Happy November everyone! This is a busy time in the library and I’d like to let you in on some of what is going on at your library.
The final list of nominees for the 2009 Forest of Reading program has been announced. I have purchased those titles, processed them and am busily preparing for the 2009 book clubs at Father Francis McSpiritt.
For those of you who are not familiar with these programs, the Ontario Library Association is the sponsor. Students from kindergarten through grade 12 from all over Ontario are eligible to participate in and vote in this program. The only other stipulations for voting are that they read the books.
The program begins with over one hundred professionals from school and public libraries across the province who read hundreds of books to arrive at the nominations titles. (a complete list of nominated titles can be found at www.accessola.com). Books must be authored by a Canadian citizen or resident and be published by a Canadian publisher normally within the last two years. Titles are chosen to appeal to a range of interests and reading abilities.
The Blue Spruce Book Award reading Program brings recently published children’s picture books to Ontario children aged 5 to8 in kindergarten through grade 3. For many children this is their first introduction to the world of books; it is a very exciting time for everyone, After all the titles have been read, the children have the reward all readers in the Forest of Reading have – they become judges in a province-wide voting event where each child votes for the book they liked the most.
The Silver Birch Book Club will begin right after Christmas. Students in grades 4 to six will be invited to join. They will have to commit to 2 lunch hours per month where they will stay in and discuss the books they have read with the others in the club. There are fiction and non-fiction titles to choose from. In order to be eligible to vote, students must read a minimum of five books in either category before voting day which is April 23, 2009, Canada Book Day! I will collect the names of interested students in December, if more than 20 students show an interest I will have to throw all the names in a hat and choose members.
The Red Maple book club is the same as Silver Birch except that it targets students in grade 7 and 8. The books in this club are targeted toward readers of this age group. Here too are fiction and non-fiction titles and, again, a minimum of 5 titles must be read for a student to be eligible to vote.
One other benefit from this program is that after the provincial voting date, all the titles purchased for the program will be available for all students from the library. This is an excellent way to enhance our collection of current Canadian titles.
Also this month many new student and teacher resources are hitting the shelves in the library. For teachers, the “Bill Nye” science video collection has been purchased to enhance our science program. New resources in the areas of drama, art and Media have also been added.
For students, many new easy reader titles have arrived targeting beginning readers, a series on famous artists as well as the “My Weird School” series.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and remember that our school will be hosting a Book Fair in February. All the proceeds from this event will go back into more books for our library. Stay tuned to the newsletter for more information.