SLS 9/20 - Bookish Byte from O²CM

📰 In the News

Local Article: Watertown school board looking at removing 47 library books

SLJ Article: Banned Books Week News, Events, and Resources

SLJ Article: 21 Nonfiction Titles for Young People in Honor of Latinx Heritage Month

Article: What Happens When a School Closes Its Library?

EdSurge Article: 3 ways school libraries have evolved to meet students’ needs

Article: School libraries in Maine to get bundles of books on immigration and belonging

In the weeks before OpenAI released its new “reasoning” model, o1, Apollo Research found a significant issue: the model produced incorrect outputs in a new way, essentially lying.

Unlike hallucinations, where AI unintentionally generates incorrect information due to knowledge gaps, the o1 model engages in “reward hacking.” This means it strategically provides incorrect information to maximize the outcomes it was trained to prioritize.

Lies are just one part of the safety concerns. More alarming is that o1 is rated a “medium” risk for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapon threats. While it doesn’t enable non-experts to create biological threats, it can provide valuable insights to experts planning such threats.

“What worries me more is that in the future, when we ask AI to solve complex problems, like curing cancer or improving solar batteries, it might internalize these goals so strongly that it becomes willing to break its guardrails to achieve them,” Hobbhahn said. “I think this can be prevented, but it’s a concern we need to keep an eye on.” Read the entire article from The Verge here...

Read the Article from The Verge

@melissacoreylibrary Freebies

This or That Library Poll

Spooky Scavenger Hunt

Melissa Corey is a dynamic school librarian at Robidoux Middle School in Missouri. As a past president of @MASLOnline and a 2024 LJ Mover and Shaker, Melissa’s passion for literacy shines through her innovative programs. She was honored with the 2024 #ILoveMyLibrarian Award and was a finalist for SLJ’s School Librarian of the Year in 2023. Known for her incredible Canva skills, Melissa shares a wealth of free resources that make reading accessible and fun. Check out her amazing work on her link.tree.

Grab This or That Sign

Grab the This or That Options

Spooky Scavenger Hunt

@therealbookwrangler Freebies

Mike Rawls, known as “The Book Wrangler,” is a beloved school librarian from Atlanta, Georgia. With a background in teaching, Mike’s passion for books shines through his engaging Instagram account, @thebookwrangler, where he shares creative ways to inspire young readers. Beyond the library, Mike is a dedicated advocate for literacy, always eager to share his love for books and learning. Find additional resources on his link.tree.

Check out his Library Freebies in Google Drive

FREE: Be Internet Awesome

Google’s Be Internet Awesome initiative is designed to teach children essential internet safety and digital literacy skills. This multifaceted program includes a fun, web-based game called Interland and a comprehensive curriculum for educators. Interland is an adventure-style game where children navigate through various ‘lands,’ learning crucial online safety lessons in an engaging way. The curriculum is divided into five core areas: Be Internet Smart (think before posting and protect privacy), Be Internet Strong (importance of strong passwords), Be Internet Alert (recognize phishing and scams), Be Internet Kind (positive online behavior), and Be Internet Brave (reporting inappropriate content). This initiative empowers kids to be safe, confident explorers of the online world.

All of the lessons include the curriculum and interactive slideshow that can utilize Peardeck.

Website on Be Internet Awesome

Be Internet Awesome Slideshows

Media Literacy Lessons (Updated June 2024)

FREE: CS First

Google’s CS First is a free, engaging computer science curriculum aimed at students in grades 4-8. It empowers teachers, even those without prior coding experience, to introduce computer science through fun, video-based lessons. Using Scratch, a block-based coding language, students can explore themes like storytelling, game design, art, and music. The curriculum includes hands-on projects that foster creativity and problem-solving skills, allowing students to create interactive stories, games, and animations. By making coding accessible and enjoyable, CS First aims to inspire the next generation of innovators and equip them with essential digital skills.

Check Out CS First