CAPE helps bring school libraries into 21st century

Editor’s note: Below is the first in an ongoing series of articles highlighting innovative education programs that have been made possible by a grant from the Canton Alliance for Public Education (CAPE), a non-profit, community-based foundation whose mission is to “promote innovative and productive programs that challenge students and teachers to achieve their true potential.”

To keep up with the times, school libraries must go beyond print material and provide resources to navigate through a digital world. With that in mind, Canton High School librarian Joanne Teliszewski and Galvin Middle School librarian Nancy Stockwell-Alpert applied for a Canton Alliance for Public Education grant to purchase a collection of eBooks.

CHS senior Brandon Pulido with librarian Joanne Teliszewski

“Libraries have gone through a shift. It’s not about the print resources anymore,” said Teliszewski, who also received a CAPE grant in 2011 for a Starter Kit, which included an iPad, iPad Touch, a Kindle Fire, two flash video cameras, and two Playaway audio books. “The grants have allowed our students the experience to work with the newest technology.”

This school year, the CAPE grant will be used at both CHS and GMS to start collections of Unlimited Simultaneous Access (USA) electronic books available through the Follett Company, a provider that supports many of the programs already in place for the Canton schools: Accelerated Reader, Reading Counts, Lexile and Follett reading level assignments.

“At GMS these books will be on nonfiction topics,” said Stockwell-Alpert. “Unlimited copies of well-chosen resources will be available for students to research endangered species, global warming, and other topics. This is far more economical than purchasing multiple sets of print resources.”

The implication is that when the libraries select an ebook from the Follett Company, any number of students and staff may read it at once. Because this is a web-based platform, it requires only an Internet connection, allowing access on any electronic device: computer, iPad, tablet or cell phone.

At the high school, Teliszewski pours through titles to find the most appropriate for her population. “I look for the best of the best,” she said.

The library’s goal is “to teach students how to be effective, efficient, and ethical users, consumers and producers of information. The library embeds informational and technological literacy skills into the curriculum by working collaboratively with classroom teachers.”

In order to accomplish this, the most recent technologies must be available, and consistency within schools and the town must be achieved. Thus, a district-wide library department group convenes regularly to discuss common issues and have an ongoing dialog in order to meet student needs.

“We want that continuity,” said Teliszewski, who was awarded the Massachusetts School Library Association President’s Award in 2012. “We want that vertical alignment just like other departments. When it comes to technology, we like to be on the same page.”

Junior Emily Buckley uses the resources in the library to work on her Gold Award project, updating the career center website. “The library offers me time to work on this and provides the technological help,” she said. “The librarians are so nice. I can ask any questions. They have seminars for teaching kids how to find information.”

A common misconception is that students are technologically savvy. “The assumption is that students know all about technology,” said Teliszewski, “but they’re surprised at what is available and like to learn about Google shortcuts and the new apps that are available.”

With technology changing rapidly, Teliszewski works with classroom teachers on how to maximize the use of the library and its resources. She sends weekly email blasts to teachers, maintains a website, and posts via a Twitter Feed.

“Libraries are exciting and active,” she said. “It’s not about checking out a book or finding a website and leaving. It’s so much more than that. It’s a great time to be a librarian.”

Book donations needed: Please contact Joanne Teliszewski if you would like to donate books to the CHS library. Needs include classics, young adult literature, and popular fiction. Books must be in good condition. Please email telisj@cantonma.org.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=16799

Posted by Ruth Weiner on Oct 18 2012. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.