Tech Enhanced Lit Circle

I think it would be great to incorporate a Tech Enhanced Lit Circle for any small book study or even Biblical/devotional studies. The idea of everyone having a part to play and something to contribute to the discussion instead of just one person doing all of the work is great. While some of the roles do seem to require a bit more work, every role is important and has a valid place for discussing any text. It would be great if every week (or every session) roles changed so everyone was able to experience different parts and research/engage in different parts of the story/book. I guess that some of this would depend, though, on the size of the group you are reading with. However, you could really play these roles even as an individual reading a book in order to more fully engage and learn about the book you are reading. Of course, doing a book study individually would not involve conversation, but just doing the research would be a great way to learn more about whatever you are reading.

Book fold

This is my attempt at the book fold.. I was able to print the four pages on one page but I was not able to get certain pages to "flip" so they would all read the correct way without turning the page...

Book Emails

I have struggled a lot with the short readings that have been emailed to me.. I find it hard to read on my phone and have had to (several times) go to the website to have installments re-sent to me because they never came. 

I think the idea is great -- a snippet a few times a week to read a full-length book -- but for me personally, it has not been a good experience. 

I chose a book I have never read to make it a little more exciting and to force myself to really read and engage instead of just skim.. In the first couple of weeks, when it was consistently working, I really was enjoying it (once I got over reading on my phone). It was nice to know the readings weren't going to be TOO long but that I was going to eventually cover the entire story. 

Audio Book

I have enjoyed listening to my audio book.. I've been listening while in the car on my way to work. I think it's a great way for people who "don't have time" to be able to read. The book I chose is one I have read in hard copy previously so what I think I really like is hearing the way the reader expresses the words/emotions/characters differently than what I had previously done silently. I also really enjoy the voice of the reader. If I didn't, I'm not sure I could continue to enjoy listening to the book.

Pros:
--Easy
--Fun to listen to
--Animated reader

Cons:
--If I didn't enjoy the voice, I would give up on the book -- even if it was something I really was interested in
--Can only listen in short increments (personal preference)

Library Visit

Before I visited the physical location, I checked the branch website to see if I could learn anything about any special collections or events. 

With the website, I liked that you were able to access several e-book/audio book/video collections with the use of your library card number. 

Most of the special collections, though, are only available at the Main Library Branch. 

I visited the Southeast Branch on a Tuesday afternoon; I arrived around 3:30 and left around 5:15. 

I was actually surprised with how much activity there was for a Tuesday afternoon. Upon arrival, I did a quick walk through and surveyed what everyone was doing. There was a wide age range of visitors: from preschool to adult. There were about 15 people on personal laptops or tablets, 23 on library computers (it looked as though most were doing work, reading the news, researching or writing papers; I only saw one who was playing a game), 1 reading a book, 3 on their phones, 5 people actually looking through the shelves and selecting books, 2 people in comics, 1 person looking through the DVDs and 2 staff members restocking shelves. 

This does not include the "Teen Library" section which was full of kids; some on computers -- mostly playing games, some on phones, two were playing chess, but mostly they were all jus talking with one another. There is also a Children's Library. During this time, it was mostly just elementary aged students: three on computers, two with tutors, one building with large foam blocks and one with a parent doing puzzles. There was also a young child, probably preschool age, who was there with a parent. 

As it got later, children started leaving and it was mostly just adults or high school/college aged students who were all busy on laptops or computers. There were also a few older gentlemen who were reading newspapers (one with a grandson, I'd guess, who was reading beside him) but besides them, there were much fewer visitors who were there to read. The Teen Library population had also dwindled and there were only a couple left on computers. 

I liked that this branch (and I'm sure most of them) offered some English learning classes. There was a Center for Adult Learning -- which appeared to be one large classroom -- to house these classes. This branch also had three meeting rooms. One of the meeting rooms was a large computer lab while the other two were just conference spaces. There was also a "cafe" (a room with a few tables and chairs and a wall of vending machines) that a few people were using as I was walking out. 

What I learned from visiting the Library... Most people use it as a quiet workspace. The majority of people I observed were on their own personal devices, using the internet for research or reading the news or were doing projects/papers/word documents. Kids tend to use it more for the actual BOOKS (and when I say kids, I mean their parents.. the kids just wanted to be playing with the blocks or puzzles).

My grandmother was a librarian so I have tons of childhood memories in the library in Fernandina but I stopped using the public library in elementary school years.. Probably because my school had their own library. I also didn't use the library much in undergrad. Internet technology has really surpassed the need for a lot of physical, in person, go find a book and mark a page type researching. I did utilize this branch of the library when I first began teaching about two years ago.. Books are expensive! But are also a fundamental element to teaching young kids so I would go spend a Saturday every couple of weeks checking out books that pertained to our theme or letter of the week. I actually really enjoy being at the library; I think just because it is so quiet and a non-distractionary work place. I, however, prefer to go to the library when looking for books as I like to do my research and school work/work at home.. Just a personal preference. :] 

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