Nature inspires the poet

April is Poetry Month
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

It is easy to see why April has been designated National Poetry Month, especially as Mother Nature seems to be slowly waking up and offers many reasons for inspiration. One of our display cases focuses on nature and poetry and includes one of my favorites from our collection, The Gardens of Emily Dickinson (811.4 FAR). The book provides insight into the poet’s personal love of gardening, how it is reflected in her poetry, and personal letters. Another title in the collection offering natural inspiration is House of Light by Mary Oliver (811.54 OLI). It is on days like this when the air seems to be a bit warmer, the birds seem to be signing a bit louder, and there is an energy in the air, that poetry and nature seem to go hand in hand. (This was a fun display to pull together - can you find our little critters {bugs} hanging out with the books? )

Dance Music

Pride
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

The sound of music brought me to the Group Study Room on the first floor of the library. It turns out that there was going to be a dance this weekend and students from two student organizations called "Pride" and "Nexo" were busy picking the music for this dance using our laptop computers. After the weekend of the dance, I again asked the involved students about the dance, and they were happy and proud to report that it went well and most everyone was dancing. Students from the surrounding private schools were invited and everyone had a fun time. The many ways our students use our library never cease to amaze me.

Puzzle in Progress

Puzzle in Progress
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

As the year moves along we have some students who continue t o puzzle in the library. They have chosen a challenging piece, Munch's The Scream with 2,000 small pieces. With only a few weeks left in the school year, we will have to see how it moves along...

Time for some inspiration

As a first time attendee at Computers in Libraries this year, I was impressed and inspired by the broad range of topics covered at the conference. The days were long and chock-full of informative sessions on all aspects of library service and technology. The push in the library world has been on 2.0 applications such as, blogs, wikis, Flickr, and gaming. At the Pesky Library, we have adopted many of these applications, some we use quite well and others we have had to tweak over the years. The key for us has been to try something new and see where it leads. While 2.0 technologies were still at the forefront of the conversation at Computers in Libraries, making connections with the people we serve was highlighted time and again. The interactions that are happening around technology are at the heart of library service. We see this with our own students as they work in groups around the library. The idea that technology can expand service beyond the library walls to connect with users wherever they may be is something we will continue to build on.

My takeaway from Computers in Libraries 2008

DSC01347
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Computers in Libraries is an exhilarating experience. My notebook is filled with asterisks, light bulbs, and post-its highlighting all kinds of ideas – some do-able, some dream-able, and some to be part of today forward. My takeaway from the conference for today forward was the result of a talk on Learning Commons in Libraries. A Learning Commons is where learning happens in a flexible, wireless environment. Students define their spaces, whether by dragging tables together, huddling around desktops, or creating little groups with laptops. The space facilitates learning and supports collaboration. Technology and library services are easily integrated. And, in addition to physically supporting the tools and methods of learning, students are given a positive emotional experience which leads to better learning. As I listened to the speaker, I realized we are an L.C. Our furniture never stays still. Our laptops are always checked out. Our students in the Electronic Classroom are often grouped around a single workstation.

Are there other ways we can support the active construction of knowledge by our students? This question will guide some of our planning for the fall. We have started by ordering two additional portable whiteboards which we shall place in spots where students reconfigure seating for study groups. We’ve asked that purchasing additional laptops be added to the technology plan now being updated. This spring we shall also be taking pictures and documenting the ways students interact with our space. We’ll also survey some of them for their input on how to support their learning. In addition to looking at our library with slightly different eyes, we shall create a video to share with faculty at the opening of school in September.

Jeannette Walls visits the Academy

Yesterday, we were fortunate to have author Jeannette Walls visit the Academy and stop by the library for a book signing and luncheon. Ms. Walls spoke to the community about her best-selling memoir, The Glass Castle. Many of the students clearly connected with the message Ms. Walls was sharing as a large group stopped her in the hall of the library to speak with her and share their own stories. It was an inspiring day filled with many important messages including the importance of respect for others, the power of education and reading, and while following our dreams, still remaining true to ourselves.

Computer Game Development Internship Club

Club
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

A little hooting and hollering brought me down to the electronic classroom where I discovered a group of students playing an interactive war game. This group, the Computer Game Development Internship Club, came about through a relationship with a game software company from Newburyport. This activity promotes fun, multi-player interaction, and historical knowledge. The group provides feedback to the software company.
The students are also creating material by videoing and documenting the game for a market presentation.
The faculty involved is Mr. Werner, Mr. Mandel and Mr. Brace.

Seminar on Teaching and Learning

Seminar on Teaching and Learning
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Today's luncheon Seminar on Learning and Teaching followed up on our summer faculty read - Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. Art teacher Belle Struck talked about what she did in her freshmen classes to get her students to shift between the hemispheres in their brains. As teachers walked into the Bragdon Reading Room, their eyes widened as they saw all the supplies awaiting them. We did countour profile drawings (gaze upon a person and without looking at the paper or lifting the charcoal, draw them in 30 seconds,) folded envelopes from hand painted papers donated by their freshmen creators, colored squares to be fitted into a giant quilt, and ended with more profiling. We display some of the freshmen projects in the library and relished the opportunity of trying them for ourselves. And as always, these seminars are wonderful opportunities to learn new skills or absorb new ideas with colleagues during a designated period of time (meaning NO interruptions!)

We shall not be blogging the beginning of next week. Jen and I are attending Computers in Libraries and decided not to take our laptops. As I write that it seems an odd thing to do. But, we are going to absorb ideas and contemplate their implementation without actually starting the process. There is so little time during the school day for reflection with a colleague and we are consciously taking time for it during this conference. We will be returning in time for Common Book next Thursday.

Good news!

Counting down the Moments
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Much whooping and cheering could be heard in the library this week. Seniors were congratulating each other on finally learning to what colleges they were accepted as a stressful waiting period was finally over. Villanova, Bucknell, Williams, Northeastern, Davidson, and Dennison were some of the schools that we heard mentioned, and the overall feeling was one of relief and joy. Hearty congratulations to the Class of 2008.

Poetic Inspiration

As students prepare to write poetry and short stories for the Spire this week, the library is hoping to inspire poets and those who may shy away from it, to fall in love with it! Our reading and writing poetry display offers words of encouragement to our poets: collect words, write about life, write a song, relax! As Billy Collins is quoted from the Poetry 180 site, “Let the words of the poem do the work.” Once you start exploring it and talking to others about it you may be surprised what you will learn. For example, after discussing poetry with a fellow library staff member, I found she has quite the talent for creating limericks. Below you will see she has dived into poetry, here is Mrs. T's library limerick:

I am a young woman who attends The Academy
My favorite subject by far is Anatomy
I have lots of papers
But I am more interested in fun capers
And this is why the librarian is mad at me.

Academy is not a very easy word to rhyme, as we soon found out. We would love to hear if you have any limericks to share, and here is the challenge, they must be about libraries!
Good Luck, dive into Poetry Month, relax and have fun!

April Fool!

April Fool!
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

A Little Bit of Artistic Inspiration at the Library

A class of senior spanish language students recently visited the library to research an artist of their choosing. The library pulled aside a number of art books for the students and they browsed them looking for some inspiration. Over the weekend there was a student who left behind their artistic tools, the pack of colorful pens, and a Frida Kahlo book. Once students research their artist they will create a piece of artwork based on their chosen artist. It is a wonderful way for our seniors to end their last quarter at the Academy!

"Nine Photographs"

"Nine Photographs"
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Our Rotunda Gallery for Sudent Photography features a collection called "Nine Photographs" by Rory Hamovit '09. Rory's statement on his display follows: "These pictures are what you would see if you were walking down the street or across the beach and turned your head for just a second, witnessing a girl in a bright red dress or some awkward sunbathers. You probably don't recognize at first what you're staring at, completely unaware of the people you're looking at, the movements they're making or the way they seem to fit into the setting. We sometimes fail to realize the comedy and artistic appeal in moments like these. With a camera, I've tried to find these moments, the ones that pass by unrecognized, and capture them and then let others enjoy seeing them as much as I did when I saw a boy shocked by a hippo at the zoo or kids dancing wildly at a Bat Mitzvah party."
If you can't come by and view in person, you can see the images in our Flickr photo set.

The library has new DVDs

March New DVDs
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

While we were on our March break, ten new DVDs arrived in our library. "In the Shadow of the Moon", "Robin of Sherwood", "Tin Man", "Clear and Present Danger", "The Hunt for Red October", "Patiot Games", "The Sum of All Fears", "Becoming Jane", "Into the Wild", and "Hairspray" are in our collection, ready for you to enjoy. See you in the library!

Welcome back!

A Welcome Return to.....
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Only 8 days remain in the third quarter and then the breathless rush to the end begins. Although we had a dusting of snow last night and there's a mildly disturbing forecast for this weekend, spring has arrived in Byfield. I wasn't quick enough to get the flock of robins outside my window but I did get the diminishing snow pile. Soon the fields will be filled with baseball, softball, and lacrosse players. Frisbees and cookouts in front of Phillips will be de riguer!

12th Annual Legislative Breakfast

12th Annual Legislative Breakfast
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

This morning we attended the 12th Annual Legislative Breakfast for the Northeast Massachusetts Region. It's an advocacy event with library directors, trustees, and legislators in attendance. Not only do we have a chance to speak on behalf of libraries to local state legislators, but we also get to hear about the impact of libraries on individuals. U.S. Representative Nikki Tsongas spoke about being "captured" by the library after she had checked out her very first book. We were reminded that in this space of the Pollard Memorial Library (Lowell, MA) Jack Kerouac used to spend time during his school days. Who knows what budding Kerouacs may be rambunctiously enjoying our spaces right now? I truly believe that we can't be a strong democracy without strong libraries.
In a few minutes, March break begins and we don't reconvene until the 26th. May we all have a chance to renew and relax!

Winter Scene

A Chair Where it Belongs
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

With March break right around the corner, scenes such as this, with snow everywhere, will be gone by the time students and staff return to school . We are hoping to return to well rested students and beautiful Spring days. This week the Junior class finished their major project for the school year - the American History report. We congratulate these hard working students, and wish them a wonderful vacation.

Gear up for Break with a Great Read

Recently the American Library Association announced the award winners for young adult literature. The Printz Award honors excellence in young adult literature and the Alex Awards are given to ten adult books with special appeal to teens. Enjoy our slideshow above featuring recent winners of the Printz and Alex awards as well as recent additions to the library’s collection. With March break around the corner it is the perfect time to escape into a good book! Happy Reading.

March 4 - National Grammar Day

March 4 - National Grammar Day
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Today is the day to grab your red pen and celebrate along with the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. Do you have a personal grammatical beef? (Could it be the preservation of the serial comma?) Do you find yourself as I do when faced with a grammatical perplexity diagramming the sentence in your head? This is a day to let loose and correct what you will. Uncertain in a specific case? Check out one of the books on display in the foyer of the library.
My absolutely favorite grammatical correction came in a Zippy cartoon. You may know that he celebrates diners. October 21, 2003 he visited Pats Diner in Salisbury Square. Yes, Pats without the apostrophe. He gently chided her on it in the strip. She now has the apostrophe added and the strip framed and prominently on display. It still makes her laugh. Good grammar can do that!

Comfort is just another library service!

We've always known it. Library chairs are made for napping whether circa 1968 or 2008. Imagine this student’s surprise if he came to The Academy today and saw the chairs the current students curl up in. When this picture surfaced in the archives, we all had a déjà vu moment. How many times have we stood over a student wondering if we should give a nudge when the class period changes? This wondering librarian is Mrs. Esther B. Thurlow, Bryn Mawr, 1928. We found her in the Milestones from 1958 – 68. The picture was taken in the Frost Library.