Posts Tagged school library
Five Reasons Every School Library Should Have a Fastback Binding Machine
Have you heard of Powis Parker Fastback? If you are a school librarian, teacher, administrator, media center specialist or school district purchasing agent you might really want to check it out. The Fastback binding system provides a revolutionary new way to bind documents, books, reports, presentations and even yearbooks. In fact, a Fastback machine can be used in so many different ways and can save most schools so much money that no school library should be without one. This article will identify five reasons that your school library should consider owning a Fastback Binding System.
- Book Repair: The Parker Fastback 15xs binding machine is a great option for schools that are looking to repair damaged soft cover and hard cover books. You can use a Fastback system to add a new wrap around printed cover to a soft cover book. You can also rebind the contents of a hard cover book and place them in a new hard case or glue them in the old hard cover. Many school libraries also use their Fastback Binding machine to strengthen the bind on their trade paperback books. By running every paperback through a binding cycle before it is placed on the shelf, you can in many cases double the shelf life of these books. School libraries spend a huge amount of money every year replacing paperback books that are worn out and have pages coming out. The fastback binding system can help you save on some of those costs.
- Downloadable Content: More and more providers of school curriculum and book publishers are offering access to websites with downloadable content. With a Fastback binding system you can quickly and easily turn those downloads, e-books, curriculum supplements and other materials in to printed bound documents. This is a great way provide an added service to your teachers and your students. These materials can be printed and bound on demand and can easily be added as volumes to your collection for use in future years.
- Yearbook Creation: For small and medium sized schools, the cost of having an outside service print and bind a yearbook for you can be astronomical. In fact, the cost is so high that many smaller schools simply don’t produce yearbooks. However, with a Powis Parker Fastback binding system you can have students print and bind their own yearbooks. Many schools have successfully turned the production, printing and binding of their yearbook into a leadership development project for their students. The cost savings of producing the yearbook in house will usually pay for the equipment the first year and offer substantial savings in following years.
- Student Publishing: Having a Fastback Binding machine in your school makes it easier than ever for students and classes to publish their own bound and printed books. Many schools around the world already use Fastback to allow their students to publish their own poems, short stories, essays and reports. These written works can be published with tape binding, perfect binding or can even be added to a hard cover book or anthology. Some of your classes may even decide to publish their own book as a fund raiser to sell to the parents.
- Out of Print Materials: With a Fastback binding system libraries can have a whole new world opened up to them when it comes to out of print or public domain materials. Librarians can download, print and bind books that are in the public domain, rare, out-of-print or super specialized. These books can be bound and printed for addition to your library’s collection.
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The Local Library – A Guaranteed Learning Adventure
Looking for a way to stretch your home school dollars? The local library is the answer. Since most of us operate on a modest income, finding ways to supplement curriculum for free is very helpful. Why purchase every creative thing you see when you can borrow?
As believers we are exhorted to be good stewards of our time and resources. Your local public library and/or the Christian school library associated with your home school group are excellent ways to be in God’s will when it comes to stewardship. Libraries offer internet access for research, computer learning games, books, magazines, reference materials, DVDs, CDs, tutoring, special monthly activities, and so much more.
In my four years as a Christian school Librarian, I was amazed to see how little the resources we offered were actually used. I would get so excited when acquiring new materials and my elation would diminish when the students did not respond with the same enthusiasm.
So, how can we get our children excited about the library and all the treasures awaiting discovery? Here are some ways to spark their interest:
- Make the library a regularly planned part of your home school routine. Using the library should be something your home schoolers anticipate as an exciting part of their week. Schedule weekly trips to exchange reading materials, to develop research and study skills, to use the online resources, to provide volunteer services, to work on a unit study or project, and/or to participate in a weekly library calendar item.
- Know your librarian. According to Creative Homeschooling: A Resource Guide for Smart Families, “A home school family’s best friend is a good librarian.” (p.208) The Guide goes on to recommend developing a working relationship with the local librarian so that your children feel comfortable asking questions. Librarians are experts in the field of information. It is a science to organize information in a way that is most understandable and accessible to the user.
- Plan to give back. Libraries need volunteers for various duties including: shelving books, leading book discussions, straightening, assisting new computer users, and reading to young children. The library is a great place for home school families to serve side-by-side.
- Periodicals. There are many publications we as home school families will not afford ourselves at home. The library has tons! Plan a monthly library trip to peruse the magazine rack or assign a report based on current events best found in the newspaper. There are a variety of newspapers and journals, daily, weekly, and monthly, that your students can use to develop their research skills.
- A change of scenery. Home school can get monotonous at times. Children are dynamic creatures with many interests. When the schoolhouse is your living room or your dining room table, boredom can creep in if we are not careful. The library provides another environment both literally and, within books, fictionally. It is a great place to feed their minds and stimulate their education outside of the four walls of your home. In addition, books introduce us to people and places we’ve never known before.
Plan some time at your local library. It’s a guaranteed learning adventure!
books, child, computer learning, curriculum, education, home school, homeschool, homeschooling, information, internet, librarian, librarians, libraries, library, local library, public library, school, school librarian, school library, schooling, tutoringRelated posts