Let’s Get This Party Started!Adventures with a High School Library Club

presented by

Janet Jenkins

Robinson High School LibraryISLMA Conference 2005

RHSese

• Library Cadet – a student worker who is getting a credit for a “community service” class (not related to juvenile probation).

• Activity Period – a 25-minute period built into the daily schedule for clubs and homework assistance.

• 4-Block – Four 87-minute classes per semester schedule.

“But I Don’t Have Time For One More Thing…”

Once upon a time, there was a busy high school librarian…

Concerns About the “Club”

• What to call it

• Who would join

• How would it be monitored

• How to write a charter/constitution/AUP

• What did the group want this to become

• Learning about online discussion boards

• Where would I find the money and time?!

Our Beginnings

Our Mission Statement:

To build a community of readers and writers that shows respect for diversity of opinion while promoting a lifelong love for literature, drama, and learning.

Our Motto:

Read responsibly.

Write creatively.

Think independently.

Two Clubs in One

Online ForumRegistered students

using pseudonyms post their poetry, short stories, book reviews, art, or opinions and respond to other members through a monitored online discussion board.

On-Campus ForumMembers meet for fun,

free activities of their choosing, usually twice a year. Members supply refreshments and games. Meetings are held about 5 times per year.

A New Vocabulary

• Forum• Boards• Categories• Avatars• Skins• Moderators• Admin• Scripting Codes

My TechGuy’s “Simple” Explanation:

“The file extension .php is a server side scripting language that interacts with the SQL databases on the server. All posts and other dynamic information that makes up the message board is maintained in a database on the server. The scripting language (.php) interacts with the SQL databases to display the information to the users.”

Hosting Services vs. Freeware

My TechGuy’s “Simple” Explanation:

Companies, like phpBB and InvisionBoard, make their scripting code freely available so that the application can be hosted on your OWN server.

Hosting services, like Hyperboards, may be free (with ads) or fee (no ads) and you create a discussion board on THEIR server.

Getting School Board Approval

Don’ts• Don’t use the word

“Chat Room” ever!

• Don’t focus on the negative things that “could happen.”

Do’s• Do take

knowledgeable students with you.

• Do have copies of the charter and AUP.

• Do show them how this supports the curriculum.

Our ActivitiesAn Evening at the Forum

Mystery Theatre

Poetry Reading at Palestine (IL) Wine & Arts Festival

Logo & T-shirt Design

Memorial Service for the Old Library

DDR Parties

“Veritas” (Our literary magazine)

Forum Picnic (rained out)

Booked for Breakfast Sessions (Abe Award Books)

Future Activities ??

Renaissance Picnic/Faire

Archery Sessions

Poetry Break at Elementary Schools

“Books for Kids” Volunteers

Scrabble Tournaments

An Evening at the ForumOn April 13, 2005, theRHS Library Forum hosted its2nd annual “Evening atThe Forum” event formembers and invited guests.Original poetry reading andskits were performed by variousForum members. RefreshmentsIn the “Grand Foyer” ended anevening of fun & entertainment.

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Mystery Theatre

What do a chalk body outline, hidden notes, and donuts have in common?  The Library Forum's "Mystery Theatre", of course!

On the evening of Oct. 19, thirty

students in 10 teams matched wits to solve "The Case of the Murderous Melodrama."  Congratulations to the Lady Leprechauns: Traci W., Jessica B., and Rachel W. They won the coveted Looking Glass Trophy, free movie passes to Eagle Theatre, and a meal at McDonald's.

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Saying Goodbye

On Dec. 20, Library Forum members gathered for a memorial service for the RHS Library. There was a welcome, short poetry readings, a farewell message to the library's "benefactor" named Clara Mullen (a former RHS librarian who left $70,000 to the library in her will in 1992) and a moment of silence. Hillary R. played “Taps” on her trumpet in the candlelit darkness.

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Library Chick’s Last BirthdayFor Mrs. Jenkins 39th birthday, theLibrary Forum hosted a Dance, DanceRevolution and Karaoke Revolution Party on March 23. (Mrs. J. can’tdance—with or without arrows!)

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