5.3.10 LREI Librarians Take Over the World!
No, not really:) But here in the LREI Library department, we have had a very busy spring that is gearing up to a super summer, and we wanted to share some of what we’ve been working on with you!
Jesse Karp, Early Childhood and Interdivisional Librarian, has been working like a secret superhero on a young adult science fiction novel that will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2011! Its titled THOSE THAT WAKE, about “a seventeen year old Brooklyn boy and a privileged suburban girl who have their identities abruptly wiped out before uncovering a reality-shattering truth lurking just under the surface of a dystopian New York City,” and Jesse has already signed on to write the sequel. We are so thrilled for him, and have already claimed the first three signed copies for ourselves:) In related news, Jesse is also working on a nonfiction book about graphic novels that is also due out next year from ALA Editions. We think it’s possible he doesn’t sleep.
Stacy Dillon, Lower School Librarian, has just been elected to the 2012 Newbery Committee! “The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children,” and it is a great honor to be elected by your librarian colleagues and peers to serve on this very prestigious committee that has been around since 1921. We’re so excited for Stacy and can’t wait to see what title her committee chooses. But deliberations are secret, so if you ask her what she’s reading, you may only get a Mona Lisa smile in response.
Jennifer Hubert Swan, Middle School Librarian and Library Department Chair (that’s me!), has just been elected to the 2012 YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Committee. This is a relatively new award that “honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a November 1 – October 31 publishing year.” It is intended to highlight some of the great nonfiction that is being published for teens, and I am looking forward to diving into lots of fun facts next year and sharing them with students. The first medal for this award was bestowed in 2010. In addition, I will be teaching a graduate course in Pratt Institute‘s library program on young adult literature genres later this spring, and have been accepted to the Cullman Center Summer Teacher seminar “Imaginary Worlds: A Creative Writing Workshop” with author Karen Russell that will take place this July.
Karyn Silverman, High School Librarian, attended the 2010 Computers in Libraries Conference, and came back with some amazing ideas about integrating technology into the classroom and beyond, using digital tools like Netvibes, Diigo, Delicious, RSS feeds and all those great Google products. In addition, Karyn will be co-teaching a graduate young adult literature course at Queens College this summer and will be blogging about books on School Library Journal‘s new Adult Books for Teens blog.
Whew! It’s hard taking over the world! But we enjoy stretching our professional wings and bringing back everything we learn to the students, faculty and parents of LREI. We’re happy to share what we’re learning, and we always LOVE talking books and technology, so please drop by next drop-off next time you need a good book recommendation or want some help navigating one of our many databases or digital tools.
I’ll see you in the library,
Jennifer Hubert Swan, Middle School Librarian