Digital inclusion : Libraries provide access to Internet, technology

Hotspot, available from Sonoma County Libray

For LIS 5804, my studies this week focused on technology: specifically on “digital inclusion.” This subject is important to me because, through personal experience, I recognize how important it is for people to have access to the Internet in our ever-more-connected society.

LIS 5100 : Digital collections in libraries

Among “Discussions” this week for LIS 5100, Foundations of Librarianship, I responded to a post concerning a fully-digital future for libraries.

SRCSA library : ‘I Survived’ read-aloud available

Video: I’m recording a read-aloud of Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018. I’ll post segments to my Google Classroom for read-alouds as they become available.

School library reopening during COVID-19 : my thoughts

My thoughts turned this week to pondering how operations could resume at SRCSA library. This proposal that I’ve compiled incorporates social distancing and also addresses decontamination of resources due to COVID-19. Keep in mind, this report consists of my own thoughts, based upon information and best-practices gained through reading and viewing webinars. (Bibliography appears below.) This report should not be treated as authoritative or actionable; rather, I consider it to be a starting-point for dialogue about reopening my school library.

Science fiction and fantasy can help young readers cope

Here’s an interesting article, via The Conversation, which suggests that reading science fiction and fantasy can help young readers cope and make sense of the world, “especially with the stress and anxiety of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.” As a long-time reader of science fiction and fantasy, I appreciate this perspective by writer, Esther Jones, that “Rather than limiting readers’ capacity to deal with reality, exposure to outside-the-box creative stories may expand their ability to engage reality based on science.”

Book-Talk: Cover reveal for Lauren Tarshis’s latest book

Lauren Tarshis shared the cover-reveal this week, for the newest book in her popular “I Survived” series: I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018. Here’s the first “Book-Talk” in what I hope will be an ongoing series of videos.

SRCS to serve meals on Mondays and Wednesdays

Effective Wednesday, April 15, Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) will serve meals on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m at all nine meal distribution sites. A total of five breakfasts and five lunches will be served each week with fewer pickups. “Fewer pickups with more meals keeps families and staff safer. See you soon!”

SRCS servirán comidas los lunes y los miércoles

A partir del miércoles 15 de abril, las escuelas de la ciudad de Santa Rosa (SRCS) servirán comidas los lunes y los miércoles de las 11:30 a.m. a la 1 p.m. a los 9 sitios de distribución de comidas. Se servirá un total de 5 desayunos y 5 almuerzos cada semana con monos recogidas. “Menos recogidas con más comidas mantendrá a las familias y empleados más seguros. ¡Hasta luego!”

Keeping busy during shelter-in-place

American Libraries Magazine is inviting library workers to “Show us how you’re working” during shelter-in-place in response to COVID-19.

Happy birthday, Starfire!

Our beautiful Starfire is 11 years old! She was born April 6, 2009. We’ve always considered her such a wonderful blessing, so vital to our morale — and so much more so during the time that we’ve had to shelter in place because of COVID-19. Whether “cat-bombing” my video recordings for “virtual” library story-time, or just simply stretching out on an available lap: Starfire brings so much joy and delight into an uncertain time.

SRCS : Distance learning will continue through end of school year

This just in from Diann Kitamura, superintendent of Santa Rosa City Schools: Distance learning will continue through the end of the school year; SRCS students and staff WILL NOT return to school campuses this year.

SRCS : Latest update about COVID 19

Here is the latest update from Diann Kitamura, Superintendent, Santa Rosa City Schools, at https://www.srcschools.org/COVID-19.

SRCS : última actualización sobre COVID 19

Aquí está la última actualización de Diann Kitamura, Superintendente de Santa Rosa City Schools, a https://www.srcschools.org/COVID-19.

Work-at-home, covering books for library

Plenty of essential library-work to do while Santa Rosa City Schools continues its shelter-in-place. I brought home some supplies, and a stack of books that needed dust-jacket coverings. This fold-up fabric cutting board makes a great work-station, and easily folds away again when it’s not in use. The books and supplies I’ve brought home, of course, will be subject to any quarantine best-practices when I can bring them back to the library.

Story-time videos during shelter-in-place

To support my site’s families while Santa Rosa City Schools​ observes a shelter-in-place, I’m recording story-time videos. Here’s my introductory video about the read-alouds.

Learning from home extended to May 1, 2020

I’ve been compiling various resources that support distance education, and have been sharing them with colleagues. The latest word from Santa Rosa City Schools is that learning from home has been extended to May 1, 2020, “unless circumstances change regarding COVID-19.” In her message today, Superintendent Diann Kitamura said that staff and families will receive more information about distance learning procedures, Chromebook distribution, state assessments, and other pertinent information. “Please know that ‘Grab and Go’ lunches and mental health supports continue to be provided.” Watch for updates at https://www.srcschools.org/COVID-19.

Comidas para recoger y llevar durante la suspensión de clases

Santa Rosa City Schools está trabajando con otras entidades comunitarias con el apoyo del estado, para proporcionar comidas a los estudiantes durante esta crisis sin precedente. Los siguientes sitios proporcionarán almuerzos para todos los niños menores de 18 años, un servicio de almuerzo para se puede recoger y llevar en su carro de las 11:30 a.m. a la 1:00 p.m. de lunes a viernes, a partir del lunes 23 de marzo (después de las vacaciones de primavera).

Grab and go meals during suspension of classes

Santa Rosa City Schools is working with community partners, under the guidance of the state, to provide meals to students during this unprecedented crisis. The following sites will provide, for all children under the age of 18, a drive-thru/carry-out lunch service from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, March 23 (after Spring Break).

SRCS to suspend site-based learning through April 5

(En inglés / In English)
Here is an important update from Santa Rosa City Schools:

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) through social distancing:
• Santa Rosa City Schools will suspend site-based learning at all schools beginning at Spring Break, from March 16 - April 5, 2020
• All after-school activities, child care, and field trips will also be canceled from March 16 - April 5, 2020
More information regarding school work to be completed at home and school meals is available on our website: srcschools.org/COVID-19

(En español / In Spanish)
Aquí hay una actualización importante de Santa Rosa City Schools:

Con el fin de reducir la propagación de COVID-19 (coronavirus) por medio del distanciamiento social:
• Todas las escuelas del distrito escolar Santa Rosa City Schools suspenderán los estudios dentro de las escuelas a partir de las vacaciones de primavera del 16 de marzo al 5 de abril de 2020
• Se cancelarán todas las actividades después de clases, cuidado de niños y paseos Hay más información sobre las tareas que los alumnos deben completar en casa y comidas escolares disponible sobre nuestro sitio en: srcschools.org/COVID-19

‘Educational care packages’ for SRCSA students

My top priority during the past couple of days was helping to assemble what I like to think of as “educational care packages” for SRCSA students. I pulled sets of books out of storage and made them available for educators to send home with students along with work-packets that they can complete if necessary.