Top 5 of #TXLA19

The Texas Library Association Conference ended on Thursday, and I am still processing all of the amazing things I learned. The conference was Monday-Thursday, and I used ALL of my time learning, connecting and taking it all in.  You can check out all my sketchnotes from the various sessions at my Beeinthebookends Instagram. I learned more than 5 things while at the conference, but these were by far the things that stood out to me.

Top 5 of  #TXLA19
1- Mindfulness 101 with James Butler and Rachelle Finck out of all the sessions I went to, this was the one that I needed the most.  Living with someone that has mental health issues, I understand the importance of needing to teach children (and adults) mindfulness.  Working in a middle school I have also seen first hand how students need help in learning different coping skills to help them through life and middle school (middle school is hard!)  I was so excited to be one of the first people in line to purchase James new book Mindful Classrooms as I plan to incorporate some of these ideas in the library next year.

2-Listening to Sylvia Acevedo keynote the first general session.  I have talked about her before as she is the CEO of Girl Scouts.  She shares such a powerful story of her own journey of being very poor to being a rocket scientist.

3-The general session with Scott Pelley.  I could have listened to him speak all day! His book Truth Worth Telling will be coming out in May. TXLA19 was his first book event, and what a masterful story teller he is.  Before he shared some of the stories that have changed his life, he mentioned that so often we are trying to find the meaning of life.  We are asking the wrong question.  We should not be asking the meaning of life, but what is the meaning of you.  In my bag.. I had packed everything I needed but Kleenexes!

4- Connecting with librarians!  Being a librarian is one of the best but also hardest job that I have ever had.  I work on a great campus, but I am still the only librarian on the campus.. so sometimes it gets a little lonely.  During the conference I was able to connect with not only Irving librarians, but also librarians from across the state that are doing some amazing things.  In having conversations, it also helped me realize that I am doing pretty cool things too.

5- The authors and illustrators. I know that these authors and illustrators realize that they are going to be bombarded by crazy librarians wanting autographs, pictures, and conversations. But that just makes them even more awesome for being so patient and listening.

Dawn and I went to watch the bats and ran into AMAZING Illustrator Chris Hsu.  He is the illustrator for The Boo Boos that Changed the World

When I found out that there was going to be a Comic book day on Wednesday, I was super excited to become Vera from Be Prepared. Even better, the author Vera Brosgol was going to be signing books!

I have now had a chance to see this guy twice! Sean Easley is the author of the Hotel Between Series. 

 6- My bonus takeaway! I feel as if I do social media pretty well, but I really enjoyed going to Steven Vrooman over social media.  I look forward to telling my library story even better next year!

I am sure that you have noticed by now, one of my favorite things to do is take selfies! I LOVED that TXLA captured this one of me taking a selfie of the Comic Day Group.

On our way out of town, we also stopped at the new Austin Public Library Central Location. All I can say.. is wow!! There were so many more selfies, so many more people, and so much more learning that happened. I can't WAIT to go back and rethink some of things that I am doing, tweak other things, and evaluate those programs that I am doing.

Did you attend #TXLA19? What were your favorite sessions?

What's In My Bag

The Texas Librarian Association Conference (#TLA19 or #TXLA19) is coming up this next week! I am SO excited about learning and connecting with so many different people.  The Girl Scout in me is always prepared too! I have had the opportunity to attend various conferences over the past 10 years and I have gotten a little smarter each time about what I included in my bag.  Am I going to forget something.. of course? Am I still going to pack too much.. you better believe it!

I started carrying a backpack a few years ago and I love my Ogio (which I also had my logo stitched into it... Horizon Imprinting always does such an AMAZING job)

I usually do take my laptop with me, but end up leaving it in the hotel.  I do this so I can possibly blog or look at various websites on a bigger screen rather than just my phone or iPad.  I remember when I used to go to conference I would take every possible device with me and my bag was SO heavy.. and I would only end up using one device.

Here is what I carry with me in my bag (I am including links when I can.. no I am not getting paid for anything, just what I enjoy using)

-When traveling to conferences, I ALWAYS pack my own snacks.  I usually have a granola bar and some sort of salty snack on me.  I also always pack a few water bottles and diet sodas to keep at the hotel. This way I don't always have to spend the extra money.

-I also always carry my own reusable cup.  I fill this up in the hotel in the morning and then often times will ask the restaurant I might be eating at to top it off. I am a HUGE water drinker, and I love that this keeps my water super cold. I have the Wal-Mart brand and of course have my logo on it.

-There never seems to be enough outlets so I have this Surge protector on hand. I can use it in the hotel room, or I can drop it in my bag during the day.

-I always have a portable charger on me.  I tend to use my phone the most during conferences, and this has been a life saver.  The one I use also has 3 USB hubs.  I make friends with everyone! I charge it in the evenings and then it is ready to go during the day.

-I use my phone for social media, but I have really enjoyed taking my own type of sketchnotes. I LOVE the Sharpie Pens.  These are great because they don't tend to bleed. I have tried the flair pens.. and I love that people use them, they just weren't for me.

-For my scetchnoting I use Canson Mix Media XL from Michaels

-I have one pouch for all my Sharpie Pens, but I also have another pouch full of sticky notes, scissors (you would be surprised how often people ask for these) glue stick, and other assorted pens.

-I take my own coffee coozie (I love a conversation starter and I love when I can promote my super talented friends)

-Business cards (going to these conferences, I also know a ton of people that print off already ready stickers with their information on it for various door prizes)

-Cable and bricks for charging devices

-iPad

-gum

-Medicine! I have my RX migraine medicine, but I also always have ibuprofen, migraine meds, and benedryl on hand (and fingernail clippers) I also carry a couple of oils with me. I have found that when I go to conferences my brain gets super overloaded.. and I get overwhelmed which can lead to my migraines.. so I always have my Tranquil roll-on 

-I also have an umbrella and a sweater (love that my friend Laura made me a specific one for librarians! She also did the logo for my cup.. you can find her at Preserve the Moments)

-Of course I also have Max! Max was given to me by my husband.. and he goes EVERYwhere with me!

What is a must have in your bag? Are you attending TLA? I would LOVE to meet you in person! I will be posting throughout the conference on Twitter and Instagram

#NTTBF19

I have been home for about 3 hours, and my brain has been reeling from attending the North Texas Teen Book Festival (#NTTBF) This was my third one to attend, but my first to take a group of students.

I attended the first one with my friend McKennan.  She had asked if I wanted to go to a book festival that was down the street, so I said sure.. thinking it would only be a couple of hours. We ended up staying the whole day and getting books signed. Before #NTTBF15 I had already been talking to some of my librarian friends about becoming a librarian, but it was just talk and in the back of my mind.  During the session It's The End of the World as We Know It, I was so inspired by several of the authors, but especially Alex London. They talked about how powerful it is to share your work no matter if it is good or bad. That it is important to be rejected, because that it only makes you better.  As I sat there.. I realized how I want to give even more students the opportunities to listen to authors that are writing for them. You can find my blog about #NTTBF15 here.

I volunteered at #NTTBF last year not knowing that my path would soon change and I would get that chance to take students.  I got a late start preparing due to Destination ImagiNation.  But before spring break started.. I had the bus ordered, a list of students.. shirts ordered and was ready!

I met my students at Lamar (many had attended before with the previous amazing librarian!) this morning at 7:45am and we were on our way by 8:15am. We missed the wristbands that were given out (things to rethink about next year) To attend some of the sessions and specific authors, wristbands are required.  Did I mention the whole festival is FREE? It takes a ton of man power from the amazing people that organize it to the 100s of volunteers to make sure it runs smoothly.

Although there were so many panels I wanted to see, I did a TON of picture taking. I had the chance to provide pictures to the Visit Irving Texas Instagram feed. I enjoyed people watching as I saw so many excited readers meeting the authors of the characters and stories they had fallen in love with.

She drug me to the first one and I am so glad that she did!

Had to stop Alex London again and tell him thanks for inspiring me to become a librarian.

I finally got to meet Hope in person! She is doing AMAZING things.. and she used to be the librarian in the Lamar Library!

These ladies were the awesome chaperones with me!

Horizon Imprinting always does a great job for me. Our students looked fabulous (and were easier to spot!)

I did attend one session called Adventure Awaits. The panel was Holly Golberg Sloan, Daniel Older, Lisa McMann, Yoon Ha Lee, Sean Easley, and Soman Chainani. I think my favorite part is where they shared "Easter Eggs" that you might find in their books.  I enjoyed hearing how one of the characters from Sean Easley's book was from a kiddo that he knows that uses a wheelchair.  As librarians we are always looking for windows and mirrors to share, and I can't wait to share that one. I also loved what Holly Sloan said about her character Willow Chance.  Such a deep meaning for a name, and I hope that I am both will and chance for all the things I have done and who I am.

My Top 3 of #NTTB19
1. Having conversations with various students about what books they were reading, why they were in love with the characters and realizing I need to read SO much more!
2. Playing photographer! I know I just had my phone on my camera, but I loved nabbing all the different pictures (and I sort of loved getting some sneaky shots of some amazing authors!)

Signing for Tomi Adeyemi 

Signing lines for Raina Telgemeier and Angie Thomas

3. Taking a group of kids! Oh my goodness, I know it was only 23 students.. but I LOVED that I got to share NTTBF with them.

I can't wait until next year! Did you go to NTTBF? What was your favorite part?

Open House and Spring Break

Spring Break is almost over and I of course did not get as much done as I hoped. I did, however, spent lots of time catching up with friends, taking a trip to see my parents, and READING! It is now the last hours of break which means it is time to cram everything in.

The week before spring break is Texas Public School Week.  This means that it is also Open House.  I have not had a chance to do as many Late Night in the Library as I have wanted, but I was excited to have the library open for the evening. The weekend before I had spent camping with my Girl Scout troop, so I knew I needed something easy with a big impact.

NASA has several ready to print items and I printed several of this one and placed my buckets around the library.  I was super pleased that I had almost 50 people stop by the library, and all but 5 of them stayed for the activity.  (I have a clicker that I use for counting, but I have also started using a click counter app. ALL data is important! Now I know where I can try to increase next year... side note. I have been using the click counter app to help me with my weeding as well!)

Not all the rockets worked, but what I loved about this activity is the parents were actually working with their child (middle school people.. middle school!) Our awesome DLC (Digital Learning Coach Kara Noah) and our amazing VILS Coach (Verizon Innovative Learning Coach Alissa Womack ) had also set up a Flipgrid scavenger hunt which made it more enticing to stop by

I set up 3 different stations with all the materials. These buckets are a life saver! Easy to set up, keep filled and clean up. I was also smart this time and added small trashcans with each one.

Our launching pad to measure how far each one had gone.  

Finished rocket!

Obligatory open house pic. I am sort of in love with the fact my leggings have bees on them and my jacket says Hello Sunshine!

Over spring break I always have a ton of things I want to accomplish, and lets be real a ton that I don't! What I did get accomplished was some reading! Now, I know.. I am a librarian.. I should be reading all the time!! I do read.. I love reading, but I do the majority of my reading during the summer (now when I was in elementary school, my reading was huge.. picture books are just a little shorter than middle school books)  But, I am on a roll right now with some great books! I have finished one and over half way through 3 others.  We have one more day of spring break so I am hoping to get at least 1 more finished!

We have the North Texas Teen Book Festival coming up, and I have about 23 kids going (not as many as I wanted, but a start) If you are in the area.. they are still looking for volunteers.  It is an AMAZING day full of over 70 authors, panel discussions, books and so much more!

The book festival was the perfect jump start I needed to get some amazing books read. I of course love reading, but I need to get better at the book talk.  I got some great ideas from Rhonda Jenkins, Esther Storrie, and Lana Lozure along with all of the other great ideas on the various Facebook librarian groups I created my Book Talks.  I plan to make a slide of each book that I read, but you can look at what I am reading, various genres, and how to connect with me at Busy Bee Book Talks

Now to finish up some lesson plans, prepare for the next Girl Scout meeting, get ready for our end of the year Destination ImagiNation party.. and get ready for North Texas Teen Book Festival! Texas Librarian Association Annual Conference is just around the corner!

A New Year!

Okay.. okay.. so I am almost 2 weeks into the new year, but I finally sat in my office and thought about my goals and vision for this year.  I also realized, that I have a #40by40 list that I started (you can read about it here) that I have a year left to do! (you can also read about my first update here) This last month has really had me step back and realize that I LOVE staying busy.. but I want to focus more deeply on my busyness. During the Christmas break... I am usually going, going, going. Because of some different circumstances I had to stop and not go anywhere (yes, I am fine) and it was much more enjoyable than I realized. Now, does that mean I am going to stop doing the things I do (ie. Destination ImagiNation.. although it is DI season which means I am pulling my hair at times, Girl Scouts, LibraryLand and more..) of course it doesn't! I just want to be more present and prioritize when I am doing these things.. so not only I get the best experience out of it.. but so do those that I am working with.

But.. an update on 40x40.  So, I LOVE Instagram.  My friend Renee turned me onto Jordan Page with Fun Cheap or Free and she talked about planning out your whole year.  (I am also doing Focus on Finance this month with her budgeting ideas) You know I like to plan! So, I took my planner and put in when I could accomplish some of this list (realistically) within the next year.. and planned other odds and ends that she recommends.

Travel
1. Book and pay for a vacation to Ireland- This one might have to be on my 50x50 list as much as it pains me to say. I WILL do it though!!!
2. Take mom to New York- This is another one that might not happen this year, but hopefully in the next 5!
3. Take a trip to New Jersey- Another one that hopefully will happen in the next 5
4. Tour a vineyard- Goal is March 2019
5. Drive Route 66- SO.. this is one that I am talking to my parents about! Thinking maybe July or November 2019
6. Camp in a National Park- Girl Scout Troop 1810? Not scheduled yet
7. Go on a haunted tour Done!
8. Go to Canyon with ElaineDone!
9. Float the River- Planning on June 2019
10. Go Skiing- I don't know if this one is feasible this year, but maybe in the next 5!
11. See the Grand Canyon- See number 5
12. Go on a girls weekend- Y'all.. this is being planned right now! So January 2019
13. Go fishing with my dad- See number 5
Adventure
14. Take a wine tasting class- Planning on June 2019
15. Get 3 tattoos- Done
16. Indoor skydive- Planning on February 2019
17. Learn to drive a stickshift-??? I need to find some friends that have stickshifts!
Family
18. Renew our vows- So we are looking at doing this for our 15 year anniversary- but that would be 6 months after I turn 40
19. Have photos taken- I want to do this around the same time we renew vows
20. Host a game night- Goal is April 2019
Life Goals
21. Learn to crochet- Summer project!
22. Attend a New Years Even party
YAY! I just attended my first ever New Years Eve party this year!

Thanks for the invite Marci!

23. Write an article for Family Fun- This is an ongoing one
24. Write a poetry book- I don't know if I really want my poetry published- I think this was a goal because I needed 40 goals, but who knows what will happen this year
25. Learn to make moms biscuits Done
26. learn to make dads gravy Done
27. learn to make William's Death by Chocolate Crepes- Goal February 2019
28. Learn to make bread from scratch- anytime.. I love bread! I know that this will happen this year. I have been cooking so much more as it is!
29. Make a photo book of my photos- I am so going to have my own coffee table book this year!
30. Make a t-shirt blanket- Real talk.. I have SO many t-shirts.. I am looking into a place that can do this for me. I mean, I am crafty.. but I am going to be okay delegating this out.
31. Send birthday cards- I have been doing!
32. learn to play a song on a guitar Done
Random
33. meet Bill Murray- He was in Dallas.. maybe he will be back.
34. Watch all the Liam Neeson movies- Haven't even started on this!
35. Do 40 Random Acts of Kindness- I am going to be honest.. I think I am pretty good at this anyway.. but I am going to do 4 intentional ones a month
36. Go to a drive in movie- Goal of June 2019
37. Get new luggage- this will happen when I get my traveling goals in gear.
38. Watch a meteor shower- Goal is May 2019
Financial
39. Be in a better place with credit- Guys, I have been working on this HARD.. I don't know if I will ever be to a place where I can say done though
40. Purchase a groupon and use it- I am going to have to use a groupon if I want to do all of these things!

So, my list is fairly doable in the next year.. there are some things that I am going to put off for a few years because, lets be real,  doing activities cost money.

I finished my vision board tonight. My main goal is going to be my 40x40 and prioritizing me and my family (which includes my families in Girl Scouts and School :)

Have you set goals for yourself? How do you keep track? I hope your year brings one of adventure, laughter and love!

Rocking Around the Library Books

December brings a super busy month in most areas.. and the Lamar Middle School Library was super active this month! I LOVE working in middle school, but I am still learning the things that interest students. I am a member of several Librarian Facebook groups, and I love this idea that Jennifer Warren shared on Learning Librarians about Cardboard Gingerbread House competition!
I took her ideas and created a Canva document that I could then put into Library Aware and promote the picture through Twitter and Instagram. I only had 6 entries.. BUT.. I love each and every one of them! I already have students asking me when I am doing the next contest.

Rules that I adapted from Jennifer Warren

 Because there were only 6 entries, I am rewarding all entries with 1st place prizes.. and did a Peoples Choice Award for an extra gift certificate.

This month I also had a chance to pair up with our art teacher and read Silent Night. Students in her art class then created silhouettes that I used to decorate the library.

Some of the finished products

 I also had several activities available for teachers. With the 7 days of Holiday Programming that I was able to help organize, I had 2 crafts available in the library and festive photo booths.

Selfie station where participants stood behind the glass and became an Elf.

Painted wood blocks for snowmen and books for book trees

 I was able to have some great decorations!  Every week I have the 18+3C program come in and help me with various activities in the library. This includes finding books, deleting books, organizing books and creating bulletin boards. The 18+3C program is a work based program that helps train students that have various disabilities to get jobs after high school. I LOVE working with these guys!

 I also have some wonderful Library LINKS students.  These are 8th grade students that spend a class period with me daily doing all different items and they created this beautiful book tree this year!

Finished book tree

One of my goals this year was to have 2 Late Night in the Library events.  I was going for one in the fall and one in the spring.  With middle schoolers being a little different in their needs and expectations, I scheduled it for after school-6pm.  I was going to have ornament making, card making, a coding activity, the public library would be there and photo booth.  About a week before the event was to take place, I was volunteering at our feeder elementary school (of course it is also my FAVORITE elementary school.. because it is Elliott) Several middle schoolers were also volunteering and mentioned how they wanted to do a Breakfast with Santa too.  After chatting with them, I realized I needed to add a Santa.

I put it out to Facebook that I needed a Santa and I had Lee and Lisa step up! I also had my awesome friend Rachel volunteer her time!

 The Idea:
1 Have stations set up that were fairly self sufficient
2 Have Rachel at the photo stations to help maneuver people through
3 Have another volunteer at the hot chocolate and cookie station
4 I would continue to walk around monitor all students

I did not ask for volunteers this time, as I had NO idea how many students would come (my hope is always at least 4) and I also had to see how it would run (I LOVE volunteers, but sometimes for the first time around.. it is a little more work because I have to train them!)

I created all my station signs in Canva and set up stations. Keep reading for the reality.

The Reality:

1- The stations were fairly self sufficient.  The one where paint was involved did require me to use my teacher voice and explain how to take care of items (as in.. we had to close down part of this station) Let me preface this with- I am totally fine with various craft/messy items in the library.. well except glitter! So, I had no problem with paint. Students were doing fine until several chose to make poor decisions.

2- GREAT idea to have another adult volunteer at the photo booth station.  It was an extra set of eyes.

3- SO glad I had a volunteer at the hot chocolate station!!! I filled up a 60 cup percolator 2 times, and we had 2 other pitchers of hot water available. We went through 120 cookies and that much hot chocolate.  

4-I did monitor students, but I am thankful that I had some teachers come up and help monitor as well.  

I of course always hope for at least 4 kids. I didn't know how this event would run. I had over 120 students show up!

What I would do different:

-Volunteers- although we have some great student council/NJHS students on campus- when I do this again, I am going to ask for high school volunteers.  They can get hours, and I can have extra eyes on stations to help keep things going and restock.

-Time- Since Late Night in the Library is a come and go event, I don't think I will have it until 6pm.  By 5:30pm, most everything had been gone through.

-Backpacks- Since kids were coming in right after school, we had a ton of backpacks that I didn't even think about planning for.

Late Night in the Library in elementary I really focused on parents working with their students.  I know there are a TON of great parents out there of middle schoolers.. but I have also found that middle schoolers don't always want to be seen with their parents.  So, this Late Night in the Library was really focused on the students.  I did have a few families show up.

Things coming in the new year:

Reaching parents- I am going to try a Toddler Time and also a crafting/creating time

Focusing on siblings- I am beginning to see the drop of books checked out.. so I am going to focus on students reading to their younger siblings

Another Late Night in the Library

A couple of more contests

Sleep?

What activities do you do in your library to bring in students?

SO thankful for this lady right here!!

For Ugly Sweater I was the resident Elf on the Bookshelf.  You can't really see, but the elf is playing a ukulele and there are books on the tshirt bookshelf.  Each book is labeled with a different club/organization I am involved in.

Have I mentioned that I wouldn't be able to do any of this without some amazing support from my team, my administrators.. and my awesome clerk?  Not only that.. but being a first year middle school librarian I am SUPER thankful for my middle school librarian team, librarian mentors both in district and out of district, and the previous librarian Cindi Rockett for already creating such a great program for me to walk into! I know I have lots of growing to do, and I know I surround myself with the best.

Fall Festival and Book Preview for Teachers

I love being involved and on the go, and this last week was one busy week.. and one where I had a booked calendar. Along with all the after school things there was still regular library schedule.
October 26th- Set up the book fair
October 27th- I participated in the North Texas Library Expo. It was a great day of learning! I shared 2 presentations.  U is for Uke...Beyond the Book Club and co-presented Keeping It All Together.
October 29th- Girl Scout Meeting.  This meeting we learned about the Teal Pumpkin Project
October 31st- Destination ImagiNation meeting
November 1st- Uke Can Do It Club Meeting and our schools fall festival
November 2nd- took down the book fair and had goodies for teachers.. and then met my Girl Scout troop for an overnight at ATT Stadium in Arlington.  (I did finally win a workweek fitbit challenge this week!)
This weekend I have slept!

I do love to stay busy, but I also like to be successful.  In order for me to be successful I am a planner!
Fall Festival
The idea behind the fall festival was to create an event where parents and students could learn about the different content areas, learn about what our school has to offer, do activities, shop the book fair, and earn a free dress day in the process.  Each content area was asked to create a tri-fold board that showcased their content (guys.. these boards that the content teams created looked AWESOME!) Each content area was also asked to host a game.  Now.. remember.. I am in a middle school now.  I like things that are easy set up.. easy clean up.. and also fun for students and teachers.  I created this editable Google spreadsheet for departments to sign up for station and then disperse the duties.  There were some GREAT treats for staff that helped.

I know how busy teachers are.. so I tried to have everything together and ready to go for them. I created another Google Spreadsheet that included the time, area, needs, materials, set up and clean up. I also printed this off and taped to the back of the station signs I created. 

A program that I use a ton is Canva.  All my materials for the Fall Festival were created in Canva and used the free features. I also created all of the flyers and images in Canva to use for promotions.

One of the station signs

Punch card for students to turn in

Book Fair promotion. Using Canva and Bitmoji

Student council station

Overall I feel like the Fall Festival was a success. It was my first one to work on in a new school. One thing I know about myself... I LOVE planning these things.. but man.. I get so overwhelmed! I cried at least 4 times on Thursday.  I also am always worried about what people will think and if they will still like me when I come up with these crazy ideas.  I know I can't do things on my own.. and I know I need help.  I had lots of nightmares leading up to this event (almost like the first day of school)
Things for next year:
-Training Student volunteers better
-Having people to help direct traffic better
-Stagger which way people are going. Some places got super packed super fast!
-Promote more for parents to come

This is the back of a sign that includes the station breakdown

The Public Library even had a station!

On Friday we had a PLC day.  I also just finished receiving all my new books to add to the library this year.  So, I decided that on Friday, I would have goodies for the teachers! I used Piktochart (my other favorite product!) to create these.  I put notes in teachers boxes and invited them to come at any point during Friday for a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) and teacake cookies and to take a look at all of the new books that are about to be added!

I loved that I even saw some educators that don't always make it up to the library!
I ended the week spending the night with my Girl Scout troop at ATT Stadium.

I am forever grateful the people that go along with my crazy ideas and let me be me.  I love what I do.. and I am a super happy person, but real talk guys.. I am one that has a ton of self doubt and anxiety.  I know I am quirky.. but I am always afraid I am too quirky and too needy.  I love programming and planning because I feel as it is a way to prove to myself and others that I am successful.

What whole school programming have you done in middle school? I am always looking for ideas!