News  from  the  Goddesses

Library Newsletter

January-February

      January / February were very busy months for the SPS Library.   As usual, the library’s drop-in computers were consistently monopolized—recent statistics from the IT Department indicated that almost every SPS student computer profile was associated with drop-in computer use.  The computer tech lab was reserved for class use 85% of the time during this period.   Computer lab by department breaks down as follows :  Social Studies/History:  35%;  Modern Language:  26%;  Science:  16%;  Language Arts:  3%.
    In response to the competition for the eight drop-in computers serving almost 700 students, an administrative decision was made to double the library’s drop-in computers in the near future.    It is anticipated that the addition of these new computers will help remedy the constant interruption of lab classes by students seeking available computers.  
     With the bustle of activity in the library, students have been continually reminded that the library should prevail as the campus’s quiet environment for school work, study and independent reading.    Socializing, high-volume laughter and conversation as well as eating, drinking and cell phone use have been more prevalent during the winter months.   Additionally, there has an increase in the amount of trash left on desks and around computers, an increased frequency of non-academic activity on the computers and failure to return library textbooks, magazines and chairs to designated tables, shelves and computer stations.    Formal and informal communication of library rules has been presented by the library staff and it is hoped that coordinators, advisors and student government officers will also help with the promotion and cultivation of a studious library atmosphere.
     A great deal of bibliographic instruction was offered during the months of January and February, particularly to World History classes.    World History students learned how to effectively secure scholarly journal articles in JSTOR and EBSCOhost’s  Advanced Placement Source , the New York Times Historical  Newspaper databases as well as how to capably find research oriented websites.  Classes visited UNM’s Zimmerman Library for instruction on academic databases and the LIBROS holdings catalog with many students borrowing UNM materials through the passport system or through community borrowing privileges.  The World History Subject Research Guide and the U.S. History Guide on the library’s intranet site were used for reference/instruction purposes.  Other projects requiring specially constructed library intranet sites were :  Mary Ann Garcia-Word’s Francophone Chanteurs website featuring biographical, lyrics and musical genre information in French.  Based on these resources, students crafted a powerpoint presentation with a video component.  These products were then uploaded into a class portal allowing access by the entire class for presentation purposes.  A Westward Ho! site was created for Tina Gibson’s 7th grade classes to support research on individuals and/or groups traveling west to seek a new life—pioneers, outlaws, religious groups, business opportunists, trappers, cowboys and the like.  And, a Dinosaur Research Center was created for Sarah Wilson’s classes working on a paleontology project with web resources and links to databases and print materials to support research on a particular dinosaur.   All classes, including Larry Hanley’s “enraptored” sixth graders were instructed on how to effectively use Noodle Tools to create their bibliographies and/or generate electronic note cards.
     Members of the new library club, the Bibliophiles, worked very hard to set-up and promote a visit by author Obert Skye to the entire middle school.  A great deal of excitement was sparked by the author with students descending upon the library for copies of Obert Skye’s three Leven Thumps  fantasy books:  The Gateway to Foo,  Eyes of Want, the Whispered Secret.  Club members,  Megan  Ainslow, Michaela Knight, Caitlyn Scharmer and Dina Garcia introduced the author wearing  “Wonder Wipes ” T-shirts as sported by the Leven Thumps throughout the Gate to Foo.  The Bibliophiles are interested in inviting other authors to Sandia Prep knowing that their efforts boost literacy and excitement about reading on campus.
     Kappy Riker’s sixth level  Spanish class installed an amazing collection of five foot banners in the library’s Reading Room.  Each banner depicts a Latin American social protest singer and bears a poem written about this artist by the student.   This very colorful and creative exhibit will continue through March.   During January,  Alicia Garcia’s  8th grade English class displayed tri-fold posters depicting the harsh realities of Mexican illegal immigrants in response to reading the book Parrot in the Oven:  Mi Vida by Victor Martinez.
     The Bibliophiles have taken ownership of a “Featured Books”  section  in the library showcasing romantic fiction for the month of February.
    Rounding out the very active months of January/February was Michele Mals’ presentation to the Sandia Prep faculty entitled Information Literacy:  Building Partnerships for Learning,  spotlighting the following topics:  The changing landscape of information;  the shifting roles of librarians;  information literacy explained;  and, strategies thus far implemented to advance information literacy at Sandia Prep. 
    February’s Mystery Teacher was Allen Arsenault who reigns as the only faculty member whose identity was not guessed (even by his son Liam) by participating students.  So Allen’s poster is now on display in the front foyer. 
    Again, much gratitude is extended to the library volunteers, Carol Hinton, Dusty Kleyboecker, Karen Swanson, Teresa Heard and Beth Mason, creator of the “It’s All Relative” Einstein Bulletin Board.

Respectfully Submitted:
Michele Mals, B.J. Firestone and Carol Arnold