• Trimester 3 Textbook Pickup

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 3/15/2021

  RHS students and families, don't forget to come by the High School this week to return trimester 2 materials and pick up materials for trimester 3.

   

  When:

  Wednesday, March 17 8:30-11:30, 12:30-4:30

  Thursday, March 18 8:30-11:30, 2:30-4:30

   

  What to Bring:

  Course	Books to Return
  English 12	Black No More Giovanni’s Room
  Geometry	Big Ideas Math Geometry
  Calculus (unless enrolled in Calc C Advanced)	Calculus: Single Variable Calculus
  Books and Tea	The Book Thief
  The Global City	The Color of Law Homegoing Evicted
  Economics (honors)	Caste
  Paint Studio	Art Studio Supplies
  Drawing and Printmaking	Art Studio Supplies

   

  What to Pick Up:

  Course	Books to Pick Up
  English 9	The Catcher in the Rye
  English 10	The Moon is Down The Crucible The Fire Next Time Course Handouts
  History of PDX	Course Handouts
  History 10	The Things They Carried
  Probability and Statistics	Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World

   

  While you're at it:

  Request a book or two from the high school library. Log in to the library catalog and place a hold on some books for independent reading. Students in 9th and 10th grade English, you can expect to need an independent reading book for your class, so get one today!

  Here's a video I made explaining how to log in to our library catalog, request a title, and write reviews. Check it out!

  Library catalog tutorial

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• Virtual Book Fair

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 1/26/2021

   

  The RHS library is proud to partner with Junior Library Guild for our first-ever virtual book fair. Families and friends can shop JLG's selection of high-quality teen and adult picks from the safety of their homes while supporting the RHS Library. Our online book fair ends 1/31/20.

   

  Shop the Book Fair 

   

  There are so many books to choose from including hundreds of hardcover, library-bound books for just $5. Junior Library Guild is also known for selecting books that go on to win awards. The American Library Association just held its midwinter conference which includes the presentation of ALA's youth media awards. Here are some award winners and honorees you can purchase right now through our book fair:

   

  Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature: 

  The award promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit.

  Displacement by Kiku Hughes

  Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when suddenly she finds herself displaced to the 1940s Japanese-American internment camp that her late grandmother, Ernestina, was forcibly relocated to during World War II.
  
  These displacements keep occurring until Kiku finds herself "stuck" back in time. Living alongside her young grandmother and other Japanese-American citizens in internment camps, Kiku gets the education she never received in history class. She witnesses the lives of Japanese-Americans who were denied their civil liberties and suffered greatly, but managed to cultivate community and commit acts of resistance in order to survive.
  
  Kiku Hughes weaves a riveting, bittersweet tale that highlights the intergenerational impact and power of memory.

   

  Sydney Taylor Book Award:

  Presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented since 1968 by the Association of Jewish Libraries, an affiliate of the American Library Association, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. 

   

  They Went Left by Monica Hesse

   

  Germany, 1945.
  The soldiers who liberated the Gross-Rosen concentration camp said the war was over, but nothing feels over to eighteen-year-old Zofia Lederman. Her body has barely begun to heal; her mind feels broken. And her life is completely shattered: Three years ago, she and her younger brother, Abek, were the only members of their family to be sent to the right, away from the gas chambers of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Everyone else—her parents, her grandmother, radiant Aunt Maja—they went left.
  
  Zofia's last words to her brother were a promise: Abek to Zofia, A to Z. When I find you again, we will fill our alphabet. Now her journey to fulfill that vow takes her through Poland and Germany, and into a displaced persons camp where everyone she meets is trying to piece together a future from a painful past: Miriam, desperately searching for the twin she was separated from after they survived medical experimentation. Breine, a former heiress, who now longs only for a simple wedding with her new fiancé. And Josef, who guards his past behind a wall of secrets, and is beautiful and strange and magnetic all at once
  
  But the deeper Zofia digs, the more impossible her search seems. How can she find one boy in a sea of the missing? In the rubble of a broken continent, Zofia must delve into a mystery whose answers could break her—or help her rebuild her world.

   

  Stonewall Book Award:

  Given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience

   

  Felix Ever After - by Kacen Callender

  Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily ever after.
  
  When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish-to-retaliate scenario landing him in a quasi-love triangle…
  
  But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself.

   

  You Should See Me in a Crown - by Leah Johnson

  Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay—Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.
  
  But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down…until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.
  
  The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams…or make them come true?

   

  Alex Awards:

  Awarded to excellent books written for adults that have special appeal to teen audiences.

   

  The Only Good Indians - by Stephen Graham Jones

   

  A tale of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition in this latest novel from the Jordan Peele of horror literature, Stephen Graham Jones.
  
  Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four Native American men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.

   

  Odyssey Award:

  An annual award conferred by the American Library Association for the best audiobooks published for children and young adults.

  Kent State - by Deborah Wiles

  May 4, 1970.
  Kent State University.
  
  As protestors roil the campus, National Guardsmen are called in. In the chaos of what happens next, shots are fired and four students are killed. To this day, there is still argument of what happened and why.
  
  Told in multiple voices from a number of vantage points—protestor, Guardsman, townie, student—Deborah Wiles's Kent State gives a moving, terrifying, galvanizing picture of what happened that weekend in Ohio…an event that, even 50 years later, still resonates deeply.

  Clap When You Land - by Elizabeth Acevedo 

  Camino Rios lives for the summers, when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this year, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…
  
  In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.
  
  Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.
  
  And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

   

  Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You - by Ibram X Kendi and Jason Reynolds

  This is NOT a history book.
  
  This is a book about the here and now.
  
  A book to help us better understand why we are where we are.
  
  A book about race.
  
  The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. This remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited.

   

  Excellence in Nonfiction:

  YALSA's (Young Adult Library Services Association) Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults

  The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival - by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess and Laura L Sullivan

  Amra was a teen in Bihac, Bosnia, when her friend said they couldn’t speak anymore because Amra was Muslim. Then refugees from other cities started arriving, fleeing Serbian persecution. When Serbian tanks rolled into Bihac, the life she knew disappeared—right as a stray cat followed her home. Her family didn’t have the money to keep a pet, but after the cat seemed to save her brother, how could they turn it away? Saving a life one time could be a coincidence, but then it happened again—and Amra and her family wondered just what this cat was.
  
  This is the story of a teen who, even in the brutality of war, never wavered in her determination to obtain education, maintain friendships, and even find a first love—and the cat that provided comfort, and maybe even served as a guardian spirit, in the darkest of times.

   

   

   

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• Be News-Literate on Election Day

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 11/3/2020

  Getting a clear, accurate understanding of election results is often difficult, and this year's increase in early voting and vote-by-mail across the country is causing concern about how votes will be reported tonight. How can we sift through the noise and find accurate reporting about 2020 election results? Try these tips from your librarian and the News Literacy Project.

Spirit Week at the Library

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 10/23/2020

Did someone say candy contest?!?

 Celebrate spirit week and spooky season with the RHS library!

 Fill out a bracket at bit.ly/rhscandy and share it with Mrs. Hansen by Monday.

️ Vote in head-to-head candy battles on the library Instagram (@riverdalehighschoollibrary) starting Monday at lunch.

 Request a library book from the catalog (or request a surprise book bit.ly/surprisebook).

 Get the winning candy with your library book pickups 10/29!

 

Database 101

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 10/15/2020

Requesting Books for Curbside Pickup

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 9/17/2020

Curbside Library Service - Mondays and Thursdays 2:15 - 4:00 

Students can search the catalog and place a hold on books. The slideshow below explains how to log in, search the catalog and place holds on materials.

Book requests submitted by Friday will be available for Monday pickups, and requests submitted by Wednesday will be available for Thursday pickups. 

 Please note that requesting a hold does not guarantee a book's availability. Mrs. Hansen will process holds as they come in and email to confirm when your book is ready.

• Free Audiobooks for Teens!

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 4/30/2020

  SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens. Returning April 30, 2020, SYNC will give away two complete audiobooks a week - pairs of high-interest titles, based on weekly themes. SYNC introduces a variety of audiobook experiences to teens to demonstrate that reading can be completed by listening. Register for SYNC and sign up for email or text alerts at  www.audiobooksync.com.

  SYNC is sponsored by AudioFile Magazine and titles are delivered through Sora, the student reading app from OverDrive. In advance of accessing the program, download the app from Apple or Google, to the device you anticipate listening on and be ready to go!

  Check out clips of all the 2020 titles in this Soundcloud playlist.

  Setting up the Sora App

  1. Download Sora from the  Apple App Store  or  Google Play Store .

  2. Open Sora and tap  I have a setup code  (at the bottom of the screen).

  3. Enter this setup code:  audiobooksync .

  4. Enter the email address you used to register for SYNC.

  5. Tap  Explore  (at the bottom of the screen) to see the week’s featured titles.

  Click Borrow to listen to your new audiobooks (note: the books are yours to keep)

  The Books

  The first pair of books, available April 30, are Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D Jackson (read by Imani Parks) and The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater (read by Robin Miles).

  Monday's Not Coming

  From the critically acclaimed author of Allegedly, Tiffany D. Jackson, comes a gripping new novel perfect for fans of E. Lockhart and Gillian Flynn about the mystery of one teenage girl’s disappearance and the traumatic effects of the truth.
  
  Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried.
  
  When she doesn’t show for the second day, or second week, Claudia knows that something is wrong. Monday wouldn’t just leave her to endure tests and bullies alone. Not after last year’s rumors and not with her grades on the line. Now Claudia needs her best—and only—friend more than ever. But Monday’s mother refuses to give Claudia a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.
  
  As Claudia digs deeper into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers that no one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday. How can a teenage girl just vanish without anyone noticing that she’s gone?

  The 57 Bus

  This riveting nonfiction book for teens about race, class, gender, crime, and punishment tells the true story of an agender teen who was set on fire by another teen while riding a bus in Oakland, California. One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight.

  New titles available each Thursday

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• eBooks to Support Distance Learning

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 4/1/2020

  Looking for something to read? Here are some of the options I've found for accessing free eBooks. I'll add more as I learn about them.

   

  Multnomah County Library

  All students, regardless of county residence, can use MCL. They are currently doing online sign-ups and will send your library card number immediately so that you can begin using online resources including research databases, overdrive/libby, newspapers, magazines, and streaming media. No doubt MCL has an increased amount of traffic right now and eBooks may be on a waitlist. If you enjoy graphic novels, check out their streaming service Hoopla which allows you to view 15 items per month and includes lots of new release comics and graphic novels.

   

  Junior Library Guild

  JLG is offering free access with no sign up required to their online reading platform. The High School Stream has fiction, non-fiction, and biography titles including some great new releases. There is no limit to the number of books you can read. Titles enter and exit the digital stream regularly, so there are always new picks available. This is a good resource for students who just want something fun to read.

   

   

   

  Scribd

  Free for 30 days. Scribd is an online library with ebooks, sheet music, magazines, and more. 

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• Distance Learning Update 3/31

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 3/31/2020

  As our learning community shifts to a distance education model, your librarian is committed to providing educational support and access to information and resources. Even though we’re not in the building, you can still use the RHS library in the following ways:

  • Access academic databases, reference ebooks, standardized test prep, and your Riverdale New York Times account on the RHS Library website. Watch for updates including additional ebook resources and tech tutorials.
  • Need help finding a resource, revising a paper, or just want a good reading recommendation? Mrs. Hansen will be responding to email immediately during library office hours weekdays from 2:00 to 3:00. 
  • Mr. Brown and Mrs. Hansen will host virtual study hall via Google Meet weekdays from 3:00 - 4:00. Get help with your assignments, answers to questions, or just say hi.

   

  Finally, all students are strongly encouraged to sign up for a Multnomah County Library card. Students can sign up for a library card online and begin accessing all of their digital resources immediately. 

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• Welcome Back

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 9/18/2019

  The new school year has begun and your RHS Library/Media Center is open for business. As always, the library is your hub for information, literature, technology access, and study help as well as being a center for school/community events. Here's a look at what's going on so far.

   

  New Books

   

   

  These are just some of the books that are new to our library this year, and we're adding more all the time. Is there a book you think the library needs? Let Mrs. Hansen know. 

   

  Follow the library on Instagram

  Riverdale School District is on social media, and the library is no exception. You can folllow @riverdalehighschoollibrary to get news, reminders, info about upcoming events, book recommendations, and more. Stay connected to your library community wherever you are.

   

  Study Hall

  Did you know the library is open every day until 5? Did you know you can get help from Mr. Brown and Mrs. Hansen? Library Study hall is a great place to study in a collaborative space or work on homework until sports/play practice.

   

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• History 10 Research - Social Movements

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 5/3/2019

  Here are some online tools available through the RHS library to help you with your research on social movements of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

   

  Salem Press Online Titles

  Many of the reference books available in the library can also be accessed online.

  Helpful titles include:

  • Critical Insights: Civil Rights Literature
  • The 1950s in America
  • The 1960s in America
  • The 1970s in America
  • Racial and Ethnic Relations in America
  • Milestone Documents in American History

   

  Click here to get started. (password required)

   

  Gale Virtual Reference Library

  We also have access to online references through Gale. Find encyclopedic and reference entries about your movements and key people and events using this resource.

  Here's an example of some of the sources I found when searching for the Women's Liberation Movement:

   

  US History in Context

  Use US History in Context to find curated sources matching your keywords organized by source type including:

  • Reference
  • Biography
  • Primary Sources
  • Images
  • Video
  • Audio
  • News/Magazine
  • Academic Journal

   

  This is much easier to navigate than a basic Gale search and because all of the resources will be about US history, you won't have to spend as much time sifting through thousands of hits.

  

   

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New Trimester, New Books

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 3/4/2019

A new trimester is the perfect time to dig into a new book. Maybe you need a silent reading book for your humanities class or just want to relax with a good book before field studies and spring break. With nearly 6,000 titles to choose from, you can probably find your next read at the RHS library.

• Unwrap a good book for the holidays.

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 11/28/2018

  Students often tell me that they used to read for pleasure a lot more when they were younger but don’t have as much time between homework, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Fortunately, winter break is coming soon and will provide plenty of time - especially if you have to travel - to enjoy a good book.

  Readers' advisory, the practice of helping a reader select the perfect book for them, is one of my favorite parts of being a librarian. I'd love the chance to connect you with a book I think you'll enjoy reading during winter break. All you have to do is tell me a little about your preferences.

  If you would like to take part in this year's RHS library surprise book, fill out this form indicating your preferences. Participants will receive a FREE surprise package on Friday, December 21st. The only downside? You’ll have to return your library books once you’ve read them.

   

  

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Resource Lists for Upcoming Projects

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 10/30/2018

Can you believe fall trimester is almost over? As we wrap up our last few weeks of the term, students will have lots of projects to complete involving research. Here are some resources both in our library and online to help.

Sophomores - Technical Process Speech

There are a number of books in our library on engineering, inventions, and applied science that will help with this project. Here is a resource list from our catalog of books you can find in the RHS library.

Don’t forget to check the GALE Virtual Reference Library for ebooks on your topic. You can also access the Applied Science reference books online through Salem Ebooks.

There’s lots of information online as well; check out the sites below to help you get started.

https://www.howstuffworks.com/

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/

http://invention.si.edu/

 

Freshmen - Human Rights Research

We have many books on human rights and human rights activists (including primary source documents) right in our library. Go to the library catalog and select resource lists to find a list of the books in our library.

Use the GALE database resource Student Resources in Context to search for 'Human Rights.' The sidebar menu on the right will let you narrow your search to biographies or primary sources.

Once you've selected your subject, search the Gale Virtual Reference Library for additional articles on your activist or the human rights violation they worked to combat.

The following websites may be of help as well:

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Amnesty International Human Rights

Champions of Human Rights

United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner  

University of Minnesota Human Rights Library

• New York Times Academic Passes

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 5/30/2018

  Enjoy full, complimentary access to NYTimes.com!

  Thanks to a school-wide subscription, all Riverdale students and staff members have access to all the articles, breaking news, blogs, multimedia and more from The New York Times. You can enjoy access to NYTimes.com and the NYTimes mobile apps from wherever you are. Click here for more details about what the pass includes.

  To Claim Your Pass:

  • Visit NYTimes.com/passes
  • Create a free NYTimes.com account using your Riverdale email address
  • Check your email inbox and click on the link to validate your email address and claim your Academic Pass.

   

   

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Summer Reading

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 4/24/2018

I had the opportunity to talk to the PTC this morning about the importance of summer reading and share some great books and resources. If you missed it, or just want to know more, you can view the presentation below.

Book Finding Resources

• • The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) honors the best of YA literature every year with several awards. Check out the award lists here. I'm currently reading Alex award winner All Systems Red. 
  • YALSA also has an easy-to-search database of 4000+ materials from their book awards and book lists.
  • teenreads.com compiles YA news, reviews, and booklists by and for teen readers. Check out their annotated ultimate reading list.
  • Your local and school librarians! We love to help connect readers to their next favorite book.

   

Summer Reading Programs

Each summer, local libraries including the Multnomah County and Lake Oswego Libraries host a range of programs to encourage summer reading. They're fun and easy to participate in. Did you know that all RHS students can have a Multnomah library card whether or not they live in the county? We are currently working together to make sure all RHS students have a MultCo library card and are signed up for summer reading. 

 

Can't wait to read? Get started now!

The PTC has generously donated this year's Printz award winner and honor books to be raffled in the library. Stop by to enter today!

 

We Are Okay

By Nina LaCour

Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers

California native Marin, devastated by grief and questioning her reality, plans to spend her winter break in an empty dorm in upstate New York. But now her best friend, Mabel, is on her way to visit, and Marin must confront the loneliness that is threatening to take over her heart.

 

Long Way Down

By Jason Reynolds

Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

William Holloman is on the most haunting elevator ride of his life. He’s been urged to break “the rules”he’s grown up with. (No crying. No snitching. Get revenge.) Reynolds’ first novel in verse is a provocative, compelling, and essential love letter to young people in detention centers.

 

The Hate U Give

By Angie Thomas

Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers   

Traumatized after witnessing the violent death of a friend, Starr searches for her voice as she moves between her black neighborhood and predominately white private school. This emotional novel, inspired by volatile race relations in America today, explores the importance of family, friendship, identity, and the courage to seek justice. 

 

Strange the Dreamer

By Laini Taylor

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a division of Hachette Book Group

In a world of gods, monsters, and nightmares, orphan librarian Lazlo and goddess Sarai find each other in their dreams. Against the backdrop of a city reeling after a brutal war, this lushly built, extravagantly written tale explores vengeance, love, and mercy. 

 

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers

By Deborah Heiligman

Published by Godwin Books/Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group 

Inspired by the more than 700 letters the van Gogh brothers wrote to each other, Heiligman uncovers fresh insights into Vincent’s development as an artist and his relationship with the brother who supported him emotionally and financially throughout his life

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Citing Sources in APA

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 3/14/2018

Riverdale students become familiar with and use MLA citations during their high school years, but what if you need to cite something in APA? 

APA formatting was developed by the American Psychological Association and is most commonly used to format research and cite sources in psychology, nursing, business, education, and the social sciences. This year, seniors have the option to use APA style in their senior exhibition. 

Check out this video for an overview of the lesson seniors had on APA citations, and don't forget your librarian is always available as a resource to help!

 

• Thanks to Mary Fobbs-Guillory for making this video. Stop by the library and say hi to Ms. Fobbs who is interning at RHS until April 3. 

   

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• Great 20th Century Books for Teens

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 3/5/2018

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A History of Social Media

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 12/11/2017

Mrs. Hansen's social media elective has been studying the development of web 2.0, the rise of online participatory culture, and the history of social media. Check out this interactive timeline that students created to learn more. What do you think the next big development in social media will be?

• RHS Library's Newest Service

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 10/24/2017

  I love a good subscription box, and business reports suggest I’m not alone. Subscription business websites saw 37 million visitors in April of 2017 and have had an increase in traffic of nearly 800% since 2014 (Kestenbaum). There are subscriptions for everything from fashion and beauty products to geek culture to home cooking meal kits. My dog even gets a subscription box each month.

   

  I was looking at book subscription services when it hit me: I have access to a ton of books. I could create a library book subscription service for RHS students! The best subscription services are the ones that are customized based on individual preferences. With that in mind, I will hand select a unique library book for each interested student/subscriber.

   

  Students often tell me that they used to read for pleasure a lot more when they were younger but don’t have as much time between homework, sports, and other extra curricular activities. Fortunately, the Thanksgiving holiday is coming soon and will provide plenty of time - especially if you have to travel - to enjoy a good book.

   

  If you would like to take part in the first ever RHS library Holiday Book Box, fill out this form indicating your preferences. Participants will receive a FREE surprise package on Friday, November 17. The only downside? You’ll have to return your library books once you’ve read them.

   

   

   

  Sources:

  Kestenbaum , Richard. "Subscription Businesses are Exploding with Growth." Forbes, 10 Aug. 2017, www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2017/08/10/subscription-businesses-are-exploding-with-growth/#65508146678b.

  
  
   

  Pssst, did you notice I used MLA citations in this blog post? If you need help with your research, including MLA citations, stop by the library any time.

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• Oregon Battle of the Books

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 10/4/2017

  What is OBOB?

  It’s time to start reading for Oregon Battle of the Books! OBOB is a statewide voluntary reading program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. The aim of the program is to expose students to quality literature from a variety of styles and viewpoints and promote a love of reading.

  The goal of our team is to encourage students to continue reading in high school for personal enjoyment, broaden reading interests by reading something a student may not normally self-select, and to promote academic excellence and teamwork.

   

  How do I participate?

  OBOB combines the best of book clubs and trivia; they will read and discuss a variety of novels and nonfiction works throughout the year. Students participate in OBOB by forming teams of four, reading the selected books for the year, and practicing/competing in school battles. The winning school team will represent Riverdale at the regional tournament in March 2018.

  This year’s books are awesome and cover a wide range of genres including historical fiction, action/adventure, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, realistic fiction, and nonfiction. Click here to learn more about OBOB and this year’s books. Want to participate? We meet Friday mornings from 8:30 to 9:00 in the library.

   

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Banned Books Week 2017

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 9/20/2017

What is Banned Books Week?

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read. Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community – librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types – in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The theme for this upcoming Banned Books Week (Sept. 24 – Sept. 30) is “Words Have Power. Read a Banned Book.” The words in these banned and challenged books have the power to connect readers to literary communities and offer diverse perspectives. And when these books are threatened with removal from communal shelves, your words have the power to challenge censorship.

Each year, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom records challenges to books in libraries and calculates the top ten challenged books. This year’s list explores a range of genres (young adult, fiction, memoir) and formats (novels, graphic novels, picture books), but they have one thing in common: each book was threatened with removal from spaces where diverse ideas and perspectives should be welcomed.

Believe it or not, books are still banned. Five of the 10 titles on the Top Ten list were removed from the location where the challenge took place. On average, OIF finds that 10% of challenges result in the removal of the book. For the first time in Top Ten history, a book was challenged solely because of its author. Bill Cosby’s Little Bill series was challenged because of sexual allegations against the author. Challenges also continue to target LGBT material; books are frequently challenged as "sexually explicit" when they include LGBT characters. Learn more about the Top Ten most banned books here.

How Can I Get Involved?

There are lots of ways to be involved in Banned Books Week 2017. First and foremost, talk about issues of censorship and intellectual freedom with your friends and families. Better yet, read and discuss a book that has been challenged. 

 Participate in the ALA Rebel Reader Twitter Tournament. Tweet any of the following using the hashtag #rebelreader during banned books week for a chance to win literary prizes from the American Library Association.

  

• Take a selfie with a banned or challenged book.
• Share a reading from a banned book.
• Post a quote from your favorite banned or challenged book (or a quote about censorship).
• Share a story about an educator who has helped you learn about the power of words.
• Take a photo of a completed ALA Banned Books week coloring sheet.
• Share a link to your local library's homepage or book selection policy.
• Tweet some love at a banned author from this list.

 

Participate in Banned Books Week Activities in the library. 

Monday: Button and Poster Making

Decorate our school and make a fashion statement supporting the first ammendment and your right to read.

Tuesday: Banned Story Time

Throwback to your elementary school days with a story read by Mrs. Hansen.

Wednesday: Banned Books Week Coloring

Color a Banned Books Week graphic from the American Library Association. You can tweet a picture of it to enter the Rebel Reader Tournament!

Thursday: Bring Your Own Book - Banned Edition

Play the popular kickstarter game Bring Your Own Book with frequently challenged books. No need to bring your own; the library will provide copies.

Friday: Banned Book Trivia

Test your banned book knowledge against your peers.

What should I do if a book is offensive?

As author Dav Pilkey puts it, everyone doesn't like the same thing, but Americans have the freedom to choose for themselves what they read and think about. If you are concerned about reading material in your school or public library, talk with your family about it, ask for an alternative assignment, or create space for a dialogue about the material, but remember that other people have the right to access it if they choose to. Find ways to demonstrate your concern without undermining the freedom of others.

 

Library 411

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 9/11/2017

Welcome Back

 

As we welcome new and returning students to another year at Riverdale, it’s important to highlight the role of the library at Riverdale High School and the services, materials, and programs available to students through the library.

Our library is located in the center of the school with doors on the lower level just below the Maverick Room, and we consider the role of the library to be central to the school as well. Students can find a wide range of materials to use for research, scholarly pursuits, and leisure including reference, fiction and nonfiction books, periodicals, media, and technology including chromebook, and graphing calculator checkout.

 

Technology

 

The RHS library is home to a Google Chrome lab with 24 desktop stations for class or individual use. Any student who has signed and returned a chromebook contract can also check out a chromebook to use in their classes.

The student printer is located in the library lab; students are free to use it to print and copy school-related items.

 

Periodicals

 

Our library has a number of news and magazine subscriptions with topics ranging from current events, to science, to arts, and popular culture. Whether you need to find an article for a class assignment or just relax with some light reading, there’s something for everyone.

 

Books

 

We have a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books that support and enrich our curriculum. Whether you’re looking for a specific book or browsing for some leisure reading, make the RHS library your first stop.

Looking for a book rec? Check out these booklists from the Young Adult Library Service Association or Oregon Battle of the Books!

 

Online Resources

 

Thanks to a generous program by the state, high school libraries like ours have access to GALE academic databases. Students can search the database for high quality sources that will lend credibility to their research. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, curated by GALE, compiles a variety of print and media resources on contemporary issues in an easy to navigate format.

In addition, a number of the reference books housed in our library have online versions. Riverdale Students can access these online references through links on the library website to continue their research from any location.

 

Clubs and Events

 

Mrs. Hansen is the advisor for Riverdale’s Oregon Battle of the Books and Model United Nations teams. MUN meets on Wednesdays at lunch in order to prepare for the April conference at the University of Oregon. OBOB readers will meet this year at 8:30 on Fridays. Come to the library to learn more about joining either of these fun groups.

The library hosts literary (and sometimes just fun) events throughout the year such as themed escape rooms. We will once again be celebrating our first amendment rights and the freedom to read during Banned Books Week the week of September 24th. Look out for more announcements about Banned Books Week activities and other events throughout the year.

• Summer Reading - A Call to Action

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 6/6/2017

  I know that this will sound cliched, coming from a librarian, but hear me out. Reading is one of the most important things you can do this summer. People who read have access to a multitude of benefits; reading supports stress reduction, mental stimulation, empathy development, and mental well-being.

  The academic benefits of reading regularly are well documented. Reading impacts vocabulary development, verbal skills, and general knowledge acquisition. In a study carried out by Cunningham and Stanovich, reading volume, accounted for 37% of the variance among college students. The more avid readers in their study, regardless of their general abilities, had higher GPAs, higher standardized test scores, and higher scores on a practical knowledge test.

  Setting aside a little time each day to read during the summer also helps combat summer slide, the learning loss many students experience during summer vacation. Ongoing research has been conducted to study the effects of the summer slide since 1906, and research findings report 2.5 months of average learning loss per student requiring students and teachers to play catch up in the fall. Unfortunately many students never catch up, and by the end of 6th grade, students who lose reading skills during the summer are an average of 2 grade levels behind their peers in reading.

  Not only is it fun to read, there are huge academic and personal benefits to reading a few good books over summer break. Sadly, the RHS library won’t be open during the summer to support you, but your local public library has you more than covered. No matter what part of town you live in, all Riverdale High School students are eligible for Multnomah County Library cards. I encourage you to check out the Summer Reading High School Challenge. This year’s theme is Build a Better World. Participants just need to pick up a free game board at any Multnomah County Library starting June 16. Mark off spots on your game board by reading for an hour or completing challenge activities. Complete game boards to win entries in a drawing and lots of cool prizes.

  Looking for a few good books? Check out Mrs. Hansen’s summer reading picks and the Oregon Battle of the Books List for 2017-18.

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Creating Presentations with Flair

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 3/9/2017

As the trimester comes to an end, you may find yourself assigned to create a presentation. Of course the most important part of any presentation is the information you gather, synthesize, and present - it's what you'll be graded on, after all. But style helps. Here are some web tools to help make your presentation stand out. 

Animoto

Animoto is a digital video creation platform. Combine images, video, music and other audio to create a video slide-show. The basic service is free, and there are a variety of style templates to choose from to help create your video.

Wordle

If your presentation contains a lot of text or supplements a paper you wrote, a word cloud is a great way to visually summarize that information. Wordle is a free online tool to generate word clouds from text. Here's an example word cloud created from this blog post.

 

Jing

Jing is a screencasting tool that allows you to capture, save, and edit still images and video from your computer screen. This is great for creating digital tutorials or sharing digital images.

Prezi

Prezi is a visual storytelling tool that can be a fun alternative to traditional slide shows. A prezi presentation puts all of the slides on one large canvas making it easy for viewers to see the big picture. Users can pan between topics, zoom in on details, and pull back to reveal context. You can even record narration for your presentation. Here's an example of a prezi I made for our American Literature students.

This is just a sample of some of the options available to create interesting visual presentations. I encourage you to have fun and be creative with your presentations. 

 

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Using Library Databases for Research

Posted by Sarah Hansen on 1/19/2017 9:00:00 AM

Riverdale students have access to several online resources including reference ebooks and databases that can help with your research. 

What is a Research Database?

A research database is a collection of credible and reliable information. Research databases offer users access to thousands of magazine, newspaper, and journal articles; books and ebooks; videos and podcats; images, maps, and illustrations; radio and television transcripts; and primary sources. Information in databases is published by professionals or experts in their field and must go through an editorial process to check facts. Articles are updated frequently so that you can find the most current information available.

Tips to Improve Your Database Search

Riverale High School students have access to periodicals, journals, newspapers, and reference content through a database called GALE PowerSearch. Searching a database can be intimidating at first; here are some tips to make searching for and using sources a little easier:

• Use the drop down menu in the search bar. Choosing 'Subject' limits your search to a single topic and generally returns more relevant results. 'Publication' searches for artlcles from a particular publication like The New York Times. 
• Try the Subject Guide Search. This offers the ability to narrow a topic by subdivisions or discern between search terms with multiple meanings. 
• Search a specific database. Click GALE Databases at the top right of the search page (next to Riverdale School District) to select the specific database you would like to search to find the most relevant articles.
• Use the Topic Finder tool to narrow your topic. This visual search displays results by topic and subtopic. It can help you identify a focus within your topic or discover new connections between your topic and others. 
• Connect to your Riverdale Google account. GALE will connect to your Google account allowing you to save articles in your drive so that you will always have them when you need them.
• Cite your source. Gale articles all include a citation, but you should always verify that it is properly formated in MLA before including it in your final works cited.

Researching from Home

 You don't have to be at Riverdale to access our library's database and ebook subscriptions, but you will need a password. Check your Riverdale Google Drive for a shared document titled Library Resource Passwords to connect to GALE, Salem ebooks and more. 

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• It’s time to sign up for Oregon Battle of the Books!

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 11/1/2016

  Calling all Riverdale High School students... It's time to sign up for Oregon Battle of the Books!

  Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) is a statewide, voluntary reading program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. Participating students are exposed to quality literature representing a variety of literary styles and viewpoints. The mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, to increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence and to promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students.

  Students read the books, discuss them, quiz each other on the content and then compete in teams of four to answer questions based on the books in a “quiz show” format. Teams may participate at local, regional and state levels of competition.

  Visit the Oregon Battle of the Books page for FAQs and summaries of this year’s titles.

  If you would like to participate in OBOB or have more questions, please visit me in the library.

  Students have until Nov 18 to sign up, and we will begin meeting after Thanksgiving.

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• Banned Books Week, Sept. 26-30

  Posted by Sarah Hansen on 9/21/2016

  Banned Books Week is an annual event created by the American Library Association celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September (Sept. 25-Oct. 1 this year), it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire 

  school community – librarians, teachers, and readers of all types – in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. Increasingly, books by diverse authors or about diverse communities find their way onto the list of most challenged titles. As a result, this year’s theme for Banned Books Week is Diversity.

  Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship and allows students to explore the issues and controversies around book challenges and banning. The books currently featured in our library have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools across the country and include a wide range of literature from picture books such as “Where the Wild Things Are” to classics by Hemingway and Fitzgerald. From biographies such as Anne Frank’s diary to contemporary YA novels by popular authors like John Green and Suzanne Collins. Learn more about frequently banned books and the history of book challenges at the American Library Association Website.

  While books have been and continue to be banned, one focus of the celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.

  Our library will celebrate Banned Books Week by highlighting fiction and nonfiction books in the collection that have been the target of challenges in school and public libraries across the nation, Inviting discussion about the first amendment and freedom of information, and hosting lunchtime events designed to promote a love of reading and the CES Habit of being curious and appreciative.

  There will also be a number of Banned Books Week events across Portland celebrating this year’s theme:

  • Banned Books: Diversity, Inclusion & Respect at Multnomah County Library, Central Library Monday, Sept. 26
  • Banned Books Week: Diversity at Powell’s City of Books Tuesday, Sept. 27

  I encourage RHS staff, parents, and students to take advantage of this week to engage in reading literature that promotes discussion of difficult and complex issues. Do you support the right to read? Add this “twibbon” to your twitter or Facebook profile picture!

   

  Sarah Hansen

  Riverdale High School Librarian

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