Hour of Code

Last Tuesday, in acknowledgement of Computer Science education week, Govs students filled up the Frost library to participate in an “Hour of Code”, which is a one-hour introduction to computer science and the language of coding. Hour of Code sessions are being organized and taught around the world, everywhere from Mozambuque to Miami! So far over 100 million students have participated in the event, in over 40 languages.

Mr. Karin organized the afternoon program here at Govs for students (and faculty!) to learn an introductory lesson about coding from AP Computer Science students in his class. Students that were already familiar with the basics were able to participate in “power coding” taught by the Govs Programming Club. 

If you are interested in learning more about coding, we suggest the following sources:

Next Steps in Coding 

Here you will find the next step in your coding education, whether you are age 6 or 106. Tutorials for ipads, making web pages or college courses from Harvard available here!

Khan Academy 

Learn how to program drawings, animations and games using JavaScript or webpages with HTML. You can also share what you create with others and vice versa!

And if you would like to host an Hour of Code somewhere near you check this short video out:

Hour of Code

If you are so inclined, you can also volunteer to be a part of 
Hour of Coding near you. Now that would look pretty fantastic on a college application, don't you think?
volunteer!

After you graduate from that fabulous college, you can feel grateful for whatever coding education you have because as of today there are reportedly over 600,00 computing jobs open nationwide and last year only 38,000 computer science graduated into the workforce!

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Feast your eyes on this!

Although the turkey soup has been gobbled and the mashed potatoes are just a distant memory, we have plenty of great displays to feast your eyes on here in the library!
Appropriately enough, the first of which is called "Hungry for a new book?" All of the end caps in the fiction section offer up some delectable reads. Ms. Bennett handpicked a potpourri of fiction that deals with our insatiable appetite for FOOD!

And for all of you procrastinators out there, you know who you are, the ones who think there should still be 50 days left in the year, instead of the reality being a mere 25, for you a "Time is running out!" display. Here we have put out an array of short stories regarding the holidays. From David Sedaris to Alice Munro and John Green, we've got your holiday palette covered!

And since the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is upon us, we have sampled a few books from our collection on the Jewish tradition. Alongside the books we have a recipe displayed for traditional potato latkes!

In honor of Advent and Christmas, we have our festive trees surrounded by holiday books and DVDs. 'Tis the season for "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life". Or if your preference is more of the Will Ferell genre, we have "Elf" or "A Christmas Story", but don't get caught up in the occasion and shoot your eye out with a red rider B.B. gun!

And speaking of the color RED, Ms. Bennett created another very clever display called, 

"Red anything good lately?"in which all of the book covers are of the vermilion pigment. And though red can have both negative connotations (blood, fire & war) and positive (love, warmth and compassion), I believe we are going for the latter!

If none of the above displays speak to you and you are actually looking forward to the holidays being over before they even begin, we still have something that might flip your pancake! Check out the VIP/Backstage pass shelf located at the circulation desk. Here is a sampling of books from our music collection that will definitely take your mind off some of the not-so-wonderful parts of the season. 

Feeling cold? the autobiography of Aerosmith will heat you up for sure.

Feeling lonely? Eminem might make you feel a whole lot more loved in the Byfield bubble!

Feeling atheist? That's OK too, but U2 can dish out some authentic spirituality in a rock and roll way!

Want world peace? Find a kindred spirit in Lennon

Yours in books,
The Pesky Librarians