Week Five: Book Fair!

All week long we have a special guest at the library- book fair! 

 

Librarians have choices when it comes to book fairs.  Most librarians I've talked with use a company called Scholastic when offering a book fair at their school.  Mrs. Jennings is the first librarian I've known to use a company called Backyard Book Fair.  There are different benefits to using one company over the other.  Scholastic, for example, does not offer any school level support while Backyard Book Fair sends staff members along and runs the entire book fair leaving the media specialist free for lessons and classroom management.  Also, Scholastic gives a bigger percentage of profits back to the media specialist than Backyard Book Fair.  I personally feel that both have equal amounts of positive and negative- Backyard Book Fair has limited title availability for book fairs but Scholastic materials tend to fall apart easier.  Media Centers that do not have support staff such as a clerk or an active PTA would find the benefits of having Backyard Book Fair staff available to handle the whole process a huge positive while those in schools that have a large support network would see the return profits on Scholastics as the bigger positive.     

 

Because each media center and school environment is unique I found it very helpful to learn different options when approaching book fairs.  Previously, I really only knew about Scholastic and it was nice to learn a little more about different companies available.   

 

Because book fair runs all week long that is the main focus of each class.  Students are allowed to check out as quickly as possible at the start of each class and then students are allowed to watch a Jeff Corwin movie about frogs while taking turns with their classmates to shop.  Students make a wish list during their class time which lists the title and price for each item they'd like to buy.  Then their parents either approve or deny the purchase, giving their child money to come back during the week.  Mrs. Jennings normally does not allow students to come into the library when it is not their normally scheduled class time, but during book fair week students are allowed to come after they have had their initially wish list visit to purchase approved items. 

 

I greatly enjoyed watching the book fair process.  I had no idea that so many aspects had to be approved and organized.  I think it has helped prepare me for when all of these responsibilities fall to me.     

 

CEBS Dispositions:

Values professionalism: Respect for school rules, policies, and norms Knows school rules and policies. Follows them consistently. Understands the purpose of regulations and respects their intent. Accepts responsibility for personally following them in patterns of dress, behavior, etc.

 

EPSB Code of Ethics

 

Values professionalism: Professional development and involvement. References and makes use of professional organizations or publications. Willingly participates in professional activities or events that promote professional development.