PHS Library Update

February 1st marks the beginning of Black History Month - created by The Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1926. This years theme is Representation, Identity and Diversity and we look forward to featuring fiction and nonfiction young adult authors and their books that bring us joy and celebrate our Black young people. Follow us on social media for our recommendations @LibraryMediaPHS on Instagram and Twitter! Sneak peak below!

We are so thankful to be the recipients of an Educational Excellence Foundation Grant this year to support the creation of a collection of young adult fiction in languages other than English, to support our English Language Learners, continue to build out our culturally responsive young adult fiction collections and build out our graphic novel collections across all three P-CEP Libraries. Each library was awarded $1000 to support these endeavors.

We're so excited to be up and running again and can't wait to see you! Here are some commonly asked questions and answers:

Why do I have to sign in to the media center? This is best practice and will continue to happen after the pandemic. Signing in allows staff to know who is in the space and utilize the sheet in the case of an emergency to account for everyone. Right now we're having you sign in at the front door AND at your table to allow for quicker and more efficient contact tracing.

Why are there so many signs up all over the media center? Signage is up all over the media center as a simple way indicating which doors are Enter/Exit, where to sign in, where it's okay to sit and how many humans may sit at any given table and reminders to remain six feet apart. They also add a nice pop of color!

Why is there 40 person maximum? To keep in line with current expectations, we're only allowed to have 40 humans in our media center at any given time. This does limit the number of lunch passes available. It's not forever.

Can I check out a book? YES! Book checkouts are a thing again! You're welcome to come by to browse the shelves and checkout whatever you'd like. Anything you see in the displays is up for grabs too! We've had so many no additions to our collection thanks to DonorsChoose, We Need Diverse Books and the Educational Excellence Foundation.

I'm still doing school remotely (Safe Start or VA). Can I still check out a book? YES! I will continue to run Curbside Pick-up until we are all back in face-to-face learning environments consistently.

Can I return a book? Book Returns are being accepted everyday and can be placed in the large black bin in the PHS lobby or in the large black bin by the circulation desk. Please note that all books must quarantine before Mrs. Genesky can check them back in.

Can I use a desktop to work/print? Yes. You'll notice when you come in that we have blocked off every other desktop to allow for six feet apart. Please only sit where designated and wipe down your station with the provided wipes.

Can I eat in the Media Center? Not right now. The cafeteria is the designated spot on campus for you to remove your mask and eat. When we're out of the pandemic, you'll be welcomed to eat in here as long as you clean up after yourself.

This month we're running Blind Date with a Book programming out of the PHS Media Center! We select the books, wrap them up and you read them! This is perfect for readers looking to branch out from their normal genres, those looking for a choice read or just looking for a good book.

Students in Safe Start and Virtual Academy are encouraged to participate. Virtual Academy Students looking to participate will need to place a hold in Destiny (online catalog) by searching for the book called Blind Date with a Book and pick up their book via Curbside Pick-up.

Life is too short to read a book you aren't interested in or enjoying! If you've been given the opportunity to pick your own Choice Reading book for class or are looking to read outside of school but don't know where to start, check out these resources!

• Your Librarian is an excellent resource and reading wizard! Be it your school librarian or public librarian they'll be happy to help guide you towards a book that you'll love. That being said, email ME! I'll want to know what the last thing that you listened to, read or watched was and LOVED. That will help me match you up with some solid options.

• Project Lit is a grassroots Twitter movement to push for more diverse and representative reading in young adult literature. Twice a year, they announce the newest list of Project Lit picks by age group and book clubs around the country read and discuss! Check out our chapter on Twitter @ProjectLITPCCS

• Checkout book review sites like School Library Journal, Kirkus, BookRiot!

In an effort to create a library media one stop shop for PHS students and staff, we have put together a new website! Users will have the ability to browse our print and digital collections, access resources for classes that Mrs. Genesky works with, revisit old newsletters and more! Add it to your bookmarks!

Rachell Genesky, MLIS

School Library Media Specialist

Plymouth High School

@rvgenesky

She/Her

Email: rachell.genesky@pccsk12.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/pccsk12.com/phsmediacenter
Location: Plymouth High School, N Beck Rd, Canton, MI, USA
Phone: (734) 582-5616
Twitter: @LibraryMediaPHS