BNS/BCS Library Newsletter

Thanks to all of the BCS and BNS families who turned out for the second annual Reading in the Round, an event that celebrates reading and stories. Special guest Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich gave a wonderful talk on her own reading and writing life and answered questions from the audience. Attendees chose between two of Gbemi's books -- 8th Grade Superzero or Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices to take home. The evening began with an amazing vocal performance by Jose's BAX after-school boys, and even included a delicious home-cooked meal. Stay-tuned for information on the next Reading in the Round in April!

Dave Johnson visited BCS 9th graders during their recent ELA Expeditionary Thursday. Dave joined BCS students via Poets House as part of the nationwide Poetry in The Branches Public Library Initiative. Dave is currently serving as Poet in Residence for The Department of Probation of New York City.

The BNS/BCS library has just added a small selection of teen audiobooks to its collection, and anticipates a lot of enthusiasm from students and teachers. Students who have a smartphone will be able to download titles onto their device using the MackinVia app. The app is available via iTunes and GooglePlay. Students may also listen to audiobooks on their classroom desktops or laptops. We'll be gauging usage to determine if this is a collection we will continue to grow!

Smartphone

Login: Student BCS email

Password: Student ID#

Classroom Computer (accessible to all BNS/BCS staff and students)

School: BCS

User: bnsbcs

Password: bnsbcs

The library was delighted to host National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson! She met with all of BNS' 4th graders and read from her amazing memoir Brown Girl Dreaming. Many thanks to Jacqueline for being a great friend to the BNS/BCS Library!

"I believe in one day and someday and this perfect moment called Now." --Jacqueline Woodson, Brown Girl Dreaming

Fifth graders continue to meet every Thursday during lunch for the Mock Newbery Club. Discussions have been enthusiastic, but no clear favorite has surfaced yet. Here are some things we've heard students say recently about their experiences in the club:

"I'm reading books that are out of my comfort zone."-- Jazee Handfield (Laurie/Amanda)

"I'm noticing that some of these books are dull at the beginning, but I'm sticking with it and end up loving them." --Saul Ferholt-Kahn (Antoinette/Nancy)

"I'm giving books a chance that I wouldn't normally." --Lauren McCoy (Rachel)

BCS is taking part in the New York City DOE/CUNY Library Collaborative, which has launched a series of curriculum revision workshops and created communities of practice among hight school librarians, college librarians, high school teachers and college faculty. These workshops evolved into the CCRP, which demonstrated that librarians should play a central role in connecting institutions and developing a library-centered model of educational reform. Thanks to Susan and Scott for representing BCS.

Interested in fantasy but not sure where to get started? Here's just a short sampling of our collection. We've got you covered from wordless picture books (Journey by Aaron Becker; Flotsam by David Wiesner) to intense young adult series (Cinder by Marissa Meyer; Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride; The Young Elites by Marie Lu). For the emerging reader, check out Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon or the Secrets of Droon Series by Tony Abbot, found in our EVERYONE section. And for longer chapter books, try Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland, Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu or The Apothecary by Maile Meloy. There are fantastic books to be found for all ages!

A great selection of online databases can be found on the BNS/BCS Library website through our subscription to ABC-Clio. Topics include American history, ancient and modern world history, and the African American experience. The "Issues" database covers current news and supports an understanding of controversial events. Explore the site in preparation for all of those PBATs and PBAs coming down the pike!

If you are a fan of the BNS/BCS Library and have a child that attends BCS, please consider joining us! We meet bimonthly to discuss programming, fundraising, community engagement, and other timely issues, typically in the morning, but we are flexible! We would love to have a BCS family voice on the committee. If you are interested, we will be meeting next month. For more information, email Amanda C. at amandac@bcs448.org.

Summer Reading is just around the corner and we want to make sure every child in the community has a public library card in time for the BPL BookMobile visit in June! The Teen bookmobile will be coming on Friday, June, 10. The KidsMobile will be here on Monday, June 13, Wednesday, June 15, and Thursday, June 16. It's a great way to stock up on books for the summer, but students need a library card to take advantage. Stop by your local branch and fill-out an application, or pick one up here in the library.