"Eclipse" Opened at Midnight! Go Team Edward!

Schools out for Summer

Today is my last official day until August. Each year, since I was a kid, I have been more excited about hearing Alice Cooper's song than I was about the actual event. Rusty is one of my contemporaries. Check out his life story.

Rusty Stroupe: School's out for the summer | rusty, school, stroupe - Life - Gaston Gazette

No More Lies

Last week, I started on my third altered book. When I finish I shall post pictures. In August, stop by to see it and others by former students.

A 1947 housewife resents her husband and the oppression of gender roles. She decides to revolt, dreams of running him down with a car, and then literally and figuratively wakes up. She then decides to focus her energy on herself and loving her mate as a partner. Happy ending! The underlying theme is the re-creation of history through the discovery of mixed media. You just have to see the altered book.

Here is a Wordle review of the book:

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

These books are available in our library. Check out our catalog for more on the King of Pop! Listen to the NPR story below.

"Hell is Red River, Idaho, in the 1970s."

From Sherman Alexie's Flight.

Inventory Update 2

I am still see barcodes when I close my eyes at night. ('sounds like the beginning of a really weird country western song.) Inventory is still moving right along.

Arts podcast:The Classic Tales Podcast

Yesterday, I posted about classic rock. Today it is classic literature. Listen to Arts podcast:The Classic Tales Podcast

Books Shelved in Song?

Here is one of my favorite blogs, ClassicsRock

One of my favorite postings is one about the Police's Tea in the Sahara. Listening to this song practically EVERY day during the summer of '83 inspired me to read Paul Bowle's The Sheltering Sky.

The Importance of Being Earnest

I have just finished re-reading Oscar Wild's last play. Each time I read it, I discover even more plays on words, society, and social mores. This one is always such a fun read. Check out the preview at Google Books.

I am stil reading Going Bovine, Flight, and Gringolandia. Check out more information about the books on the Yates Shelfari.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Naomi Bates' book talk for Stolen

"Build It and They Will Come..."

Yesterday, I attended a professional development session at UHCL. Four school librarians shared programming strategies for k-12 libraries. All of the presenters were knowledgeable, entertaining, and informative. One could tell that they all love their jobs. I was able to walk away with new ideas and a revival of old ones for my own school library. Of course, of special interest to me was the high school component presented by HISD's own librarian from Westbury HS, Steve Perez. In 2010-2011, I shall continue Steve's suggestion of more Barnes & Noble like displays and the no fine/"let's make a deal" practices for the Hazel Hainsworth Young/ Yates HS library.

Yesterday's visit was also a nice opportunity to see former instructors and classmates. I am proud to be a graduate of UHCL's School Library and Information Science.

The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen

Review by Naomi Bates

Oak Forest Educator Named 2010 Librarian of the Year

Oak Forest Educator Named 2010 Librarian of the Year

Smith Branch of HPL

I visited the Smith Branch of Houston Public Library today. The YA librarian Pedro Fonseca is the absolute best!

Wiki Lesson on Gulf Oil Spill

I am delevoping a wiki lesson on the 2010 gulf oil spill. This lesson introduces use of Ebsco and Britannica databases while focuses on higher order thinking skills. Check it out at pb Works. How Will the Gulf Oil Spill Impact Our Lives? Use the side bar to navigate through the lesson. It is a work in progress.

Inventory Update

I am still moving right along with inventory.