About…

Debbie passed away on 12/21/15 after a long battle with Cancer. I will try to leave her blog up indefinitely as a resource for anyone needing info on kids lit. Thank you for coming, and please enjoy these words she left behind.

Doug Alvarez

The Styling Librarian

“In my opinion, books are the best accessory.”
Focus/Goal:
I hope to address my concerns with the need to purchase new books vs. celebrate the fabulous books released over past years. I always share a variety- a balanced approach to the new literature and additionally the “oldies, but goodies”.

My name is Debbie Alvarez. I recently moved home to Beaverton, Oregon after being a teacher librarian in Hong Kong for three years. I’m returning to my former school district but working at a new school in a new job role. I look forward to keeping up with my Hong Kong friends online and hopefully when they visit Oregon. I also enjoy communicating with family and friends and learning with my professional learning community on Twitter and Facebook. Until July 2012, I volunteered as the chairperson for Oregon Battle of the Books, OBOB, which now reaches over 600 schools. I’ve enjoy seeing this program blossom through the years even after I handed over the baton. I now participate in OBOB as a title selection committee member.

Goal: I hope to address my concerns with the need to purchase new books vs. celebrate the fabulous books released over past years. I always share a variety- a balanced approach to the new literature and additionally the “oldies, but goodies”. The connection with “styling” is my way celebrating our connection with books continually through the years, taking pictures with books is always a fun addition.

Professional background: I’ve been a teacher librarian and educator for 16 years. I’m also a passionate advocate of literacy and volunteer my time in various ways to extend literacy, research, and technology skills for children. I really enjoy working in an International Baccalaureate school community. I’ve worked in a Primary Years Programme school for over 7 years and enjoy learning through various workshops and trainings. I’ll miss PYP with my new job role and new school but will share the knowledge I have in from the PYP world in the future.

Quick note: This is my personal blog with my own personal opinions not necessarily those of my employer. I participated in a “Sharing the Sunshine” blog challenge that shares a little more about me: http://thestylinglibrarian.com/2014/01/07/styling-librarian-sharing-the-sunshine-blogger-challenge/

6 comments on “About…”

forrestwalker
August 8, 2012

Thank you for starting to follow my blog. I love librarians so much I married one! besides the library in Bhutan I also posted about us visiting libraries in medieval Italy which you might find interesting. My wife is electronic resources Librarian at the American University of Sharja, in the UAE. The ruler of Sharjah is an author, so the library is his baby, and their budget is quite generous. One thing I have noticed is that paper is on the way out in favor of Ebooks. Alas.

Reply
- The Styling Librarian
  August 8, 2012
  
  How lovely! I began following your blog because a dear friend posted your blog on Bhutan and I started exploring and appreciating! I just moved to Hong Kong and am finding everything exciting/overwhelming. It helps to read other people’s perspectives. I’m happy to be settling into an area that immerses me in the culture and also accommodates me w/mostly understanding some of my English… Shall look forward to future posts!
  
  Reply
Pamela Heck
July 23, 2014

I shared a wonderful week with you at the Oregon Coast Children’s Book Writerc Workshop. I was inspired, and I was overwhelmed. The most overwhelming part for me was the social networking recommendations. Your information has given me a lot to consider. I must say, though, that I’m still overwhelmed. It seems like a lot of creative time goes into this type of networking. I’m always pinched for time. This looks exhausting!

Reply
- The Styling Librarian
  July 25, 2014
  
  ONE thing a month, just one… that’s my approach to technology. 🙂
  
  Reply
Amy
May 31, 2015

Hello!! I was hoping to chat with you about libraries and librarians in BSD.

Reply
- The Styling Librarian
  May 31, 2015
  
  Send me a private message thru the contact me link and I’m happy to chat.
  
  Reply