"Little" Nic Bits

Summer Reading Workshop Set for February 16th!

2012-02-01T13:28:00.000-08:00

9 —9:25 am: Register and Refreshments

9:25 am: Announcements and Housekeeping

9:30—12:30 pm: Dream Big, Read! with Patti Sinclair

    Formerchildren's librarian and the creative editor of the
    Consortium's SLP manual, Patti willintroduce craft and program
    ideas that will encourage kids totake time next summer to create
    and read at your library!

12:30 —1:15 pm: Fooooooood

1:15—1:45 pm: Small GroupDiscussion/Swap

1:45 — 2:20 pm: Cindy Tuschy, Gillett PublicLibrary

2:20—2:30 pm: Break

2:30—3 pm: “Miller & Mike” Mini-Performance

The 2012 Entertainer willfeature a
sampling of their comedy routine!

3 pm: Door prizes and Wrap-up!

Please Register by Feb. 13:

Contact Denise at NFLS: 920-448-4410, dfitzger@mail.nfls.lib.wi.us

Book Reviews

2012-02-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

April and Esme Tooth Fairies
By Bob Graham

I love Bob Graham's illustrations. I love that the dad has long hair and the mom has tattoos. I think it's great for kids to see all kinds of parents represented in picture books. I'd love to visit April and Esme's toothfairy house so wonderfully depicted in our modern world. This is a very cool book!

Perfect Square
By Michael Hall

The square was perfectly happy being a square until it was cut, torn, shredded, shattered, crumpled, ripped and wrinkled. Each time, it transforms itself into something great: a fountain, a park, a mountain. Creative, artsy illustrations and a story that is an allegory for living - not just how art can transform but how attitude can, too!

- Karla Giraldéz

25th Annual Children's Book Fest in March

2012-02-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

Attention Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan librarians, teachers, parents, reading specialists and members of the general public who are interested in learning about the best books for young people! You are invited to attend Children's Book Fest 2012, a two day conference held at the First Congregational Church of Christ, 135 E. Larch St., Rhinelander, Wisconsin on March 6 and 7.

The ever popular, thoroughly informed and entertaining staff of the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) in Madison Wisconsin will discuss books for children and young adults at an evening presentation on Tuesday, March 6, as well as at a day presentation on Wednesday, March 7. Both sessions will include a CCBC exhibit of some of the best 2011 books for young readers.

Most folks choose to attend one session or the other, but you certainly won't be turned away if you decide to stay overnight and come to both

The registration form is available at www.rhinelander.org.

PLEASE NOTE that separate registration (sent to two separate places) is required for the evening and day sessions.

All registrations must be received no later than March 2. Payment of $10.00 per person must accompany each registration blank. No purchase orders, please.

Telephone inquiries regarding the Wednesday presentation may be made to Tom Hurlburt at the Rhinelander District Library (phone and email below). More information about the Tuesday presentation is available from Headwaters Reading Council member Joan Belongia joan.belongia@gmail.com

Read On Wisconsin February Titles

2012-02-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

Several Wisconsin authors are featured in the Read On Wisconsin titles for February:

Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers: Rrralph by (Wisconsin author) Lois Ehlert (Beach Lane, 2011)

Primary (Gr K-2): Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan (Viking, 2010)

Intermediate (Gr 3-5): Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (Carolrhoda, 2009)

Middle School: Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement by (Wisconsin author) Ann Bausum (National Geographic, 2005)

High School: Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by (Wisconsin author) Ann Angel (Amulet/Abrams, 2010) and We Shall Overcome: A Song That Changed the World by (Wisconsin author) Stuart Stotts

Did you know you can log on to the Read On Wisconsin web site and talk about ways to use ROW books, or discuss the books themselves with other educators and librarians? Check out the Forums at:
http://readon.education.wisc.edu/

Megan Schliesman, Librarian
Cooperative Children's Book Center

Winner Bookmarks

2012-02-01T12:03:00.000-08:00

Rhonda from the Lakeshores Library System put together bookmarks for the 2012 Caldecott and Newberry winners that were recently announced at the ALA Midwinter Conference. Feel free to print and use!

Caldecott and Newbery Bookmark 2012

Public and School Library Summit Set for October 27

2011-10-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

This one-day summit will allow school and public librarians in the NFLS/NEWIL service area to share information, network and collaborate. It is made possible by a 2011 LSTA grant.

Marge Loch-Wouters of the LaCrosse Public Library and Pete Angilello of the Green Bay Area School District will lead a morning discussion/presentation at the Kress Family Library in De Pere. After lunch, small groups will work together and develop usable action plans to carry forward.

October 27
9 am - 2 pm
Kress Family Branch Library

This workshop is worth 4.5 CE credits. Lunch and all materials will be provided!

Register here!

Teen and YA Webinar

2011-10-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Teen and YA Discussion (Webinar)
Thursday, December 8 1-2 pm
Presented by: You!

Teen and YAlibrarians from around the state will have the opportunity to meet and discussvirtually! Several YA librarians will lead discussions. Sharing andswapping Summer Library Program ideas for 2012 will also be encouraged!

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/134963793

Kids Event at Oconto County Fly-In

2011-10-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

On Saturday,September 17, the Oconto County Library Services Board sponsored an eventpromoting the six Oconto County Libraries, and included a fun event, GliderFlying, for kids ages 4-7 and 7-11.

Kevin Hamann, OcontoCounty Administrative Coordinator, generously volunteered to take charge ofplanning and supervising the event. PegMurphy, Director of the FarnsworthPublic Library in Oconto and Ann Ammerman, Director of the Suring Area PublicLibrary manned the booth on behalf of the six libraries, passing out brochures,pens and the gliders for the kids to assemble for the contest. Medals were awarded for 1^st, 2^ndand 3^rd place for the longest flights of each age group.

Summer Reading Pre-Conference

2011-10-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

Summer reading program aficionados from around the state areinvited to attend the 2012 Dream Big – Read! SRP workshop at the MilwaukeePublic Museum Planetarium and IMAX Theatre on Tuesday, November 1! Six systems in southeastern Wisconsin(Eastern Shores,Lakeshores, Mid-Wisconsin, Milwaukee County, Waukesha County and Winnefox) havecollaborated to bring this session to youth services librarians and anyone withan interest in next year’s summer reading program theme.

The fun begins at 1:00 PM and will end at 4:00, just in time for those of yougoing to WLA to get there in time for the vendor reception! Registrationfee is $10.00, which can be paid at the door or in advance (checks payable toLakeshores Library System).

See this link for more information. If you have any questions, please contact me at rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us.

Rhonda K. Puntney
Youth Services and Special Needs Consultant
Lakeshores Library System

Read On Wisconsin

2011-10-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

Check out the October book selections for Read On Wisconsin,the statewide online literacy initiative!

Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers:

     The Voyage of Turtle Rex by Kurt Cyrus. Harcourt, 2011

Primary (Grades K-2):

     Always Listen to Your Mother by Florence Parry Heide and Roxanne Heide Pierce.Illustrated by Kyle M. Stone. Disney / Hyperion, 2010

Intermediate (Grades 3-5):

     This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgivenessby Joyce Sidman. Houghton Mifflin, 2007

Middle School:

             PrimeBaby by Gene Luen Yang. First Second / Roaring Brook Press, 2010 AND

Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Graphix,2010

High School:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and DavidLevithan. Dutton, 2010

From storytimes to book discussions, we hope you'll look for ways to sharethese books with children and teens in Wisconsin.

The new Read On Wisconsin web site is still under development. Among the site'sfeatures will be an exchange forum for librarians and teachers to talk aboutways they are using the Read On Wisconsin program and books.

In the meantime, you can find the complete list of book selections, anddiscussion questions for each title, on the temporary site at:

http://readon.education.wisc.edu/

And resources about some of the 2011-2012 Read On Wisconsin authors and bookscan be found at TeachingBooks.net:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/quicksearch.cgi?id=2224

-Megan Schliesman, CCBC

Become a Facebook Fan

2011-08-19T08:53:00.001-07:00

Well, we did have a Facebook presence before, as a "Group."

Now we have a Nicolet Federated Library System "Fan" Page!

We will be able to post more information about workshops and events, add photos and have more interaction with our member libraries.

Become a "fan" us of today!

Win Gift Cards at the Grassroots Meeting!

2011-08-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Grassroots Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 20, from 1- 4 pm. Here is what is planned!

1 - 3 pm: Dream Big - Read!

Get a head start on the 2012 Summer Library Program with programming ideas for story times and crafts ideas. Barb Huntington, recently retired from DLTCL, will present a range of ideas that focus on the general concept of "night time." The programs will include book talks, finger plays, songs, flannel stories, draw and tell, Readers' Theater, and story props to involve the audience in the story process and assure fun for everyone.

3- 4 pm: Summer Swap:
Bring a story, photos or anything you'd like to share from this summer!

4 pm: Door prize drawings!
Two lucky people who attend the entire meeting will win $50 worth of stuff from either Lakeshore Learning or Upstart! You choose!

Register here!

Book Reviews

2011-08-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Unsinkable Walker Bean

by Aaron Renier

Aaron Renier's artwork reminds me in a way of Where's Waldo artist Martin Handford in its complexity and detail, but better. The story is fun and quirky and filled with pirates, sea-witches, high adventure and wonderful gadgets. It reminds me of when I was a little girl and spent my summers inventing fantastic stories with pirates, cowboys, and brave orphans that I then acted out with my sisters and the neighbor boys. Thanks, Aaron for bringing back the memories! :)

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

by Laban Carrick Hill

Beautifully illustrated, poignant story of an African-American potter in the 1800s. The little we know about his life comes partly from the beautiful pots he made and the few lines of poetry etched on the surface of a few. The author and illustrator show the dignity of his life and the beauty of his work in in the face of his condition as a slave.

- Karla Giraldéz, BCL- Southwest

Summer Reading Stuff

2011-08-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

African drumming took place at the Farnsworth Library in Oconto!

Our kids made this during the S.L.P. with old school chairs covered in lots and LOTS of paper mache.
After it dried one of our wonderful volunteers (Chris Steinhagen a retired art teacher) painted it and made it so beautiful!

This will be used by Mary for story hour and baby story time and for other story telling events.
Children are Aiden and Nathan.

- Lisa Van Alstine, Algoma

Another Author Added to the Sheboygan Book Festival

2011-08-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

Catherine Gilbert Murdock has joined the slate of authors and illustrators at SCBF 2011! Murdock is the author of the popular Dairy Queen series, featuring 15-year-old Wisconsin farm girl D.J. Schwenk.

Murdock will talk about the Dairy Queen trilogy and the inspiration behind her newest book, Wisdom's Kiss. She will autograph books after her program.

The 2nd Annual Sheboygan Children's Book Festival allows children, teens, families, and book lovers of all ages to meet and hear from noted children's book creators. Festival participants can:

make art in open-studio sessions with celebrated illustrators
have books signed by their favorite authors/illustrators
hear authors and illustrators read from and discuss their books
take part in workshops

Next Chapter Bookshop will donate a portion of book sale proceeds to benefit the 2012 Sheboygan Children's Book Festival.

Next Chapter Bookshop and our other generous sponsors help make the Sheboygan Children's Book Festival - Wisconsin's only free, public children's book festival - possible.

Please visit our website for the full slate of outstanding authors and illustrators appearing at this year's Sheboygan Children's Book Festival Oct. 14-16!

2013 CSLP Manual Ideas Needed!

2011-08-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

2013 Collaborative Summer Library Program
Dig Into Reading—Early Literacy Manual
Call for Ideas by October 15, 2011

Our writers for the 2013 Early Literacy Manual are Kapila Love and Sarah Northshield. Both are experienced (and creative!) children’s librarians who specialize in programs for the very young. Please help them make this a fantastic manual.

Here are the ten working chapter themes that have been suggested for the 2013 Dig Into Reading manual. “Underground” is the broad concept. The writers will choose eight of them based on available materials and ideas.

Gardening (with some focus on root vegetables, if possible)
Big Machines (earth movers, etc.)
Dinosaurs (this could also include fossils)
Dirt/Mud/Getting Dirty
Burrowing Animals (moles, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits, worms, etc. )
Hidden/Buried Treasures (gems, gold, etc.)
Spatial Relationships (up/down, above/below, over/under - this could be things like train/subway, tunnel/bridge, dig down/haul up, etc.)
Holes (what lives in them, burying things in them, circles)
Underground Insects (ants)
The Earth (rocks, mining, volcanoes, etc.)

What do we need?

Book titles (books should be in print and please include both the suggested age group and any literacy skills that could be practiced with the title)
Program ideas (both story times and other programs), activities, crafts, music, etc.
Setting the Scene: If you have suggestions for library decorations, bulletin boards, or props especially targeted to the very young
Early Literacy/Family Literacy Ideas—e.g. for reproducible take-home pages (see past children’s manuals for the Family Fun Pages—that’s the idea)
Suggestions for underserved groups
Bilingual storytime ideas

Send your ideas to:

Patti Sinclair

306 Virginia Terrace

Madison, WI 53726

608 231-2467

trishsinclair@sbcglobal.net

YSS Bus Trip to Madison Libraries

2011-08-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

The Youth Services Section of WLA is sponsoring two bus trips this fall to exciting, new or newly remodeled libraries. Our first trip will be Tuesday, September 13, with a tour of several libraries in the greater Madison area. This tour will have a special focus on early learning activities and environments and teen areas, but the tours will include all areas of the library. These tours will be of interest to childrens services and teen librarians, directors, Friends and trustees who may be considering a new building project or remodeling project, and library school students. A description and itinerary is listed below.

The cost of the Madison tour will be $20 with an optional $9 for lunch (or bring your own). Space is limited so register early. Confirmations will be sent.

Traveling by bus is an efficient and cost effective way to see these libraries, rather than visiting them independently. The staff at the libraries will be available for the tours and to answer questions. The bus trips help people avoid the hassles of traffic, parking and getting around in unfamiliar cities. Visiting with other librarians is not only fun, but others often spot interesting things you might miss on your own. It’s a chance to see 4-5 different libraries in one day.

Car pooling to the starting location will be facilitated by the Youth Services Section. Registration deadline for the Madison tour is August 31^st and for the Twin Cities tour, September 22^nd.

For more information, visit the registration site or contact Barb Huntington at (608) 831-5418, barbhunting@gmail.com or Jill Lininger at (262) 636-9255 or Jill Lininger.

Click here for registration (you will need to login to MemberClicks to register)

WLA reserves the right to cancel the tours if minimum numbers are not met.

Greater Madison Area Trip, Tuesday, September 13th

This is the schedule for the bus tour:

8:45	Meet at the Fitchburg Library, 5530 Lacy Road, Fitchburg
9:00 – 10:00	Tour Library
10:00 – 10:20	Travel to the Goodman South Madison Branch Library, 2222 S. Park Street, Madison
10:20 – 11:15	Tour Library
11:15 – 11:30	Travel to the Sequoya Branch Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison
11:30 – 12:30	Tour Library
12:30 – 12:45	Travel to the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Street, Middleton
12:45 – 1:30	Box lunch (or bring your own) at the Middleton Public Library
1:30 – 2:30	Tour Library
2:30 – 2:50	Travel to the Verona Public Library, 500 Silent Street, Verona
2:50 – 4:00	Tour Library
4:00 – 4:20	Travel back to the Fitchburg Library

The tour will start at 9:00 a.m. at the brand new Fitchburg Public Library, which opened on June 29^th, 2011. The innovative youth and teen areas have created a great deal of excitement. http://fitchburgcitylibrary.com/

The second stop will be the Goodman South Madison Branch Library on Park Street. This new library opened near its old location, but in a new building, in 2010. The activity room is used by teens at set program times and includes a huge wall mounted tv for gaming. www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/goodman-south

The Sequoya Branch Library on Tokay Blvd. in Madison will be the third library on the tour. The new building opened in 2008. The library has many “green” building features and has an urban feel throughout. A recent addition to the library was a set of wall-mounted early literacy learning materials. The library has a teen area. www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/sequoya

The tour will stop for a box lunch at the Middleton Public Library and then tour the building that was remodeled in 2004. The youth area renovation included innovative seating and a re-designed story room. The teen area includes features such as booths, neon lights and a bearded dragon lizard. http://midlibrary.org/library/

The final stop will be the Verona Public Library, which opened in 2006. The design of the youth department included a play castle and the teen area has interesting seating and board game tables. www.veronapubliclibrary.org.

Upcoming Youth Events

2011-07-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Grassroots Meeting
Tuesday, September 20th: 1 pm – 4 pm
NFLS Meeting Room

This annual meeting will feature great presenters and a chance for youth librarians to collaborate!

This workshop is worth 3 CE credits.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Teens, Tweens & Social Networking (webinar)
Thursday, October 20th: 2 pm
Presented by: Laura Solomon, Library Services Manager, Ohio Public Library Information Network

We often have assumptions about how teens and tweens use the Internet. But:

* Are those assumptions true?
* Should your library have a MySpace or a Facebook account? Both?
* How about Twitter?
* What about cellphones? Text messaging? iPads?

Learn the answers to these questions and many more, as well as discovering how your
library can effectively engage (or not) with young people in social media.

This webinar is worth 1 CE credit. It’s being co-sponsored with the Manitowoc-Calumet Library System.

Laura Solomon is the Library Services Manager for the Ohio Public Library Information Network and the former Web Applications Manager for the Cleveland Public Library. She has been doing web development and design for over twelve years, in both public libraries and as an independent consultant. She is a 2010 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. Her book, "Doing Social Media So It Matters: A Librarian’s Guide", was published in late 2010. As a former children’s librarian, she enjoys bringing the “fun of technology” to audiences and in giving libraries the tools they need to better serve the virtual customer.

BadgerLunch Summer Webinar Series

2011-07-08T13:39:00.001-07:00

Several of the upcoming BadgerLunch webinars might be of interest to youth and teen librarians!

BadgerLunch Summer Webinar Series

Focus on Reader’s Resources

Thursdays at noon

30 - 45 minute sessions

July 14, 21, 28

July 14: TeachingBooks – Explore thousands of resources about fiction and nonfiction books used in the K-12 environment to encourage the integration of multimedia author and book materials into reading activities.

https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi/join?id=34QNHR&role=attend&pw=n%25%297B%29k

July 21: NoveList K-8 – Learn about this fiction database designed with a bright, appealing layout especially for elementary and middle school age students.

https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi/join?id=9GDJ4B&role=attend&pw=x%21*B%5D5k

July 28: NoveList – Focus on readers’ advisory service! NoveList provides access to information on fiction titles as well as feature content including author read-alikes, book discussion guides, reading lists and more.

https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi/join?id=P832RF&role=attend&pw=Rk*Dk9d

All sessions are open to everyone. Topics include a description of the information/learning resource, searching techniques, and helpful features. For a flyer with complete schedule and links to the webinars, visit the BadgerLink home page at http://www.badgerlink.net/ and click on the BadgerLunch Webinar Series Announcement link.

The archive of previous sessions is also available.

Kara Ripley

Reference and BadgerLink Training Librarian

Department of Public Instruction

2nd Annual Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival October 14-16

2011-07-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

We are extremely pleased to release the names of a few of the exceptional and critically-acclaimed authors and illustrators participating in this year’s Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival!

• Jerry Pinkney has been creating children’s books since 1964 and has more than 200 fine children’s books to his credit. He has received the Caldecott Medal, five Caldecott Honors and five Coretta Scott King Awards, among many other awards.

•Candace Fleming says she has always “enjoyed telling a good story…and seeing my listener’s reaction.” Her award-winning books include picture books for young children, novels for older children, and scrapbook biographies of famous Americans.

•Henry Cole has written and illustrated picture books and novels and has illustrated picture books for authors Pamela Duncan Edwards, Jonathan London, Margie Palatini, Julie Andrews, and many others.

We invite you to check out our website and browse our author bio pages to learn more about these authors and illustrators and their books.
Sign up for e-mail updates to receive the latest author announcements and festival news.

More authors and illustrator announcements will be coming soon!

Visit the Festival website for more information!

- Paula Siefert

Mr. Billy Rocks

2011-07-08T13:24:00.001-07:00

Mr. Billy's "Rockin' Around the World" program has been to Brown County, Shawano, Gillett, Kewaunee, Sister Bay and Sturgeon Bay so far this summer! Kids and adults are having a great time singing, dancing and drumming.

This week he entertained the folks in Forestville and Kewaunee !

Book Reviews

2011-07-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival

by Kirby Larson, Jean Cassels and Mary Nethery

I have to confess - I'm not an animal lover. But I loved this book about two friends (Bobbi and Bob Cat) who happen to be animals and who support each other during what is probably the worst natural disaster this country has ever experienced. Lovely, inspiring story about two friends who have to rely on each other for survival. Excellent illustrations!

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?

by Susan A. Shea and Tom Slaughter

A beautiful rhyming book that asks kids and poses the question, does it grow in a silly way?, that will make them laugh (i.e. If a duckling grows and becomes a duck, can a car grow and...become a truck?) Very cute cut-out style illustrations and lift-the-flaps make this a fun book for preschoolers!

- Karla Giraldéz, BCL

Summer Reading Coming Soon!

2011-05-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

Karla and Kara at the Southwest branch of the Brown County Library were out in the schools last week to promote summer reading!

Best of luck to all of you in your programs! I know it will be a great summer!

And remember to breathe. :)

Bits from Barb

2011-05-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

Future Themes

The themes for 2013 were decided at the CSLP Annual Meeting. They include:

Children's Theme—Dig Into Reading
Teen Theme—Beneath the Surface
Adult Theme—Groundbreaking Reads

The 2014 General Concept will be Science.

Early Literacy Manual

CSLP is offering a free early literacy/preschool manual again this year. It is online this year but it is anticipated that it will come in print version in 2012. A popular feature of the manual is that it includes cues to the Every Child Ready to Read learning elements. To download a copy of the manual, go to www.cslpreads.org/early-literacy-manual.html. Access requires registration at the first page of the CSLP website www.cslpreads.org.

New YALSA Tool to Evaluate Teen Services

YALSA released a new evaluation tool for libraries to determine the health of teen services at their institutions. The downloadable tool derives its areas of evaluation from YALSA's Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth: Young Adults Deserve the Best. Potential users include library administrators, library trustees, teen services librarians, and community members and jobseekers hoping to assess a library's commitment to teen services. To download the tool, go to www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/profdev/yacompetencies/evaltool.cfm.
—from American Libraries Direct, March 23, 2010

- System Youth Services Liaison Posting

Barbara Huntington, DLTCL, April 2011

Sacred Being

2011-05-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, 3 NFLS-area librarians and I went to Sun Prairie for training on the Wakanheza Project™. The Wakanheza Project™ is an initiative/concept started by the Ramsey County Public Health Department (in Minnesota) as a community-level primary prevention approach to addressing family violence, and it has many ideas that are useful in any situation.

Wakanheza is the Dakota word for child, and its English translation is "sacred being." The Wakanheza Project™ includes principles and strategies that can positively effect the way we see and treat each other. If the culture of an organization can shift a little to incorporate and internalize some of these principles and strategies, there is enormous potential for benefits. These can include more peaceful circulation desk lines, better interactions between adults and teens, and less embarrassment for parents who are struggling to parent in public. Overall, we are striving to help create an even more welcoming environment for patrons, and an easier and more rewarding work environment for all staff.

The workshop we attended was designed to help us bring back the Wakanheza Project™ ideas to our own systems. We will be sharing information on Little Nic Bits, as well as doing smaller, more informal trainings. It’s our hope to do a larger workshop in fall or spring of 2012.

Thank you to Sandy Kallunki (Brown County), Julie Spillane (Oconto Falls) and Kristie Wilson (Shawano) for participating in this training! If you have questions about this for any of us, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Book Reviews

2011-05-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing

by Ann Angel

It's no surprise that Ann Angel is a super fan of Janis Joplin. Her passion for Janis comes shining through in this book. However, she also writes in such a way as to give us a very full, well-rounded picture of this artist explaining Janis' shortcomings and flaws. The book does an exceptional job of creating for the reader the time and place where all this talent intersected. We are still culturally influenced by the "hippie generation." This book is a great historical marker whether you enjoyed Janis' music or not.

- Elizabeth Timmins, Muehl Public Library

The Butter Man

by Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou

Nora is a young girl who looks forward to Saturday night dinners of couscous and vegetables in her home. But waiting for the meal to be prepared is hard for Nora, and it doesn't help that the wonderful fragrances fill the whole house, making her hungry. Baba (Nora's dad) tells her the story of how he used to wait for days for the "butter man" to visit his Moroccan village. Nora realizes that waiting for dinner to be prepared is nothing compared to her father waiting for the butter man.

The illustrations by Julie Klear Essakaali are beautiful, and I like the use of Moroccan language throughout the book. The author's note at the end also explains the meaning of the words!

-Jamie Matczak, NFLS

Teen Read Week Ideas

2011-05-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Beth Yoke, Executive Director of YALSA, shared this resource for "Teen Read Week" in October.

StateHandout_TRW

Spring Storytime Ideas

2011-05-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

These storytime ideas can be used for spring, or modified for another time of year!

March 5th – “If She comes in like a Lion…”Lion & Lamb Theme-

Books: “The Little Lambs Rainy Day” by M. C. Suigne, “No more blanket for Lambkin! by Bernette Ford, and “Do Lions live on lily pads”? by Melanie Walsh

Craft: Lion & Lamb finger puppets.

March 12th -– “Go Green” St. Patrick’s Day Celebration-

Books: “the luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever” by Teddy Slater and “A leprechaun’s St.

Patrick’s Day” by Sarah Kirwan

Craft: A Rainbow w/ a pot of gold!

March 19th- “Spring has sprung!” –

Books: “Poppleton in Spring” by Cynthia Rylant, “Spring is here, Grumpy Bunny” By Justine Korman,and “Welcome Spring!” by Jill Ackerman

Craft: “Make a flower” with various materials (beads, sequins & beans, cupcake papers)

March 26th – “Easter Bunny Hop”

Books: “A Surprise for the Easter Bunny” , “Anna and the Chocolate Easter Bunny” by Kathleen Aman and “The Easter Bunny that Overslept” by Priscilla Friedrich

Craft: Paper Bag Bunny Puppet

We will also have special Easter refreshments!

April 9th – “April Showers” - Weather theme –

Books: “Splosh” by Mick Inkpen and “The Cloud That Wouldn’t Rain” by Ruth Brace

Craft- Weather Collage – (Introducing Mr. Sunny, Mr. Cloudy, Miss Rainy and Mrs. Windy)

April 16th – Nothing more than feelings- “mood theme for little people”

Books: “It’s hard to be Five” by Jamie Lee Curtis and “I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont and “Green as a Bean” by Karla Kuskin (which illustrates the point that no matter what color you are you are still YOU!)

Craft: Face puppets w/moods

April 23rd – “Earth Day” -

Books: “Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green” by Eileen Spinelli,
“Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration” by Alyssa Capucilli, and ”It’s Earth Day” by Mercer Mayer

Crafts: Make a collage from recycled materials

April 30th – “Flower Power” –

Books: “Fran’s Flower” by Lisa Bruce and “Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson.

Craft - Springtime on a paper plate (Bumble Bee visits a tulip)

May 7th – “Frogs” theme

Books: “1 gaping wide-mouthed hopping frog” by Leslie Tryon, “Too many frogs!” by Sandy Asher and

A special appearance by Monday the bullfrog / Matthew Van Fleet (puppet & story)

Craft: “Big Mouth Frog Puppet”

May 14th - - “ Blackbirds Fly”

Books & Rhymes - “Sing a song of sixpence”, illustrated by Pam Adams , “Two Little Blackbirds” nursery rhyme and “Grumpy Bird” by Jeremy Tankard.

Craft- “Blackbird Finger Puppets”

May 21st – “Windy, windy Day!”

Books- “Noises at night” by Beth Raisner Glass, “Virginnie's Hat”by Dori Chaconas, “Windy Wednesday” By Phyllis Root.

Craft- Make a wind sock (using a paperplate & plastic bag)

- Barb Husch, Door County Library (Forestville)

Grants and Resources

2011-05-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

MIXING IN MATH

Mixing in Math (MiM) is a set of FREE materials in English and Spanish, designed for integrating numeracy into story time, summer reading, and crafts for children and families. It's an appealing and engaging way to draw in new patrons, to offer them something different, and to reinforce skills children are learning in school.

MiM was designed with input from hundreds of librarians from MA, CT, NY, CA, MO, and other states. MiM resources include posters, games, calendars, crafts, and projects that are easy to use and fun for adults and children. The resources combine common library themes, such as animals, food, and holidays with the math of sizes, shapes, patters, measurement. MiM was funded by the National Science Foundation, and created at TERC, a non-profit educational organization.

Check the MiM website: http://mixinginmath.terc.edu to learn more and to download the materials.

(thanks to Sarah Sogigian at the Massachusetts State Library for sharing this!)

Grant Opportunity from Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop provides direct support for children in literacy and education programs, such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs and literacy programs for children with special needs. The grants are made possible through the sale of Turner the Owl, a special furry friend available in all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores. With the sale of each Turner the Owl, 50 cents is donated to First Book and 50 cents is donated through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to other literacy programs throughout the United States and Canada. Grant requests reviewed on a rolling basis through October 2011. For more information go to: http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/contents/content.jsp?catId=400002&id=700010.

DigitalLiteracy.gov

The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched DigitalLiteracy.gov, a gateway to materials, research, online learning tools and more to help librarians and educators access and share materials to use when training learners of all ages on topics such as information literacy, computer skills, digital literacies and more. The Dept. of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) created the portal in partnership with nine federal agencies to provide librarians, teachers, workforce trainers and others a central location to share digital literacy content and practices. Individuals are welcome to visit the site to find resources, upload their own and/or connect with others who are offering training on these topics. Visit http://www.digitalliteracy.gov/ to access the resource.

- CEO, Lakeshores Library System, 5/24/11

Cultural Kits

2011-04-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

"Cultural Kits" will be available to NFLS libraries this summer to supplement or help your programming! They will each focus on a different country.

The kits can be delivered to your library for up to a week. Everything will fit in the red delivery bags.

Items in each kit will include:

- book or story

- country flag

-country map

- recipe

- song or game

- words or phrases in its native language

- money/artifacts/tangible objects

- photos

Kits are available for China, England, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Morocco, Poland and Peru. They will be available on June 1st!

Contact Jamie if you are interested in reserving one!

CCBC Presentation

2011-04-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

The 2011 edition "CCBC (Children's Collaborative Book Center) Choices" has been sent to all NFLS libraries. It has 240 book recommendations from 2010 for children and young adults. It includes full annotations, age recommendations and author/title and subject indices.

Megan Schliesman of the CCBC will be highlighting some of these "choices" on Thursday, April 21 from 1 - 3:30 pm, in the NFLS Meeting Room. You will also get a chance to book browse!

Book Reviews

2011-04-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

After by Amy Efaw

Devon Davenport is a likable girl. Responsible, mature, straight-A student, star athlete. Granted, her mother is immature and not the best influence, but Devon is a good person in spite of this. She's the daughter every mother would want. She's the student every teacher wants in the classroom. So how does she end up throwing her new-born infant in the dumpster, and how did nobody know she was even pregnant? Who is Devon Davenport? An attempted murderer or a scared teen who was in denial during her pregnancy?

Devon is arrested and winds up in a juvenile center. If she is tried as an adult, she could face years in prison. Only her defense attorney and community members who testify on her behalf can save her. But will they want to after finding out what she has done?

Girl Stolen by April Henry

I finished this page-turner in two nights, because I wanted to know what happened to Cheyenne Wilder, a teenage girl who is kidnapped while sleeping in the back seat of her stepmom's car. I wanted to know what happened to Griffin, her kidnapper. Griffin just wanted to hijack the car after all. He didn't know there was someone in the back seat! I wanted to know what happened to Griffin's dad, the evil man behind the hijacking who decides Cheyenne might come in handy. I wanted to know what happened with Cheyenne's dad, the president of a powerful corporation. Would he give Griffin's dad the ransom money?

Cheyenne is 16 and sick with pneumonia. She is without medication (her step mom was getting that for her while the car was hijacked) and she has no way to contact anyone. She has to plot an escape, without knowing where she is, how far she is from home and without a cell phone.

And, she's blind.

-Jamie Matczak, NFLS

What's in Your Story Hour Closet?

2011-04-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

What supplies do you keep on hand for your story hours? Do you have favorite items that you believe are necessary for your story hour programming?

Luci Bledsoe of the Johnson Creek Public Library shared this list on the March CEO for the Lakeshores Library System. The following suggestions are either very inexpensive or can be donated by your library customers and story hour parents.

Send an email to Jamie if you'd like to share what's in YOUR Story Hour Closet!

What do we have in our closet at Johnson Creek PL?

• Cotton balls (the white ones are perfect for snowmen; if you can find the colored ones, they are great for decorating paper Easter eggs or making spring pictures)
• Brown paper lunch bags (paper bag puppets)
• White paper lunch bags (perfect for Valentine bags; gift bags for making a Mother’s or Father’s Day gift)

• Advertising Magnets (cut them with scissors; put a dab of glue on the printed side and attach to the craft project for a memorable refrigerator magnet (thanks to Nancy B at West Bend for this idea!)
• Old or damaged compact discs or CD-ROMS (used to make CD-ROM fish or birds; hanging mobiles—use 2 discs for a project and glue the printed sides together)
• Empty cereal boxes (have a volunteer or staff member cut them and save the fronts and backs. We use them for patterns (for our Valentine Story Hour, we cut out half hearts and showed the children how to fold paper; trace the half heart; and cut on the traced line). Although we have our die cut machine, we still need to make or cut an original pattern for tracing. *Extra bonus—if there is a promotional item available such as a small toy, send for a free toy for a SLP prize!)

• Stickers (magazines and other companies will send stickers as a small gift—they go into our sticker box and are used for a variety of crafts)
• Paper towel tubes (we do not use toilet paper tubes for obvious reasons! We have used cut down paper towel tubes for making small turkeys; groundhogs, binoculars, etc.
• Yarn (don’t buy it, just put up a list of what you need and your customers will donate! We use scrap yarn for holiday crafts; paper dolls; gift bags, etc.)
• Ribbons (again we use donated scrap ribbon for holiday crafts; lacing paper plates together, etc.)
• Gift bows (use as a color matching activity)

• Cheap white envelopes (hold game pieces when we make paper dominoes or play Color and Shape Bingo)
• Reinforcement labels for hole-punched paper (we use both white and colored. The white ones are used to reinforce punched holes for adding a bow to a paper bunny or cat)
• Inexpensive paper punch (if you make a paper bunny, punch 2 holes on the neck; add a ribbon for a bow, and it is one classy bunny!)

• Cheap paper plates, both large and small (lace a whole plate and ½ plate together; fill with paper flowers and small candies for a Mother’s Day gift or May Day gift; we also use them for small trays if we work with glitter or paint; also can be used for masks)
• Paper cups (planting a seedling or bean or radish seeds)
• Craft sticks (ask your local doctor’s office to see if they will donate tongue depressors, use for paper plate puppets)

• Powdered detergent measuring cups (fill with dirt, add a small seedling; glue buttons on sides for wheels, and you have a small wheelbarrow for a gift)
• Scoopable kitty litter jug lids (I used to use milk bottle caps, but they are potentially dangerous due to their size. I use kitty litter bottle caps for counting; matching colors; shape recognition, graphing, etc.)
• Brass paper fasteners (allows the head/arms/or legs of a paper animal to move)

Bits from Barb

2011-04-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

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

Summer Planning Workshop

2011-02-10T13:22:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, February 3, the SRP Planning Workshop was held at the Neville Public Museum!

Over 40 librarians attended and received lots of great ideas to get their summer planning started for the "One World, Many Stories" theme.

Participants did the Hokey Pokey, made cloth rabbits and snacked on delicious tacos for lunch.

Presenters were Marge Loch-Wouters, Rick Szcepkowski, Kathy Dettman, Mary Bohman and Cindy Tuschy.

Check out the NFLS Flickr page for more photos!

Bits from Barb

2011-02-10T12:05:00.001-08:00

New Performer List

A list of performers who joined the Wisconsin Children's Performer Directory was distributed to the System Liaisons. Check out the new and existing performers in the Directory at dpi.wi.gov/pld/performers.html.

Possible Flannel Board Story Resource

Story Time Felts offers a set of four stories from around the world in felt pieces. The stories include "Androcles and the Lion"-Italy, "Beauty and the Beast"-France, "How Kangaroo Got his Pouch"-Australia, and "Rabbit Steals Elephant's Dinner"-Central Africa. For information go to www.storytimefelts.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=12_15&osCsid=55bcb37a42a8c93ed524079830e41d3a

Summer Free Lunch Distribution Sites Needed

DPI is looking for locations willing to serve as a free meal site for children in the summer. Public libraries can be a distribution site. Typically the local school district would bring the meals to the library. The meals can be given to all children who are present so it might work for a lunch bunch situation. Interested libraries should check with their local school districts to see if their districts qualify for the program and to find out if the schools and library could work together on the program. Contact Allison Wineberg for more information at alison.wineberg@dpi.wi.gov.

Book Reviews

2011-02-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Sixteen-year-old Mackie Doyle struggles with a strange, debilitating illness that makes him miss out on most of the fun of high school. Throughout the story, Mackie discovers that he is a changeling, who was left in the crib of a human child stolen by the fairy folk. In the town of Gentry, this is a familiar, unspoken occurrence that is linked to the continued prosperity of the community as it happens every seven years. The changeling usually dies within a few months of being left with the humans. But Mackie survived. When his friend suffers an infant sibling’s death, and claims loudly that the infant is still alive, no one believes her--except for Mackie. In his search to understand himself, he stumbles into the underground world of the fairy folk, discovering his roots, his legacy, and the baby girl missing from Gentry. Together with his friends at school, Mackie attempts to rescue the child before the dreaded day she will be sacrificed to appease the fairy folk.

This debut novel was very well written, and proved to be a compelling read. I enjoyed it, while at the same time found the story unsettling. Mackie is a likable character, as are his friends, Roswell and Tate. The author presents fairy lore in a different light that is dark and disturbing, giving a fresh new take to the usual ‘I’m different from everyone else and no one understands me’ scenario that can be overused in the young adult genre. In this case, the author has created a new ‘monster’ that we can identify with and root for as he struggles with his desire to be normal and "human."

- Lily Silver, Stephenson Public Library

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

I heard about this book during a book talk by Karol Sacca at the ARSL Conference. She said it was one of her favorite teen books of all time and that you should have kleenex next to you when reading it.

Caitlin, an 11-year-old girl who has Asperger's, now has to live her life without her older brother, Devon. (How he died is revealed later in the book). So now it's just Caitlin and her father, who isn't very much help to her. Caitlin especially has a hard time accepting and moving past her brother's death. When Caitlin reads the definition of "closure," she makes it a priority to see that she gets it - if only it was that easy.

This is an excellent read for teens and adults. Sometimes Caitlin's behavior, even though it couldn't be helped, made me want to pull out my hair. I found myself empathizing with Caitlin, her father and anyone who tried to help them. I also loved that Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," is referenced in the book, and the connections Erskine makes between Scout and Caitlin. This is a moving, beautiful story told in Caitlin's "black and white" perspective. And Karol was right - I did tear up at times.

- Jamie Matczak, NFLS

Grant Opportunities

2011-02-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and libraries that offer literacy programs in communities served by Dollar General in 35 states. Currently the Foundation is accepting grant requests through the following programs: Adult Literacy Grants support nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance. Family Literacy Grants support family literacy service providers that combine parent and youth literacy instruction. Summer Reading Grants help nonprofit organizations and libraries with the implementation or expansion of summer reading programs for students who are new readers, below grade level readers, or readers with learning disabilities. Online applications must be submitted by February 24, 2011. Visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.dollargeneral.com/dgliteracy/pages/grant_programs.aspx to access guidelines for each grant program.

The Joyce Foundation supports efforts to protect the natural environment of the Great Lakes; to reduce poverty and violence in the region; and to ensure that its people have access to good schools, decent jobs, and a diverse and thriving culture. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on initiatives that promise to have an impact on the Great Lakes region, specifically the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

The Foundation’s program areas include the following: Education, Employment, Environment, Gun Violence, Money and Politics, and Culture. (Several program areas have specific geographic limitations within the Great Lakes region: K-12 education grantmaking focuses on the cities of Chicago, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee. Early childhood grantmaking focuses on the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Culture grants are primarily provided to organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area.) Letters of inquiry should be submitted six to eight weeks before the proposal deadline. The 2011 proposal deadlines are April 11 and August 17. Visit the Foundation’s website for detailed guidelines for each of the program areas.

More information is available at http://www.joycefdn.org/content.cfm/home.

-CEO, 2/9/11, Issue 354

Teen Tech Week

2011-02-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

Teen Tech Week 2011 is March 6-12!

Teen Tech Week is a national initiative aimed at teens, librarians, educators, parents, and other concerned adults that highlights nonprint resources at the library. The 2011 theme — Mix and Mash @ your library — focuses on encouraging teens to use library resources to express their creativity by developing their own unique online content and safely sharing it by using online collaborative tools.

The YALSA website has TONS of program ideas, publicity tools and resources!

SRP Planning Workshop 2011

2010-11-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

SAVE THE DATE!

The 2011 SRP Planning Workshop will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2011 !

This year's fun workshop will be held at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay.

I'm ecstatic that our morning presenter will be Marge Loch-Waters, Youth Services Manager of the La Crosse Public Library and 2010 WLA Librarian of the Year! She'll cover plenty of ideas and stories for the upcoming theme, "One World, Many Stories."

Don't miss this day of laughter, ideas, prizes, food and fun! Times and more details to follow!

Book Reviews

2010-11-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

Lock and Key

by Sarah Dessen
This was my first Sarah Dessen book and I really really liked it. The main character, Ruby, wears a necklace with a key on it that becomes symbolic of letting go of her past and embracing her future. Ruby is in high school and is abandoned by her mother. She ends up living with Cora, her older sister, who has a completely different lifestyle, a wonderful husband, and an interesting young male neighbor who befriends Ruby.

I love characters, and this book is studded with interesting ones. Among them are the boy who tutors Ruby in calculus, the woman who hires Ruby to work with her in the mall, and the young woman who works at the movie theater and becomes her friend. Ruby is shedding her old life gradually and living fully in her new life.

The book is very sweet and ties up very nicely at the end but is also very realistic. I love books about second chances. This is an author to watch!

Does My Head Look Big In This?

by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Yes, I judged this book by its cover and I knew I had to read it. Even though fictional, I learned so much about the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, and I ended up being so proud of Amal for wearing it.

With humor and poignancy, the author does a marvelous job of portraying young adulthood and what it is like for young people to stand up for their religion. I was given an attitude adjustment, also, as I have had a terrible aversion to the hijab (thinking that it oppresses women) without taking the time to learn more about it. This book shows how the clash of the "old world" and the "modern world" happens to all of us. Also, Amal's growing friendship with a grumpy Greek woman reflects very well how everyone fights hard to assimilate and everyone prizes family life.

The book is set in Australia which brings its own culture to bear in the story. Very interesting! A particularly wonderful scene is when Amal is asked to give insight about terrorist bombings in Bali because she is Muslim and she counters, if someone is Catholic should we have them talk about the Ku Klux Klan or the IRA? Great read!

- Elizabeth Timmins, Muehl Public Library, from Goodreads.com

Webinar on Teen Advisory Boards

2010-11-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

Most experts suggest that having a teen advisory board is a critical step to reaching teens and bringing them into the library. But how do you recruit? How do you harness all that energy and enthusiasm effectively? How do you maintain the interest?

Join Georgia Jones, New Richmond; Carol Hardin, Hudson; and Colleen Zertler, Menomonie as they discuss what has worked (and not worked) with their teen groups.

Title:		Teen Advisory Boards

Date:		Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Time:		12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/356682675

This webinar is being sponsored by the Indianhead Federated Library System.

Signing CD Available!

2010-11-12T08:40:00.000-08:00

Rhonda Puntney of the Lakeshores Library System provided me with a copy of the CSLP signing cd. I saw a snippet of it in September, and it's excellent!

If you are interested in receiving a copy for your library, contact Jamie!

Wisconsin Prison Literacy Project

2010-11-12T08:37:00.001-08:00

Correctional libraries face unique challenges that other libraries may not, but they still strive to promote a lifelong love of learning and reading. These libraries, located in state prisons and county jails, are in serious need of materials and would greatly appreciate donations from other libraries, publishers, the public, and other sources to help build and maintain diverse and timely collections.

Recognizing the importance of literacy skills for successful re-entry by Wisconsin prisoners, the Wisconsin Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND), in partnership with the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Instruction, has created a sub-committee on prisons to assist correctional libraries by collecting and distributing books for inmates in our state facilities.

Books must be in good condition and match the subject areas identified by the Department of Corrections librarians. Public, private and academic libraries and other sources are encouraged to donate books to support this project.

COLAND really needs your help in enhancing these collections for the inmates to further their ability to read and improve their quality of life.

Further information, including requested subject areas and delivery instructions, can be viewed here.

Roslyn M. Wise
Executive Staff Assistant
Department of Public Instruction
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

One World, Many Stories Sites

2010-11-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

Dining Customs of Different Cultures - What are some foods that non-Americans find interesting? What are dining customs in other countries like?

Table Manners Across Cultures - Video of table manners of other cultures.

Teach about Other Cultures Through Food - Cultural history lesson plans.

-CEO, Issue 350, October 29, 2010

Bits from Barb

2010-11-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

Sign Language SLP Training Video

CSLP offers a sign language training video so that librarians who want to use some appropriate signs in their programs will have a way to learn them. Rhonda Puntney, Lakeshores, and I, again worked on the development of the 2011 video. Rhonda was the 2009 Chair of the Diversity Committee, of which I am also a member. The video will be made available on the CSLP web page to other states for free download. However, Rhonda has made one copy for each System in Wisconsin. See post "Signing CD Available!" for more information on getting a cd.

Foreign Language Training Video

Rhonda Puntney also worked with Anne Horjus, Baraboo, to produce a set of training videos for librarians who want to use the songs, games and words in other languages that appear in the manual. These segments are included on the DVD that came with the manuals. There is a technical problem with the French segment which is being resolved. The corrected version will be available on the CSLP. Rhonda will let us know when it's ready. Many thanks to Rhonda and Anne for this new training option.

SLP Web Page Has Been Updated

DLTCL's web page has been updated. It's a good place to go to get information about upcoming programs. There are numerous links to make it easier to find things you might need. And the SLP handouts have been updated with this year's artwork. Visit the web page at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/slp.html.

Tapping Youth Participation to Strengthen Library Services On Line Course.

Utilizing teen input in a respectful and practical manner is a challenge at any library, yet it has countless rewards. Through this Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) e-course, participants will learn practical ways to work with teens to improve library services. Participants will learn the benefits of teen participation and engagement in the library, and will examine examples of youth participation in collection development, programming and planning of physical/virtual spaces. In addition, participants will learn methods of incorporating youth participation into the administrative levels in public libraries and school libraries and into the community. The instructor will be Amy Alessio, the Teen Coordinator at the Schaumburg Township District Library, and has worked with teens for the past 12 years. The cost is $135 YALSA members For more information go to www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=oloc&Template=/Conference/ConferenceList.cfm&ConferenceTypeCode=L

- Barb Huntington, System Youth Services Liaison Posting, November 2010

Teen Brown Bag

2010-10-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

Gather with other Teen Librarians and share stories and swap ideas!

Friday, October 22, 2010 ; 12 pm
NFLS Meeting Room
515 Pine St. Green Bay, WI

You bring your lunch! NFLS will provide drinks and dessert!
Door prizes will also be drawn!

Call or email Jamie at NFLS to register!
920-448-4413, jmatczak@mail.nfls.lib.wi.us

AskAway for Young Adult Librarians

2010-10-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

Young adults from grades 6 through 12 remain among the heaviest users of AskAway. For this reason, Wisconsin Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning, will be hosting informational webinars for young adult librarians. The session is designed to familiarize participants with AskAway and QuestionPoint, with a focus on the ways in which young adults use the service.

Thursday, October 21, 10:00am - 11:00am
Follow these steps:
1. Copy this address and paste into your web browser: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi/join
2. Copy and paste the required information:
Meeting ID: T2B8CM
Entry Code: w Location: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/wi_dpi

3. Dial the conferencing service directly, and enter the participant code shown below:
Toll-free: +1-8773817791
Participant Code: 6835744167

If you cannot enter the meeting, contact support.

Allison Coshenet

Reference Librarian

Resources for Libraries & Lifelong Learning

Stanley the Summer Reading Sturgeon

2010-10-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

Between June 11th and September 1st, our Summer Reading/Story Hour  participants, grade 3 and under, kept track of how many books they read  or were read to them.  For each 5 books read, the child's name was  placed on a "scale" to complete our sturgeon, Stanley.


When the program was complete on September 1st,  Stanley's body  consisted of 281 scales, which represent a total of 1,405 books read.


We're thrilled with the results of our reading program.  We will be  using this idea again; we're thinking of incorporating it into quilt  squares (and a real quilt) this fall/winter season.  Ann Ammerman, Suring

Call for 2012 Teen Manual Ideas

2010-10-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

Patti Sinclair has sent out a call for ideas for the 2012
 teen manual ideas. 
 
"Own the Night"
2012 Teen Summer Library Program Manual
Please send ideas (or expand on those below) by Dec. 1, 2010.

Send your ideas to:
Patti Sinclair
306 Virginia Terrace
Madison, WI  53726
608 231-2467
trishsinclair@sbcglobal.net
 
- Barb Huntington, DLTCL

Grassroots Meeting Set for September 16th!

2010-07-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Grassroots Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 16; 1- 4 pm
NFLS Meeting Room
3 CE Credits

1 - 2:30 pm: Books, Programs & Displays!
Ruhama Kordatzky Bahr, youth librarian consultant, will present the best of the best in children's non-fiction, and show you ways to incorporate these selections into programs or cool displays! Don't miss this dynamic presenter!

3 - 4 pm: Swap
Bring an idea, photo, program or something you'd like to share from the summer!

Register online today!
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEdiaHdhVWxwMkJiT0ZvMTJ5a3ZQSXc6MQ

Call Jamie if you have questions!

New Children's Book Festival Coming to Sheboygan

2010-07-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

An exciting new event for children, parents and anyone who loves children's literature is coming to the greater Sheboygan area this fall. The first annual Sheboygan Children's Book Festival, October 15-17, will bring exceptional children's book authors and illustrators to the community for a celebration of books, reading, writing and art.

"The Sheboygan Children's Book Festival will provide opportunities for children and adults to connect with successful, creative authors and illustrators and become inspired by their works and experiences," said Karin Menzer, youth services manager at Mead Public Library. Mead Public Library will host a number of author/illustrator presentations and workshops during the festival.

The children's book festival, which includes the grand opening celebration for Bookworm Gardens, will be part of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center's /Sheboygan Shindig/, October 15-21. The /Sheboygan Shindig/ is an arts and literary extravaganza that will feature the opening of the major exhibition, /Animal Instinct/, plus entertainment, live animals, art-making workshops, special tours and symposia and more.

Some of the outstanding and award-winning authors and illustrators scheduled to take part in the festival are: Avi, the author of more than 70 books for children, including the /Poppy/ series and /The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle/; Kathi Appelt, whose books include /The Underneath, Keeper,/ and the /Bubba and Beau/ picture books; and Wisconsin's own Lois Ehlert, much-loved author and illustrator of colorful and inventive nature-themed books for young children, including /Waiting for Wings, Planting a Rainbow, /and her newest book, /Lots of Spots/. Humorous poet and illustrator Calef Brown (/Polkabats and Octopus Slacks/, /Flamingoes on the Roof: Poems and Paintings)/ and Madison author/illustrator David McLimans (/Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet /and /Gone Fishing: Ocean Life by the Numbers) /are also among the notable authors and illustrators who are scheduled to participate.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Sheboygan Children's Book Festival to Wisconsin's literary stage. The Festival will engage young readers, encourage their love of books and cultivate the habit of families reading together and sharing stories," said Alison Jones Chaim, Director of the Wisconsin Book Festival, a program of the Wisconsin Humanities Council.

The Sheboygan Children's Book Festival is being planned and presented by community members and local organizations that support reading and the visual and literary arts. Partners include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Mead Public Library, Bookworm Gardens, University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan, Next Chapter Bookshop in Mequon, Eastern Shores Library System, the Sheboygan Area and Kohler school districts, and the Family Resource Center of Sheboygan County.

The book festival is supported by donations, sponsorships and grants. All book festival events will be free and open to the public. "The Sheboygan Children's Book Festival will offer children and teens the rare opportunity to meet and talk directly with some of the best children's book creators in the country," said Jo Ann Dent, co-chair of the organizing committee. "Donations of any size are welcome and allow this wonderful opportunity to be available to all children and families."

Visit the website for more information. Author and illustrator biographies, book lists, and the event schedule will be updated as new information is announced. Visitors to the site can sign up for email updates or make a donation.

The Sheboygan Children's Book Festival is funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Wisconsin. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports public programs that engage the people of Wisconsin in the exploration of human cultures, ideas and values.

The Sheboygan Shindig is supported in part by a Joint Effort Marketing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

"Read 'Em Their Writes" Workshop

2010-07-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Lakeshores Library System presents “READ ‘EM THEIR WRITES”, a continuing education opportunity on Tuesday, August 10, 2010.

The workshop will be held at the Waterford Public Library, 101 North River Street, Waterford, WI.

Registration will be 9:00-9:30 and we’ll begin at 9:30 and end at noon. The workshop will be presented by Gary Warren Niebuhr, the director of the Greendale Public Library and the author of several books on mystery and crime fiction readers advisory. He’ll provide information on starting mystery and crime fiction book clubs, how to elect books and recommend titles for discussion.

To register, contact Rhonda Puntney at the LLS office at rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us or 262-514-4500 x67. Please register by Friday, August 6th.

CCBC Shorts

2010-07-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

The South Central Library System is working in collaboration with the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) on a series of webinars on selected new children’s titles called “CCBC Shorts.” The first set in the series was recently completed. The series is archived on the CCBC website.

The second session will begin on August 18. The webinars are free and open to all librarians, teachers, and others interested in children’s literature in Wisconsin. Register here!

- Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 36 -- June 17, 2010

Favorite Websites

2010-07-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

SunGuard Man

Now that school's out and summer's here, kids will be outside and exposed to the sun's rays. Make sure that they and their parents know how to be "sun smart." Start your tour by clicking on the red tabs at the top of each page. Kids can find out what UV radiation is and why they need to protect themselves from it, what their chances of getting skin cancer are, how to prevent skin cancer, why it's important to use sunscreen, the dangers of tanning beds/booths, and how to do a skin self-exam. Check out the "Games & Activities" on the navbar, where you can try your hand at shooting down some nasty UV rays in "Ray-Zin-Noma Attacks the Ballpark." The "Adventures of SGM" contains six animated cartoon episodes with cool sounds and music. Don't miss the "Teacher Resources," which include PDF handouts, flyers, a teacher's guide, and even a ready-to-use PowerPoint presentation. Finally find out what the current UV index is in your area of the country by clicking on the map at the bottom of the navbar. Kids can have fun in the sun if they're SunGuard Man smart! (SLJ’s Extra Helping, 6/8/10)

A Place of Our Own

The multiple award-winning PBS television series, website and outreach program, A Place of Our Own, and the Spanish language version, Los Niños en su Casa is aimed at child caregivers including parents, grandparents, daycare workers, and nannies. The goal is to give child caregivers a supportive and informative place to turn for help with the important task of caring for children of their own or someone else's. Visitors to the website will find that topics for the week, Monday-Friday, can be viewed and selected on the homepage. Each day there is a new topic covered, such as getting kids to share. The topic begins as question sent in from a child caregiver, and then answered by the show's host, someone in the medical community such as a pediatrician or a therapist, parents, or other caregivers. For more responses, visitors can join the discussion by going to the "Message Board". Visitors will find a helpful "featured activity" that relates to the topic, such as making box structures to encourage sharing among children. Sometimes a topic even has a "featured video", such as the video offered on separation anxiety. (Copyright 2010 Internet Scout Project - http://scout.wisc.edu, 7/8/10)

Laura's Life

Laura is 4th grader at Stonegate Elementary School in Zionsville, Indiana, and lives "in the middle of nowhere", rural Indiana. As a second grader she decided to read all the Newbery Medal winners before she got to middle school, which for her starts in 5th grade. She reached her goal with time to spare. At the ALA conference last month, Laura was able to meet Rebecca Stead, Rodman Philbrick, members of the ALA Executive Board and the ALSC board, and attend the Newbery Caldecott banquet and shared these experiences on her blog.

Digital Comic Museum

For well over a century, comic books have been the stuff of childhood pastimes. Some people never grow tired of comics, and this website might be just the tonic they are looking for. The Digital Comic Museum presents hundreds of unique comics in their original format, and visitors will need to complete a short registration form before they get started here. The works here were published decades ago by long-gone companies such as the Croydon Publishing Company and Key Publications. Visitors can make their way through 1950s classics like "Black Cobra" and other gems, including the war-time classic "Joe Yank" and "Sparky Watts", who was billed as the "World's Strongest Funny Man". Scholars of this commercial art form may also find the site quite useful, as it provides a look into a number of rather obscure comic book titles. (Copyright 2010 Internet Scout Project - http://scout.wisc.edu, 6/11/10)

Tactile Graphics Available

2010-05-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Many states are able to contact their Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for assistance with having items Brailled or print images created in tactile graphics that can be felt. However, many librarians, and some state consultants, indicated they did not have easy access to Braille and tactile graphic services. The CSLP Diversity Committee has arranged for any CSLP member to have a set of tactile graphics based on activities in the 2010 CSLP manual.

These materials have been made available through the cooperation of the Outreach Department of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The Center staff, under the direction of Stacy Grandt, helped select and redesign appropriate materials that will work with children who are blind as well as children with vision impairments who use tactile graphics.

The set will include 6 tactile graphic sheets.

1) The Word Find from page 128.

2) The Parrot Pattern from page 164.

3) The Skull and Crossbones Pattern from page166.

4) The Fish Pattern from page 191.

5) The Shell Game from page 197.

6) The Smiling Crocodile Pattern from page 223.

The cost of the set will be $20.00. There will be no shipping costs.

If you have any questions about tactile graphics contact Rhonda Puntney at rpuntney@lakeshores/lib.wi.us or Barbara Huntington at barbara.huntington@dpi.wi.gov. If you have any questions about ordering tactile graphics the contact information for Stacy Grandt is on the bottom of the order form.

Please let me know if you're interested in seeing the sample set!

Orders can be placed online at www.wamp.k12.wi.us.

Book Reviews

2010-05-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

Romeow & Drooliet by Nina Laden

Outstanding! A cat and dog fall in love and are secretly married by a mouse. Similar to Romeo and Juliet until the end (yippee!). Drooliet is near death when Romeow saves her in the only way a cat can! Very clever and poetic, too! Great introduction to the real play.

Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor
by Emily Arnold McCully
A great book for Women's History Month!! Thanks to Colette & Kim for showing me this book, right on our library shelves, about Margaret Knight who invented the machine that makes the common paper bag. She was an inventor all her life and nicknamed "Lady Edison". Too cool!

~ Elizabeth Timmins, Muehl Public Library

Outreach Services Award

2010-05-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

The Outreach Services Round Table (OSRT) is now accepting applications for the
Frances de Usabel Outreach Services Award. This $500 award is presented annually at the WLA Conference to a “library or librarian who has provided exemplary library outreach services to underserved populations."

The award is named in honor of the former Special Needs Consultant for the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning, Frances de Usabel. Frances worked diligently and successfully to advance outreach services in Wisconsin public libraries for many years. Public, academic, school or special libraries and librarians are all eligible and encouraged to apply for this award.

The application is due Thursday, July 1.

More SLP Resources

2010-05-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

With summer reading fast approaching, YSS has been compiling SLP resources and posting them on the YSS website.

Some of the links are to handouts and resources from last year's WLA pre-conference, but we've also including resources we've been gathering from all of you.

-Jill Lininger

Stephenson Library Kicks Off R.E.A.C.H. a Child

2010-05-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

Through the R.E.A.C.H. a Child organization, the Stephenson Public Library is teaming up with the Marinette Fire Department, Police Department, Bay Area Medical Center Ambulance Services, and the Friends of the Library to put books in the hands of local children experiencing crisis situations. The goal of this endeavor is to put a smile on a child's face in the midst of a personal catastrophe, including domestic violence calls, house fires, car accidents, home displacement, and other traumatic events.

The big kickoff for this program will be held in the Children's Room of the Library on Thursday, May 27 at 3:30pm. The children's book author and co-founder of R.E.A.C.H. a Child, Paul Gilbertson, will be reading his books and talking about the program to anyone who wants to come. Hopefully, many children and their parents will be here to support this initiative. Representatives from the Fire Department, Police Department, and Friends of the Library will also be in attendance.

Contact Mariel at 715-732-7570 for more information.

Website Faves

2010-05-25T05:31:00.000-07:00

Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917

This website is the online version of the current blockbuster exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917. The exhibition is a curator's delight - an in-depth examination of a specific, productive period in Matisse's long career. The exhibit is an opportunity to bring together works never seen before in the same place and many of the paintings in the exhibit were conserved before the show, dark varnishes removed, and colors brightened. Twenty-one works have been selected for the online exhibit, including Bathers by a River, one of Matisse's largest paintings. There is also a video of the installation of this large painting in the new modern wing at AIC, as well as a curators' overview. (Internet Scout Report, 5/7/10)

Neil Gaiman on Libraries - The Book Case

Gaiman explains why he believes that in these difficult economic times, despite the glut of free information from the net, "libraries are as important as they have ever been, and they may be more important than they have ever been." (Neat New Stuff I Found This Week, http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html, Copyright, Marylaine Block, 1999-2009,4/23/10)

Road Trip Planning - Tips, Resources and Advice

Offers advice on all aspects of road trip planning, including routes, destinations, road food, road trip gear, a fuel cost calculator, and lots more. Learn from other road trip adventurers and contribute yourself on the forum. (Neat New Stuff I Found This Week, http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html, Copyright, Marylaine Block, 1999-2009, 4/23/10)

Ruhama’s Blog: C2E2 Evaluation

Jennifer Wharton, Sara Soukup, Ruhama and I attended C2E2 in Chicago last month. In addition the expo, several sessions of interest to librarians were presented that day. Here’s Ruhama’s blog entry about our day.

- CEO, Youth Services Update, Issue 342, May 10, 2010

Book Reviews

2010-05-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

How You Got So Smart by: David Milgrim

From infant to child, you have a come a long, long way! This book reveals just how you got as smart as you are. You watched and listened. Chewed on things. Explored and asked lots of questions. You investigated, made friends, and were very brave. Each and every step taught you something, and that is what made you so very smart. This jolly book takes a humorous but sincere look at how babies grow into amazing children every day.

Milgrim’s success with this book is in its tone. It is funny but really honest and truthful about what makes each of us smart. The best part is that it is about normal children, who all grow in their own way, who all explore, who all invent. Every child will see themselves here and relate effortlessly to the book. Milgrim’s illustrations add to the humor. They also bring the necessary bright colors and charm.

Perfect spring reading for classes of children who are advancing to the next grade. This reminds everyone that they are special and smart. Appropriate for ages 4-7, older as a treat read-aloud around graduation time.

Sylvia's Long Thumbelina
by: Sylvia Long

Enter the world of Thumbelina as depicted by award-winning illustrator Sylvia Long. This is a classic tale of the tiny Thumbelina and her birth to a woman desperate to have a child. Thumbelina is beautiful and is stolen by a toad to marry her son. She is kept on a lily pad until the wedding is prepared. The fish in the pond chew her lily pad free. She then seeks shelter from the winter cold with a field mouse who decides that she should wed her neighbor, a mole. Thumbelina discovers a bird in the tunnels that is supposedly dead, but that she nurses back to health. In the spring, the bird returns to save her from a marriage to the mole. He carries her to a special place where winter never comes and where she discovers others just her size, including a handsome prince.

Long has not only beautifully illustrated this classic tale, she has also created a very readable version of the story. It is cleanly written, making if useful for classrooms or families looking for a version to share. Long’s illustrations are jewel toned and delicate. The small details that fill the book help tell more of the story. The closeups of dragonflies, the bird and fairies are entrancing. She has created a tale filled with color and beautiful perspectives and compositions.

Highly recommended, this book with its small heroine and classic story will entrance those new to the story and become a favorite of those of us who already love the tale. Appropriate for ages 4-8.

~ by Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library
Read more of Tasha's reviews on her KidsLit blog.

CCBC Presentation on June 9

2010-05-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

The CCBC will be doing its "Choices" presentation on Wednesday, June 9, from 1 - 3:30 pm!

Sign up with us today!

PSA for "Make a Splash"

2010-05-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

I just received the PSA DVD for the Summer Reading Program.

A copy will be sent to each Green Bay station.

If you would like a copy for your library, please let me know.

The PSA's are now available to order

through the CSLP/Upstart order outlets.

These may be ordered on-line (through the CSLP website),

by fax (800-448-5828),

or by phone (800-448-4887).

The available formats and product item numbers are:

o       DVD format K2W-H165187 @ 2.75 each

o       VHS format K2W-H165188 @ 3.50 each

o       Continuous VHS Loop format K2W-H165189 @ 5.00 each

o       Beta format K2W-H165186 @ 35.00

o       Digi Beta format K2w-H172898 @ 55.00 each

DVD Pro format will be available in the near future. Please call customer service at

1-800-448-4887 if this is the format you need to order.

The PSAs are also loaded on the CSLP website to preview or download.

If you have questions, please contact Karen Balsen, Karen Day, or Upstart.

----

Karen M. Day, Administrative Service Agency

Collaborative Summer Library Program

22 North Georgia, Suite 208

Mason City, IA 50401-3435

karen.day@cslpreads.org

641-423-0005 - voice/fax

866-657-8556 - toll free

http://www.cslpreads.org

Bits from Barb

2010-05-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

Water Songs and Finger Play Resources

If librarians are looking for a last minute finger play or song about mermaids, sailors, or star fish they might find it on the list compiled for the fall SLP Workshop. The list is available on the YSS web page.

Materials Alternate Formats

Books in alternate formats are available through the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library. Enid Gruszka developed the lists for the state based on work done by the CSLP Diversity Committee. The list is available at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/slp.html .

Every system will be receiving a set of tactile graphics created for the 2010 theme at the Special Needs Meeting in May. These sets are available through the Wisconsin School for the Blind Outreach Office. They were created under the direction of Stacy Grant who is the Director of the Outreach Services Office. The sets cost $20 each.

CSLP Rules of Use

Please ask your librarians to review the newest Rules of Use regarding the CSLP clip art. One change mentioned at the Annual Meeting earlier this month was that there is more flexibility in terms of allowing outside vendors to use the CSLP art to create custom items that are not offered by CSLP. This means if a library wants a specific cloth bag with the sponsors on it, they may be able to get permission to have another vendor do the custom work for them. The item must be substantially different than what Upstart offers. The process involves asking Upstart to do the work first, they have the right of first refusal. There is a form to complete if a library wants to request permission to go to another vendor. The form is available on the CSLP web page. If anyone needs help finding the form or has questions, have them contact me.

Another change is that libraries may now sell CSLP items at a small profit if the profit supports the educational purposes of the organization. In the past Friends Groups and libraries could sell CSLP items only at cost.

Grants

Target Grant For Literacy and Youth

Through its 2010 Store Grant program, Target will provide direct support to K-12 schools and other nonprofit organizations that foster a love of reading and provide art experiences. In the Early Childhood Reading category, Target will fund programs that foster a love of reading and encourage young children, preschool through third grade, to read together with their families. Reading grants support programs such as library storytimes and family reading nights. In the Art and Culture in Schools category, Target will fund in-school arts programs that enhance student's classroom curriculum by bringing arts and cultural experiences such as in-school performances, artist-in-residency programs, and workshops to schools.

To be eligible, an applicant organization must be federally tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a school, a library, or a public agency. Grants in the amount of $2,000 each will be made for programs taking place between September 1, 2010, and August 1, 2011.

Teen Read Week Mini Grants

YALSA launched its Teen Read Week 2010 Web site on April 15 (Support Teen Literature Day). In addition to free registration, visitors to the Teen Read Week Web site can find activity ideas relating to this year's theme, planning resources, publicity tools and applications for Teen Read Week Mini Grants.Teen Read Week will be celebrated Oct. 17-23, with a theme of Books with Beat @ your library, which encourages teens to read poetry, audiobooks, books about music and more, for the fun of it.

- Barbara Huntington, System Youth Services Liaison Posting, April/May 2010

PLA Session: Equal Access Story time: Story times for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

2010-05-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

I was very interested in attending this session, because one out of every 100 children falls somewhere on the autism spectrum. With this type of prevalence, libraries really do need to start looking at ways to serve these individuals in unique ways. Facilitators Jean Herriges and Ed Koetitz from San Jose Public Library really saw this need in their communities and decided to write for a grant to get materials to run an inclusive story time.

When they wrote for the grant, one big part of the funding was used to purchase Boardmaker software. Boardmaker is a system of pictures that is used to represent different concepts to individuals who have communication disabilities such as autism. Like sign language, these pictures are almost becoming universal, used in schools and therapy programs for children who qualify for services such as early childhood programs or line therapy. Typically, the pictures are printed on small cards with Velcro on the back and are placed on a hard folder to communicate a series of events or concepts. Children who may not often use, or have a good understanding of words can look at the pictures, and associate them with a certain action. These communication cards or “PEC” cards as they are called, not only assist in communication, they also establish a clear schedule or routine when they are placed in a certain order. A child can remove the PEC when the action has been completed and it reduces the anxiety of the next scheduled action or event.

The inclusive story time takes advantage of these PEC communication cards by using them in the stories. Large books used specifically for story times were torn apart, and specially laminated so that PEC cards would easily stick to the outside of the page. When the story was read, and concepts were introduced a PEC card would be adhered to the story so that the card that the child was familiar with was reinforcing a concept of the story.

But this wasn’t the only thing that the librarians incorporated into their inclusive story times. They offered a preregistration for parents concerned about auditory, visual or tactile issues their children may have. With close communication with the librarians, the story times could be adapted on certain weeks depending on the children’s needs (ex. No sticky glues would be used with children who have tactile issues, loud musical instruments for kids with sound issues, etc.). Other things that they incorporated included a “track” area in the back where kids could stand if they had difficulty sitting for long periods of time. Concrete and clear language was also used as part of the story times, as well as a PEC schedule so children would know what to expect.

This as a very informative session, and there were a few more ideas that were circulated because it was a round table. If you want more information, contact me and I can provide a list of other suggestions the libraries had.

~ Jennifer Thiele, Marinette Consolidated Library System

SRP Webliography

2010-05-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

Rhonda Puntney from the Lakeshores Library System compiled a list of her favorite websites from the Summer Reading Program. You can access and download it on scribd. It's sorted by categories. Thanks, Rhonda!

MAKE A SPLASH READ Webliography

Future Themes!

2010-04-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

Barb Huntington and Rhonda Puntney recently attended the annual CSLP Meeting in Seattle, where the 2012 themes were decided.

Children’s: Dream Big – Read

Teen’s: Own the Night

Adult: Between the Covers

2013 General concept is “Underground."

Karla's Reviews

2010-04-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman, Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

An entire book of poems about colors and weather ~ how can it possibly keep the reader's interest? I was skeptical.

However, Joyce Sidman's images are so evocative and so crisp, that I was completely captivated. "In spring, Red sings from treetops: cheer-cheer-cheer, each note dropping like a cherry into my ear/Red turns the maples feathery, sprouts in rhubarb spears; Red squirms on the road after rain." I read the whole thing cover to cover in one sitting. Pamela Zagarenski's fanciful and colorful illustrations perfectly enhance the images in the poems. What a delight! (Children's)

Hold Still
by Nina LaCour

Caitlin's best friend, Ingrid, commits suicide, and all Caitlin is left with is her journal. She has to try to make sense of Ingrid's senseless death. Caitlin's process of grieving and coming back to life herself is gracefully and poignantly drawn. A lovely, sad, but ultimately hopeful read. (YA)

~ by Karla Giraldéz, BCL- Southwest

CCBC Choices and Workshop

2010-04-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

The 2010 CCBC Choices books have been distributed to member libraries. The Choices presentation will take place this summer!

CCBC Choices Workshop
Wednesday, June 9; 1 - 3:30 pm
NFLS Meeting Room

Websites Faves

2010-04-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

AdViews: A Digital Archive of Vintage Television Commercials

While watching television commercials might seem like a form of torture to some, this amazing archive is a treasure trove for those with an interest in media studies and popular culture. The AdViews digital archive consists of several thousand vintage television commercials from the 1950s through 1980s, and it is part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History at Duke University. First-time visitors should check out the "About" area for a bit more background on the project, and then type in some keywords like "peanuts" or "toothpaste" into the search engine. The results are returned in a grid format, and the commercials are played back via iTunes. The "AdViews Expert Interviews" area contains talks with former advertising executives, professors of marketing, and media studies experts. The site also has a nice blog that highlights new items in the collection and a quiz to "Test Your Ad Knowledge." (Copyright 2010 Internet Scout Project, http://scout.wisc.edu, 3/19/10)

StoryCorps: Recording The Lives of Everyday Americans

StoryCorps' mission is to provide "Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives". Since 2003, 50,000 Americans have taken that opportunity, and some of their stories can be heard on NPR's radio show, Morning Edition. The StoryCorps website has links to over a dozen stories on its homepage, along with photos of those key to the story. To "Read the StoryCorps Blog", visitors should go to the menu on the right side of the page, under "Follow Us Online, On The Road". The stories of these Americans range from heart-rending to humorous. Some of the titles include "A Boy Raises a Man-And Becomes One Himself", about a 16-year-old who raises his son as a single dad; "Boy Scout Tells Leader Why He Stayed 25 Years", about a Boy Scout troop for special needs scouts; and "Coping With Memory Loss as it Spans Generations", about a 55-year-old woman who has early onset Alzheimer's disease, and is dealing with her mother, who also has Alzheimer's. (Copyright 2010 Internet Scout Project, http://scout.wisc.edu, 3/19/10)

Heritage Preservation

The Heritage Preservation: The National Institute for Conservation is a 30-year-old non-profit in Washington, DC, that is concerned with preserving the treasures of the United States that are already in institutions, such as museums, historical societies, and libraries, as well as those historical treasures that are in people's homes, basements, and attics. Their website is comprehensive, and lists the programs they run to help accomplish this monumental task. Under the "Programs" tab visitors will find links to the "Conservation Assessment Program" and "Heritage Emergency National Task Force", which is like FEMA for historical objects. "Rescue Public Murals" and "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" are also programs the Heritage Preservation runs. Visitors can see photographs of "Murals That Have Been Lost" and "Murals That Have Been Saved". Finally, the link under "Programs" to the "Heritage Health Index" provides a full online report of the "first comprehensive survey to assess the condition and preservation needs of U.S. collections". (Copyright 2010 Internet Scout Project, http://scout.wisc.edu, 3/19/10)

- CEO, Youth Services Update, Issue 341, April 14, 2010

Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Grants

2010-04-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, Inc. annually awards grants for purchasing books published for young people preschool through grade 12. Grants for 2010 will range from $500 to $3000 and are specifically for children’s book purchases rather than administrative or operational uses.

The LLCF library grant program provides grants for public libraries, school libraries, and charitable organizations [501(c)(3)] that have lending libraries where children up to age 18 may check out books to read or to use for gathering information. We will also consider applications from non-profit abuse centers, rehab centers, detention centers, etc., as long as a lending library is actively maintained on the premises. Only libraries or organizations within the United States, its territories, or commonwealths are eligible. he Foundation gives to libraries or organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need.

The library grant program provides grants for purchasing children’s books. The books may be fiction or non-fiction. The library grant program DOES NOT provide grants for book-donation programs, classroom libraries, atlases, dictionaries, basal readers or similar texts, workbooks or similar instructional tools, or for textbooks or encyclopedias. Grant applications for audio books will be considered only in the cases of children with special needs, where audio books would be particularly appropriate in addressing those needs.

In order for a library to be considered, it must have been in operation for at least three years. County or district library systems cannot apply as a whole; public or school libraries within a county or district system are eligible to apply individually. A link to a downloadable application is available at the Grant Application web page. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2010.

Bits from Barb

2010-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

YSS Webpage Site has SLP Resource Information

Just a reminder that all the handouts for the SLP resources from the State SLP Conference are still available on the YSS page at www.wla.lib.wi.us/yss/summerreading2009.htm. The information includes the DNR contacts for Angler Educators who are willing to do free programs related to fishing this summer, as well as the Aquatic Specialists who are willing to bring a boat and trailer to public libraries interested in doing the "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" story program. Part of the program involves taking the group outside to look for the invaders who are "hiding" on the boat and trailer.

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Five Wisconsin Libraries are on the NFI Top Twitter Libraries

Five Wisconsin public libraries are listed on the NFI's web site of top public libraries on Twitter. NFI Research is a U.S.-based research firm that identifies and analyzes trends and attitudes in business, organizational management, information technology and organizational behavior.
These libraries on the list:
1) regularly update their page and communicate with their followers
2) use Twitter to advance/promote communication with their community
3) have a proportionate number of followers to following and
4) are currently active on Twitter.

100+ Followers
Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee http://twitter.com/MilwaukeePubLib

200+ Followers
Boscobel Public Library, Boscobel http://twitter.com/BoscoLibrary
Lester Public Library, Two Rivers http://twitter.com/lesterpublic
Madison Public Library, Madison http://twitter.com/madisonlibrary

500+ Followers
Oshkosh Public Library, Oshkosh http://twitter.com/oshkoshlibrary

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2010 Best Books for Young Adults

YALSA announced its 2010 list of "Best Books for Young Adults." The list of 90 books recommended for those ages 12-18 meets the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teens. The list comprises a wide range of genres and styles, including contemporary realistic fiction that reflects the diversity of the teen experience, nonfiction that brings to teens an awareness of the world they live in and its history, and fantastical stories told in both narrative and graphic formats. The complete list, including annotations, can be found on the YALSA website at www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/popularpaperback/popularpaperbacks.cfm
—American Libraries Direct, January, 27, 2010

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Ezra Jack Keats Award

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation has issued a call for proposals for $500 mini-grants to public libraries and public schools to support creative programming. The deadline for submission of proposals is September 15., 2010. For more information go to www.ezra-jack-keats.org/programs/minigrant.html
—American Libraries Direct, January, 27, 2010

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Third American Indian Youth Literature Awards announced

The American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of the American Library Association, has selected "A Coyote Solstice Tale" written by Thomas King and illustrated by Gary Clement; "Meet Christopher: An Osage Indian Boy from Oklahoma" by Genevieve Simermeyer, and "Between the Deep Blue Sea by Me: A Novel" by Lurline Wailana McGregor as recipients of the third American Indian Youth Literature Awards.

The winners of the 2010 awards are:
The recipient for Best Picture Book is "A Coyote Solstice Tale," written by Thomas King and illustrated by Gary Clement, published by Groundwood Books, 2009.

For Best Middle School Book, the winner is "Meet Christopher: An Osage Indian Boy from Oklahoma," by Genevieve Simermeyer, with photographs by Katherine Fogden, published by the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution in association with Council Oak Books, 2008.

Best Young Adult Book "Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me: A Novel," by Lurline Wailana McGregor and published by Kamehameha Publishing, 2008.
—American Libraries Direct, January, 27, 2010

- System Youth Services Liaison Posting

March, 2010, Barbara Huntington, DLTCL

Teen Swap!

2010-02-19T14:11:00.001-08:00

Our next Teen Brown Bag will be held from 12 - 2 pm on Wednesday, March 17 at NFLS!

You bring your lunch, and we'll provide beverages!

Swap and get ideas for the theme this summer, "Make Waves."
Please register with Denise at NFLS! 920-448-4410 or dfitzger@mail.nfls.lib.wi.us

SRP Workshop at the Beach!

2010-02-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

The SRP Planning Workshop was held yesterday in the Nature Center of the beautiful Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary!

About 40 librarians were in attendance for live music, presentations, good food, mingling and idea swapping. Everyone had crafts to take home, as well as a tote bag and READ pin. Some of the lucky door prize winners were:

Joan Denis - Spray n Splash Whale
Molly Senechal, Cindy Tuschy - Beach pail, beach towel, toy fishing kits
Cyndie Shaffer - water mattresses
Mariel Carter - BBWS tote bag

Terry Ehle from Lester Public Library shared awesome display and decoration ideas. Molly Johnson talked about the benefits of pet therapy at libraries. Her partner, "Beamish," kept everyone entertained! Cindy Tuschy of Gillett provided lots of other great ideas!

Thanks to all who attended!

See the NFLS Flickr page for photos of the day!

Molly's hand out and recommended reading is available on scribd.
Canines

Below are three videos of the day, that are also available on blip.tv.

Karla's Reviews

2010-02-19T12:44:00.000-08:00

Saving Francesca
By Melissa Marchetta

Francesca is beginning year 11 for the first time at St. Sebastian's, an all-boys school that recently went co-ed. This is at the wishes of her energetic mother, Mia, who wants Francesca to get away from the negative influence of a cliquey group of girls at her old school. At St. Sebastian's, there are 30 girls in a school of 750 boys; Francesca describes it like "either living in a fishbowl or like you don't exist." This is enough of a challenge to be facing, but then her charismatic mother is basically incapacitated by acute depression. Suddenly, everything is falling apart at home, and school is a challenge.

Francesca finds herself trying to cope at home while fighting for rights as a girl in an all-boy school, falling for William Trombel (a rather full of himself year 12 house leader), becoming friends with an unlikely group of girls and boys, and finding out who she is in this new and difficult growing experience.

The Year of Secret Assignments
By Jaclyn Moriarty

Best friends Lydia, Emily, and Cassie have been assigned to write to male pen pals from their rival school for English class. Told entirely in letters, lists, e-mails and other written forms of communication, we see how the relationships between each pair evolve and grow into friendship and then romance. Cassie ends up with a hostile pen pal who plays a cruel trick on her. This causes the five students to come together to teach her pen pal a lesson. Good read for younger teens.

~ Karla Giraldéz, BCL- Southwest

Make a Splash Sites

2010-02-19T12:27:00.000-08:00

With the recent merge of two of my favorite fail-safe resources, the Internet Public Library and the Librarian’s Index to the Internet, I found A LOT of water-related sites that kids with love – all on one page! Here are a few of them:

Staying Safe in the Water

This site has water safety information for swimming pools, lakes and ponds, beaches, and water parks.

The Water Cycle

Have you ever wondered where water comes from, where it goes, and what it does in between? This short fun animation supplies all the answers.

All About Oceans and Seas

Learn all about oceans and seas on the earth, along with finding out answers to questions, such as what causes tides and why is the ocean salty? Information about the water cycle, underwater explorers, and coral reefs is also provided.

NOVA Online – Shark Attack!

Lots of cool facts about sharks! Learn about the shark's six senses. Want to learn even more about sharks? Contains shark-related links. Based on a program originally aired on PBS' NOVA television series.

Jellyfish are Everywhere!

Learn about the different kinds of jellyfish and how to avoid getting stung by one.

Shark Surfari

"Get a kid's-eye view of these ancient fish. Fins surround you, but the only teeth on our cyber sharks are quiz questions that challenge your knowledge--and prejudices.

Cool Kids Fishing

Zoom Sharks

"Online book about sharks that has facts, pictures, print-outs, extreme sharks, and much more."

Pete and Barb’s Penguin Pages

"Inside this site you will find everything you want to know about penguins."

- CEO, Rhonda Puntney, Issue 337, February 9, 2010

Culver's Coloring Contest

2010-02-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

Culver's is continuing their joint National Library Week program with
the YSS and the Wisconsin Library Association.  The program will be the same as in previous years and children will be asked to submit coloring sheets that correspond with the theme "Communities Thrive
@ Your Library."

The program is for children ages 11 and under.
This is an optional program and libraries are not required to participate.

The project runs in April and libraries are free to design the program
that best fits your needs.  Many libraries collect coloring sheets in
the early weeks of the month and then present the prizes to winners,
either chosen through a drawing or by library staff serving as judges,
during National Library Week (April 11-17, 2010). 

Contact Jamie by February 23 if you are interested in participating!

CSLP Suggestions

2010-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:00

Suggestions are needed for the 2012 Children and Teen Slogans.  The general concept is "Night Time."
One slogan that generated a great deal of interest last spring was "Into the Night" for children.

We also need ideas for a general concept for 2013.

Please send ideas to Jamie by February 24th!

SRP Workshop on February 18th!

2010-02-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to register for the SRP Summer Planning Workshop on Thursday, February 18, at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

We'll have music, excellent speakers, give-aways, make-and-take crafts, food and good company!

The weather might be cold and snowy, but we'll be having fun by the beach!

Please register with Denise at NFLS!
(920) 448-4410 or dfitzger@mail.nfls.lib.wi.us

Kids Writers Contest

2010-02-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

Wisconsin Public Television is pleased to announce the 2010 PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest. Through this program, WPT hopes to provide an opportunity for kids to share their stories with guidance and encouragement from their librarians and reading specialists.

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is a national-local contest designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces. It extends the powerful tradition and annual success of the 15-year national “Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.” In the 2009 contest, a WPT participant was a national winner. Her story can be seen at www.wpt.org/kids.

The kickoff for the contest is Wednesday, January 27th and the final date for submissions is Friday, March 26th. We are asking for your help to get your library involved in the contest. You can help broaden our reach of the contest to your patrons by displaying and distributing posters and entry forms at your library. In addition, we invite you to consider organizing a writing event for interested children and their parents. WPT is happy to provide materials for your library to hold an event as well as promotions materials for the contest. Starting in January wpt.org/kids will have helpful story writing resources for facilitators and children. In addition, a new PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest web site at pbskids.org/read will launch in early 2010. WPT will be giving a $50 stipend towards the cost of running the contest in your library.

Please join us in the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest and encourage your kids to write and illustrate their own stories. Thank you and we look forward to reading the work of your children! If you are interested in participating in this years contest, please send an email with your library name, address, and contact information to kids@wpt.org. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lynne Blinkenberg, Kristina Stadler or Jenna Schapiro at 608-265-5035 or email kids@wpt.org.

AskAway for Young Adult and Children’s Librarians

2010-02-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

Young people across Wisconsin are heavy users of the AskAway virtual reference service. They are logging in to chats with AskAway librarians using links found on their local public library website, their school library media center website and on the Department of Public Instruction’s Reference and Loan Library website. This year alone, 30 additional Wisconsin schools have added links to the AskAway service and more schools have expressed an interest in joining up.

The AskAway Wisconsin consortium wants to be sure you’re in the know and up-to-speed on this service so you can respond knowledgeably to any questions your young patrons may have. This is a great opportunity to learn more about a valuable service your patrons are already using.

Please join us for a basic introduction to the AskAway service. We will show you both the librarian’s and the patron’s view of the chat process and describe how the service is organized and supported here in Wisconsin and around the country. We will also share the list of schools hosting AskAway links. We’d love to hear your recommendations for the most effective ways to interact with young patrons in the chat environment.

Registration for the two sessions listed below has not opened yet. Information on registering will be sent to you as soon as it is available. If neither of the sessions are convenient for you, please contact Martha Berninger (at 608-224-6168 or Martha.berninger@dpi.wi.gov) to arrange another time.

Session 1: Friday, February 12^th, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Session 2: Tuesday, February 16^th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Hope you’ll join us!

Martha Farley Berninger, Librarian Supervisor, Reference and ILL

Karla's Reviews

2010-02-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead

If you loved "A Wrinkle in Time" when you were a child, you will love this new take on time travel. Twelve-year-old Miranda has read the book, ""A Wrinkle in Time, hundreds of times. Her copy is worn and old. But when she receives the first note, "I am coming to save your friend's life and my own...", she doesn't know what to make of it. More notes follow, giving proof the mysterious writer knows what will happen to her before it happens. A lovely, thoughtful story that is definitely worthy of its newly won Newberry Award. I couldn't put it down.

Odd and the Frost Giants
by Neil Gaiman

Another winner by Neil Gaiman, this simple story is about a Viking boy with a lucky name who isn't lucky. Odd's father has died, his new stepfather and step-siblings mistreat him, and he has a crippled leg. One endless winter, Odd decides he has had enough and leaves. When he rescues an enormous bear, his luck takes a turn for the better. Enchanted animals turn out to be Norse gods who need Odd’s help to free Asgard from the Frost Giants. Kids will want to read more Norse mythology after finishing this lovely, simple fable.

- Karla Giraldéz, BCL- Southwest

Have you read a children's or YA book recently that you couldn't put down? Write a review for Little Nit Bits!

Bits from Barb

2010-02-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

No Fall SLP Preconference in 2010

The Youth Services Section (YSS) of the Wisconsin Library Association hoped to host an SLP preconference this fall as part of the WLA fall conference. However, the YSS Board has decided that YSS is unable to take on this project in 2010. Five of the seventeen regional systems were willing to contribute funding for a fall conference. The Liaisons from those Systems, the YSS President, and I were involved in an on-line discussion about the feasibility of offering a fall SLP workshop. All of the Liaisons and I have other demands on our time which prevent us from acting as coordinator for a statewide SLP workshop. Because we don't have a coordinator there will not be a 2010 fall SLP preconference. However, several of the systems do host their own fall SLP workshops and these are open to anyone who would care to attend. I will do my best to keep everyone aware of these opportunities.

DNR Fish Wildcards

The DNR Angler Education program's popular "Fish Wildcards" are now available. Librarians can print the whole set of 45 cards that include pictures of game fish, games, knots, basic fish anatomy, a common fish parasite, and a handy trick to estimate a fish's weight with a ruler! To download the cards go to http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/kidsparents/documents/MatchYourCatch.pdf.

If you host a Angler Educator program at the library or take a group fishing with Angler Educators, drop Theresa Stabo a note at thersa.stabo@wisconsin.gov and let her know how it went. I would love to have pictures for Channel.

Big Fish Stories

DNR's EEK! program encourages public librarians to ask children to write stories about the biggest fish they have caught, or that got away. Selected stories will be put on the EEK! web site. For information on how to send in the stories go to http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/cool/bigfish/.

Teen Tech Week

Teen Tech Week 2010 will take place March 7-13. It is a national initiative meant to encourage teens to take advantage of libraries' non-print resources. The theme, "Learn Create Share @ your library," fosters teen creativity and positions the library as a place for safe exploration of many types of technology. For more information go to www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw10/home10.cfm.

American Indian Youth Literature Award

The American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of the American Library Association, has selected the following titles as the recipients of the third American Indian Youth Literature Awards:
"A Coyote Solstice Tale" by Thomas King and illustrated by Gary Clement.
"Meet Christopher: An Osage Indian Boy from Oklahoma" by Genevieve Simermeyer.
"Between the Deep Blue Sea by Me: A Novel" by Lurline Wailana McGregor

National Library Week Free PSA, April 11-17, 2010

To promote National Library Week, April 11-17, 2010, a free customizable public service announcement (PSA) featuring award-winning author Neil Gaiman is now available. Gaiman, the 2009 Newberry Medal winner for "The Graveyard Book," will appear in both a print and a radio public service announcement (PSA). Gaiman's love of libraries and librarians is no secret, as his many fans and Twitter followers know..

The PSA can be downloaded for free at National Library Week web site. The PSA reminds library users of all the resources the library offer and how libraries are of key importance in tough economic times. To have the PSA customized with their library's logo, librarians are asked to send a print quality logo file, their library name and URL to ala@atigraphics.com. The PSA will be sent to the library in 1-2 weeks.

Other materials are currently available in both English and Spanish, focusing on the 2010 National Library Week theme "Communities thrive @ your library." They include a proclamation, sample press release and letter-to-the-editor, as well as scripts for use in radio public service announcements (PSAs). More information is available at www.ala.org/nlw.

Libraries planning to participate in .Communities thrive @ your library.-themed programming are encouraged to share their stories with the Campaign for America's Libraries, by sending an e-mail to: atyourlibrary@ala.org.

- System Youth Liaison Posting, Barb Huntington, DLTCL, January 2010