January 2024 Newsletter
Welcome! While each school is unique and no single library can do everything, we share some bite-sized info from across the district so you can hopefully discover something new, even if it is simply learning more about GUHSD's comprehensive school library program. Each section features content contributed by one of our 9 school libraries - we hope there may be something of interest for everyone. If you have any questions or ideas, please reach out to your site's Teacher Librarian!
School Libraries Today
Shared by Jason Balestreri, Mount Miguel
School libraries are no longer just repositories for books. The librarian at Mount Miguel High, Jason Balistreri, just completed his MLIS and Teacher Librarian Credential. In the rigorous program, Teacher Librarian candidates must demonstrate a breadth of competencies beyond just traditional textual literacy.
See a sample of his work and the expectations for modern School Teacher Librarians in his Fieldwork Portfolio, and check out work examples in fields such as Instruction, 21st Century Skills, Information Organization, Leadership, and Advocacy.
Collaboration Spotlight
shared by Angela Scott, Granite Hills
The Granite Hills library has a tradition of partnering with classes for research. This year, some new career books were purchased for 9th grade classes to use with their I Search papers.
Of course, across GUHSD, all students have access to research careers using district online resources Job & Career Accelerator & Xello - both are linked on the Online Databases page.
Resource Rec
shared by Nicole SaBell-Stoltz, Monte Vista
The Monte Vista Library is getting a boost of over 400 new manga books to expand this extremely popular genre. For teachers who are interested in learning more about manga, below are a couple of helpful professional resources to check out.
- The Graphic Library (a California Teacher Librarian website)
- Manga Librarian (a New York School Librarian website)
Tech Tip
shared by Chansamone O'Meara, El Capitan
Do you ever have students who say their Chromebook won't turn on? Rather than have them lose valuable class time by sending them for help, have them try these steps.
These steps fix the problem the majority of the time. For this tip, and another common issue of chargers seeming like they're working, feel free to print or link this Troubleshooting Chromebook Power Issues Handout.
Reading Trends
shared by Jodie Boeger, Grossmont
Even after almost 20 years since the series debuted, students can't get enough of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and book 18 was just released at the end of 2023. There is also a spin-off sereis: Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid, featuring Rowley Jefferson, BFF to the original wimpy kid Greg Heffley. Rowley's journals are just as fun and goofy-with a new take on the world.
Think it's odd that high school students are reading these? Well, across the country, librarians have been commenting on the popularity of "Throwback Reads." There is something soothing for students about returning to these worlds - they are quite nostalgic for their childhoods!
DID YOU KNOW?
shared by Stephanie Macceca & Angie Martinez, Valhalla
When you hear "library," you might think about resources like books and online databases, but our school libraries also support students as a safe and welcome place for community-building.
When Valhalla recently experienced a tragedy, the library hosted emotional support dogs as another option for students to receive emotional support. This experience had a notable, positive impact on students who gathered in the library.
Something New
shared by Thea Bachmann, Carolyn Teschler & Michelle Winslow, Santana
The Santana Library Staff wants students to pocket those cell phones and grab a book! Two ways we have actively tried to increase our circulation is through dynamic shelving and displays. Dynamic shelving and displays make it easier for students to locate and access materials. This promotes a wider variety of materials and encourages students to explore topics they might not have considered before.
Our entry book displays encourage students to come into the library. An attractive and well-organized space makes students feel more comfortable and positively impacts their perception of the library.
It Happened in the Library
shared by Suzanne Sannwald, West Hills
Around Halloween time, a student asked if they're allowed to check out two copies of the same book. They were looking for Dracula.
It turns out that since middle school, the student and their grandmother have been working their way through the Enno Vatti Top 100 Books Bucket List Poster together!
File that one in awesome things our students are doing in their personal lives!
Meet Some Staff
shared by Tania Jackson & Trisha Norris, El Cajon Valley
The El Cajon Valley Library is staffed by a dynamic duo: Teacher Librarian Tania Jackson (finally finished Teacher Librarian Credential & Master of Library & Information Science this past year!) and Library Technician Trisha Norris (just celebrated a year at ECV!).
A major project they have undertaken is genrefying their fiction collection. This SUPER photo features the mystery genre in the background.