In American Libraries: Notice about my work at Bellview Elementary School

CURRENTS: American Libraries, Jan/Feb 2014 from Cynthia M. Parkhill

In an exciting and proud moment for this fledgling library professional, the January/February 2014 edition of American Libraries includes a notice about my employment at Bellview Elementary School.

In Currents, fourth column, page 66: “Cynthia Parkhill became educational assistant in the library media center at Bellview Elementary School in Ashland, Oregon.” View and download the complete issue at www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org.

World Book Night: Libraries play important role

Libraries play a special role in World Book Night on April 23, when 25,000 people will give out 20 copies of a book to complete strangers.

As explained by the American Libraries Association, between now and Jan. 5, libraries can apply to be a pick-up site for book givers in their area.

Participating libraries also agree to be advocates for World Book Night and literacy. And the ALA encourages library staffers to apply to be book givers themselves.

We Need Libraries: Cardholder photos wanted

For the We Need Libraries protest song video project, here’s a picture of me holding library cards from nearly every community where I have lived or worked.

The library systems represented include Lake County Library (an account first created through the Sonoma County Library), the George and Elsie Wood Public Library in Saint Helena, Calif., Napa County Library and Jackson County Library Services. I'm missing Marin County Free Library for a complete set.

Library lovers can submit photos to weneedlibraries@gmail.com. The deadline is Jan. 5, with the video scheduled for release on Feb. 8, 2014.

School library: closed for winter break

The stack of books I checked out Friday has to last the two weeks I won’t have access to the Bellview Elementary School library. (Fortunately, I can still check out books through Jackson County Library Services.) I hope that everyone has a safe and joyous winter break.

Here’s what came home with me on Friday: True Things (Adults Don’t Want Kids to Know), a graphic novel in Jimmy Gownley’s Amelia Rules! series, Magyk, first book in the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Visser, a stand-alone novel in the Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate, Animorphs #6: The Capture by K.A. Applegate and The Underneath by Kathi Appelt.

Students, teacher discuss why reading ‘sucks’

For School Library Journal, fifth-grade teacher Pernille Ripp relates that as one of her first lessons of the year, she asks her students how they feel about reading.

“While many of them share wonderful things about why they love books—memories of parents reading to them or of sneaking in a favorite novel after the lights were turned off—there is also usually one student brave enough to admit that, for him or her, reading is just not their thing.”