TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Coming Up This Month
2. SLP Update
2a State Park Passes
2b. Video PSAs Now Available
2c. Video to Feature Tips on Using Sign Language with the Bug Theme
2d. Two "Catch the Reading Bug" Songs and "Newspapers in Education" Ads Available on the CSLP Web Site
2e Insect Bingo Cards
2f. Web Based Bug Resources for Children Who are Blind about Bugs
2g. Free Puppet Tales Newsletter from Mr. Anderson's Company
3. Teen Services
3a. Adolescent Literacy Initiative Leadership Conference
3b. YALSA Offers ALA Conference Scholarship
4. Monthly Postings are Now Archived on the Youth Services Web Page
5. Additional Children's Book Award Winners
5a. The Schneider Family Book Award
5b. American Indian Youth Literature Award
5c. ALA Notable Lists
5d. Additions to ALSC's Great Web Sites for Kids
6. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)
7. Children's Book Week has been Moved to May
8. Lena and Oneida Public Libraries Win DPI "Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin" Awards
9. Lena Public Library Wins ALSC Bookapoalooza Program Award
10. First Lady Doyle's Recommended Children's Titles for this Month
11. Upcoming Events in 2008
1. Coming Up This Month
March is
International Mirth Month www.johnbudzinski.com/Tie-Ins/03March/international_mirth_month.htm
Irish-American Heritage Month, American Foundation for Irish Heritage http://irishamericanheritage.com/
Mental Retardation Awareness Month, The Arc www.thearc.org
Music in our Schools Month National, Association of Music Education www.menc.org
National Brain Injury Awareness Month, Brian Injury Association of America, www.biausa.org
National Kite Month, American Kitefliers Association www.nationalkitemonth.org
National Nutrition Month, American Dietetic Association www.eatright.org
National Umbrella Month http://mentalfloss.com/quiz/quiz.php?q=46
National Red Cross Month, American Red Cross www.redcross.org
National Youth Art Month, The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. www.girlpower.gov/girlarea/03mar/youthart.htm
2. SLP Update
2a State Park Passes
The state park passes have been sent to the printer and should be ready for distribution to the Systems in early April. I will not be coordinating a promotion with the county fairs this year, but will send all the contact information I have to the systems so that liaisons who want to pursue county or regional promotions may do so.
2b. Video PSAs Now Available
CLSP has two video Public Service Announcements (PSAs) available on the CSLP Web site. The PSAs may be downloaded free by any libraries in CSLP member states. In addition I have ordered one DVD version of the PSAs for each System. The System Youth Services Liaisons will decide how to make the PSAs available to their member libraries. Some Systems lend their copy, others make copies for the libraries that want to use them. Some Systems ask interested libraries to purchase their own copies from Upstart. The DVDs will include both the English and Spanish versions.
The PSAs may be used without restriction by public libraries to promote their summer library programs. To view the PSAs go to www.cslpreads.org/psa.htm. There are also tips on the CSLP Web page on how to use the PSAs in numerous ways, including library board presentations.
The creation of the children's PSA was coordinated by the CSLP Marketing Committee, Chaired by Patty Langley, Delaware. The children's PSA features Harry Bliss' characters from the poster art animated to a lively song in the Beach Boys' tradition. It will be available in Spanish very soon. Jasmine Rockwell, Chair of the Teen Committee, coordinated the creation of the teen psa. There are four versions of the teen PSA, featuring four teens of different ethnic backgrounds. All four versions are available in Spanish. The segments were filmed on location in a library and feature the "alien" character from the teen poster. Magical things happen and books take wing.
2c. Video to Feature Tips on Using Sign Language with the Bug Theme
Rhonda Puntney, Lakeshores/Mid-Wisconsin, is the Chair of the CSLP Diversity Committee. She and I worked on a pilot project for CSLP to help librarians incorporate some bug sign language in their programs this summer. We had Vicki Patterson do a short video to introduce some American Signs for various bug names. Vicki presented at a WAPL spring conference about two years ago on Baby Sign Language. She demonstrates how to form the signs for various bug names and will also show how to use that sign in a finger play or song. As soon as this resource is available, we'll let you know.
2d. Two "Catch the Reading Bug" Songs and "Newspapers in Education" Ads Available on the CSLP Web Site
Ruth Metcalf, State Library of Ohio and the CSLP Web Page Committee Chair, announced that there is a free rap song on the CSLP web page at www.cslpreads.org This rap song was created for CSLP by Cactus Sullivan a.k.a. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo of Asheville, North Carolina.. This song has an urban flavor. Sullivan's email is undergroundplayground@gmail.com. Pam Jaskot from the State Library in North Carolina worked with Sullivan on this song for CSLP.
Billy Gorilly, a performer from California, also has a "Catch the Reading Bug" song included on his new CD, "Billy Gorilly-Happy Birthday Gertie." Billy's song is also a rap, a scatological ode to entomology. A second bug song on the CD is "Mrs. Flicker Fireflybrian" which is about everyone's favorite flying librarian. For more information go to www.billygorilly.com.
Ruth Metcalf has also placed free Newspapers in Education ads on the CSLP web page. These newspaper ads were provided by the North Carolina State Library and were underwritten by an LSTA grant. The ads are built around the theme "Catch the Reading Bug" and take the form of fun, puzzle-like worksheets. In addition to newspapers, these ads can be used in library newsletters or as flyers. These ads are provided free of charge for use by any library or library supporter. Ruth extends her thanks to Pam Jaskot, Communication Programs Consultant, with the North Carolina State Library for providing CSLP with these resources.
2e Insect Bingo Cards
Jamie Matczak, Nicolet, shared a source for some lovely insect bingo cards that she used at her recent SLP workshop. http://bogglesworldesl.com/insectbingo.htm
2f. Web-Based Bug Resources for Children Who are Blind about Bugs
The University of Louisville and the American Printing House for the Blind developed a Braille guide to common insects and other arthropods that are found in Kentucky. The Department of Entomology worked with the Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment to develop this tactile guide. It allows students who are blind to use larger- than-life toy insects to study the body parts of several common insects and insect relatives. A PDF version of the guide can be downloaded from the web site. For more information about this guide go to www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/bugconnection/teaching/teaching.htm
The Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped recommends the following two bug-related web sites. Both have recorded sounds made by bugs. These bug sounds can be enjoyed by children who have sight, as well as those who have vision disabilities or who are blind.
Iowa State Entomology Index of Internet Resources www.ent.iastate.edu/list/directory/152/vid/4
"Bug Bytes" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service http://www.ars.usda.gov/sp2UserFiles/person/3559/soundlibrary.html
2g. Free Puppet Tales Newsletter from Mr. Anderson's Company
Stephanie Stokes, California, has launched a new project for Mr. Anderson's Company, a newsletter called "Puppet Tales." You have to sign up to receive it, but it's free. There is a SLP school visit script in the February issue. To view or sign up for the newsletter go to www.misterandersons.com/puppettales/
3. Teen Services
3a. Adolescent Literacy Initiative Leadership Conference
The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning is hosting a leadership conference on Adolescent Literacy for Public Librarians on May 15, 2008 in Madison. Participation in the conference is by invitation. The systems are helping the Division identify the people who will receive invitations. The intent of the conference is to create momentum to enhance and strengthen public library services to adolescents most at risk of having literacy issues.
Statewide assessments of reading achievement show that the proportion of students proficient in reading declines as they move from elementary and middle school to high school. This conference will launch a multi-year initiative that will champion high-quality teen services and build momentum behind Wisconsin's drive to create the most literate, well-educated citizenry and workforce in the nation.
Jim Burke, a prominent national expert in adolescent literacy, will be on hand to provide an overview of recent research findings and relevant developments including the challenges and opportunities for improving adolescent literacy in Wisconsin. In addition, Elizabeth Shirtcliff, a UW-Madison researcher on teen brain development, will help frame what is known about the differences in the teen brain and hormonal systems that differ from those of children and adults. The afternoon will include a dynamic panel of teens who will discuss the exciting teen services they helped design at the Waupaca Area Public Library. The day will conclude with a summary of the ways in which electronic gaming impacts the way teens think, read, and organize information, based on the latest research by Kym Buchanan of UW-Stevens Point.
3b. YALSA Offers ALA Conference Scholarship
As part of YALSA Unity: A Diversity Initiative, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will offer two YALSA members with a diverse background a stipend to attend the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif., June 26-July 2. Each sponsorship recipient will receive up to $1,000 for conference expenses. The deadline for application is March 31. Winners will be notified on May 2. This stipend is administered by YALSA through funding from ALA's Ahead to 2010 initiative.
Applicants must be YALSA members of a diverse background by the time of the application. Diversity is defined by the ALA Diversity Counts report, which includes race, ethnicity, language background, sexual orientation, education, age, disability and economic status. For applications, criteria, and more information, visit www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/stipend.cfm.
4. Monthly Postings are Now Archived on the Youth Services Web Page
The 2008 monthly postings for the system youth services liaisons will be archieved on the DLTCL Youth Services Web page at www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/ys-postings.html. Several liaisons have requested that these monthly postings be archived to allow them to look back for previous information. Jamie McCanless, who works on the youth services Web items, will be putting each month's posting in the new archive.
5. Additional Children's Book Award Winners
5a. The Schneider Family Book Award
Michael Golrick, Wisconsin's ALA Councilor-at-Large, reminded me of an important children's book award that I neglected to include in my posting last month, the Schneider Family Book Awards. The Schneider Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Three annual awards are given for birth through grade school (age 0-8), middle school (age 9-13) and teens (age 14-18). The book must emphasize the artistic expression of the disability experience for children or adolescent audiences. The book must portray some aspect of living with a disability or that of a friend or family member, whether the disability is physical, mental or emotional. Books must be published in the previous two years. Dr. Katherine Schneider, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and her family endowed this American Library Association Award in 2003. The award is administered by the ALA Governance Office.
Schneider Award for Young Children
"Kami and the Yaks" by Andrea Stenn Stryer, illustrated by Bert Dodson (Bay Otter Press, Palo Alto, CA, 2006)
Kami, a young Sherpa boy who is deaf, rescues his family's yaks and livelihood during a violent storm. Stunning, realistic watercolors add depth to a strong story, and bring out the drama of the Himalayan Mountains. Together they perfectly capture Kami's ability to communicate with home signs.
Schneider Award for Middle Grades
"Reaching for the Sun" by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer (Bloomsbury USA Children's Press, New York, NY., 2007)
Zimmer uses lyrical free verse to tell the story of one girl's thirteenth year. Josie, a young teen with cerebral palsy, blossoms through her relationship with her grandmother, conflicts with her mother, her friendship with a new neighbor boy, and her care of the family garden. Form, format, and content combine to create an exquisite story.
Schneider Award for Teens
"Hurt Go Happy" by Ginny Rorby (Starscape Book, Tom Doherty Associates, New York, NY, 2006)
Initially isolated by her mother's refusal to let her learn American Sign Language (ASL), Joey grows from a lonely teen to a mature animal rights activist in this engaging story of a girl who is deaf and Sukari, a signing chimpanzee.
For more information about the Schneider Award go to
www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=awards&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=163339
5b. American Indian Youth Literature Award
The American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), announced the recipients of its American Indian Youth Literature Award at the Mid-Winter conference in January. This new literary award was created as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award present Native Americans in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts. The award is presented in each of three categories.
American Indian Picture Book Award
"Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom" by Tim Tingle, illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridge (Cinco Puntos Press, El Paso, Texas, 2006).
A beautifully inspired story of a friendship between Martha Tom, a Choctaw girl and Li' Mo, a slave boy and how their relationship brought wholeness and freedom to Mo's family and also to many slaves. Bridge's illustrations enhance the story by resonating the joy of friendship, the light of faith, and the leadership of children.
American Indian Middle School Book Award
"Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond," by Joseph Medicine Crow (National Geographic, Des Moines, IA, 2006).
This is an appealing autobiography of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow (Absarokee). The author recounts his adventures and training as a traditional Crow warrior and his service as a decorated World War II veteran. The book helps readers learn first-hand about real-life on the Crow reservation before during and after encounters with newcomers. In a text that is not preachy, but and honest read, Joseph Medicine Crow tell how he over came many challenges to fulfill is role as Chief of the Crow Nation.
American Indian Young Adult Book Award
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie (Little Brown Publishers, NewYork, NY, 2007).
A realistic, bitter-sweet yet, humorous look at the life of Arnold, a Spokane Indian teenager making his way in life on the reservation while attending an all white high school. Alexie brings to life the challenges many young native people experience as they learn to navigate and balance Indian life in a modern world. Part autobiography, Alexie's Arnold reminds us of the complexities of coming of age, bigotry, bullies, loyalty to family and the meaning of love. In the near future an American Indian Youth Literature Award free downloadable bookmark and brochure will be made available on the AILA Web site at http://aila.library.sd.gov/ and the ALA OLOS Web site.
5c. ALSC's 2008 Notable Lists
The Association of Library Services to Children has released their 2008 Notable Lists for children's books and children's videos.
Notable Children's Books www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/ncb2008.htm
Notable Children's Videos www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/ncv08.htm
5d. Additions to ALSC's Great Web Sites for Kids
Thirty-five new web sites have been added to the ALSC Great Web Sites for Kids Web page. To view the newly added sites go to www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/ews08.htm.
6. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)
Libraries across the country will join Dora the Explorer™, members of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and REFORMA in celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), also known as Día, on April 30. Día celebrates the importance of advocating literacy for every child, regardless of linguistic and cultural background. Dora the Explorer™, the popular children's television character who invites children to share her adventures in learning, is featured in the Día 2008 brochure, poster and bookmark.
Libraries showcase their various multicultural programs and services through Día celebrations. Día events support literacy and bridge cultures through bilingual book displays and story hours, family literacy fairs, bilingual writing projects, and programs that will encourage parents to inspire their children to read.
Día honors children, their languages and culture; encourages reading and literacy; and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country's changing populations. For a brochure featuring multicultural book lists and tips on how to encourage children to read, please visit the Día Web site at www.ala.org/dia. Libraries that register their Día events through the Web site will receive copies of the complimentary brochure, while supplies last. In addition, posters and bookmarks are for sale through ALA Graphics at www.alastore.ala.org.
ALSC is the national center for Día. Through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, ALSC is working with national organizations, such as Dia's Founding Partner, REFORMA, to initiate communication and education efforts that promote Día to families across the United States. REFORMA is the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.
If your library is celebrating Día, please go to the ALA web site and describe what you are doing. Currently there are no entries or examples from Wisconsin.
7. Children's Book Week has been Moved to May
Children's Book Week introduces young people to new authors and ideas in schools, libraries, homes, and bookstores. Through Children's Book Week, the Children's Book Council (CBC) and the CBC Foundation encourage young people and their caregivers to discover the complexity of the world beyond their own experience through books. Children's Book Week will be observed May 12-18, 2008. This will be the first Children's Book Week to be celebrated in the spring.
The impact of the change for public libraries is not known. It is also not yet known what impact there will be, if any, in regard to promoting the summer library program in schools during the month of May. Public libraries may choose to celebrate by introducing their summer library program theme during Children's Book Week. Some schools may also adopt the summer library program as their theme for Children's Book Week. There has been discussion nationally about the affect the change will have, particularly on public libraries. It is going to be difficult to roll out the summer library program theme and artwork, while also celebrating Children's Book Week in the middle of May with different art and themes.
For information on the reasoning behind the change to celebrate Children's Book Week in May go to the Children's Book Council web site at www.cbcbooks.org/cbw/index_2.html. The artwork for the 2008 theme will be posted on this site soon, but is not currently available.
8. Lena and Oneida Public Libraries Win DPI "Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin" Awards
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster recognized 10 programs and activities that strengthen rural communities when she presented her 2008 Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin awards during a ceremony on March 7th at the Capitol in Madison. Among the recipients were the Lena and Oneida Public Libraries. This is the third year that Burmaster has presented Standing Up for Rural Schools, Libraries, and Communities awards.
"Despite increasingly difficult challenges, the teachers, students, and citizens of rural Wisconsin continue to do extraordinary work for the betterment of their schools and communities," Burmaster said. "These awards recognize the efforts of rural residents to shape the lives of our children as well as the future of this great state. They are changing the world and are true champions of education."
"For decades, the Lena library operated out of a back room in the Village Hall. Alfred Goldstein, a regular patron, left money through his estate to build a new facility. The community then pitched in: the school board donated land, two local homebuilders volunteered as construction managers, the Lions Club raised funds for equipment and technology, and citizens donated money for books. The library, which opened in 2006, has tripled circulation, provides meeting space for book clubs and other groups, and supports a teen board that promotes activities for youth. Lena Public Library. Director Jennifer Thiele accepted the award."
In 2004, the Oneida Community Library Youth Department celebrated 100 years of Dr. Seuss with a "Seuss-centennial," that included green eggs and ham, stories, games, guest stars, and prizes. The celebration, which involves library staff and personnel in other departments of the Oneida Nation, was repeated in 2005 and is becoming an annual event. It has been an excellent way to bring families into the library and provides an opportunity to focus on food safety and nutrition, issues that relate to the incidence of diabetes in American Indian people. Kymberley Pelky, children's liaison for the Oneida Community Library, accepted the award.
The full list of awardees is available at dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpi2008_48.pdf.
9. Lena Public Library Wins ALSC Bookapoalooza Program Award
Lena also won a ALSC's Bookapalooza program award. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced the winners of the second annual Bookapalooza program. The three libraries selected to receive a collection of children's materials are Enid M. Baa Public Library (St. Thomas, USVI), Lena (Wis.) Public Library and Montrose (Colo.) Regional Library District- Naturita Branch Library.
The collections, which consist of books, videos, audiobooks and recordings produced in 2007 and submitted by children's trade publishers to the 2008 award and media evaluation committees for consideration, are intended to help transform each library's collection and provide an opportunity for these materials to be used in each community in creative and innovative ways. The Bookapalooza program aligns with ALSC's core purpose of creating a better future for all children through libraries.
Jennifer Thiele, Lena Public Library Director said, "I can't express enough how much this grant could mean to our library. I would want nothing more than having these kids take this love of libraries into their adulthood. I want them to look back on the library fondly, as a place where they felt comfortable, nurtured and happy. Many of these kids don't have that at home or school, and I want to offer them as much as I can if we have it available. I think these kids deserve some really great books, and as a librarian it is my job to make sure they are getting what they need."
Information on how to apply for the 2009 Bookapalooza program is available on the ALSC Web site, www.ala.org/alsc.
10. First Lady Doyle's Recommended Children's Titles for this Month
First Lady Jessica Doyle has initiated an online book discussion club for children and adults. Each month her Web page for the book club, called "Read On Wisconsin," lists the titles for discussion. All books were carefully selected by a Literacy Advisory Board and reflect a commitment to diversity in their content and message. Mrs. Doyle hopes you find them as interesting and appealing as she does.
The titles recommended for March are:
Preschool: "Chicken and Cat" by Sara Varon
Primary: "Bebe Goes Shopping" by Susan Middleton Elya
Intermediate: "My Very Own Room, Mi Propio Cuartito" by Amada Irma Perez
Middle School: "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
High School: "Sold" by Patricia McCormack
For more information or to join the "Read On Wisconsin" book club, go to http://readon.wisconsin.gov
11. Upcoming Events in 2008
The listing of Upcoming Events is posted on the archive page at www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/yspost-events.html
The list of upcoming events will be updated each month. This change is intended to reduce the length of this monthly posting.
An attempt has been made to verify each of these dates and URLs. If errors are noticed, assistance in making corrections is very much appreciated. The dates are updated on a monthly basis.
Return to the System Youth Services Liaison Postings home page.
For questions about this information, contact Jamie McCanless (608) 267-9280
Last updated on 3/17/2009 12:36:24 PM
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