Patsy Divver is the School Librarian at Millis Middle/High School
What are the lurking secret lives of our school librarians? Did you just wake up one morning and decide you wanted a life of book shelves and Dewey, or was there another part to your life? Even now… what happens when the school doors close?
In this column, we’d like to hear from YOU about the many hats you wear… not just during the day (with library, tech, homeroom, lunch duty, advisor, coordinator), but before your turn as a librarian - or even now, when it’s ‘after-hours’! Let’s hear what our colleagues have been up to!
In this column, we’d like to hear from YOU about the many hats you wear… not just during the day (with library, tech, homeroom, lunch duty, advisor, coordinator), but before your turn as a librarian - or even now, when it’s ‘after-hours’! Let’s hear what our colleagues have been up to!
Wendy Garland, Avery Elementary School Library, Dedham:
Like many in our field, I was a career changer. However, my first career change came at the ripe old age of 19. I came to the school library profession following my retirement from a (very brief) ballet career. I worked at a public library to make the ends meet. When the company wasn't performing, I wasn't getting paid. Libraries were my income and my refuge. When I decided to abandon the profession, I felt lost and didn't know what to do with myself. The kind children's librarian suggested that I humor a career in libraries. The rest, as they say, is history (as I danced off to college to pursue a second career).
Tricia Svendenson, Bishop Feehan High School:
I was on Fear Factor - eating hissing Madagascar cockroaches! Joe Rogan came to our house for a Fear Factor Home Invasion about 15 years ago. Here's a video clip of me and my family downing the tasty critters! Notice I even tried to get a librarian plug in! www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFQRXvzmWJE
Lisa Rogers, John D. Hardy Elementary School, Wellesley:
My secret life is that being a children's library teacher has led me to become a children's author! I work on my stories early in the morning and late at night, in between walking my big dog and doing a lot of running (I have run the Boston Marathon three times and am planning to run this year).
My first book, 16 Words: William Carlos Williams and the Red Wheelbarrow, is about the poet and the inspiration for his famous poem. It's a picture book that will be out from Schwartz and Wade Books in September. It's fun to be able to talk about the writing and publication process with my students! I also write a blog in the voice of my stubborn hound dog, Tucker: dreamsdudog.blogspot.com
Anne Calcaterra, Sizer School Library:
Last summer, I opened a small seasonal antique/vintage goods/hand-made craft shop, "Pieces of the Past", in the White Mountains. Located directly on Rte. 16 in Conway NH, it overlooks the Saco River with views of the Moat Mountains and Mt. Chocorua. Patrons get to see bald eagles fly over the heads of tubers as they float by, and I get to be near the mountains as I attempt to climb the 48 4,000 footers of NH with my daughter (we are 1/3 of the way through).
Sharon Dorian, Librarian, Taunton High School:
While currently the librarian at Taunton High School, I also have a second job, which I've held for 12 years, as Treasurer for the local cemetery/crematorium. I do all their books and payroll, which means once a week I meet the Superintendent at the crematorium (before school) to pick up the week's deposits, bills and correspondence. I know more about burying the dead and cremation than I ever wanted to know.
Ariel Dagan, Library Media Specialist, Tri-County RVTSD:
Back in ‘99 when I was teaching in private schools, I used to wear “Save the Children” ties. I wanted to have some ties that would be more meaningful to the themes I was teaching in the Jewish Day school. I came up with an entire line of apparel (neckwear called “Ancientties” which was a play on words). You see, I was born in Israel and I wanted the designs I created to connect people with their ancient heritage. The ties came in a pot, together with a parchment that explained the history of the design. So, when you received it as a gift, you would be “digging into your history” and finding your Ancient Ties. With an initial line of 12 designs in categories of Ancient Symbols, Ancient Places, and Biblical Passages, I have since increased to more lines such as Zodiac, 12 Tribes, and have created mosaics, scarves, ornaments and more. (You can see the full line of products at www.ancientties.com) Here is an example of a scarf I designed for the King Tut and The Golden Age of the Pharaohs and a description as well. https://www.ancientties.com/store/p31/King_Tutankhamun_Falcon_Feather__and_Golden_Band_Scarf.html
When I am not at school helping students become independent users of information and finding great titles to read, I watch and run in races of all distances. Currently, I am training for my first ultra marathon, and in August, I will be running a Stage Run: eight days around Mt Kilimanjaro kilimanjarostagerun.com/.
Want to share? Send me your information… a great place to give inspiration, expand background knowledge, and even make a new connection! Oh, and my “secret life”? I wrote greeting cards at Rust Craft in Dedham, MA. SO many ways to say “Happy Birthday!” Enjoy, everyone!
Like many in our field, I was a career changer. However, my first career change came at the ripe old age of 19. I came to the school library profession following my retirement from a (very brief) ballet career. I worked at a public library to make the ends meet. When the company wasn't performing, I wasn't getting paid. Libraries were my income and my refuge. When I decided to abandon the profession, I felt lost and didn't know what to do with myself. The kind children's librarian suggested that I humor a career in libraries. The rest, as they say, is history (as I danced off to college to pursue a second career).
Tricia Svendenson, Bishop Feehan High School:
I was on Fear Factor - eating hissing Madagascar cockroaches! Joe Rogan came to our house for a Fear Factor Home Invasion about 15 years ago. Here's a video clip of me and my family downing the tasty critters! Notice I even tried to get a librarian plug in! www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFQRXvzmWJE
Lisa Rogers, John D. Hardy Elementary School, Wellesley:
My secret life is that being a children's library teacher has led me to become a children's author! I work on my stories early in the morning and late at night, in between walking my big dog and doing a lot of running (I have run the Boston Marathon three times and am planning to run this year).
My first book, 16 Words: William Carlos Williams and the Red Wheelbarrow, is about the poet and the inspiration for his famous poem. It's a picture book that will be out from Schwartz and Wade Books in September. It's fun to be able to talk about the writing and publication process with my students! I also write a blog in the voice of my stubborn hound dog, Tucker: dreamsdudog.blogspot.com
Anne Calcaterra, Sizer School Library:
Last summer, I opened a small seasonal antique/vintage goods/hand-made craft shop, "Pieces of the Past", in the White Mountains. Located directly on Rte. 16 in Conway NH, it overlooks the Saco River with views of the Moat Mountains and Mt. Chocorua. Patrons get to see bald eagles fly over the heads of tubers as they float by, and I get to be near the mountains as I attempt to climb the 48 4,000 footers of NH with my daughter (we are 1/3 of the way through).
Sharon Dorian, Librarian, Taunton High School:
While currently the librarian at Taunton High School, I also have a second job, which I've held for 12 years, as Treasurer for the local cemetery/crematorium. I do all their books and payroll, which means once a week I meet the Superintendent at the crematorium (before school) to pick up the week's deposits, bills and correspondence. I know more about burying the dead and cremation than I ever wanted to know.
Ariel Dagan, Library Media Specialist, Tri-County RVTSD:
Back in ‘99 when I was teaching in private schools, I used to wear “Save the Children” ties. I wanted to have some ties that would be more meaningful to the themes I was teaching in the Jewish Day school. I came up with an entire line of apparel (neckwear called “Ancientties” which was a play on words). You see, I was born in Israel and I wanted the designs I created to connect people with their ancient heritage. The ties came in a pot, together with a parchment that explained the history of the design. So, when you received it as a gift, you would be “digging into your history” and finding your Ancient Ties. With an initial line of 12 designs in categories of Ancient Symbols, Ancient Places, and Biblical Passages, I have since increased to more lines such as Zodiac, 12 Tribes, and have created mosaics, scarves, ornaments and more. (You can see the full line of products at www.ancientties.com) Here is an example of a scarf I designed for the King Tut and The Golden Age of the Pharaohs and a description as well. https://www.ancientties.com/store/p31/King_Tutankhamun_Falcon_Feather__and_Golden_Band_Scarf.html
When I am not at school helping students become independent users of information and finding great titles to read, I watch and run in races of all distances. Currently, I am training for my first ultra marathon, and in August, I will be running a Stage Run: eight days around Mt Kilimanjaro kilimanjarostagerun.com/.
Want to share? Send me your information… a great place to give inspiration, expand background knowledge, and even make a new connection! Oh, and my “secret life”? I wrote greeting cards at Rust Craft in Dedham, MA. SO many ways to say “Happy Birthday!” Enjoy, everyone!
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