http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgSlpPUEAbo
Meet me @ the Des Plaines Public Library on Saturday, April 26, 2008!
Don't forget your Library Card! x x o , mb
Friday, March 28, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Illinois Library Legistative Day
Believe You Can Make a Difference
By MaryBeth McWilliams, MacArthur Middle School
January 30, 2008
As the Library Media Center Teacher at MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights, I strive for collaboration, leadership, intellectual freedom, and technology. I truly believe I have a vision for making a difference in Illinois Public School Libraries. Every school day, I facilitate intellectual freedom and learning with the young adult students and professional teaching staff in my school community. Constantly, these seekers of global information come to me requesting accurate information. As the LMC Teacher, I must continually be aware of current issues. I must be unbiased and prepared to assess and evaluate information and then concisely express and communicate this information. I am dedicated to doing this in order to continue to nurture an information rich society.
This aspect of my position, as the LMC Teacher, is one that I truly relish and I appreciate those students and staff that seek information. Working in the field of education and specifically in the middle school library media center, I focus on open access to information. As an educator in the library field, I am seeking to communicate, collaborate and connect intellectual freedom for everyone. The better informed and aware I am on state and national issues, the more effective I will be on preparing and presenting information for students. Ultimately, my mission is for quality in public school libraries that facilitate an atmosphere where students and staff spend less time searching and more time learning. By attending the Illinois and National Library Legislative Days in 2007, I gained an insight in how I fit into the partnership for libraries and lifelong learning.
I attended the Illinois Library Day on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at the state capitol building in Springfield. This was an occasion for school and public librarians to demonstrate our concerns to the Illinois legislators on issues that are important to the Illinois library communities. Since both House and Senate were in session, I was able to personally meet with the legislators to discuss Library Advocacy at their Springfield offices. My very presence and conversations showed our serious concern for the future of Library Literacy and Intellectual Freedom. I also gave each legislator my business card and a “Palm Card” that summarized exactly which bills I support and which I oppose. As a result of these face-to-face visits, I truly believe that I have established a solid rapport with local legislators.
At noon, as a collective body, Illinois Librarians gathered and enthusiastically marched from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to the State Capital. I proudly displayed my “I [heart] Libraries!” umbrella as I walked. The procession concluded with an energetic rally with impassioned speeches given by the Illinois Library Association and other supporters outside the Governor's and Secretary of State's office windows.
On May 1 and 2, 2007, I attended a two-day event along with librarians and library trustees who care about libraries and intellectual freedom. I participated in advocacy and training sessions to tell “our story” of student education in Prospect Heights and the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I also interacted with Capitol Hill insiders and visited congressional member offices to express a strong, visible message to them and to ask Congress to pass legislation that supports libraries. My mission was to remind the law makers of the significant contributions libraries make in our public schools and communities.
The first day was filled with programming and networking with librarians and trustees from all over the country. There were 424 participants from 47 states. We were informed of legislative updates from the American Library Association's Washington office and advocacy tips from legislative consultants. During the afternoon break, I went over to the Library of Congress to update my library card and to do some “research.” To complete the evening, the Illinois Library Association hosted a dinner at the Capitol Hill Club. Michael Strautmanis from Illinois, Senator Barack Obama's Chief General Counsel, spoke about current and relevant affairs and the direction of a cautious and planned future.
The second day everyone was “on the hill” meeting with legislators or their aides in the House or Senate. With the North Suburban Library System, I had appointments at the offices of Mark Kirk, Melissa Bean, Dick Durbin, and Barack Obama. At each visit, I advocated for the students of MacArthur Middle School and public schools.
About the Author
MaryBeth McWilliams is the Library Media Teacher at MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights School District 23. Previously, she worked in Palatine School District 15 in the Library Resource Center program. McWilliams also serves on the NSLS Board of Directors and is a member of several professional organizations.
By MaryBeth McWilliams, MacArthur Middle School
January 30, 2008
As the Library Media Center Teacher at MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights, I strive for collaboration, leadership, intellectual freedom, and technology. I truly believe I have a vision for making a difference in Illinois Public School Libraries. Every school day, I facilitate intellectual freedom and learning with the young adult students and professional teaching staff in my school community. Constantly, these seekers of global information come to me requesting accurate information. As the LMC Teacher, I must continually be aware of current issues. I must be unbiased and prepared to assess and evaluate information and then concisely express and communicate this information. I am dedicated to doing this in order to continue to nurture an information rich society.
This aspect of my position, as the LMC Teacher, is one that I truly relish and I appreciate those students and staff that seek information. Working in the field of education and specifically in the middle school library media center, I focus on open access to information. As an educator in the library field, I am seeking to communicate, collaborate and connect intellectual freedom for everyone. The better informed and aware I am on state and national issues, the more effective I will be on preparing and presenting information for students. Ultimately, my mission is for quality in public school libraries that facilitate an atmosphere where students and staff spend less time searching and more time learning. By attending the Illinois and National Library Legislative Days in 2007, I gained an insight in how I fit into the partnership for libraries and lifelong learning.
I attended the Illinois Library Day on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at the state capitol building in Springfield. This was an occasion for school and public librarians to demonstrate our concerns to the Illinois legislators on issues that are important to the Illinois library communities. Since both House and Senate were in session, I was able to personally meet with the legislators to discuss Library Advocacy at their Springfield offices. My very presence and conversations showed our serious concern for the future of Library Literacy and Intellectual Freedom. I also gave each legislator my business card and a “Palm Card” that summarized exactly which bills I support and which I oppose. As a result of these face-to-face visits, I truly believe that I have established a solid rapport with local legislators.
At noon, as a collective body, Illinois Librarians gathered and enthusiastically marched from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to the State Capital. I proudly displayed my “I [heart] Libraries!” umbrella as I walked. The procession concluded with an energetic rally with impassioned speeches given by the Illinois Library Association and other supporters outside the Governor's and Secretary of State's office windows.
On May 1 and 2, 2007, I attended a two-day event along with librarians and library trustees who care about libraries and intellectual freedom. I participated in advocacy and training sessions to tell “our story” of student education in Prospect Heights and the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I also interacted with Capitol Hill insiders and visited congressional member offices to express a strong, visible message to them and to ask Congress to pass legislation that supports libraries. My mission was to remind the law makers of the significant contributions libraries make in our public schools and communities.
The first day was filled with programming and networking with librarians and trustees from all over the country. There were 424 participants from 47 states. We were informed of legislative updates from the American Library Association's Washington office and advocacy tips from legislative consultants. During the afternoon break, I went over to the Library of Congress to update my library card and to do some “research.” To complete the evening, the Illinois Library Association hosted a dinner at the Capitol Hill Club. Michael Strautmanis from Illinois, Senator Barack Obama's Chief General Counsel, spoke about current and relevant affairs and the direction of a cautious and planned future.
The second day everyone was “on the hill” meeting with legislators or their aides in the House or Senate. With the North Suburban Library System, I had appointments at the offices of Mark Kirk, Melissa Bean, Dick Durbin, and Barack Obama. At each visit, I advocated for the students of MacArthur Middle School and public schools.
About the Author
MaryBeth McWilliams is the Library Media Teacher at MacArthur Middle School in Prospect Heights School District 23. Previously, she worked in Palatine School District 15 in the Library Resource Center program. McWilliams also serves on the NSLS Board of Directors and is a member of several professional organizations.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Norway princess 'talks to angels' and has come "to understand the value of this enormous gift" and would like to share it with others.
According to the BBC: Norway's Princess Martha Louise says she has psychic powers and can teach people to communicate with angels.
The 35-year-old daughter of King Harald and Queen Sonja made the announcement on a website promoting her plans for a new alternative therapy centre.
She says she realised as a child that she could read people's inner feelings, while her experiences with horses had helped her make contact with angels.
Princess Martha Louise is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne.
The royal palace says it has no official link to the princess' planned alternative therapy centre, the AFP news agency reports.
The princess, who trained as a physical therapist, says on the website for her Astarte Education centre that she has "always been interested in alternative forms of treatment".
Students at her centre, she says, will learn how to "create miracles" in their lives and harness the powers of their angels, which she describes as "forces that surround us and who are a resource and help in all aspects of our lives".
"It was while I was taking care of the horses that I got in contact with the angels," she says.
"I have lately understood the value of this important gift and I wish to share it with other people, maybe with you."
A three-year programme at her centre costs 24,000 Norwegian crowns ($4,150; 3,000 euros; £2,000) per year.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/6915262.stm
Published: 2007/07/25 10:15:26 GMT
© BBC MMVII
The 35-year-old daughter of King Harald and Queen Sonja made the announcement on a website promoting her plans for a new alternative therapy centre.
She says she realised as a child that she could read people's inner feelings, while her experiences with horses had helped her make contact with angels.
Princess Martha Louise is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne.
The royal palace says it has no official link to the princess' planned alternative therapy centre, the AFP news agency reports.
The princess, who trained as a physical therapist, says on the website for her Astarte Education centre that she has "always been interested in alternative forms of treatment".
Students at her centre, she says, will learn how to "create miracles" in their lives and harness the powers of their angels, which she describes as "forces that surround us and who are a resource and help in all aspects of our lives".
"It was while I was taking care of the horses that I got in contact with the angels," she says.
"I have lately understood the value of this important gift and I wish to share it with other people, maybe with you."
A three-year programme at her centre costs 24,000 Norwegian crowns ($4,150; 3,000 euros; £2,000) per year.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/6915262.stm
Published: 2007/07/25 10:15:26 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Strategies for Creating Successful Corporate Partnerships
Building on Chapter Eight of TECHNOLOGY IN ITS PLACE, Chapter Nine by John Richards reflects on the delicate nature of partnerships between schools and the private sector. While endorsing the value of vision-anchored partnerships, this chapter suggests that schools need to approach potential collaborators from a strong visionary and moral base, knowing what they want to accomplish, why, and why it is important.
Cable in the Classroom is broad-bandly discussed. Cable is in the Classroom is a news show boardcasted at 4am by CNN and schools are suppose to record it and show it during the school day. In my school district, we has something similar called "Channel One". "Channel One" is a 15 minute teen-orientated current to the day it is broadcasted with two commercial breaks with teen products (deodorant, acne products and cell phone providers). I personally love the concept. I show it everyday in my Advisory and I only wish I had TiVo so, I could stop and discuss instead of waiting until the production is over. I just love current events with student...especially discussing the war and its issues.
Getting back to the Chapter Nine and private sector partnerships...I truly feel that everything was written pre-9/11. In fact it was. John Richards has great points but, I'm not so sure that the political and economic state of many business are able to donate efforts that are not profitable to their businesses at this moment in time. Case in point, I live within a school district boundaries that employees one of the largest cellphone research and development manufacturers. Unfortunately this company has fallen into third place in the economic world and is experiencing major lay-offs. Maybe these unemployed daddies and mommies would consider volunteering in the local public school but, I don't think it is going to happen. Even Junior Achievements has fallen away from being a strong force in education in elementary schools and part of the reason is because school just don't want the "unknown" people in their schools and interacting with their students. Yo John Richards, it's a whole new world in public school since 9/11.
Cable in the Classroom is broad-bandly discussed. Cable is in the Classroom is a news show boardcasted at 4am by CNN and schools are suppose to record it and show it during the school day. In my school district, we has something similar called "Channel One". "Channel One" is a 15 minute teen-orientated current to the day it is broadcasted with two commercial breaks with teen products (deodorant, acne products and cell phone providers). I personally love the concept. I show it everyday in my Advisory and I only wish I had TiVo so, I could stop and discuss instead of waiting until the production is over. I just love current events with student...especially discussing the war and its issues.
Getting back to the Chapter Nine and private sector partnerships...I truly feel that everything was written pre-9/11. In fact it was. John Richards has great points but, I'm not so sure that the political and economic state of many business are able to donate efforts that are not profitable to their businesses at this moment in time. Case in point, I live within a school district boundaries that employees one of the largest cellphone research and development manufacturers. Unfortunately this company has fallen into third place in the economic world and is experiencing major lay-offs. Maybe these unemployed daddies and mommies would consider volunteering in the local public school but, I don't think it is going to happen. Even Junior Achievements has fallen away from being a strong force in education in elementary schools and part of the reason is because school just don't want the "unknown" people in their schools and interacting with their students. Yo John Richards, it's a whole new world in public school since 9/11.
The Politics, The Politics, The Politics~~~~~Building Public Support
The Politics of Technology Transformation by Isa Kaftal Zimmerman examines political strategies for advocacy and change in local, state , and nations forums in Chapter Eight of TECHNOLOGY IN ITS PLACE. Improving teaching and learning through technology requires attention to politics as well as to pedagogy there definitely no doubt. I never realized how much politics was played in the schools until I joined the educational workforce three years. Most of the time I truly believe that it is not what you know, it's who you know. The structuring and scaffolding of the administration in public school districts is enough for anyone to wonder, how the students even achieve to learn during the school day.
There is no doubt that the times has arrived for more libraries to move from passive to intervention in politics...I mean not taking political sides but, in supplying the information and recorded knowledge students need. Educators and facilitators in schools need to continue to encourage informed and knowledgeable discussions of the public education policy of technology. Town Hall type discussions need to be held covering the technology goals for thiner particular school district and also what's happening in neighboring communities as well as nation and world wide. The technology highway is truly a super expressway and stalling out with outdated technology will not promote World Class Learning nor Intellectual Freedom.
Today, in school technology the question then, is how can we balance our desire for democratic values and the imbalance of power and influence between the school adminstration and the idealism and quest for technology efficiency?
There is no doubt that the times has arrived for more libraries to move from passive to intervention in politics...I mean not taking political sides but, in supplying the information and recorded knowledge students need. Educators and facilitators in schools need to continue to encourage informed and knowledgeable discussions of the public education policy of technology. Town Hall type discussions need to be held covering the technology goals for thiner particular school district and also what's happening in neighboring communities as well as nation and world wide. The technology highway is truly a super expressway and stalling out with outdated technology will not promote World Class Learning nor Intellectual Freedom.
Today, in school technology the question then, is how can we balance our desire for democratic values and the imbalance of power and influence between the school adminstration and the idealism and quest for technology efficiency?
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Accessible Computer Lab
Here is a great video to review !
http://washington.edu/doit/video/equal.html
What are the main features of an accessible computer lab?
Designing a lab that is universally accessible begins with the physical environment of the facility. Considerations for making a computer lab facility more accessible include the following:
Make sure doorway openings are at least 32 inches wide and doorway thresholds are no higher than 1/2 inch.
Keep aisles wide and clear for wheelchair users. Have protruding objects removed or minimized for the safety of users who are visually impaired.
Make sure all levels of the lab are connected by a wheelchair-accessible route of travel.
For students with mobility impairments, make sure there are procedures in place for retrieving materials that may be inaccessible.
Make sure ramps and/or elevators are provided as an alternative to stairs. Elevators should have both auditory and visual signals for floors. Elevator buttons should be marked in large print and Braille or raised notation and easily reachable for wheelchair users.
Locate the lab near wheelchair-accessible restrooms with well-marked signs.
Service desks need to be wheelchair-accessible.
Provide ample, high-contrast, large-print directional signs throughout the lab. Mark equipment in the same fashion.
Provide study carrels, hearing protectors, or private study rooms for users who are easily distracted by noise and movement around them.
Provide at least one adjustable-height table with easily reachable controls for each type of computer.
Have wrist rests available to those who require extra wrist support while typing.
Keep document holders available to help users position documents for easy reading.
Planning ahead is the key to universal design for and equal access computer lab. The LMC Specialist should be constantly thinking about the patron's abilities and disabilities. Some might be in your face obvious; however, some may not be apparent like low vision or learning disabilities. So keep current on your patrons' needs and make adaptations that will facilitate intellectual freedom in the LCM and computer access labs!
http://washington.edu/doit/video/equal.html
What are the main features of an accessible computer lab?
Designing a lab that is universally accessible begins with the physical environment of the facility. Considerations for making a computer lab facility more accessible include the following:
Make sure doorway openings are at least 32 inches wide and doorway thresholds are no higher than 1/2 inch.
Keep aisles wide and clear for wheelchair users. Have protruding objects removed or minimized for the safety of users who are visually impaired.
Make sure all levels of the lab are connected by a wheelchair-accessible route of travel.
For students with mobility impairments, make sure there are procedures in place for retrieving materials that may be inaccessible.
Make sure ramps and/or elevators are provided as an alternative to stairs. Elevators should have both auditory and visual signals for floors. Elevator buttons should be marked in large print and Braille or raised notation and easily reachable for wheelchair users.
Locate the lab near wheelchair-accessible restrooms with well-marked signs.
Service desks need to be wheelchair-accessible.
Provide ample, high-contrast, large-print directional signs throughout the lab. Mark equipment in the same fashion.
Provide study carrels, hearing protectors, or private study rooms for users who are easily distracted by noise and movement around them.
Provide at least one adjustable-height table with easily reachable controls for each type of computer.
Have wrist rests available to those who require extra wrist support while typing.
Keep document holders available to help users position documents for easy reading.
Planning ahead is the key to universal design for and equal access computer lab. The LMC Specialist should be constantly thinking about the patron's abilities and disabilities. Some might be in your face obvious; however, some may not be apparent like low vision or learning disabilities. So keep current on your patrons' needs and make adaptations that will facilitate intellectual freedom in the LCM and computer access labs!
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