LEGO Table, Part II

Our LEGO table is already a popular choice among students! (You can read below about its construction.) Here are some early pictures of students at work (and play!) with the table:

 Haven't been in yet? Teachers are working on getting classes in to use the table, and it's possible that you might be in during your AO time. Or just stop by and ask--we'd love to see you!

The LEGO Table is Here!

After receiving a DCG Education Foundation grant last spring, the HS library is now able to offer a LEGO table to students and teachers as an curriculum extension and makerspace activity. Because of the generosity of district staff members, LEGOs were donated as well, and soon students and classes will be able to take advantage of this great opportunity!

We were able to use discarded cafeteria tables as bases, and since these tables fold, our LEGO base can be two-sided and the entire LEGO table itself is mobile. Construction on the table began recently--check it out!

Baseplates were slowly added by gluing them to the plywood base and securing them with LEGOs.

The finished product is now in the library and ready to go! 

We can't wait to see what you design and create! Feel free to stop by and play! You might even find yourself in the library with a class that's taking advantage of the new table. 

Top 10 Titles & Trailers

Let's take a look at the Top 10 Titles at both Meadows and the high school. These books were the most circulated titles for the month of October in each of the buildings. Interestingly, the titles at Meadows include several sports fiction titles by author favorites Mike Lupica and Tim Green.

The Meadows titles with book trailers appear below:


And the high school trailers appear below. Many of these favorites are realistic fiction, although two of Sarah Maas's Throne of Glass series books make the list.



See anything that interests you? Stop by either of the libraries to check out one of these great books!

YALSA Top Ten Books Announced

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has again announced their Top Ten Teen Book finalists. According to their website, the list is a "teen's choice" list based on book released in the previous year. Voting concluded last week, and the 2018 Top Ten were announced.

You can also see all 10 books here:

See any favorite titles you've already read? Interested in learning more about some of the titles? Check out this YouTube playlist to watch book trailers for the 10 books. 

Want to check out one of these books? Good news! Nearly all of them are available at a DCG secondary library--just stop by to talk with us about getting a copy for you!

Book Trailer for New Books

We are still processing and putting new books onto shelves in both Meadows and the High School. These are some of the most recently published popular young adult titles. Take a look at the book trailers below for the titles of these new books.



If this book looks interesting or ready to check out a new book stop by, we would love to see you!

Welcome back!

If you've been in the high school or Meadows libraries, you might have noticed some empty boxes. The start of the new year means new books!

In addition to the Iowa Teen Award and Iowa High School Award nominees, students can also find over 500 new books between the two libraries. Titles in popular series were added, and brand new stand-alone titles were purchased. Also, damaged and "well-loved" books were replaced with new copies.

Along with brand new books, STEM-related titles and STEM equipment were purchased to support the makerspace approach in the library and the curriculum in a variety of classrooms. Soon, students will have access to Animation Studio, Ozobot, Cubelets, and Mindstorm, plus additional technology-driven activities.

Be sure to stop by the libraries to check out any of our new titles--or even check out an old favorite. While you're there, maybe you'll have the opportunity to try out some new tech gadgets. See you soon!

NEW BOOKS!!

NEW BOOKS

It is near the end of the school year and with summer vacation time coming, be sure and keep current on new releases of books this summer because NEW BOOKS are coming this fall in the Meadows and High School libraries. There will be hundreds of new books available in both buildings for checkout when you arrive in the fall. Be sure and visit either library to see what we have to offer. Maybe you will be as excited as these guys.

Rube Goldberg in Action in the Meadows Library

Mr. Ray's 9th grade science classes have taken over the library with their Rube Goldberg machines. Students bring any items from home to help with the construction of their project. The end result is for the machine to blow up a balloon and pop it. They must incorporate 5 different motion elements such as levers and pulleys, and their final successful run must be recorded.

Students are working in groups of 3 and all work will be completed by Wednesday May 16th. Please stop by to see the students in action!

Book Recommendation

Ever think about winning the lottery and what you might do with the money or how the money might change your life? Jennifer E. Smith's latest book Windfall addresses just these topics.

Main character Alice lives with her aunt and uncle in Chicago after her parents are killed in a car accident. She and best friend Teddy, who also struggles to make ends meet with his mother, buy a lottery ticket as a joke for his 18th birthday. Imagine how they react when they learn the ticket is lone winning ticket for the largest lottery at that time. Check out the trailer below:

You might recognize Jennifer E. Smith as the author of other realistic fiction books you've enjoyed in the past, like these from our libraries. Haven't read anything by her? Be sure to stop by to check out one of her books!

You can find out more about her at her official website.