Powerful (and Fun) Programming in the Library Media Center by Dr. Pat Feehan – Full-Day Pre-conference session.

Even though the session didn’t start until 10am, I made sure to get there in plenty of time to get a parking spot in the conference lot. I arrived at around 8:30, signed in, got the facilitator packet and proceeded to wait for Dr. Pat (who arrived at around 9:00.) Good thing she got there early, as the items she requested for the room weren’t there! The conference staff was really helpful in finding a computer and VHS player (and even speakers) on short notice. Since they couldn’t get a table, I brought in the one I was lugging around for drama…guess it was a good thing I didn’t clean out my car!

While most of the ideas shared at this session were for the primary grades (puppets, storytelling, picture books) some of the techniques can be adapted for middle and high schools. Young Adults like these things, too, even if they pretend they don’t. However, no matter what the topic, I really needed a shot of Dr. Pat’s enthusiasm more than the content. No matter what she talks about, I always leave feeling inspired and recharged. Notes I jotted down include:

• Model Reading – ask teachers/staff to take some time to come down to the library and read a magazine, newspaper, or even a book! Let students see the importance of reading.
• Team Approach – get folks from the community to use the library, too! Open your doors (and advertise) that the school library is their library, too! Of course, will need to verify the feasibility of this with administration first! Would be great if we can as the public library has limited days and hours it operates and offering a place for the community to find their information needs would be wonderful. Also, work more closely with the public library.
• Purpose of the Library: support & enhance the curriculum; enrich other required & elective curricula; support personal enrichment; and support professional development. Outcomes: supports and enriches classroom learning; broadens student & teacher interests; and inspire lifelong learning.
• Use the PIE approach for programming: Planning (bulk of the pie), Implementation, Evaluation.
• Know what’s happening in your community: read newspapers, gather calendar of events (sports, school, holidays, churches, community, etc.) Go to the mall and note displays, slogans, and trends.

Since I had to lug the table back to my car (or carry it to the next session, NOT), I missed the first concurrent session. Instead, I had a nice long conversation with Mary (Media Specialist at Busbee Elem.)

Went to the Exhibit Hall Opening (5:30 – 7:30) and walked around all of the vendor booths. Okay vendor selection, same ones as always, and nothing really exciting. Did like that Walden Media had a booth with lots of great posters, activity guides, and even a free book! Stopped over at the Exploratorium and spoke with the folks from my old stomping grounds (Richland County Public Library) and met Cathy Nelson face-to-face for the first time. We’ve been communicating via email, Skype, Twitter (not really), and each other’s blogs ever since she introduced me to RSS back at EdTech in October.

After the exhibit hall closed, Cathy, Mary, and myself went out to eat at California Dreaming and talked for another two hours! Needless to stay, it was really late before I got home (45 minute drive from Columbia!) and I was still so jazzed from all that happened and that I learned that day that I had a hard time winding down enough to sleep.