New ReadPlus website subscription

Sometimes it can be difficult finding appropriate texts for students or classes that are based on a particular theme. In the past, we have purchased guide books that list recommended fiction for themes- but these can become outdated.

It has come to my attention that there is a website available which contains the same information, is easily searchable, and updated more regularly than the books. I have purchased a one-year licence for access to this website, so that all teachers can use it at any time to help choose books for class reading, paired-texts or specific curriculum based topics.

This will be most useful for English teachers, who need to find books to fit their TLC's Big Question, and can save a lot of time.

For access to this website, please find the username and password on the Moodle. Please give this a go, and provide me with feedback on it, so I know whether to continue the subscription next year or not.

If anyone has questions about using this website, please see me.

Tiffiny Hall the White Ninja

Well today was a very exciting day here at the Seaford Library, because we were lucky enough to have a very special guest. Tiffiny Hall, ex 'Gladiator' Angel, and trainer of the white team on 'The Biggest Loser' came to speak to 4 Seaford 6-12 School classes about her new book 'White Ninja'.

'White Ninja' is a book about Roxy Ran, a 13 year old girl who gets bullied at school constantly, until one day she realises that she has super ninja powers and can beat the bullies.

Tiffiny spoke to our students about how bullying at school can affect people's self esteem for life. She gave students her undivided attention at the end where they had the opportunity to ask her questions, buy her book, get autographs and have photos with her.

We were very lucky to host Tiffiny and must thank Shakespeare's books for providing us with such a great opportunity!

New cards for new self service system

You may have noticed a new library card in your pigeon hole, with a note explaining that we are moving to self service checkouts in the next few weeks. In order to use the self service, you must have your library card with you. With this in mind, we are providing all teaching staff with a new library card on a lanyard to help you keep your card available for whenever you need it.

If you did not receive a new card for any reason, and would like one, please see a library staff member to arrange this.

If you have any problems using your new card, please don't hesitate to bring it in so we can correct it.

I'd like to also take this opportunity to remind you to try and renew your items online using the details provided on the notice that came with your card.

Do you still need that book?

As we near towards the end of Term 2, it would be very helpful to library staff if you could return all of your items that are no longer needed or are overdue. Please remember that in returning these books, you are also helping other staff members who may need them for next term.

As I mentioned recently, library staff are no longer able to simply renew your 'lost' items in bulk. It is now a really long process for us and it would be much appreciated if you could come and see us before it gets to this stage.

Hopefully now, you will have received reminder emails that we set up for you to help you with this. As soon as you get the email, you can either forward it to me with a message of what you would like to renew, or come in and see us.

Please attend to your overdues before you go on your holidays....

New Library System

It has been a massive month for us here, changing to a completely new computer system in order to become a part of the 'One Card' system, which gives you access to resources from public libraries from all over the state. Onkaparinga Libraries were in the first group to launch this, which means that it has been hectic, but we are already seeing the benefits.

One change that will affect you as school staff is that now, when your items become 'lost' (meaning that they are more than one month overdue), we cannot simply renew them anymore like we used to be able to. This makes it much more important for you to follow up your overdues as soon as possible, so we have utilised a function of the system to send you reminder emails when items are about to become overdue.

Please take notice of these emails and either:

* forward it to me so that I can renew the items in question

* print off your email and highlight items you would like renewed and put it in my pigeonhole

* call me to notify me which items you would like renewed

* come into the library and let us know what you would like renewed

The best way of dealing with this though, is by managing your own account and renewing them online before they become overdue. This can be done at http://sapln.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/onkaparinga and you will need your library card barcode number. Your PIN is your month and year of birth ie September 1987 would be 0987. Give it a go.

Please talk to us if you need help with any of this.

New look library!

Over the holidays we had some work done to refresh the look of the library. This included a new sign on the front of the library, a new returns bin and refreshed walls in the entrance and at the rear, which I might add, look amazing!

As a result of this, we made some changes to the class areas at the back of the library and the Macbook Trolley area is now right next to the Library ICT to enable quicker access to the printer. The other area, which used to be the Library Class area has been replaced by a general study area, giving students who access the library during their 'frees' more room. So far this seems to be working really well.

Below are some images of the new look areas...... I think you'll be impressed :)

New Macbook Area

New student study area

Don't forget to book your Class Sets for Term 2!

Just a reminder, that if you are planning on booking a class set for Term 2, you need to get in early so that you can be guaranteed of getting the books you want. You can either email this through to me over your holidays, or come in (emailing would definitely be easier!!).

Some important information to know (particularly for new staff):
- If your class is the only class using a particular novel, students will be required to borrow their own copy of the book and will be responsible for taking this book with them to and from lesson- these books are not to be stored in a classroom (this is when we lose lots of books..).

- If your whole TLC is using a particular book and there are not enough copies for each student, the Program Manager can borrow the entire class set, however, it is extremely important that this is managed properly. Tigress is an excellent working example of how this can be a successful way of borrowing the books, and this is (as I understand) how it is done, and how I would recommend it to be done by others:

* Program Manager borrows entire class set under their name.
* Stores all books in a crate in teacher office.
* When needed, teacher goes into teacher office and brings the crate of books to class for students to use.
* Teacher collects all books at the end of lesson and makes sure the same amount come in as went out.
* Teacher puts crate back into teacher office.

The key here though, is that 5 copies of the book are left in the library for students to borrow if they need to catch up overnight, or if they want to read on further. The students borrow these books on their own card and so they are responsible for bringing them back.

Please give this method a go. So far, I think it is the most successful method we have had.