Media matters, Vol. 6, Issue 7 (Feb. 2008)

February 2008

Volume 6 Number 7

Media Matters
A newsletter for people who care about Library Media Centers
2008 Caldecott Winner
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Scholastic)
From an opening shot of the full moon setting over an awakening Paris in 1931, this tale casts a new light on the picture book form. Hugo is a young orphan secretly living in the walls of a train station where he labors to complete a mysterious invention left by his father. In a work of more than 500 pages, the suspenseful text and wordless doublepage spreads narrate the tale in turns. Neither words nor pictures alone tell this story, which is filled with cinematic intrigue. Black & white pencil illustrations evoke the flickering images of the silent films to which the book pays homage.
From the ALA webpage: http://www.ala.org
The 2008 Newbery Medal winner is Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Robert Byrd, and published by Candlewick.
In "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village," thirteenth-century England springs to life using 21 dramatic individual narratives that introduce young inhabitants of village and manor; from Hugo, the lord's nephew, to Nelly, the sniggler. Schlitz's elegant monologues and dialogues draw back the curtain on the period, revealing character and relationships, hinting at stories untold. Explanatory interludes add information and round out this historical and theatrical presentation.
"Schlitz adds a new dimension to books for young readers performance," said Committee Chair Nina Lindsay. "Varied poetic forms and styles offer humor, pathos and true insight into the human condition. Each entry is superb in itself, and together the pieces create a pageant that transports readers to a different time and place."
From the ALA webpage: http://www.ala.org

Inside this issue:

Exemplary Info

2

Book recommendation 2

LMSOY

3

Children's Lit

4

Conference

Best wishes

5

Media blog

6

Pope HS

7

February celebrations 8

Morrow Elementary 9

Library Cuts in

10

Washington

A Georgia Author

11

For High School

11

Students

Druid Hills HS

12

GLMA Retreat

12

GALILEO

13

Peach Award

14

I Love Libraries

14

Top 10 Issues

15

Web pages

16

Info

17

Calendar

18

Page 2

Media Matters

Exemplary and Exceptional Library Media Programs

1754 Twin Towers East 205 Jesse Hill Jr Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: 404-657-9800 Fax: 404-656-5744 Email: jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us

The nominations for Exemplary Library Media Programs closed on February 1 and all nominees will be notified by email. Applications are due March 3rd and the recipients will be honored at the June State Board meeting.
You can find more information about this program at:
http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/pandp/media/exemplary.htm

We will lead the nation in improving student achievement.

Book Recommendation from a Media Specialist
I think this is a title all Georgia high schools and probably all middle schools should have. It is a small local publication, so we won't see it in the normal channels.
Written by J. Tom Morgan, former D.A. for DeKalb County, Ignorance is No Defense is written specifically for Georgia teenagers about the laws they need to understand to avoid breaking the law or becoming a victim. The information itself is so important, and the book is readable and engaging. More information is available at
http://www.ignoranceisnodefense.com/

Kathryn Enniss Librarian Shamrock Middle School http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/~shamrock Decatur, GA 30033
kathryn_l_enniss@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Page 3
Who will be Georgia's next Library Media Specialist of the Year?
Do you think you have what it takes to be Georgia's next Library Media Specialist of the Year? Are you a member of GLMA or GAIT? Do you collaborate regularly with your teachers and come up with great programs? Does your library program help boost student achievement at your school? Have you connected with your school's community and involve parents & families with your media center?*Go ahead and toot your own horn*, ladies and gentlemen! Visit the Georgia Library Media Association web page and download the 2008 application for LMSOTY. Then check with your system's coordinator or your District Chairperson to check on local deadlines that may already be in place. BTW: If you KNOW a great media specialist, why don't you encourage him or her to apply? Sometimes a little nudge is all it takes for someone to step up for the recognition they deserve. Let us shine the spotlight on the stars of our profession!
Here's the 411:
1) Each school system will have to select a date for their application deadline in order to get their system winner's application to the GLMA office by April 1, 2008. There should be a committee in place at the system level to select a Library Media Specialist of the Year and then appropriately recognize the winner. Check with your System Coordinator or veteran colleagues if you are unsure of your system's process and deadlines.
2) The system applications must be at the GLMA office by April 1, 2008 so that they can be forwarded to the District chairpersons for the selection of the District LMSOTY.
3) The District LMSOTY committee must have their final selection made and to the GLMA LMSOTY Chairperson for selection of the State winner at the Summer Conference. The GLMA Chairperson will head a committee of GLMA and GAIT representatives for this final judging.
4) You MUST be a current member of GLMA or GAIT to be considered for this honor. Applicants without membership in one or both organizations will not be considered.
Don't go through life being an unsung hero! Share your successes! If you think you've got what it takes (and you probably do), visit the GLMA Website( http://www.glmainc.org/specialists.htm) today, download your application, and get started! You may just have the best program in the State!
Susan Grigsby, Teacher-Librarian Elkins Pointe Middle School Alpharetta, Georgia susan.grigsby@gmail.com

Media Matters
The oldest portable steam engine in the United States is on display at the Historic Railroad Shops in Savannah.

Georgia Department of Education

Page 4

Media Matters

Children's Literature Conference
Registration for the 39th Annual Children's Literature Conference, to be held in Athens GA, on February 29-March 1, 2008 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, is now available.
This year's conference features Brian Pinkney, Caldecott Honor Medalist for The Faithful Friend (1996) and Duke Ellington (1999).; Cynthia Kadohata, winner of the 2005 Newbery Medal for Kira-Kira; Ian Ogilvy, winner of the 2007 Children's Book Award for Measle and the Wrathmonk; David Wiesner, 3-time Caldecott Award winner for Tuesday (1992), The Three Pigs (2002), and Flotsam (2007).; and Mo Willems, winner of the 2007 Children's Picture Storybook Award for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, a 2004 Caldecott Medal Honor Book.
Four ways to register:
Online at: http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/conferences/2008/Feb/29/ child_lit.phtml
By Mail: 39th Annual Conference on Children's Literature- # 62875
Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel,
The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602-3603
By Phone: 706-542-2134 or 800-884-1381
By Fax: 706-542-6596 or 800-884-1419
You can also register through accessing the GCBA website at:
http://www.coe.uga.edu/gcba/

Please come and please bring a friend.

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Page 5

Media Matters

We wish a speedy recovery to Dr. Joel Taxel at UGA
About a month ago Dr. Taxel was hit by a car while taking his morning walk. Joel's left leg was shattered below the knee and his left arm was severely dislocated. This has indeed been a nightmarish experience for Joel, but he and all of his friends are well aware that he is incredibly lucky to be alive.
Joel said, The police say that 90% of those hit by cars doing 60 MPH (the estimate based on skid marks) are dead before they hit the ground. Miraculously, my dog also survived. So I am focusing on the miracle of being alive, being surrounded by my family and friends, and the incredible kindness being showered on me.
He has a long road to recovery but is getting stronger each day. Joel is also determined to get back to where he was before the accident and simply marvel at being alive.
Please keep Dr. Taxel in your thoughts and register now for the Children's Literature Conference.

Who is Alice Coachman? Where was she born?

Books had instant replay long before televised sports. Bern Williams
Georgia Department of Education

Page 6
To blog or not to blog
Kris Woods

Media Matters

I would like to introduce to you the Georgia Library Media Association blog at http://glma.wordpress.com
The blog is a communication tool for Georgia's school library media specialists. My goal is to make it a comprehensive place to receive the latest the library world has to offer. Explore the blog for resources for the library media professional, news and events of the association, and posts by guest bloggers throughout the month.
There is a link to the blog in the left column on the main GLMA homepage: http://glma-inc.org
Our guest bloggers will start conversations concerning state issues, standards, library research, technology integration, Web 2.0, reading, information literacy, best practices, GLMA district news, Peach Award, university perspectives, public library collaboration, and more. You are welcome to leave comments and watch the conversation grow.
If you have a school library media blog you would like to share with the GLMA community, please send me the URL of your blog. I will add the link to the blogroll.
You may wish to add the GLMA blog to your RSS reader for continual updates.
If you would be interested in acting as a contributing guest blogger, please email me at kristine.woods@cherokee.k12.ga.us or mediainthemiddle@gmail.com.
I will be transitioning the GLMA communications chair position with Cawood Cornelius over the next couple of months. I am looking forward to hearing from the media specialists of Georgia.
Kristine Woods Media Specialist M.A. Teasley Middle School
http://webtech.cherokee.k12.ga.us/teasley-ms/mediacenter/
http://middlemedia.wordpress.com <http://middlemedia.wordpress.com/
http://mymedia21.wordpress.com <http://mymedia21.wordpress.com/

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

There is a wonder in reading Braille that the sighted will never know: to touch words and have them touch you back.
Jim Fiebig

Page 7

Media Matters

Ready in a Flash!
Busy students at Pope High School in Marietta have found a creative solution to the dilemma of transferring large files, photos and online projects from school to home flash drives checked out from the Library Media Center. Thirty-four flash drives are available for check out, and are they ever a popular item!
You know when projects and papers are due, by the busy circulation of the drives, says Anne Hudson, one of the Media Specialists. At the end of the fall semester, they were in huge demand, and so many students, who otherwise would have not been able to e-mail their large files home (due to network restrictions), were relieved to be able to put it on a handy flash drive and take it with them. Although many students already own one, a surprising high number still don't. The look of astonishment and relief on their faces is a continual source of humor, and satisfaction for the staff. It's awesome to have these for student use whenever we need them., said Matt Bucklin, senior.
Reasonable prices of the drives, which range in size from 512 MB to 2 GB has made them very affordable. Pope recently purchased 20 1GB drives recently for $8.99 each. The staff cataloged them, printed bar codes, reduced the size on their copier, and then securely taped them to the drives, making it easy to scan for check out. The drives are checked out for 3 days, and can be renewed as needed, as long as there is a supply available. For less than a price of a book, flash drives can help library media specialists meet the technology needs of students and be a hero in the process. Try it out!

Connie Kone Pope High School

Are you a member of GLMA, GAIT, or GLA?
Check out these professional
organizations and make a decision to join one or all of them.

Georgia Department of Education

Page 8

Media Matters

Black History Month!
Encyclopdia Britannica has a wonderful list of resources to help celebrate Black History Month. Check it out on GALILEO or at http:// www.britannica.com/blackhistory.

Other February Celebrations
American Heart Month Bake for Family Fun *Library Lovers' Month National Bird Feeding Month National Children's Dental Health Month Thanks Susan Grigsby! For Susan's full and often funny list you need to subscribe to the GaMedia List Service.
14th Annual Reading Rainbow Contest is now underway. This event is open to students in Kindergarten through Third Grade. Details may be found at www.gpb.org/ education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Page 9

Media Matters

Morrow Elementary Wins Two Grants in 2008
A terrific start to the New Year is being had at Morrow Elementary in Clayton County. The school received news in January that they will be recipients of two very special grants! The first grant is being awarded by Target, LLC and is entitled the Target Field Trip Grant. The Target Field Trip Grant awards up to $1,000 to a very lucky 1,600 recipients from across the United States. Ms. Giselle Escobar, the Media Specialist and assigned Grant Writer for the school, pursued this grant for third graders so that they might get the chance to take a field trip to the Georgia Aquarium. Ms. Escobar chose third graders for this grant because the new Georgia Performance Standards for science, the SL31 standard, addresses science concepts that can be experienced at a venue such as the aquarium. The third grade teachers and Ms. Escobar have been collaborating on the trip since the grant was written.
Media Specialists not only manage the media center, teach collaboratively, encourage reading, and manage school technology, but they wear many other hats as well. Media Specialists make great contributions to the academic achievement of students and are creative in finding ways to support their particular school's mission.
Additionally, a second grant has been awarded to Morrow Elementary from their partner in education, Wal-Mart. The grant is entitled the Wal-Mart Community Service Grant and will pay for basic family necessities for our students such as coats, school supplies. This grant was collaboratively written by the school counselor, Ms. Patricia Williams, and the ISS administrator, Mr. Tony Keel. A portion of the money will be used to provide incentives and rewards for staff who continuously provide the highest level of instruction.
Giselle Escobar
Morrow Elementary
Clayton County

Georgia Department of Education

Page 10

Media Matters

School Library Cuts Threaten 21st Century Learning
Parents and librarians in the state of Washington are mobilizing to ensure that children learn how to find and use the information they need. "These parents realize that school library programs are a key element in the education of all 21st Century students, starting in pre-school," said Sara Kelly Johns, president of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). "And they know that the expertise of library media specialists is a vital asset at a time when the global workforce requires workers who know how to find, analyze and use information."
In the Spokane (Wash.) School District, where budget cuts reduced 10 school library media specialist positions to part time, supporters of school library programs are fighting to save their school libraries and to have library services included in the state's definition of a basic education. Elsewhere in the state, the Federal Way School District slashed 20 library positions in 2006.
"We're really, really scared libraries will fall through the cracks," said Susan McBurney and Lisa Layera Brunkan, of the Washington Coalition for School Libraries and Information Technology (WCSLit).
Parents and library leaders nationwide are disturbed by a trend that is beginning to take its toll on the education of the nation's children. Even as reading scores among teens drop and other key scores remain flat, they say, more and more school library programs are in danger of being eliminated as a result of budget cuts and staff reductions.
In California, spending on school libraries has plummeted from $29.16 per student to 41 cents in eight years. In Massachusetts, the town of Concord-home of Thoreau, Alcott and Emerson-struggled this year against budget cuts in the school library program; and in Norton, libraries at four out of five public schools were closed in 2006, and three library assistant positions were eliminated.
AASL President Johns said that finding information today is "a whole different ballgame -one that requires knowing how to use both print and online resources. School library media specialists provide a bridge linking classroom instruction and its after-school reinforcement. They help students learn how to gather information and develop essential skills that help them prepare for survival in the global economy.
Americans spend nine times as much money on home video games ($7.3 billion) as they do on school library materials for their children ($771.2 million), according to the ALA.
Source: American Library Association Press Release

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Page 11
Another Georgia Author!
Ted Dungagen lives in Monticello, Georgia and is currently traveling the state promoting his new book A Yellow Watermelon. This book is aimed at middle school students and was recently published by NewSouth Books. The Yellow Watermelon was reviewed in Kirkus Reviews in December 2007. Twelve year old Ted Dillon is an innocent white boy in rural Alabama in 1948, but his new friendships with a black boy named Poudlum Robinson and an escaped black convict named Jake introduce him to a world where greed and racism intersect. It is a fine, well-told tale of friendship between two smart, likable boys--one white, one black. A memorable, generous-hearted tale.
You can read more about The Yellow Watermelon at: http://www.newsouthbooks.com/watermelon/aywemail1207.htm
To arrange for Ted to visit your school, you can contact Ted's publisher Suzanne LaRosa at 334-834-3556.

Media Matters

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Presents Free Webcast on George Washington!
Join hundreds of other students in an online President's Day celebration with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author David McCullough. Sponsored by ConSource, the February 13 webcast "George Washington: From Commander in Chief to Chief Executive" allows students and teachers to learn and ask questions about George Washington.
ConSource is the only free fully-indexed online library of constitutional sources, and Verizon is proud to be one of its sponsors. In addition to the webcast you can find hundreds of resources on George Washington through Thinkfinity. Discover how the Constitution defined the President's role and what made Washington a good leader through these resources.
You will need to go to www.thinkfinity.org to "Current Features" to find out more information and to register. The webcast will be from 2 PM until 3 PM on February 13th. Teacher resources are also available on the site.
Georgia Department of Education

Page 12

Media Matters

GLMA Leadership Retreat

Sherry Grove, Susan Grigsby, Esther Brenneman, Rebecca Amerson and Barbara Hallstrom during the installation of GLMA officers part of the program.

This annual event was held in Perry at the New Perry Hotel. Rebecca Amerson, Rosalind Dennis, and Sherry Grove discuss information important to schools and library media programs.

Open House at Druid Hills High School

Kathie Disney and Betsy Razza recently hosted their Exceptional Library Media Center Open House and it was truly exceptional. The many visitors were given a tour of the Media Center (formerly a cafeteria) and the two outstanding Media Specialists provided a PowerPoint and discussion about their Library Media program.
Marvelous job Ladies!
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Page 13

Media Matters

On-site training opportunities are available for Britannica resources (Atlanta) and ProQuest databases (Macon). To register for these sessions, please visit http://www.usg.edu/galileo/help/ library/training and click on the "On-Site Training" tab.
Britannica Online Resources
Dates: February 7, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
February 8, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Location: Central Library, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
Description: Jennifer Keating from Encyclopaedia Britannica will demonstrate the features of resources for K-12, public library, and academic audiences, including the collection of encyclopedias, images, multimedia and video clips, the Britannica Internet Guide, Britannica Spotlights, current magazine articles, plus a "quick click" dictionary, thesaurus, world atlas, and a collection of interactive historical timelines
ProQuest Databases
Date: February 7, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
February 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Shurling Branch, MGRL, Macon
Description: Linda Bush from ProQuest will demonstrate the ProQuest search interface and functionality, including Smart Search technology to help focus results, the My Research tool for managing your research project, and the Create Your Bibliography tool
If you have any questions or need more information, please use GALILEO's Contact Us feature or contact OIIT Customer Services at helpdesk@usg.edu.
___________________________________________
Karen Minton, GALILEO Support Services Library Services Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia 2500 Daniells Bridge Road, Building 300 Athens, GA 30606-3539 Phone: (888) 875-3697 Fax: (706) 583-2294 karen.minton@usg.edu http://www.galileo.usg.edu

Georgia Department of Education

Page 14

ILoveLibraries.org (http://www.ilovelibraries.org/) features the 65 Reasons to Love Your Library ( http://www.txla.org/html/reasons/65% 20Reasons.pdf ) tool kit (PDF). This website was developed by the Texas Library Association ( http://www.txla.org/ ) Public Relations Committee, under the leadership of Sue Haas, committee chair, 2003-2005. This tool kit is used by Texas libraries to develop local promotional campaigns. The elements of the 65 Reasons tool kit can be adapted to fit your library and your needs.
http://www.txla.org/html/reasons/index.htm

Media Matters

Peach Award for Teen Readers
Check out all of the titles on the GLMA website at: http://glma-inc.org/peachaward.htm
Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz As a Chicano boy living in the unglamorous town of Hollywood, New Mexico, and a member of the graduating class of 1969, Sammy Santos faces the challenges of "gringo" racism, unpopular dress codes, the Vietnam War, barrio violence, and poverty.

The Cherokee Rose is Georgia's state flower.

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Page 15

Media Matters

Contact: Bill Maddox Phone: 404-223-2464 Email: bmaddox@gpee.org
GEORGIA PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCES
2008 TOP 10 EDUCATION ISSUES LIST
ATLANTA -- The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has released its annual Top Ten (Education) Issues to Watch for 2008. This year's list covers a variety of topics: Poverty, Diversity, and the Reality of Georgia's Demographic Changes Zero to Five: Critical Needs for Critical Years Georgia's Still Unfinished Business in Teacher Quality Charter Schools and Vouchers: Weighing Georgia's "Options" The Turbulent Debate Over School Funding in Georgia No Child Left Behind: The Federal Landscape and Georgia's Lingering Achievement Gaps Great Expectations: Increasing the Rigor of High School Education The Crisis of High School Dropouts and Unskilled Graduates Measuring What Matters: Building a Better Information System Replacing Random Acts with a Deliberate Educational Plan.
Each subject area is broken down into three sections an issue overview, the political context of the issue, and what's next for Georgia. As well as presenting the topic, explains Susan Walker, the Partnership's Policy and Research director and the author of the report, we present analysis based upon our thorough research which makes the report even more valuable to education stakeholders across Georgia.
This is the fourth year for the report that continues to grow in popularity. Georgia Partnership President Dr. Steve Dolinger says, "The Top Ten Issues to Watch in 2008 provides a unique and compact look at areas of focus that Georgia's educational, business, and community leaders as well as citizens are addressing or will address in the coming months. The report is available on the Partnership Web site at www.gpee.org. Hard copies are available by E-mail request to bmaddox@gpee.org or by calling 404-223-2280
Georgia Department of Education

Page 16
Check out these Georgia Library Media Center WebPages!

Media Matters

Want to add pizzazz and information to your current webpage? Check out these outstanding pages for ideas and inspiration.
Take a look at outstanding Allen Elementary (Muscogee County) website. Nicole Greer has done a great job.
http://www.geocities.com/ngreer_mcsd/

Lindy Pals of Jefferson City Middle School has a marvelous website. Look at her webpage at: http://www.jeffcityschools.org/ms_libraryresources.htm

Wow! Susan Hawk and Lynn Walley at Dunwoody High School (DeKalb County) have really raised the bar on Media Center websites. Check it out at: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/dunwoody/ media.html

The Library is the temple of learning and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history.
Carl Rowan

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Page 17

DON'T GET LEFT OUT!

Volume 6 Number 7

Do you subscribe to the GaDOE Library Media List Service? No?
You may be missing out on notifications about conferences, special events, grant opportunities, newsletters, and much more. Send a blank email to:
join-doemedia@list.doe.k12.ga.us
You will receive a confirmation email to which you will need to respond. The confirmation email will include directions on how to unsubscribe.

Please note:
The second set of Film Clips for Character Education have been sent out to all K-12 schools. Can't locate yours or don't think you received them? Let me know at jserrite@doe.k12.ga.us. We will check with the shipping company. I only have a few extra sets to send to schools. You can always order your own set at www.filmclipsonline.com
K-5 schools: The Year 2 Georgia Read More DVD has been produced and will be distributed as soon as possible. Each elementary school should have, at this point, 14 Georgia Read More posters. Two posters are currently at the printers and should be available shortly.

Louis Sullivan was born in Georgia in 1933. Why is he important?

Georgia Department of Education

February 2008

Sun
Birthstone: Amethyst

Mon

Tue

Flower: Violet or Primrose

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1 Birthday of Langston Hughes 19021967

2 Judith Viorst born: 1931-

3 Joan Lowery Nixon's birthday: 1927-2003

4 Russell Hoban and Barbara Shook Hazen born

5 David Wiesner's birthday: 1957-

6 Ash Wednesday

7 Charles Dickens' birthday: 1812-1870

8 Who is Jules Verne? http:// www.onlineliterature.com/ verne

9 Alice Walker born.

10

11

12 Randolph

13

14

Birthday of Mark Teague: 1963-

What has Jane Yolen written?

Caldecott was born on this day! Why is he important? Judy B lume's birthday too.

Eleanor Farjeon and William Sleator were

born today!

15 Norman Bridwell www.kidsread s.com/authors/ au-bridwellnorman.asp

16 Nylon patented: 1937

17 Robert Newton Peck's birthday: 1928www.edupaperba ck.org/ showauth..cfm?

18 Amy Tan born: 1952-

19 U.S. Marines land on Iwo Jima. What year?

20 John Glenn orbited Earth: 1962

21 Who is Barbara Jordan?

22 George
Washington's
birthday.

23 W.E.B. DuBois born: 1868-1963

24 One of the Grimm Brothers was born today? Which one?

25 Cynthia Voigt: 1942 www.scils.rutg ers.edu/ ~kvander/ voight.html

26 Sharon Bell Mathis born: 1937-

27 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's birthday: 1807-1882

28 Who is Linus Pauling?

29 Leap Year Day! 1st Salem Witch arrested: 1692