Be Creative/Express Yourself Sites

Activities from Susan Dailey

Author and librarian Susan Dailey has added a page to her website with some activities you could use in storytime to go along with the “Be Creative” theme.

Music and the Brain

What is the relationship between the brain and music? That very question animates the Library of Congress' Music and the Brain series, and their website allows interested parties to listen in on some of the conversations, lectures, and symposia. Noted psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison chairs the initiative, and the programs bring together physicians, theorists, composers, and performers. Visitors can listen to some of these recent conversations via this website, and they can also sign up to receive new podcasts via iTunes. Currently, there are five different podcasts available. They include talks with Dr. Charles J. Limb ("Your Brain on Jazz"), Jessica Krash ("Dangerous Music"), and Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel on "The Music of Language and the Language of Music". (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)

Captured Emotions: Baroque Painting in Bologna, 1575-1725

This web exhibition from the Getty Museum traces the influences of the Carracci family of Bologna, Italy, thought by some art historians to have revitalized painting in the late 16th century, after the passing of the great Renaissance artists. The Explore tool provided by the Museum allows visitors to see and read about all 43 paintings in the exhibition, including works by the Carracci themselves, brothers Annibale and Agostino, and their cousin Ludovico, as well as some of their followers and students, Guido Reni, Domenichino, and Francesco Albani. Works can be sorted by theme, artist, or lending museum using the tool. For example, sorting by portraiture creates a set of portraits: a young boy, possibly Antonio Carracci, who was Agostino Carracci's illegitimate son, shown with cherries and a lute; Giulio Mascheroni, a lute player; and two important religious leaders: Pope Gregory XV and Cardinal Roberto Ubaldino. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)

Creativity Portal

Creativity Portal is “an invigorating community alive with the voices of creativity coaches, artists, writers, and business professionals sharing their knowledge and expertise, inspiring creative exploration and expression in everyone.” You’ll find writing projects, blogs, book excerpts, free printables, a newsletter and more. Share this with your YAs.

- Children's Event Organizer

Youth Services Update

Issue 328, March 17, 2009

Hand Outs, Survey and Pins

Thanks to all who took the time to complete the survey on the SRP Planning Workshop for this year! Here are some of the survey results!

1. Overall, the program content was helpful and appropriate for my work needs.
47% said they strongly agree
53% said they agree

2. Name at least two things/ideas you took away from the presenters? What topics were of most importance to you?

1.Will use Mary's ideas for story hour

2.I loved some of her play literacy ideas, having phone books and cookbooks for the children so they see everyday literacy, etc.

3.Names of some great books and a few great craft ideas.

4.will make shakers, pretend fishing licenses for preschoolers. It's nice to get craft/song ideas

5.The dragon and the shaker -- I like the hands-on crafts, because I remember them

6.Dance - any of the fun dances will do

7.I loved the story bag. I also loved the idea of making/buying "forms" for different things -- kids will love those.

8.-Shakers made from toilet paper tubes (didn't know you could staple them closed like that) -usable NOW ideas from "Play Literacy" -use plungers to hold signs

9.The whole concept of working on literacy through play, rather than straight instruction, was really eye opening. Also, lots of great ideas for summer!

10. Zines and globster posters!

3. I enjoyed the workshop being held off-site this year, at the Weidner Center.

85% said Yes

4% said no

9% skipped the question

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Also, most of Mary's hand outs, as well as her powerpoint presentation are now on the Youth page on the NFLS website for you to download!

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I have some extra "READ" pins leftover from the workshop. Any NFLS librarian who will help out with the theme this year is welcome to request one. First come-first served!

Karla's Reviews

Graceling By Kristin Cashore

Katsa is born with the "grace" or special ability of killing. As such, she is taken and trained by her uncle, the king, to be his trained thug and enforcer. Then Katsa meets another graced individual, Prince Po, and everything begins to change for her. I absolutely couldn't put this book down! A fabulous first book. I hope she writes more about these characters.



All We Know of Love By Nora Raleigh Baskin

Natalie is confused about love. Her mother left without a word four years ago and never came back. Her dad is often distant. Her boyfriend seems to be only interested in her for sex. So Natalie leaves on a bus to Florida to find her mother. Unlike other "on the road" books with children on a mission to find missing parents, this one lets the reader glimpse snippets of the lives (and thoughts about love) of the people with whom Natalie comes into contact during her trip.

~ Karla Giraldéz, BCL

CCBC Workshop in May

Save the date for the CCBC Choices presentation, to be held this year on Thursday, May 21 from 1 - 3 pm at NFLS!

Megan Schliesman and Tessa Michaelson of the CCBC will spend the afternoon talking to us about the most outstanding books out there for children and young adults!

New dies!

We have a new "Be Creative" set of dies that can be checked out! In the set is 6 new dies that will correlate perfectly with the "Be Creative" theme this summer!

Reserve the set by filling out the order form!

Interview with Marge Loch-Wouters

Marcia Sarnowski of the Winding Rivers Library System in La Crosse recently did an interview with children's services guru Marge Loch-Wouters. She addresses the importance of children's services and how to relay that importance to local funders and trustees!

Read the interesting article on eWhirlpools!

Youth Services Blog

Mark wanted to share the youth services blog for the
Allegheny County Library
Association in Pittsburgh. They have a very cool
Youth Services blog, and their last entry was on their
Summer Planning session! 

Check it out for some new and cool ideas!