Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Living Among the Books~A Slice of Life July 7, 2015

I'm joining the Slice of Life Challenge today for the first time, as I try to add more writing into my daily life. You can find more Slice of Life posts at The Two Writing Teachers


I always look forward to July with great anticipation. It's the month of the year that I get to live among the books.  Spending my Mondays through Thursdays spreading the love of books, reading, and writing with the young and not so young, brings so much joy into my summer.  Yesterday was our first day with children and I couldn't wait to see familiar faces and meet new reader/writers! 

The anticipation of the first day always brings out so many thoughts and feelings. The unpacking of a complete lending library can feel so overwhelming. I wonder if I've purchased "the" book that will capture that resistant reader, finally giving them entrance into the "literacy club".  I spend what sometimes feels like way too much time on which basket certain titles should be housed. I worry that I haven't expanded the series section enough to give those late initial and early transitional readers enough titles to choose from. And of course there are the graduate students, for whom this program is the main focus. Will they like me? Will they find my ideas, organization, and book choices inviting enough to support the work they will do over the coming month?

So yesterday arrived...and all my worries and doubts began to dissipate as the graduate students started to visit the Library with their young learners for the first time. There were lots of hugs from returning reader/writers. Books quickly began finding their homes in the hands of readers. Conversations were buzzing around the library that revolved around interests, favorite authors, and themes...always with choice as the guiding light in selections. 

Snippets of conversations began to stick within my reading heart...
            from a returning 10 yo reader..."Remember that book that kid had lost and then found on the last day last summer? You know..about the donut? I really wanted to read that one!" (I knew it...and had it...and had to create a Wait List)

           from a new 10 yo reader..."Wow! Usually I'm always the last one still trying to find a book when my class visits the library but I already have three books I want to read! That's NEVER happened to me before!" (Ah...all the unpacking and exact placement of books already paid off 30 minutes into day one!)

            from a new 6 yo reader..."Just so you know, I want books that will challenge me 'cause I already know a LOT about books!" (Duly noted sweetheart!)

Thirty minutes to wipe away the doubts and worries. The time spent reading books, pouring over new titles, creating an order of new books that would cover a wide range of reading abilities and interests, moving furniture, unpacking and organizing books, and creating a welcoming environment will be well worth it! Books will find their readers...and readers will find their reading lives. And I have the honor of witnessing the connections as I live among the books for four short weeks.

26 comments:

  1. Welcome to SOL community and congratulations on expanding your writing life! :) What a great way to spend July! Enjoy!

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  2. Welcome aboard! It sounds like you are in for a wonderful month of books, books, books!

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    1. Thank you! It is definitely a little bit of "heaven" on earth!

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  3. Welcome, Susan! There is nothing quite like the smile on a child's face when they find the right book. Enjoy celebrating!

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    1. Thank you Rose! I agree...that smile bring so much joy to my reading heart!

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  4. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Isn't it great when all your hard work pays off. You sound very pleased, and should be, with the results of your efforts.

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    1. Thank you Bernadette! Seeing the library in action definitely makes the behind the scenes work well worth the effort.

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  5. Welcome to the Slice of Life community. I think the day you've described sounds perfect. Matching kids to books, what more could you want? They are lucky to have you there on the ready with books in hand. :)

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  6. I love this breezy, fresh style of writing! You propelled me through your reassuring first 30 minutes, and I enjoyed meeting your first customers. With just a few words I feel I know each of them. Love your line, "Books will find their readers and readers will find their reading lives." You are modest describing yourself as a witness- you are a facilitator, teacher, fairy godmother :)

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    1. Oh Fran, you will just never know how much your words of encouragement mean to this *very* insecure writer "want to be". Thank you so, so much!

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  7. Welcome to the SOL community! It really is a terrific little community! And it sounds like you are in another terrific community of readers. I loved the friend that remembered a book for almost a whole year and came back asking for it the first day! That's a reader!

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    1. I agree Carol. The young reader absolutely made my day! That he held on to the feeling of wanting to read that book was such a happy moment for me! Putting it in his hands yesterday was a highlight!

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  8. Welcome to SOL -- we love writing each week. Such a great way to reflect and connect. We look forward to connecting with you. We love the line -Books will find their readers…and readers will find their reading lives. That is what it is really all about -- isn't it? We cannot wait to hear more in the next few weeks.
    Clare and Tammy

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    1. Thank you Clare and Tammy, for reading...for commenting...and for being a constant encouragement!

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  9. Welcome friend! I was so excited to see you here and read your post. How awesome for the grad students and kids to get such a rich place to find new book treasures! They are so lucky to have you!

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    1. Oh Kathleen, thank you so much for taking time to read & comment when I know you are so, so busy with other things right now. I'm so grateful our professional/personal paths have not just crossed, but connected!

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  10. Welcome! I want to hang out in your library! It sounds like you have created a wonderful space to promote a love for books!

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    1. Thank you! Spreading the #booklove brings me much happiness. It's well worth the time and effort!

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  11. Welcome to SOL. It's a great community!

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  12. Welcome Susan! What a delight to see your first little slice -- that's packed with so much BIG goodness! I love reading about your reading life with kids! This just brought a smile to my face and nothing hear surprises me about your love of reading, books and students! And I know those graduate students listening in will learn so much from you too!

    You are in great hands here with the TWT Slice of Life community! Happy writing and I'll be looking for your next week!

    Michelle

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    1. Michelle,
      Thank you so much for the warm welcome to the TWT Slice of Life community! Even though we've never met face to face, you are such an inspiration and encouragement to me, not just in professional work, but my personal life as well. I'm looking forward to begin a part of this community.

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  13. Awesome first slice! You definitely are a writer who can create images- I could see so much about your library and your readers and it was fun to hear of your initial successes. Sounds like a great place!

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    1. Thank you so much Erika! I appreciate your encouragement!

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