Indiana General Assembly Provides
$6 Million for New Books
Once again, the Indiana General Assembly has provided $6 million for schools to
purchase new school library books and news- papers during the 2001-2002 and
2002-2003 school years. The
legislation makes $3 million available for each of the two budget years.
These funds along with required matching local funds should allow the
average middle grades school to purchase 1.24 books per student per year.
The Indiana General Assembly has done its part.
They have provided approximately half of the new books that will be
available. This support is vital,
because without new books, it is difficult to entice students to practice their
reading.
Unfortunately, adolescents are surrounded by a vast array of commercialized forms of recreation, many of which have no lasting benefits. With new school library books provided by the Indiana General Assembly and school corporations during the past few years, students now have access to current, interesting, and attractive books that encourage a positive form of recreation while providing the practice needed to become skilled readers.
But this is only one part of the equation.
It is up to librarians, principals, and teachers to feature and promote
the books. The following are some
suggestions for middle grades teachers to increase circulation and reading of
school library books:
Be a role model for students by reading several new books each year, including those on the Young Hoosier Book Award Lis
Place
Young Hoosier Book Award Program charts in classrooms and write in
students’ names.
Read
aloud to students in classrooms.
Take
classes each week to the school library, promote new books, and provide time
for students to check out books.
Have
students give booktalks using new books available in the school library.
Locate
a group of older and unattractive but well-written and interesting books,
and have students create new book jackets.
Use
free spine labels from the Middle Grades Reading Network to feature
books written by Indiana authors.
Take
pictures of eighth grade students reading books, have the pictures enlarged
to poster size, and display them in halls.
Create
a poster with a student-generated list of recommended books.
Provide
an annual program to promote schoolwide reading.
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