Catholic School Librarians Association

Minutes January 18, 2008

 

MaryKay Haggard at Our Lady of Fatima hosted the meeting. She works 3 days a week, and now after 29 years in a “broom closet” has about 7,000 books and a much improved space since an 8 year ago remodel with the library space next to the computer room and also a corner for the parish library from which she takes a much appreciated cart over to the church once a month.  Thank you! 

 

Prayer by the school principal

 

Announcements :

Kathryn Hardesty

A card and flowers were sent to Janice Abe at her home where she is recuperating from an appendectomy in November and a second surgery, and as of the meeting had not returned to work.  You can email Shannon Lynch at slynch@seaprep.org or Janice at jabe@seaprep.org

 

No Archdiocesan Inservice on March 14th

Each school is doing Deanery planned inservices

On August 26 there will be a Professional Development Day with the keynote speaker Rita Pierson in McCaw Hall. 

 

Introductions:

Everyone in the room introduced themselves and also talked about the best or favorite book read recently. 

Nora Roberts books

Balzac and the little Chinese Seamstress, by Sijie Dai about the Cultural Revolution in China

Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman – and the controversy around

Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak—wonderful, though more for high school libraries

Tasting the Sky: a Palestinian childhood, by Ibtisam Barakat.

Poisonwood Bible

Young Readers Choice list of books including Flush and Code Orange

Rollie Polie Olie picture books especially Snowey Rollie

Run, and also Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett

Glass Slipper, the new picture book about Cinderella around the world

The blue sky by Galsan Tschinag about his life in Mongolia, leader of Tuva people

Sweetgrass Basket, by Marlene Carvell about her life with her sister at the Carlisle Indian School

Hapa Girl: A Memoir by May-lee Chai, about a Chinese American girl in a Midwestern town

Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini

Absolutely True Diary of a part time Indian by Sherman Alexie – only for high school

Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthanne Lum McCunn

Rules, by Cynthia Lord – a Newbery honor about sister of autistic boy

Grave digger’s daughter, by Joyce Carol Oates – though dark and sad about immigrant

Wednesday Wars, by Gary Schmidt where he believes teacher hates him but together they read Shakespeare

Eleven, by Patricia Reilly Giff – her latest about a boy who doesn’t know if Grandfather is really his

Books by Janet Evanovich – just to laugh

Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey – the mystery writer for those who don’t like mysteries – this one about King Richard III

Another mystery writer for young people is Wendelin Van Draanen who has written award winning books about Sammy Keyes, and also for the younger set Shredderman: Secret Identity  Another book of hers is Flipped

 

Minutes – approved

 

Treasurer – still need to find check book

 

Reports

Sr. Ann went to the ALA National Convention and when Catholic Schools Week is over will meet with her committee to look at the association guidelines

 

ALA 21st Century Standards have been published and are available on the ALA website.  They are very broad and not down to a level helpful for high school

 

Another session was on copyright for schools – excellent -  and Sr. Ann will bring pamphlets next time

 

Follett bills have been sent and received, though there are still issues, and Sr. Ann is working with Tim McCarey.  Perhaps we can have a meeting with Stan Winters and PSESD to get a consortium with state, especially if there is a possibility of moving on to Destiny.  Susan Lisi will be hosting a meeting at Blanchet with their tech person Steve Dievert with Tim McCarey and the Follett group about Destiny. 

Subscriptions to Proquest and ELibrary should still be valid through 2008/2009 through state.

 

Discussion about the books by Philip Pullman brought forth issues on the need for a Challenged Books Policy,  the importance of reading the book, teachable moments, the special needs of a Catholic school library, book selection policies, and supporting administrative policies.  Godless, by Hautmann was another book mentioned that focuses on the importance of religion, this time with a water tower at the center.

 

Announcements

Check out the Catholic Librarians Association webpage

http://www.library.stjosephsea.org/csla.htm

 

Seattle Public Library has children’s books being read online with Tumblebooks and Book Flix.  Great for little ones.

 

The PNAIS Conference is coming up February 15th.  Check their website

http://www.pnais.org/page.cfm?p=18&verbose=82&month=12&start=01/01/08

 

Request

That the meeting time not end until 11:30 or 12:00 at future meetings as that amount of time allows for better discussions.

 

Future meetings

April 17, a Thursday, at St. Joseph School, 700 18th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112

Come at 8:30, meeting starts at 9:00

Directions and map

http://www.stjosephsea.org/index.htm