RPLS Youth Services

Summer Reading Resources

2011-03-04T05:18:00.005-06:00

iREAD web page

iREAD Flickr photostream

iREAD 2011 Showcase Crafts

RPLS costumes page (RPLS members only)

Puppet Buddies (RPLS members only)

Glimpse of SRP 2010

2011-03-04T05:15:00.000-06:00

SRP 2010

Looking for ideas? This glimpse of 2010 Summer Reading Programs illustrates some creative ways to showcase summer reading at your library. Click on the monster graphic to see the album of photos. Thanks to all the Rolling Prairie Library System members that shared photos.

Summer Reading Program Kickoff Invitation

2011-02-11T10:59:00.007-06:00

2011 Summer Reading Program Kickoff
Friday, March 4, 2011
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Decatur Public Library Elizabeth Madden Auditorium in Decatur, IL

Hark now! All Ye Summer Reading Program Planners are hereby invited to attend the Rolling Prairie Library System Summer Reading Program Kickoff!

I bid you join this opportunity to get ideas, tips, and hints for summer reading 2011.

• Presentations of crafts, games, decorations and more
• Displays and examples
• Around the table sharing - bring your thoughts, ideas, and questions.
• Networking opportunities with other youth services staff members

There is no cost to attend the event but the box lunch is available for $10. Details and choices are included in the L2 description.

Please register in L2.

Caldecott, Newbery and More

2011-01-11T16:13:00.007-06:00

The 2011 American Library Association Youth Media Awards have been announced. If you haven’t seen the list of winners, it is available in this ALA press release.

The 2011 Newbery Medal winner is “Moon over Manifest,” written by Clare Vanderpool. The 2011 Caldecott Medal winner is “A Sick Day for Amos McGee,” illustrated by Erin E. Stead and written by Philip C. Stead. Many notable awards were announced at the same time, include the Coretta Scott King Awards and the Michael L. Printz Award.

I’ve requested several of these titles in HIP. I’m got some reading to do!

Summer Snowman

2010-12-22T15:16:00.004-06:00

I was looking out my kitchen window at the half-melted piles of snow along the edge of the driveway and thinking about the snow predicted to arrive between now and Christmas when an idea hit me in the head like a well-aimed snowball.

The 2011 iREAD Summer Reading Program “A Midsummer Knight’s Read” would be the perfect time to use Gene Zion’s Summer Snowman (1955). In this out-of-print but still available in libraries story, Henry and his brother make a very small snowman and Henry plays a trick on his brother by hiding it in the freezer. By midsummer, the snowman is brought out and the whole community is amazed by this out of season snowman.

Think about the “midsummer” part of the 2011 theme and envision the fun you can have showing off your own summer snowman. However, you need to plan ahead. This winter, take advantage of a beautiful snowfall to stash a few small snowmen in your own freezer. You will be happy you did!

Your program participants will be even happier if you serve them Melted Snowman Cookies. Yum! Is it summer yet?

Books as Gifts

2010-12-07T10:07:00.006-06:00

Need some suggestions for great book gifts? The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books has posted the 2010 edition of their free Guide Book to Gift Books. This list includes over 300 in-print books, all recommended in full Bulletin reviews within the last three years.

As Garrison Keillor has said (and Mary Engelbreit has illustrated), “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

It Doesn't Grow on Trees

2010-07-07T15:57:00.002-05:00

Have a project you always wanted to try if you just had the money? Learn how you can find opportunities to fund those special projects. Join us at RPLS for “It Doesn’t Grow on Trees: Finding Funds in Your Extended Community” on Thursday July 22 from 1:00-3:00 pm

Presenters Jane Lenser and Norma Applegate will share ideas and tips on locating funds through corporations, foundations, grants, and fundraising. Whether you are a newbie grant writer or an experienced wordsmith, you're sure to find something new here!

We all know money is tight, so don’t pass up this chance to generate funds for your library!

Thursday, July 22, 1:00-3:30 pm
It Doesn’t Grow on Trees: Finding Funds in Your Extended Community
Please register in L2:
http://www.librarylearning.info/events/?eventID=10651

Summer Camp at RPLS

2010-05-24T12:27:00.007-05:00

Go to camp this summer! RPLS Summer Camp for School Librarians offers the opportunity to gain knowledge, practice new skills, and network with other school and youth services librarians. Please join us on Tuesday, July 13 at Rolling Prairie Library System in Decatur, IL.

Details are now posted and registration is open. Go to L2 for all the information. Cost of the event is $12, which includes a delicious box lunch.

Need a flier to print out as a reminder? One is available here.

Programming Ideas for Shoestring Budgets

2010-03-22T14:47:00.003-05:00

Spring Workshop offered jointly by the ILA Youth Services Forum and the Young Adult Services Forum

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Location: Lewis & Clark Library System ~ Edwardsville, IL
Ideas for Kids: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Ideas for Teens: 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

The Youth Services people from Lewis & Clark Library System (LCLS) libraries will present a practical make & take workshop. Participants will go away with directions and supply lists to accompany programs at their libraries. Register for one age group or for both! Lunch is on your own at local, nearby restaurants.

Deadline for registration is May 5, 2010. Confirmations and additional information will be sent after the registration deadline.

Registration and information about registration fees are available on the ILA web page. For more information, contact the Illinois Library Association at (312) 644-1896.

iREAD Extras

2010-03-02T16:37:00.003-06:00

iREAD Extras

Click on the above link to find iREAD extras such as a Public Service Announcement and Flickr pictures.

RPLS Extras

Puppets and costumes can add fun to your summer reading program. This link connects to resources available only to Rolling Prairie Library System members.

Web Links for Scare Up A Good Book

2010-03-02T14:30:00.002-06:00

Scare Up A Good Book

Don't be scared! Planning your 2010 Summer Reading Program just got a little easier. Click the above link to go to a list of web sites that will help you Scare Up a Good Book.

'Tis the Season

2009-12-03T10:41:00.002-06:00

The staff of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books has created the 2009 edition of “Guide Book to Gift Books: An Annotated List of Books for Youth”. The free download gives brief annotations for over 300 of the best books for giving this holiday season, which are divided into recommendations for the very youngest listeners up to young adult readers. This guide will help your patrons find just the right book for the people on their shopping list.

Bad Books, Bad Books - Collection Development Policies

2009-08-04T22:26:00.016-05:00

Policies: Collection Development from the Ground Up

University Laboratory High School Library

Whitefish High School Library

Jane Sharka's Collection Development Materials

ALA's Library Bill of Rights

ALA's Freedom to Read Statement

ALA's Access to Resources and Services in the SLMC

AASL's School Library Bill of Rights

ALA's Evaluating Library Collections

ALA's Workbook for Selection Policy Writing

Bad Books, Bad Books - Collection Development Tools

2009-08-03T13:30:00.009-05:00

Online Resources for Your Tool Box

Baker & Taylor

Permabound

School Library Journal

Publisher's Weekly

Alzheimer's Association and other groups with special interests

New York Public Library and other libraries with posted recommendations

St. Charles Public Library and other libraries closer to home

caa.reviews

Book Spot

The School Library Media Specialist Overview of collection development resources with a school library slant

Resources for School Librarians Selection Tools and more

Storytime Dogs

2009-04-08T11:56:00.003-05:00

News from the April 8 FFFFA: Paula Lopatic brought one of her new storytime dogs and it is very petable! Paula is going to use these to substitute for real dogs and allow children to read to them. These dogs came from Highsmith and you can see them for yourself on their webpage. The large dog shown above is the storytime dog. The smaller dog is one of Paula's new Folkmanis Puppets.

a great Passover story

2009-04-08T11:44:00.003-05:00

Rachel is letting me borrow her blog to tell you about the things I brought to today's FFFFA. A new book at our library is a primary/intermediate grades picture book based on a true story. "The Yankee at the Seder" by Elka Weber (Tricycle Press, c2009, isbn 978-1-58246-256-1) tells the story of a Jewish family in Virginia and a Yankee soldier. The War of Northern Aggression ended just before Passover. Mother is preparing for the seder and 10-year-old Jacob is on the front porch eating a piece of matzoh. A Jewish Yankee soldier on leave walks by and asks for a taste of the matzoh. Jacob is astonished when Mother invites Corporal Levy to share their seder. As she explains to her son "Jacob, every year we begin the seder the same way. We say, 'All who are hungry, let them come and eat; all who are in need, let themjoin us for the Passover meal.' A hungry man needing a seder has come to our home. Would you send him away for wearing a blue coat?" A truly lovely story!

Links for March 6, 2009 SRP Kickoff

2009-03-06T07:08:00.002-06:00

The RPLS Summer Reading Program Kickoff is March 6. Come get WILD with us!

We'll be using these links:

Illinois Library Association - iREAD
Look here for the iREAD product catalog, downloadable posters, links to PSA and Flickr page

Read on the Wild Side Flickr Page
Some of our ideas from today will be posted here. Search for the RPLS tags.

FFFFA Tech Day Question #1

2009-02-08T16:37:00.001-06:00

You may not consider yourself a web 2.0 user, but I bet you know more that you think. Please post a comment listing a way you have started using technology in your library or in your personal life.

FFFFA Tech Day Question #2

2009-02-08T16:34:00.002-06:00

Did you bring a show and share item for FFFFA Tech Day? Please post a comment and share your tip.

Sail the Web 2.0 Seas

2009-02-06T16:56:00.006-06:00

Put on your wolf suit and get ready to sail the seas of web 2.0 We’ll stare into the yellow eyes of new technology as we tame it. Free Form Free For All and friends will expand their knowledge of library uses of web 2.0 on February 9, 2009. Let the wild rumpus start!

Be sure to check the comments section for links we will use on February 9.

SRP Low-Cost Programs

2009-01-12T12:28:00.002-06:00

How about sharing some ideas for people or agencies that will provide free or low-cost programs?

SRP Performers

2009-01-12T11:22:00.002-06:00

Will you be hiring performers to come to your library as part of the summer reading program? What performers are you considering?

I'm back!

2009-01-12T09:58:00.004-06:00

Once again, I am at a workshop to learn more about creating and using blogs. Doris McKay is showing us how to use Blogger and I am finally updating the blog I started at Jackie's workshop last summer. Some of the new features we have found are additional profile options and tagging functions.

2008-07-08T15:51:00.002-05:00

Summer Camp for School Librarians was a great success! We had fantastic attendance. It was a wonderful opportunity to see friends and learn something new. At "Time to Test Drive" I learned the basics of creating a blog and here it is!