5th Graders Geek the Library

Before Christmas break the 5th graders worked on an awesome project that was a spin off of the Geek the Library program.


For those of you unfamiliar with Geek the Library, check out their website! The program is a fabulous one that helps to show support for local libraries by highlighting all the awesome things you can learn and do at the library. Geek Skiing? There's a book for that. Doctor Who more your style? There's a book or movie for that too. From resources to programs and events, libraries do it all, which is why I Geek the Library.

So how did I tweak this program for my 5th graders? Well, it was pretty easy, I went to a seminar a few years ago at NYLA by Buffy Hamilton and she highlighted how she implemented the program in her library. This was 2 years ago and I was really excited to get to take her idea and my kids and make it happen!

For our project the kids were working on using our online catalog system. What better way to get that done then by looking up what we geek?! To start students had to brainstorm what they geek. What they love so much they can't help but be a nerd about it. We had some great topics- everything from Superman to Knitting made the list. Next the kids had to look up that topic in the catalog to see what kind of resources we had available. They needed to make note of the title, author and call number and whether or not the resource was currently available in the library. Lastly, they each made a poster about what they geek, including all the resource information so that other people can check out not only what everyone geeks, but the resources we have to offer. It was great seeing the kids share their passions and find common ground with classmates they may not have talked with before.

It was a fun project and I'll definitely miss the 5th graders as they head back to their home school for the Spring semester!


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For more about Buffy Hamilton and all of her amazing ideas and programs check out her twitter page. I for one can't wait to see what she does in her new position at the Cleveland Public Library. She's given me more great ideas then I can count already, and I can't wait to see what's next!