Bits from Barb

Free International Math Resources from Massachusetts

TERC, a nonprofit educational organization in Cambridge, MA, has created some wonderful activities for librarians to use as part of their "One World, Many Stories" programming. TERC would like to share their activities and resources with any library participating in One World, Many Stories programs.

Mixing in Math (MiM), a set of FREE materials in English and Spanish, is designed for integrating numeracy into story time, summer reading, and crafts for children and families. Through their Mixing in Math grant, TERC staff have assisted many MA librarians incorporate math skills into existing programs. MiM was funded by the National Science Foundation and created at TERC.

Check the MiM website at http://mixinginmath.terc.edu to learn more and to download the materials. If you'd like to reach the developers of MiM or would like to arrange for a free webinar, please contact mixinginmath@terc.edu. There are free summer reading 2011 resources at http://mixinginmath.terc.edu/Themes/Stories_World2011.cfm.
—Sarah Sogigian, Advisor Youth Services, Massachusetts Library System

YALSA Teen Spaces Webinar

Join Kim Bolan Cullin as she discusses the latest in teen space planning and implementation in YALSA's May 19 webinar, to be held at 2 p.m. EDT. Participants will learn the nuts and bolts of basic teen space design, including actively engaging teens throughout the process, incorporating their ideas and maintaining ongoing involvement. She will also discuss the latest teen space trends, including planning tools, layout, décor, digital creativity and interactivity, collaborative spaces, and more.

Registration is now open at www.ala.org/yalsa/webinars. Webinars cost $39 for individual YALSA members, $49 for all other individuals, and $195 for groups (unlimited participants).Questions can be sent to Eve Gaus, YALSA's program officer for continuing education, at egaus@ala.org or 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5293.

Children's Book Week May 2-8

Children's Book Week will be May 2-8. Peter Brown designed the 2011 poster and Jeff Kinney designed the bookmarks. For more information, go to www.bookweekonline.com/

Libri Grants Due April 15

The Libri Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2011 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grants. The Libri Foundation is a nationwide, nonprofit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the United States. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000, and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and have an active children's department.

In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, The Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four months, or longer if necessary, to raise their matching funds.

The librarian of each participating library selects the books the library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the booklist reflect the very best of children's literature published primarily in the last three years. These titles, which are for children ages 12 and under, are award-winners or have received starred reviews in library, literary, or education journals. The booklist also includes a selection of classic children's titles.

The application deadline is April 15. Application guidelines and forms may be downloaded from the Foundation's website at www.librifoundation.org.

- Barb Huntington, DLTCL

System Youth Liaison Posting, March 2011