Childrens

Mentorship Tips

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Image by Tumisu from Pixabay
In another thoughtful recent ALSC blog post, Jaime Eastman considers what mentorship is. She explores how to find a mentor who fits your needs, how to be intentional in getting the support you need as well as the support you can offer and other aspects of a mentorship relationship.

Click here to read this helpful post [Mastering Mentorship: Tips for Success. Eastman, Jaime. ALSC blog. March 5, 2024.]

Free Dia Booklists from ALSC

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The El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Día) initiative emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Día is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. 

In conjunction with the initiative, ALA's Association for Library Service to Children's (ALSC) Quicklists Consulting committee has compiled four new lists of awesome books for kids, birth to age 14, FULL of engaging titles that represent children and families from many backgrounds! 

They are available in English and Spanish and are free to download here 

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), encourages libraries and community organizations to connect children with diverse books and programming opportunities through Día. Día is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures.

The common goals of all Día programming are to:
  • Celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books, stories and libraries.
  • Recognize and respect culture, heritage and language as powerful tools for strengthening families and communities.
  • Nurture cognitive and literacy development in ways that honor and embrace a child’s home language and culture.
  • Introduce families to community resources that provide opportunities for learning through multiple literacies.

2023 Charlotte Zolotow Lecture Recording Available

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In case you missed last fall’s Zolotow lecture given by author Angeline Boulley or were able to attend in person/view the livestream and want to experience it again, you can view a recording with closed captioning, now linked on the CCBC Zolotow lecture webpage.

 

Indigenous Representation in Literature for Children

10/19/23 | 50m 7s | Rating: NR

Author Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, writes young adult fiction about her Ojibwe community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Her new novel, "Warrior Girl Unearthed," was released in May, 2023. Recorded on October 19, 2023.

Mark your calendars for this year’s lecture given by Meg Medina on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Author Illustrator Visit Grant Opportunity

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The ALSC Programs and Services Recognition Committee is now accepting applications for the 2024 Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award! This award was established with funding from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, in honor of Maureen Hayes, to bring together children and nationally recognized authors/illustrators by funding up to $4000 for an author/illustrator visit to a library. Applications and supporting materials, including an itemized budget and the required signature form, are due by April 19, 2024

Please visit: 

https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/profawards/hayesaward


Criteria
  • Each application will be judged on the following:
    • Reasons for the application.  The applicant seeks to provide a visit from an author/illustrator who will speak to children who have not had the opportunity to hear a nationally known author/illustrator.  Reasons for applying could include: particular contribution; a special celebration, etc.
    • Facilities.  The appropriateness, both in terms of capacity and accessibility.
    • Administrative support.  The organization and administrative capabilities of the person or group submitting an application evident in the enclosed budget, and partially manifested in the presentation of the application itself.
    • Cooperation with other organizations.  The applicant must work cooperatively with other types of libraries (academic, public and school) and bookstores within the local community to provide the author/illustrator visit, thereby also providing a broader audience.  The applicant must present the library's educational goals, as well as evidence of how those goals apply to the local community's educational goals.  The extent to which meaningful cooperation among various local or area groups would suggest an ability to share responsibilities of personnel, time, and money needed to cover local expenses.
    • Author/Illustrator visit visibility.  Emphasis on the presentation as a distinctive event publicized to and open to all potential attendees in the area is a priority.
Requirements
  • Applicants must:
    • Be personal members of ALSC as well as ALA; organizational members are not eligible
    • Act as host for the author/illustrator visit, the date to be arranged at the mutual convenience of the artist/illustrator and the host institution
    • The award covers only the honorarium and travel expense to and from the host city.  The host is responsible for making travel arrangements that are mutually agreed upon by the host and the author/illustrator, and for paying the up front travel costs. Maximum award is $4,000
    • Host institution must arrange to pay for any reception, dinner, or other hospitality honoring the speaker following the visit and to pay for all local lodging, means, etc. of the lecturer
    • Prepare and distribute publicity
    • If applicable, autographing and sale of books may be arranged with the publisher by the host institution.  Any other programs/events (other than those promoting the visit) must be arranged with the author/illustrator's publisher(s) or agent, and must be arranged with the author/illustrator's knowledge and permission, and must be funded separately
How to apply

The ALSC Programs and Services Recognition Committee is now reviewing applications for 2024!

Applications and supporting materials, including an itemized budget and the required signature form are due April 19, 2024. The recipient will be announced via press release.

Please do not fill out the application until you have all the necessary materials to complete your application.


Pitch a Program - Lake Superior Library Symposium

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Submit a Breakout Session Proposal for LSLS 2024!
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 5!

 “Persevere: Carrying On Our Mission” The organizers of the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium (LSLS) invite breakout session proposals for our 12th annual conference to be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at University of Minnesota - Duluth. This year’s theme, “Persevere: Carrying on Our Mission,” invites attendees to share and strategize on some of the difficulties facing our profession amidst increased financial and societal pressures, new technologies, and a polarized political environment that targets libraries.
  • How do we stay true to the Library Bill of Rights and other core beliefs of the profession?
  • How do you ensure that you are serving differing perspectives of your community?
We want to know how you and your colleagues are persevering through these challenges. Possible presentation topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • reproductive, gender, and sexuality information
  • patron privacy
  • fighting against censorship and book challenges
  • preventing burnout (staffing shortages, budget shortfalls/stagnation, price increases)
  • avoiding mission creep/defining and living mission and vision
  • emerging technologies, i.e. AI
  • building support for libraries within our communities
  • advocating for ourselves and our patrons
Successful breakout session presentations will be applicable to many types of libraries and showcase effective and innovative practices. 60-minute breakout sessions should include 10-15 minutes of question and answer. Panel presentations, particularly those representing a diversity of library types, sizes, and/or locations, are strongly encouraged. All presenters will receive a discounted registration rate of $25.
Breakout session presenters should submit proposals at https://forms.gle/2QLmjyqa4PVZysAE9. The CFP submission deadline is Friday, April 5. Presenters will be notified of acceptance in mid April.   LSLS allows library staff to share their expertise, learn from their colleagues, and network to develop a stronger community of information professionals. Staff from all types of libraries are encouraged to attend. The event is organized and supported by library staff and educators from Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin; for a full list of our supporters, see http://lakesuperiorlibrariessymposium.com/about/supporters/. For questions about proposals and submissions, please contact Julie Rustad at jrustad@css.edu. A complete listing of speakers, agenda, and costs will be released in late April. Click here to submit your proposal!

Youth Reading Habits Survey Results

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Many times we fill in surveys about our library work but wonder what will be done with the results. 

Recently, the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) distributed a survey on reading interests and habits of young readers to WI libraries to which over 200 people responded.

On March 18, the consortium shared the tangible action that is resulting from your contributions! 

Check out the blog post here for the scoop.

With your help, collection development selection decisions will be made with solid information from all of you in the field!

Congratulations Monica Treptow

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DPI's School Library Media Consultant Monica Treptow was recently named WEMTA 2024 Professional of the Year. WEMTA 2024 Professional of the Year. The award, presented by the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA), recognizes a member of the Association for their leadership and professionalism in the library, media, or educational technology profession in service to K-12 students, teachers, and the community. 

The announcement in Wisconsin Libraries for Everyone included the following information : "In their nomination, the group warmly reflected on Treptow’s amazing contribution to Wisconsin’s schools and librarians, “Monica has been a true leader in the field, bringing together experienced professionals, supporting those new to the role and providing fresh opportunities for continuous professional growth for everyone…. Whether facilitating a meeting of library and technology leaders from Wisconsin’s five largest school districts or working with CESA's to create connections across the most rural counties, Monica truly has impacted all corners of our state.”

We echo these accolades and are thrilled at Monica's award. She has been a tireless advocate and leader for school and public library collaboration on a local and statewide level. She works closely with her DPI public library consultant colleagues on many projects including the statewide collaborative group "Connecting WI Libraries" that supports school library and public library collaboration and networking.  

Congratulations Monica!

You can read more about her award here.

Tuesday Tips: Bingo!

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Sam Jones is the Youth Services Librarian at the Beaver Dam Public Library. She shares tips to make your job easier in her Tuesday posts.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from PixabayOne of the programs at my library that all ages enjoy is playing bingo. I do an hour of bingo, and we usually get at least ten rounds done. We use premade, reusable cards and have generic plastic, round bingo chips to mark the cards. 
The last time we did bingo, I allowed people to play two cards per round because people kept on asking for more than one card at the last bingo. However, sticking to one card is perfectly acceptable and I would've continued with one card if I didn't get asked so much. More than two can get tricky for children to follow around with, so I wanted to make sure everyone had an equal chance at winning, I also only accept bingos that are horizontal, diagonal, or vertical. I, personally, do not allow four corners as a bingo, even though that is another commonly asked question. For calling the bingo numbers, I just started using the website letsplaybingo.io. The pros of using a website are that I can project it on a screen so people can see the number (I also call the numbers using a wireless mic), I don't have to pick up and read the little, tiny balls, and it is easy to tell what numbers have already been called. I really enjoyed using the website and will continue to do so. 

Prizes are probably the trickiest part because you never know what participants will enjoy, so I tend to bring a wide variety of items. I have used previous summer reading program prizes, leftover storytime prepackaged snacks, and library promotional materials, like bags. I also go to 5 Below and The Dollar Store to pick out a few small items, like Play-doh, decks of cards, and activity books. I try not to spend more than $5 a prize and aim for $2 prizes. 

Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants Available

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Thanks to Kristie Hauer at the WVLS Youth Services Information Exchange Facebook page for the tip!


Dollar General has a number of grants that libraries are eligible for.  They have a new grant portal for 2024 that you can use to apply for Youth Literacy grants

Per their webpage: We support programs in Dollar General hometown communities that are helping individuals of all ages take their next steps toward a bright future through literacy and education. Please review the information below to see if your organization meets the basic requirements for our grant programs.

  • Organizations must be a 501c3 nonprofit, school or library and be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store or distribution center. 
  • Selected grantees will be a direct service provider and fiscally responsible.
  • Funding supports literacy initiatives that are helping individuals learn to read, prepare for the high school equivalency test or learn English.
YOUTH LITERACY GRANTSSchools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations who help K-12 students that are below grade level or having trouble reading are eligible to apply. Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:
  • Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
  • Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
  • Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs

Deadlines for Youth Literacy grants are April 25, 2024 (grant announcement date: 8/22/24)

Find more information about the application process here.

Book Resumes Also on TeachingBooks

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Yesterday, we highlighted a helpful national resource on "book resumes" that are a great source of information when books are challenged. 

Coincidentally, yesterday the Badgerlink Bulletin published a post highlighting TeachingBook's "Book Resume" resource free to all WI libraries with Badgerlink subscriptions.

They write: "Support for your title selections can put a strain on already-limited time. New to BadgerLink resource TeachingBooks are Book Resumes—immediate, authoritative information about the children’s and young adult books in your collections. Now within seconds, library staff can produce and share a consistent, comprehensive report that includes full professional reviews, information about state and national award recognitions, reading levels, book samples, and so much more."

Check out the helpful blog post to get the scoop on how to access this home-grown resource.

Free Tool for Defending IF

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As seen in the Wisconsin Valley Library Service March 2024 Newsletter


In a world where people’s right to read is often threatened, various groups including librarians, educators, parents, and community advocates play a vital role in ensuring that diverse and thought-provoking books remain accessible to everyone. 

To help in this effort, Unite Against Book Bans has teamed up with the publishing community to create a helpful resource called Book Résumés. Book Résumés share concise summaries of  books that includes an overview of the plot or subject matter, insights from professional journals and critics, recognitions the book has received, a review of how the book contributes to learning and understanding, and information on how the title has been successfully retained in schools and libraries despite challenges. 

"When faced with demands for censorship, having a well-prepared summary and evidence-based argument to share with book review committees, elected officials, board members and community members can make a significant difference,” said Kristie Hauer, WVLS Public Services Consultant. “Because they detail each title’s significance, educational value, and impact, Book Résumés serve as a powerful tool for librarians, educators, and all who champion the right to read.”

Kristie said book summaries are available in PDF format and easy to download, print and share. 

Unite Against Book Bans collaborates closely with several publishers to create accurate and inclusive summaries of books. The initiative has garnered support from multiple publishers who recognize the importance of preserving diversity in literature. On February 20, Unite Against Book Bans released hundreds of book summaries. 

More summaries will be released in time for National Library Week in April. There is a also a WVLS Digital Byte on this resource.