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SV LMC Bits & Bytes

December 2022 - A Fall Review

SV LMC Bits & Bytes December 2022 - A Fall Review

Total Books Checked Out through September

Classes in the Library

English teachers brought their classes to the library a total of 16 days in October and November, and Mrs. Kauffman was out instructing in classes for 6 days, teaching reading strategies, characterization, research skills and using databases.


On days the library is not reserved for classes, students may come down from study hall on full period or 10-minute passes.

Mrs. Yager works with students
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Student-Teacher Collaboration

Mrs. Yager provides feedback to a group on their writing assignments.
Students seated in the library
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Classroom Seating

Classes of 30 can take one side of the library for use, leaving the other side for group or independent work.
Students at Collaboration Stations
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Collaboration Stations

The library has 8 stations for student and teacher project collaboration.

Fall Read & Feed

The importance of reading aloud to secondary students

Evidence-based benefits of Reading Aloud:


  • Creates community.
  • Encourages listeners to construct meanings and connect ideas and experiences.
  • Models fluency and expression in reading technical or literary language.
  • Encourages listeners to make meaning in new ways
  • Improves information processing skills, vocabulary, and comprehension.
  • Targets the skills of audio learners.
  • Motivates students to read.
(McGee, Patricia. “The Instructional Value of Storytelling." United States Air Force, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Warfighting Readiness Research Division.)


On October 26, we held the first major event of the year: the Fall Read & Feed. Students enjoyed snacks and beverages while teachers read a variety of Fall and Halloween stories. They also enjoyed word games and puzzles and had time to just enjoy one another's company.


Thanks for our faculty and staff for taking their prep periods to read ot our students: Nicole Wee, Angie Luttenegger, Matt Klingner, Kristen Geist, Rachel Grotzke, Katherine Wagner, Rachael Dooley and Jeanette Van Zomeren.

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Prizes were drawn every period.

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Students enjoyed snacks while listening.

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Teachers and students enjoyed crafts.

Monthly Celebrations in October & November

Display of books
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Top books by top Hispanic authors

Some of the most popular books in the circulation are by authors celebrated: Adam Silvera, Rex Ogle, Elizabeth Acevedo, Becky Albertalli, and Meg Medina.

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15 featured books depicted the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors originated from Mexico, South and Central America, Spain, and the Caribbean.
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"Own Voices" authors and experiences

Interesting to note, the month begins on September 15 because it is the anniversary, or near the anniversary, of independence for many Latin American countries.
Native American Heritage Month Sign
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Native American Heritage Month

President George H. W. Bush declared November as Native American Heritage month on August 3, 1990.
Native American Heritage Book Display
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Book Display of Indigenous Authors

Favorite authors include Joseph Bruchac, Sherman Alexie, James Bird, Darcie Little Badger, and Angeline Boulley.
Native American Heritage Information
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How It Started

Designed to celebrate indigenous American cultures, this month also offers a look at the challenges these people groups face, historically and today.

Collaboratory / Makerspace

Making & Taking

The recent button machine for the Collaboratory makerspace has proven to be a hit with students. Purchased earlier this fall, tech teens and Mrs. Oldenburger's students helped unpack the machine and put it together. They were first to practice making buttons they can take. In the month since we've had it, tech teens have created instructions and aided students in creating and making their own buttons.
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Making the button

Using a circle cutter, students first created the sized paper and then sketched their designs.
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Will it work?

Students unpacked, assembled, and after some trial and error, created their own buttons.
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Final Product

Not bad for a first button. Students quickly began to plan mass printings and batch-making projects.

Tech Teens & Student Library Advisory Committee

Welcome to the SV Library of Stranger Things!
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Door Decorations: Stranger Things Mind Flyer

The Tech Teens created a tongue-in-cheek display for the fall library entrance: the Stranger Things Mind Flayer. They spent mutiple periods over the course of several days working on this entrance for the fall season.


But it is not just display work that our tech teens assist with in the library. They help organize and shelve books, run the Collaboratory makerspace, perform technology assistance for staff and students, create signage, help direct library programming.


If you have a student who might be interested in serving as a tech teen, s/he can fill out the application below or stop in the LMC to learn more information.

SV LMC & Tech Teen Application
Students can check in the LMC if they have questions.

LMC Happenings

Two students playing checkers
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Games from the Collaboratory

Sometimes it's the old school games that rise in popularity. Along with checkers, students have been playing lots of Uno and Chess.
Students looking for books
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Finding books, reading, and chilling

Students from study hall can come to the library on a 10-minute pass to look for books, return items, or get technology assistance.
Students using interactive Clevertouch
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Clevertouch is a popular addition

Using the Clevertouch touchscreen features, students can access the online catalog, look for recommendations, or peruse resource lists.
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Katy Kauffman, Teacher Librarian

TOTAL BOOKS CHECKED OUT SINCE BEGINNING OF YEAR: 4,302


QUICK STATS (October & November)


  • Top genres: Graphic Novels, Suspense, Realistic
  • Whole class daily reservations: 13 days
  • Teacher Librarian Teaching Days: 5
  • Top 3 most checked out books: I am Number Four by Pitticus Lore, Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus, One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus


Email: katy.kauffman@ankenyschools.org
Website: https://southview.ankenyschools.org/media-center/
Location: Southview Middle School, Southwest Cherry Street, Ankeny, IA, USA
Phone: 515-965-9635
Twitter: @AnkenySVLib