Last Thursday, January 10th, was supposed to be the first session of Spanish story time, but I got terribly sick with the flu. Last week's sessions for both Spanish and bilingual story times were canceled (however, one of my co-workers did the craft I had planned with those who had come for Spanish story time--yay!), and, tonight, a co-worker from another branch is covering Spanish story time for me. This was not the ideal way to begin the winter/spring program, but it does remind me that on top of my literacy tip, I also will do a health tip, like wiping books and toys, when I return to my normal schedule. (This also reminds me that I had to miss the illness prevention training I was scheduled to take today...sigh.) Thankfully, the children's and reference departments have been able to get subs and have been encouraging me to take time to get well. I am doing much better and plan to be back to work on Saturday for bilingual story time, but I will have to make changes to the program because I had this wonderful owl craft and program lined up for the original first week. My energy is just zapped.
I also had to call in sick to my job at the community college, which was disappointing because it was the first week of the winter/spring semester, and I was supposed to teach an informal instructional literacy session on Tuesday, January 15th. I called on Monday afternoon, so I was able to re-schedule for next Tuesday, which means I need to get busy planning in between resting (I get dizzy from looking at the computer screen...boo!). I'm glad the instructor was able to be flexible!
In between my coughing spells and naps, I came up with a few things I'd like to work on in the next few months, job-wise:
1.) Reader's Advisory
I read a lot, but there are certain genres that I tend to neglect, like young adult novels. I read two before the flu took over, but I need to read at least one young adult novel a month. I, luckily, have a coworker who reads a lot of teen material, so I can pick her brain.
2.) Reader's Advisory + Upkeep
I finally am up to date with Goodreads, except for one book that's still sitting on my to-read shelf that actually is one I've read, but I need to more timely with the books I use in story time because six picture books a week (I use four books per story time, but I replace two Spanish titles with English books for bilingual story time) pile up quick.
3). StoryTime Guidelines + Seating
This season, I am going to make a bigger plea to have parents sit on the floor with their children. I can understand if you have a medical condition, but it seems strange not to sit down with your child. Your children want to spend time with YOU is listed on our tips to make story time pleasant for all (in much nicer language), but I need to publicize the tips more. A co-worker found a hidden pile of "rules" in Spanish, so I'll be making those available. Also, because our other story time programs are larger, audiences don't typically sit in a circle/semi-circle but behind a strip of yellow tape. In my program, it means entire families stretch out along the tape, but I am going to begin the semi-circle style to make what is a smaller program more intimate, and perhaps it will help encourage parents to sit with their kids. At least everyone will be able to get a better glimpse of the pictures than when I walk back and forth as I read.
4). Crafts
I believe I have commented how I am going to do an after story time craft once a month versus the once a quarter recommendation we were given by the big bosses. I got to a pretty good start in fall with four crafts.
5). Professional Development
I need to do more webinars! Last April, I took an ALA e-course on basic web design, but now that I'm busier with all my jobs, webinars instead of classes are the way to go. I'm actually waiting to watch the recording of a webinar on Common Core Standards that I registered for but couldn't watch live. Because many K-12 students and parents come to the public library for school projects, I think it's important to know about changes that may affect the questions we receive regarding materials. I also need to do a bit more reading from the community college side of my librarian career. I've had a sharp disconnect since finishing library school because I only have access to Library, Information Science, & Technology Abstracts through my job at the community college, but there are several books I've been meaning read, including the fun The Library Instruction Cookbook edited by Sittler and Cook, which I have read a little of while at work.
And now to sleep some more...
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