Rainy Day Project

Great Project for a rainy day
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

The month of January becomes the perfect time to take up projects old and new. We have been making our way through the history collection, weeding and adjusting call numbers when the time allows. It just so happens that today lends itself well to such a project with the rain pouring outside. Upstairs on the second floor all is quiet, and with a laptop, call number paperwork, and highlighter at the ready, the project continues! As we find books that need more specific call numbers, we pull them aside with the subject specific number and the changes are made in cataloging. Our history collection is looking good as it is being fine-tuned and makes it much easier for our students to locate the subject they need.

Global warming impact on sports

Global warming impact on sports
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

During the presentation yesterday by Joe Zillo from the Defenders of Wildlife on climate change, he mentioned this issue of Sports Illustrated. The article "Going, going GREEN" by Alexander Wolff made some points that I hadn't thought about. Beyond the rising seas' effects on the coasts, golf courses' changing uses of resources, and the impact of the warmer winters on ski areas (issues that we often read about in this geographical area,) he discussed how temperature affects the distance a ball travels, how the emerald ash borer is munching through the trees used to make bats, and how sports arenas will need to become sustainable. If you want to read the article, we have this issue of the magazine at the circulation desk. Come on by!

New Projects ~ Creating a Mash-up in English

Starting with Audacity
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

With exams now behind us and a new year ahead, this is a time when new projects are introduced before the completion of the semester. An exciting project we have seen comes from one of the Academy’s A.P. English Classes. Students will be preparing a “mash-up” of audio and visual images based on one of the poems from the British Romantic Poets. Students will be using Audacity (or a recording program of their choosing) to record their poems. We (an English teacher and librarians) learned how to use this program during a collaborative brainstorming session last week. Students arrived today as pictured, and were given further instructions on how to record their poems, how to add music and gather images for their mash-ups. Students have the opportunity to bring their poems to life using dynamic technologies and we look forward to working with them to see how their projects evolve.

A New Year : A New Challenge

Happy New Year to all! This New Year brings new opportunities to members of the Governor’s Academy as the Green Cup Challenge is well underway. The library has joined the efforts by providing resources on “going green” as pictured in the display. Some of our new titles include: Wake Up and Smell the Planet: the non-pompous, non-preachy grist guide to greening your day (333.72 WAK), Wisdom for a Livable Planet (333.72 MCD), How to Live Well Without Owning a Car (332.024 BAL), Organic, Inc.: natural foods and how they grew (338.171 FRO), North Country (DVD NOR), When the Levees Broke (DVD 976.33 WHE), and Who Killed the Electric Car (DVD 629.22 WHO). For a full listing of the resources on display visit the library’s Flickr Display page. We look forward to adding new resources to the display as the Green Cup Continues in the coming months in hopes of inspiring all who take part!

A Splendid Start to the Holiday Break!

Wintry Splendor at The Academy
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

The storm came yesterday afternoon exactly as forecast. We closed at 7 and our evening blogger never made it in. We arrived this morning to a campus transformed. Students leave after their morning exam and the timing of the storms (another to come tomorrow evening) should make for safe travel. Classes resume on January 3rd. We wish for all a time of peace and family and relaxation.See you all in 2008. Happy New Year!!!!!

December DVDs

December DVDs
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

As we draw closer to winter break, it is a perfect time to think about catching up on some rest and leisure activities. We have a new selection of DVD’s that have arrived just in time for the break. Students are already perusing the shelves looking for some great movies to enjoy in their down time. Some of the titles include: Ratatouille, Waitress, Elf, The Namesake, La Vie en Rose, Love and Basketball, and Amazing Grace. For a complete listing of the December DVD’s visit the New Acquisition set on the Pesky Flickr page. Happy Viewing!

The mass exodus for exam #2

The mass exodus for exam #2
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

The clock has just struck 1:00 and students emerge from all corners of the library. They depart for their second exam of the day, English. The library has been a bustling place as students work together or alone to prepare for the days ahead.

A quiet corner found

A quiet corner found
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

As students prepare for their Science and English exams tomorrow, they are staking out spots where they feel comfortable. This student found a back corner overlooking the Sager Bowl although his eyes have remained on his text and not on the wintry mess outside.

Stille Nacht

Stille Nacht
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Each year students from German classes come a'caroling in the library. This year we were fortunate to have multiple verses of Stille Nacht and O Tannenbaum sung to us Students and librarians gather round.. And, although there are many lovely holiday traditions here at the Academy, this is my personal favorite!

Exams are coming!

Rainy afternoon
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Ready or not! Next week begins exam week at the Governor's. For the first time, exams are being given before Christmas break, and students are buckling down to study. There is a change in the atmosphere as students seem to realize that the time is here to use their study time wisely. Different rules apply in the library during exam week. We strongly encourage that there be silence throughout the library and most everyone seems to understand the reason behind these stricter rules during this time. Hopefully everyone will do well on their tests and then go home to a much deserved rest and to enjoy the festivities of the season.

Christmas Book Tree

Christmas Book Tree
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Aahh, holiday memories of curling up with a delightful Christmas story, a cup of cocoa and those you love crowded around. The holidays are all about reminiscing and thinking back to those simpler times when we were a wee bit younger. What better nostalgic activity than to pick up a picture book for the holidays like the classic Night Before Christmas, or maybe something a bit more recent such as Auntie Claus. We have decorated our book tree with holiday picture books ready to make their way to the warmth of your home. Happy Reading!

Happy Hanukkah

Hanukkah, the eight day festival of light, begins today at sundown and will be celebrated until December 12. Surrounding our menorah are a few titles offering a history of hanukkah, recipes for traditional foods, and activtites for the celebration, they include: Hanukkah: the family guide to spiritual celebration (296.4 WOL), Celebrate: stories of the Jewish Holidays (296.4 HER), A Hanakkah Treasury (296.4 HAN), and In the Jewish Tradition: a year of festivities and foods (296.4 FEL). For further information on the history and traditions of Hanukkah, visit the Jewish Outreach Institute. Best wishes to families and friends during this holiday season!

Recommended Reads: December

Patriot Momentum

We salute the New Englad Patriots with a special display. We hope to change it weekly by placing a rising number in the win column. This has been a truly exciting season for a fan. First, the question of Asante Samuel - would he sign or not? Second, the Cheating gate scandal. What were they thinking? Third, the incredible streak of wins with lopsided scores. Were the Pats bad guys to go for it on fourth down when they were already in a blow-out game? (Forgive me editorializing, but really. It is the NFL - step up your defense!) Fourth, the hype around the Colts game with the Pats cast as the Evil Empire. Fifth, the close game with the Eagles. The team is on a march towards eclipsing the 1972 Miami record. One of our books on display, The blueprint: how the New England Patriots beat the system to create the last great NFL superpower by Christopher Price is an interesting look at how a team is put together. Also available is Tom Brady's Moving the Chains and David Halberstam's Education of a Coach. Stop by and check out one of the books. Since we have to wait until Monday night for the game at Baltimore, there is a long Sunday afternoon minus a game to spend reading!

Cooking display is growing

Cooking display is growing
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Tis the Season for cooking and baking and gingerbread house making, and we're here to help. Our display of cookbooks is getting considerable attention from both staff and students. We have books on how to bake breads, how to make gingerbread treats, how to prepare delicious soups and vegetarian fare, and slow cooker recipes. Cookbooks by Rachael Ray are popular selections and both easy and fancy holiday cookie recipes are beautifully illustrated for those looking for just the right treats for this special time of year. The only thing missing is the aroma of those freshly cooked goodies.

Communication Today

Communication Today
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

We recently had a display created on the timely topic of communication and the changes that have occured over the decades. E-mail and texting have replaced the paper and pen and have also changed how we communicate and the language we use to communicate. Control*ALT*Delete: a dictionary of cyberslang (REF 004.03 KEA) helps to decipher all the new lingo we must learn such as a Flame War, Googlage, and Mojibake. For a refresher on how to send various types of e-mails take a look at SEND: the essential guide to e-mail for office and home (658.054 SHI), it may prevent you from making any communication blunders!

Our Apples are Local

The dining hall has been buying produce locally when feasible. A great treat this fall has been the apples from Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury. We have been able to sample many different varieties from the early crops to later pickings. Each apple variety has been labelled with name and characteristics. I suppose as the season gives way to winter we shall be grabbing the more familiar Delicious apple variety once more but being more up-front and personal with what we were eating this fall was good.

I believe that growing our own food and buying locally and in season is really the future of our planet. The library has several books which address the local movement. The Revolution will not be Microwaved: Inside America's Underground Food Movements by Sandor Ellix Katz

(641.3 KAT) deals with grassroots activists and the social and economic ramifications of how we eat. Slow Food Revolution: a New Culture for Eating and Living by Carlo Petrinin (641.3 PET) celebrates the local. The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken (658.408 HAW) is a "declaration of sustainability." And two practical books help us get going. A Slice of Organic Life (640 SLI) gives many small ways to integrate organic living into daily life. Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America's Farmers' Markets by Deborah Madison (641.5 MAD) has luscious recipes and lush photographs.

Yeah team!

Yeah team!
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Spirits are high in the library as we prepare to leave for the Thanksgiving break in three hours (and counting!) But whoops were coming from one corner of the library as these boys huddled around a computer and read the results of the Varsity Basketball try-outs! Their joy was infectious for about three minutes and then we all remembered where we were. Congratulations! And may we all have a blessed time with family and friends and return to school rested and ready to try the new exam schedule.

Happy Thanksgiving

One little tree still holding on
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

The Pesky library staff wish everyone a happy and restful Thanksgiving break. Eat a lot of turkey, go for a long walk and maybe curl up with a good book. See you back here on the Blog in 10 days

Orange you glad...

Orange you glad...
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

One of our staff members, a master at displays, recently put together a lovely display of orange to compliment the season titled, "Orange you glad you read?" Funny how a color can elicit different feelings – what would orange fall under? It is definitely a color of the season, and this autumn Byfield has been full of brilliant color. We are amazed here at the library how the colors are holding on well into November. If an orange cover piques your interest check out the list of titles on display. Happy Reading!

Flickring at MSLA

Our badges
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

We have returned from the MSLA (Massachusetts School Library Association) conference in beautiful Strubridge, MA. The Pesky Librarians presented a session on Flickr in the School Library. There were many interesting sessions and keynotes this year and it is always a pleasure to share ideas with fellow school librarians inbetween. It was a busy two days and today we catch up and do our post-conference Flickring.

It all began in Massachusetts

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, the history of Massachusetts seems to come alive. After all, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Plymoth in 1621. Our current display "It All Began in Massachusetts" is filled with the history of Massachusetts; from the Brave Bostonians (973.311 MCF), The Mayflower (973.2 PHI), the Beanpot and Walden, the roots of American history begin here. For a complete listing of materials on display visit our photo in Flickr.

Faculty Seminar on Teaching and Learning - Dr. Scheintaub

Faculty Seminar on Teaching and Learning - Dr. Scheintaub
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Good teachers never stop learning. To prove the point, we had a group of teachers from the Governor's Academy meet in the Pesky Library during their lunch time to hear from their colleagues what they had learned at Conferences or Summer Institutes to improve their classroom instruction. Pictured here is Dr. Hal Scheintaub who discussed how he uses technology in his science classes. There was much sharing of innovative and successful teaching strategies. Lunch was served in the library to all participants who went away pleased with the whole experience.

Governor interviews the current Royal Thai Scholar

Governor interview in the stacks
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Each year, The Governor's Academy participates in the Royal Thai Scholar program. Our scholar enrolls as a senior and spends the year immersed in English language and culture before going on to college. Being chosen a scholar to study in the United States is very competitive. Only Thai students with an A average are eligible to take a nation-wide exam administered by the Civil Service Commission of the Royal Thai government. Once qualified, the students are matched to different scholarships based on the needs of the country and are directed into areas of study. For each year of school (through graduate levels) the scholar gives back two years of service to the sponsoring organization. Many become university professors, research scientists, or leaders in other special areas.
In addition to serving their country as both scholars and global ambassadors, these Royal Thai Scholars serve us well. We learn not only about the Thai culture but also of the determination to do well with the opportunity given to them. These students battle homesickness (many do not return home at all during the school year.) We are happy that each year's Scholar spends time studying and hanging out in the library.

BTW, if you missed our lack of posting yesterday, it was a Headmaster's Holiday and the Pesky Librarians celebrated it along with our students!

American Studies Web Quest

American Studies Web Quest
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

As the American Studies class was doing a Web quest on the Constitution in the Electronic Classroom, I was putting together the display on Massachusetts in the hall. Suddenly I heard “he went to Governor Dummer.” I knew she was talking about Rufus King who was one of the boys who matriculated from the Little Red Schoolhouse during the tenure of Master Samuel Moody. King left Byfield for Harvard, graduating in 1777 at the head of his class. He studied law under Theophilus Parsons (another illustrious Little Red Schoolhouse graduate of Moody’s) in Newburyport. His career in the law began and in 1783 he was admitted to serve before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. He went on to serve as the Massachusetts delegate to the Philadelphia convention on the Constitution. He supported a strong national government with greater power belonging to the most populous states. After signing the Constitution he returned to Massachusetts and was a delegate to the state’s convention which ratified it. He served as a U.S. Senator from New York and as the ambassador to Great Britain. He had a long career as a Federalist. You can read more about the boy who studied here in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress or at the National Archives.

Always Teaching Always Learning

Faculty Seminar on Teaching and Learning - Ms. DeGrasse
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

The Library was the location for the second Faculty Teaching and Learning Seminar last week. Four faculty members shared projects and teaching strategies with fellow colleagues in the Bragdon Reading Room. It was a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and methods of teaching with fellow faculty and learn more about what happens in different classrooms. To see other photos from the seminar, visit Scenes from the Library in Flickr.

Satisfied Customers

The prize winners for "Best Costumes at the Halloweeen Dance" were none other than regular users of our library. We were so pleased (and amused) to see the creativity of our students. Maybe they got their ideas from the 391 (COSTUME) section of the library that we promoted in last week's BLOG. In any case, the students pictured here as "The Village People" are satisfied customers. Congratulations!!

Spooky Books

Spooky Books
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

A favorite quote of mine is Macbeth's "By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes . . ." Whether I'm reading or movie watching, the anticipation of the macabre or the wickedness promised in a blurb or a review can be better than the actual unfolding of plot. To celebrate the day, the library pulled together a collection of spooky books and DVD's. A new title not there is on my kitchen table. I am in the midst of a quirky ghost story, The Dead Father's Club by Matt Haig. It's an update of Hamlet but it is not simply a retelling of the story. Main protagonist Philip has a wonderfully strong adolescent voice. Once again the ghost is selfish and the mother is rather silly but the other characters don't mirror the originals so closely. I am not really sure where it's going to end but, as I wait for trick-or-treaters tonight, I hope to find out!

Elvinson's Sculpture

Elvinson's Sculpture
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

Fine Arts Department Chair Geoff Brace recently brought this ceramic sculpture to its new home in the library. I remember back several years when the then senior Elvinson Corporan was starting it during AP Ceramics. He came to me researching hieroglyphics. I asked ceramics teacher Irina Okula for more info on it.

She replied, "Elvinson came to GDA never having touched clay.He took every ceramics class offered . In his senior year, he took AP Ceramics and worked on this large sculpture for a good part of the year. He started it in January and worked on it until June. As the date of graduation quickly approached, he would have Security let him in at 5:00 a.m. to work on it before his classes started. He also spent many late nights trying to complete it. He finished it, but not to his satisfaction so he came back the following summer and last summer to finish it. He spent three weeks this summer sanding it and glazing it. What a dedicated student! I love when he said he did not care so much for the outcome of the piece but that it was the process that he really loved. He constructed the form with large flat coils. He did research on Egyptian hieroglyphics and carved a beautiful poem in hieroglyphics about his family into the clay."

The library is so very happy to have this part of Elvinson with us. BTW, Elvinson is presently a senior at Brown studying buisness.

Admissions Open House at the Library

Saturday, October 27 was the Academy’s Annual Open House and we saw hundreds of people visit the campus to learn more about the Academy’s program. Situated at the heart of the campus, the library becomes a popular spot for families to explore. In addition to the families who came to visit, a few student groups lead by some of our upperclassmen strolled through the building as well. The library provided Moo cards to visitors as they entered the foyer with links to the library’s blog and library services.

Adopted Books from Parents' Weekend

Adopted Books from Parents' Weekend
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

As part of Parents' Weekend, the Allies operate a "book sale" in the library, offering the opportunity to place a donation bookplate in a book already selected by the library or a different book of choice. Sometimes parents make a donation and request that we purchase a specific title or subject area while others ask that we get requests from their children. Pictured are the specific books chosen from our collection. We have been busy putting orders into Amazon to fill requests. Parents were very generous this year and we are grateful. The money raised goes into a special account. As new reference materials come available in the spring and the library's budget is winding down, we know we have a source we can draw from.
We love when we open a book on the shelf, read the name on the book plate, and have memories of that past student pop up!

Halloween

There is still time to get yourself ready for Halloween. If you are not sure what to wear for a costume for the dance, the library is here to help. Under the heading COSTUME, in the card catalog, there are 25 books listed with the call number 391. With everything from ancient Egyptian and Roman costumes to fashions of the decades, there is sure to be something for every taste. Check us out.

The series begins

Red Sox
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

There is nothing like the anticipation of a National Championship being played in your home town. Tonight marks the start of the World Series, Red Sox versus the Rockies here in Boston. The library is ready to celebrate each win with our Red Sox display located center stage in the foyer. Besides an extensive display of books on the Sox, checkout the Official Red Sox website for up-to-date information on the series as it progresses. Time to play ball – enjoy the game!

The Civics Letter

Freshmen were busy in the library last week. As part of the Civics class, each student needs to select a topic to research for both a paper and a letter to the Congressional delegation from home. A course on writing the letter is among the library's courses on Classrooms on Elmstreet. The course walks students through finding the names and addresses of their Congressional delegation, selecting a topic, finding books in our library, using select databases (CQ Researcher, Opposing Viewpoints, and ELibrary,) effective Internet searching, and citing sources the MLA way. As Mrs. Brown worked with one class in the Electronic Classroom, Ms. Chase worked with another in the reference area. Students found the Pro/Con (REF 170) and the Taking Sides (REF 170) series as well as the Social Issues in America Encyclopedia (REF 361.97 SOC) especially helpful in reference.

Allies Book Sale

Allies Book Sale
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

During Parents' Weekend, the Allies raise money for library books by "selling" books to parents. Parents select specific books to have plates put in honoring a child's birthday or maybe honoring a teacher. We are grateful for their never-ending support.

magazines

While putting away magazines this evening I was again impressed with the wonderful assortment of periodicals to which we subscribe. The Pesky Library subscribes to well over a hundred magazine titles, many of which are academic journals used for research. But we also subscribe to magazines that have high appeal to our students and staff. Our head librarian does her best to honor student and staff requests. Some of our new titles this year are: Mental Floss, Beadwork, Wrestling, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Backpacker and Fine Gardening. HAPPY READING!

50 Years of Advertising

50 Years of Advertising
Originally uploaded by Pesky Library

We took a look at how ads evolved over the past 50 years. Using our issues of Time magazine, we copied cigarette ads and automobile ads. Car ads used phrase like "bound to be noticed" and "enjoy being looked at" along with words like "happiest" and "excitement" and "pride." The cigarette ads focused on taste and flavor. Gender roles really come through in both sets. (Virginia Slims are especially curious looked at today.) Stop by and take a look at the questions these ads raise. You can find a list of the books we have on marketing and being consumers here.

Sputnik 50 years later

This month marks the 50th anniversary of Sputnik. On October 4, 1957 Russians launched the first artificial satellite and in doing so, leapt ahead of the Americans in the race for space. The space race is often a topic our history students choose for their thesis papers and we have many books that have been recently added to the collection. A few of the titles on display include, Red Moon Rising: Sputnik and the hidden rivalries that ignited the Space Race (629.4 BRZ), Live From Cape Canaveral: covering the space race, from Sputnik to today (629.45 BAR), and Space Race: the spic battle between America and the Soviet Union for dominion of space (629.409 CAD). Our Sputnik display can be found in the foyer of the library.

New YA

The Pesky Library Flickr page now has a set for New Acquisitions. Young Adult fiction titles were recently added to this set. We love to see these titles fly off the shelf and into the hands of our students. In Flickr you can view the Young Adult books added this fall and see the notes listed on many of the titles for further information. Other titles not highlighted by the notes include: Life on the Refrigerator Door (FIC KUI), M is for Magic (SC GAI), The Last Chicken in America (FIC LIT), Parrotfish (FIC WIT), American Youth (FIC LAM), Gifted (FIC LAL), and Territory (FIC BUL). We are excited to provide a new list of acquisitions as orders arrive along with a great visual that Flickr allows us to provide.

Laptops on the Move

I think all would agree that the laptops are our most popular service. We have five that students or faculty can check out to use within the library. Even when there are available desktops, students prefer the laptops to take to a quiet corner or a comfy chair. We have started documenting the places they go. Take a look at The Life of a Pesky Laptop.

Seniors

While the Juniors are busy researching their American History papers, the Seniors are focused on next year. There is a steady buzz of conversation as they visit colleges and return with new information. Many students began their search during Junior year or during summer visits to campuses everywhere. You can almost feel their anxiety now that the time has come to make decisions about where to apply. Most are looking forward to having the application process finished. Of course, then there is a new level of anxiety as they wait to hear about their acceptances. Senior year is a roller-coaster ride, but one that most students will say they enjoyed when they finally get off.

More on Lori Ehrlich and the Convocation

Lori Ehrlich was the Academy’s first Spirituality speaker of the year. Her speech centered on three cases which drew her into the environmental movement: the Salem Power Plant owned by P.G. & E, Erin Brockovich’s research into P.G. & E. and health issues in Hinckley, California, and the Wenham Lake Reservoir. If you want to read further, here are the websites she referenced in her talk. HealthLink has the list of what you can do to be part of the solution.

• HealthLink
• Her Truth and Progress Blog
• Wenham Lake Watershed Association
• Blanket the Globe
• Environmental League of Massachusetts
• Ceres

Also, the library has many books on environmental topics. Three of the newest are Feeding the fire : the lost history and uncertain future of mankind's energy addiction by Mark E. Eberhart, Moving mountains : how one woman and her community won justice from big coal by Penny Loeb, and Lights out : the electricity crisis, the global economy, and what it means to you by Jason Makansi.