This month's November YSS board meeting update is from Alison Loewen, our YSS 2023 Chair and Youth Services Librarian, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan.My favorite winter movie
is a 26-minute adaptation of the wordless picture book The Snowman, by
Raymond Briggs. I was first shown this animated film on the last
day of school before Holiday Break in 1988, and after all this time, it has
never ceased to delight me. Year after year, I have made it a personal
tradition to revisit it. Every year, I again notice the detail and care
of the colored pencil drawings, and allow the enchanting musical score to flow
through my veins. I love this movie for so many reasons.
However, this isn’t a
traditional holiday story for children filled with cheer. It’s a reminder
that life is a wave of emotions, carrying us between wonder, delight, concern,
joy, grief and so much more- and that every thing and every feeling, has an
ending. It’s a somber lesson for a story made for children; even adults
still struggle with this reminder. It’s difficult to accept when a good thing
has come to an end and the experiences and memories have become a part of you
forever, but that the actual moment has passed. While it might seem
melodramatic to compare this to the end of my year of service as YSS Chair, I
do think it is a feeling that many of us struggle with as a year comes to a
close.
There is just one more
point I want to make from The Snowman, and that is because the
little boy chose to invite the snowman into his world, the snowman reciprocated
and invited him into theirs. So much magic was created by taking a chance and
believing. As we inch toward the end of 2023, let’s imagine 2024 being a
year for connecting, sharing, and taking chances, and by doing so, creating
opportunity inside and outside our libraries, both for ourselves and
others.
With that, I will leave
you with a few key takeaways from our last board meeting of 2023
- The Youth Services Performer
Showcase directory and recordings are available for purchase for anyone
who missed the event but would like access. You can purchase those
rights here: YSS Showcase Recordings & Directory
- A reminder to register for our
upcoming webinar “Connecting 1,2,3 to ABC”. You can find more info
and registration link here.
- Looking forward to news from DPI
about a Smokey Bear reading challenge and opportunities to host a teen
intern at your library this summer. More information here
and by signing up for the YS Listserv.
- Also, watch for more information
forthcoming regarding WLA’s Great Lakes, Great Reads reading
challenge. Find out more!
Thank you to all youth
services librarians for caring for your community in the way that you do.
Just as my teacher from 1988 may not know how the simple screening of that film
influenced my life, you may never know what small things you do that make an
impact on the lives of the children you serve.
I am happy to pass the
torch to the 2024 Youth Services Section Chair, Cathy Pescinski. I want
to thank Murray Johnson, Ashley Borman, and Claire Parrish for their years of
service, and welcome new board members Peter Blenski, Justin Keberlein, and
Laci Sheldon to YSS!
