A revisiting of goals

'Tis time to revisit my professional goals for the year. I began the year with a goal of creating a school readiness pamphlet for parents. This idea/goal was born during a discussion following lessons on how to properly turn pages in a book. Yes, this is actually a skill/habit I try to teach/instill. It is amazing how many students think that pushing a page is the best way to turn it. It is also amazing how many torn pages are found in library books due to students/others turning the page by lifting it near the spine. For all those who don't know......please turn the page gently from the corner!!!!!! Sigh. I theorized that if parents where provided with information about teaching this skill/habit at home then perhaps there would be less of a problem. I'm am absolutely positive that I go around saying "turn the page at the corner please" a lot more than I say "sshhhh". (I will confess though that my very first day with students as a librarian I did say "ssshhhh". I was so embarrassed!) Anyhow, while talking to a teacher about the page turning problem, we came up with the idea to make something for parents with this and other tips for school readiness. We even went to the effort to seek grant moneys but alas we failed at that effort, not surprisingly. Unfortunately, all the momentum for the project left when I found myself off work for several weeks due to a broken arm. Therefore I changed my goal to something more attainable - this blog. I still have my goal of preparing 5th grade students for middle school library research. I made quite a bit of progress on that in the fall before my accident. I am currently waiting until after THE BIG TEST to continue on that goal. I'm well aware of time constraints the teachers have in preparation for THE BIG TEST. In place of the readiness information for parents (which I hope to do in the future) I have chosen to use this blog as an extension of the professional journal writing that I did last year. This seems a logical extension. Now I am writing for an audience and that makes a difference. Yes, my audience consists of only a few lurkers who never comment and a few family members who I thank very much for their opinions. Despite this small audience, it is the fact that you exist that makes writing this easier. Thank you audience! Feel free to give yourself a pat on the back... (To my lurker audience: Feel free to comment!)