New "Babies Need Words Every Day" Booklist

From the December 2024 ALSC Update newsletter:

ALSC’s Early Childhood Programs & Services Committee is excited to announce an updated version of our Babies Need Words Every Day booklist!

This FREE resource provides libraries’ youngest patrons and their caregivers with age-appropriate books to build literacy skills and introduce topics including daily life, math, bodies, and family.

You can find a printable 2-page PDF of the booklist here, which we encourage you to share with your patrons and use for your own collection development and programming purposes.

 Download the New Babies Need Words Every Day Book List

Thoughts on a Librarian's Parental Leave

Image by Andrea Don from Pixabay

In a recent ALSC blog post, librarian and new parent Claire Laitman, writes about how using the library as a new mom deepened her understanding of great service for parents of babies.

Claire writes: "People say you can’t be truly prepared for parenthood, but as a librarian, I have to admit I felt pretty ready to have a baby. I had read all the books, spent countless hours on the children’s floor and had a strong sense that I’d find my way. But when my daughter was born, I suddenly felt immersed in a new world where the parts of myself I could normally rely on were suddenly out of grasp. My mind, normally sharp and analytical, felt scattered and hazy. My confidence that I could figure most things out was replaced by a lingering imposter feeling. Despite my fears of taking her out of our safe apartment and into the world, the expanse of time ahead of us was even more daunting, so I decided to take my baby to see my happy place. On a cold morning in January, I bundled us up and off we went to our local library. This outing became an anchor of our early time together, and allowed me enjoy the library in a whole new way. Here are a few of my experiences and the discoveries and ideas that came out of my library visits in this new patron role as a first-time parent."

To read her thoughtful insights on experiencing library programs, service and communication through the lens of a new parent, please stop here. [Takeaways from a Librarian on Parental Leave. Laitman, Claire. ALSC blog. August 30, 2024.]

UW Madison iSchool Spring Youth Services CE Courses

Lots of great online spring CE courses coming up. For all courses, you get 10% off your registration when you register at least 2 weeks in advance.  These courses are asynchronous - which means you can access the content each week at a time most convenient for you!  

Check out the offerings:

Teens in the Library     Feb 5- March 17 (6 weeks)     Linda Jerome, La Crosse Public Library

You’ve got teens in the library–now what? Or maybe you’d like to have more teens in the library, so how exactly do you do that? This course will help provide library staff with a foundation upon which they can build successful service to teens in their community through programming, attractive space for teens in their library, teen collections, and outreach and community partnerships. Learn to create opportunities for teens to become happy, healthy, and successful adults. Class discussions will address how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected teen services, as well as strategies for success moving forward.

Programming with Purpose    Feb 26-March 24 (4 weeks)  Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, St Paul (MN)  Public Library

We all want our libraries to have strong programming. How do you know if your library is producing meaningful programs that align with vision, support the mission, and recognize staff capacity versus simply falling into the “more is more” trap? Regardless of your library’s size, there are ways you can bring intentional thinking into programming so you’re supporting the community while working smarter. This course will explore broad perspectives on identifying programming values and goals as well as in-depth strategies for planning thoughtful, intentional programs for any age. Participants will actively focus on defining programming priorities that are informed by both current practices and goals; using a methodical practice to identify pain points and realistic solutions; implementing a project charter tool; and effective communication to aid in change management. 

STEAM for Youth Services   Mar 4 -March 31 (4 weeks)    Kirsten Caldwell, La Crosse County Library  

Are you interested in learning more about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) for youth ages 0-5? This course will cover why STEAM is important for children, how libraries can support them in their learning, and how to include STEAM skills in library programs and storytime. We will also look at what’s coming next with STEAM in preschool. 

Babies in Libraries   March 18- April 28 (4weeks)   Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library

Library service to patrons begins at birth. How can library practitioners offer the best programs, collections, and services possible to the youngest members of our communities (0-23 months)? After laying the groundwork for developmentally appropriate practice, this course will provide strategies and ideas for providing outstanding services to families with young children. Whether you are new to the profession, considering starting a baby storytime, searching for outreach partners, or looking to refresh your collection, this course will build a foundation for working with the very young.

There are alot more classes of interest in other areas as well. Check out the full listing of tutorials and classes.

And if YOU have an idea for a class you'd like to develop and teach, reach out the iSchool continuing ed department at ce-info@ischool.wisc.edu.  Sharing your knowledge and expertise is a great thing. The planners there are always happy to have new proposals. You can do it!

Sweet, Sweet Lullabies

Image by Daniela Dimitrova from Pixabay

Whenever blogger Tess Prendergast posts in the ALSC blog, I pay attention. 

Recently, she explored the importance of lullabies across cultures in soothing babies and tots through her own experiences as a librarian, professor and researcher. And she highly recommends using them in library programming.

Tess writes: "How should children’s librarians encourage lullaby singing? No matter what your cultural background, if you grew up in a family that sang lullabies, and you still remember them, that’s great. You can share those same lullabies in any language and families will love them. You can also check out Putumayo Kids lullaby collections for samples of lullabies from around the world. Don’t forget to check out the always incredible resources over at Mother Goose on the Loose."

To read this well-researched and fascination post, stop here. [Lullabies in the Library. Prendergast, Tess. ALSC blog. April 30, 2023.]

SPRING UW-Madison iSchool CE Courses

There is another great selection of CE courses scheduled this spring through the UW-Madison iSchool Continuing Ed Dept. If you register by two weeks prior to each course, you get a 10% discount off the  cost. 

Here are the courses that have significant youth content. Check them out - and be sure to check out the full schedule of offerings including tutorials here. 

Babies in the Library    Feb 13 – Mar 26, 2023    Instructor: Brooke Newberry     $250

Library service to patrons begins at birth. How can library practitioners offer the best programs, collections, and services possible to the youngest members of our communities (0-23 months)? After laying the groundwork for developmentally appropriate practice, this course will provide strategies and ideas for providing outstanding services to families with young children. Whether you are new to the profession, considering starting a baby storytime, searching for outreach partners, or looking to refresh your collection, this asynchronous 6 week course will build a foundation for working with the very young.

For more information and to register, stop here.

Navigating Book and Program Challenges for Public Libraries    Mar 20 – Apr 30, 2023    Instructor: Dawn Wacek    $250

In the current climate, public library materials, programs, and displays are being challenged not only by community members, but sometimes by a concerted effort among groups who live outside of your region.   Regardless of who is challenging your selections and programming, being prepared will help ease the process for you, your staff, and your Board.  In this 6 week asynchronous class, you will learn more about recent challenges, how to prepare your staff and Board to respond effectively, and how to create policies that protect your library from those who seek to undermine each patron’s freedom to read. 

For more information and to register, stop here.

Service to Homeschoolers    Apr 3 – May 1, 2023    Instructor: Adrienne Pettinelli   $150

Homeschooling has been on the rise for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged even more families to take the homeschooling plunge. In this 4 week, asynchronous course, you’ll learn how to eliminate barriers that prevent homeschoolers from using the library effectively, develop low-cost/high-impact programming for homeschoolers, and create a homeschooling collection that will be used by homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike.

For more information and to register, stop here.

UW-Madison Online CE Classes

Looking to up your game? There are a number of youth services-focused classes offered by UW-Madison iSchool COntinuing Ed Dept. coming in early 2020 perfect for you. Here's the  line-up. Click on the title for class details and description.

Online Classes

Register two weeks before the start date for a 10% discount!

Groups of 5 or more? Contact us about a reduced rate: ahpalmer@wisc.edu

NEW! I’m a School Library Media Specialist… Now What?!

Feb 3 – March 15

Amanda Struckmeyer successfully made the switch from public to school library and has a wealth of experience to share.

Babies in the Library 

Feb 3 – March 15

Join YSS member Brook Newberry sharing all the things on service t babies and their caregivers.

Reinvent Your Summer Library Program

Feb 3 – March 1

YSS member Sue Abrahamson gives practical, do-able tips to create change for your SLP

Solving Copyright Dilemmas for K12 Libraries

Feb 3 – March 1

All you need to know when working with your students

Questions? Contact Anna Palmer

Amazing UW-Madison iSchool Spring 2019 Youth CE Classes

The spring slate is here and there are some great youth content CE classes (yes, earn CEU/LEU credit!) prominently featuring YSS members!

Managing Children's and YA Collections - everything you need to know to do great selection/weeding for youth materials is in this 5 week how-to course beginning Feb 18 taught by the brilliant Shelley Collins-Fuerbringer, YSS member and Youth Services Manager at LE Phillips Library, Eau Claire. ($165 - 10% discount if registered before Feb 3)

Babies in the Library- all the things to do great service to under-2's and their caregivers taught by the also brilliant Brooke Newberry, YSS member and Collaborative Consultant for Winding Rivers Library System. ($200  - 10% discount if registered before Jan. 20). This session is repeated in both spring and fall!

Creating the Summer Library Program of Your Dreams - thoughtful consideration and tips on ways to grow and evolve your summer library program in this 4 week class beginning Jan 28 co-taught by the brilliant Sue Abrahamson, YSS member and Children's Librarian at Waupaca Public Library  and Marge Loch-Wouters, YSS member and consultant ($125- 10% discount if registered before Jan 7).

YA Literature with LGBTQ+ Content - info on finding, getting to know, selecting and displaying YA lit with LGBTQ+ content in this 4 week class beginning Feb 18 taught by the brilliant Dr. Christine Jenkins, author of the 2018 book, Representing the Rainbow in Young Adult Literature: LGBTQ+ Content since 1969. ($125 - 10% discount if registered before Feb. 3).

Stop by the UW-Madison iSchool CE page and see all the amazing course...and invest in yourself!!

Let's Go to School This Fall

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Ed Department is rocking out youth content in their online courses this fall. These courses are great for any youth staffer at any education level. You learn a ton from experts in the field to expand/refresh your knowledge. Plus you earn CEUs!

Here are the youth centered offerings (10% discount for early registration).

Babies in Libraries 
Sept 17-Oct 28 (6 weeks)
Brooke Newberry, a noted early literacy library specialist, guides you to best practices with service to babies and their grown-ups in this wildly popular and oft-repeated course. Learn about development, programs, collections, partnerships, spaces, and more!

Programming for Tweens
Sept 17- Oct 21 (5 weeks)
Amanda Struckmeyer, a noted Tween expert who has worked in both public and school libraries, brings her A game to help you create amazing programming for 8-12 year olds.

Youth Services 101 
Sept 24-Nov 18 (8 weeks)
Perfect for library associates, assistants or directors at small libraries who work with kids but want to know more about what's behind great service. The course content is based on what Master's degree students learn...so you'll be in the know. Taught by Marge Loch-Wouters

Coding Together, Learning Together: Starting a Coding Club at Your Library 
Oct 22- Nov 18 (4 weeks)
Casey Ineichen has got you covered on the coding front. No previous tech knowledge is necessary to discover all the ways you can do coding with kids!

And hey, remember, these are just the youth-focused courses! Stop here to check out the nine other fall 2018 courses offered and learn, learn, learn!!

Welcome to the Library, Little One! Welcome Baby Swag

We all know it's never too early to start reading to a child...and, in that same vein, it's never to early to welcome little future readers to the world of the library!

Does your library offer some sort of Welcome Baby program?  One of the great things about a program like this is that it can be as simple or as involved as you like!

First, decide what you'd like to provide each participant.  At our library, each registrant receives a bag with book lists, bookmarks, a book for the new baby, a book for any siblings they may have, information about early literacy offerings at our library--including things like 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, story times, etc.--a few stickers, a greeting card welcoming the baby into the world and congratulating the family, and a small knit hat.

In order to keep costs down, consider partnering with local groups or businesses!  For example, our Friends group provides the bags and the books given away.  The knit hats were generously donated by our library's Knit & Crochet Club!  Often times, they're looking for projects...and baby things are typically quick knits and oh-so-adorable.

You can also look into partnering with a local clinic or hospital to help expand your reach.  Some libraries choose to provide the hospital with things to give to the parents while at the hospital, while others opt to include an invitation for the family and their newest addition to come in and get library cards.  Either option is great!  Just keep your budget in mind when you're deciding, as providing things to the hospital or clinic outright would lead to a much higher initial demand for the welcome materials.

Be sure to give credit where credit is due and include all participating groups, whether through a brief mention on a handout or tags, when distributing the materials.  Not only will it make your partners feel appreciated, but it also increases the sense of a community's worth of welcome and support for both the new child and their parents.

Happy Diaper Bag

Love this idea from the Keeping Up with the Kids: IFLS Blog!

From Brandon on Flickr (creative commons)

I was up in Rice Lake the other day.  When I went into the bathroom, I was pleased to see a friendly sign saying that there is a Happy Diaper Bag at the children's desk.  For caregivers who find that their child has blown through a diaper and they forgot to reload the bag.  For people who were just going to be in the library for a MINUTE so they left their diaper bag in the car and then...well...then...  For kids who are potty trained except when they get really, really engrossed in stories or play.

Even though my kids are teenagers (and beyond!) and I am not even close to needing the happy diaper bag anymore, this sign made me feel calmer.  It was so friendly, and made me remember how anxious it can make you to be the caregiver of a young child.  Taking away this element of stress is such a terrific idea!  And makes it seem like a normal, not-so-shameful occurrence, if the library is prepared to help everyone with it.

When I talked to Janine at the children's desk about it, she says they pretty much stock the Happy Diaper Bag with donations--parents bring in the left-over diapers at the end of the pack when their kid graduates to the next size, or bring in a few outgrown pairs of pants.  An easy way to make the library more welcoming (and better smelling!).

Supporting Language Development with Young Children

http://mtbt.fpg.unc.edu/

Blending research and practical tips, More Than Baby Talk: 10 Ways to Promote the Language and Communication Skills of Infants and Toddlers is part of a project by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A downloadable PDF is available at the site. Written for early childhood educators, this publication is appropriate for youth services librarians as well and the tips can be shared with parents and other caregivers of young children.

Mornings with YSS at WAPL 2016

Attending WAPL? Hooray! Not sure yet? Below are three great reasons to attend the 2016 conference in Oshkosh. See the full slate of programs put together by your Wisconsin library colleagues here on the WLA website. The blog will be featuring WAPL YSS programs over the next several days. These sessions are sure to be informative, inspiring, and even better - implementable at your library. 

Sensory Programs That Make Sense

10:30 - 11:30 am on Thursday, May 12

Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library

pixabay

Want to start offering scheduled sensory opportunities at your library, but aren't sure where to start? Let Abby Bussen, Children's Librarian, help build your confidence and know-how in this informative, hands-on presentation. She'll focus on planning sensory programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers as well as for special needs children, giving you actionable information you can put to use in planning your own one-off or continuing program, and encouraging you to get your hands a little dirty with some sensory experiences to enjoy as a group. A veteran sensory program planner, Bussen has been running monthly sensory playdates for over a year.

If You're Appy and You Know It…

8:30 – 9:30 am on Friday, May 13

Ann Cooksey and Kristi Helmkamp, Appleton Public Library; Denise Chojnacki, Rhinelander District Library, Kerry Pinkner, Waukesha Public Library

pixabay

Think Storytime Underground meets New Media. Strengthen your Media Mentor skills with tips from the field such as digital flannel boards for outreach, networking through Google Drive for collection development and troubleshooting technical difficulties. Have an app or new media experience to share? Come and join the fun! No new media? No problem! Walk away prepared to make a case for Media Mentorship as a vital part of librarianship in the 21st century.

Tackling the Tough Stuff: SLP & Beyond!

11:00 am – 12:00 pm on Friday, May 13

Katherine Elchert, Rice Lake Public Library; Georgia Jones, Friday Memorial Library, New Richmond

pixabay

Does SLP have your coworkers rolling their eyes and heading towards the door? Stressed out over drop- off daycare invasions? Or, worse yet, worn out from worry over kids left at the library without access to food? Never fear, Georgia and Katherine are here to help! Let's discuss positive, proactive solutions for these sticky SLP challenges. Feel free to bring your own tricky topics for discussion and we can all triage them together!