EDUCATION
Page 8 | June 2016
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
More than a Library: Celebrating Albion Middle School Librarian Marianne Bates By Stephanie Lauritzen / stephanie@mycityjournals.com
F
or Marianne Bates, running the Library Media Center at Albion Middle School is a dream come true. “I have always loved to read — my parents were both educators and they encouraged a love of reading and learning in our home. I studied English and library science in college, so I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher librarian.” Bates began working at Albion as an assistant librarian in 2000, and became the teacher librarian in 2006. “I’ve always loved books, but in the past few years, I have also learned to love technology, as it has become a more important part of the library world,” Bates said. As it turns out, students and teachers love Bates and think she’s an important part of the library world as well. In March, the Utah Educational Library Media Association named her Teacher Librarian of the Year, with the Canyons Board of Education recognizing her efforts in their May board meeting: “Marianne Bates’ influence is felt in every grade, by every teacher and by every student. Not only does she teach students the art of research and compiling data, she also curates a collection of books they find fascinating. And this year, she created a space within the library where students can come and spend time making
things — from Lego kingdoms to robots.” Running a successful library requires a wide range of skills and a willingness to constantly learn new things. According to Bates, “one of the most challenging aspects of my job is the wide variety of things we do here in the library. Besides taking care of the library collection and circulating the books and finding resources for teachers and students, we oversee the library computer lab and help with technology. I find that there are constant interruptions, but that is good because then there are more opportunities to help.” Fortunately, Bates feels supported by her team of assistants and colleagues. “I am lucky because I have two great assistants, Julie Frandsen and Margaret Redding — the library would not be the place it is without their help! Another challenge is keeping up with the constant changes in technology — there are always new resources and programs to learn to help students and teachers. I am always learning new things through collaborating with the great secondary teacher librarians in Canyons School District and from my school ed tech, Michelle Zey.” Despite the many challenges, Bates appreciates the opportunity to work with everyone in the school. “The best part of my job is getting to work with everyone in the
school, and the students, parents, teachers and administration at Albion are the best! I work with the teachers by teaching classes, finding books and online resources and by creating pathfinders and booklists. I work with students — helping them find resources, talking to them about books and helping them find just the right book.” An added bonus? “I ‘have’ to read a lot of books to stay up on the current young adult and middle school book titles, and that is very enjoyable,” Bates said. For students looking for a great new read, Bates recommends “The War That Saved My Life” by Kimberly Bradley, which focuses on a handicapped girl overcoming adversity during World War II, and “Lost in the Sun” by Lisa Graff, a contemporary fiction novel about a boy who feels responsible for the death of his friend. Furthermore, Bates makes sure to pre-order the latest popular fiction books so students can read their anticipated favorites the same day they are released. Beyond adding Legos to the library, Bates works hard to make her library unique and accessible to all of Albion’s students. “We have tried to keep our library up to date by following the new trends for libraries. Thanks to some wonderful grants from Donors Choose, 100% for Kids, the Albion Middle
Marianne Bates is honored at a Canyons District board meeting after winning the Teacher Librarian of the Year Award.
PTA and the Library Services and Technology Act, we have added a new “maker space” to our library, and now provide Kindles and downloadable audio and e-books for students to access from home. We have also added over 100 multiaccess e-books for teachers to use in their classrooms. A Utah Humanities grant allowed us to host a special community book club with Eileen Hallet Stone from ‘The Salt Lake Tribune’ as a guest speaker. I feel like our library shines because the administration at Albion is so supportive of the library and library programs.” l
Murray
Arts In The Park 2016
Happiness in marriage is not about being right; it’s about getting it right.
THere is Hope.
ev ening series
Season Tickets: $45 Adult, $40 Senior, $25 Child Murray Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South Ticket Information: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov
Let us help you and your family to
geT iT rigHT!
lunch concert series
June 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Motown Sounds Tribute Show June 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Murray Concert Band June 28-July 2 . . . . . . . . .1776 July 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Murray Symphony Pops July 15-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ballet Under the Stars July 28-30, Aug 1-3 . . . .Tarzan Aug 11-13, 15, 18-20 . .West Side Story August 27 . . . . . . . . . . . .Cityjazz Big Band September 5 . . . . . . . . . .Acoustic Music Festival
Every Tuesday at Noon in Murray Park Pavilion #5, FREE
family night s e r i e s
Every Thursday at 2 PM in Murray Park Pavilion #5, FREE
June 7 . . . . Clogging Grandmothers June 14 . . . Salt City Saints, Dixieland June 21 . . . Young Sax Quartet June 28 . . . Jay Lawrence & the Professors, Jazz July 5 . . . . . BD Howes, Singer/Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar
July 12 . . . Cecelia Otto, 21st-Century Vaudevillan July 19 . . . Chaskis, Music of the Andes July 26 . . . Promontory Trio, Appalachian August 2 . . String Chix Trio
children matinee series
• • • •
Free 30 minute consultations Close to home on Highland Dr. in Holladay Individual, Couples and Family Counseling Variety of therapeutic techniques from experiential to traditional customized for how you learn best. • Child care available upon request
CALL US FOR A CONSULTATION TODAY
801-272-3420
June 9 . . . . Acadamh Rince, Irish Dance
Bring the Whole Family, Young and Old! June 16 . . . Drum Bus Utah The 2nd Monday of every month at 7 pm, FREE June 23 . . . Eastern Arts Murray Heritage Senior Center (#10 East 6150 South – 1/2 block west of State) June 30 . . . Tikki Tikki Tembo, Theater Improv, Sheryl McGlochlin June 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shanahy, Celtic July 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Flint & Steel, Bluegrass August 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Salsa Espresso, Latin Jazz Sept 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tad Calcara Sextet, Big Band Era Swing
July 7 . . . . . Imagine That! Popcorn Media July 14 . . . . Two Shields, Native American Music and Dance July 21 . . . . Roots of American Music, Gary Stoddard July 28 . . . Paul Brewer, Magician August 4 . . Princess & the Pea, Puppet Players, Life Sized Puppets
This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP) and Utah Division of Arts and Museums and National Endowment for the Arts.
4190 s Highland Dr. suite# 220 Holladay, UT 84124 admin@connectionscs.com