YSS Events, News & Info

World Read Aloud Day March 7

2012-02-10T06:32:00.001-06:00

Have you heard about this initiative?

It encourages people across the world to read aloud to support global literacy. Reading aloud - from storytimes to reading with older children - builds community. Nerdy Book Club has a wonderful post about it with outstanding suggestions for tween read-alouds. Wisconsin's own Rob Reid publishes Reid-aloud selections in Library Sparks magazine as well as with books like Reid's Read-Alouds.

If you are going to be reading aloud to kids in the library or as part of your outreach that day, you can register at the LitWorld website. Happy Reading.

Image found on Book Riot website. If you haven't seen this site, you should check it out!

How Blogs Help Me Plan Storytimes

2012-02-06T12:02:00.001-06:00

This is a post from the ALSC blog that I follow and since I share the author's sentiments I wanted to share it with everyone else. What are some of your favorite blogs and websites to gain program ideas from?

PluggedIn: How Blogs Help Me Plan Storytime
Posted on February 1, 2012 by abbylibrarian

Last Thursday, I finally returned to work from the fabulous ALA Midwinter meeting in Dallas. And what’s the first thing I had to do? Plan a couple of programs! I had preschool outreach visits scheduled for Friday and Monday and I had to get cracking on planning my baby storytimes, which start next week.

Where did I turn? To the librarian blogosphere!

I knew I wanted to do winter stories for my preschool visits, but I also knew that I was a little sick of the my go-to winter stories. I needed some fresh ideas, so I turned to Storytime Katie by Katie Salo, who was there for me as usual. I knew she had just done a storytime about winter animals, so that’s where I started.

I looked up what books we had in that she had used. I picked out In the Snow by Sharon Phillips Denslow, a beautiful book with large, bright pictures of animals eating seeds put out by a little boy. I love that the book has short, simple text and that it includes great vocabulary words like “chickadee”, “sparrow”, and “cardinal”.

From Katie’s storytime, I also swiped her “Sleepy Bear” song, which I used with our bear puppet. Using a new (to me) song jazzed up one of my winter standards, Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson. I talked to the kids about what bears do in winter and taught them the word “hibernate”. The kids couldn’t get enough of that bear puppet. I saved it for last and invited them all up to give the bear a gentle hug at the end of storytime.

I remembered seeing a Five Little Snowmen rhyme previously posted on Flannel Friday and that inspired me to dig out our own Five Little Snowman flannel set. If you’re not familiar with Flannel Friday, it’s a weekly roundup of posts about flannel board stories, rhymes, and activities. Be sure to check out Flannel Friday on Pinterest for TONS of great flannel ideas.

Once I had my preschool storytimes taken care of, I turned to the Blogosphere for help planning my spring baby storytimes. Again, I needed some new-to-me books to mix in with my old favorites. Since I read all my blogs in Google Reader, finding books was as simple as doing a search for “baby storytime”. Google Reader collects all the posts for blogs I’ve subscribed to and puts them in one place so it’s easy to keep up with new posts. Instead of visiting each of the 100+ blogs I like to read, I just open up my reader and new posts automatically appear there. Another function I love in Google Reader is that I can search all the blog posts that it’s collected.

Two blogs in particular gave me some great ideas for my baby storytimes: Library Noise by Jennie Rothschild and Mel’s Desk by Melissa Depper. Both Jennie and Melissa blog about the baby storytimes they do at their own libraries. Even though I don’t do my baby storytime the same way they do theirs, I got lots of great ideas for books, rhymes, and songs.

Look at the Baby by Kelly Johnson and Busy Toes by C.W. Bowie are two that I’m excited to try this spring. I’m always looking for baby books featuring illustrations of diverse children so that my families can see themselves and they can see babies that are different from themselves.

I also bought a bunch of new books, on recommendation from Julie Jurgens of Hi Miss Julie. She wrote a post about her baby and toddler storytimes and I ordered all of Annie Kubler’s board books that I could get my hands on. They just came in this week and I’m so excited to begin using them and displaying them for my storytime grownups to check out!

Thanks to these great librarians who are posting about their programs, I had a pain-free planning experience and I’m excited to try out some new ideas. Librarians are a sharing people and blogs are just one more way that we can all share and find new ideas to make our programs even better.
What are some of your favorite resources for storytime and program planning?

Books mentioned in this post:
Busy Toes by C.W. Bowie (Whispering Coyote Press, 1998).
In the Snow by Sharon Phillips Denslow (Greenwillow Books, 2005).
Look at the Baby by Kelly Johnson (Henry Holt, 2002).
Various nursery rhyme board books by Annie Kubler (Child’s Play, 2003-2010).
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2002).

Blogs mentioned in this post:
so tomorrow by Anne (Flannel Friday schedule and info)
Mel’s Desk by Melissa Depper
Flannel Friday on Pinterest
Hi Miss Julie by Julie Jurgens
Library Noise by Jennie Rothschild
Storytime Katie by Katie Salo

– Abby Johnson, Children’s Manager
New Albany-Floyd County Public Library
New Albany, IN
http://www.abbythelibrarian.com

Space the Final Frontier - Join Us

2012-02-03T19:44:00.001-06:00

From Tessa Michaelson Schmidt , Wisconsin's very own, brand new Youth and Special Services Consultant:
I would like to share with you a special opportunity for professional development. An Explore workshop focusing on “Life on Mars?” will be held at the UW Geology Museum on April 3-4, 2012. This workshop has potential to connect to space-themed programs for SLP and/or STEM initiatives in your community.

This workshop is geared toward Wisconsin public library staff that provide, or plan to provide, programs for 8-13-year-olds. Space is limited to 30 participants and will be conducted on a first-come-first-accepted basis. Please see the message below for more information. Applicants should contact Eve Halligan with any questions Halligan@lpi.usra.edu <mailto:Halligan@lpi.usra.edu> . Applications are due by February 22nd. ***********************************************************

Greetings!

My name is Eve Halligan, and I am a member of the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Education and Public Outreach team. I am contacting you today with details for an upcoming Explore workshop.

We are excited to extend an invitation for you to participate in a free NASA-supported workshop, Explore: Life on Mars?, April 3-4, 2012 at the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum in Madison, WI! The Explore program is designed to help you bring earth and space science to your communities through fun and engaging hands-on activities. Details for this opportunity may be found in the attached invitation.

If you are interested in taking part in this exciting opportunity, please follow the directions in the invitation and complete the online registration form by February 22, 2012. Space is limited, and will be restricted to 30 participants that will be selected on a first-come-first-accepted basis from the registrations received, and the first 25 participants accepted will receive a $150 stipend following the workshop. Registrants will be notified by email whether they have been selected or placed on a waiting list within three business days by Explore program staff.

Thank you for your consideration. Good luck and we hope to see you in April!

Sincerely,
Eve Halligan & the Explore! Program Staff

Education DepartmentLunar and Planetary Institute
3600 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, TX 77058-1113
explore@lpi.usra.edu <mailto:explore@lpi.usra.edu>

Explore: Life on Mars? will acquaint you with NASA’s investigations in the scientific field of astrobiology, where scientists are searching for indications that Mars may be able to — or has been able to — support life. Discover the current scientific understanding of Mars and what it takes for life to exist beyond our home planet. Scientists and educators from the NASA Astrobiology Institute and the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) will share space science information, resources, hands-on activities, and demonstrations developed specifically for you to integrate into your programs with children and youth ages 8 to 13 and their families. Network with Wisconsin library colleagues and discuss ways to incorporate the activities into your programs — perhaps including an event to celebrate the landing of NASA’s Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars on August 6, 2012!

The Life on Mars? educational resources and materials have been developed with careful consideration for use in serving girls, a traditionally underserved audience in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Strategies for supporting girls in science will be presented and generated during workshop discussions. Applicants will be asked to indicate current involvement in providing programming for girls and their interest in doing so in the future. Ideas generated during the workshop might include partnerships with Girls Scouts, father/daughter programs, lock-ins for girls, and more! Applicants who currently seek to provide access to science for girls — or are interested in doing so in the future — are especially encouraged to apply!

Public library staff that provide, or plan to provide, programs for 8-13-year-olds in Wisconsin are invited to apply. Space is limited to 30 participants and will be conducted on a first-come-first-accepted basis.

The workshop is free. A $150 stipend is available for 25 participants and will be offered on a first-come-first-accepted basis. Note: The first 25 accepted applicants will receive a stipend request form via email, which must be submitted by the deadline provided in order to receive the stipend. Stipends will be paid out following the workshop and the participant’s confirmed attendance. The LPI does not have restrictions on how the stipend is used once it is received by the workshop participant.

Space is limited! Apply by Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at
http://www.lpi.usa.edu/education/explore/lib_workshops/wi2012/registration/

The workshop will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 5:00 p.m. each day on April 3 and 4, 2012. Light breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks will be provided. Hotel suggestions, logistical information, and a tentative agenda will be supplied shortly after you register; participants are responsible for travel, housing, and dinner costs and arrangements.

During the workshop you will:
☼ Learn about Mars and the possibility of life beyond our home planet from University of Wisconsin (UW) astrobiologists and LPI scientists
☼ Have the opportunity to interact directly with these scientists
☼ Network with Wisconsin library colleagues
☼ Undertake hands-on activities designed specifically for children and youth ages 8 to 13 in the out-of-classroom learning environment
☼ Receive science education materials, e.g., activity plans, science presentations, and resources like NASA educational posters, website links, etc.
☼ Explore strategies and best practices for reaching girls and other underserved audiences
☼ Brainstorm how to best engage and excite children about science
☼ Become part of the Explore online community, which has over 600 members
☼ Be served breakfast and lunch and lots of chocolate!

Learn more about our eight additional Explore Earth and space science topics (Mars: Inside and Out!, Jupiter’s Family Secrets, Explore! Ice Worlds!, Health in Space, To the Moon and Beyond!, Beyond Earth, Marvel Moon, and Comets) at our website, http://www.lpi.usra.edu/explore. Each of these topics offers complementary hands-on activities, facilitator background information, and resources. Visit our active online community through the website’s discussion boards. To learn more about the science of astrobiology, visit http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/about-astrobiology.
We look forward to investigating Mars and the possibility of life beyond Earth with you!

Doreen Cronin @ Franklin Public Library

2012-02-02T13:20:00.000-06:00

The Franklin Public Library and Boswell Books is pleased to welcome Doreen Cronin, to the library on Thursday, March 15, 2012.

Doreen Cronin is the New York Times bestselling author of picture books such as Bounce, Wiggle, Rescue Bunnies, the Diary of...series, and Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type, a Caldecott Honor Book. She also wrote The Trouble with Chickens, the first book in the J.J. Tully Mystery series. She will be highlighting her next book in that series, The Legend of Diamond Lil.

Come meet this award-winning author, purchase her book for a signing or bring your own! Bring your camera!

All are welcome! No registration required

What: Doreen Cronin Author Visit & Book Signing
When: Thursday, March 15 from 6:30-7:30 pm
Where: Franklin Public Library, 9151 W Loomis Road, Franklin, WI 53132

For more information: Call Debbie Olguin at 414-425-8214 or debbie.olguin@mcfls.org.

Download a copy of the Franklin Flyer to display in your library!

Read on Wisconsin - February Picks

2012-02-01T10:50:00.000-06:00

As they do each month, Read On Wisconsin has posted their February picks, which feature several Wisconsin authors. Have you read any of these books or used them in a program? Share your thoughts on this months titles in the comments section.

Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers:

Rrralph by (Wisconsin author) Lois Ehlert (Beach Lane, 2011)

Primary (Gr K-2):

Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan (Viking, 2010)

Intermediate (Gr 3-5):

Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (Carolrhoda, 2009)

Middle School:

Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement by (Wisconsin author) Ann Bausum (National Geographic, 2005)

High School:

Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by (Wisconsin author) Ann Angel (Amulet/Abrams, 2010)
We Shall Overcome: A Song That Changed the World by (Wisconsin author) Stuart Stotts

Don't forget to log on to the Read On Wisconsin web site to get ideas and talk about ways to use ROW books and discuss the books themselves with educators and librarians. You can visit the forums at: http://readon.education.wisc.edu/

A Carousel of Posts

2012-01-31T12:01:00.000-06:00

You may have noticed lately that the number of posts and variety of YSS folks posting has gone up. There's a reason!
At the fall WLA conference, the YSS board and members attending decided to try to strengthen the blog as a benefit to our YSS members. Three people volunteered to join Jill Linniger and Ruhama Bahr Kordatzky to be administrators and either write, link or coordinate blog posts starting in 2012. We basically divided the year between us as administrators :

Jill Lininger - Feb/June/Oct
Beth Lokken- Mar/July/Nov
Leah Langby - April/Aug/Dec
Marge Loch-Wouters - Jan/May/Sept

Although each of us is in charge of specific months, we will be posting here and there in other months as well as topics come up or news hits or we discover gems to share. And we hope you all feel welcome to send us posts and ideas and comments and thoughts as well. This is your blog too!

You don't have to worry about who is an administrator on what month, just send to any of us and we will make sure your post gets on the blog. Happy reading!

Image: 'Indoor Carousel' http://www.flickr.com/photos/25182307@N00/2977849554

Storytime Blog Faves

2012-01-30T10:48:00.000-06:00

These are some of my "go-to" blogs when I when I am looking for storytime content. I have subscribed on my RSS feeds or am a follower so I get updated content. Which blogs do you use?

Storytime Katie

Katie is always generous in not only sharing her books used and themes, but sharing how she uses the books and her sources. It leads you down the rabbit hole, but oh your storytimes get good!

Miss Mary Liberry

Many flannelboards but also some great themed ideas for books and extras can always be found here. And of course always excellent directions!

Storytime Secrets

Great suggestions for baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. I also enjoy the suggestions of other blogs to visit for more storytimes related to her themes.

Abby (the) Librarian

I include Abby not because she does a lot of storytime content but when she does it is really a complete “storytime-in-a-post”. But she is a great blogger to follow because she has a wide ranging appetite for books, audio, observations on the life of children’s librarians and other good posts from children’s librarians around the web.

Storytiming

A true devotee of Flannel Fridays, but readers will find much more including tips on taming rowdy crowds and storytime resources including a marvelous rhyme and fingerplay database, complete with downloadables.

SurLaLune Storytimes

Complete storytimes on a plethora of themes can be found in this ALSC Great Web Sites for Kids” site. This former children’s librarian generously shares her finds and files.

Laptime and Storytime

This is an uber-complete theme packed site with a ton of ideas . This children’s librarian encourages you to use storytelling to make the experience even more fun.

Sunflower Storytime

This is a fabulous site I stumbled on while using Pinterest. It not only has storytime content but also is loaded with great ideas for school age programs as well.

Story Window Storytime

This public library blog has been quiet for the past six months but has a wonderful backlog of suggestions for storytimes that are brief and get you started in prepping different themes for storytimes.

Storytime Plans: The Good…The Bad…And What Doesn’t Work At All

A new blog (by our own WI Georgia and Cynthia) which I adore not just for the ideas but for the honesty of the writers in conquering problems. Lots of pictures mean lots of ideas to choose from.

SLJ's Battle of the Books About to Begin

2012-01-29T07:28:00.000-06:00

Each February-March, the Battle of the Books heats up. Celebrity author judges, sassy commentary and the peanut gallery (that's you!) are all front and center - they even give you a chance to vote on a book to "bring back from the dead" (after it has essentially been voted off the island). This book brouhaha is a great way to get through the blechy weather of Feb-Mar while celebrating children's/teen lit.

Contenders will be announced February 1. Let the games begin!

Grim Colberty Tales

2012-01-27T13:11:00.001-06:00

Need a little laughter today?

If you haven't seen it yet, Stephen Colbert interviewed Maurice Sendak this week. The whole segment is hilarious, but remember who you're watching. This is not for kids. It might even not be for some adults. But Sendak is the perfect match for Colbert's wit.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Grim Colberty Tales with Maurice Sendak Pt. 1

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Grim Colberty Tales with Maurice Sendak Pt. 2

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

It’s Flannel Friday—Have you heard?

2012-01-26T22:30:00.000-06:00

Anna Haase Krueger, a YSS member, is the Youth Services Librarian/Assistant Library Director of Antigo Public Library. Anna blogs daily in her head, and sporadically at Future Librarian Superhero . You can also find her on Twitter using @opinionsbyanna, where she is not as funny as she thinks but is occasionally relevant.

For those of us who do Storytimes, flannel (or felt) stories are a way of life. Many of us create our own pieces using craft felt and a good sharp pair of scissors. Have you ever spent hours laboring over a new set and wanted to show it off? Wasted precious time trying to think of a flannel board extension activity for your theme? Wondered what else you could use a particular set for?

You, my friend, need Flannel Friday.

What is Flannel Friday?

On Fridays, storytime bloggers post pictures of flannel sets that they’ve made. Sometimes they include instructions, templates, or suggested uses for the pieces. Then, everyone who participates takes turn ‘hosting’ Flannel Friday and collects all the links into one place for that week’s round up. It’s a great way to connect with other librarians, get inspired, and show off your own work. Occasionally, we have a Flannel Friday Extravaganza, which is a themed round up. I hosted the Mushy Gushy Valentine’s Day Extravaganza recently, so if you’re looking ahead to plan your Valentine’s Day storytime there’s plenty of inspiration there.

But wait, there’s more!

Flannel Friday also has a Pinterest page, a fabulous visual collection of ALL the past Flannel Friday contributions. It’s perfect for browsing and searching for theme-specific ideas. Flannel Friday also has a Facebook group, full of fantastic conversations, idea sharing, and crowd-sourcing (dare I say I prefer the Flannel Friday Facebook group to a list serve? I do).

Want to get involved?

· Anne over at So Tomorrow keeps Flannel Friday in line, with a schedule of upcoming hosts, and links to all the past round ups. She also does a great job explaining how to get involved, so rather than reinventing the wheel I’ll send you to her.

· You can get a Flannel Friday badge (like the one above) to put on your blog from Melissa over at Mel’s Desk She’s the one who started it all and is a fantastic resource.

· Using Twitter is one of the best ways to get involved with the Flannel Friday community and get to know people. Get started by doing a search for the hashtag #flannelfriday and following the people who contribute.

To Journal or Not To Journal

2012-01-25T06:25:00.000-06:00

Our guest post today is from Terry Ehle, YSS member and YouthServices Coordinator at Lester Public Library in Two Rivers, WI. You can chat more with her at tehle@mcls.lib.wi.us

It’s the end of the month, when Ionce again ask myself do I really have time to read my reviewjournals cover to cover or can I get away with skimming the reviewspromising to get back to the meat when I have more time…HA! Knowingthat more time is a pipe dream I sat down with my December issue ofVOYA and was once again reminded what a valuable resource it is.

In December’s Get With the Programsection, Shari Fesko shared some great blogs and websites forprogramming ideas. The one I liked the best was from Brandon Hines, a YA librarian at the Hays Public Library in Kansas called Young Adult Activities. On his site I found a video on how todo an Angry Birds Live program. So easy, so cheap and so much fun.

After watching the video on Brandon’s blog, we hosted our own angrybirds program and it was a HUGE success – 53 people HUGE. Thevideo tells you all you need to make the birds and pigs. At first Ithought I needed only red or green yarn to make the pigs and birdsbut I found the kids were happy with any color yarn I had. Once theyare made, build towers out of Dixie cups and launch the birds atthem. One thing I would do differently? I would set up some premadeobstacles for the kids and their birds.

This program was a part of our newafter school drop-in series for families of all ages from 3:30-5:30. While older kids often come on their own, younger children areencouraged to bring their parents and do. I’ve already been askedwhen the Angry Birds will be back. Thanks VOYA, for another greatidea!

Find pictures from our Angry BirdsProgram here inthe January 2012 set.

Behind the Scenes at the ALA Awards - Immediate Post Announcments

2012-01-23T15:58:00.000-06:00

So the press conference is over, the ohhs, aahs and sighs have been uttered and the thunderous applause is still ringing in the ears of the committee members. What happens next?

Lots of colleagues, both in person and online, congratulate the committee members and savor the decisions. At the same time, the second guessing starts. Why wasn't a favorite or heavily hyped or talked about book honored...anywhere?!?! Why wasn't my favorite book/author/audio/DVD selected for an award or honor? Why so many honor books? Why so few? What was that committee thinking? They clearly don't have any taste. Why did all the mock discussions cite a book the committee didn't even mention?

Most committee chairs chat a bit about the reactions committee members may encounter. All these committees work under extreme confidentiality. They may speak about their own feelings about a book but can never speak about the committee deliberations. The votes are counted and tallied. The winner determined and the honor books agreed upon. No one leaves the room until everyone agrees to take the results forward from that room in unison and as a committee.

As a member of both the Newbery and Caldecott committees during my career, it was sometimes hard to bite my tongue when snarky remarks were bandied about. Once my year was over, I made it a point to defend in letters and print the work of committees that served after me.

It is difficult to understand just exactly how hard each award committee works: the reading, thinking, discusssing, ruminating, considering and listening they do before casting their votes. Many of these awards are unique in that the committee members ignore the body of an author's work and simply compare the books eligible for the award that year each against the other. Most reviewers don't. Few bloggers do. It's a razor's edge that the committee members deftly balance upon. The fifteen members in that room (or eleven or seven or five) will bring forth a decision based upon the work of that group at that time with those books or materials. It may be that a different group going through the exact same process with the exact same materials to examine would come up with a different set of awardees. But that is a parallel universe that doesn't exist once the awards are announced.

I am content that my colleagues have done what we have asked them to do with great concern and care - identify the best quality literature in print and non-print for youth. I trust them...and the process. It helps to chillax over the whole thing. Take a deep breath and enjoy all that not only the honored books have to offer but all the books and non-print produced this year for youth that each of us holds close to our hearts and out to kids.

Next up, the good times.

Image: '"sorry, u have to queue like everyone+else"' http://www.flickr.com/photos/75199686@N00/4456497360

ALA Youth Media Awards Announced

2012-01-23T09:44:00.000-06:00

The winners have been announced here. I think if you have followed review journals and bloggers, you will find you own many or most!

Behind the Scenes at the ALA Awards - Press Conference

2012-01-22T16:49:00.001-06:00

For many, the Youth Media Award announcements are the highlight of the ALA Midwinter meeting. It is often compared to the announcement of Hollywood's Oscars. Although it's early morning time period precludes glitter and bling, 500+ lovers of the best in youth print and non-print (librarians, publishers and booksellers) gather with great anticipation.

Each award committee has a space reserved for them at the front of the room. They face the podium, which is illuminated by bright lights to allow for the live streaming and broadcasting of the press conference. Behind them, in the darkened room, sits the audience, filling up the chairs in the vast hall, lining the walls and sitting on the floor. The only illumination here while the audience awaits the news is the low light of smartphones and laptops of those who tweet, IM and Facebook results as they are announced.

Back in the day, only the Caldecott, Newbery and Coretta Scott King awards were announced. Slowly, the award family has grown to include announcements about the Carnegie, the Wilder, the Pura Belpre, the Printz, the Siebert, the Odyssey, the Batchelder, the Schneider Family Award, the Geisel and so many more. It has filled the room with committee members and a huge audience (saying nothing about librarians huddled over computers and smartphones around the country).

The atmosphere is electric. For many committee members, this is perhaps one of the more momentarily stressful times in the whole process. Each committee has read, annotated, worked, thought, discussed, critiqued and carefully and collaboratively worked to come up with the best and most distinguished honorees for their charge.

Though their backs are turned, the committee's ears are tuned to the audience behind them. What will the reaction be to the books they chose? The crowd is never shy in letting their reactions burst out. Cheers, gasps, sighs, hoots, awkward silence, a scream or two - all tell the committees volumes. No matter what the reaction though, each committee member knows they have chosen the right winner and honorees.

It is an amazing scene. Once long ago, librarians, book publishers and sellers would rush out to the pay phones to call for additional print runs, or alert colleagues at libraries to run out and buy copies of unexpected winners. Now, people can quickly touch base on cell phones or over social networks and the rush to the doors is only to pick up the press release with detailed bibliographic info. But what never changes is the energy in that room. I hope you all get a chance to be in that room some day in person.

And then what happens? Well, there's another blog post coming about that!

Behind the Scenes at ALA Book Awards

2012-01-20T16:22:00.001-06:00

Many of us have marked our calendars for 7:45 am Monday, January 23 to hear the announcements of ALA's Youth Media Awards. Here at midwinter ALA, the final big work has begun to lead up to the announcements. Let's take a peek behind the scenes.

By Thursday night award committee members have arrived. Many gather for dinner as a group to visit, shake off jitters, and relax. This is usually also the time, when the award committee chair knows who has been snowed or iced in and decisions are being made whether to replace that person with someone from the Notables Committee (Notables folks have been reading the same books so can particiapte in the discussions).

At 8am Friday, their work begins. Books provided by the ALSC office or that committee members brought along are unpacked, snacks are laid out, and the discussions begin. Each book nominated or suggested is talked about, examined, argued over and vetted. Some books remain and many are taken off the table. Members listen as well as talk and judge and consider thoughtfully throughout this time.

This work goes on all through Friday and into Saturday when the final votes and tallies are taken. Once the winner and honor books are tallied and decided upon, it's time to write-up annotations, let the ALSC office know, and then be very, very secretive through Sunday ("I've got a secret!"). During this day, ALA is busy getting the information gathered and PR set for Monday...and phone numbers of the book creators. Then on Monday bright and early the committees gather again and make the amazing phone calls to the winners and honorees. That is always one of the best moments. Then off to the press conference...but that's another post!

Hunger Games, Hobbits and Gatsby

2012-01-18T07:54:00.000-06:00

We all know how often books are turned into movies. How many times have you groaned in despair that 'they're going to ruin another book'?

Well, this year is no different.

Though some movies may be good interpretations of their novel counterparts.

Publisher's Weekly has rounded up the Top Ten Most Anticipated (Book) Movies of 2012. Note: not all are for kids or teens. In fact, a couple I didn't know were getting made into movies, as I don't read adult books too often...

Which one are you most looking forward to?

Looking to Extend the Good Vibes of One World, Many Stories?

2012-01-16T19:22:00.000-06:00

Paper Tigers blog invites families, libraries, bloggers and readers everywhere to join their Reading the World Challenge this year. Readers are given guidelines to read more widely in other cultures as well as read books written and illustrated by book creators from other cultures.

Sign up at the blog post linked above.

YAmazing Race on NOW

2012-01-16T15:08:00.000-06:00

From January 16-23, join the Apocalypsies at their blog for a chance to discover brand new YA writers and win some great swag. I even spot a WI state writer in there. Have fun, good luck and watch out for speedin....ahem, I mean, reading tickets!

Magnet Boards Move In

2012-01-16T14:47:00.003-06:00

Menomonie Public Library's children's desk has an inviting new feature: a magnet board! Jodi Bird, children's librarian, says they plan to switch out magnets every once in a while. A lack of wall space (Menomonie Public Library is mostly windows) did not deter the children's staff. This magnet board is a (ahem) magnet for kids, and makes the desk even friendlier and more appealing.

What's even better is this is just sheet metal, purchased from a local guy for $27. Not breaking the bank, but sure making the library more fun, and supporting literacy to boot.

Happy 50th Anniversary to the Snowy Day

2012-01-16T13:26:00.000-06:00

There's a great homage to this classic in the Chicago Trib.

After the article, there is this "ain't-it-the-truth" quote from Deborah Pope, the executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation: "Librarians are a breed of people we don't appreciate enough in this society," Pope says. "Especially children's librarians — they adore children and literature in a way that I don't think many of us can fathom. They are wonderful resources."

Upcoming Guys Read Event at Waupaca PL Gets Some Ink

2012-01-16T06:07:00.000-06:00

In a great article from the Waupaca area, a dinner and Skyped-in appearance by David Lubar as well as a month-long focus on "Guys Read" at Waupaca Public Library gets some excellent exposure.

I especially like how much they wrote about the importance of boys and reading and how libraries fill that need with great books. Sue Abrahamson and Melissa Carollo gave great interviews.

Have you had a positive recent article boosting your WI youth library programs or services? Feel free to send me the link at marge@lacrosselibrary and we'll highlight it in the blog! The more we spread the good news about our work and what we do, the better our services will be.

Why Due We Do This?

2012-01-14T09:48:00.000-06:00

One of the things I love most about professional associations - like WLA!; like ALA!; like PLA! - is that they bring together under one umbrella, like-minded librarians with diverse skill sets. I don't have to know how to do everything but I can tap into the skills of my colleagues and learn all kinds of exciting things.

I don't find the dues fun or easy to find the money for but I know by paying these dues, I am promoting and supporting librarians and the work they do in disseminating information, best practices, lobbying legislators to keep libraries strong and maintain access to information no matter how large or small the library. I know that my dues support continuing education and a strong infra-structure that helps us connect to one another and accomplish much more together than we could individually accomplish at each library location. They support blogs like this one and the ALSC blog that work to keep youth librarians plugged into vital information; fun facts and programming and booklist know-how.

So if you are not a member of WLA or YSS or ALA or ALSC, I invite you and encourage you to join and support libraries. You have little to lose and everything to gain.

Tra-la-la!

2012-01-12T09:35:00.002-06:00

Fans of Captain Underpants, unite! Here he comes again in both digital (January) and print format (August) . Check out the AP press release for the big news and dates to be ready for. There may be some serious bling at ALA Midwinter surrounding this news...and I see many Capt. Underpants parties in libraries' futures!

Host a Superbowl Party for Kids

2012-01-11T12:08:00.002-06:00

Our guest blogger today is YSS member Ann Hardginski, Youth Services Librarian at the Kimberly-Little Chute Library.

Looking for ways to celebrate the Super Bowl in the library? Try a Super Bowl Sundae Spectacular! Our library has teamed up with the local Parks & Recreation Department to host an event on Jan. 30 that is sure to draw in those elusive boys.

Football fans ages four and up are invited to wear their favorite team jersey (regardless if their team is in the Super Bowl or not). We will be sharing the fun new football book The Day Roy Riegels Ran the Wrong Way by Dan Gutman. After the story, kids are invited to participate at different stations set up by the Parks & Rec staff: pennant making, Target Toss (throwing a football through a hula hoop), and an obstacle course.

Some of the high school football players have volunteered to lead the group in some football drills as well. When the stations are completed, kids will then have a chance to create their own Super Bowl Sundaes. The big pails of ice cream work well with sauces and sprinkles on the side, or contact your local Culver’s to see if they will sponsor—they even supply free custard!

Football, books, and ice cream—it just doesn’t get much better than that!

Ann Hardginski ahardgin@mail.owls.lib.wi.us

And the Wisconsin Winner Is...

2012-01-09T09:42:00.004-06:00

Want to take part in making Wisconsin literary history?

The Youth Service Section of the Wisconsin Library Association is looking for a person to serve a two-year term on the 2012 Children’s Book Award Committee. If selected, you will be one of seven individuals who read and discuss books written for children and teens by authors and illustrators with a Wisconsin connection.

This notable committee chooses the recipient of the Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award and annually selects up to ten books to receive Outstanding Achievement recognition. To find out more about this committee, visit the WLA Children's Book Award website.

To be considered for this position, please send a brief essay to YSS Chair, Sue Abrahamson, by January 16, 2012. Essays should identify applicant’s abilities and desire to:

· Participate in book discussions

· Be familiar with recent youth literature

· Be a member of WLA/YSS

· Work cooperatively, listen well and express opinions

· Attend committee meetings when necessary

Email your essay to sabraham@mail.owls.lib.wi.us. Please list “Children’s Book Award” in the subject line. Unless specified otherwise, your application will be kept on file to create a pool of interested librarians for future opportunities.

Lights, Camera, Action

2012-01-04T11:18:00.001-06:00

Have a hankering to encourage a few filming stints with the kids - or you! - at your library?

Storytubes, kids making films about books, is about to start. According to the Storytubes website , this “2-minute or less "my favorite book" video project is a unique opportunity for kids to promote their favorite books via short videos…and for kids to learn about new titles by watching them. While the program does include a contest component, with prizes donated by national publishers and others, the goal of the program is to harness kids’ excitement for books and share it on the Internet. Kids and teens (grades K-12) who are residents of the United States or its territories or of Nova Scotia, Canada or children of U.S. military personnel stationed abroad may enter. Students may enter through an organization (i.e., a school or library) or on their own.

Videos may be up to two minutes long
You may make the video by yourself or with a group (the group limit per video is five people)
English-speaking kids anywhere may enter
To win a prize, at least one person in the group must be between the ages of 5 and 18 years
Top prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges, who will consider performance, script, creativity, and other factors
Just-for-fun prizes will be awarded through online voting
You may enter the contest more than once, as long as you promote a different book in each video
Entries must be submitted between 10:00 a.m. EST on January 20, 2012 and 9:00 p.m. PST on February 20, 2012.
For info, please contact: Faith Brautigam, Director of Youth Services at Gail Borden Library, IL."

Or submit a film about teens/tweens using technology at your library filmed by librarians for librarians for ALSC/YALSA video contest.

The 2012 Presidents' Program at ALA in Anaheim be a joint affair between ALSC and YALSA! We will be talking about tweens and young teens and exploring their use of technology. What is the life of a tween or young teen like in this digital age? What are the particular challenges and opportunities they face online? What should libraries be doing? Most importantly: what are YOU doing? How are you handling the digital lives of tweens and young teens at your library? We are calling for video submissions from librarians on the front line.

Videos should be 2-3 minutes in length and created by librarians, for librarians. Show and tell us about an experience or project dealing with tweens and young teens and technology at your library. What worked? What didn't? What did you learn?
Post it on YouTube with the tag "youthprezprogram12".
Email co-chairs Tessa Michaelson Schmidt and Sarah Couri at tweenlibraryvideos@gmail.com with the YouTube link and your contact information.
Deadline for submissions: Monday, April 30th, 2012 at midnight.

All video entrants will be eligible to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Selected videos will be shown at the 2012 ALSC and YALSA Joint Presidents' Program in Anaheim

New Ambassador for Young People's Literature Just Announced

2012-01-03T10:18:00.000-06:00

Walter Dean Myers!!!

Need we say more?

Read all about it in this interview in School Library Journal.

Blinded by Science...in Children's Books?!?!

2012-01-03T10:07:00.001-06:00

The New York Times ran a delightful piece recently written by a parent who finds her mind wandering as she reads a favorite picture book to her child for the umpteenth time. And as she contemplates the impossibilities and possibilities of life in children's books, she asks some scientific questions that we all need answers to!

An Interest in Pinterest

2011-12-19T12:26:00.000-06:00

Today we have a guest blog from our YSS colleague Cassie Payne (Miss Pippi) from Menasha's Public Library!

Social Media is still a buzz word. Usually, it involves contacting your patrons, friends, or co-workers in new way and (hopefully) starting conversations with them. Let me introduce you to a new player on the Social Media front: Pinterest.

Pinterest might be an old hat to some readers but if it’s new to you I would encourage you to stop by their website. Essentially, Pinners (Pinterest members) are creating virtual boards from pictures available on the World Wide Web. Browsers will find a wide variety of information available from fashion to food to early literacy and more! Many bloggers have their own Pinterest page and include a Pinterest button on their blog so people can easily follow them (as well as their Facebook and Twitter accounts). I started my own board a while ago and it has come in handy while collecting ideas for storytimes, programs, and bulletin boards. If others in your department or library have an account, Pinners can easily share ideas with one another.

If you’re interested in playing around with Pinterest, a new Webinar was just announced! Jill Patchin and Jessi Peterson (Eau Claire) and Georgia Jones are working together to show how they use Pinterest at the library. I am looking forward to tuning in next year. Here’s a link if you would like more information about Pinterest for Librarians: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/224372166.

Happy pinning, friends!

Miss Pippi the Librarian

http://pinterest.com/misspippi/

Image: 'Pricks' http://www.flickr.com/photos/78433558@N00/253796692

Mock Printz, Newbery and Caldecott Elections at the Franklin Public Library

2011-12-05T11:33:00.001-06:00

The Franklin Public Library Invites you to Participate in Our Mock Printz, Newbery & Caldecott Elections

Monday, January 9th from 8:30-4:00 pm

Schedule of Events
8:30-9:00 Check-in, light refreshments
9:00-10:30 Table discussions-Mock Printz
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00 Sharing of discussions/additional suggestions/voting
12:00-1:00 Lunch (YSC Business Meeting)
12:30-1:00 Check-in, light refreshments
1:00- 2:30 Table discussions-Mock Newbery & Caldecott
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45– 3:45 Sharing of discussions
3:45-4:00 Additional suggestions/voting/door prizes

Public librarians, school librarians, teachers or educators from the area are invited to read the books prior to
January 9th and then meet to discuss the books. We will vote and pick our very own winners!

For the Mock Printz, there are 3 tables with 5 books assigned to each table.

For the Mock Newbery/Caldecott there are 6 tables with 10 books assigned to each table. You choose your table.

Every attempt will be made to accommodate your first table choice, but you may be assigned to another table in order to facilitate discussion of all titles.

Each table will have a captain who will take notes from the table discussion and share those thoughts with the whole group. Please feel free to bring other books that you believe may be worthy contenders for any of the medals and there will be some sharing time at the end.

For a complete listing of the books to be discusssed at each table and to register for this event, please email Keri Whitmore, YA Librarian, at keri.miller@mcfls.org. Please include your name, library, Mock Printz and/or Mock Newbery & Caldecott sessions and your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice for your table assignment for both sessions. Registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 2nd.

Odds and Ends

2011-11-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

Time for another fun list!

What do you think of social media? Here's an interesting article that you should peruse...
Check out this fun birdhouse.
Brian Selznick weighs in with a book list.
Did you see the star of this article?
Need to see something cute? Check out this video:

Urban Institute Reports Trends in Children's Services at Public Libraries

2011-11-15T10:57:00.001-06:00

From the Monday Memo, November 14, 2011 (Arrowhead Library System)

The Institute for Museum and Library Services blog, posted information about a new study released by the Urban Institute. The report, “Children’s Services at Public Libraries: A Port in the Storm,” emphasizes that public libraries provide resources and experiences that support children’s literacy development, such as arts and crafts, songs, drama, and story-telling:

“As policymakers search for solutions to improve child outcomes during a time of constrained budgets, one group of institutions is often overlooked. As community anchor institutions, public libraries increase children's access to books and computers, and provide meaningful learning opportunities. These functions are particularly critical for children from high-need families who often fall behind in school. Most children living in poverty have few or no books at home, as well as limited access to the Internet.”

However, the report also outlines that the distribution and availability of those services are inconsistent, often lacking in areas where they are most needed. The full commentary is available online at MetroTrends, the Urban Institute’s report card and toolkit for researchers, students, journalists, elected officials and the public on the state of metropolitan economies: http://www.metrotrends.org/commentary/libraries-imls.cfm

10th Annual International Children's and Young Adult Literature Celebration

2011-11-10T08:32:00.000-06:00

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sponsored by the Wisconsin International Outreach Consortium
Memorial Union, UW-Madison Campus
Registration Deadline: Monday November 14, 2011

Featuring:

Atinuke, author of the award-winning Anna Hibiscus Series will be here in person, not via Skype!
Kathleen Horning, author and director extraordinaire of the CCBC
Anne Pellowski, author, storyteller, and founder of the Information Center on Children’s Cultures supported by the U.S. Committee for UNICEF
Mitali Perkins, award-winning author of Secret Keeper, among other books and novels for children and young adults

This year marks the tenth annual celebration, which brings together award-winning authors whose literature spans the globe, with dedicated educators, librarians, students and children’s literature enthusiasts who gain insight into new cultures and histories from around the world. In the full-day workshop each author will present on their writing and discuss the stories that they have written and highlight cultural nuances and universal themes.

For more information and registration: http://www.wioc.wisc.edu/events/childlit/index.html
Megan Schliesman, Librarian, Cooperative Children's Book Center
School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
608/262-9503 | schliesman@education.wisc.edu | www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/

2012 Frances Henne/YALSA/VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Research Grant

2011-11-08T08:30:00.000-06:00

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is offering the Frances Henne/YALSA/VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Research Grant for 2012. This grant of $1000 provides seed money for small-scale projects that will encourage research that responds to the YALSA Research Agenda.

Details regarding the applications for the 2012 Frances Henne YALSA/VOYA Research Grant are available from the YALSA Web site at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/awardsandgrants/franceshenne.cfm Applications for the grant are due in the YALSA Office by December 1, 2011.

For more information please contact us via e-mail, yalsa@ala.org; or by phone: 800-545-2433 x 4387.

Don't Miss the Milwaukee Public Library's Central Library Reception and Tour

2011-10-31T09:27:00.000-05:00

Where: 814 W. Wisconsin Ave - Just two blocks from the convention center!
When: Wednesday, November 2, 4:15 - 5:30

Join us for some light refreshments in the Central Library Children’s Room in the Milwaukee Public Library’s historic downtown location. Not only can you view the beautifully renovated spaces of our central library, but also see the new way we promote great books for youth in our children’s entrance display.

Discover the great things happening in our Youth Services and Outreach departments! Library staff will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate our programs for ages birth to 18. Find out about our Ready to Read with Books2Go early literacy program, see how we organize a Family Play Date, view the final reports of the 2011 Super Reader summer reading program, learn how we are implementing the new Teacher in the Library program, and how we run the Teen Advisory Board.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing our exciting programs.

Read On Wisconsin - October Selections

2011-10-28T12:35:00.000-05:00

Check out the October book selections for Read On Wisconsin, the statewide online literacy initiative!

Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers:

The Voyage of Turtle Rex by Kurt Cyrus. Harcourt, 2011

Primary (Grades K-2):

Always Listen to Your Mother by Florence Parry Heide and Roxanne Heide Pierce. Illustrated by Kyle M. Stone. Disney / Hyperion, 2010

Intermediate (Grades 3-5):

This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman. Houghton Mifflin, 2007

Middle School:

Prime Baby by Gene Luen Yang. First Second / Roaring Brook Press, 2010
Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Graphix, 2010

High School:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. Dutton, 2010

From storytimes to book discussions, we hope you'll look for ways to share these books with children and teens in Wisconsin.

The new Read On Wisconsin web site is still under development. Among the site's features will be an exchange forum for librarians and teachers to talk about ways they are using the Read On Wisconsin program and books.

In the meantime, you can find the complete list of book selections, and discussion questions for each title, on the temporary site at: http://readon.education.wisc.edu/

And resources about some of the 2011-2012 Read On Wisconsin authors and books can be found at TeachingBooks.net: http://www.teachingbooks.net/quicksearch.cgi?id=2224

10th Annual International Children's and Young Adult Literature Celebration

2011-10-13T11:44:00.000-05:00

Open a Door... Open a Book...Open your Mind... to the WorldSaturday, November 19, 2011
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tripp Commons, Memorial Union - Madison, WI

Featuring Award-winning Authors: Atinuke (via Skype), Kathleen Horning, Anne Pellowski, & Mitali Perkins

This year marks our tenth anniversary of bringing together award-winning authors, dedicated educators, librarians, students, and children’s literature enthusiasts to explore cultures and histories from around the world. In the full-day, interactive workshop authors present on their writing and discuss the stories they have written, highlighting cultural nuances and universal themes.

Inspired by international literature? For our 10th year milestone we welcome past and present participants to share the impact of this celebration in their classrooms, libraries, and in their lives. Send us your photos, lesson plans, book reviews, articles or any other examples of how you internationalized reading in your world. We will post these online and in a poster session at the event.

A program of the Wisconsin International Outreach Consortium (WIOC).

This event coincides with International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

Please Register Here by November 14th

For more information call (608) 262-9224, or email: rweiss@southasia.wisc.edu

Winner of Penworthy's 19th Annual WLA Attendee Sponsorship Award!

2011-10-12T15:03:00.000-05:00

The Penworthy Company is pleased to announce Julia Davis of Kiel Public
Library in Kiel, WI as the winner of our 19th annual WLA Attendee Sponsorship
Award. Every year, we award a Wisconsin librarian with a $400 sponsorship
award to attend WLA’s annual conference, which holds programs to refresh
library services, boost professional skills, and help librarians make connections.
Congratulations Julia!

Who we are: The Penworthy Company makes buying children’s books the
pleasure it ought to be® with an exceptional selection, sturdy Penworthy
Prebound Books and a level of personal service you can trust. Based in
Milwaukee, WI for 29 years, we’re proud to support the librarians in our home
state.

Thursday, October 14: David Diaz at The Center for Children's Literature

2011-10-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

The Center for Children's Literature is proud to announce two opportunities to hear from celebrated children's literature illustrator David Diaz, winner of the Caldecott award for Smoky Night. Mr. Diaz will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Southwest Kenosha Public Library, and at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, during Carthage's Family Fun Night in Hedberg Library.

Visiting from his home in Carlsbad, Calif., Mr. Diaz will share his experience of illustrating for more than 25 years. He has illustrated many award-winning books for children including Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, for which he was awarded the Caldecott Medal; The Wanderer by Sharon Creech, which received a Newbery Honor; and Diego: Bigger Than Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, a Pura Belpré Honor Award winner. Mr. Diaz is also a graphic designer, painter and an accomplished ceramic artist.

Join the Center for Children's Literature during these two exciting events to hear about the creative process of this impressive artist and the magic of children's books. Books will be available for purchase and signing. There is no charge to attend.

For further information, contact jstewig@carthage.edu or (262) 552-5480.

Tuesday, November 1: Summer Reading 2012 Workshop

2011-09-27T09:48:00.000-05:00

Summer reading program aficionados from around the state are invited to attend the 2012 Dream Big – Read! SRP workshop at the Milwaukee Public Museum Planetarium and IMAX Theatre on Tuesday, November 1! Six systems in southeastern Wisconsin (Eastern Shores, Lakeshores, Mid-Wisconsin, Milwaukee County, Waukesha County and Winnefox) have collaborated to bring this session to youth services librarians and anyone with an interest in next year’s summer reading program theme.

The fun begins at 1:00 PM and will end at 4:00, just in time for those of you going to WLA to get there in time for the vendor reception! Registration fee is $10.00, which can be paid at the door or in advance (checks payable to Lakeshores Library System).

See the following link for more information:
http://extranet.winnefox.org/sites/extranet.winnefox.org/files/SRPWorkshop%40ThePlanetariumFlyer.PDF

If you have any questions, please contact me at rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us.

10th Annual International Children's and Young Adult Literature Celebration

2011-09-22T11:40:00.000-05:00

Open a Door... Open a Book... Open your Mind... To the World!

Saturday, Novembe 19, 2011: 8:30 - 5:00
Tripp Commons, Memorial Union, Madison, WI

Featuring Award-winning Authors:

Atinuke (via Skype), Kathleen Horning, Anne Pellowski, and Mitali Perkins

The Wisconsin International Outreach Consortium (WIOC) sponsors this annual event in observance of International Education Week. International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

More information & Registration go to:
http://www.wioc.wisc.edu/events/childlit/index.html

Questions, contact Rachel Weiss (608) 262-9224 or email wioc@wioc.wisc.edu

Friday, October 7: YSS Bus Tour to the Twin Cities

2011-09-20T10:50:00.002-05:00

Join the Youth Services Section of WLA as we tour everal libraries in the Twin Cities area. This tours will have a special focus on early learning activities and environments and teen areas, but the tours will include all areas of the library. These tours will be of interest to children’s services and teen librarians, directors, Friends, and trustees who may be considering a new building project or remodeling project, and library school students. A description and itinerary is listed below.

The cost of the Twin Cities tour will be $25. Lunch will be on your own. Space is limited so register early. Confirmations will be sent.

Traveling by bus is an efficient and cost effective way to see these libraries, rather than visiting them independently. The staff at the libraries will be available for the tours and to answer questions. The bus trips help people avoid the hassles of traffic, parking, and getting around in unfamiliar cities. Visiting with other librarians is not only fun and but others often spot interesting things you might miss on your own. It’s a chance to see 4-5 different libraries in one day.

Registration deadline for the Twin Cities Bus Tour is September 28.

For more information visit the Bus Tour webpage or contact Barb Huntington at 608-831-5418 barbhunting@gmail.com or Jill Lininger at 262-636-9255 or jill.lininger@racinelibrary.info.

Sheboygan Children's Book Festival: October 14-16

2011-09-15T12:54:00.000-05:00

Are you going to the Sheboygan Children's Book Festival this year?

If its not already on your calendar, perhaps it should be. They have a great line up of authors including:

Candace Fleming
Catherine Gilbert Murdoch
Francisco X. Mora
Henry Cole
Jerry Pinkney
Liz Garton Scanlon
M.T. Anderson
Stacey Williams-Ng
and
Tom Lichtenheld

For more information about the festival visit http://sheboyganchildrensbookfestival.org/.

Children's Books Finally Receive Exemption from CPSIA Testing Requirements

2011-09-14T12:51:00.003-05:00

Did you see the news? Check out the Publisher's Weekly article for details.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/48209-children-s-books-finally-receive-exemption-from-cpsia-testing-requirements.html

CCBC Takes Over Read On Wisconsin

2011-09-08T12:04:00.002-05:00

The Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has taken over coordination of the "Read On Wisconsin" literacy initiative. See the attached press release for more information, including the launch of the 2011-2012 Read on Wisconsin program!

We hope you'll consider using Read On Wisconsin titles and promoting the Read On Wisconsin program over the course of the coming year. Consider holding a Read On Wisconsin storytime or hosting a Read On Wisconsin book club in the school or public library. Share Read on Wisconsin titles with classroom teachers, too!

If you're already a Read On Wisconsin fan, we'd love to hear how you've used the program in your library or school.

A temporary Read On Wisconsin web site can be found at: http://readon.education.wisc.edu/

The site lists the Read On Wisconsin book selections chosen by the 2011-2012 Literacy Advisory Committee, as well as discussion questions for each book.

A new interactive Read On Wisconsin site is under development.

In the meantime, you can follow Read On Wisconsin on Twitter: @ReadOnWi

Read On!

Children's Books and Reading

2011-08-11T14:26:00.000-05:00

From Neat New Stuff I Found This Week (August 5, 2011), http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html, Copyright, Marylaine Block, 1999-2009.

http://www.childrens-books-and-reading.com/

"Helping your child become a successful reader." Includes good advice on pre-literacy activities that prepare very young children to make the connection between letters, words, and the spoken language they already understand. Also offers reading games and activities, advice on choosing books, and guides to recommended books for children.

Bookcase for Every Child

2011-08-11T12:04:00.004-05:00

Have you heard of the Bookcase Project? It's rather a cool idea to help with literacy, especially among poor families.

Fun Tidbits

2011-08-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

Great gift idea for another librarian in your life: 2012 Calendars!

Fun posters for the inner child: Minimalist Children's Stories (thanks to Shawn Brommer for posting this on FB!)

Remember those librarians on horseback? Check out this one on a donkey: Biblioburro

Comic books on the Joy Cardin show! Go to July 28th of 2011.

With comic-book movies dominating the theaters, Joy Cardin and her guest look at the appeal and impact of comic books and graphic novels. Guest: Qiana (kee-AH-nuh) Whitted, Associate Professor of English and African-American Studies University of South Carolina; her classes include "Modern Graphic Novels" and "Comic Books, Race, and History"

The Great Book Giveaway and you're invited

2011-08-01T10:19:00.002-05:00

Host: Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning

Phone: 608-224-5380

When: From Thursday, July 28 to Friday, August 12 at 4:30 PM

Where: Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning
2109 S. Stoughton Ro
Madison, WI 53716

You are invited to visit Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning to select materials for inclusion in your library’s collection at no cost to you. You can’t afford to miss this! Please share this message with any school media center or school librarian who may also be interested.

We are reducing the size of our physical collection as we refocus our mission to emphasize cost effective services and programs that meet the evolving needs of Wisconsin residents. Some of your colleagues have already visited and were amazed at the breadth and depth of our collection.

Authorized representatives of all publicly funded libraries in Wisconsin are invited (Monday - Friday) to 2109 South Stoughton Road from Thursday, July 28^th through Friday, August 12 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Materials being distributed include books, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, LP records, hard-bound serials, and more. Libraries are encouraged to come prepared to transfer items personally. Please bring boxes if possible. Small collections may be shipped through the South Central Delivery Service, but we do not want to overburden delivery with major shipments. The average for libraries that have already visited is about 100 items!

Please let us know if you plan to send representatives. You may contact Patricia Stutz at patricia.stutz@dpi.wi.gov or 608-224-5380 to schedule an appointment.

The content of our collection can be viewed in WISCAT. Our collection is heavily weighted to non-fiction subjects. Feel free to print a pick list to make the most of your time here.

Because our collection is considered state property, certain terms and conditions apply to dispersal. Items selected from our collection cannot be resold through library book sales, nor can they be offered to single non-profit organizations, private libraries or private citizens. Details on appropriate use of materials selected from the collection will be forwarded to you upon your acceptance of our invitation.

If you have questions about the process, please contact Martha Berninger, Director, Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning, 608-224-6161.

BadgerLunch Summer Webinar Series - Focus on Reader’s

2011-07-13T13:38:00.001-05:00

Thursdays at noon, 30 - 45 minute sessions on July 14, 21, 28

July 14: TeachingBooks – Explore thousands of resources about fiction and nonfiction books used in the K-12 environment to encourage the integration of multimedia author and book materials into reading activities.
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi/join?id=34QNHR&role=attend&pw=n%25%297B%29k
July 21: NoveList K-8 – Learn about this fiction database designed with a bright, appealing layout especially for elementary and middle school age students. https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi/join?id=9GDJ4B&role=attend&pw=x%21*B%5D5k
July 28: NoveList – Focus on readers’ advisory service! NoveList provides access to information on fiction titles as well as feature content including author read-alikes, book discussion guides, reading lists and more.
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi/join?id=P832RF&role=attend&pw=Rk*Dk9d

All sessions are open to everyone. Topics include a description of the information/learning resource, searching techniques, and helpful features. For a flyer with complete schedule and links to the webinars, visit the BadgerLink home page at http://www.badgerlink.net/ and click on the BadgerLunch Webinar Series Announcement link.

The archive of previous sessions is found at http://www.badgerlink.net/training.html

More Great Web Sites for Kids from ALSC

2011-07-01T10:18:00.001-05:00

http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/ala/more-great-web-sites-kids-alsc

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, has added more recommended websites to Great Web Sites for Kids (www.ala.org/greatsites), its online resource containing hundreds of links to exceptional websites for children.

The newly added sites are:

Education.com - www.education.com/
Fact Finder Kids Corner - http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/kids.html
Indy Kids! - http://indykids.net/main/
Inspire My Kids - http://inspiremykids.com/
Weather Channel Kids - www.theweatherchannelkids.com/
Kid Dinners Zis Boom Bah - www.zisboombah.com/
GoGo News - www.gogonews.com/
My Young Child - http://myyoungchild.org/
Neil Gaiman’s MouseCircus - www.mousecircus.com/
Peace Corps for Kids - www.peacecorps.gov/kids
Pigeon Presents! - www.pigeonpresents.com
Science of Baseball - www.exploratorium.edu/baseball/index.html
Teaching Books - www.teachingbooks.net/crc.cgi?id=5
Study Jams - http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/index.htm
Laura Jernigan: Girl on a Whaleship - www.girlonawhaleship.org/
Youngzine - www.youngzine.com /

“This list represents websites that present valuable educational material in a way that is fun and accessible for young learners and their caregivers!” said Beth Medley, co-chair of ALSC’s Great Web Sites for Kids Committee.

Great Web Sites for Kids (GWS) features links to websites of interest to children 14 years of age and younger, organized into diverse subject headings such as dinosaurs, authors and illustrators; games and entertainment; U.S. history; astronomy and space; and music. There is also a special section with sites of interest to parents, caregivers and teachers. Each site entry includes a brief annotation and a grade-level rating.

Members of the ALSC GWS Committee review potential sites for inclusion and vote on the sites to be included. They also regularly check the entire site to ensure currency and re-evaluate sites when necessary.

Members of the 2011 Great Web Sites for Kids Committee are: Rachel Fyrd, Free Library of Philadelphia, co-chair; Beth Medley, Scottsdale, Ariz., co-chair; Ryan Baker, Long Beach (Calif.) Public Library; Laurie Chudzinski, Houghton Lake (Mich.) Public Library; Susan Kusel, Arlington, Va.; Sharon Ledford, Harrison Elementary School, Lexington, Ky.; Christine Scheper, Howard Beach, NY; and Stephanie Simpson, Charlotte, NC.

The complete listing of great sites with annotations and selection criteria can be found at www.ala.org/greatsites.

2nd Annual Sheboygan Children's Book Festival, October 14-16, 2011

2011-06-23T14:17:00.001-05:00

http://sheboyganchildrensbookfestival.org/

We are extremely pleased to release the names of a few of the exceptional and critically-acclaimed authors and illustrators participating in this year’s Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival!

Jerry Pinkney has been creating children’s books since 1964 and has more than 200 fine children’s books to his credit. He has received the Caldecott Medal, five Caldecott Honors and five Coretta Scott King Awards, among many other awards.
Candace Fleming says she has always “enjoyed telling a good story…and seeing my listener’s reaction.” Her award-winning books include picture books for young children, novels for older children, and scrapbook biographies of famous Americans.
Henry Cole has written and illustrated picture books and novels and has illustrated picture books for authors Pamela Duncan Edwards, Jonathan London, Margie Palatini, Julie Andrews, and many others.

We invite you to check out our website and browse our author bio pages to learn more about these authors and illustrators and their books.

Sign up for e-mail updates to receive the latest author announcements and festival news.

More authors and illustrator announcements will be coming soon!

wpr radio spots

2011-06-14T07:42:00.000-05:00

Jacqueline Houtman (author of The Reinvention of Edison Thomas) was on Larry Meiller's radio show Tuesday, June 7th. Check it out!

Larry also had Rebecca Cohen in to talk about her new book: Fifteen Minutes Outside. The date of that show is June 2nd.

On Kathleen Dunn's show of April 20th, Arnold Weinstein talks about great literature teaching us about childhood as well as old age. His book is Morning, Noon and Night: Finding the Meaning of Life's Stages Through Books.

Note that all archives are grouped by date, so you'll just have to scroll down to the date for the appropriate show.

Save WiscNet: Call Your Legislators This Week!

2011-06-08T09:49:00.001-05:00

Save WiscNet: Internet for Higher Ed, Libraries & K-12 Schools Under Attack

Take Action!
Ask your legislators to reverse Joint Finance decision

Please call your legislators this week to urge them to restore WiscNet and retain cost-effective Internet service for institutions of higher education, K-12 schools and public libraries.

On Friday, June 3, the state legislature's Joint Committee on Finance passed Motion 489 that contained a provision (among many others) that would eliminate WiscNet as a department or office within the UW-Madison Department of Information Technology and eliminate $1.4 million in funding for WiscNet for 2012-13. Thus, all public institutions of higher education, 95% of public libraries and 80% of schools now receiving Internet services through WiscNet would be forced to seek these services from private telecommunications providers.

Almost all schools and libraries will pay more to private providers; the average cost is estimated to be three to five times higher than the current costs through WiscNet. But the cost is much greater than just dollars. The successful cooperative and collaborative network that WiscNet has fostered between higher education, K-12 education and libraries for the past 16 years will disappear. See the WiscNet website for more information.

Call your state senator and state representative and tell them this means libraries and schools in their districts will no longer be able to afford the Internet access that student and patrons want and need. Ask that sections 23-26 of Motion 489 be deleted on the floor of the legislature before the budget bill is approved and is sent to Governor Walker for his signature.

Read Kiddo Read

2011-06-07T13:46:00.002-05:00

Read Kiddo Read

Author James Patterson helps connect children with books that will turn them into lifelong readers. If you're interested in getting your children or students to read more, provide them with some of the books recommended and reviewed on the ReadKiddoRead Web site. The books arranged according to age: picture books for 0-8, transitional books for age 6 and older, great page turners for ages 8 and above, and great advanced books for ages 10 and above. There are over 170 reviews on only the books that kids are sure to gobble up! Click the Community link at the top of the page to find lesson plans for a host of books that are used in the classroom -- such as James and the Giant Peach, Harry Potter, Charlotte's Web, Clementine,and more. This is one site that teachers will want to be sure to visit before they make up their summer reading lists for students.

-Education World Site Reviews Newsletter, May 10, 2011

Games Symposium Scheduled for June 24

2011-06-07T13:43:00.001-05:00

The third annual Games+Learning+Society Educator Symposium features exciting panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and the opportunity to critically consider how media and technology shape learning today. If you're a classroom teacher, librarian, technology coordinator, or administrator, this event is for you!

The symposium will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Union in Madison, Wisconsin. This year, it will be held the day before the full Games+Learning+Society conference. Registration is $30 (including lunch) and space is limited. One or two graduate credits, through the University of Wisconsin – Madison, are also available for an additional $150 per credit. New additions to this year's Educator Symposium include a raffle and free happy hour in the game arcade. After spending the day learning and networking, come spend the evening playing some games!

For more information, including the full program, please visit the website. Registration closes on May 31 and workshop space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. - Channel Weekly, Vol. 13, No. 30 -- May 12, 2011

Michael Sullivan @ Franklin Public Library

2011-06-01T16:02:00.000-05:00

The Milwaukee County Federated Library System and The Youth Services Committee of MCFLS have the privilege of bringing Michael Sullivan, distinguished teacher, librarian and author of numerous titles on connecting boys with books to the Franklin Public Library. Read more about Michael and his mission at http://talestoldtall.com/index.html.

Michael Sullivan will be at Franklin Public Library on August 3, 2011 and will be presenting 2 different programs, one in the morning and one in the afternoon – Connecting Boys with Books and Why Boys Lit Gets a Bad Rap. Michael doesn’t get to Wisconsin too much, so this is an excellent opportunity to learn how to help bring boys into our library and get them excited about books! We hope that you can join us for one or both of the sessions on August 3rd!

DOE Zeroes Out Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program

2011-05-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

From School Library Journal Online

By Debra Lau Whelan May 19, 2011

It's official. Media centers around the country won't be getting one cent from the Improving Literacy Though School Libraries program in FY2011.

For the first time since it was created in 2001, the federal grant program is being zeroed out, following a decision on Monday by the Department of Education (DOE).

"This decision shows that school libraries have been abandoned by President Obama and the Department of Education," says Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association's (ALA) Washington Office.

Some say the writing was already on the wall. In April, Congress failed to appropriate federal funding for the program and gave authority to the DOE to make a final decision.

And for two consecutive years, President Obama has proposed wiping out a line item that created the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program, suggesting that it be consolidated with several other literacy programs—all of which would then vie for the same pool of money, says Jeff Kratz, assistant director of ALA's Office of Government Relations.

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries is a federal program exclusively designed to help school libraries boost academic achievement by providing students with access to up-to-date school library materials, expanding Internet connections, extending library hours, and providing professional development to media specialists. As a result of the DOE's decision, school districts with 20 percent or more of their students who come from families living below the poverty line will no longer have dedicated federal funds to specifically pay for school library materials.

"The [DOE] has withdrawn funding for numerous successful literacy programs in order to launch new initiatives to bolster science, technology, engineering, and math education," Sheketoff says. "Apparently, what the Department of Education fails to realize is that the literacy and research skills [that] students develop through an effective school library program are the very building blocks of STEM education. Withdrawing support from this crucial area of education is an astounding misstep by an administration that purports to be a champion of education reform."

The Improving Literacy Through School Libraries grant program—which was authorized at $250 million in 2001—has never been appropriated at that level. In 2002 and 2003, Congress allocated about $12.5 million for the program. In 2004, that number went up to $19.8 million, and it has since then seen a slight decline, with President Obama proposing to keep 2009 and 2010 levels the same at $19.1 million.

Technically, the program still exists—it just doesn't have any money. That's why ALA is asking its members to contact lawmakers to restore funding at least to 2010 levels, says Kratz. ALA is also asking for a dedicated funding stream for school libraries when Congress reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, previously called the No Child Left Behind Act.

Nancy Everhart, president of the American Association of School Librarians, says school library programs provide students with the skills they need to meet the demands of a competitive economy and 21st-century workplace.

"Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that students in schools with strong school library programs learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized tests even when differences in socioeconomic factors are taken into consideration," Everhart says.

"School libraries are there for every child. They are the great equalizers of society and by making this cut, it's taking away the opportunity for all children to excel in every area of education, especially science and math. The school library has traditionally been the place where low-income students gain access to the resources and learning experiences that make STEM subjects relevant and rich."

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping.

Tad Hills on Winning the 2011 Irma Black Award

2011-05-20T11:14:00.000-05:00

From School Library Journal Online

By Rocco Staino May 19, 2011

Tad Hills, author and illustrator of the popular "Duck & Goose" series, has another hit with How Rocket Learned to Read (2010, all Random). This story about a dog named Rocket who's taught to read by a friendly bird was also nominated for a Children's Choice Book Award and a Virginia Readers' Choice Award. In our review, SLJ said that "Youngsters will find this addition to Hills's cast of adorable animal characters simply irresistible."

Today in New York City, Hills was presented with the 2011 Irma Simonton Black & James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature by the Bank Street College of Education, in partnership with SLJ. The award invites first and second graders nationwide to vote for a picture book that best uses words and illustrations to tell a story. This year, some 9,550 students from 94 schools participated in the selection process.

Tell us about the real Rocket?

Rocket is a Wheaten Terrier who will be four-years-old on July 18. He's a fantastic dog in every way. He's gentle, sweet, patient, and very cute, and I knew right away that someday, somehow he would inspire a book.

Do you remember how you learned to read?

I don't remember learning to read per se, but I do remember how much I loved being read to. My favorite books included Blueberries For Sal (Viking, 1949) by Robert McCloskey, The Biggest Bear (Houghton, 1952) by Lynd Ward, and the books of Thornton Burgess.

It must be a great feeling to win the Irma Black Award.

I'm so happy to win the Irma Black Award. Since the award is determined by writers, teachers, librarians, and children—people who know and care so much about kids' books—I feel especially honored.

One young Irma Black voter drew a comparison between Rocket and Munro Leaf's Ferdinand the Bull because both liked to nap under their favorite tree. Was that intentional?

I haven't heard that comparison until now, but I do remember that Ferdinand was one of those books I loved as a kid. I still really love that book. I was a very shy quiet kid, and I think I related to Ferdinand. And I think the Rocket character would relate to Ferdinand too.

As you create new books, are ebook formats and apps coming into play?

Digital applications come into play long after I've finished a book, not while I'm creating it. There are ebook versions of my "Duck and Goose" books. How Rocket Learned to Read is available as an ebook but also as an iPad app, which includes not only the book but some great interactive features and animation and a couple of learning games. But when I'm writing or illustrating, I don't think about the story or the pictures in terms of any possible future digital incarnation.

You grew up surrounded by nature. How do you like living in an urban environment like Brooklyn?

I loved growing up in Norwell, MA, where I was able to spend so much time outside wandering around the woods and fields near my home. But I love living in Brooklyn now. I've lived here for more than 20 years—longer than I've lived anywhere else. Sometimes the noise drives me crazy, but my neighborhood is full of interesting people—painters, illustrators, writers, actors, musicians, chefs, and teachers—and we have a pair of cardinals and a forsythia bush in our garden.

Can you share what you have in the works?

Right now I'm working on a second Rocket picture book and a chapter book about two ducks—not Duck and Goose—in search of their heritage.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping.

It's not to late to apply for a WLA Award

2011-05-14T13:08:00.003-05:00

WLA/Highsmith Award

Libraries of any size or type are eligible for the Highsmith Award, which "recognizes a library's achievement in planning and implementing an exemplary program or service that has had a measurable impact upon its users. The purpose is to encourage innovation by highlighting collective efforts within a library, wherein staff, administration and volunteers have successfully marshaled the library's resources to benefit its users." The program or service upon which the award is based shall meet the following criteria:

Significant contribution to its institution, organization, school or community;
Creative or innovative program development and implementation;
Ease of replication in other libraries, demonstrated by a clear and concise outline or plan;
Minimal funds required for program execution;
Program initiated within five years prior to date of information.

Recent winners include The Ruff Readers Program of the Racine Public Library, Carthage College's Hedberg Library's Family Fun Night, and South Madison Branch's Game Night.

More info including nomination papers may be found at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/awards/awards.htm. Nominations are due to the WLA office June 1, 2011.

TeachingBooks.net Resources for CSLP

2011-05-09T10:25:00.001-05:00

TeachingBooks has compiled online resources that will be great for CSLP.

Book and Author Ready-to-Use Resources related to the YOUTH Manual: http://TeachingBooks.net/CSLP
Book and Author Ready-to-Use Resources related to the TEEN Manual: http://TeachingBooks.net/CSLPT

Also, here are some unique insights from the illustrators who created the CSLP posters:

Hear illustrator Rafel López share how he created the One World, Many Stories poster: http://TeachingBooks.net/CSLP2011ONE
Hear illustrator Svetlana Chmakova share how she created the You Are Here poster: http://TeachingBooks.net/CSLP2011YOU

Gender Bias in Children’s BooksGender Bias in Children’s Books

2011-05-06T12:56:00.001-05:00

From Waking Brain Cells

I don’t think that any children’s librarian is going to be surprised by the findings of a recent study of children’s books. The most comprehensive study of 20th century children’s literature ever done, it revealed a bias towards books that feature boys and men. Intriguingly, the bias was also present when the characters are animals.

Now, if you has asked me if more books featured boys or girls, I would have automatically answered boys. I am surprised by the extent of the bias as well as the fact that it had not gotten any better towards the end of the 20th century. In other words, we aren’t making much progress with gender in children’s books!

Science Daily has some bulleted points in their article about the study that I find particularly interesting:

Males are central characters in 57 percent of children’s books published per year, while only 31 percent have female central characters.
On average, 36.5 percent of books in each year studied include a male in the title, compared to 17.5 percent that include a female.

While I find the information interesting and important, even more important to me is what we do about it. It seems to me that it is the same issue we have with all sorts of diversity in children’s books: races, colors, sexual orientation. So the question is universal about featuring children and adults in children’s books that speak to all levels of diversity.

What do we do as librarians who are cultivating collections for children? What do we do as book creators to get more girls and even women into our books? How do we all take responsibility for what children in our world are reading and therefore learning about how society works?

Big thanks to Hedgehog Librarian and for the link.

Cheerios New Author Contest

2011-05-06T10:22:00.000-05:00

Goodnight Moon, The Berenstain Bears, Green Eggs and Ham – for many of us, these titles conjure up fond childhood memories of learning to read. What isn’t often remembered, however, is who actually penned these classics –writers whose dream of creating a timeless story for children became a reality.

To encourage ambitious writers to pursue their dream of creating a children’s book that, like those listed above, Cheerios once again launched its New Author Contest. The contest is seeking the next great children’s book author & encourages ambitious authors nationwide to submit an original story, in either English or Spanish, for children ages three to eight. One Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000 and a possible publishing deal with Simon & Schuster, in addition to having his or her book featured inside Cheerios cereal boxes next spring. Those who think they have the “write” stuff can visit www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com, where entries will be accepted from now until July 15.

In 2010, mom and small business owner Laurie Isop, of Renton, Wash., was named Grand Prize Winner. Beginning now, Laurie’s book “How Do You Hug a Porcupine?” will be featured in three million Cheerios boxes nationwide. Of winning the contest, Laurie has said it’s equivalent to winning the ”literary lottery” – she is truly evidence that even the loftiest of aspirations are worth working towards! If interested, I can send you a copy of her book or coordinate an interview - she has lots of tips on how to instill a lifelong love of reading in kids.

Early Literacy Training Workshops

2011-05-03T10:19:00.000-05:00

Hedberg Public Library is hosting a two-day workshop on early literacy. We hope you will be able to join us for one or both days.

Register by emailing sgrover@hedbergpubliclibrary.org no later than Friday, May 6. Be sure to include your name, library affiliation, email address, and phone number. We can accommodate 50 participants at this free workshop. Lunch will be provided both days.

Thursday, May 19, 2011, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Learn how to enhance storytimes for children from birth to age five/six by including literacy-building materials and activities.

Understand why including early literacy skills in storytime is so important.
Get tips for developing storytime templates that will ensure each storytime is filled with early literacy skill-builders.
Become familiar with ways to point out early literacy tips to adult care givers during your storytimes.

Friday, May 20, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Learn how to make connections in the community and to bring the importance of early literacy development to parent groups and community leaders. Especially now in these difficult economic times, it is critical that the community understands what we do in storytime and how it relates to preparing our children for school success.

Get ideas for building community collaborations to promote early literacy.
Learn how to effectively communicate the importance of early literacy to parents, community groups, and business leaders.

The Wilder Life

2011-04-29T13:08:00.000-05:00

Did you catch the program on WPR about Little House on the Prairie? Never fear, you can still listen to it, as it's been cataloged in the archives of Veronica Rueckert's show.

Have you read the book by the guest author? What did you think?

What Laura Ingalls Wilder memories or stories do you have? Share them here in the comments!

WAPL 2011

2011-04-28T12:58:00.001-05:00

Are you headed to WAPL next week? What program(s) are you most looking forward to. For a list of programs sponsored by YSS and to download the handouts for those programs, check out www.wla.lib.wi.us/yss.

See you next week!

How Rocket Learned to Read Wins Irma Black Award

2011-04-26T15:20:00.003-05:00

Tad Hills, the 2011 YSS luncheon speaker at WLA, has won the Irma Black Award for his book "How Rocket Learned to Read"

From SLJ online...
By Rocco Staino April 26, 2011

Tad Hills's How Rocket Learned to Read (Random, 2010), a story about a friendly bird who teaches a white dog with black spots to read, is the winner of the 2011 Irma Simonton Black & James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature.

Sponsored by New York's Bank Street College of Education, in partnership with School Library Journal, the award invites first- and second-graders nationwide to vote for one of four picture books that best uses words and illustrations to tell a story. This year, some 9,550 students from 94 schools participated in the selection process.

With the help of SLJ, the total number of voters increased by almost 300 percent from last year—and the number of participating schools and libraries increased by 800 percent.

"As the weeks went by, the children were really interested in the process and couldn't wait for the next book." says first-time participant Margaret Tice, a school librarian at P.S. 139 in Brooklyn, NY. "The children took the voting very seriously and looked over the books again carefully before voting."

Third- and fourth-grade students at the Bank Street School for Children, which is affiliated with the College of Education, nominated four titles as part of a picture book evaluation curriculum that asked students to critically examine the art and words in picture books to determine whether they were relevant to younger children.

This year's nominees included Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown (Little, Brown, 2010), about a young bear who finds a boy in the woods and decides to keep him as a pet; A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black (S & S, 2010), illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, a book that explains why pigs aren't cut out to march in unison; and Dust Devil by Anne Isaacs (Random, 2010), illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, a companion to Swamp Angel (Dutton, 1994) that has Angelica "Angel" Longrider, the "wildest wildcat in Tennessee," looking for a horse powerful enough to carry her until she wrestles a violent storm.

Rocket beat the others for various reasons, including the fact it accurately portrays that learning to read takes time, said one Bank Street student who advocated for the book. Another said he loved the illustrations, his favorite one shows Rocket writing the ABC's in the snow. One student even compared the book to Munro Leaf's The Story of Ferdinand (Viking, 1936), saying that both characters liked to nap under their favorite tree.

The award will be presented May 19 at the Bank Street College of Education during a ceremony that's open to the public. Perri Klass, medical director of Reach Out and Read, a national literacy organization that works with doctors and nurses to promote reading aloud to young children, will be the keynote speaker.

For more information, check out the award's Facebook page and Twitter feed. The hashtag is #IrmaBlack11.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping.

Reading Gets Teens Ahead in Careers

2011-04-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

Check out this interesting blog post about an Oxford University study regarding teens and reading.

http://wakingbraincells.com/2011/04/11/reading-gets-teens-ahead-in-careers/

Movie News

2011-04-19T10:50:00.003-05:00

Have you seen the latest casting calls for The Hunger Games? What do you think?
Been following Peter Jackson and his rendition of LOTR? The Hobbit is indeed on it's way!
Winnie the Pooh will be back this summer on the big screen!

Got any other news about movies to share? Post in the comments!

Reading Rockets

2011-04-19T09:24:00.000-05:00

From the Monday Memo - ALS

Reading Rockets - Resources for helping young children learn to read.

The Reading Rockets project was funded by a major grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Designed to be a resource for parents, teachers, principals, and librarians, the site includes sections catered to each of these audiences. The site's features include reading guides, parent guides, tips for teaching reading, book lists, author interviews, and much more.
- Education World Site Reviews Newsletter, Volume 15, Issue 14 - 5 April 2011

Read, Write, Think - Best Practices in Reading Instruction

2011-04-18T09:23:00.000-05:00

From the Monday Memo - ALS

http://www.readwritethink.org

Literacy teachers will find a gold mine of information and a wide array of standards-based lesson plans that meaningfully integrate Internet content into the teaching and/or learning experience. Each lesson is research based, and includes a detailed instructional plan and such student materials as worksheets, interactives, and Web resources. The lessons make the connection between theory and classroom practice while providing assessments, correlations to national standards and interactive tools to assist students with a reading or writing activity. Lessons can be sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) and by three areas of literacy practice: learning language, learning about language, learning through language. All recommended Web resources have been reviewed and selected by educators. The selection criteria are posted on the site.

Summer Reading Program Idea: "One World, Many (Dinosaur) Stories"

2011-04-15T12:05:00.002-05:00

From Paul Nelson's blog "Retiring Guy's Digest"

Book Adventure

2011-04-15T09:20:00.001-05:00

From the Monday Memo - ALS

Book Adventure is a free reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Parents and teachers looking for ways of motivating youngsters to read will find Book Adventure a wonderful resource. Students can read books, take quizzes on them, and earn points for correct answers on the quizzes. Kids can redeem accumulated points for prizes. There is a database of quizzes on more than 3,000 popular children's titles.

Using Book Finder, readers can search the titles by author, title, grade level, or interests. Book Finder will then create a reading list that can be printed and used at the library. After reading a book, children go to Quiz-O-Matic to take the corresponding quiz. Quizzes have from five to ten questions, depending on grade level. Teachers or parents can register their children and select literature at the appropriate grade level. There is also a mechanism for keeping track of children's scores and points earned. Teachers or parents can generate reports. Put this safe, child friendly site for improving reading comprehension at the top of your list.

Teens choose “Geek Out @ your library”

2011-04-14T09:18:00.000-05:00

From YALSA, Apr 5, 2011

Hundreds of teens voted for the 2012 Teen Tech Week theme, selecting Geek Out @ your library as their favorite, with 62% of the vote. Using the theme, librarians will be able to build programs and events that highlight the expansive technology offerings available to teens, for free, at public and school libraries during next year’s celebration, March 4–10. Teens who took the survey also answered questions about how they used technology both at home or in school and public libraries.

Questions about the new budget?

2011-04-13T09:16:00.001-05:00

From the March Library Connection - ESLS

The University of Wisconsin - Madison librarian Beth Harper has a research guide " to
government documents related to the Wisconsin state budget: the 2011 state budget, the 2011 budget repair bill, the 2011-2013 biennial budget, and the budget process". Click here to access this timely information. WLA has a legislative information status page available at: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/status.htm.

Children's Book Week Events Online

2011-04-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

From The Children's Book Council, Inc. & Every Child a Reader, Inc.

Children’s Book Week (May 2-8, 2011) is on the horizon, and we’d love to hear about your plans for celebrating this year! Local events at libraries, schools, and bookstores (clearly categorized as open or closed to the public) are listed here: http://www.bookweekonline.com/local, along with relevant pictures, links, etc. Simply e-mail me with details about your events!

A vital part of Book Week each year is the Children’s Choice Book Awards Program. Voting is open now and will run until April 29th here: http://www.bookweekonline.com/voting.

A couple helpful links!

Book Week resources for teachers and librarians: http://www.bookweekonline.com/for-teachers
Get the customizable 2011 CCBAs widget: http://www.jacketflap.com/widgets/widget.asp?widgetname=CCBA2011
Order your free Book Week poster: http://www.bookweekonline.com/poster

CCBC Workshop April 13

2011-04-04T09:52:00.002-05:00

Nine days until the Eastern Shores Library System, CCBC Choices 2011 Workshop. There is still time to register!

What: CCBC Choices 2011 - Great New Books from Birth through Grade 12
When: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Where: Frank L. Weyenberg Library of Mequon-Thiensville, 11345 North Cedarburg Road, Mequon

The presenters for this program will be Merri Lindgren and Megan Schliesman from the CCBC.

The day's schedule will be:
9:30-10:00 Browsing
10-11:30 Great New Books for Birth - Grade 5
11:30-1:15 Browsing & Lunch on your own
1:15-2:30 Great New Book for Grades 6 - 12
2:30-3:00 Browsing

Contact: Paula Siefert at Eastern Shores Library System, 4632 South Taylor Drive, Sheboygan, WI 53081, fax 920-208-4901 or psiefert@esls.lib.wi.us This workshop is sponsored by the Eastern Shores Library System, if you have questions please call Paula at 920-208-4900 ext 310.

Deadline for Edible Book Festival extended to April 4

2011-04-01T13:26:00.000-05:00

Need a mental break from all the turmoil in state and local government these days?

Why not enter the UW-Madison Edible Book Festival! Puzzle over which edible materials are best for constructing Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House in the Big Woods." Experiment with different seeds and legumes as you create your portrait of Harry Potter. Creating an edible book engages the mind and the body, all in the name of good fun!

The entry deadline has been extended to Monday, April 4th.

Applications can be found at the Edible Book Festival website: http://www.library.wisc.edu/edible-book

If you, or someone you know, is interested in participating please pass this message along to them.

This year prizes will include gift certificates from:

Avol's Bookstore
Booked for Murder Mystery Bookstore
Frugal Muse Bookstore
Orange Tree Imports
Wisconsin Cutlery and Kitchen Supply
and a copy of the Madison Area CSA Coalition's cookbook "From Asparagus to Zucchini"

Guest judges this year include:Nichole Fromm, librarian and co-author of the blog "Eating in Madison A to Z (http://www.madisonatoz.com/)

Morgan Hiscocks, graduate student in the UW-Madison Art Department and assistant at Silver Buckle Press.

Autism 101 and Adapting Programs and Services for People on the Autism Spectrum with Tammi Poppe

2011-03-31T15:28:00.000-05:00

When: Thursday, April 7, 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Where: IFLS offices (1538 Truax Blvd. Eau Claire)

At least 10 percent of the population is on the autism spectrum. You serve this group whether you know it or not! Learn:

basic information about autism
how to adjust your day-to-day interactions with people on the spectrum
ways to make your programs and your library building easier and more enjoyable for people with autism.

Schedule:

9:30-12:00: Autism 101

12:00-1:00 Lunch (on your own)

1:00-3:30: Adapting Programs and Services

Tammi Poppe is owner/consultant for C.H.A.S.A.E.R. LLC (Community, Home and School Autism Education Resource). Currently on the advisory board and a trainer for the National Professional Development Center for Autism Program, Tammi works closely with UW’s Waisman Center and DPI. Besides developing and teaching autism curriculum for Northeastern WI. Technical College, Tammi presents workshops around the country, advocates for people who have an autism spectrum disorder, and is honored to be the mother of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Please register by Friday April 1! Send name, email address and library of each person participating to Leah Langby

If you need special accommodations to attend, please notify Leah by March 24.

Plank Road Summer Author Event @ Carthage College

2011-03-29T15:23:00.000-05:00

What: "Plank Road Summer": Southeast Wisconsin and the Underground Railroad
When: Friday, April 1, 6:00-7:30pm
Where: Hedberg Library, Carthage College (Kenosha, WI)
Who: All ages, public invited, refreshment served

Wisconsin authors (and sisters) Emily and Hilda Demuth discuss their book "Plank Road Summer," a story of 13-year-old friends experiencing southeast Wisconsin's Underground Railroad history. The sisters discuss the history around the book and lead us through fun, hands-on activities including building a plank road and carding wool. Learn about this forgotten piece of Wisconsin history and how the sisters wrote and published their book. There will be two programs running simultaneously in the library this evening: one for preschool/early elementary and one for middle school-up. Books available for purchase for signing.

More info: http://plankroad.wordpress.com

Help Select the 2013 CSLP Theme and 2014 General Concept

2011-03-28T15:21:00.001-05:00

From Rhonda Puntney

CSLP has offered states an opportunity to help narrow the suggestions for 2013 themes and the 2014 general concepts sent in by all member states (all but Texas). DLTCL has a survey that librarians can use to vote on their 3 top favorites for children, teen, and adult themes, and a concept for 2014. If you think your librarians would be interested, send them this link. The survey deadline is April 1st, so if they want to vote they have to do it
quickly. Go to https://forms.dpi.wi.gov/se.ashx?s=56301B2D2B5640F3

The Wisconsin responses will be compiled and Barb Huntington will take the results with her to the CSLP Annual Meeting, April 5-9. They will form the basis for her votes as the whole organization decides on the themes.

Celebrate National Library Week with Culvers

2011-03-21T10:05:00.001-05:00

In celebration of National Library Week, April 10-16, Culver's and the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation, with the help of the Youth Services Section, are sponsoring a "Create your own story @ your library" drawing campaign for children 11 and under.

This is the 15th year local Culver's restaurants in Wisconsin have sponsored this event, which encourages children to read and celebrate their favorite book characters.

Children can enter the drawing event by picking up drawing sheets from local libraries. Children are encouraged to draw book characters that they would like to meet at the library. Every child who completes a drawing will receive a "Be Our Guest" coupon for a free single scoop of frozen custard from Culver's and be entered into a random drawing to win an additional prize of a free Team Scoopie Kids meal coupon.

If your library is participating in the program, materials will be arriving soon. Volunteers will meet at the WLA offices on Thursday, March 24 to sort and prepare materials for immediate shipment to your local library system. More information and program materials, including a press release and the coloring sheet template are now available on the YSS website. http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/yss/culvers.htm

WAPL 2011 is Almost Here

2011-03-17T11:38:00.005-05:00

Have you signed up for WAPL yet? If not you can do so here. The Youth Services Section has been working hard to put together some great programs for the children's librarians in the state.

THURSDAY (May 5, 2011)

10:30 - 11:30am: Children's Spaces, Family Places; Developing Interactive Early Literacy Environments in Your Library

Join Marge Loch-Wouters, Lynn Montague, and Kathy Kadar as they shareinformation and ideas about how public libraries are creating environments rich in learning and discovery for nurturing pre-literacy skills in children. Library and Child Care professionals will present information and ideas of how public library administrators, staff, and community can create "play and learn" spots in places both large and small and for any size budget.

2:45 - 3:45 pm: Story Time Swap
Storytime isn't just for preschoolers anymore. Bring your programming ideas for all the ages you serve. This year we'll be focusing on preschool and elementary students but all ideas from a favorite storytime rhyme or craft to the layout of your last big event are welcome! Presenters Svetha Hetzler, Kelly Allen, Betsy Bromley and Shirley Creager will share their kid-tested ideas and then we will open the floor to hear yours. Please bring about 50 copies of your ideas to "swap" with others and come prepared to take home fun things to try at your library.

FRIDAY (May 6, 2011)

9:00 - 10:15 am: What If: Questions and Answers on Intellectual Freedom

From book challenges and self-censorship to privacy issues and internet use, questions can arise when putting the principles of intellectual freedom into practice. Come together with colleagues to share your questions and concerns. You'll get the perspective of several intellectual freedom advocates such as presenters Megan Schliesman and Michael Tyree, as well as your peers attending the session. This session is cosponsored by the Intellectual Freedom Round Table

10:30 - 11:45 am: Young at Heart – Great Teen Books Even Grown-ups Will Love

Some of the best and hottest books available right now may have been written for teens, but that doesn’t mean your adult patrons won’t love them! Hear librarians Sue Abrahamson, Kristine Millard, and Julie Harrison booktalk some of the best titles YA literature has to offer. You’ll leave with a list you’ll want to share with patrons – and read yourself! Plus, learn about how some libraries are using teen books in popular adult programs. This program is co-sponsored by READ

More Tidbits

2011-03-07T13:37:00.000-06:00

Want to snag a few more checkouts for Hoot by Carl Hiaasen? Watch this:

And check out this cookie I got a few weeks ago:

Speaking of Cool Things for SRP, look at these fun art projects:
Paper Plate Earths
Coffee Filter Earths

Summer Reading Services for Kids with Disabilities Webinar

2011-03-07T09:37:00.000-06:00

When: Tuesday, March 8 2 pm
1 CE Credit

Rhonda Puntney, Youth Services and Special Needs Coordinator for the Lakeshores Library System, will share summer reading program and service ideas for kids with special needs. She will share tools and resources for kids with hearing and visual impairments, as well as cognitive disabilities. This webinar will be recorded and posted at a later date.

Register today!
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/607043872

ALSC Online Education

2011-03-04T11:21:00.000-06:00

Registration for ALSC’s Spring 2011 Online Courses is now available. Classes run from May 2 – Jun 10, 2011.

Course offerings include: Children with Disabilities in the Library, Out of this World Youth Programming, and Reading Instruction and Children’s Books. (a Caldecott class will likely be added soon)

Online classes are a convenient and inexpensive way to learn new skills and connect with your peers. These asynchronous classes fit easily into your schedule and your budget. Check out the spring offerings today.

Library Legislative Day to be Rescheduled

2011-03-01T09:31:00.001-06:00

Letter from WLA President:

As you are all aware and as reported in last week's American Libraries Direct, the Wisconsin Library Association postponed our annual Library Legislative Day scheduled for this past Tuesday due in part to the events occurring in Madison the past two weeks.

This was not a reflection of our position regarding the budget reform bill proposed by Governor Walker. WLA executive director Lisa Strand, chair of the library development and legislative committee Paul Nelson, and WLA president Rhonda Puntney all felt that our message about the importance of ALL libraries in our state would be overlooked and lost during the budget repair discussions. Also, many legislators either did not respond to requests for appointments or canceled appointments altogether. Mondays inclement weather was also a factor. The state assembly met Tuesday and much of the Capitol building was closed off to the public.

The next biennial budget will be introduced in early March, and WLA will reschedule Legislative Day during the month of March once the budget has been made public.

The WLA executive committee and the WLA board of directors have unanimously passed a motion opposing the governor's budget repair bill. WLA vice president Ron McCabe has testified on behalf of WLA's membership at the Wisconsin Senate joint finance committee hearing on February 15. His testimony follows here. We have been encouraging our membership to participate in the rallies. Many of our members have attended the rallies and informed the WLA office and shared their experiences on Facebook.

In addition to this, it is imperative that you continue to make phone calls and send emails to legislators promote the value of ALL libraries and library staff, and to secure adequate funding during this next biennium. WLA is staying focused on direct communication with elected officials at the local, state and national level on a continual basis to show to them the impact libraries have in their local schools, universities and communities.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us if you have concerns or comments.

Thank you,
Rhonda K Puntney
2011 WLA President

OLC’S TEEN PROGRAMMING GUIDE

2011-03-01T08:51:00.000-06:00

The Ohio Library Council’s (OLC) Young Adult Services Division has produced a Teen Programming Guide to share innovative and creative ideas for programs and displays. This awesome guide for library staff who work with teens is organized by the calendar year. It includes 25 great program themes around scheduled library/literary events like Teen Tech Week, and seasonally appropriate tie-ins including an Anti-Valentine’s Party. Each program idea includes resources, detailed instructions, timelines, and photos from Ohio library staff who have successfully implemented the programs at their libraries.

OLC has made the guide available free to all libraries at:
http://olc.org/pdf/YA_TeenProgramGuide122010.pdf

From Arrowhead Library System's Monday Memo

Martha Speaks Read Aloud Book Club Kits Now Available

2011-02-28T09:08:00.002-06:00

From WGBH-TV Public Television

Bring the excitement of MARTHA SPEAKS to your library! The MARTHA SPEAKS Read-Aloud Book Club creates a fun environment for young kids to read and talk about books, and to learn about the many positive roles dogs play in our lives. A limited number of Martha Speaks Read Aloud Book Club kits are available for distribution to public libraries. These kits are free of charge. Please email readaloudbookclub@wgbh.org to receive your kit.

The Martha Speaks Read Aloud Book Club introduces children ages 4 to 7 to an engaging collection of dog-themed books and activities designed to foster their love of words and books. For more information visit http://pbskids.org/martha/parentsteachers/bookclub.

Email readaloudbookclub@wgbh.org to receive a full kit containing:

Leaders Guide
Community Guide Pages
DVD
Ten Books
Sign-up Sheet, Flyer, Poster
Martha Speaks Stickers and Pencils
“Paws” stamp

One Community/One Book Programs

2011-02-25T09:16:00.000-06:00

Join an upcoming webinar from the Indianhead Federated Library System:

What happens when a whole community reads one book and has the opportunity to talk about it together? How can libraries work with other organizations to make a project like this generate buzz and excitement? Join Joleen Sterk from Menomonoie Public Library, Nancy Miller from River Falls Public Library and Sarah Adams from St. Croix Falls Public Library for a discussion of various models and methods of pulling off a program like this!

Title: One Community/One Book Programs
Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/519547286

Teen Tech Week™ Publicity Tools Available

2011-02-24T17:10:00.001-06:00

School and public libraries can promote Teen Tech Week™ (March 6-12) with online resources offered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

Since 2007, Teen Tech Week http://www.ala.org/teentechweek, sponsored by YALSA, has ensured that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries such as DVDs, databases, audiobooks and videogames. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to use libraries' nonprint resources for education and recreation and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology.

The promotional effort for this year’s Teen Tech Week, held March 6- 12, is coordinated by ALA’s Public Information Office (PIO) and YALSA. It includes a number of online tools libraries can use to publicize Teen Tech Week activities:

Sample Press Release
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#release
Tips for Creating a Press Release
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#tips
Sample
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#psa
PSA
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#psa
Sample Letters to Editor
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#editor
Sample Proclamation
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#proclamation
Tips on Using the TTW Logo
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#logo
Downloadable audio PSAs http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw11/publicity/publicity.cfm#audio (featuring Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants)

The 2011 Teen Tech Week theme of “Mix and Mash @ your library” fosters teen creativity and positions the library as a physical and virtual place for safe exploration of the many types of technology available at libraries, including DVDs, music, gaming, video production, online homework help, social networking, tech workshops, audiobooks and more.

For more information on Teen Tech Week, please visit www.ala.org/teentechweek.

CSLP Video Challenge

2011-02-22T11:47:00.000-06:00

CSLP, the national organization that creates and coordinates the summer library program, is hosting a teen PSA contest in 2011 for those states interested in participating. The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning, (DLTCL) is collaborating with the Youth Services Section (YSS) of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) to offer the contest in Wisconsin. Jill Lininger, Racine Public Library and Past Chair of YSS, will be coordinating the submissions and judging of the videos. Barb Huntington, DLTCL, will manage the administrative aspects of the contest.

Public librarians are asked to promote the contest with their teens and teen advisory groups and encourage them to submit a video. The teens submitting the winning video for Wisconsin will win $250 from CSLP, and the sponsoring library will receive $100. This might make a good fun raiser for the library’s teen area.

The application form, model release form, and rules for the contest on line at www.wla.lib.wi.us/yss/videochallenge.htm. Videos must be posted on YouTube by March 1st. Wisconsin's winning video will be sent to CSLP. All the winning videos will be available to libraries around the county to use in promotion of the 2011 Teen Summer Reading Program, "You Are Here." CSLP has resources that can be used by the teens in creating their video, including music sound tracks. Instructions on how to access the resources are included on Wisconsin's Video Challenge website.

For answers to questions contact Jill Lininger at jill.lininger@racinelibrary.info or 262-636-9255 or Barb Huntington at barbara.huntington@dpi.wi.gov or 608-267-5077.

Workshop Invitation: Welcome to Storytelling with Rob Reid

2011-02-17T17:00:00.000-06:00

When: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 ~ 9:30a.m. - 12:00p.m.

Where: Hustisford Community Library
609 West Juneau Street
Hustisford, WI 53034

Rob Reid is a senior lecturer for the Foundations of Education Department at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. His specialties are children’s literature, literature for adolescents, and storytelling. He is the author of over 60 articles about children’s literature as well as 12 books, including two picture books.

Join us for a fun filled presentation that will feature examples of children’s library program ideas centering on storytelling, songs and musical activities, poetry and wordplay, and creative dramatics. This workshop will also feature ideas on the use of themes and story program lesson plan construction.

To Register: Contact Jackie Jacak at 920-485-0833 or e-mail at jacakj@mwfls.org

Sponsored by: Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System

Happy 120th Birthday, WLA!

2011-02-11T12:30:00.001-06:00

Today marks the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Wisconsin Library Association. On February 11, 1891, a group of individuals gathered in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the purpose of establishing a state library association. At that meeting, a constitution was adopted and officers were elected. They included K. A. Linderfelt, president; R. G.Thwaites, vice-president; and F. A. Hutchins, secretary-treasurer.

See:

http://heritage.wisconsinlibraries.org/2011/01/wla-is-one-twenty-in-twenty-on.html

Also see: http://heritage.wisconsinlibraries.org/ for other recent posts to the Wisconsin Library Heritage Center website.

-- Larry T. Nix, Chair, Wisconsin Library Heritage Center Steering Committee and Library History Buff

CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE’S ANNUAL SEUSS-A-THON

2011-02-10T17:06:00.000-06:00

The Carthage College Center for Children's Literature will he hosting its annual Seuss-a-thon on Saturday, February 26, 2011, in the Hedberg Library at Carthage College in Kenosha. From 9:00am to 5:00pm, various performances of Seussical and readings of Dr. Seuss books will take place, interactive activities will be provided, and gourmet green eggs and ham will be served. There will even be a visit from the Cat in the Hat himself!

You are welcome to stop by and listen throughout the day, or sign up for a time to read. For information on reserving a time to read or making a donation, contact Marilyn Ward, Professor of Education at Carthage College, either by phone (262) 551-5875 or by email mward@carthage.edu.