Flex library scheduling off to a great start

After the first week, I am already seeing advantages to our patrons after instituting a new flex schedule system for K-5 students.  The primary advantage is that we are seeing students more instead of less!  We have already brought all 18 classes through for an introductory/check out/privileges skill lesson.  This week, a teacher scheduled the library for actual social studies research instead of waiting for a library class.  That is real learning!  Another teacher has already brought her 2nd grade class for checkout time, and having her here with the students made a big difference in book/reading level selections.  Of course, the research in flex versus fixed scheduling describes the limitless opportunities for student/patrons that we are seeing unfold.  This program would not be possible without the support and "we'll try anything" attitude of our faculty! 

Refreshed and Refocused for the School Year!

I have just spent an exciting week of preplanning at our school.  There were major changes to the library program this year, most notably changing our K-5 classes from a fixed to flexible scheduling program.  I don't need to convince other librarians why this is a plus for our students (no more learning in isolation, more student higher learning skills) but convincing teachers was a worry for me.  Unfortunately, with cuts in library staffing and budgeting nationwide, the command to change came down from above.  I will speak more this year about our changes as they unfold, and the obstacles we did not anticipate.
My staff is renewed and excited, and after meetings all week with faculty, we are ready to open the doors and bring our students back!  This is always my favorite time of the year, when anything is possible!  Good luck to all the librarians re-opening their doors this month!

Summer Tweets

I finally set up a Twitter account this week!  My plan is to research how this can be used next year for my library.  One idea that comes to mind is to tweet new titles or events to students, parents, faculty, and alumni.  We'll see...
The first Tweets I elected to follow were more personal than professional, such as the USEF, USDF (I show horses), Auburn University Athletics (love Auburn sports), and of course, the Casey Anthony trial!  I am following one educational twitter account, Teachers 2.0.  I downloaded the free mobile app but it is not as user-friendly as the actual web page.  More to come on this new adventure!