Monday, November 9, 2015

"Library" My School

Lots of folks will style their ride
Or “Pinterest” their house,
They’ll even look to Facebook
For ways to change their spouse.

But a school need look no further
Than a place within its walls,
To bolster school-wide culture
For those who walk its halls.

The Library Media Center
Can be the model for all schools
Of how to innovate
And break tradition rules.

What happens in the library
Can replicate school-wide,
From up-to-date tech tools
To a facilitator guide.

Inquiry-based instruction
That gives students lots of choice
And multiple ways of sharing
So that all can have a voice.

Print and digital resources
For project-based research
And a teacher guiding students
As they collaborate and search.

Small groups, large groups,
And time for working alone,
Makerspace and art supplies
And a creativity zone.

Of course the media center
Will be the main learning hub --
Research, reading, meeting,
Staff and student led book club.

And the information specialist
Will manage the library center
And guide the teaching staff
As a techno-savvy mentor.

So, “library” your school
And make learning come alive,
Because in great media centers

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

What is Library?

Library’s not a class --
Rotating students all en masse,
Giving planning time for schools
Due to some old fashioned rules.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Must Be Nice!

I provide the teachers’ planning time,
I sub when there’s a need,
I cover recess duty –
Always working at top speed.

So when another teacher,
Or a parent or a kid,
Says, “Must be nice to read all day!”
I really flip my lid.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Book Donations?

“Can you take these books?”
A teacher asked of me.
“They’re old and worn and dirty;
Here you go, they’re free!”

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Part-time School Librarian

by Kathy Mansfield

Part-time school librarian
Means part-time tech support,
Part-time partner teaching
And large lost book report.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

I'm Batgirl!


by Kathy Mansfield

In my mind I'm Batgirl,
Fighting evil ways;
A cape and mask by night--
A librarian by day.



Monday, July 13, 2015

Just Read!



by Kathy Mansfield

Why not read a book
(And talk about it, too),
And eliminate the need
For "read-and-then-go-do." 


"Read, and then go write."
"Read, then take a quiz."
"Read, and make a diorama."
. . . Let's just read! Gee whiz.


From Must Be Nice! Poems Only School Librarians Will Understand



Sunday, July 12, 2015

My Friend, Dewey

by Kathy Mansfield

In seven-forty-five I found
A way to make my art renowned.

In eight-one-eight I read a joke
And laughed so hard my zipper broke!

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Ode to the Card Catalog

Oh, wooden home to index cards
Standing strong like sentry guards.

Nine spaces for the first indent,
How many hours have I spent?

Friday, July 10, 2015

Makerspace

I made a space for Makerspace
But think I might be way off base.

I don’t have tech; I don’t have toys;
I don’t have things aimed at boys.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Why a School Librarian?

by Kathy Mansfield

At my 21st Century School
Our librarian is the key
For making sure the students
Have everything they need.

Then God Made Librarians


by Kathy Mansfield

On the seventh day God rested,
Then He thought of one more thing –
The world will need librarians
And the order they can bring.