Propsz to Scieszka

I wonder what my children's-librarian-work-life and my reading life would have been like without the sheer insouciance of Jon Scieszka? Duller, for sure. How have I been changed? Here are just a few of the ways...

First off, I was able to find a last name more challenging to spell and pronounce than my own.

In my first introduction to his books, I was treated to a take on fractured fairy tales that was bright, sly and way-out-of-left-field chaotically hilarious. That fearlessness, that sassy voice and careening ride through his plots never changed and always delights me. If I need a laugh, I pick up one of his books.

Recommending his books to kids always results in a home run. Because of Jon I have achieved goddess-like status with kids. Thanks Jon!

Due to Jon and his buddy Mo Willems, I have an unbreakable date at ALA for Demco's Book Cart Drill Team World Championships. With those two as emcees, happy chaos (as in the dictionary definition: "the infinity of space or formless matter supposed to have preceded the existence of the ordered universe") reigns.

Finally, because - beyond his great humor - he has been an articulate advocate for kids, books, reading , encouraging boys to read, libraries and literacy, my work has been made immeasurably easier. Thanks for taking up the baton (oh, I mean the scepter) and the sash, Jon. Ya done good.

Scelebrate Scieszka!

Over at A Year of Reading, bloggers are being invited to do a post on celebrating outgoing Ambassador for Children's Books, Jon Scieszka: "So, on January 4, we thought it would be great for the Kidlitosphere to thank Jon Scieszka for his work over the past two years as the first Ambassador by hosting a virtual party for him. If lots of us in the Kidlitosphere put up a post celebrating some aspect of Scieszka's work, it would make for a nice tribute to him from the bloggers."

So post, celebrate and send your link over to AYOR on Monday and party down for Jon.

Stop the Madness

Am I alone in believing that the Summer Library Program is just one small part of what any good library offers to children? There are so many SLP workshops and presentations offered as CE - just seems far out of proportion to the breadth and width of what we really do in children's services year round.

Summer programs are six, eight, ten, twelve weeks long. So what are Children's Librarians doing for the other 40-46 weeks of the year? Just planning, publicizing and running programs, outreach and services for all ages. Just working on creating and maintaining excellent cooperative relationships with schools and community organizations. Just using new Web 2.0 skills to better reach our customers and entice our tweens and young parents to enjoy the library on a whole new scale. Just struggling to work with a stressed out customer base that doesn't always want to see us as on their side. Just providing literacy support and guidance for parents and kids and keeping on top our game by reading the books we recommend. Just advocating for kids and libraries. Just trying to keep up collections of great books for kids in the midst of tight budgets and increased use. Just trolling through blogs, listservs, books, our colleagues brains for new ideas for programs and services. Just managing staff and departments and relationships with colleagues and co-workers.

Our work with kids is so much more than just those summer weeks. I find myself thrilled when I look at a state conference, online webinar or regional workshop and see a topic addressed that deals with what we are involved with beyond summer (see "Just..." above). I need just as much help annually with those issues as with the yearly visits to the SLP well that, let's face it, are really just another way of dressing up the "summer widget".

Don't get me wrong here. I appreciate all the work and effort that goes into summer and, for libraries in the CLSP group, the lead times needed to produce material and put together the massive support that is provided. I just think that Children's folks deal with far more than that and need just as much CE support for the far-ranging topics and age groups we deal with daily. So program planners, please keep that in mind as you plan those learning opportunities for Children's folks. We'll love you for it and become better at our work in the process!

Deja Vu to You

Ok, ok, I just CAN'T help it...two of my favorite prolific bloggers have uniquely reasoned -and skewed -looks back at the decade and the year. Betsy Bird looks at kids lit trends for the aughts at Fuse 8 and Travis at 100 Scope Notes does the year in review. As someone who loves this kind of perspective and these writers' unique voices and sensibilities, I don't know if it can done better!

Programs - Too Little, Too Much, Just Right?

I've been thinking alot lately about how to keep a balance in our programs. Our public asks for more although they are not always consistent in their attendance. Sometimes it seems like patrons like the thought of their library having lots of programs available a little bit more than actually coming to them.

Our staffers are dedicated and want to do the very best they can for the kids. They work hard to manage a variety of programs for multiple ages - and always, with their care and talent, they offer a wonderful product that promotes literacy, the library and reading.

We know that consistency with children is important. But does that necessitate doing storytime weekly throughout the year? How long should we plan for an afterschool workshop series - three weeks? Six weeks? Twelve weeks? Can we honor our public and staff at the same time?

I believe we can. Building natural breaks into our program cycles gives everyone a breather - staffers can re-charge or turn their creative energy to planning and doing projects; dreaming up new programs or better ways to reach our public or trying that blue-sky idea they've read about another library doing. Breaks in storytimes or program series allow shortie pop-up programs that don't fit into the pattern to be tried and - if successful - added into our program repetoire. Breaks also allow us an opportunity to come up with "out-of-the-box" ideas to encourage families to return to the library without programs as the lure.

Breaks in programming also allow staffers the opportunity to attend conferences, workshops and get out to uncover ways to enhance their skills and work with kids. Breaks are vital to allow staff a mental breather -time for vacation, reflection, thoughtfulness and planning. I believe our patrons won't abondon us during 4, 6 and 8 week breaks. And I also believe the resulting recharge time for staff will create enhanced programs for our kids.

Programs, Programs, Programs...Here's a Good One!

Fall storytimes have started, we are in the midst of our book parties (pirates, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Where the Wild Things Are), and our science, scrapbooking and read-to-a-dog afterschool and evening events are in full autumn swing. But we're not resting. We have started planning on our January-May line-up of fun. Thinking up fun programs is very much on our mind. In our moment of need, Abby comes to our rescue!

Abby (the) Librarian has a wonderful program idea (kids creating flip books) she shares this week that is easy and fun and gets me inspired. Thanks for sharing Abby!

Libraries and Circuses

The ACRLog blog has a great post about how libraries might take some leadership lessons from a circus - the Cirque du Soleil.

I love thinking about how we can make our workplace and work better by collaborating together and working together. A little less pulling the net out from beneath each other and a little more boosting of efforts is something we all could learn from.

Lead in Kids Books and CPSIA

From Beth Yoke, ALA YALSA Executive Director:

CPSC Issues Rule Regarding Lead Standards; More Guidance To Come for Libraries

As the American Library Association (ALA) has emphasized since first enactment of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), concern for children's safety is our first priority in providing materials to young patrons (12 and under). On August 26, 2009, the CPSC's final rule on children's products containing lead was released. In the rule, CPSC confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the law. CPSC also announced its intention to release a Statement of Policy specifically providing guidance for libraries with regard to the treatment of older children's books that could potentially contain lead. According to our conversations with CPSC officials, that Statement of Policy should be released within the next several weeks.

While we await the Statement of Policy, ALA recommends that libraries take the following actions:

1. If a library is aware that any children's book does indeed contain lead above the legal limits or otherwise presents a danger to children, the library should remove it from public access, for instance by moving it to the non-circulating collection.

2. We would also ask that if libraries do learn of any particular books containing lead to please let the ALA - Washington Office know so that we might share that information with other libraries. Please be sure to provide full citation information, including ISBN.

When the Statement of Policy is released, we will promptly notify our members. If you have any questions or would like to report a book containing lead, please feel free to contact Jessica McGilvray, Assistant Director of the ALA Office of Government Relations at jmcgilvray@alwash.org or 1-800-941-8478.

Mellow Programming

Abby (the Librarian) has a great post about programs that are passive - basically programs that involve kids, promoting the library and its materials but are easy on the staff since they are informal and not tied to specific times and dates. We often don't consider these activities to be "programs" but they are in the best sense of the word. And anything that stretches our resources but still excites kids is worthwhile for us to consider!

Having a Moment Here

Today we had a wonderfully blase group of 4th and 5th grade summer school students in for a tour and look-see of the library, some stories and some check-out. My part of the action was to share a story after the walkabout. I saw their eyes spark up a bit while we watched a newly hatched butterfly stretching it's wings and talked about metamorphosis on a very informal basis. Then we swept into the program area for the stories.

As a new staffer, I wanted to find out what they were doing in their summer school classes. They talked about math, science and reading - and some talked not at all. One particularly world-weary 10 year old announced that she had just finished a 709 page book. Without thinking, I popped back, "Wow, I could never do that! That's impressive." And I had an "aha" moment and shared something I had never told kids before.

I told the kids that it isn't that I wouldn't like to read long books...just that I am a slow reader. I told them I have a mild dyslexia which makes reading and working with numbers a challenge. It takes me a little longer with my reading...but that hasn't stopped me from loving books and making a very fun career in libraries. I wanted them to know that they could achieve lots even if something was a little harder for them. We went on from there to some fall-down funny storytelling. It felt as if many of the kids and I had made a special connection.

So many times we work with avid readers on staff and bright readers who are our customers. I felt today that I could offer something more to those kids who struggle with reading and think it isn't for them. It's funny how those moments happen - like a little light bulb suddenly illuminating a part of our life we hadn't looked at before in quite this way - and pieces fall into place for the first time. And it is truly wonderful when those moments help us make a true connection to kids.

Heading to ALA

It's almost time for one of my favorite professional activities of the year - attending the American Library Association annual conference, held this year in Chicago. I am a long time ALA member and a very active ALSC (Assocation for library Service to Children) division memebr.

I wasn't always active. As a young librarian, it seemed hard to break into committee work...how could I ever get appointed? The libraries I worked at (for almost my entire 33 year career) couldn't/wouldn't support my attendance financially but graciously gave me two days paid time to attend. It was discouraging but I felt I had something to offer. Mentors like Kathleen Weibel and Jane Botham encouraged me to keep connected nationally with colleagues.

So I started my ALA savings account to cover transportation room and board, attended committee meetings as an observere and made connections with children's library colleagues. We shared our experiences, successes and frustrations over lunch, in hallways, while browsing exhibits and walking around the conference cities. Those conversations and friendships became the bread and butter of my conference experience - even better than the programs offered. I came home with great ideas, buoyed by support from friends around the country and inspired by book creators that were honored at award ceremonies.

After ten years, I received my first ALSC committee appointment. That opened the door to lots more committee work - Intellectual Freedom; Legislation; Grolier Award; Sagebrush Award; Organization and Bylaws (multiple times); Liaison with National organizations Serving Children; and eventually three dream appointments: Caldecott; Newbery; and Priority Group Consultant for Child Advocacy committees(a kind of "auntie" for 8 or 9 committees to help them navigate through their work with ALSC and ALA). In each committee, I worked hard to make a difference in some small way; to bring ALSC farther along the path to being THE place for great children's librarianship and best practices for the nation's children's librarians.

And now I serve on the ALSC board and we wrestle with how to involve younger members and memebers who can't afford to attend. I am glad we as an organization are "owning" this vital issue and looking to be leaner, faster, more connected and aggressive in giving our young turks (ALA actually has a "Young Turks" advisory group to the ALA presiden!) more paths to involvement and power. I hope to see and hear lots from our new and younger members and they dive in feet first. It is a glorious world at ALA if you are a process junkie and want to change the library world. Hope you can join me!

Art Attack!

In keeping with our "Be Creative" theme, one of my colleagues planned an "Instant Art" program today that was an easy prep and a monster success - the best combination for summer. Our handouts enticed kids with: "The library atrium is boring and bare...then a flash mob of children come in, make their own wonderful art creations and POW! - the library is a cool, creative place for all!"

Paper, markers, feathers, craft papers, stick-on shapes, buttons, ribbons, scissors, glue sticks and doo-dads were placed on tables around the room. Our programmer read DePaola's Art Lesson and Ehlert's Hands to inspire the crowd and the kids got arty!

A staffer was on hand with Ellison die-cuts of award ribbons and awarded each and every picture a special award created specially for each unique art piece including "Best Eye-Popping Art"; Most Feathery Art Award"; "Best Two-gether Award" (for art created by a sisterly duo) and many other fun awards. Then all pictures were hung in our atrium for library-users to see by our teen volunteers.

The kids were happy, the parents were happy ("You have the best library"; "This was so much fun") and the library is beautified.

Summer is Here and So Am I!

Hurray for summer and warm weather and Summer Library Program time! They are back and so am I. I spent the past month packing up, sprucing up, selling and buying a house and am finally relocated and ready to rock and blog- just in time for summer.

The fantastic crew I work with developed a monster fun program for kids that combines all the best aspects of what I think makes a great public library summer program:

1. It's easy and understandable for the kids (and parents!)

2. It puts the emphasis on the fun of reading rather than many onerous requirements.

3. It invites the families to return to the library periodically on their schedule.

4. It involves the community in providing grand prizes (fun experiences like tickets to baseball games; free museum passes; time spent with city workers; visits to local eateries). The community buys in and appreciates what we are doing.

5. It provides a book as a prize.

6. It is easy for the staff (and volunteers) to administer leaving LOTS more time to do reader's advisory, visiting with the kids, reference and beaucoup programs.

What could be better?!?!

Can You Guess?

My colleague Wil Fryer at the DeSoto (WI) Public Library shares this fun on-going and very mellow program idea. This is a wonderful way to encourage staffers who may be a little shy to interact more and get to know kids. Here's Wil:

I've got an ongoing game that I play with the kids that come into the library. It's a "dictionary word" game. Every time they come in children get a chance to play the game - but only one time, for that visit or that day. I open the dictionary and find an age appropriate word for the child. If he/she can tell me what this or that word 'means' they get something from the prize bowl I keep behind my desk. In it are prizes such as balloons, sticks of gum, pencils, erasers, stickers, hard candy, and various small inexpensive toys. If they don't know the answer, I read it or explain what the word means, and then give them 'another chance'. There are no losers, although some children have to listen to the definition of several words before they get one they know.

The first time that a child comes in I'll ask him/her if they would like a dictionary word and to win a prize. The next time they come in they already know the drill. They'll come right up to the desk and ask for a word, or a question. Teens like the game too, and mostly take a stick of gum, or a little temporary tattoo. Some kids enjoy the challenge of a difficult word, while others need encouragement just to answer something simple that I'm sure they must know. The game is a good ice breaker with kids, and gives me a chance to interact with those who are generally shy. Their little egos also like to hear things like, "Wow, that was a good answer. You nailed it". or "Well I'm not surprised that you didn't get that one, that was a tough word."

I Spy Fun!

Here's a great program suggestion from my colleague Karen Bernau at Knutson Memorial Library in Coon Valley (WI). Easy and fun for staff and kids...what more could you ask for? Here's Karen:

Among the easiest, cheapest and most fun programs I have done have been those “I Spy” programs based on the I Spy books. We collect all sorts of objects and hide them throughout the library in plain sight (so there is no need to pull books off the shelves, etc), make lists of items for participants to find and check off and then stand back and watch them search!

We have done different variations of this – sometimes everything hidden is part of a theme (bugs, for instance) or sometimes we have made a “book” out of the hunt with each “page” being a different area of the library, including immediately outside the building and sometimes we just hide an unrelated conglomeration of stuff! We vary the difficulty of the hiding places – invariably the items we think will be hard for them to find are spotted immediately and vice versa – so that just about any age level can play; for the very youngest I will make picture clues for them to “read”. Of course, we always have to end with a “reward”…usually, that is simply the snack. Kids love it…and so do I!