September, 1998

H.S.A. & T.E.F. Contribute Important Equipment

Last year the media production lab was busy with students creating projects for their classes. These projects were created mainly on two platforms: computer generated "PowerPoint" presentations, and 35mm slide shows.

Thanks to the generous support from the Home School Association and the Tenafly Education Foundation students now have a very valuable third platform to work with: video. With the subject teacher's approval, prepared students can now assemble video projects. Included in the equipment installations will be a video editing "suite" consisting of three VCRs controlled by a specially built "Turnkey" computer. This computer is also capable of digitizing and storing video on large capacity hard disks. This particular system is referred to as a "hybrid" because it can do conventional "linear" video editing (with the VCRs) combined with "nonlinear editing" where video is downloaded to the hard disk.

With a well thought out script or a detailed storyboard arising from library research, students can shoot their video and assemble raw footage. Working primarily with the time line on the computer's monitor, video clips are created and arranged, with narration, music, titles, or whatever the particular project requires. The finished project can then be presented for evaluation.

In addition to student projects, this equipment will be especially valuable for preparing school presentations for important upcoming events.

Very Special Thanks

A tremendous amount of hard work is required to keep the library in good physical condition, especially during the summer. Special thanks to Alvin Spencer and Jim Brackenbury for their work on behalf of the library. Also, special thanks to Wilber Smith and Tom LePore for providing the recent front desk power installations in the library.

Daily Announcements Broadcast From Media Production Lab

Under the supervision of Steve Moger, Tenafly High School's new theatre technical director, students Doreen C, Adam D, Natalie K. and James E. (sound engineer) are broadcasting morning announcements from the Media Production Lab.

Using donated professional Yamaha soundboards and placing two microphones (and talent) behind "sound proof" glass windows, morning announcements look and sound like they are being broadcast from a radio studio.

In the near future it is hoped that announcements can be broadcast via television. The donated broadcast equipment is already installed and working. All that is needed is coaxial wiring to classrooms and an increased amount of mounted televisions. Classrooms that have no televisions will still hear the announcements via the P.A. system.

Print and Electronic Acquisitions Give Students More Research Opportunities

Several important new reference materials will dramatically increase students' research potential within the library. Materials purchased complement the curriculum so students can have an increased amount of satisfaction in obtaining information for their papers and projects.

Traditional Resources

Some of the purchases are in book form such as: Identities and Issues in Literature, The Grolier Global Studies Library, The New Book of Popular Science, Lands and Peoples, Magill's Survey of Science, Life Science Series, and The Encyclopedia of Civil Rights in America.

Electronic Alternatives

Other materials will be found on CD-ROM. CD-ROM is a very economical way to obtain vast amounts of information, with some of the information being interactive. Since computers are needed to access information contained on CD-ROM, plans are being made to install five library computer stations networked to a CD changer located in a library office.

The most important concern is that electronic resources are remain as easy to access as lifting a book off the shelf and opening it, and that these computer terminals be dedicated to their mission of providing specific information resources to students. E-mail and Internet surfing on these terminals are not desirable.

Some titles waiting to be installed on the system include Executive Order 9066: The Incarnation of Japanese Americans During World War II, Encyclopedia Judaica, Encyclopedia Americana, Encyclopedia Britannica, Our Family Learns Korean, Understanding Chinese, Magill's Survey of Science, and Master Plots Complete.

An additional electronic method for students to obtain more resources is to access information servers at other locations using the Internet as a transmission line only. We hope to have computer terminals with dedicated electronic browsers that will access these off site services such as Electric Library, EBSCO and others.

Aquarium Teamwork: Mr. Elefante's Period 3 Class

By far, the most popular library display has been the 160 gallon aquarium that Mr. Elefante has kindly placed in the library's periodical reading area.. Last year nearly every library visitor checked out the activity in the tank. The library is fortunate to have the Aquarium here again this year thanks to the team effort of Mr. Elefante's Period 3 science class. Class members who have helped to prepare the tank for another exciting year include Yoon A., Matthew C., Irene C., Omar C. G., Ae Kyung H., Angelos K., Ashley M., Austin P., Seung K..