Book Review: Allegedly - Tiffany Jackson

Hello, welcome to my shelf!

Holy Jeez! I don't even know where to start with this one. If you're a fan of We Were Liars , Orange is the New Black , or books with drama and "whodunnit," this is a good choice.

1 star - I loved the back and forth of story and interview/documentation. Sometimes this doesn't work, but this is one of those stories where it was super important for us (as readers) to understand the depth of what was going on. It was interesting to read these excerpts (including one of Mary's crime biography) that were written during and after her initial manslaughter sentence.

2 stars - This book is deep. Not only is race a part of the discussion, but there is a greater discussion about kids in the prison system and kids aging out of the prison system. We find out early on that Mary is pregnant and this adds an entirely new level to an already awful situation. I would be interested in reading this story again through Ted's perspective (Mary's beau), if only to gain a greater perspective on a male poc in the system. But from Mary's perspective, it definitely causes us to think a bit and cringe a whole lot.

3 stars - I love the character type of an unreliable narrator. From the very beginning, we wonder "Did she do it?" which is what everyone else Mary meets has been asking. And while you can relax in knowing that we do discover the truth, the way we get there is what will keep you speeding through the pages. I had my guesses and (view spoiler)

4 star - While I was a a teeny bit unsatisfied with the ending, the set up is definitely there. I was also interested in the other girls though, after reading the book, I can't help but wonder (view spoiler) I do wonder about how so many of the adults were so checked out, but I think that's why adults like Ms. Claire and Ms. Cora were so important. I want to see supportive figures like those in more YA books.

The only reason I didn't give this five stars was because I could feel the hand tip in the "whodunnit" and wasn't that surprised. There were also a few elements that I felt were mentioned and then quickly dropped, not to be entirely resolved. And, while this didn't detract from the story, it did distract me as a reader. That being said, this is still really good. As a YA librarian, I recommend this as an older teen read and I would note a few trigger-worthy moments (mental/physical abuse, implied rape & stories of rape, and implied molestation to name a few.)*

Stay tuned to see what else I put on my shelf!

*Originally puublished for Goodreads.

Fifty Shades of Busy

After having been away from blogging for ages, I am aiming to creative write at least once  a week.  Is it a New Year goal? No, those involve sugar intake (6tsps) and excercise (30 minutes a day).  But it is something I realized I missed lately.

So, I decided to free write on a story I was working on and then post a new blog.

So, what have I been up to lately.  Well, I have two part-time gigs, one as a Teen Librarian and the other as a YA & Reference Librarian.  Now that grad school is over (yay Master degree!)  I find myself busy as ever.  In addition to making time for new releases on Spotify and, now, aiming to write at least 100 words a day, I spend my week with my boyfriend (we're hitting 9 months this Saturday), irregularly attending author signings, bowling or playing trivia with friends (have you tried TriviaCrack?), and making time for Skyping with my family.  It is a full and fulfilling life.  

 I am a moderator for two- soon to be three- Goodreads groups.  Two of which have "Puzzles" in the title thanks to a love (or perhaps missing?) or HIMYM.  One of the groups aims to read one YA, one adult fiction, and one non-fiction per month.  And in my spare time- hahaha- I try to keep up with the trends in my profession.

So much has happened in the months since I last posted that I cannot possibly re-cap it all in one post.  So, I shall tell you stories of the last few months as I move ahead.  For now, I will share what I am currently reading:

I just finished Fifty Shades of Grey.  You can see my review here.

I am about to start : These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman, Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black, & a non-fiction.  Which I shall decide upon tomorow. 

Check-In: July 2014

It has been waaay too long since I last updated this blog.  Grad school kept me pleasantly busy.  I found myself doing a lot of writing and research for Research and Methods.  Having been one month into working at the CPL, I decided to focus on teens and video gaming in particular.  At some point, I can post my work to this blog (that's a note to self right there) but for now I will just highlight a few key notes.  

I knew that video gaming had a bad rep, but I discovered that more about why.  I sought out research and articles about the positives found in video gaming and found that there were, in fact, multiple psychological, social, and developmental benefits of playing video games- these increase when played amongst peers. On author discussed that his research found teens more social than playing alone, especially in games that require it of them.  While my paper was a grant proposal for a possible research study (I chose to observe three libraries who use planned video game programming as well as drop in programming to determine which one is A) more successful to the teen and B) why.)  I used my findings on social video gaming and put two and two together when two teens at the CPL approached me about starting a Minecraft club.  We first met Saturday January 18th and, up until this month, have always had two hour Saturday sessions.  

It has been a very experimental project, having- at the time- only one Minecraft account.  We began by allowing teens to drop in (without registration programming) and I found myself pleasantly surprised at the turn out.  Needless to say, out first meeting led to me booking the meeting room for our second meeting.  Since then, we have been once a month and have had a turn out of, on average, 15 teens.  Some times the teens bring their own devices, but I use the laptops at central.  I've got it down to a science: set up starts at 1pm and goes until the event starts at 2:30: I do this so that I can update the game as well as position the laptops (staggered so that the teens can interact easier, which they do) and the cables running from the sides of the room, under the table, and plugged in accordingly.

Up until June, we had a free for all.  Those who wanted single player did that and those who wanted multiplayer could sign in with their own accounts and play that way.  In June, I tried something different.  The server wasn't up and running yet (Craftbukkit didn't really take off right away) so this was an easy choice.  In June, I provided two Building Challenges they could vote on.  One was a Pirate Ship building challenge and the other was a Treehouse/fort building challenge.  (They chose the treefort).  Now, children's and I are working together to use this challenge at the grade 2-5 level.  (So far we have had two "survive the night" challenges, played in survival mode, and they were a hit!  Spoiler: kids love sticker prizes!)  These challenges are surprisingly adaptable for younger ages.  it gives them flexibility, but it gives the librarian a sense of structure in and otherwise chaotic world.

After the June meeting, I sat with a teen from CPL who had made their own server (a Minecraft Vanilla server), took notes, and created Epica- a creative server.  We made a white-list, admin-list, and more.  Its a little time consuming, especially if you aren't abreast of computer jargon and computer files, but I chose to focus on it because I wanted to take that one step further towards bringing my teens together.  So, now, those who own their own Minecraft account (i.e. purchased the game, not just signed up for the demo) can log in, I put them on the white-list, and they can create together.  For July, I intend to give them a pixel art building challenge.  The idea is that they use so many wool/wood/iron/etc. blocks and create something that looks like it belongs in a 16bit NES game.  If they play in the server, I have (in my free time) gone into the server and created a "CPL Pixel Art Exhibit" sign and space.  There, they can show friends and family their work- or tinker with it at a later date.  As for the others who do not own an account, they can still compete in the challenge in single player mode.  I'm still working on the grading criteria(grading art is hard because its subjective..) but, when I do, I will post that here as well.

For now, I look forward to continuing to developing this idea.  I am also tinkering with HTML for the teen page of the website as well as creating Pinterest boards for read-a-likes, taking a "paper-free"/"printer-friendly" approach.  I enjoy making brochures for read-a-likes, but there's something about Pinterest (as a social media) that just jives better with people.  Also, they can bookmark our page for easier location.  I have set the pins so that, if clicked on, it will zip you to the OSL page for that item (well for the book of that item).  It is my current experiment, of which I am currently using Facebook and the website to promote.  

Stay tuned for more!

It's Been Such a Long Time

Yes that's a Boston reference.

I realize that I hadn't made a blog post since last semester for class and, even longer, since July for British Studies.  

So what's new?  I have completed my PFE course at the Cranston Public Library.  I applied at the end of last semester for a Teen Librarian Assistant position that became available and won the job after two interviews and a phone conversation.  I've been there two-three days a week for a month now and I absolutely love it.  I'm taking my research findings on Minecraft and turning it into an actual program.  While we're still working on getting an educational license, we do have single player access.  In addition, we are transitioning from collection development in Teen CDs and Teen DVDs to Teen Video Games.  My first suggestions included Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Rockband.  Right now we have an XBOX 360 and a Kinect and I have been alternating between games on Mondays and Wednesdays while I am on the desk. 

In addition to Cranston, I am still working at North Kingstown and URI Government Publications.  I still love what I do at both of these jobs (particularly working at the Young Readers desk at NK)but alas, both of these jobs end in May when I graduate from my final semester of grad school.  So, in the next few months, I am going to be keeping an ear to the ground for Teen positions as well as Circulation and other fields of the library I enjoy.  My long-term goal is to stay in RI a while longer and add some roommates to my life to keep rent down/continue having a social life.

Outside of work, I am taking two courses this final semester.  LSC 523 Special Libraries and LSC557 Research Methods.  Also, in March, the comps are happening.  So much for that portfolio I was making!  I will have to test my librarian skills with essays demonstrating my acquirement of knowledge, knowing the ALA code of ethics, and being up on current library events.  It should prove interesting.

Movie-wise, I am a little behind on the Oscar nominees.  I want to see Her and Captain Phillips.  I have seen American Hustle and Wolf of Wall Street, which I loved.  
I'm sad to see Hateful Eight cancelled(if only for the time being).  
Sherlock season 3 was wonderful!  
I'm also looking forward to About a Boy on NBC, new episodes of New Girl, and more Crazy ones.  I have fallen very behind on Dracula and American Horror Story Coven.  But, I'm ready for GoT and The Walking Dead. 

And finally, I have entered the dating world again.  I was going on a few dates with someone I met at Comicon, but then I realized I was putting in more effort than the other party and have stopped pursuing that.  However, I went on a date last night with my new trivia host and things look promising.  He's funny, has both similar and different interests than me, likes to sing and be social, and has nice hair/brown eyes.  He seems genuine and I am genuinely intrigued by him.  So that feels nice.  I realize I have gone on a few dates in the last two years, but nothing really sparked.  Not like this.  So here's to hoping!  

And with that, I am off to work in Teenland!  I am looking forward to posting my Oscar predictions and a few YouTube videos for class again.  Stay tuned!

Part 3: Myself as a Youth Services Librarian (LSC 535)

Christina Dufour

LSC 535, Children and Youth Services

Lauren Mandel

Part 1, 2, & 3

art 3 Due December 9, 2013

Part 2 Due October 25, 2013

Part 1 revised after September 27, 2013

·       What youth services are:

     To discuss what Youth Services are, we must first define who the “youth” are within a library.  Based on previous experience within libraries, youth can be defined as “children in a community from ages 0 to 12 or 14” (Fasick & Holt, 2013, p. 6).  This group is classified within the same age for public libraries, school libraries, and special libraries.  They encompass pre-schoolers, young school-goers, and, in some cases, young adults.  As a result, a youth services librarian may maintain items such as “boardbooks, picture books, books for beginning readers, chapter books, graphic novels, nonfiction and reference books, foreign-language books, historical children’s books, parenting and teacher books for adults, and…other learning materials” (Fasick & Holt, 2013, p. 13).  In addition to materials, youth services also require programming and social activities.  These are typically events put on by the youth services librarian and other staff.  The events seek to engage several opportunities children may not normally have.  They may seek to engage any of several social types- parent and child interaction, child to child interaction, outside of school education, and recreational activity.  As for programming, the library may host a book club, a movie or game night, homework help, author visits, and more.

·            Why youth services are important to librarianship and society at large?

Youth services are important to society at large because the youth eventually turn into adults and adults into elderly people.  By making a positive impact on a child, the librarian may be able to influence his or her later decision to return to the library.  The librarian has the opportunity to convince him or her the library is a valuable resource.  In his or her adult years, this could be very important to the future of the library.  By using that opportunity, the librarian has taken a chance to gather the users of the future that will, in turn, use and fund the library.  Positive interactions and positive influences, while making an impression on a child’s library visit, are key.  At a young age, he or she may not realize what a great resource the library is, but he or she can remember it as a place of enjoyment.  On a similar note, the librarian may be creating a positive atmosphere or fun event that the child may not have had the chance to do outside of the library.  In some cases, children bring parents or guardians with them who may look around the library and decide to come back in the future.  These parents or guardians could also take up an interest in the library, volunteer or join the Friends of the Library (or a library equivalent).  

·       Yourself as a youth services librarian

     As a librarian, I feel I have much to learn about the younger patrons.  Some aspects, such as which programs work and which ones do not, will be learned on the job.  But I do know that I want to be the librarian who creates a space for children to go where they feel safe, valued, and engaged.  To be there for the youth and to offer a wide variety of services is a start.  I hope to be able to offer programs that engage (socially and mentally) each age group as appropriate without neglecting one.  However, it’s not all about the children, their parents or guardians have to be accounted for: I hope to create a space where they want to learn together and can be creative.  By job standards, this could be considered as spreading ones’ self too thin.  All I mean is that by offering activities that allow parents’ involvement, regardless of whether they go or not, the librarian is fostering that sense of community and providing more time for the family to spend together.  In listening and having chances for adults and children to give feedback, there is a lot of opportunity for positive outcomes.  Lastly, while there is typically one staff member in charge of the children's area, I would like to give the staff at my library the chance to be involved.  There are department heads for a reason, but there may something that other staff members observe that I might oversee.  Ultimately, the aim is for a positive experience that makes the youth want to use their library both now and in the future.  

Part II: My Personal Philosophy of Managing Youth Services

·       What is a manager?

     A manager, according to Merriam-Webster, is someone “who is in charge of a business, department…someone who directs…performance” ( Merriam-Webster, 2013, para 1).  F. John Reh of about.com defines a manager a little more clearly.  He says a manager is “a person who helps others… get more done. A manager helps others get more done by:

• motivating them
• providing directions
• making sure they are working together toward a common goal
• removing roadblocks and
• providing feedback” (Reh, 2013, para 1). 

 How does this relate to the library?  Within the children’s department, the manager is likely the chief of staff for this department.  This simply means that they are the one in charge of collection development, programming, and services.  The manager in the children’s department must get everyone to see their vision because it is what will meet the mission statement (or goal) of the children’s department.  This means motivation as well as direction.  To do this, there has to be communication.    

·       How you see yourself as a manager?

     As a manager, I want my staff to feel empowered and driven.  If I am out of the office or on vacation, I want my co-workers in my department to feel that they can complete their tasks.  That being said, I want those I manage to feel comfortable coming to me with questions or concerns.  Part of directing people requires constant involvement.  A manager cannot simply hire someone and expect them to never have doubts.  I would rather someone on my team ask me a question (after having searched for a solution first) than to blindly go ahead.  This is also not to say that I do not wish my team to have their own ideas.  Part of what keeps a library fresh is its ability to adapt to change as well as the unified vision of its goal.  As a manager, my ideal is to be a strong, but relatable force. 

·       What do you see as the particular challenges to managing youth services?

     The first challenge I see in managing youth services is that those hired in the children’s department are coming in from different experiences; and some will be able to read children’s needs better than others.  Part of being a manager includes being able to know your staff’s strengths and limitations.   In other words, to observe how well the new staff are adjusting to children’s services, as it will also take time to adjust to a new library.  Respectively, you must also be able to gauge how senior staff are responding to new changes.  Secondly, we have to make the time to work with these young patrons.  All departments in a library can get busy, but it is important to find the time to give children instruction and to present yourself as approachable.  This brings us into another possible challenge of youth services- time and planning.  Renee Valliancourt points out that

“Often librarians- especially YA librarians and media specialists, who are responsible for providing direct service to patrons as well as managing their department or media center- have trouble finding the time to plan.  Without planning, there is no way to determine where you are going or how to tell when you have gotten there” (Valliancourt, 2002, p.91).

 This is why it is important to make sure you and your team are on the same page.  Because there is a crunch for time, you and your staff will be most likely to utilize your time if the tasks are delineated.  Valliancourt suggests that the department creates a series of measurable goals and objectives.  While this too can take time, it gives the team something tangible. 

Part 3: Summarize your views of youth services librarianship into ONE sentence. This is your brand/tagline.

"I want to be a strong, relatable force that creates a positive experience in which the child/teen finds themselves wanting to come back for more."- Me

Works Cited:

Fasick, A.M., & Holt, L.E. (2013). Managing children’s services in libraries.  Santa       

          Barbara, CA:

ABC-CLIO.

Manager. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/manager

Reh, F.J. (2013). What is a manger? About.com.

http://management.about.com/od/begintomanage/a/whatismanager.htm

Strong, S. (2004). Sights, sounds, and silence in library reference service to  

          children. Public

Libraries, 43(6), 313-314.

Vaillancourt, R. J. (2002). Managing administrative duties: Paperwork and planning. In R. 

          J.

Vaillancourt, Managing young adult services: A self-help manual (pp. 91-100). New York, 

          NY: Neal-Schuman.

Cranston PFE Portfolio: Cover Letter

Christina Dufour
[insert address here]
1-207-xxx-yyyy
h@gmail.com

     I am writing to you today because I feel I meet many of the skills required for the digital librarian assistant.  I became aware of this position via OLIS list serve.  I am currently enrolled at the University of Rhode Island in my second year of their MLIS master’s program.

     In my time at Cranston Public Library, I came to discover a great footing to teaching computer literacy courses.  Thanks to that PFE, I have been able to add Computer Basics, Spotify, Microsoft Word, and more to the classes I feel strong teaching.  Wth kindness and patience, I was able to deliver services to these patrons.  In my undergraduate years, I learned much about PC and Mac computers as I had to, and still, use them every day.  This gave me the opportunity to stay aware of what games and programs the children and teens are using.  One of my favourites is Minecraft.  Since high school, I have been using Facebook and, since then, I have added other social media such as Pinterest, Tumblr, Vine, and Twitter.  

     It is my goal to combine what I have learned in the library field to be an extroverted, passionate being that would make positive contributions to your library.  Therefore I would like to be considered for this position and would welcome an interview.  Thank you for your time and consideration.  I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Respectfully yours,

Christina M. Dufour