Promoting Reading with Speed Dating and Book Trailers

Just a very quick post this month to highlight some of the discussions we have been having at our Library Department meetings about book talks, speed dating, and book trailers.  We have been experimenting with offering shorter “talks” and giving students a chance to preview and react to books.  They sit at a table with several titles on display; choose one and then for a timed two minutes, look at the cover, inside blurb, and read a few pages. As they finish, they rate their level of interest on a form we supply.

It’s fun and the students seem really engaged, often suggesting titles to classmates when we re-start the timer for a new book.  It is relatively easy to interject with quick reviews or to highlight a neglected table or category, too. Response from teachers and students has been very positive.

We have also been experimenting with creating some book trailers and reviewing those that are available on “channels” like the ones listed above. Each year, we use short videos to help promote the Abe Lincoln award nominees, too.  They are often incorporated in a LibGuide like this one (for 2017 already!) by Diana Nelson at Crystal Lake High School.  

Summer reading options

Time to start thinking about summer reading … there are tons of lists of great titles – old and new – plus the choice of technology. Of course, we are encouraging teachers and students to grab print copies or to select eBooks from Follett (Winnetka or Northfield) or OverDrive as we have offered in the past. Other places to look for eBooks include the Daily Deal offered by amazon’s Kindle or perhaps choose from the list of Vintage Shorts. And do not forget the many options for all ages available through the local public libraries.

There are a couple of other programs worth attention, too. In case you are interested in listening to audiobooks for free this summer (or even during the next school year), please check out the program at: http://www.audiobooksync.com/   These titles (YA Lit and a classic) are available in pairs and change every Thursday morning. I just downloaded a free audio book in a few minutes and my understanding is that these MP3 files are the user’s to keep BUT the download period is limited to a specific week. Note, for example, that both Monster and Lord of the Flies are available during week 8 (June 25^th to July 2^nd).
 

As mentioned, we support the OverDrive app since we offer a number of eBooks through New Trier’s Library, AND local public librarians would also be familiar with the technology and be able to help. More directions for download prep are available on the sync site.   Plus, (helpful for teachers who are parents, too) they will send you to a literacytoolkit with links for reading lists ACROSS the K-12 spectrum, including ones for high school and adult titles for high school students.   

Students who are interested in combining reading with some writing should consider participating in the 6th Annual New York Times Summer Reading Contest.  Every Friday from June 12 through August 14, they will pose the same question: "What interested you most in The Times this week?"  According to the Learning Network, anyone 13 to 19 years old from anywhere in the world can post an answer, and contestants can choose any Times article, essay, video, interactive or photograph published n 2015, on any topic they like.  If chosen your response will be posted on the blog. 

HEY, LIBRARIANS and other avid readers: Are you looking forward to Fall and Winter previews? Buzz Books is offering another free download with a big (33 excerpts) selection of both Fiction and Non-Fiction titles for adults and high school students. Plus, there is a special YA Fiction set (20 titles) available with excerpts of upcoming titles from James Dashner, Patrick Ness, and Jennifer E. Smith to name just a few.  These collections from Buzz Books keep getting better and better, even offering links to request the full text. They encourage you to experiment by sampling work from debut authors and a variety of publishers. It is a source for ideas on many books that are reviewed at our Book Talk blog. Be sure to enjoy the summer and keep reading!!!

Have any other summer reading ideas to recommend?  Please let us know!

Reading news ...

We have been having numerous conversations about reading this year, sharing favorite titles and brainstorming ways to promote reading amongst faculty and students.  Here is a great story shared by Angela which she found on CBS News.

Today's Wall Street Journal also had an intriguing article called "Read Slowly to Benefit Your Brain and Cut Stress." Containing this graphic, the article recounts how just 30 minutes with a book or eBook helps.

 It also links to an interactive reading exercise.