Ridley High School Library

June, 2020: News & Notable Books

For many of us, the 2019-2020 school year can be divided into Before March 13 and After March 13. With the approaching close of the academic year, please join me in reflecting on how the library has served our school community before, during, and beyond the COVID-19 closure. Read on for an overview of library usage, a handful of highlights, and -- of course -- some reading recommendations! Until we meet again in the library, please stay safe and healthy!

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Library Usage

Before March 13:

507 classes reserved a block of library time
18 Ninth Grade Library orientations were delivered

After March 13:

247 visitors to May's RHS Virtual Library Newsletter with links to eBooks and audiobooks, a free reference chat service, Hoopla's streaming content, and the library blog

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Research Lessons

Before March 13:

26 Research Lessons were delivered on NoodleTools, POWER Library databases, and reliable websites

After March 13:

142 visitors to our Remote Senior Research Website with links to databases, eBooks, and citation assistance
425 views of daily posts on the library blog, News Worth Checking Out, on how to access and navigate quality sources such as ABDO's Digital Bookshelf, EBSCO eBook Collections, and acquiring an eCard for remote POWER Library access

POWER Library Searches: 2,305 reliable, academically sound articles were viewed in POWER Library's databases during the 2019-2020 school year!

Booktalks

Before March 13:

23 booktalks were delivered to classes at Ridley High School, spotlighting the Pennsylvania Reader's Choice Award nominees, notable fiction and nonfiction, graphic novels, and recommended reading lists

After March 13:

Frequent posts at News Worth Checking Out covered books that pair perfectly with your favorite streaming show, how to access free audiobooks all summer long, and more
Online Book Quizzes, created in collaboration with Ms. Watts and Ms. Ermilio, encouraged students find a book that matched their interests
Online Book Menus, with links to eBook editions, delivered further information on independent reading options (an example is attached below)
A FlipGrid of booktalks provided an overview of summer reading selections, with links to the our 2020 Summer Reading Collection in Sora

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Read Woke Cafe.pdf

DISHING UP BOOKS that challenge social norms, confront the status quo, give voice to the voiceless, and feature protagonists from marginalized groups!

Download

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Book Circulation

Before March 13

1,777 fiction, nonfiction, audiobook, and eBook check-outs
581 brand new novels and nonfiction books were added to the library
71 Inter-Library Loans (32 items loaned and 39 items borrowed) were sent to and from libraries all over Pennsylvania

After March 13:

184 Sora eBook and digital audiobook check-outs
61 eBooks and digital audiobooks were added to the Sora app

Ridley High School's Loan Stars: Our most frequently borrowed books throughout the 2019-2020 school year!

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Sora provides free, 24/7 access to eBooks and audiobooks for Ridley High School's students and staff members.

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Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This evocative novel in verse (and audiobook read by the author!) follows the experiences of two grieving sisters who navigate the loss of their father and the impact of his death on their relationship.

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Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis

Feeling more at home in the woods than under a roof, Ashley finds the limits of her survival abilities tested when a betrayal and an accident strand her in the untracked territory of the Smoky Mountains.

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Parachutes by Kelly Yang

A teen from a privileged Asian family navigates culture shock and unexpected freedom while attending school in California and boarding with the family of an Ivy League hopeful whose debate coach has undermined her plans.

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The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge

In this graphic novel, Mona’s struggle with depression takes on a vivid form: Matter. It tells her she’s not good enough and that everyone wishes she would just go away. But through therapy, art, writing, and the persistence of a few good friends, Mona starts to understand her Matter, and how she can turn her fears into strengths.

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Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Baja California, 1979. When three wealthy Americans arrive for the summer, Viridiana becomes entwined in their glamorous lives. When one of them dies, she lies to protect her new friends. Soon enough, someone’s asking questions, and Viridiana has some of her own …

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Sigh, Gone by Phuc Tran

In 1975, during the fall of Saigon, Phuc Tran and his family immigrated to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where they struggled to assimilate into their new life in small-town America. This coming-of-age memoir is told through the themes of great books and punk rock music as Tran navigates universal challenge of finding himself.

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Are you Taking a Graduate Course This Summer?

Ridley High School Library offers access to academic articles! Please reach out via email, describe your topic, and I'll help you locate all of the resources you need. Of particular interest to teachers: the Educator's Reference Complete database, with access to over 1,100 academic journals.

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