Tigers in the Library

Dystopian Reflections  I just might end up sounding like book snob, but I read The Hunger Games long before it became a bestseller. I would say maybe two years earlier, before it became nationally recognized. I had an inkling that it would eventually "take off," and wasn't surprised when others starting making pop culture references to Katniss, the other tributes, and the notorious Game challenges. I also remember the exciting storyline--and it's journey into a dystopian world. Suzanne Collins was not the first author to take us there, but she opened the portal to an even wider audience. Traveling to a dystopian world (via the written word), will probably not be a fun and/or lighthearted experience.  The purpose of such a fantasy is to express our societal and familial fears of what could go wrong should our government and "everyday world" collapse. We ask ourselves questions like, what would I do in that situation ? Would I survive ? And, to what

Summer Reading...It's Important!  Do you have any big summer plans? Mine will probably be filled with days in the backyard baby pool and nights at the softball field--which sounds heavenly to me! I also hope to get some reading in as well. Summer reading is different to me than "school year reading." Summer is a great time to read those really ambitious books you've been wanting to read all year. Think Classics or "Life Changers." The elongated time of no school work/vacation gives your mind a chance to process the intricacies of such books. I've also taken time to read those big heavy books with 1,000 pages during summer. Sagas, series, or life works.  On the other side of the token, summer is a great time for "beach reads." These are those easy, breezy fun books that you couldn't get to during the school year. Think, "NOT" required reading. Books that are fun

ALERT, ALERT.... COOL STUFF GOING ON IN THE LIBRARY..... Just a quick announcement of two new digital items featuring our library.  We now have a podcasting station through Anchor called Tigers in the Library (the same as our blog spot).  Take a listen @  https://anchor.fm/tigers-in-the-library We also have a new YouTube channel called Macon Tigers in the Library @  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK_3uIr7e4Bjo1MyTtCEN8w/featured Follow us on both platforms to keep up with library/school events, new materials, and updates.  Enjoy! 

Get ready for the coolest month of the year because... April is School Library Month!  This month we will be talking about, celebrating, and sharing the all the valuable things that the library offers its patrons, both students and teachers alike.  First and probably most obvious, librarians work really had to have the BEST books available. We take recommendations from our patrons, and read countless book reviews, book lists, and literary news reports.  We follow authors (they're our celebrities), and keep track of new books in all the series. We make our own lists based on the needs of our school. And we take the responsibility of purchasing supplies and materials for the space very seriously. We also have to keep up on our own reading in order to recommend books!  We are usually technology gurus (or at least attempt to be). We help with log-in issues, printing snafus, Website/software navigation and Google know-how. Sometimes we are copy machine and laminator

This year our library has been facilitating Breakout Box experiences in various middle school and high school classrooms. If you are unfamiliar with Breakout Boxes, they are very similar to the idea of an Escape Room--but in this case, participants are trying to "break into"a box. First, participants are group together with a box. Breakout Box experiences have been subject centered, themed or random depending on the preferences of the teacher.  Once grouped, participants have a set amount of time to gather their clues and find the codes to open their locks. Locks consist of 3-4 digit numbered codes, 4-5 letter codes, directional codes, and/or keyed locks.  Sometimes the group is competing for a winning prize, while at other times, it's just a matter of bragging rights to be the first to open the box.   Groups often have various tools at their disposal. Sometimes it's a UV LED flashlight for invisible ink. Clues may include symbols/icons, mazes, scrambled w

New books are entered into our library catalog daily. It's exciting to see our collection build with new and binge worthy reading options. We still love our classics and older reads, but getting new books is a necessity that keeps our library up-to-date and patron friendly.  Here are some of our new Spring reads. Stop by today and check them out!     

LIVING LIFE UNPLUGGED  Do you ever feel as if your phone or tablet is glued to your hand 24/7? Or that technology is invading your life...often as an unwanted guest? I know I sometimes feel as if I need to take a break with my phone or tablet. Both are constantly by my side. And while I use them for many purposes, work included, I feel as though I need a breather from the constant distraction and stimulation of such devices. Did you know that March 9th is the National Day of Unplugging? This day is a day to disconnect, and possibly reconnect with people and activities that might be otherwise discouraged by technology.  One day of disconnecting may not be enough for most of us, but it's a starting spot for reflecting as to why a device doesn't always have to be so readily nearby.        IDEAS for UNPLUGGING So, what can you do if you have a day unplugged?  Here's a list of ideas to do with your time if you need inspiration: *Build something new or fi

One of the new additions at MHS Library Media Center is our 8th Grade Digital Literacy class. It is the first time I personally have taught the class as well, but I've been inspired by the need for the class as students are learning valuable digital discerning and creation skills. First, we've focused on lessons about different types of media, including digital. Our lessons and discussions have been revolving around being a consumer--what that means, and how advertising and media messages can affect us. Currently we've moved on to the second "C" of our class, which is the "Creation" mode of using mostly digital, but sometimes paper, mediums.  Our last component of the class will be focused on the third "C" of being a Digital Connector--basically an immersion into Digital Citizenship and connecting responsibly via the interwebs and other social media platforms. Today's lesson is inspired by the Doodle 4 Google Challenge. On it's

Books have the ability to take us to a different place. With enough imagination your mind can take you anywhere. We are lucky to have such a great place to be able to read and get lost in a book. Everyone has the ability to get lost, you just have to find the right book. Some books that I enjoyed most: Until Friday Night : Series that tells about the love story between two unthinkable lovers. A football player and a normal girl find themselves facing the hardest moments of their life together. Somehow they manage to find peace in their crazy worlds together. Book two and book three follow the love stories of their friends who also struggle to find their true loves. The Naturals : Also a series of four books about teenagers who have insane abilities. They are natural profilers who look at crime suspect’s emotions, background, crime scenes, and even a human lie detector. The four books follow their crazy lives that are far from normal. One of Us Is Lying :

It's February--the month of love, so why not talk a little bit about why I love the library--and you should too.... The things I love about the library: 1). The books 2). The comfy setting 3). The conversations 4). The technology 5).  Libraries are my "place." What does it mean to say "libraries are my place?" Really, it means that when I visit the library I am at ease. I am comfortable. I can search for books that suit me for that day. I can learn about what peaks my interest for the moment. I can talk about oddities, movies, music, and food. Or, I can be quiet, study, read, or just hang out.   My hope is that you feel comfortable in our library too. I hope it's a place where you can ask about books--even the strange or odd ones. Or, you can tell me about that cool movie that you saw on Netflix over the weekend. Or, if you don't feel like talking, that's fine too. Just come in (with a teacher pass, of course😄), and find your space

Hi. Hey. Hello there! Welcome to the Macon High School Library Media Center's newest venture:  Blogging! We are here to share with you about our library's newest events, our new book/item purchases, and reviews on those books and items. We'll also be sharing about all things technology and literature--so obviously a very interesting place to visit, indeed.  The 2017-2018 school year has been a great year for our library. We have added new Makerspaces, a coding Robot by the name of Smirk, and two new social media platforms. Follow us @.... Instagram @ macontigerlibrary  Pinterest @ Macon Tigers LMC  We have also added 324 new titles to our collection!  As of today, our most popular titles in the library are   I am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff and Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines.     Upcoming... We are gearing up for March and April Library events, which will include lots of poetry and "unplugging." (It IS National Unplugging Day