All the News for Youth Librarians

As blog administrator,  I am often asked if it's hard to find all the content that we provide on the blog throughout the year.

My simple answer: Nope.

We receive lots of information from folks in the WI youth library community at DPI, CCBC, UW- Madison iSchool, our library systems, our YSS board, ALA and WLA, to name just a few sources.

We also have our guest contributors like Sam Jones, Ashley Borman, Hanna Collins and Alison Loewen who share ideas and news.

Another source of information comes from blogs like Teen Librarian Toolbox, Jbrary, and the ALSC blog, newsletters and Facebook groups like Programming Librarian.

So news flows pretty easily to the blog and makes my job of getting it scheduled and to you easy-peasy!

Recently, Jbrary published a great list of newsletters that are perfect for any children's librarian. I think subscribing to these will give you lots of ideas!

Lindsey writes: "How do you stay connected to the wider field of child development and book publishing? I used to fill those buckets with social media and blogs, but these days I find myself turning to newsletters. For one, I can set them aside until I have the brain space to give them my full attention. Two, I can sort them into folders and refer back as needed."

Please stop here to get the full list of newsletters and their links. [Newsletters for Children's Librarians. Krabbenhoft, Lindsey. Jbrary blog. February 6, 2024.]

Tuesday Tips - Book Lists

Sam Jones is the Youth Services Librarian at the Beaver Dam Public Library. She shares tips to make your job easier in her Tuesday posts.

A blog from School Library Journal called A Fuse 8 Production, written by Betsy Bird, puts out lists of books every day in December. When I wrote this post, there were two lists written. The first was 31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Great Board Books and the second was 31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Picture Book Readalouds. With both lists, I found books that I wasn't familiar with. I really appreciate Bird's descriptions and reviews of the books. I also appreciate how Bird suggested different ways you could read the read-aloud books. At the end of the article, Bird has the other lists that will be written. I am really excited to see the lists of wordless picture books and "unconventional" picture books. 

If you like the way Betsy Bird talks about books, Bird also does a podcast with her sister, Kate. 

Perler Beads, Dynamic Shelving, and So Much More!

Last week, we shared with you a webinar on teen services from high school librarian Kelsey Bogan. Well, Kelsey has a website/blog with a treasure trove of resources. The blog is called "Don't Shush Me! Adventures of a 21st Century High School Librarian." Check out below a few of the recent posts:

Makerspace Station: Perler Beads

Have you considered offering Perler beads as an active or passive program at your library? Do the logistics of the program intimidate you? Learn so many tips and tricks in Keley's description of her program.

Photo from Kelsey Bogan's website, Don't Shush Me!

Embracing Dynamic Shelving

Take a look at the image below. Which set of shelves would you like to browse from? Most of the kids and teens today gravitate toward visually dynamic shelving. Learning how to go from static shelving to dynamic shelving in Keley's blog post.

Photo from Kelsey Bogan's website, Don't Shush Me!

My Library Signage (& free downloads)

How cool are these Manga signs?! Not only do you want your library to look appealing to browse, you also want the books easy to find. Kelsey provides free downloads of her library signage. 

Photo from Kelsey Bogan's website, Don't Shush Me!

Feel free to peruse the rest of Kelsey's website too. Happy exploring! 

Library Blogs to Follow

Image by 200 Degrees from Pixabay

[Sorry everyone! When we published this post last week, our link was bad. So let's try this again so you can check out this great blogs resource.]

Are you interested in finding library and youth related library blogs to follow? Cole Zrostlik, Collaborative Consultant at the Winding Rivers Library System, has a great place to start! She started a collaborative document with the urls of almost 3 dozen possible blogs for you to put on your feed or to follow. There is especially  rich content around blogs that shine a spotlight diversity and inclusion. 

And that's not all. She invites YOU to add to this crowdsourced doc. Just put in the URL and the date you added it and voila!

Relight Your Programming Fire

We can all hit a programming wall.  Should you do another round of a well-loved, but much run program?  Should you build a whole new program from scratch?  Where else can you gain inspiration to break out of a programming rut?  not to fear, Chelsea Price, Director of the Meservey Public Library in Iowa is here to light your program fire again!  Over at the Programming Librarian blog, Price lists webinars, blogs, websites and more that inspire her and help her reignite her passion for programming.  Check out her list of ideas and inspirations HERE.

C'mon in - the Water's Fine!

Many of us toy with the idea of blogging but aren't sure we want to make that commitment to write on an ongoing basis.  It's always fun to guest post - like right here on this Wisconsin Library Association YSS blog (see above for contact info for your post!).

But what if you want to take the plunge and start your own blog?  Jbrary has a great post with tips for bloggers that just might inspire you to begin!

It's fun to share your programs, booklists, service ideas and thoughts! Hope we hear from YOU soon!

Kids Programming Online

Today, I'd like to highlight a resource for librarians in Wisconsin and elsewhere about children's programming especially suited to creatively making the most of limited time and budgets:

Kids Library Program Mojo  the blog based on the discussions and projects from online CE course Power Children's Programming on a Budget taught by Marge Loch-Wouters through the School of Library and Information Studies at the UW Madison.

From program outlines to schools as partners, from the rewards of youth programming to managing parents, there is inspiration at hand. I picked up a few tips in just a brief scan which include building a resource collection of go-to blogs for songs, fingerplays or craft ideas instead of conducting lengthy Google or Pinterest searches which may or may not produce usable results; benefits of passive programs complete with ideas I can incorporate in my small library; and how other librarians are handling the delicate balancing act between programming, planning, and outreach.

What are your go-to blogs or resources?

Stepping Out of the Box

My blog feed is full of non-library blogs. Not to worry - I still have plenty of library and youth-library related favorites. I just find that when I get outside the box of librarianship, I can often find content that directly helps my practice and my thinking.

One such blog is No Time for Flashcards: Early Education and Creative Play. Primarily written by Allison McDonald, this blog has a ton of early literacy ideas that support the ECRR five practices (sing, talk, read, write, play). Her most recent post shares a truly simple idea on how to make scissors and kids a successful pairing!

Ask a Manager is a great blog to look through the lens of in working out how to deal not just with co-workers but with volunteers, unruly patrons and difficult municipal funders!

Do you have favorite blogs that help you do your library work better?

There's a New Blog in Town

Interested in reading about all things Children's Programming? 

You're in luck!  There is a brand new blog, Kids Library Program Mojo that has just begun. The blog is based on the course work of the 24 working-librarian students from WI and around the country in the UW-Madison online SLIS CE course, Power Children's Programming - on a Budget that runs until mid March.

Posts synopsize our discussion work, feature guest posts from students on aspects of programming for children up through 11 years old and in general share thoughts, ideas and chew over issues we face in programming no matter how small or large the library. Recent posts discuss program happiness, programming frustrations; re-purposing supplies; taking programming breaks and adapting ideas from other libraries.  In the hopper, we have a series of real-life tales on how to evolve and change programs and much much more!

The blog will stay most active until summer as posts reflecting our work are shared.  Then it will quiet down (unless students continue to use the venue to post ideas for programming) so read it while it's hot!

Storytime Theme at Your Fingertips

Erin over at Falling Flannelboards is introducing a new series: A Few of My Favorite Themes. She will be posting downloadable PDFs with complete storytimes including STEAM activities.  Her first post is on Snow.

Need more inspiration for storytimes? Try these blogs on your RSS feed:

Storytime Underground - Sassy, cutting edge and puts the power in storytiming - brought us original Guerrilla Storyitme

jbrary - Need to discover a new rhyme, song or fingerplay. Check out their videos!

hushlander - Good all-around storytime theme sharing

Library Village - Lots of storytime plans shared

Reading with Red - An early literacy librarian shares her storytimes, preschool initiatives and literacy center ideas

Miss Meg's Storytime - A brand-new librarian generously shares her storyimes and adventures

Storytime Katie - Lots of great ideas for storyimes

Future Librarian Superhero - Always packed full of information and ideas on services to preschoolers

Verona Storytimes - Storytime themes from our friends at Verona Public Library

Catch the Possibilities - Great storytimes shared

Read Sing Play - Storytimes for the youngest can be found here

Growing Wisconsin Readers - While not really for storytimes, it is for creating great content and advocacy for preschoolers, their families and providers

plus some of our other recommendations from two years ago.

What are your favorite go to blogs for storytime inspiration?

The CCBC has a Blog!

I find myself going to the Cooperative Children's Book Center website about once a week or so as I endeavor to answer a question.  It's fun to see what these smart people are up to, find out about their monthly CCBC Shorts programs, see what new booklists they have, see what the latest entry in the What IF...forum (about thorny intellectual freedom questions).

Last time I was there, I found that they have another new thing:  a BLOG!  There is a weekly post with a short review of the CCBC Book of the Week (also featured on the website), and other discussion as well-- about the 50th anniversary of the CCBC, multicultural literature trends, and more. 


A good one to add to your feeds...

Check Out These New Program Blogs

Every so often the forces of the universe align in a perfect way. This past week must have been that time. Let me share four wonderful new-to-me blogs (three from Wisconsin!) that have great programming content.

Library Makers is a blog that is written by Carissa Christen from Madison Public Library. I caught her presentation on preschool STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programs in late February at the outstanding Southwest Library System Early Literacy Science and Math workshop in Fennimore. Her blog explores a number of her programs - WonderWorks, a preschool STEM series; Toddler Art class; CraftLab for teens and NeedleReads for teens and adults. Carissa generously shares her programs and tips. A keeper!


Miss Meg's Storytime is a brand new shiny blog from the "Meg"nificent Meagan Schiebel. Currently a UW-Madison SLIS student, she has been presenting storytimes IRL and gathering her goods in a binder. Binder has now morphed to blog. Meagan shares her books, songs, literacy tips and activities with confidence and a fun perspective. A definite blog for your feeds.

In Short, I am Busy (the title is based on a Mbundu poem) is by Jennifer Wharton of the Matheson Memeorial Library in Elkhorn. She has carefully divided out her original blog into posts on positive reviews; meh reviews and programs. This blog contains her programs and she shares the good, the bad and the bizarre. Well worth reading.

My final blog props go to a very new blog, Knowledge Matters, from Christina Jones of the Bloomington IN Library. She shares early literacy ideas in a profound and thoughtful way (just reading her "About" statement made me glad to meet her).

Get cosmic and put these blogs on your feed! 

Let Me Show You Show-Me!

I hope you all have Amy Koester's amazingly thoughtful blog, the Show Me Librarian on your blog roll. She is my first must-read blogger every day.  From program tips and program content to wide ranging ruminations on what makes a great library and a great program, Amy shares generously. One of my favorite recent posts describes a preschool dance party with enough detail to let you do the program for your community tomorrow!

Stop by her blog and check it out!

Welcome Banned Book Week

What are you reading today?

First thing this morning, I was in the YA stacks pulling books that I knew were on the ALA Most Challenged List and books that had been challenged in my own library.  I grabbed some of my favorite reads; The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler, Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher, King & King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland, Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Luna by Julie Anne Peters. I took a few minutes to page through King & King, smiling at the illustrations, charmed by the writing. I printed out graphics to tape to the shelves. I am hoping to draw the eye of passer byers. (Is that a word?) For shock value I even included Harry Potter and Roald Dahl.

I wanted to make sure I had the right Julie Anne Peters title. I knew many of her books have been challenged but I wanted to verify Luna was on that list. So I was googling it and I found this incredible blog. Burning Desire for Banned Books. I love the tag line. This Blog is Censored! Do Not Read This Blog. Stop. Do Not Keep Reading. And Unwind is a fantastic book. It's not updated regularily. It almost looks like the blog was created for a class project. I hope she/he got an A+. But the content is timeless so that works for me. The author also includes a lot of book trailers which is also a feature I love.

 

If you were going to take a banned book home tonight to read, which delectable title would you choose and why?

5-4-3-2-1, READ!!

Betsy Bird over at Fuse #8 Production has gathered the data and is now revealing the answer.  She is counting down the 100 Top Children's Novels that folks have weighed in on and comparing it to her poll of two years ago. It is always interesting to see what people consider to be tops! How does her list compare with yours?

Guess Who's Blogging Now?

We are pleased to see that one of Wisconsin's children's lit gurus (among many talents!) is now going to be blogging!  Rob Reid - writer, storyteller, workshop presenter, professor of youth literature, former children's librarian, mentor, dad, children's music pro, humorist, grandpa and friend to all - will be blogging at Heart of a Child on the Children's Literature Network.

Be sure to add Rob's blog to your RSS feed and get ready for a fun and stimulating take on his musings on children's literature, YA lit and children's music.  Welcome aboard,  Rob!

Win a Trip to Book Expo with Your Amazing Book Blog

Wow! Pretty sweet deal for someone who is organized about blogging titles--I know there are some fabulous book bloggers in the Wisconsin library community. You can win a free trip to Book Expo in New York City! Check out the press release below (and note the deadline of April 9, one week from now)

"INDEPENDENT BOOK BLOGGER AWARDS" CONTEST HAS FOUR FREE TRIPS TO BOOKEXPO AMERICA (BEA) —NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN—

March 29, 2012; New York – If you’re a blogger who loves books, that passion might get you far: all the way to New York and the publishing industry’s premier annual event, with free travel and an all-access pass. Nominations are now open for the new Independent Book Blogger Awards, a free online contest recognizing bloggers unaffiliated with/not compensated by a publishing company who write primarily about books and the industry. Four winners, chosen by the public and a judging panel, will attend BookExpo America in June with free airfare and hotel accommodations and a pass to the three-day global gathering. The contest is co-produced by the Association of American Publishers Trade Division member organizations and Goodreads, the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. The Independent Book Blogger Awards calendar: Nominations are now open until Monday, April 9, 11:59 PM Readers’ voting runs from Tuesday, April 10, 12:01 AM until Monday, April 23, 11:59 PM A shortlist of finalists will be announced the week of May 1, with expert panel judging to follow Winners will be announced the week of May 7 All nominations and voting will take place through Goodreads on its special Independent Book Blogger Awards section. General contest information: US-based bloggers at least 18 years old who dedicate at least ¾ of their blog writing to coverage of books and publishing and have posted regularly between 2/1/2011 and 2/1/2012 are eligible. The blog cannot be affiliated with or compensated by any commercial or academic publication but may include those who blog for institutions such as libraries or bookstores with no commercial media ties. Contest terms Submission categories are Adult Fiction, Adult Non-Fiction, Children’s/Young Adult and Industry News. Judging will be based on such qualities as writing, analysis, design and presentation and reader impact. More information on the judging process at Contest terms Bloggers, readers and fans can connect with the Independent Book Blogger Awards on Facebook and on Twitter at @bkbloggerawards. “In the global digital dialogue, book bloggers are arguably the unsung heroes of our industry,” said Tina Jordan, Vice President, AAP. “Their passion is endless and their insights are valued. We’re pleased to be able to show them our appreciation through this effort.” “Every book blogger is an important part of the conversation on what to read next. We think that’s an incredibly important conversation as a great book can be entertaining, thought provoking and can even change the world. Co-hosting these awards is our way of saying thanks. Thanks for supporting Goodreads right from our earliest days. And thanks for being active participants in telling the world ‘You must read this!’” said Otis Chandler, CEO and co-founder, Goodreads.

food and books

Remember the Novel Food Event I told you about? Well, it's come to my attention there's another one called food for thought. The instructions for participation are listed on the righthand sidebar of that blog.

My first entry is Everything on a Waffle. If you also are playing along, be sure to add your post to the comments so we can give you some love. Or if you have suggestions for other books, please leave a comment, as I would love to feature other children or teen books with recipes in them.

Sharing

It's link time!

• Check out this list of songs that work great for this summer's theme.
• Marge is blogging about librarianship~check out her posts about dealing with attitudes, weeding, program ideas and much more!
• Lots of book and author news on last Thursday's Talk of the Nation program.
• A mom blogger has started something she's calling Feed Me Books Friday. She's put out the call to caregivers to share their favorite picture book or series.
• Have you heard of The Book Whisperer? I first heard her interviewed as a guest on Wisconsin Public Radio on Veronica Rueckert's show on 6/5/09. The archive is still available for a few more weeks and members of WPR can download the show.
  

Novel Food

Here's a fun blog event that I've been participating in for a while: Novel Food!

The premise is to read a book of your choice (though the title uses the word 'novel', you can read nonfiction and picture books), create a food that is inspired by the book and then post the recipe and a brief review. Then the two bloggers who dreamed up this fantabulous event compile all the entries into two servings:
briciole
Champaign Taste

I'm amazed at how many children's books people aren't familiar with (I am using this event to promote kid and teen books): I did Make Way for Ducklings this time and some of the comments were from folks unfamiliar with the story! This means our work is never done...