New Arrivals in the Library

Here are our latest arrivals. I think we have added quite a few interesting books to our collection. Many of them are definitely on my "must read" list. Now, just to find the time to read them all.

Notes to the Future: Words of Wisdom contains over 300 quotes of Nelson Mandela's collected from public speeches as well as his personal papers.

The innovators : how a group of hackers, geniuses, and geeks created the digital revolution provides insight into the thinking of those who have created the digital world we live in today.

Ada's algorithm : how Lord Byron's daughter Ada Lovelace launched the digital age tells the overlooked story of how the computer age could have started over 200 years ago, if only they had been willing to pay attention to a woman. 

Among the truthers : a journey through America's growing conspiracist underground takes a look at how social media is a breeding ground for new conspiracists.

Check out the e-library for more information about each book.

TEDxYouth@Austin

I have registered (or rather applied for an invitation) to the TEDxYouth@Austin event to be held at Westlake HS on February 14th, 2015. I'm really excited and hope to receive the invite. If you would like to join me, and I don't me literally, you don't have to even say hi, although you could, click the link above to register yourself. If you have no idea what a TED event even is, check out TEDtalks. They are amazing and inspirational and funny and sincere and addicting. Here are two of my favorites, I am an educator after all: How Schools Kill Creativity and Kids Can Teach Themselves. The talks are no more than 20 minutes in length and cover just about any topic you can conceive. Have fun and enjoy yourself. Hope to see some of you there!

Where has the time gone?

Time keeps on ticking...into the future. That is how I feel as I realized we have entered November and this semester is just weeks from being over.

I wanted to share a few things that will hopefully be enticing for you:

We have added a database of free TX DMV permit practice test for you. Yep, I said FREE. Just visit the Library page for access. That's it. No tricks. No passwords. Just click your way in. 

We also have International Game Day coming up in a few weeks. Friday, November 14th. Be sure to stop by the library to play a game or two. We even hope to have the XBox up and running in the Great Room during all three lunches. We will also have Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Checkers, Chess, Uno, puzzles, and much more. 

And finally, here are some of our new books:

Whoa! Welcome to 2014-2015

We are three weeks into the new school year, and it has been a whirlwind in here. One really positive observance is that you guys are checking out books like crazy. We aren't sure why, but please, keep stopping by to check out those books. Most of our new titles have been checked out already, but keep an eye out as we have several orders in the works and many new books coming this way soon. And don't forget to check out the fabulous displays by our own Mrs. Roberts. We have "Reading Now," a display of books that have been turned in to recent movies, the Hispanic Heritage Month display showcasing books about, by, and celebrating Hispanic Americans, and finally we have the Banned Books display bringing awareness about books that have been challenged in this country over the last year. Lots of interesting material out there for you.

Also, check out the window on the Patio. It is a work in process, but we are asking you to participate in voting for your favorites books from last year. Take a look around the library and look for the "Vote for Me!" labels to read some of last years best titles.

Sorry there are no pictures this time, but I promise to bring the images next time.

Hope you've had a great start to a new year!
Mrs. Day

21 Days and Counting

We are down to just 21 days left of the school year. My first year at Westwood has flown by. I am looking forward to the Summer break but am also excited for next year. The awesome library staff here, Ms. Woolsey, Mrs. Roberts and myself have been busily working to take this library to the next level in our climb to become a go to example of a 21st Century library. Some of the coming changes include a new, more interactive, website with features such as an online help desk. Students can also now text their questions to us using Google Voice @ 512-910-5779. Although we are not available 24/7, we do still sleep and have fun, but we will be that more accessible. And there is still more to come. We are excited to unveil all the ways we are here to be of services to our students and fellow staff members. Keep checking back to see what else is new at WHSLib.

MAY NEW ARRIVALS

GOOGLE SUMMER OF CODE

"Google Summer of Code is a global program that offers students stipends to write code for open source projects. We have worked with the open source community to identify and fund exciting projects for the upcoming summer."