Censorship vs Anti-Bullying Pink Day?

This week is Freedom to Read week, February 26th - March 2nd. Freedom to Read week allows us as a society to consider what has previously been censored in terms of reading materials, and what continues to be censored in some libraries. Freedom to read, however, is not restricted to books and print materials. It is now open to any website or conversation on the internet. Our society is less private than ever; how does the topic of censorship fit in with our digital era, particularly as we are not just consumers, but producers of text/media?

Interestingly, we also have Wear Pink Day on Wednesday, February 29th, an anti-bullying campaign originated by teenage boys in Nova Scotia in support of a male student who was harassed for wearing pink. How do we balance the right to speech and expression with the responsibility to uphold the right to equality?

This week, we'll be exploring the balance and tensions that exist between freedom and censorship, within the context of our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom found here: (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/charter/page-1.html#l_I:s_2)

To that end, the Mt. Sentinel LMC is sponsoring an anti-censorship contest: in 250 words or less, thoughtfully explain why censorship is either dangerous or counter-productive to society. The submissions may be digital (images, multimedia). Deadline is March 5th, submitted to our Library. Book prizes to $15 each will be awarded to a senior and junior student.

Here's a video about teens and censorship to get us thinking:

Making Print Fiction Interactive

As I've blogged in my previous posts, we're mad about QR codes here at Mt. Sentinel Library and Media Centre in a variety of ways! We've used them for treasure hunts, and to post information about our Virtual Library in the hallways of our school.

Our next step is to tuck QR codes inside of each of our new fiction arrivals. Yes, that's right--we're making reading interactive! Our Library Clerical Assistant, Mrs. Pat Brach, searches out author websites during the cataloguing process, and generates a QR code which she then prints out and tapes onto the card pocket inside of the book.

Now, students can use their cellphones or iPod Touches (equipped with a free QR code scanner app) and find out what their favourite author is saying on his or her website. Many authors blog, chat with their readers, and provide previews or resources related to their love of writing. Some authors have adjunct websites that extend the reading experience for their readers.

Authors such as Cory Doctorow (Little Brother) and Amber J Keyser (Angel Punk) offer transmedia experiences that can now be accessed via a QR code scanner.

Is a book still a book still a reading experience? You bet it is, but with extensions!

Back to Business!

Welcome back to a new school year! Last year saw many changes at our Mt. Sentinel Library and Media Centre: ipod touches, a new 42" flatscreen TV for presentations and information display, Follett Books Online, book request online, an expanded graphic novel and high interest reading selection, and finally, research service including podcast downloads!

Mrs. Brach and I are busy readying the library for this coming year. Getting our L4U book catalogue up to date with new students, adding several great books to our collection, are just some of the things we start out with.

We had a great Library Orientation Week the other week. We visited some English classes, but mainly invited our students and teachers in to the Library to get a hands-on feel for our Learning Commons! In particular, we welcomed our new Grade 7's to the Library with a LMC Treasure Hunt.

We used our new iPads to scan QR codes, browsed the website for tools and tips, and of course, explored both the fiction and non-fiction sections! The teams were busy "competing" to make it through the treasure hunt. Each correct answer got the team members a bookmark until they finished the challenge. Finally, gummy bears rounded out the prizes.

We welcome all students and staff in our LMC--it is a space to learn, socialize with board games, quietly read a book, enjoy a podcast, do some research, and of course, take out a great book.

Here's to the start of a great year!

FollettShelf Comes to the Virtual LMC

We'd like to announce the addition of a new service to our MtSentLMC: FollettShelf ebooks!

Now you can search our L4U database for ebooks, and sign out ebooks to read online, just like you would with the BC Library Without Walls service (you need a Nelson Public Library card for this--free for area H residents). The difference is that the MTSent LMC has the rights to the book, and they are part of our database. Log in to our own Follett bookshelf, and use your regular SD8 computer log on. Drag a book to your list, then read it online, or download it (you will need to download some software, but that takes only a minute).

If you sign out a book online, you have the option of having it read to you. FollettShelf allows you to take notes on the book, and these are saved next time you sign it out. For some books, you can even print off a page, such as for non-fiction or reference. The books stay on your digital device for 5 days, then are removed automatically.

See Ms. Malloff in person for more information.

What's All the Buzz about QR Codes?

Lately there's been a lot of buzz about QR Codes. What are they exactly, and how do they work?

QR Codes are like barcodes. They are a quick way to scan information using any

of the following:

• iPod Touches (4th generation--with camera)
• iPhones
• Smartphones (HTC, Samsung, Blackberry, etc.)
• Netbooks or laptops with cameras

Download a QR code application from any of the following sites:

• mobile barcodes
• google CNET and search for: NeoReader or QR App for iPhone

Now you can use your device to scan QR codes! The best part about QR codes is that you can generate your own QR codes, for your EPortfolio, for example. I like http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ for example. Gone are the days of business cards and URLs--use a QR Code to personally brand your own EPortfolio website.

Books Go Super-Interactive.

Do you love to read? I certainly do, though I unfortunately don't carve out enough time during the day, or weekends to read a "handheld" paperback novel. I'm reading Stieg Larsson's "Girl With a Dragon Tattoo" and "Super Sad True Love Story" by Gary Schteyngart (considered to be a 21st c satire, akin to Orwell's 1984).

For teens and young adult readers, there are a lot of interactive literacy opportunities. Stories go live online, or you can connect to your character through their twitter or facebook accounts....wow.

Here's a few new transmedia interactive literacy opportunities to check out:
Skeleton Creek interactive book series. Ryan is recovering from an accident, and writes in his journa while doing so. He gets emails from his friend Sarah who posts video clips which readers can access by entering passords found throughout the book.

Cathy's Book: If Found, Call 650-266-8233 is one of a series of books by Sean Stewart and Jason Weisman cotains an evidence packet along with a website for each book. The fictional character Cathy has facebook, flickr, and youtube accounts you can visit. There's even an iPhone App.

A web resource called DoubletalkWireless is available for fans to talk about the book.

Personal Effect: Dark Art is intended for mature teen and adult audiences. Written by JC Hutchins and Jordan Weisman, it introduces an interesting multi-media format. As a reader, explore Brinkvale Psychiatric Hospital to learn more about the staff. Get to know Zach Taylor, the main character through his MySpace page.

You can also see the work of his girlfriend, Rachel, and read New York Journal Ledger news clips related to the book here.

The Selected Works of TS Spivet by Reif Larson is an example of imaginitive writing combined with a unique presentation style. It would be of interest to high level middle school and high school readers. Check out the website here, to extend your reading experience.

There are just some of the exciting transmedia reading opportunities for teens and young adults. Transmedia really began with radio readings, movies, and made or TV adaptations. The media is interactive and therefore naturally extends to social media so readers can participate in the experience.

Note: content attributed to Teacher-Librarian Magazine (June 2010 issue)

Warning: These Sites Can Be Addictive.

Ever come across a site so addictive that you spend a bundle of your precious time on it, exploring, clicking, learning, and thinking? This is just what happened when I came across these two sites that I simply had to tell you about:

1. Geocube is a 3D virtual cube. When you click any side, it spins, and offers you choices in the blocks for any theme or topic on geography. This is no boring geography cube: you can learn about social displacement, environmental impact, geopolitics, and resource scarcity. A must try for both Sustainable Resources and Social Studies buff alike (though you

certainly don't have to be one!)

2. "Out of My Window" is an interactive peek into several of the world's highrise apartment windows. Inside, you'll see how people live their lives in some of the great cities of the world, including Johannessburg, Sao Paulo, Montreal, and much more. The lives are fascinating, funny, and in many cases tragic. A documentary is behind the site, so check it out; it promises to be more captivating than the online presence. See the trailer here.