Database information

I am a huge statistics geek. I love knowing the numbers of things, like how many books went out this school year so far (over 5,000!). I finally logged in to check how many times our databases were searched. I had assumed a few hundred times. 

I was wrong. 

We've had 6,729 sessions. That's the number of times students and teachers accessed our databases. That's HUGE! We also had 26,452 searches. That's how many times a student or teacher searched for information in the database. 

Commerce, give yourselves a round of applause. We use our databases more than I thought we did! I think I need to set a very high goal for next year. 

Ms. D just finished reading . . . Soulless, Pink, & The Cutting Room Floor

I read a lot over break! 

First up, Soulless by Gail Carriger. 

Soulless is the manga adaptation of Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series. This is a great adaptation! I recommend this to anyone who likes stories about vampires and werewolves. The main character, Alexis, is a preternatural, which means her touch can turn vampires and werewolves temporarily human, as well as exorcise ghosts. If you like supernatural novels, give Soulless a try. We currently have 1-3 of Soulless in the library, as well as the first two books of Gail Carriger's Finishing School novels. 

Secondly, Pink by Lili Wilkinson

This is a great novel about a teenager finding herself. Ava starts a new school and tries to become someone else. "But while she’s busy trying to fit in — with Chloe, with Alexis and her Pastel friends, even with the misfits in the stage crew — Ava fails to notice that her shiny reinvented life is far more fragile than she imagined." (read more at Goodreads). 

Finally, The Cutting Room Floor by Dawn Klehr: 

"Life in the Heights has never been easy for seventeen-year-old Riley Frost, but when she's publicly dumped and outed at the same time, she becomes an immediate social outcast at her high school. So Riley swears off romance and throws herself into solving the shocking murder of her favorite teacher, Ms. Dunn." (Goodreads). I found this an interesting premise, since it switches from Riley's and Desmond's points of view. The murder mystery is a minor plot point in the story of Desmond's infatuation with Riley. 

Student Review ... The Forbidden Game

One of our 11th grade students read The Forbidden Game trilogy by L.J. Smith. She gave it *5 stars*

She recommends this book and calls it a Mystery/Sci-Fi novel. 

"The Forbidden Game trilogy is a series of novels by American author L. J. Smith about a girl named Jenny who has been watched for years by a Shadow Man named Julian. Julian has fallen in love with Jenny and will do anything to take her for his own. The books are as follows: The Hunter (book 1), The Chase (book 2), and The Kill (book 3)" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forbidden_Game) 

Central Library Event for Teens

Laughcrafters Comedy Improv

Wednesday April 23rd, 2-4pm

Central Library Community Room 

Register online at www.springfieldlibrary.org

MCAS Math Tutoring

Ms. D is helping out with the extra math tutoring for MCAS takers! Click on the pictures to make the calendar larger.

Extra Math Tutoring for MCAS

Students taking the Math MCAS in May have extra tutoring available with the Math Tutors.

Students taking the Math MCAS in May have extra tutoring available with the Math Tutors. 

Bus tokens will be available for students who stay. 

Tutoring also counts as attendance buyback.

Tutoring will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays after school, as well as on Saturdays from 8-11am. There will be an MCAS Boot Camp during April Break on Tues, Weds, Thurs, & Friday from 8-11am.  

http://hscommerce.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=308265&id=0 

Day of Silence

Today, April 11, is the Day of Silence. Day of Silence (DOS) is  a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and  their allies. Students' deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT bullying, name-calling and harassment. Ending the silence is the first step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you ARE NOT hearing today.

Out of respect for our students, your classmates, participating in the Day of Silence, please keep the library AS QUIET AS POSSIBLE today. 

Ms. D just finished reading ... This One Summer

Very deep for a cute-looking graphic novel. It covers some serious topics (like divorce & teen pregnancy) and nothing is ever resolved in this one glimpse into the lives of the two main characters.

So you think you can... April Break fun for teens!

Cartoon Mania! learn how to draw cartoons

Tuesday-Friday, April 22-25,1- 2:30 PM, Indian Orchard Branch, 44 Oak Street, 413-263-6846

Learn basic drawing skills, perspective, shading, proportions, and how they relate to cartoons. Learn tricks 

and tips of the cartoon world; how to create characters, how to design and draw cartoons and where and how to sell them. The focus of this class is on each individual’s personal style with a lot of one-on-one instruction! If you have never drawn cartoons before, this is the place to learn- if you’re already drawing cartoons then wecan take your cartooning to the next level. Sketch books and pencils included. Preregistration REQUIRED.

So you think you can dance!

Tuesday, April 22, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, Brightwood Branch, 359 Plainfield Street, 413-263-6805

The Stadium of Dance group (about 20 kids) will entertain with their creative award winning dance skills, 

performing different styles of dance routines from Afro, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Salsa, Tap and Tumbling. They’ll invite the audience to come up and dance with the group by teaching them some of the groups easy dance techniques. Those attending will also be given a chance to showcase their own creative 

dance skills! Who knows what talents we may have in our audience that day? 

So you think you can do improv comedy!

Wednesday, April 23, 2:00 - 4:00 PM, Central Library, 220 State Street, 413-263-6828

Phantom Sheep Comedy troupe will entertain with their own improv and sketch comedy, then bring everyone into the action by helping teens learn to create their own comedy. A few warm-up exercises will be followed by games that are as much fun to play as they are to watch all in a very encouraging environment! Students will get a chance to shine as they work alongside and “on stage” with the troupe member instructors themselves. Preregistration encouraged, but not required.

Make jazzy jewelery!

Wednesday, April 23, 4:00 - 5:30 PM, E. Forest Park Branch, 122 Island Pond Rd., 413-263-6836

Make your own beaded bracelet, key chain, necklace, or earrings with the creative coaching of experienced 

crafter Delphine Ray. Beads and equipment provided. For ages 12-19. Space is limited to 10; to register 

contact Delphine Ray at 413-263-6836 or by email to dray@springfieldlibrary.org. 

So you think you can direct!

Wed. & Fri., April 23 & 25, 2:00 - 3:30 PM, Mason Square Branch, 765 State Street, 413-263-6853

Direct your own movie in this two-part workshop. We’ll learn how to write, shoot, and edit short films using 

Flip cameras and iMovie. Actors, writers, and directors welcome! Please call 413-263-6853 or sign up online to preregister. Preregistration REQUIRED. Limited to 10 participants. 

so you think you can...?

Thursday, April 24, 2:00 - 3:30 PM, Forest Park Branch, 380 Belmont Avenue, 413-263-6843

Show us your stuff at the Forest Park Branch Library talent show! We want to see your unique talent, no 

matter what it is! Feeling shy? Just drop in and watch the show

Ms. D just finished reading .... Drink Slay Love

This was a really fun read. Romance, vampires, prom... isn't that what high school is all about? Plus, there is a fantastical twist about half-way through. What do you think is the perfect vampire slayer?

If you like Vampire Academy, give this a try.

Reminder: Library Closed Monday and Tuesday

Reminder that the Commerce Library will be closed on Monday 4/7 and Tuesday 4/8. 

Ms. D has a training session on our new DiscoveryEd database on Monday and then a NEASC work day on Tuesday.

Library Word of the Week

tsundoku: buying books and not reading them; letting books pile up unread on shelves or floors or nightstands

While it may not be English, it is a very appropriate Japanese word for what a lot of readers do. We see books we want to read all the time and sometimes it seems like a better idea to just stack them up in a big "to read" pile, thinking "I'll get to it eventually." I know that I have a stack of probably 10-15 books that I plan to read!

But, when the library is getting so many new books, it's hard to just put them away until a later date! Sometimes, that book pile is a beautiful thing.

One of our boxes of new fiction, freshly opened

WANTED : Creative Writing Pieces for Publication

The Springfield City Library is looking for student work! 

WANTED :

Creative Writing Pieces for Publication

If you are a creative writer ages 12-18, or would be interested in having any of your writing published, then look no further… we have your solution.

The Springfield City Library is creating an online publication that will include all types of writing, including but not limited to:

Poetry

Nonfiction stories

Fiction stories

Short stories

Opinion pieces

Manga

Essays

And more …

è Give any interested students in the area the opportunity to have their work published, online or in a newsletter.

WE WILL BE ACCEPTING ANY INTERESTED STUDENT’S WORK

Email student’s work, or any questions, to the Young Adult Librarian at mcoons@springfieldlibrary.org

Or drop work off at any branch library.

THANK YOU –

LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR WORK SOON!

             

Sci-Fi Book Club @ East Forest Park Library

East Forest Park Branch Library's  

Sci-Fi Club for Teens/Tweens

Saturday, April 26th at Noon. 

Join teen sci-fi fans every month to talk about your favourtie books. Copies of Ender's Game are available at the East Forest Park Library Branch, 122 Island Pond Road. 

New Displays, New Books!

New Science books: 

 Mix of new fiction (including graphic novels!) and nonfiction:

Come on down to the library and check out some of our new books!