Over the past few weeks I have been busy with programs for ESL teens. With the enthusiasm and support of a teacher at the local high school, we developed a graphic novel study for her level 1 -3 English Language Learner students .

As an introduction to graphic novels, I visited the class one day for a “book sampling” exercise. We covered the basic components of a graphic novel: speech bubbles, thought bubbles, sound effects, etc. Then the students were given a chance to “sample” books for 5 minutes of silent reading and rate the book afterwards. Students were excited to receive their first Canadian library card and to take home some of the books that day.

On the first day of the study, the class was divided and books distributed to the students – some read Bone and others Goosebumps.

Over our 5 classes together, the students read their book, engaged in activities and completed a final project. Some in-class activities included:

• An scavenger hunt through their book
• Sequencing activities that required the students to put the cut-out pictures in order and verbalize the story
• Inserting dialogue into the pictures

The end projects required the students to prepare either a prequel or an alternate ending to their book.

Over Spring Break, students were invited to visit me at the library for a less academic program. Using various games, we worked on vocabulary, talking and listening skills. Some of the best games for building vocabulary were Pictionary and Apples to Apples (the junior edition). As I was working with fairly bright teens, they enjoyed games that involved lots of strategy: Saboteur, Pandemic and Settlers of Catan.

I hope to offer similar programs in other ELL classrooms in our community. Please pass along this blog post to any teachers you know who might be interested in having the Shawnessy Library visit their classroom.

I recently attended a conference on asset-based community development (also known as “ABCD”). ABCD is not a “hot-off the press” idea for community development practitioners but it is definitely getting more attention in Calgary. The central premise of ABCD is that meaningful community change will only happen when the community takes charge: the community decides on the direction of the change and uses the gifts/assets of community members to put words into action. Non-profits institutions and service providers are not excluded from the process – they support it rather than control it. This process empowers citizens.

Perhaps the hardest component for service providers to wrap their heads around is that the language used is "opportunities and gifts" rather than "needs and weaknesses" - I am definitely trying to change how I frame my own thinking by using this approach.

Distilled down to its simplest form, ABCD follows these steps:

1. Discover the assets in the community
2. Discover what community residents care about to act on
3. Mobilize groups to act
4. Different role for people and programs
5. Lead by stepping back and allowing the community to lead

There are some public libraries that have started to adopt ABCD practices. I will be exploring this approach in the work that I do in the community in the coming months.

This is a helpful oversight video of ABCD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcnqtNANWVw

A really inspirational story of the ABCD approach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU_vVt298gw

My name is Jackie Flowers and I’m the new Community Outreach Librarian at the Shawnessy Library.

What is a Community Outreach Librarian?

You are probably familiar with the typical librarian – someone that dispense annoyed glares over her horn-rimmed glasses which shushing children for whispering too loudly. This is the librarian of the past.

I became a librarian because I believe in the power of public libraries to support the growth and development of communities. One of the reasons I am really excited to be the Community Outreach Librarian for Shawnessy is that I spend the majority of my time outside the branch, in the community.

Some of my responsibilities:

• Meet with community agencies and service providers to discuss new initiatives for the community;
• Generate new possibilities and ideas through conversation with community members;
• Attend community meetings;
• Deliver library services outside the physical walls of the library;
• Be an Information Specialist about communities south of Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Stay tuned for details of my adventures in south Calgary.

Looking for something to do after school? Look no further - drop by the Shawnessy Library every Thursday between 4 and 5:30 for crafts, games, memes, movies, and more! No need to register - just bring your friends to hang out and relax. Here's the schedule (may be subject to change):

	Games Come play our great variety of games - there’s a prize every session and a grand prize at the end of the tournament! March 1, April 5, May 10, and June 7
	Teen MEMES Share your favourite online videos, websites, music, and games – and find some new ones while you’re at it. March 8, April 19, May 17, and June 14
	Crafternoons Bring your own stuff to work on - knitting, scrapbooking, whatever – or try something new with our easy craft projects. March 22, April 26, May 24, and June 21
	Movies Watch a selection of great movies on our big screen. Snacks included! March 29, May 3, May 31, and June 28
	...and more: Karaoke on March 15 and Anime Addicts on April 12

Do you have a tween who loves to read fantasy? Check out our Fantasy Book Club for ages 10-13, where they can read great fantasy novels, play games, eat snacks, and meet other kids who love to read magical books as much as they do!

Ages 10-13

Tuesdays: Feb. 21, Mar. 20, and Apr. 17

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

It's not too late to register! We're reading The Clockwork Three for February and there are plenty of copies left at the Information Desk so come pick yours up today!

Shawnessy's hours will be a little different over the holidays - this will not affect your holds or due dates but please be aware of the following:

Only two weeks to go!

If you're looking for last minute gift ideas or ways to make the holidays meaningful, what could be better than something homemade? Whip up a quick gift with one of our many craft books - we have plenty of ideas for crafters of every type, including More Last-minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. If papercrafts are more your speed, origami makes quick gift boxes, fun tags, and one-of-a-kind ornaments, and you can make it even more meaningful by re-using scrap paper from magazines or calendars. Easy Origami by Mary Meinking is a solid beginner origami book for any age.

Of course we can't forget the kitchen - what would the holidays be without all the fabulous food? Bake a batch of cookies or fill a jar with homemade soup mix and you've got an instant, can't-miss gift. Check out The Creative Kitchen for over 100 ideas that will warm the heart of any lucky recipient. Once the day winds down, be sure to warm your own heart (and hands!) by curling up with a great Christmas movie and one of the mouthwatering mixtures from Hot Drinks for Cold Nights, like hot cocoa with peppermint-stuffed marshmallows, holiday spiced tea, or black cherry cider.

Tell us about your favourite homemade holiday traditions in the comments!

Fun LEGO Fact #1: The name LEGO is a combination of the words "leg godt" which means "play well" in Danish.

If you love LEGO as much as we do, then you are definitely going to want to drop by the Shawnessy Public Library on Sundays to take part in our LEGO club. At 12:00 we bring out the bricks and let the building commence! We've had castles, cars, spaceships, houses, airplanes, whacha-ma-call-its, and thingy ma-bobs emerge each week in the program room. Why not stop by and show us what you can do?

Fun LEGO Fact #2: Lego blocks were originally made from wood when the company started in 1932.

We are also accepting donations of used LEGO.

Lego Club: Sundays until December 18th from 12:00 - 1:00 at the Shawnessy Public Library