[Neat New Stuff]

This looks like a great resource to pass on to math and science teachers. Even I could lose a few hours reading its articles and following its links.
9:44:02 AM     [comment []];[]

Now that school has started, a new pattern emerges. Rather than a steady stream of kids all day, we have near silence for the whole morning. By 4 PM, it's sheer madness with kids running in and out the door, up and down the stairs and creating havoc wherever they go. We have no choice but to badger these kids over and over again, telling them "you need to find something to do," "please don't block the staircase," "only one person to a computer." And we have to talk to the same kids over and over again. It doesn't calm down until after 7 PM, by which point I'm exhausted and tired of confrontation.

These children, who frequent the library between 3:00 and 7 daily, will henceforth be known as ASYLUMS: After-School Youth Left Under My Supervision. I like using the term ASYLUMS as it reminds me that libraries are often the safest place for kids to be after school, such that I shouldn't be hasty to drive them out of the library when they aren't behaving appropriately. But still, it'll happen. These kids will push and push, testing the envelope of tolerance. One trick that I find is working well - find out their names. No child likes to be called out, especially amongst their peers.

[Open Stacks]

School hasn't started for us yet, but I'm looking forward (?) to the same phenomena in our school library. Of course we're also busy all day, unlike this librarian in a public library, but this year we've expanded our after-school time to be two hours past the end of school. I really want the kids to come and use the place, but I hope we can keep the chaos to a minimum.
ASYLUMS is a great acronym.
9:17:38 AM     [comment []];[]

Hope Viner Samborn writes:

"Many young lawyers believe they can find all the law they need online, just by entering a few search terms. But top legal researchers know better."

"The best research is done in a combination of electronic and print resources," says Judith Ambler, head of research services and computer-assisted legal research coordinator for the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals library. "If you neglect the print sources, you will not do the most efficient and complete research." (via Law-Lib) [Library Stuff]
This is true in almost every area of research, not just law, and it's a message I am constantly trying to get across to the middle and high school students I work with. At the same time I find myself subscribing to more and more online sources, may of which are just digital versions of the old standby print reference works. Question to self: Am I undermining my own message? Not if I continue to keep a good basic reference collection and a good, broad non-fiction collection, and if I keep demonstrating the message -- here's a good BOOK that gives you great information.
9:04:44 AM     [comment []];[]