Week 2

I was so excited to spend some time inside the library this week! Friday was the first day I have been able to spend at Bowling Green High School shadowing (and helping) the librarian for the day. We completed a variety of tasks, and she said she was so glad to have someone with her because she does not have an aide, even though the school has 1200 students!

The library at BGHS is a very busy place!! Mrs. Butler has flexible scheduling, so most of the time there is at least one class present. The library is also used for the Driver's Ed class. The students who are not driving stay in the library where she keeps an eye on them. During the day there were visits from several other classes, including three sections of English. Many teachers also came through the library to check out new fiction titles. Over all the students were very well behaved and did not require much direct supervision.

Each Friday Mrs. Butler begins the day at 7:15 with a coffee bar open to students inside the library. Students are invited to come in, have a $1 cup of coffee, and spend time with friends. Some students checked out books during this time while some played games at one of the tables.

In the morning we did a neat book promotion project called "Blind Date with a Book". We selected several fiction titles, wrapped them in red paper, and wrote a few clue words or sentences on the front. Students have a chance to choose a book, read it, fill out a heart shaped mini book review, and then enter for a prize drawing. We set it up on a bookshelf between the copy machine used by students and the front door so it would be in a good place for them to see it.

During the Blind Date with a Book project Mrs. Butler and I spent some time talking about and choosing the books based on gender and racial diversity. When choosing fiction books, it was more difficult to find books that male students might find more interesting. We finally ended up with books on topics such as outlaws, basketball, and mysteries.

In the afternoon, the magazines needed attention. Many new issues arrived so they were recorded and stamped. When I went to add them to the magazine racks, there were a lot of past issues that needed to be weeded. Some magazines were weekly and had a LOT of issues that needed to be pulled. Approximately three to five issues of each title were left in the rack for student use.

The rest of the day was spent at the circulation desk being available to answer student questions and check books in and out.

It was a great day!