, as well as more information, may be viewed in the February 2009 Edition of School Library Journal.

Apply Now for the Library Diversity Internship

McIntyre Library seeks a junior or senior UW – Eau Claire student with an interest in librarianship and the ability to bring a diverse perspective to our library and our profession. The McIntyre Library Diversity Internship provides 10 hours per week of professional library work under the direction of a mentor librarian, and the intern will be paid $12.00 per hour.* The internship begins September 1, 2009 and ends May 14, 2010, with time off during the winter and spring breaks. The intern may choose to focus on one of the following areas of librarianship: Reference and Instruction, Collection Development, Education / Curricular Materials / School Librarianship, or Special Collections & Archives. The internship also offers the following benefits:

**Travel, room, board, and registration fee for a state or regional librarian conference.

**Travel, room, and board for visiting the UW – Madison and/or UW- Milwaukee Graduate Schools of Library and Information Science as a prospective student.

You are warmly invited to apply if you:

**Are a junior or senior enrolled at UW – Eau Claire
**Have a interest in a career in librarianship
**Can bring diverse perspective to McIntyre Library
**Have experience working with diverse communities

Application procedure:

**Write a brief essay (no more than 500 words) addressing your interest in a career in librarianship, the area of librarianship that most interests you, and your ability to enhance the diversity of McIntyre Library.

**Submit the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of two references: one UW – Eau Claire faculty member, and one work or volunteer supervisor.

Please submit applications to Colleen McFarland, Head of Special Collections & University Archivist, McIntyre Library (mcfarlcd@uwec.edu). Application due date is April 1, 2009. Decisions will be announced no later than April 30.