Post #2 - Web 2.0 - LibriVox

An interesting bit of Web 2.0 that I have recently come across and adored is LibriVox.  In an age where almost every student is carrying a mobile device, LibriVox helps breathe some new life into some old, dusty texts.  Their mission statement (or, as they call it, theirobjective) is "to make all books in the public domain available, for free, in audio format on the internet."  They rely strongly on the help of volunteers to act as readers.
Of course, the quality is a little less perfection than professionally produced audiobooks, but the price (free) makes a few hiccups in the pronunciation of an archaic English term not so horribly incapacitating.  As for using it in a library setting, I can imagine that as a librarian, I may be able to stir the hearts of a few of my students, at the very least, to reach out to older books that may have not been already recorded, or find a favorite book and record it.  I can also imagine this being a project I could coordinate with English teachers that are teaching plays;  what could be more fun than having each student record their assigned lines and then the class reading along?  There are opportunities here for students that are interested in the technological aspect of digital media as well; how do you join together the audio files? How do you ensure that volume is consistent? What equipment do you use to record?
I think that this would be a great way to connect students not only with the source material but also with the community of readers and voices at LibriVox. There are lists, as well, of popular and enjoyed books (to help sift through the 7,000+ books LibriVox has for an example to use in class). At GoodReads, there is a thread dedicated to listing users' favorite LibriVox recordings.  It also talks about what some of the listeners enjoy, or do not enjoy, about the voices. It is a great read.  http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/104911-librivox-book-discussion

Viewer Comments:

WENDY PRICE, 2/10/2014 4:30 PM: Librivox

This is great, Tracey. I have never heard of this before.  I can see how some students would love to be able to say that they recorded a book.
2/10/14

KINSI NEAR, 2/15/2014 12:23 PM: In the classroom

I love the idea of students recording their portions of a play. Many students are intimidated by reading aloud in class, but speaking is often part of the class standards. This would allow students to rehearse and record rather than risk making a mistake in class. Excellent!

Post #1 - Blogshare - The Role of a School Media Specialist

Thanks to this class, I was recently introduced to The Adventures of Library Girl, posted at http://www.librarygirl.net/ ; an entry in particular that caught my attention was Penny for Your Thoughts: What's Really on the Mind of Today's Teacher Librarian.  Jennifer LaGarde, aka LibraryGirl!, puts into an illustration just what school media librarians occupy themselves with during the day.  This imagery is mostly for people who are not librarians, or people who do not work with school media librarians on a regular basis, and brings to light the inner thoughts of what is happening on a daily basis.  This is posted in answer to questions concerning why librarians need Master's degrees to "shelve and read books all day."
As a student in this field, this helps me sharpen my focus.  I am often entirely immersed in the best ways to help curriculum, concentrating on assisting students and teachers find additional resources to enrich their learning and curriculum, and it is easy for me to forget that assessment is also necessary to evaluate the function of programs put into place in my library.  This visual also reminds me that student learning should remain in the forefront of my mind.  Whereas LibraryGirl created this as a resource for people who had not had the pleasure of making their way through SLIS classes, it is a handy roadmap for me to keep the most important aspects of school media librarianship in the spotlight.

Viewer Comments:

ANNA BALLINGER, 1/28/2014 10:26 PM: Thanks!

Tracey,
   Very glad that you found this and put it out here.  As an early childhood teacher I often had this same type of conversation- along the lines of "Is it really that hard to play with kids all day?"  HA is all I said sometimes. Literally, I just laughed.  To me though this blog just confirms how important it is for us to remain professional and SHOW that we know our stuff.  We will earn our position and should hold ourselves high while be willing to act humbly.  This also brings another thought into my head... with people who do not understand the demands of education in any setting I always like to invite them to take time to visit and volunteer to help one day.  Though many do not do this, it is usually one of the best ways to show them all the things we do throughout the day.  I love to put on a big smile and say "I'd love it if you have any time to come in and help out!"  I am not currently working as a librarian, but I did for two years.  Librarians take on SO many roles.  Yes, we do shelve- we also  help students research, help them pick out books, keep up our collections, help teachers plan, help with technology, teach related arts classes, substitute when we have to... need I go on?  I guess for many it is that "grass is greener" mentality.  From the outside our job just may seem easy.  I guess that's a good thing to remember when thinking of others jobs as well.

SOPHIA FUNDERBURK, 1/29/2014 5:23 PM: School Media

Sounds like a great blog to follow especially with ways to collaborate with teachers and the best strategies to support curriculum.
Thank you!
Elisabeth

REBECCA LOWE, 2/2/2014 9:13 PM: Fantastic!

I LOVE this blog!  She has written so many blogs that have helped me emotionally and with my library.  There have been plenty of times that I would like for it to be required for staff in schools to read what she has written, but I know that will not happen.  This blog choice was fantastic.  I might use it during National Library Week in helping me display what exactly happens in the library on a daily basis.  I have been in a teacher's shoes before, so I know that it is a lot of work being a teacher, but being an elementary school librarian has been even more work for me.  I love my job though so the work is not so stressful.  We should walk in each other's shoes to know before judging.  Great post!

SOPHIA FUNDERBURK, 2/5/2014 7:09 PM: Excellent!

Thank you for sharing this blog. It is one that I have been meaning to check out, but have not had the time until you posted now! I am an elementary teacher and when I explain that I am getting my master's in Library Science to become the media specialist for my school, I frequently get, "Oh, you don't want to teach anymore." It really frustrates me because I see it as a greater opportunity to teach and have a greater impact on more children. And... I understand, though I have yet to walk the shoes, the many hats I will wear as a school librarian added to the ones I already wear as teacher! Thank you again!