It’s time for our traditional By the Numbers post! I love the way that this annual post allows me to look back  on the calendar year to celebrate all that we have accomplished and make goals for the year to come. 2015 has been a spectacular year, and I was so happy to share it with my Johnson family. Let’s take a look at some of the things we’ve accomplished..

9,933

Number of materials available for checkout in the library including books, magazines, videos, laptops, iPods, Nooks, iPads, digital cameras, and video cameras. This doesn’t include multiple copies of favorite books and tech tools – with those included, this number shoots up to 11,251! It’s no wonder I’m always re-shelving!

7,369

Number of materials that have been checked out from the Johnson library so far this school year. That breaks down to approximately 92 books per day, or 25 books per circulating student. Now that kindergarten comes to visit twice a week, their numbers are higher than ever – but our older students are struggling to bring their books back to the library to exchange for new ones. Looks like we have a New Years Resolution!

767

Number of materials currently checked out, ready to go home with students for reading and exploring over Johnson’s holiday break.

6, 940

Number of views on the Learning Leopard blog since our first post in September 2013. More than 4,000 of those views are from this year alone!

34 

Number of countries with users that have viewed our library blog. The United States pulls in the most viewers per year – but India, Germany, Canada, the UK, and Australia also visit quite a bit. How exciting to know that our message of excitement and love for literacy is reaching across the globe.

350

Approximate number of students that visit the library every week with their classes to explore information literacy. This year we have continued with the schedule that allows students to visit the library twice per week, giving all students at least 45 minutes in this positive, engaging, literature-rich environment every week.

317

Approximate number of new titles that have been added to the library collection this year. And this doesn’t even include donations and gift from the generous Johnson community!

255

Number of blog posts that have been published on the Learning Leopard Library blog (hello from number 256!). This time last year, we were at number 160. It’s been a busy year!

652

Number of views that the Learning Leopard Library blog received during December, its busiest month of 2015.

30

Number of times that the library’s most popular title, Lego Ninjago, Masters of Spinjitzu: Warriors of Stone, by Greg Farshtay, has been checked out from the library this year. Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul came in second place with 28 circulations. Ninjago books also snagged the 3rd and 4th spots – I’m noticing a pattern here!

1

Total of librarians that love spending time with the students, staff, and families of Johnson Elementary School! I am so proud to be a part of the Johnson Elementary School Community. Halfway through my third year at Johnson, I can’t thank you enough for supporting the Learning Leopard Library as it continues to grow and change. I hope that you’ve enjoyed the blog and all that we’ve shared with you this year. I can’t wait to see what’s next in 2016!

Here’s one more number for you: 15.

15 is the number of days that your student will be away from teachers, reading specialists, and librarians as they enjoy the winter holidays at home. Please help your student to practice reading and continue learning during every single one of these 15 days! Visit the public library, read the books on your shelves at home, or host a holiday book swap in your neighborhood! Whatever you do, help to give to give your child a head start on being the best student they can be in 2016 by encouraging them to read, reading with them, and setting an example of reading yourself.

On a personal note, I want to give you a heads up that I will be returning to Johnson in January with a different name! I got married in November and waited until this natural transition to teach the students my new last name. I’m excited to come back and keep on groovin’ as Mrs. FitzHenry!

Wishing you a joyful and relaxing holiday. See you next year, Leopards!

-Mrs. FitzHenry