Archived email messages may be found at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/lmcindex.htm 

Total 11 messages

1. I am sorry for the problems with the time-sensitive worksheets. The Department completed a migration (not sure what that entails) and I am guessing that migration caused the changes on the worksheets. Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of the issues until the mail messages and phone calls began. I could not update the Excel files and had to recreate them. This accounts for the time delay. I am sorry to say some of the delay was also due to mistakes on my part in the recreation. I thing (hope) the pages all work. I realize this is the absolute worst time of the year for this to happen and take full responsibility for the problems and send my apologies.

2. I have had several questions lately about library staff at the Department. I hope this information will clarify any questions. The Division of School Improvement/Curriculum Services has one, one-half time person for the 1400+ librarians in the state (that is me). There is no additional staff (professional or clerical) devoted to libraries. I am lucky to have a person who can assist with organizing rooms and meals for meetings, making large print requests, and completing my monthly expense report. I am the person who creates and updates the web pages for the Library Media Center web page. I realize it is frustrating at times when I cannot respond to changes and corrections as quickly as you would like/need. I appreciate all the support librarians throughout the state give me.

3. The Library Standards document may be found at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/standards/lmcstand.htm

4. The time-sensitive worksheets and the planning and evaluation worksheet may be found at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/standards/lmcstand.htm

5. The FAQs for Library Standards may be found at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/standards/lmcstand.htm

6. A screen print of Screen 7 (Core Data) is now available at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/standards/lmcstand.htm  This may be used to complete and provide to the Core Data person in your district.

7. A new item on Screen 7 I didn’t anticipate being included until next year is the information about support staff. FTE paid support staff serving LMC: Report the FTE of paid clerical support for each library. One day per week = .2, two days per week = .4, two and half days per week = 2.5, three days a week = .6, four days a week = .8, and 5 days a week = 1. Other breakouts of time may be entered.

8. A website for student research.  http://www.oslis.org/secondary/index.php

9. Rare Book Room Traipsing to the Library of Congress and thumbing through A copy of Poor Richard's Almanac is probably not in the research plans of most high school students, but click through the stained and dog-eared pages of the book online. Thanks to a new web site called Rare Book Room. Create by Adobe Systems founder, the free site is stocked with digital images of approximately 400 books and manuscripts by Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, Issac Newton and others. Included is music written by the hand of Beethoven and Mozart. http://www.rarebookroom.com.

10. Mr. Clyde Robert Bulla, Missouri Author passes -- Clyde lived many years in [the state of] California but lived the last several years in Warrensburg [Missouri] so he could be near friends Phil Sadler and Aileen Helmick, both of Central Missouri State University. For those who knew Clyde from his various appearances at lit festivals in the state, you know what a gentle soul he was. Thanks to Floyd Pentilin for letting me know about this sad event.

Bulla, Clyde R. January 9, 1914 – May 23, 2007 Prolific and revered author of books for children, Clyde R. Bulla passed away May 23, 2007, at his home in Warrensburg, Missouri. Born January 9, 1914, on a farm near King City, Missouri, he was the youngest of four children of Julian W. and Sarah Ann Henson Bulla. Clyde knew before he was ten years old that he wanted to be a writer. He helped on the farm while he attended a one-room school (taught by his sister) in the area and attended King City High School in the ninth grade. He was an avid reader and taught himself to play the piano. Selling his first story in 1934, he helped support his family during the depression by writing magazine stories. In 1942, he became a linotype operator and columnist on the Tri-County News, the local newspaper. His only novel for adults was published in 1941; he continued writing for the rest of his life. Joining a writers group, he met veteran authors Lois Lenski and Emma Thibodaux, who advised him to try writing for children. His first novel, The Donkey Cart, was published, and he was quite surprised when the publisher asked for another book. After the publication of Riding the Pony Express, he produced over 75 books, a book or two per year. Remembering the difficult experiences of many of his school friends, he created easy-to-read books with exciting plots of great interest to children moving from picture books to stories. Critics acclaimed his work as innovative and valuable. He chose historical subjects, holidays, contemporary themes, science, and music as his subjects, with one autobiography, A Grain of Wheat. He wrote songs to be included in many of his books. He composed two operas and five books retelling for children the stories of operas. His books about children in other lands were inspired by his own travels. In 196l, he was awarded a prize by the Authors Club of Los Angeles for the outstanding juvenile book by a Southern California author, Benito. He was presented the Southern California Council on Children’s Literature award in 1962 for distinguished contributions to the field of children’s literature; the Christopher Award in 1971; and awards in three states voted by children for their favorite book, Shoeshine Girl, which was filmed for showing on television. He is included in numerous reference books, including Something about the Author and Who’s Who in America. He was a member of Authors Guild, Authors League of America, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. He is survived by a niece, Barbara Bulla, King City, Missouri. Many friends will miss him. Memorial contributions may be made to the Research Collection in Literature for Children and Young Adults, James C. Kirkpatrick Library, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO 64093. A graveside service will be conducted on June 2, 2007, in the King City. Missouri, Cemetery.

11. If you plan to retire or change schools, please let me know so I can update the database. Also, if you know of someone new to the field, I would appreciate their contact information.