Visiting Markham

Today I visited Markham Middle School and learned a few things to help me on my librarian journey. When Accent is down, which is the program that we use in LAUSD, some librarians have resorted to using a word or excel file to save patron information. For example one Tl uses a word doc and draws three column tables to enter student name, id number and book barcode and title. Another TL uses an EXCEL spreadsheet to do the same functions. I thought it would be interesting to use that same concept only in a portable manner. For example, why not use a portable scanner and enter all the information into a palm or handheld for later download so that the TL is not stuck at the circulation desk each time a student needs to circulate materials. While at the middle school I also learned how to set up a Book Fair. Scholastic delivered all the materials, a teacher co-sponsored the event and students were proactive in the setting up of the products and book shelves for the event.