Behind the Scenes (and Screens ) with Scholastic

Scholastic is not only a publishing powerhouse but also its books are the source of media series like the Magic School Bus, Babysitters Club, Clifford the Big Red Dog and more. 

A recent post in Kidscreen delved into a new enhanced partnership between the publisher and their 20 year relationship with 9 Story, a production, distribution and licensing company.

Check out the article here.

Tips on Evaluating Audiobooks

Image by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay 

Recently Teen Services Underground published a post with great tips on evaluating audiobooks. 

Agent Jessica Hilbun Schwartz writes: "I know a lot of us librarians are audiobook fans, and while we are experts in what makes a good story, it can be hard to say what exactly makes an audiobook good? Most of us have no problem evaluating books in print, but few have had training in critiquing an audiobook. We can often easily spot a bad one, but pinpointing what exactly the problem is harder to do! I myself was pretty clueless about this when I was first asked to serve on YALSA’s Amazing Audiobooks Blogging Team back in 2018. I really got thrown into the deep end there. Since serving on that committee, and now that I am serving my second year on ALSC’s Notable Children’s Recordings Committee, I feel like I have a much better grasp on things."

Stop here to read her key criteria to keep in mind. [I'm All Ears: Evaluating Audiobooks. Jessica Hilbun Schwartz. Teen Services Underground blog. October 14, 2022.]

PBS Kids Community Cohort Applications Open

PBS Wisconsin Education would like to invite you to join us, along with a network of trained Wisconsin PBS KIDS library ambassadors, for an opportunity that blends professional development, hands-on learning, peer-to-peer connection, and program implementation.

Library staff who participate in the cohort will receive a stipend to cover program costs or staff time.

 

• LEARN about high-quality, ready-to-use, educational media from PBS KIDS and gain confidence implementing these resources into your practice.
• Become TRAINED in media literacy skills, integrating digital media resources into hands-on programming, and building family engagement connections.
• MAKE new friends and connections to library staff and communities across Wisconsin.

 

Hear what other Wisconsin librarians have to say about the cohort:

 

“The PBS cohort program gave me the bones of how to put together a multifaceted program with a start, middle and end that kids and adults enjoyed together.”

 

“It's easy to not make connections with other librarians around the state because we are usually heads down and focused on our own work. It was nice to hear what other libraries are working on and know that what is most important is that we're designing a program that creates a positive experience for our patrons and staff.”

 

Learn more, including the cohort schedule and how to apply with the attached flyer. Apply by NOVEMBER 18, 2022. Limited spots available! https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7053210/81c001881c6a

ALL.THE. THINGS. with Jonathan Dolce - October 2021

It's time to link to wunderkind Jonathan Dolce and his monthly mega-share from the ALSC blog. His focus is on fall and he shares what he has...which is alot!!

You'll find grant opportunities, craft ideas for the season, ideas for parents, inclusion ideas, a boatload of teen content, media tie-ins, children's program ideas, STEAM ideas, juicy news from the youth publishing field and SO.MUCH.MORE.

Don't hesitate, click here and start grabbing up his freely shared ideas!

CLICK Youth Media Challenge

PBS Wisconsin Education and Play Make Learn 2021 invite students in grades K-12 to submit their media productions for the first ever Click Youth Media Challenge. Student-made media will be screened at the 2021 Play Make Learn Conference for an audience of youth and educators from around the world. Prizes will be awarded at the conference for top entries. Students and media educators will be invited to participate in a panel with an audience of experts.

This year’s contest will focus on the connection between sound and image. Students are encouraged to create either videos or podcasts, paying close attention to the ways that audio and image influence storytelling.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Deadline for submissions: June 1, 2021
Notifications: No later than July 2021

Submission Form
Note: All participants in the contest must have a signed waiver (collected in the submission form). Waivers can be downloaded here.

To learn the details, please stop here.

NASA's Media Library...At Your Fingertips!

Did you know NASA's entire media library is available for you to use?

That's right, the ENTIRE MEDIA LIBRARY.  Even better?  All the media is free to utilize, both in terms of cost and copyright.

Can you imagine the potential for next year's Summer Reading Program?  A Universe of Stories--complete with real photographs, sounds, and more of the ACTUAL universe!  They can be utilized for decor, promotion, or even programs! 

(What's that, lovely patron?  You want legit space sounds to use in your stop motion project?  Boy oh boy, do I have some good news for you!)

 

Happy exploring!

  

Ratings, Values, and Librarian's Thoughts about Common Sense Media

In case you haven't seen the debate around ratings and Common Sense Media that took place on the ALSC (Association for Library Services to Children) listserv earlier this month, this article on the ALSC blog sums up the key points, librarian concerns, and issues surrounding intellectual freedom and labeling. The article also includes links to Joyce Johnston's piece on the OIF blog titled Common Sense Media:  Promoting Family Values or Dictating Them?  and an updated version of a 2010  editorial from Pat Scales, titled Three Bombs, Two Lips, and a Martini Glass updated as a result of the ALSC-L discussions.