1. Celebrations and Observances for this Month
2. SLP Update
2a.CSLP Sign Language and Braille Resources
2b. CSLP PSAs
2c. CSLP Toy Safety
2d. CSLP Adult Summer Library Program Manual
2e. Summer Food Service Program
2f. VISTA Volunteers will Work in Public Libraries this Summer
3. Teen Services
3a. Upcoming Adolescent Literacy Workshops
3b. State Superintendent's Adolescent Literacy Plan Available
3c. Homeless Teens Program on Public Television
3d. Teen Tech Week Resources
4. Awards
4a. Notable Children's Videos and Recordings
4b. Amelia Bloomer List
4c. Rainbow List
4d. Top 10 Graphic Novels
5. Grants
5a. Innovative Literacy Gaming Grants
5b. Hedberg Public Library Wins "We The People" Award
6. Upcoming Courses of Interest to Youth Services Librarians
7. Resources for Young Children Who are Blind
8. "Beezus and Ramona" Movie Scheduled for Release in 2010
9. Update on the Issue of Lead in Children's Books
10. WEMTA Author Fair
11. State Library of Iowa Free Library Posters
12. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)
13. Read Across America!
14. First Lady Doyle's Recommended Children's Titles for this Month
15. Monthly Postings are Archived on the Youth Services Web Page
16. Upcoming Events in 2009
1. Celebrations and Observances for this Month
March is
International Mirth Month www.allenklein.com/memo.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.acminet.org/youth_art_month.htm
Reading and Library Observance Events This Month:
2 Read Across America Day, National Education Association, www.nea.org/readacross/index.html
7 Celebrate the publication of CCBC Choices www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/events/default.asp
8-14 Teen Tech Week "Press Play@Your library" YALSA, ALA www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw09/home.cfm
10-11 Rhinelander Children's Book Fest www.rhinelanderlibrary.org/?p=646
16 Freedom of Information Day, ALA www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/washevents/freedomofinfo/freedominformation.cfm
18 Adolescent Literacy Training Workshop in Green Bay, contact Jamie Matczak at Nicolet for details at jmatczak@mail.nfls.lib.wi.us
19 Adolescent Literacy Training Workshop in Waupaca, contact Jamie Matczak at Nicolet for details at jmatczak@mail.nfls.lib.wi.us
2. SLP Update
2a.CSLP Sign Language and Braille Resources
Rhonda Puntney from Lakeshores is the CSLP Chair of the Diversity Committee. She is coordinating efforts this year to again have a sign language video with a demonstration of how to sign a few finger plays from the manual and some basic words related to creativity such as color names. She is also working on having some of the activity sheets from the manual created in Braille and if possible in tactile graphics. When these items are available we will get samples to the Systems.
2b. CSLP PSAs
CSLP has developed television PSAs for both the youth and teen summer reading programs this year. There are also radio PSAs. Previews of the television spots should be posted soon on the CSLP web page. As soon as they are up, I will let you know. I will send every System one free copy of the television spots. Systems can then make copies if they like, lend out their copy, or encourage their libraries to purchase their own copies. Ordering instructions will be available. The radio spots will be posted on the CSLP web page for free download. Every library will be encouraged to download the audio files for themselves. Gardner Benson, the DPI Media Coordinator worked on the teen radio spot this year. He recorded one version himself and used a group of hip hop artists from UW-Madison for another version on the spot. Nationally acclaimed poet, Nikki Giovonni graciously gave permission to CSLP to use one of her poems which is the basis of the teen radio spots. Gardner also edited the teen radio spots.
Many thanks to Benson for all his efforts on this project.
2c. CSLP Toy Safety
I have been receiving the results of safety tests that Upstart has run on the CSLP items. I had a question specifically about the finger puppets. I don't have those test results, but when I received my order recently there was a notice on the finger puppet packaging indicating they met all U.S. safety standards. Some of the items also came with warnings that they were not for children under the age of three. Upstart is making a good effort to assure their products are safe.
2d. CSLP Adult Summer Library Program Manual
This year CSLP is offering an adult summer reading program manual. It was just recently finished and thus was not available for distribution with the Children and Teen manuals in September. CSLP is not printing this manual, but has provided a copy to each member state. I sent one copy to each System. I would appreciate your assistance in letting your libraries know the manual is available.
If you are unable to make copies for any interested librarians in your system, please let me know and I will run the copies for you. CSLP would appreciate a count of how many libraries requested the manual, so if you can send that to me I would appreciate it. I believe the intent for the future is to distribute the Adult manual in fall with the other two. This is a pilot project.
If an electronic copy of material in the manual is needed--for example, the bookmarks--a PDF file of the manual is at www.nclsa.lib.ia.us/CSLP/Adult/Adult%20Manual%20Small.pdf. Please remember that this manual is subject to the same copyright restrictions as all other CSLP material.
2e. Summer Food Service Program
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is seeking sponsors for the 2009 Summer Food Service Program to provide free meals to economically disadvantaged children during school summer vacations. Additional information is available in the news release on the Department of Public Instruction news release website http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/prmenu.html. Public libraries are eligible to be host sites and typically the meals would be brought to the library by the local school district. Libraries would need a refrigerator or cooler to store the lunches and milk. Participating libraries would need to give all the children who come to the program a free lunch, not just those living in poverty. As the economy continues to worsen it is anticipated that even more children will be hungry in the summer months. Some libraries participate by doing programs at the school distribution site.
2f. DPI VISTA Volunteers will Work in Public Libraries this Summer
Three public libraries will be hosting VISTA volunteers from the Department of Public Instruction this summer. The Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, the Woodville Community Library, and the Milwaukee Public Library will all benefit from the extra help. In addition, a VISTA volunteer will also be assigned to the Reference and Loan Library. National stimulus funds allowed DPI to place these volunteers without cost at two of the libraries. The focus of the DPI VISTA program is on children and families living in poverty. During the summer VISTA workers are allowed to work directly with children in families.
Two additional placements are still possible for this summer, but arrangements must be made very soon. It is anticipated that these placements can be made without cost to the libraries. Interested librarians should contact Besty Preuter immediately. Her contact is at the end of this section. (One project a VISA volunteer could do is coordinate a free lunch distribution in conjunction with the local school district.) Libraries with significant levels of poverty are encouraged to think creatively about what a VISTA volunteer might be able to do for them.
The DPI is also hoping to place up to 10 VISTAS in public libraries this fall. There would be no cost to the libraries for these workers; however, during the school year VISTA work must focus on capacity building projects that have sustainability. They can coordinate projects, organize other volunteers, and manage outreach efforts, but they can't provide direct public service.
For more information on hosting a DPI VISTA volunteer, contact Betsy Prueter, VISTA Coordinator at DPI, at 608-267-7290 or elizabeth.prueter@dpi.wi.gov.
3. Teen Services
3a. Upcoming Adolescent Literacy Workshops
Date and Location:
1) Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at the Brown County Library, Green Bay
2) Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the Waupaca Area Public Library
For more information, contact Jamie Matczak jmatczak@mail,nfls.lib.wi.us
Date and Location: Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at the New Berlin Public Library
For more information, contact Jim Gingery jim.gingery@mcfls.org
Date and Location: Thursday, April 2, 2009, at the Waterford Public Library
For more information, contact Rhonda Puntney rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wil.us
Date and Location: Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at the Rice Lake Public Library
For more information, contact Leah Langby langby@ifls.lib.wi.us
Date and Location:
1) Thursday, April 23, 2009, at the Manitowoc Public Library
2) Friday April 24, 2009, at the Mead Public Library in Sheboygan
For more information, contact Paula Siefert psiefert@esls.lib.wi.us
Date and Location: Thursday, April 23, 2009, at the Northern Waters' Headquarters in Ashland
For more information, contact Linda Stobbe lstobbe@nwls.lib.wi.us
Date and Location: Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the La Crosse Public Library
For more information, contact Marcia Sarnowski mes@wrlsweb.org
Date and Location: Friday May 1, 2009, at the South Central Headquarters in Madison
For more information, contact Shawn Brommer sbrommer@scls.lib.wi.us
Date and Location: Thursday, May 21, 2009, at the Rothschild Village Hall Community Room, Rothschild
For more information, contact Beth Sillars Sillars@wvls.lib.wi.us
Date and Location: Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at the Ripon Public Library
For more information contact Mark Arend arend@winnefox.org
3b. State Superintendent's Adolescent Literacy Plan Available
The new "State Superintendent's Adolescent Literacy Plan" has been released. The plan recognizes the importance of being able to read and write. It defines literacy for the modern world including the abilities to manage, synthesize, and analyze multiple streams of information. Literate adolescents need a strong foundation in subject area content. They must draw on that knowledge as they think globally and creatively in identifying and solving problems and recognizing the interconnectedness and diversity of the world. The plan calls on public librarians to play a role in helping adolescents who are at risk to achieve literacy. The plan is available on the DPI web site at www.dpi.wi.gov/cal/pdf/ad_lit_plan_web.pdf. DLTCL's Adolescent Literacy Initiative for Public Libraries is intended to help implement the Superintendent's Plan.
3c. Homeless Teens Program on Public Television
A statewide, call-in television program for youth will raise awareness of the rapidly growing number of Wisconsin students experiencing homelessness. On March 24, 7:00 p.m., Teen Connection, which airs on Wisconsin Public Television and Milwaukee Public Television (Channel 10 in the Milwaukee area), will feature homeless youth as well as adult experts on the issue. DPI Homeless Education Specialist Mary Maronek will provide a brief state perspective during the program.
In Wisconsin 9,327 students were without a home in the 2007-08 school year, up from 5,358 in 2003-04. That's an increase of 74 percent over five years. The program will explore reasons for the sudden spike in homelessness among teens, the issues involving homeless teens, how they continue their schooling, and what measures are required to be inclusive to teens in a homeless situation.
3d. Teen Tech Week Resources
Tom Kenny, known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, lends his support to teens, libraries, and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) through downloadable public service announcements (PSAs) announcing Teen Tech Week, March 8-14. The PSAs are courtesy of Galaxy Press, a 2009 Teen Tech Week Promotional Partner.
Kenny has created six 30-second PSAs in which he details the many free technological resources available at the library. Librarians can download the PSAs at www.ala.org/teentechweek and use them to raise awareness in their communities about Teen Tech Week.
4. Awards
4a. Notable Children's Videos and Recordings
For a list of the 2009 Notable Children's Videos go to
www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/february2009/alscncv.cfm
The 2009 Notable Children's Recordings list is available at
www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/february2009/alscncr.cfm
4b. Amelia Bloomer List
The Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table has announced this year's Amelia Bloomer List, featuring books for young readers, ages birth through 18, that contain significant feminist content--not just cardboard "feisty" or "spunky" girls and women, but tales of those who have broken barriers and have fought to change their situations and their environment. For the list of 2009 titles go to http://ameliabloomer.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/2009-amelia-bloomer-list/
4c. Rainbow List
The American Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table and Social Responsibilities Round Table has released their Rainbow List. The books on the list feature well-written and/or well-illustrated titles with authentic and significant gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered/queer/questioning (glbtq) content for youth from birth through age 18. This year's bibliography presents 34 outstanding titles published in the last eighteen months and represents a broad range of glbtq experience. To view the list of titles go to www.alsc.ala.org/blog/?p=705.
4d. Top 10 Graphic Novels
This year's list of the best Graphic Novels for youth by "Booklist" magazine demonstrates the growing body of work available for emerging readers. Balancing those are some of the most innovative offerings we've seen yet for older readers. This truly all-ages list, representing the best comics reviewed within the past 12 months, has something for everyone.
To view the list go to www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3332762.
5. Grants
5a. Innovative Literacy Gaming Grants
The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services is seeking applications from public, school, and academic libraries interested in developing and implementing innovative literacy gaming services for youth ages 10-18. This program is part of ALA's Libraries, Literacy, and Gaming initiative funded by Verizon. Ten $5,000.00 grants will be awarded to libraries clearly demonstrating creativity, capacity, sustainability and a strong commitment to literacy-related gaming services. In addition, the winning libraries will receive ongoing support and technical assistance from a team of nationally recognized library gaming experts.
Winners will be announced during National Library Week, April 12-18. The grant application is available online at http://librarygamingtoolkit.org/rfp. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm, Friday, March 20.
Gaming is one example of how libraries continue to change to meet the needs of their communities and users, offering innovative programs and services that educate, entertain, and expand interaction with their patrons.
For additional information about the grant contact: Dale Lipschultz, Literacy Officer, Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, by phone, (312) 280-3275, or e-mail, dlipschultz@ala.org.
5b. Hedberg Public Library Wins "We The People" Award
The Hedberg Public Library in Janesville was one of 3,000 libraries to receive a free collection of classic books for the fifth annual "We the People Bookshelf," thanks to a grant administered by the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Libraries across the nation received 17 hardcover books for young readers (K-12) related to this year's "Created Equal" theme, inspired by the 2009 bicentennial year of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The Bookshelf includes Spanish translations to accompany four of the selected titles. Sharon Grover, Head of Youth Services at Hedberg Public Library, applied for the grant last year.
--from the February 23, 2009 Monday Memo, Arrowhead's electronic newsletter.
6. Upcoming Courses of Interest to Youth Services Librarians
The following courses are offered by the School of Library and Information at UW-Madison
Connecting Teens with the Best in New Teen Lit February 23-April 5
Instructor: Christy Mulligan, Teen Central Librarian at the Minneapolis Central Library, part of the Hennepin County Library system. Cost: $135
www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/connectteens.html
Children, Technology, and the Library March 9-April 3
Instructor: Ruhama Kordatzky Bahr Cost: $95
www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/kidtech.html
Graphic Novels in the Library March 11-April 8
Sarah Hartman is the Adult Services Librarian at the Middleton
Cost: $95
www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/graphicnovels.html
For more information, contact Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu or 608-263-4452
7. Resources for Young Children Who are Blind
Mary Tellefson at the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI)-Outreach, has created a series of parental brochures that address the needs of babies and preschoolers who are blind. The most recent brochures is called "Dandy Hands" and includes tips on how to start a baby using his/her hands to explore as preparation for the many things the child's hands will eventually help do, including reading Braille. This colorful brochure, and the others in the series ("Calendar Systems: A Developmental Approach for Youth Children with Sensory Impairments," "Powered Mobility," "Stroller & Wheelchair Mobility," and "The Teaching Cane Strategy"), can all be downloaded from the WCBVI-Outreach site at www.wcbvi.k12.wi.us/outreach.
8. "Beezus and Ramona" Movie Scheduled for Release in 2010
Teen Sensation Selena Gomez and Joey King are cast as sisters in the upcoming film based on best-selling book series by Beverly Cleary, "Beezus and Ramona." Gomez will portray Beezus, the brilliant yet insecure older sister to King's Ramona, whose vivid imagination, boundless energy, and accident-prone antics help her family face its biggest challenge. Twentieth Century Fox anticipates the release will be in March 2010.
9. Update on the Issue of Lead in Children's Books
Librarians can breathe a sigh of relief in the wake of a one-year stay of enforcement on having to test for lead in books geared to youngsters under the age of 12. The extension until February 10, 2010, puts an end to the nightmare scenario envisioned by some in the library community of having to either ban children from their facilities or cordon off the book collections in youth services areas until federal regulators concede that children's literature complies with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
The January 30 announcement came only days after several representatives of the Consumer Product Safety Commission heard the concerns of the publishing industry during the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in Denver. Afterward, CPSC General Counsel Cheryl Falvey reassured libraries that they did not have to take any action at this time, ALA Washington Office Associate Executive Director Jessica McGilvray reported January 22.
Nonetheless, Washington Office Executive Director Emily Sheketoff cautioned, "This announcement is not an end to this problem. Since we know children's books are safe, libraries are still asking to be exempt from regulation under this law." She went on to assure the library community that ALA "will continue to work...to ensure that a year from now, this matter is resolved once and for all, and America's libraries remain open and welcoming to children."
--From American Libraries, Posted on January 31, 2009,
www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/January2009/leadlawstayed.cfm
10. WEMTA Author Fair
The WEMTA Spring Conference will show case a free Author Fair on Sunday, March 22, from
3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Monona Terrace Conference Center in Madison. Over 30 state authors and illustrators of children and teen books will participate. Books will be available for purchase. Each participant will be giving a ten minute presentation. Among the participating authors and illustrators are Lorna Balian and her daughter Lecia, Francisco X. Mora, Kashmira Sheth, Mary Osborne, JoAnn Early Macken, and Karen Hartman. For more information, go to www.wemtaonline.org/se3bin/clientgenie.cgi.
11. State Library of Iowa Free Library Posters
Tasha Saecker on "Sites and Soundbytes" points out these excellent (and I do mean excellent) library posters from the Iowa State Library. The posters are in PDF and for anyone to use and have nice library-neutral promotional themes that any library could print out and post. There are over a dozen (including some in Spanish).
The titles and subject of the posters include "He's Really into Needlepoint" (A heavily tattooed gentleman), Adult Summer Reading, Scary Tutor, Helpful Staff, Studying Harmonics, Teen Interests, and Preschool Reading. The posters only take about 10 seconds to download. They were developed using LSTA funds.
--from the "Newsflashes," the Indianhead electronic newsletter for February 18, 2009.
12. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)
Registration is now open to request complimentary brochures featuring an exceptional book list with bilingual, Spanish-only, and English titles for children. "Celebrate ¡Celebremos!" will be used by members of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and REFORMA, as well as libraries across the country 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.
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, and bilingual writing projects and programs that will encourage parents to inspire their children to read. New this year, a Día Wiki is now available for libraries to share celebration ideas, tips and resources. The Wiki is available at http://wikis.ala.org/alsc.
Día honors children, their languages and culture; encourages reading and literacy; and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country's diverse populations. To request the "Celebrate ¡Celebremos!" brochure, please visit the Día Web site at www.ala.org/dia. Libraries that register their Día events through the Web site will receive complimentary copies of the brochure while supplies last. An interactive map showing information about registered events is also available on the Web site.
13. Read Across America!
On March 2, the National Education Association is calling for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult. The National Education Association annually sponsors Read Across America. Now in its twelfth year, the program focuses on motivating children to read, in addition to helping them master basic skills. The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, community centers, and more participate by bringing together kids and books. For more information or to download free resources go to www.nea.org/readacross/.
14. First Lady Doyle's Recommended Children's Titles for this Month:
Wisconsin's 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 this month are:
Preschool: "Who's Hiding?" by Satoru Onishi
Primary: "Four Feet Two Sandals" by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
Intermediate: "The Upside Down Boy" by Juan Felipe Herrera
Middle School: "The True Meaning of Smeckday" by Adam Rex
High School: "Copper Sun" by Sharon Draper
For more information, or to join the "Read On Wisconsin" book club, go to http://readon.wisconsin.gov
15. Monthly Postings are Archived on the Youth Services Web Page
The 2009 monthly postings for the system youth services liaisons will be archived on the DLTCL Youth Services web page at www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/ys-postings.html.
16. Upcoming Events in 2009
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 page of Monthly Postings for Youth Services Liaisons.
For questions about this information, contact Jamie McCanless (608) 267-9280
Last updated on 3/3/2009 11:06:53 AM
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