Monday, November 20, 2017

New eBooks & Audiobooks

Recently we've added eBooks and audiobooks to our collection. You can find the always popular Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, as well as the entire Harry Potter series now in the catalog.

Brand new to the collection is also the audiobook and eBook for Kimberly Bradley's The War I Finally Won, the follow-up to The War that Saved My Life.

Not sure how to check out an eBook or audiobook, or you're looking for additional titles? Be sure to stop by the desk--we'd love to help!  

Monday, November 6, 2017

Revisiting Our AEA Databases and Online Resources


Our Heartland AEA offers many databases and online databases for student resources and online projects.  You can access all of the AEA's resources by CLICKING HERE.  If you have forgotten how to log in please talk with your librarian. Below are just a few of the examples that students have used, along with 2 newer resources now available to us. 


MackinVia offers fiction and nonfiction eBooks, and audio books you can access right from our school catalog. Also you can go to MackinVia.com to see their collection of thousands of online books. You can read and listen to all of these books with your smart devices. 

CLICK HERE to access the site
CLCK HERE to access the site
In the past students have used SIRS and PRO/CON to find research for debate and speech assignments. PRO/CON is now known as the Points of View database. You can access both of these databases by clicking on the AEA resources link at the top of this post. 

CLICK HERE to access the site
New to FLIX family of resources is FREEDOMFLIX. Like BookFLIX, and TrueFLIX, this resource includes books, videos, related websites, and more! They offer books on a variety social studies topics. 

These are just a few of the many databases and online resources that are available to students. Need help using them? Stop by the library we would love to help you. 


Thursday, November 2, 2017

Makerspaces & STEM

The media center is changing with the addition of makerspace and STEM activities. By being surrounded by books, students can become motivated to read and experience opportunities in a variety of venues. Students can create, invent, explore, and discover their hidden talents and aspirations through a variety of tools, technology, and materials. The possibilities are are endless, and can become powerful motivators for bored learners. New talents and interests can be supported through further enrichment, independent study, or connections to other content areas.
Teaching & learning chess from peers 

Zoom activity

Brain teaser puzzle  

Challenging jigsaw puzzles

Some of the STEM activities in the library include designing and creating the largest freestanding tower from playing cards.


There are so many different centers for reading in a relaxing in a  cozy atmosphere with comfortable furniture for studying and soft background music to foster a great learning environment.


Students in the Meadows library are also enjoying some makerspaces activities. Recently added to the space are decks of cards and puzzles. Students also continue to use the space with group work and collaboration.


Be sure to stop by the Meadows library to see some of the featured books recently added to the collection. Stop by to see what's available!


Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Expelled by James Patterson

One of James Patterson's young adult fiction books is the recently released Expelled. 
This realistic setting in a high school involves 3 boys and 1 girl who are expelled for different reasons including money handling and inappropriate pictures on social media. They are trying to figure out who set them up - 3 are innocent and 1 is not. 

If you are a fan of James Patterson or this sounds like a book that you would like to read stop at the library - we would love to check it out to you.