Summer volunteering

Summer's not far off! If you're looking for something to occupy your time, why not volunteer at the Matawan public library? Here are 3 reasons to sign up:

1. earn community service hours! If you need them for girl/boy scouts, church/CCD, or honor society (coming to MAMS next year), you can rack up some hours by helping out at the library.

2. Get work experience! You may be too young for a real (read: paying) summer job now, but some day you'll be able to earn some cash for your work. Volunteering gives you experience that you can put down on future job applications. Also, it will look great on a college application! Many volunteers who start in middle school, continue into high school. 

3. It's fun! Sign up with your friends to help out with craft programs for little kids, register library visitors for summer reading, and more. 

Want to find out more? Attend Lunch Bunch this Friday to hear from Miss Chrissie at MAPL. OR check out the volunteer info on the MAPL website: teen_volunteers

Coming soon to a theater near you...

Hey there movie lovers!

You may already know about Divergent coming to theaters this month...if you haven't already read the book, the whole series is great! Check out some of the following links for other books about to hit the big screen and stop by the library to check out the "Coming Soon" books to movies to display!



36 Books Becoming Movies in 2014 (many are YA/middle school!)
PopSugar

10 Books you need to read (or re-read)
Teen.com

Divergent- Internet Movie Database
IMDB

Mockingjay- Internet Movie Database
IMDB

The Fault in our Stars trailer
TFIOS

Next Lunch Bunch

Hi!

The next Lunch Bunch will take place on Monday, December 2. Sign up in the Media Center. Dennis from the public library will be telling you all about an upcoming program at MAPL, you'll get to do a craft and eat your lunch in here, and hear about some new books. AND if you have a loyalty card, you'll earn a point for attending! 

*Please note: there needs to be at least 4-5 students signed up per period. The public librarians won't be able to stay if only one or two kids have signed up- convince a friend to sign up with you if you want to attend during periods 7 or 8!

Don't forget: the Catching Fire trivia contest is still happening! Swing by the library by the end of the every day to answer that day's question. Raffle winner will get a gift card that will cover two movie tickets!

Catching Fire contest

Hi Hunger Games fans! 

To celebrate the second movie coming out on 11/22, the library will be holding a Catching Fire trivia contest. One winner will take home a gift card that will cover the cost of 2 tickets! Here's what you need to know:

1. One question a day: in the morning announcements, posted outside the library, and posted the night before on Twitter (follow us @mamslibrary)

2. To answer: if you know the answer, stop by the library by the end of the day to write it down on a slip with your name on it. 

3. To win: One winner will be chosen. The more correct answers you submit, the better your chances of winning the movie gift card!

Copyright-friendly images

Hi!

Now that we're well into the school year, you've probably been assigned several projects and many of those projects probably include pictures that you've found on the Internet.

The 8th grade Bee team came in this week for a lesson on plagiarism and using images. All of us need to be aware that whenever we use ANY information or material from someone else (words, images, music, video, etc.) we need to give them credit by handing in a Works Cited or a list of the websites we took the images from. Check out the information below on how to find images that are labeled for re-use and how to give credit.

Google Images

-When using Google Images type in what you're searching for. Then click on the wheel (right next to Safe Search).

-Click on Advanced Search, then scroll down to where it says Usage Rights. Select "Free to use or share" OR "Free to use, share or modify" (if you'll be editing the image in Photoshop, etc).

-When you hand in your work, include an Image List or slide with a link to the website that the image came from. This is not "Google Images" - Google is only taking you to the website; you cannot cite Google as a source for research or pictures.

Bing Images

Type in what you're searching for, then click on License. Follow same steps as Google Images (Free to use, cite the website, etc)

Other Sites to check out: (free to use, just give credit!)

Animal Photos: http://animalphotos.info/a/

Clickr (clip art): http://www.clker.com/

Flickr Creative Commons: http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/flickrCC/index.php

The Morgue File: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/

Open Photo: http://openphoto.net/

School Clip Art: http://www.school-clip-art.com/

Calling All Loyal Library Users!

Coming soon...our library loyalty card! If you frequently visit our library, you can start earning prizes for taking part in various activities. Just ask Ms. Emili or Mrs. Weissman for a card! 

How it works:

1. Ask for a punch card. Write your name on it- if you lose it, you'll have to start earning points all over again.

2. Start earning points. After each completed activity, you'll get your card punched. 

3. Once you've earned enough points, cash them in for prizes! 

How do you get your card punched?
Earn 1 point for doing any of these activities:

*Attend Lunch Bunch
*Read a genre of the month book and hand in a mini review slip
*Submit a book review for our library blog
*Volunteer in the library during your study-hall. Help Ms. Emili out by putting away the fiction books, straightening the shelves, helping with displays, etc.

What can you earn?

Earn 3 points: pick 2 (small) prizes from the prize box. Small prizes include things like pencils, candy, bookmarks. 

Earn 5 points: pick 1 (bigger) prize. Big prizes include things like posters, books, and small toys.

Earn 12 points: win a $10 gift card! Your choice of Barnes and Noble, Dunkin Donuts, or iTunes.

Welcome back!

Greetings from the MAMS Media Center! I hope you had a wonderful summer. I'm excited to meet our new 6th graders and to see our returning students back in the library! Whether you're new to MAMS this year or you're an 8th grade library regular, here are the top 5 things you need to know. See you soon and best of luck this school year!

 

 

1. When can you visit the library? 

Unlike in elementary school, there is no "library class." However, your classes may come in sometimes for research, projects, or to listen to book talks. You can visit the library by yourself during your study hall or lunch periods, as long as you have a pass. Sixth graders may visit the library AFTER your class has come in for library orientation (sorry- you have to know where things are before you can check out books!)

2. What's the deal with study hall? 

Coming to the library during studyhall is a PRIVILEGE. In order to keep that privilege students must: have a pass from their studyhall teacher, sign in when entering, have something productive to do while you're here, and leave the library the way you found it.  You may come to the library to do any of the following: use a computer for research, print out an assignment, find a book, or read a book or magazine. Homework should be done in studyhall, unless you need a computer or help with research! Because we have limited computers, students playing games or wasting time on a computer will be asked to leave.

3. How do I check out a book?

Have your ID with you. You may take out 2 books at a time and keep them for 2 weeks. Most of our fiction books have stickers on them, telling you which genre they fit into. Ms. Emili and Mrs. Weissman can always help you find what you're looking for- don't be afraid to ask!

 4. What else does the library have to offer?

In addition to regular books, we have:  e-books that you can read on any device (Kindle, Nook, iPad, smart phone, etc), magazines, databases to help you with your research, daily newspapers, and lots of other resources available on our website.

5. Are there any special activities that happen in the library?

YES! Most months we have a reading contest with prizes and a Lunch Bunch event, when a librarian from the public library comes in to tell you about new books, shows you how to make a craft, and you can eat your lunch in the library with your friends.  Some of our language arts classes have Skyped with authors. We had a dressup day last year for School Library Month in April. Sixth graders participate in Six Flags Read to Succeed. This year we'll be starting a Library Loyalty program, where you can earn prizes for participating in contests and volunteering in the library. Stay tuned to the morning announcements, read the blog, or stop in to find out what's going on!