Author Visit with Gordon Korman is a Success!
Elementary Student, Ethan Nerderman, Wins a T-Shirt
Ethan Nerderman, a fourth-grade student in Mrs. Echmeyer's Class, was selected at random from the entries of students who purchased a book to be autographed. Students had an opportunity to purchase books at the Scholastic Book Fair, as well as from the Media Center before Mr. Korman's Visit. Congratulations to Ethan. It's always nice to have a book or two autographed when an author comes to visit. But it's even sweeter to get a shirt signed and delivered to you directly from the author.
Check Out Monroe Media Centers' Card Catalogs
from the Comfort of HOME
When you want to find out if your school has a book that will help you with the research you are doing or if you simply want to know if the newest addition to your favorite series is available, all you have to do is check out the on-line version of the Media Centers' Card Catalog. To get there, just click the link here or type http://sirsi.swoca.net/opac/into your browser window and choose your library. You won't believe all that you can do even using your laptop from your favorite chair at home!
The Matson Learning Center Literary Art Collection
The first catalog of our Picture Book Art Collection was printed in 2006 and has now been expanded and revised. You can also see the online version of the catalog on our website. To see it now, simply click on the link below or on the page tab at the top of this site called Picture Book Art Gallery.
Many of the visitors to Monroe's Library-Media Centers comment about the impressive collection of children and young adult book art. Our smaller gallery of original picture book art is at the heart of the collection. http://www.hornethallway.com/Media_Center/index.html
Learning Center Serves as Library, Media Center and Gallery
Reprinted from the Monroe Pulse Journal, Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Brenda Gehm, director of library services & David Hogan, media specialist
MONROE — It’s a library, it’s a media center ... it’s an art gallery?
Each of the dozens of framed and matted book covers, posters and original illustrations that line the walls of the Matson Learning Center in the Monroe Local School District has a story.
Some are drawings by well-known illustrators, made during presentations to children, said Director of Library Services Brenda Gehm. Others were purchased from children’s book art galleries and conferences. Some were donated works from authors and illustrators, and have personal messages to the students of Monroe. Each is framed, she said, at a reduced cost by Bill Fletcher of Bill’s Frame Shop.
“Every author and illustrator who has been here has been very impressed with what we’re doing,” Gehm said.
Some, she said, have donated original art, simply because they know the care the district takes in displaying the pieces. Others have responded to written requests for autographs with additional works to display.
“We value the art as much as the words in the book,” she said.
The collection, which started when Gehm was a classroom teacher, has grown to more than 115 pieces of art, all categorized in a brochure found both in the school and online thanks to the work of media specialist David Hogan, who shares Gehm’s passion for children’s literature. From Gehm’s first piece, a poster of “The Sweetest Fig” by Chris Val Allsburg, to a prized original painting by Diane Stanley purchased at an auction, Gehm said they are always on the lookout for the next addition to the collection. In the corner of her office is a box of free posters she has been storing in case she runs into one of the authors or illustrators. The gallery is funded through donations or profits from the book fair, which also funds visits from authors and illustrators, she said.
Both said their goal is that their enthusiasm for literature will rub off on children.
“I’m really proud of it,” Gehm said. “When you walk in here and you see all this art on the wall — just think of what the library would look like if it wasn’t here.”
Students are not only introduced to new literature, Hogan said, but they become familiar with the authors and illustrators as well. The time they spend in the library is valuable, he said, adding, “One of the best things about our district is from the administration down, the feeling is the library is the hub of learning in the district.”
Each of the dozens of framed and matted book covers, posters and original illustrations that line the walls of the Matson Learning Center in the Monroe Local School District has a story.
Some are drawings by well-known illustrators, made during presentations to children, said Director of Library Services Brenda Gehm. Others were purchased from children’s book art galleries and conferences. Some were donated works from authors and illustrators, and have personal messages to the students of Monroe. Each is framed, she said, at a reduced cost by Bill Fletcher of Bill’s Frame Shop.
“Every author and illustrator who has been here has been very impressed with what we’re doing,” Gehm said.
Some, she said, have donated original art, simply because they know the care the district takes in displaying the pieces. Others have responded to written requests for autographs with additional works to display.
“We value the art as much as the words in the book,” she said.
The collection, which started when Gehm was a classroom teacher, has grown to more than 115 pieces of art, all categorized in a brochure found both in the school and online thanks to the work of media specialist David Hogan, who shares Gehm’s passion for children’s literature. From Gehm’s first piece, a poster of “The Sweetest Fig” by Chris Val Allsburg, to a prized original painting by Diane Stanley purchased at an auction, Gehm said they are always on the lookout for the next addition to the collection. In the corner of her office is a box of free posters she has been storing in case she runs into one of the authors or illustrators. The gallery is funded through donations or profits from the book fair, which also funds visits from authors and illustrators, she said.
Both said their goal is that their enthusiasm for literature will rub off on children.
“I’m really proud of it,” Gehm said. “When you walk in here and you see all this art on the wall — just think of what the library would look like if it wasn’t here.”
Students are not only introduced to new literature, Hogan said, but they become familiar with the authors and illustrators as well. The time they spend in the library is valuable, he said, adding, “One of the best things about our district is from the administration down, the feeling is the library is the hub of learning in the district.”