Great Media Literacy/Character Education Resource

The Foundation for a better life website has great tv spots they use to demonstrate character traits. We have been using them for media literacy with the primaries for them to try and identify the message being shown. We have also been making use of them at our Junior and Intermediate assemblies. Each month a different character trait is chosen and the class in charge of that month's assembly must showcase taht trait for the rest of the division.

They can be found at:
http://www.values.com/

Interesting New Ban on Books In U.S.

I just heard about a new law in the U.S. regarding lead testing of children's products and banning the sale of anything that contains more than 600 parts per million (should note it has been deferred a year in light of the confusion surrounding used items). How does this affect librarians??? Turns out lead was used in the production of books prior to 1985! So now enter the confusion of many on how to deal with all these books??? The government has sinced clarified that used items being resold will not be required to be proven to have a safe lead content... but still makes you wonder! I recently took over in a library where I would say half (maybe more!)of the resources are prior 1990, should I be concerned? I think this is probably one of those things that is good to know, but we shouldn't over react. All I know is I have been trying very hard since July to weed materials from a library collection that has not been weeded in over 15 years and have met quite a bit of resistance from the staff... looks like I may have some new ammo to throw their way when they complain about our 1970 encyclopedia set being removed!!! (As if misinformation, the fact they aren't being touched and the inch thick layer of dust on them wasn't enough!)

Changing role in Library - New York Times

The New York Times has been doing a series about looking at how the internet is changing the way we read. This is the third in the series and looks at the changing role of the school librarian. I find I can really relate to this librarian!



Here is the link to the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/books/16libr.html?emc=rss&partner=rss