There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Maya Angelou
Welcome to Miss Katie Jane's Corner!
Hello!
I'm Miss Katie Jane. I have been
a librarian and storyteller at Hoover Public Library for over 20 years.
Maybe you have seen me before?
Introduction
My name is Katie Jane Morris, and I started working at the library in February 2000. I completed my Master of Library & Information Studies (MLIS) degree at the University of Alabama in December 2003. I have been the Outreach Librarian since 2004.
Books, Books, and More Books!
I love to read, and I love to share my favorite books with all of you! I read about 300 novels per year, plus almost as many picture books and nonfiction titles. I give booktalks in our local schools and book recommendations in our library stacks.
I maintain the library's Goodreads page, generate both our teacher & early childhood newsletters, and write a daily blog for the library. I also purchase the nonfiction collection for the Kid Zone and host Story Lab, a S.T.E.A.M.-powered storytime for kids ages 3-8. And I love giraffes and Wonder Woman. I know that has nothing to do with being a librarian, but I think you still ought to know.
Get Out of Your Reading Rut!
Even prolific readers can get in a rut! In 2012, I started my own journey to broaden my reading horizons -- focusing on diversity and inclusivity -- and I have never looked back! I hope the recommendations you find on this page will help you on your reading journey.
Enjoy,
KJM
Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories This March
Kids Downloads
Newsletters, book lists, and other downloadable content.
Bite-Size Book Report
This is one of many marvelous titles featured in the latest issue of our teacher newsletter. Click on the link in the Downloads section above to access the March 2023 Book Report and find even more must-reads for the classroom, including highlight of ALA's 2023 Youth Media Awards. Educational extras like reviews, lesson plans, videos, and more are embedded in the document. So start clicking!
This is the remarkable true story of how a young girl’s never-wavering fascination with the world’s tallest animal leads her to become the first giraffologist: Dr. Anne Innis Dagg. Anne was three years old when she first laid eyes on a giraffe. As her blue eyes gazed into the giraffe’s big brown eyes at the zoo, she was mesmerized. And she never forgot it. Her desire to study the beautiful, graceful creatures followed her from preschool to graduate school. Often, she was laughed at for her interest. The scientific study of giraffes didn’t exist at the time. And it certainly wasn’t an appropriate pursuit for a woman — or so she was told. So, Anne decided she would teach herself about her favorite animal. She traveled to South Africa alone — and shocked everyone by studying giraffes in the wild!
Build a Diverse Bookshelf
March is Women's History Month. Since 1987, we've used these 31 days to highlight women's contributions to history, culture, and society. The theme for 2023 is Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. Who are these women? These are just two new biographies that answer that question. You'll find more answers when you browse our monthly book display, which is located at the turn in our starred hallway that leads to storytime.
Disability
Awareness Month
March is also National Disabilities Awareness Month. People with disabilities also have important stories to share. Have you read any recently? Try this biography about activist Judith Heumann.
From a very young age, Judy heard the word NO. When she wanted to attend public school, the principal said, "NO." When she wanted her teaching license, the New York Board of Education said, "NO." Judy and people with disabilities everywhere were tired of hearing “NO.”
In the 1970s an important disability rights law, Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, was waiting to be signed. Judy and other disability rights activists fought for “YES!” They held a sit-in until Section 504 was signed into law. Section 504 laid the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was established thanks in large part to the ongoing work of Judy and her community.
Youth Art Month
The awesomeness
of this month continues! March is Youth Art Month!
Here are just a few of the inspiring new art titles for youth.
Music in Our Schools Month
Let these new books help support YOUR music education!
(I love how this title perfectly matches three of the March celebrations.)
Want to see what novels I've been reading?
Take a look at our Goodreads page!
Recent Blog Posts
Including my reading recommendations and more!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is the largest art museum in the Americas and the most-visited museum in the Western Hemisphere. And The Met has a fantastic series of artist biographies that both considers what inspired famous artists and
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I know you like to read a good story. Why not try to write one? Want to make it great? Write about your own life! Today would be a good day to start because it's Write Down Your Story Day. Take inspiration from author/illustrator Dan Santat's new graphic memoir about his awkward middle schoo
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Third graders, are you ready to traverse the trail in our program inspired by the popular video game? Join us as we craft and play our way to Oregon at Survive the Oregon Trail on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 4 p.m. You'll be grouped int
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March 13-19, 2023 is Brain Awareness Week!
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