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Just Keep Reading

Wednesday is when we would normally have our Book Club at JPA. The book club was created when pupils asked for a quiet place and time in a busy and hectic school day to just switch off, sit down and enjoy a good book. I think we can all agree that this is something we definitely still need in our day, especially in this difficult and stressful situation.

During Book Club we would talk about what we are reading, make demands of the librarian (me!) for what we would like to read, and of course: READ! With lockdown in place, we can’t meet up in the library at lunch time for now, but Book Club is not cancelled!

Join us on Twitter on Wednesdays for #VirtualBookClub – everyone is welcome! Staff, pupils, families and librarians alike can join in and talk about what they’re reading – I would love to hear what people are reading on lockdown, and listen to any recommendations for books.

(Psst! You can read this series at home through the eLibrary!)

You can also keep track of your reading at home to tell me all about it when schools reopen! All of my Book Club pupils will have their Reading Passports to do this in, but keep a record in any way you like to join in. You can also talk about what you’re reading and read together with the people at home. Start your own mini Book Clubs at home!

Feeling impatient? Want to read something right now and not wait? Have a look at the No Wait, No Problems collection of the Glasgow Libraries eLibrary – all the books here are available to read RIGHT NOW so you don’t have to wait! Some Book Club favourites are on this list, including Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Big Nate comics by Lincoln Pierce and The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon. Just look for the orange banner at the top of the book cover to see if you can read it right away!

Of course, if you have something specific in mind, but it’s not available right now, you can reserve it for when it’s returned. Just select ‘Place a Hold’ on any books with the white ‘Wait List’ banner, like the Dog Man graphic novel – another much loved favourite in the library!

Can’t find what you want? Don’t worry – you can still demand the books you want! Just like your regular library, the eLibrary doesn’t have everything, but you can still ask for it! If you have something specific in mind but when you search for it, it says ‘Not Owned’ in a black banner at the top then you can recommend it to the Glasgow Librarians. For example, I know a few of our Book Club members have and definitely would recommend The School for Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani, and there were loads of requests for My Hero Academia throughout the year – get online and get recommending!

Standard Book Club rules apply at home as in school – read whatever you want! It doesn’t matter what format or genre, so long as you enjoy it! Prefer audiobooks or graphic novels? Excellent! Fantasy instead of Mystery? Brilliant! Try something new or stick to what you know, it’s up to you. Stop at least once a week, maybe even Wednesday lunch time, or join the Scottish BookTrust #readinglunch on Thursdays, and enjoy reading a book – and talk about it if you can. Just keep reading!

Napoleon Dynamite: a masterclass in comedy

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Librarian’s note: this is a historic blogpost – the first written by one of Lourdes Secondary‘s pupils! S1 Jack decided to write the first of what I hope will be the first of many pupil posts, with a film review.

Napoleon Dynamite film poster (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Napoleon Dynamite, a masterclass in comedy.

Napoleon Dynamite is a 2004 comedy film starring John Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Elren Ramirez, Tina Majorino [Librarian’s note: Tina also plays Mac in the excellent series Veronica Mars, and I recommend that everyone should watch it. Right now.]. The film follows a boy named Napoleon Dynamite and his friend Pedro Sanchez, as Pedro tries to win class president for his school. Directed by Jared Hess, the film is a love it or hate scenario; some might see it as too juvenile or plain unfunny, but it is a hidden gem sadly lost to the void of time. John Heder’s comedical timing is impecable as well as the look of his character, Napoleon, who is frequently bullied at his school and lives an utterly miserable life until he meets Deb, a girl with all kinds of strange jobs as she tries to raise money for college, who turns his life around. It is one of the most quoteable films to date and is generally underappreciated by the masses, receiving a 6.9/10 on IMDB, it is a must watch and can generally be found in most charity shops.

Librarian’s note: I knew of the film, but for some reason had never actually sat and watched it until I got this review. It was funny, odd in a very good way, and had a fantastically 1980s prom scene with some great music. The other dance scene, near the end, is also just a bit good.

Lockdown List

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A number of School Librarians across Glasgow have produced a list of books to read during Lockdown. Glasgow School Librarians Lockdown List

This is, of course, just to get you started. You can also access online books via your library card at https://libcat.csglasgow.org/web/arena/elibrary.

There are also loads of suggestions and activities available via the Scottish Book Trust website (scottishbooktrust.com) as well as their Bookzilla app (information here: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading-and-stories/bookzilla) which is free to download.

Happy Reading!

LOCKDOWN LITERATURE

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Hi!

School librarians across Glasgow have compiled a list of books to read during these bizarre times. Hit the link and take a look:

Glasgow School Librarians Lockdown List

Remember you have access to online books through your library card. Which can be accessed here: https://libcat.csglasgow.org/web/arena/elibrary

All you need is your pin and if you’ve forgotten that just email me!

Final thought – who knew that the Apocalypse would be so slow and boring?

Glasgow School Librarians’ Lockdown Book List

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A bunch of school librarians in Glasgow have come together to recommend a huge variety of books to help pass the time while we’re all staying home.
Glasgow School Librarians Lockdown List

I encourage you to have a browse of the list, and to keep recommending books to your friends and family. Remember – stay safe and stay home!

Free Online Resources

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Hello all!

Even though the school and library is closed, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have library fun at home! For all pupils, teachers, parents, carers and anyone with an interest in books and reading, I’ve compiled this list of free online resources that you can access from home!

Glasgow Libraries eLibrary

Glasgow Libraries are available online! All pupils, as well as anyone with a library card, are able to access eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and music for free online through the Glasgow Libraries eLibrary. All you need is your library card number and four-digit PIN to access.

If any pupil needs help accessing these resources please get in touch with your English teacher.

#UnitedByBooks

Follow this hashtag on Twitter and other social media to see an amazing range of free resources online, promoted by a range of organisations, authors and illustrators. This will provide a variety of activities to do at home, as well as access to free reading materials.

Also, keep an eye to your favourite authors on Instagram and Twitter, as many are doing live readings of their books, offering free eBooks and a variety of other activities during the lockdown that anyone can join in with from home.

Scottish BookTrust: Live Author on Demand

Watch videos of talks and discussions with authors and illustrators of children’s books for a range of age groups. There are accompanying activities with each video. You can find the schedule for promoted events at the link above or visit the Authors Live on Demand page to browse the authors and illustrators available.

BookTrust HomeTime

Enjoy free online books and videos, games, quizzes, competitions and a host of other activities with BookTrust HomeTime. There are a variety of activities suited to a range of age groups so there’s something for everyone to get involved in!

Elevenses with The World of David Walliams

A free audio story is released every day featuring a character from David Walliams popular books, which I know many of our pupils will be familiar with! Previous audio stories are available for a limited time so make sure you take the opportunity to listen in every day! The website also has other activities available to help pass the time in lockdown.

Dekko Comics

Dekko Comics have made a variety of their educational comics available to read for free online. These can help pupils keep on top of school work during the lockdown as they cover a range of topics including maths, english, science, history, geography and PSHE. Find them at the link above.

Coronavirus: A Book for Children

The situation we find ourselves in is scary and confusing for everyone. This free illustrated book, which can be accessed online, helps to explain what’s happening for children and answers many of their questions and concerns.

Authorfy

A free online resource good for any budding writers out there! Find creative writing resources, activity packs, and writing masterclasses from well known authors. People everywhere are getting involved in their 10-minute challenges – why not give it a try yourself!

For Witches, Wizards and Muggles alike

For fans of Harry Potter, there are a variety of free resources to explore, including the first book in the series which now has unlimited access on the Glasgow Libraries eLibrary for every library user. See Glasgow Libraries eLibrary for information on how to access.

In addition to this, you can also visit the British Library: A History of Magic exhibition online for free, which explores magic in muggle history, as well as the wizarding world.

You can also visit Harry Potter at Home where you can find a variety of Harry Potter and magical activities to keep you occupied, including videos, games, quizzes and puzzles.

I’ll do my best to keep this post updated with resources as I find them, but remember to keep an eye on the library Twitter page @JPaulLibrary for more regular updates and to take part in our Wednesday #virtualbookclub – I want to hear all about what people are reading during lockdown!

Stay safe and well.

Working from home: day … 9? 40? 3 zillion?

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Lady Georgiana Octavia von Cthulhu of the Atlantic Cthulhus, here guarding the washing machine.

Time has ceased to have any meaning, in these strange times of social distancing and staying indoors. An octopus moved into my flat (her name is Lady Georgia Octavia von Cthulhu, of the Atlantic Cthulhus), so that’s been interesting. She’s excellent company, a fellow , and a great storyteller (I wish I’d been able to capture on film her performance of Tennyson’s sonnet The Kraken, but she’s still a bit shy; you can read the poem below). She does maintain that this poem is about one of her ancestors, but who’s likely to be able to contradict her? There are strange little purple flowers springing up all over the garden for the first time ever, and a ridiculously large bumblebee is fighting with a butterfly for control of the sunny windowsill (no victor yet). Having spent so much uninterrupted time in current Library HQ, I’m now debating doing some Green Knowe-style interior decorating; this means gargoyles, hawthorn blossom growing inside the house, spooky doll houses, old swords hanging on the walls, and mysterious mirrors in which you think you might see a ghost. So, yes, in short, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”.

The Kraken

Below the thunders of the upper deep;
Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea,
His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep
The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee
About his shadowy sides: above him swell
Huge sponges of millennial growth and height;
And far away into the sickly light,
From many a wondrous grot and secret cell
Unnumbered and enormous polypi
Winnow with giant arms the slumbering green.
There hath he lain for ages and will lie
Battening upon huge sea-worms in his sleep,
Until the latter fire shall heat the deep;
Then once by man and angels to be seen,
In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1830)

As you may already know, if you follow the library on Twitter and/or Instagram, today is National Unicorn Day. The unicorn being Scotland’s official national animal, attention must be paid. So here are some book recommendations! Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse is a fairytale about Maria Merryweather, an orphan who moves to live with a distant cousin in Moonacre valley, where she discovers that it is her destiny to right several ancient wrongs, reunite brokenhearted couples, and restore happiness to the valley. Thinking about it, I might need to add some Moonacre Manor style to my Green Knowe interior decoration plans (above). You should also read Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn, Lari Don’s Legend of the First Unicorn (a new book this year) the comic Phoebe and her Unicorn by Dana Simpson, and the science fiction short story ‘Mythological Creature’ by Stephen Donaldson, in his short story collection Daughter of Regals. Do you have any recommendations? Add them in the comments. I would also recommend the 1985 film Legend, though you would do well to ignore Tom Cruise if you can, and watch it for Tim Curry’s role as the Lord of Darkness.

Competition

Take a good look at the picture to the left. Does it set your imagination alight? What does it make you think of? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create something inspired by the picture. If you’re a wordsmith, you can write a story of no more than 500 words or a poem of no more than 10 lines. If you are more of a visual artist, you can create a comic with no more than 10 panels, or a short film maximum 10 minutes long.

You have until 10pm on Wednesday 22nd April to email me your competition entries. Please put your name and year group in the email. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, in the comments or by email. Good luck!

Our New Normal

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Hiya!

I’m Katie and I started working at St Mungo’s in February. It was weird time of year to join as everyone was so busy with exam prep…life got even weirder soon after. For everyone. Within a small amount of time life changed. We can’t go outside, toilet paper has become a precious resource and for the foreseeable my couch has become my office.

Welcome to my office. Fabulous slippers optional!

If ever there was a time to take solace in reading, this is it. I’ve spent this time in lockdown practically inhaling books, getting bendy with online yoga classes and living vicariously through virtual tours of the outdoors. When our worlds become unrecognisable we must get creative to stay sane.

I tweet daily (follow me on @stmungo_library) to make you aware of all the free, online content available that can stimulate your mind + stop your brain from getting Covid-sluggish. The great things is, the online library catalogue has loads of online material, all you need is your library card. Whether its films, make-up classes or writing competitions – you have options, so get liberated!

This is also a time for planning. I’m preparing for the next year and creating lots of exciting projects and clubs as well organising author visits. When this fresh hell is over, I hope to see you in the library.

Today the library registered with INTOFILM, Possibly the coolest film club around. It’s funded by the British Film Institute (BFI). They focus on film education and they encourage schools to run film clubs. In their film clubs, pupils are in control and decide what films to show.

There are a number of incentives attached to the film clubs – they have special activities such as a course called Film Detectives for S1 and S2 pupils which focuses on the material aspect of film and the ethical discussions around restoration.They have awards so the best film club goes to the BFI in London to attend a fancy awards show.

INTOFILM usually send out DVDs but due to the current situation they have a created a list of films that can be streamed from home and also 50 film guides for use at home too.

The library belongs to you. Make the best use of it.

Any questions, email me: katiemcgrath@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk

Useful links:

https://www.intofilm.org

https://libcat.csglasgow.org/web/arena/elibrary

Access FREE online resources with your school library card

Muhammad Khan: Author Visit

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On Monday 3 March, Notre Dame High School welcomed Muhammad Khan, author of I Am Thunder and Kick the Moon. This was organised as part of Glasgow’s Wee Write! Festival.

He talked to our S3 girls about his books and writing process, and also about Islamophobia and toxic masculinity. This event really resonated with our students and I know it was enriching for me personally.