A New Kind of Library

Bromann, Jennifer, and Ellen Lindner. "Everything Bad Is GOOD!" Comic strip. School Library Journal Apr. 2007: 43-46. 28 Jan. 2008
<http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/info/CA6430955.html>.

MANY More Tips and Tricks!

Google can be a great search tool...if you know how to use it correctly. The tips below were taken from a handout that Google created and posted on their Librarian Central teaching tool website. Want a complete copy? Come into the library for more tips!

define: Find Meanings
What it does: defines a word or phrase
What to type: define: plethora
What you'll get: links to definitions of the word "plethora"

site: Site Specific
What it does: searches only particular websites
What to type: global warming site:edu
What you'll get: references to "global warming" found on .edu websites

link: Linked Pages
What it does: searches for webpages that link to a particular website
What to type: link:www.umich.edu
What you'll get: websites that link to the University of Michigan website

1+1: Math Answers (My favorite!)
What it does: basic calculator functions
What to type: 4+7, 30% of 55, 20^2, sqrt(4), etc.
What you'll get: the answer

cm in foot: Conversions
What it does: converts units of measure
What to type: cm in foot, 28C in F, $ in pound, days in fortnight, miles in league, mph in speed of light, etc.
What you'll get: the converted answer

*NEW UPDATE TO GOOGLE*
You can now get your flight status by typing in the name of the airline and flight number (e.g., American 123, ua226) into the search box, and Google will return the most up-to-date information from FlightStats.com.


Images taken from Google

Tips and Tricks!

The information in this post comes from a Google handout that we have in the school library. Come in for a copy today and look for more Google tips in future posts.

If you want better Google results you need to perform better Google searches. Here are some cool modifiers to type in your Google searchbox to refine your searches and get the best results.

" "
Exact Phrase
What it does: searches for an exact phrase
What to type: “one small step for man”
What you’ll get: results that include the exact phrase “one small step for man”

-
Excluded Words
What it does: excludes search results with a particular word or phrase
What to type: bass -fishing
What you’ll get: results about bass that are ot related to fishing

~
Similar Words
What it does: searches for a word and all its synonyms
What to type: ~mobile phone
What you’ll get: results with the word “phone,”as well as “cell,” “cellular,” “wireless,” etc.

OR
Multiple Words

What it does: searches for webpages that include either word
What to type: “vacation” “London” OR “Paris”
What you’ll get: results with the word vacation and either London or Paris

...
Numerical Ranges
What it does: searches for a range of numbers
What to type: Willie Mays 1950…1960
What you’ll get: results about Willie Mays during this time period

Images taken from Google

Podcasting 101

At this week's faculty meeting, Mr. Stein and I had the opportunity to present a podcast about podcasting. What is podcasting, you ask? Click on the video podcast below to get a brief glimpse at what podcasting is all about and how it can be applied in the classroom!

Why are we talking about podcasting? Next semester in Mr. Stein's Participation in Government class, groups of students will have the opportunity to produce their very own video podcasts for a project on activism. Each group will research a non-profit activist group, produce a public service announcement, create a video podcast, and present it to their peers. Mr. Patten's class has also produced their own audio podcasts for the "Pirates Presidential Campaign" and you can check them out on his website.

"Big" Alumnus

Dr. Michael B. Eisenberg, best known for developing the Big6™ information literacy model, as described in our last blog post, is also a Mepham alumnus! A graduate of the class of 1967, Dr. Eisenberg served as the layout editor of The Buccaneer, our school newspaper. He also served as a member of the repertory band, french club, and ski club. It certainly appears that he was destined for great things. I recently stumbled upon this information as I flipped through the pages of the Treasure Chest, our school's yearbook. This year Dr. Eisenberg has been selected to join the W.C. Mepham High School Who's Who Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Dr. Eisenberg. We are proud to call you one of our own!

Photo taken from the faculty directory at the University of Washington Information School

The Big6™

The Big6™ is a proven approach to information problem solving. It helps you succeed in school and life. Use the Big6 to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and tasks. In the school library we have Big6 assignment organizers designed to help you stay focused on your research projects. Come in today to pick one up and check out the resources that can help you with your next research paper or project. The Big6 steps below will assist you with any problem.

Big6 1: Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify the information you need in order to complete the task (to solve the information problem)

Big6 2: Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm)
2.2 Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources)

Big6 3: Location & Access
3.1 Locate sources
3.2 Find information within sources

Big6 4: Use of Information
4.1 Engage in the source (read, listen, view, touch)
4.2 Take out the relevant information from a source

Big6 5: Synthesis
5.1 Organize information from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information

Big6 6: Evaluation
6.1 Judge your product (how effective were you)
6.2 Judge your information problem-solving process (how efficient were you)

Big6 logo taken from the Big6 website

Craft Days @ Your Library™

*Update! We raised $260 at the Craft Fair this year and all funds went to the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital. Thank you for all your generosity and support.*

Last year was such a blast that we're bringing it back... but this time we are doing it for charity! Stop by the school library on Thursday, December 20th and Friday, December 21st during your free time from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital. All are welcome to attend.

Price List
Learn to knit or crochet - Free
Bead a bracelet - $2
Bead a necklace - $4
Fold origami - $1
Design a holiday card -$1
Or create your own craft from our array of crafty materials! We'll have books displayed on all these subjects to help guide your creativity or inspire a new idea.

Photo taken from Craft Days 2006