Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian

Here's my last post of the year...I think! Lol! It's been a rough year, but the good news is that I've inspiration for a wondrous 2018! With that being said, I bet it would surprise most of you to know that I wanted to be a park ranger when I was younger. It's was a "wildling wish" that I abandoned after thinking I was too chunky for a ballerina and had altitude sickness to prevent me from piloting a plane! I wanted to learn about the plants and surviving with the earth. I knew it would inspire my writing and creativity. Plus, I could connect with nature without the cages of the zoo. But then the thought of crossing paths with a cougar reminded me of the need for cages and pushed me away from that aspiration too! Fear is such the motivator! Where am I going with this? Though this city girl talked herself out of one of her dreams, doesn't mean you should. When you're looking for direction, don't let fear guide your compass. Self-doubt eats a...

4 young beauties came in this morning to check out library books.💓 I began to show them all the newly acquired library books...and they squealed with glee! 💗 Then, they did the unthinkable...the asked for a book club! 💜 What's even more AMAZING , they returned at their lunch w/a prepared greeting, to begin the book club. They persisted like the uncut diamonds they are! 💖  Here's to the 1st Blerd Book Club Meeting... ENJOY it as much as I did! Blerd Book Club from AwakenLibrarian on Vimeo . P.S.: May I just say that these group of girls are the "best friends" I needed when I was their age? Full circle moment, I tell you...this heals my inner child most definitely! I ❤ being their librarian!

Today has been brought to you by Thor's hammer! You know when you have those impromptu discussions about pop-culture and it leads to brilliant debates and philosophical discussions by your students??? THAT happened to me today. In my Makerspace, I have a Thor and his hammer. I had it out as a coping mechanism for one of my autistic learners. Some of my male students saw it and began playing with it. Sadly, I didn't have my camera ready to go. I was in the "welcome to class" mode. Nevertheless, the arguement began on who can pick up Thor's hammer, all while they acted out trying to pick up the hammer. After watching them struggle on who could, I chimed in with Vision, as the current winner was Magneto. Being the best diplomat I could, I conceded that Magneto and Ultron could both pick up the hammer! I had to get started with class!!! While they worked, I did some  RESEARCH --after all, I AM A LIBRARIAN--as they walked out the door, I told them that...