iLibrary Resource Center @ ITC

Summer Reading Part 2

2010-08-04T11:28:00.002-04:00

Have something to say about the books you have been reading? Join the discussions on the new ITC Summer Reading Blog!

Get started today by either following the link on the iLibrary@ITC Link List to the right or by clicking here.

Mr. Sohoski

A New Place with a New Face

2010-08-03T15:09:00.002-04:00

As many of may you know, ITC will be temporarily moving into Levy as our school is being remodeled. What you might not know is that in addition to a larger library you will also be getting a new librarian!

My name is Mr. Sohoski and I will be your new ITC librarian. My journey to ITC has been an interesting one and has included experiences such as working as a chemical engineer and teacher, to SCUBA diving with sharks and traveling through Europe.

I look forward to working with all of you to create a new library at Levy that will not only meet, but exceed our needs.

Sincerely,

Mr. Sohoski

PS - Let us all send our best wishes with Mrs. LeFever as she transitions into another exciting position within the Syracuse City School District!

Summer Reading

2010-06-24T10:20:00.018-04:00

Happy summer vacation!

A bit of exercise will keep your brain in great shape for the new season of learning that kicks off in September! What better to train your brain than a good book?

We bought the book for you, now all you have to do is pick it up so you can start exercising (a.k.a. reading and discussing)! For now we will use this blog as our means of communicating. Soon enough, we will have other activities in which you should participate as well, so check back here often for more details!

Freshmen - Entering 9th graders will receive a copy of Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson during UTC this July. Check out the details about this book on Anderson's Web site!

Students entering grades 10-12 will need to stop by the ITC office at 258 East Adams Street (435-4300) to pick up a copy of the assigned reading as follows:

Sophomores - Students entering 10th grade will be reading A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. Check out the Web site for this book!

Juniors - Our newly promoted eleventh graders will read Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Shusterman has a great site that even includes a fanmade trailer!

Seniors - ITC's first ever 12th grade class will read State of Fear by Michael Crichton. More details can be found on the official Crichton site!

Be prepared to provide a reflection about the book to your Humanities (ELA/SS) teachers during the first days back from summer vacation in September!!

Questions? Click the comment link below this post. Then check back in a few days for a response. Happy summer vacation and happy reading!!!

Humanities Independent Assignment 2

2010-06-01T15:00:00.001-04:00

Role – movie/book critic
Audience – blog-reading high school students
Format – movie/review review
Task – to critique one movie and one book
Due Date: June 14, 2010

Part I: You are a movie critic. Your editor asked you to review a film that high school students could watch to deepen their understanding of US History. Research movies about 20th - 21st Century (1900+)life in the United States. Watch your selected movie. Write a movie review in which you:
Paragraph 1 – summarize the movie
Paragraph 2 – critique the movie
Paragraph 3 – evaluate the use of the movie as part of a US History course
Post your movie review to the ITC Library blog via the comment link below. Mrs. LeFever will demonstrate how to correctly post to the blog.

Internet Movie Database

Part II: You are a book critic. Your editor asked you to review a book that high school students could read to deepen their understanding of US History. Research books about life in the United States during the 20th - 21st Century (1900+). Read your selected book. Write a book review in which you:

Paragraph 1 – summarize the book
Paragraph 2 – critique the book
Paragraph 3 – evaluate the use of the book as part of a US History course

Post your book review to the ITC Library blog via the comment link below. Mrs. LeFever will demonstrate how to correctly post to the blog.

SCSD Catalog (includes reviews)

**Note: It is a good idea to type your movie/book reviews in word document to make use of the spelling & grammar review tool before posting. Then all you will need to do is copy and paste your reviews to post them to the blog. This also avoids any unnecessary loss of your work if there is a technical difficulty while you are posting to the blog.

Each review posting should include:
1. Title of the movie/book all in CAPS
2. List the director/author
3. Three paragraph review per the directions
4. Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure - no “texting” language

Grading Criteria:
Writing Mechanics
Content/thoroughness
Creativity/authenticity in embracing RAFT format
Media Literacy (accessed books/movies; correctly posted review)

Virtual PD

2010-05-21T12:01:00.005-04:00

Web 2.0 Tools for Inquiry

I have developed a virtual professional development opportunity for all you. The topic of the module is Inquiry and Web 2.0 Tool Integration, and I believe it has something that could benefit everyone, especially as we continue to move towards technology-rich project-based instruction. The module is an overview of Web 2.0 Tools I have found to be most beneficial in classroom instruction including tips on selection and integration. If you would like to be paid for your participation in the learning module, please follow these directions:

1. Email me (llefever@scsd.us) to let me know your planned level of participation:
Level 1 - View the 30 minute tutorial and complete a 10 question reflection/feedback survey
Level 2 - Level 1, plus creation and submission of a lesson plan/project overview that incorporates one or more of the technologies listed (or similar technologies) by June 18, 2010

2. View the module at the following link: Web 2.0 Module
A. When you open the PPT, make sure to ENABLE MACROS in the security window.
B. Play the slideshow from the beginning in full screen mode to hear the narration.
C. Video links will open in an internet browser window. Login to the filter with your district username/password.
D. When videos end, return to the PPT via your status bar or dock, and move to the next slide.

3. Complete the survey linked on the last slide of the PPT. You must complete all 10 questions for PD time.

4. Email me to let me know you have completed the module and survey. I will have you fill out a time card at this point.

5. If you choose to complete level 2, email me your lesson by June 18, 2010 at which point I will have you fill out another time card. If you need any help working on the lesson, let me know, and we will schedule a collaboration session.

Classroom 2.0 Webinars

I emailed you a list of Webinars available this coming week. I have often found the offerings from Classroom 2.0 to be enlightening. You will have to register for an account to participate, but membership is free. I also extend you the opportunity to earn an hour paid PD time for each you complete. Simply sign-up, participate and reflect by posting your answers to the following questions to the library blog via the comment link below.

Questions:
1. Summarize the Webinar. What was it about?
2. Discuss how information in the Webinar will affect your instruction.
3. Share any "aha" moments you had during the Webinar.
4. What questions/needs did this Webinar bring to mind?
5. What else?

Please see me if you have any questions at any time. I would be glad to help.

Dygert - English 11 Advanced

2010-05-14T15:18:00.000-04:00

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This novel is set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement in the particularly tumultuous summer of 1964. The movement for civil rights, though always important, came to a political head during this period in American history. At this time, the rights of minorities were called into question with regard to equal rights under the U.S. Constitution.

First, review MLA Citation by viewing this tutorial:
MLA Tutorial

Second, take this quiz to assess your knowledge of MLA citation:
MLA Quiz
You will receive a username in the library.
The password is English11ADV (case sensitive).

Next, choose one of the following topics and research its historical context according to the directions you receive from Ms. Dygert.
Topics:
• Jim Crow Laws
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• President John F. Kennedy’s work with Civil Rights
• President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s first congressional address

Resources:
Project Guide
Print Resource Note-taking Sheet
Electronic Resource Note-taking Sheet

The best databases for your research are available @
Library Links Databases
Look for:
Facts on File (Super Search)
Opposing Viewpoints (News)
ABC-CLIO Social Studies (SS)
Annals of American History (SS)

Some good Web sites include:
Civil Rights Digital Library
JFK Library
The White House
PBS
World Digital Library
Library of Congress

Whatever you do, make sure you follow the directions on your project guide including keeping track of sources you use while you research! Good luck!

Book Reviews

2010-05-10T16:40:00.001-04:00

What are you reading? Tell us about it! Not sure what to read? Click the Book Reviews link above to discover what professional readers think about books at the New York Times or read posts here to find out what your classmates are reading. What should you include in the post:

1. Well, starting with a TITLE would be great! That way someone else can find the book!
2. An author is helpful too...obvious reasons.
3. What did you think of the book?

Not sure what to say? Again, check out the NY Times Book Reviews Linked to the post title above, but keep yours a bit shorter if you can. Happy reading!

Lopez & Wallace Unit 4 Jigsaw

2010-04-09T15:38:00.002-04:00

You will create a Glog (digital poster) based on a specific Chapter and Section of your US History Textbook. The Glogs that you and your classmates create will be used to teach each other the information for UNIT 4. You will also use the Glogs during a Unit Quiz at the end of week.

Detailed Directions & Graphic Organizer

Regents Site

Glogster

Here is the schedule for he unit:
Monday:
1. Gather notes on your assigned topic and complete a graphic organizer.
2. Select and record three related Regents questions.
Tuesday & Wednesday:
1. Read over the requirements for your glog.
2. Create your glog.
Friday:
1. Complete your unit quiz while viewing class glogs.
2. Comment on and rate at least 3 of your classmates' glogs.

Need help? Ask!

Lopez - Progressive Era Glogs

2010-03-31T09:25:00.002-04:00

The time period after the Civil War and Reconstruction was a time of great change in the United States. One way in which issues in American Society are demonstrated is visually through posters, photographs and political cartoons.

For this project, you must:

1. Find at least 3 images from the time period 1870 – 1920
2. Include the date, any title or caption and a description for each image
3. Hyperlink the picture sources to the pictures

Some topics from this time period you might wish to consider are:

Industrialization
Immigration
Working Conditions
Organized Labor – Unions
Living Conditions
Corruption in Government
Treatment of Native Americans
Westward Expansion

Influential people from the time period include:

Jacob Riis – a photographer who captured images of life in New York City
Thomas Nast – a political cartoonist
Upton Sinclair – an author who wrote The Jungle about the conditions of a meat packing factory.

We will be using Glogster to complete this assignment. Glogster is an online tool that lets you create posters online.

http://www.glogster.com

Here is a great resource for images: 19th & 20th Century Labor Prints

Example Glogs:
http://andy327.glogster.com/Andyusprogressivism/
http://whenindoubt.glogster.com/Progressive-Era/
http://nick346.glogster.com/History-Project-Glog/
http://spradlinh.glogster.com/progressive-reformers/

Humanities - Independent Assignment

2010-03-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Role – movie/book critic

Audience – blog-reading high school students

Format – movie/review review

Task – to critique one movie and one book

Due Date: April 9, 2010

Part I: You are a movie critic. Your editor asked you to review a film that high school students could watch to deepen their understanding of US History. Research movies about 18th or 19th Century (1700s or 1800s) life in the United States. Watch your selected movie. Write a movie review in which you:
Paragraph 1 – summarize the movie
Paragraph 2 – critique the movie
Paragraph 3 – evaluate the use of the movie as part of a US History course
Post your movie review to the ITC Library blog via the comment link below. Mrs. LeFever will demonstrate how to correctly post to the blog.

Internet Movie Database
Movie Review Query Engine
Roger Ebert
Syracuse Post-Standard
Onondaga County Public Library Catalog

Part II: You are a book critic. Your editor asked you to review a book that high school students could read to deepen their understanding of US History. Research books about life in the United States during the 18th or 19th Centuries (1700s or 1800s). Read your selected book. Write a book review in which you:
Paragraph 1 – summarize the movie
Paragraph 2 – critique the movie
Paragraph 3 – evaluate the use of the movie as part of a US History course.
Post your book review to the ITC Library blog via the comment link below. Mrs. LeFever will demonstrate how to correctly post to the blog.

SCSD Catalog (includes reviews)
Onondaga County Public Library Catalog
New York Times Reviews
Historical Fiction Blog
PLCMC
School Library Journal Reviews
Flamingnet Reviews

**Note: It is a good idea to type your movie/book reviews in word document to make use of the spelling & grammar review tool before posting. Then all you will need to do is copy and paste your reviews to post them to the blog. This also avoids any unnecessary loss of your work if there is a technical difficulty while you are posting to the blog.

Each review posting should include:
1. Title of the movie/book all in CAPS
2. List the director/author
3. Three paragraph review per the directions
4. Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure. No “texting” language

Grading Criteria:

Writing Mechanics
Content/thoroughness
Creativity/authenticity in embracing RAFT format
Media Literacy (accessed books/movies; correctly posted review)

Wallace - InvestWrite Project

2010-03-25T08:39:00.002-04:00

Prizes
1st Place - 3 Day/2 Night Trip to New York City and a "Wall Street Experience"
2nd Place - Mini Notebook Computer
3rd Place - Mini Notebook Computer
4th Place - $25 Gift Card

Background
Imagine MTV is starting a new program about financial literacy and discovers you have become a skilled investor after participating in The Stock Market Game program at school. Pretend they offered you a summer internship to write and produce a weekly financial program. The time slot they’ve given you allows you to read your ideas and comments, of 700 words or less, on camera. Your program can deal with current domestic and international events, such as changes in consumer spending, interest rates, the Federal Reserve, prices of oil and other resources, government regulation, jobs, the housing market, congressional legislation, economic recovery funding or any other events you think can affect the stock market.

Project Description

Project Resources

Go Ask Alice

2010-03-23T16:27:00.007-04:00

We are bringing Alice and her diary into the 21st Century and blogging about it! Below, I have linked an important section of the novel to which you will respond. You will be interacting personally with the text as well as with your classmates. Read all of the directions below and the excerpt carefully before clicking on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Then, you will need to follow the posting directions to POST 4 TIMES. If you have questions, please ask BEFORE you make a mistake!

Go Ask Alice Excerpt

Part A:

You will complete both of these choices, you can decide which you would like to do first. You will be evaluated on your ability to discuss the novel in a productive and interesting manner.

1) You will respond to Alice's diary entry as if it were a letter to you and you are her pen pal. Write back to her and offer her your advice, criticism, encouragement, and friendship.

2) You will personally respond to Alice's diary entry in any way that you wish. Some prompts for your response might include:

This connects to my life because…

I wonder about…

I’m confused because…

I want to remember this because…

This is important because…

This is interesting because…

Part B:

For each time we blog in class you are to respond to at least two other classmates posts. These responses should be thoughtful and constructive. They should not say anything negative or anything that is not relevant to the text. Once again you will be evaluated on your ability to discuss and share your thoughts on the book.

Rubric:

50 points--CREATIVITY: Make sure that your responses are creative, thoughtful, and that you put a lot of time and effort into forming your blog posts. You will receive full credit if you put forth your full effort to formulate a unique and worthwhile post.

30 points--COMPREHENSION: Make sure that your blog posts reflect your understanding of the book. They should be creative, yet based off of what you get from your reading. You will receive full points if your posts reflect that you understand and are thinking about the novel.

10 points--APPEARANCE: Make sure your blog posts look wonderful and are something that you are proud to have published on the website. Write in full paragraphs and self-edit carefully. Put forth your best work.

10 points--RESPECT: Make sure you respond to your classmates with respect and care. Read their blog posts and respond in a thoughtful manner that shows you read what they wrote and are taking what they say into consideration. Converse respectfully with your classmates.

Teen Book Festival Projects

2010-03-09T08:39:00.018-05:00

As we prepare to meet over 25 authors at the Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival on May 15, 2010 at Nazareth College, your job is to use a 21st Century Technology to create a product representing one or more of the Festival authors and/or books. You will be able to work alone, with a partner or in a small group, but you must have a unique project focus (book or author). When we are done, we will be posting your projects for all to see, so do your personal best!!

Teen Book Festival Web Site

We will share some sample projects during book club. The sky is the limit! Be creative with books and 21st Century technology!

Project Rubric

WEB 2.0 TOOLS

1. Voicethread- With Voicethread you can create a slide show and record your voice

EXAMPLE: William Shakespeare

2. Animoto- With Animoto you create music videos using images, pictures and
videos.

EXAMPLE: Matt de La Pena

3. Glogster- With Glogster you create an online poster

EXAMPLE: Holocaust

4. Wikispaces- With Wikispaces you create a Web page

EXAMPLE: Marissa Doyle

5. Edublogs- With Edublogs you can create blogs

EXAMPLE: Movie Blog

6. Facebook- With Facebook you can create a person profile or book profile

7. Twitter- With Twitter you can write up to 140 characters, many business use twitter to advertise their products

8. Google- With Google you can use Google docs and create a document or presentation and with Google sites you can make a website.

EXAMPLE: Book Reviews

9. Ning- With Ning you can create your own social network

EXAMPLE: James Patterson

10. Proboards- With Proboards you can create your own forum

EXAMPLE: For the Love of Books

More possibilities:
Video, Pod/Vodcast, Photo Story, Website, PowerPoint, Survey Monkey, Google Tools, Wordle

You are not limited to these Web 2.0 tools! There are many others to choose from so feel free to pick what would be best for you. Mrs. LeFever and I will be here to help you as you create your digital book advertisements!

Here is an example of a Photo Story for Laurie Halse Anderson

Teen Book Festival Digital Ad Rubric
Must be based on at least one Teen Book Festival author and/or book.
For the author/book listing go to: http://www.tbflive.org/?pg=AuthorBio

Must use at least one digital tool (voicethread, Glogster, blogs, etc). For tools, go to ITC Library Blog:
http://libraryitc.blogspot.com/

Student Projects:

April's Glog

Issue Research - Cosgrove and Sobon

2010-02-03T10:37:00.002-05:00

As and individual, in pairs or in a group of three - Research a contemporary social issue, develop an opinion, and write a paper (3-5 pages/Times New Roman or Arial/12 point font) on the issue. Topic choices are listed in the assignment page linked below. Your paper must incorporate proper MLA citation guidelines.

SCSD Government Project Assignment

Helpful resources:

SCSD Library Links

Remote username: syrsls
Remote password: syrsls

Recommended Databases:
Social Studies - Issues and Controversies & ABC CLIO Issues
News and Opinions - Opposing Viewpoints & Global Issues in Context

Notetaking Sheet

Citation Machine

Night by Elie Wiesel - Mr. Flanders

2010-02-03T09:26:00.003-05:00

Students, in preparation for Elie Wiesel’s, NIGHT, will investigate, articulate, and expostulate the following in the form of a research report. The report will focus on the life of Wiesel since WWII using information gleaned from the internet, and include the following:

A. Vital statistics (year of birth, family, etc.)
B. Three quotations (interpreting each one)
C. Career Highlights (awards, citations, etc.)
D. Two news article summaries
E. Pictures, including captions (create own caption for pictures)
F. A list of books, magazine articles written by Wiesel
G. Your paper will have a cover sheet that will include a picture and a title.
H. 2-3 pages of factual information as mentioned above.
I. The last page will be a bibliography.

Assignment Page

Helpful Resources:
Library Links Database Page
Remote username: syrsls
Remote password: syrsls

Biography Resource Center
Look at all the tabs: Biographies, Magazines and News, & Websites!

The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

Academy of Achievement

Notetaking Sheet

Citation Machine

UNWIND Project - Ms. Jordan

2010-02-02T19:14:00.010-05:00

Student UNWIND Blog (Project Product)

After finishing the book, UNWIND by Neal Shusterman, you will participate in a multi-genre project. Out of the following 11 activities, you will have to complete at least two, one “choice” and one research paper. However, the more assignments completed, the higher your grade will be. Once both (all) assignments are complete, as a class, you will post them on a blog. Everyone must post their own projects, but as a class, all will decide on how the blog will look. The assignment will be due on Thursday, February 11th. Late work will result in a loss of 10 points!

Download your UNWIND project assignment sheet.

Link to the Library Databases for your research.
Username: syrsls Password: syrsls

A&P Genetic Engineering - Ms. Jordan

2010-01-06T10:19:00.009-05:00

Here's some links to some resources to help you complete your Genetic Engineering Position Paper. Don't forget to cite your sources along the way in preparation for your citation page. The electronic notes page should help you cut and paste the source citations to save for later. See Ms. Jordan or Mrs. LeFever if you have any questions!

Electronic Notes Page
Project Description Page

Academic Resources - Search Genetic Engineering
Remote Access Username: syrsls Password: syrsls
Global Issues in Context
Opposing Viewpoints
eLibrary Science
Today's Science
Health & Wellness (NEWS tab)

Background Information:
Wikipedia
Medical Engineer
Doctor's Guide

Don't forget to create a citation page for all the information resources you used!

Walk Two Moons - Ms. Dygert

2009-11-04T12:47:00.003-05:00

You will post 10 times as you complete this assignment. Read below for specific directions. For full credit, make sure to follow the directions for proper posting before publishing your thoughts including the use of complete and correct sentences and appropriate language and comments.

POSTS 1-5: Agree or disagree with 5 of the following statements and explain your reasoning.
POSTS 6-10: Read the comments of your classmates. Respond to at least 5 students posts.

It is okay to invent stories to explain things you cannot explain.
It is okay to stop being friends with someone if they are annoying or if they get mad at you.
Grandparents are too old to really understand their grandchildren.
Adults should never leave their families for any reason.
Denying or ignoring a problem can help you forget about it.
Bad things never happen to happy or good people.
It is important to appreciate and respect every member of your family at all times.
It is okay to judge someone if you have good evidence he or she did something wrong.
It is easier to talk about someone else's problems than your own.
Sometimes it is okay to bend the rules if you have a good reason.

Your Freedom to Read

2009-09-30T14:14:00.020-04:00

Celebrate your Freedom to Read! That's what Ms. Dygert's 11th Advanced students did on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Central Branch of the Onondaga County Public Libraries. After a history lesson from Mrs. LeFever in the practice of banning books, students participated in the Read-A-Thon by selecting and reading passages from books that have been challenged. Students posed questions about banning books below. Add your comments!

Thank you Ms. Dygert for collaborating with us on this activity!!!

These questions were posed by Ms. Dygert's students. Answer one or more by clicking on the comment link below. Don't know an answer? Look it up!

Why are books that include mature topics (like sex) banned?
How do you think authors feel when their books are banned?
Why would you ban a book?
What are the most commonly banned books?
How is a book banned?
Why ban a book for things that are OK to say on TV?
Can/should we put age limits on books?
What are the top reasons/topics/elements a book is banned?
How many books have been banned?
Why do people bother trying to ban books when they don't stay banned?
Why are some books banned while others are morally worse and not banned?
What author has been banned the most?
How long does it take to ban a book? Unban a book?
Do you think books should be banned?
Why should books be banned when they are based on true life?
Can a book be too detailed for readers? How do you tell an author it is too detailed?
Why was I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS banned?

Opening Day Video

2009-09-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mr. Williams welcomes students to ITC:

Welcome to the iLibrary @ ITC

2009-09-04T22:38:00.000-04:00

Hello! I am Mrs. LeFever, your library media specialist. I need your help to create a unique library for the Institute of Technology @ Syracuse Central.

How can you help? Drop me a comment by clicking on the comment link below. Some things I'd like to know:

1. What books should I buy for the library?

2. How about magazines - what are your favorites?

3. What are your favorite things about book stores or libraries that we should try to replicate here?

4. What else? Your input is welcome and appreciated!

I'll be in room 215 this year - stop by! You can also follow me on Twitter: iLibraryLMS

iLibrary @ ITC Staff Newsletter 9.09

2009-09-02T20:32:00.023-04:00

ITC Library ~ Room 215
Laurie LeFever, LMS
Opening Information

Library Passes: The library will be open for students on passes as long as supervision is available at the time. I will update the Library Schedule daily and respond to email messages as quickly as possible to let you know when the library is closed. To help me help them, students need the following information on their passes when they visit the library:

Date
Time sent
Desired return time
Student Name
Purpose of visit (research (topic?), read, book selection, quiet work space, product creation, word processing, etc.)
Teacher name
Are they allowed to leave the library with their beverages?

Upcoming Events:

Banned Books Week: Do you know what the top 10 most challenged books for 2008 were? National Banned Book Week is September 26 – October 3, 2009. Would you like to do an activity with students to discourage censorship and encourage reading? Send me an email if you are interested. You can also visit the ALA site: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm for ideas, information and resources.

Teen Read Week: October 18-24 is National Teen Read Week! Watch for library celebration activities to be announced. You can also check out the ALA site for more information: http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2009/home.cfm

Newspapers: The library will be receiving 4 copies of The Post-Standard for daily student use. We will also have multiple subscriptions to the e-edition of the paper for staff and students to access at will. Login information TBA!

Interlibrary Loans: Our in-house resource collection is limited for now, but I can get resources from ANY SCSD LIBRARY! Browse ALL the SCSD library collections via the SCSD LIBRARY LINKS PAGE or ask me to do it for you! Let me know what you need, and if our libraries own it, I will get it for you! Then, I will also add it to our purchase list.

Café @ ITC Library: In an effort to create an inviting atmosphere, more like that of a Barnes & Noble than a school library, the ITC Library will offer coffee, tea and hot cocoa to students and staff for $1.00 on a daily basis. We will also offer bagels on the second and fourth Friday of each month (starting on September 11^th). Bagels will be $2.00 and include cream cheese or butter. Profits will support fun events and the purchase of great books for our students!

In-house Technology Update:

Equipment Inventory: One of my charges as the ITC librarian is to maintain an updated inventory of ALL the SCSD owned technology equipment in the building. This includes computers, projectors, cameras, Smartboards, airliners, document cameras, printers, and anything else technology based. I will putting out a form this fall for all staff members to complete listing any and all items housed in classrooms. I will also be visiting rooms to find items listed on the AS400 BOVA Property Control List for ITC. An accurate and up-to-date inventory will help us acquire the technologies we need to be the 21^st Century Institute we have been charged with becoming. Thanks for your help!

Equipment Sign-Out: The library will now house and handle scheduling for all the portable equipment at ITC! Do you need to sign-out a laptop pod, a document camera or an airliner? Let me know, and I will put you on the schedule! A list of available items will be published once the building inventory has been completed. Check the schedule by going to the ITC Library Page and clicking on the Equipment Reserves button on the bottom left side.

Computer Lab Schedule: The library computer labs are open for scheduling. The large room has a Smartboard with a projector and 24 computers (pc/emac mix). The main library space has 12 computers (imac/emac/pc mix). Check the schedule: Go to the ITC Library Page, and click on the Library Schedule button on the bottom left side.

IPTV: Watch TV on your classroom computer! Simply type IPTV in the address bar on a hardwired computer, and you have live access to CNN, Discovery, Animal Planet, WCNY, Weather, MSNBC, and History Channels!

SCSD Network FYI: Per our Deputy Superintendent, please remember that NO PERSONAL EQUIPMENT IS ALLOWED ON THE SCSD NETWORK. For network security reasons, all equipment placed on the district network must be owned by the district. The IT department carefully monitors “rogue” equipment on the network.

School Island: Do you use School Island as a teaching tool? Would you like to learn how? Let me know you are interested, and I will sign you up for our first School Island training session this fall!

Helpdesk Cases: I will facilitate all the helpdesk communication for ITC and make sure you get what you need! Just send me the AV number of the equipment along with a description of the issue, and I will take care of it for you!

Website Highlight: QUIA WEB (http://www.quia.com/): Create your own educational games, quizzes, class web pages, surveys, and much more! Explore millions of activities and quizzes created by educators from around the world. Includes automatic quiz grading, and much more! Limited subscription will be available only until September 25, 2009. Don’t miss out! Let me know you want an account before time runs out!

Library Input: Please do not hesitate to ask questions or offer input about our library at ITC! Stop by or email (llefever@scsd.us) ANYTIME! You can also reach me by phone: ITC Library ~ 435-4306.