11-12-97

11-12-97
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:31:16 1997
From: Carolyn Caywood <carolyn@infi.net>
Subject: Mr. Casey's Unhappiness (fwd)

Dr. Gordon asked me to forward this because her original post has not
appeared. Appologies if it is a repeat for any of you.
Carolyn

Forwarded message:
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 19:44:28 -0800
To:Pubyac
From:druthgo@sonic.net (Dr. Ruth I. Gordon)
Subject:Mr. Casey's Unhappiness

PUBBERS:

I am hard put to respond to my fellow ALA Councilor, Councilor James
Casey and his hurtful rant about school librarians. It is one of a
series of blasts he has shot at those who work in schools. I would
prefer someone from AASL to respond to him on yet, still another of his
accusations at those who work in schools. As it is, although I am sure
that Councilor Casey did not mean for me to take it "personally". I do.
I do not know what the school librarian situation is in Illinois. I
certainly know what it is--and it is miserable--in California.

He asks--what about all those school librarians in the place that pushed
the public libraries to the wall? Did that area have 23 trained
librarians in the schools? Did it have any in the elementary schools? In
my own Sonoma County, California, there is not one trained, credentialled
school librarian in any elementary school. There are clerks with
high-sounding titles and almost no training and very little money to
support library service. And...the situation has become much worse
because class sizes have been reduced and every available room--small,
large, hallways, even parts of bathrooms, etc., have been converted to
classrooms.

Why does money go to schools? The response is so obvious that I need not
discuss the matter--because this nation has determined that--in
lip-service anyway, our children will be in schools during the day and
perhaps receive an education. I think most of us can agree that in richer
places education is richer. But that in no way indicates that there are
either librarians or libraries in the schools.

Now, as for Councilor Casey's constant preachment about money going
towards schools and not toward the places that do the work in his view
(public libraries), perhaps the time has come for him--and all of us--yes,
even school librarians--to realize that this nation does not wish to
support--in anything by mouthing off--the betterment of our children by
providing sufficient and generous monies for the many functions of
schools and public libraries.

In my time in active service, I volunteered to stay late in the
day--although I always arrived at least one hour and a half before school
took up--but was constantly stymied after school by (a) bus schedules (b)
the need for security personnel in the school--extra funding--to protect
personnel, i.e., me. And that was in a middle class district. Heavens
knows what it would be in the inner city. I also realize--as Councilor
Casey will, no doubt, point out, that public libraries have the same
security problems. However, in many schools throughout this great land,
school personnel is forbidden to stay after school.

I will not bore readers with my own experiences. I ALWAYS tried to
co-operate with my local public libraries and have letters of rebuff in my
files. For instance, our school wanted to place a set of text books in
the public library with no strings attached. We thought it would be
convenient for our students and help our local library. Nope. Couldn't
be in the library. Why? Because they would need to be catalogued and
suppose--just suppose--a Marin County Public Library wanted to borrow
those treasures? Goodness, through Interlibrary Borrowing maybe even
Councilor Casey's library might have wanted to ILL those expensive
treasures.

The time has come for Councilor Casey and all of us to somehow find
pressure points so that all institutions working with children can be
adequately funded. I know it can not be generously funded because the
Stealth bomber is so much more romantic.

I trust Councilor Casey will channel his disdain and anger about schools
into some relevant legislation in ALA Council and run for his local school
board to begin to change matters.

Am I angry? Well, you figure it out.

Big Grandma (Councilor at Large who always expresses her own opinion)

==================
"You may not be able to change the world, but at least you can embarrass
the guilty." Jessica Mitford (1917-1996)

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:38:55 1997
From: Wally Bubelis <wallyb@halcyon.com>
Subject: Re: IF and youth

On Mon, 10 Nov 1997, marykchelton wrote:

> Intellectual freedom has always been a central concern of the advocacy side
> of young adult services, but you would think it wasn't even an issue
> reading this list. What's going on? Other than Carolyn Caywood and myself,
> are any of you lurking on the ALAOIF list? Is it now a waste of time to
> teach IF issues in library school youth services classes. Should Patrick
> Jones have left them out of the new edition of his book?

I've been lurking on both these lists, and I find that the debate is much
more vigorous on ALAOIF; I wonder how many libraries that serve youth have
already succumbed the easy "solution" of filtering software. I am
fortunate to work at a library where the First Amendment rights of all our
patrons are respected. I have personally dealt with a few concerned
patrons over the issue of Internet access, and I would like to see more
comment on this list regarding practical matters of policy.
Specifically, I would welcome comments from people who find themselves
advocating for youth and the right to access information freely. How do
you answer parents? How do you answer adults who are not the parents of
children? I am a recent graduate and do not have much practical
experience in these matters, although I've managed to hold my own in
one-on-one discussions with concerned patrons.
I will mention a few incidents to provoke discussion here. First, we had
an Internet terminal in the children's wing of one of our branches. No
problems until a patron pointed out a site that was left up in full view
of the children. Turns out the patron was a minister and had found the
site himself, left it on in full view of the children, then came to us to
tell us there was a problem (I must add this occurred when no children
were actually present).
A woman came to the ref desk to report that two teenage girls were looking
at porn on the net. We have privacy screens installed, so this woman had
to stand right behind them to find out what they were doing. When told to
stop, she refused and complained to us that our policy was meaningless if
it didn't protect the children. I pointed out that our policy is not
designed to protect people, although it is designed to keep people from
being obnoxious; that is, the girls were infringing this woman's rights by
creating a stir while viewing their site.
So what would you do in these situations? How do you balance people's
right to access vs people's "right" not to be disturbed by what other
people access? And specifically, how do you balance these rights when
children and YAs are involved on either side of the coin?

wally bubelis
Seattle Public Library

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:38:15 1997
From: Kim Baker <baker@noblenet.org>
Subject: Re: IF and youth

Mary,
I think you misunderstood the context of the question...this is a
request to gather information *against* using filtering software.
Unfortunatly, the choice of using filtering software is sometimes taken
out of the hands of librarians and left to the trustees'. We fight the
good fight and use all of our IF training that we got in library school to
the best of our ability and it still doesn't make an impact on parents
whose child accessed pornographic material at the library. Our IF beliefs
are in direct oppostion to parent's feelings when "protecting" their
children. Some trustees' feel that the parents are more important. In
this case, the Youth librarians are gathering all information that would
help us in the upcomong meeting.

Please continue to respond, we appreciate all of your input!

On Mon, 10 Nov 1997, marykchelton wrote:

> >For any library that is using filtering or blocking software...I am
> >curious if you have had any "problems" with them. Specifically, any
> >public complaint of access to an inappropriate site that slipped through
> >the filtering software.
>
> >I am gathering information for an upcoming meeting (Nov. 20).
> >Please reply to me directly. Thanks for your time.
>
>
> I find this post fascinating. Is it the position of most people on this
> list that Internet filters are a foregone conclusion? Most of the ALAOIF
> List discussion is, in one way or another, about kids and their rights to
> information, but it rarely seems to be an issue here. Is "youth advocacy"
> dead? Or is there some communal assumption that PUBYAC is only for
> practical problems, not philosophical, as if managing IF problems were not
> a practical issue. Has this concern been delegated "up" to library managers
> and trustees?
>
> Intellectual freedom has always been a central concern of the advocacy side
> of young adult services, but you would think it wasn't even an issue
> reading this list. What's going on? Other than Carolyn Caywood and myself,
> are any of you lurking on the ALAOIF list? Is it now a waste of time to
> teach IF issues in library school youth services classes. Should Patrick
> Jones have left them out of the new edition of his book?
>
> Mary K.
>
>
>
> ******************************************************************************
> Mary K. Chelton, MLS, PhD
> Assistant Professor
> School of Library and Information Management
> Emporia State University
> 1200 Commercial
> Emporia, KS 66801
> phone: (316) 341-5071 work
> (316)342-9277 home
> fax: (316) 342-6391 home
> e-mail: mchelton@cadvantage.com
>
>
>
>
>

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Kim Baker | Wakefield Public Library
Head of Youth Services | Wakefield, Massachusetts
baker@noblenet.org | *North of Boston Library Exchange*
---------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:38:15 1997
From: Smith <lsmith@suffolk.lib.ny.us>
Subject: Internet filters

First, I do not have Internet access in my children's room, so the
following points are of academic interest only. My library has one
Internet terminal in the Adult Reference area and it is not filtered.

1)If you have the terminals filtered are you giving the parents a false
sense of security, since no filter will keep out every questionable site?
We already have parents who casually leave preschoolers unattended--this
same mind-set will lead to parents abdicating their responsibility to
monitor their children's internet use to the filtering software. And be
ready to duck when their child accesses a graphic site anyway!

2)Is it really "censorship" not to want graphic pictures of grown men
having sex with children on a computer monitor visible to anyone who walks
by? I understand that some of the sites out there make Playboy look like
suitable material for a preschool classroom. I do not seek out such
things and do not want to be exposed to them as I go about my work.

3)This is not a black and white issue. It is gray and fuzzy and there is
no clear right or wrong position. Please, let us discuss it with respect
and consideration for each other as professionals.

Lisa Smith
Lindenhurst, NY

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:44:52 1997
From: "Carl A. Harvey II" <02caharvey@bsuvc.bsu.edu>
ubject: Author visit

My school is looking into have an author or illustrator come into our
school for a visit. We have never done anything like this before and are
lost where to start. The principal is funding this venture, but the $
amount has yet to be determied. We are located in central Indiana. Some
of the questions we have is who could we get? How do we get them here?
etc. Any help you PUBYACers could be is greatly appreciated. Thanks in
advance.

Carl Harvey

:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
CARL ADRIAN HARVEY II
02caharvey@bsuvc.bsu.edu charvey.sppl@incosla.palni.edu
School Media Services Major Specialized Library Assistant
Ball State University Speedway Public Library
Muncie, Indiana 5633 W. 25th Street
Speedway, Indiana 46224

charvey@indy.net OPINIONS EXPRESSED
Speedway, Indiana ARE CLEARLY MY OWN!

CHarvey@pike.k12.in.us
Apprentice Learning Leader
New Augusta Public Academy South

Web Page - http://bsuvc.bsu.edu/~02caharvey/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:39:00 1997
From: schachtc@lcm.macomb.lib.mi.us
Subject: Re: IF and youth

PU>For some people it is easy to philosophically accept the use of filters
PU>for "protecting" children (including YAs); however YAs, in my mind, do
PU>not need that same level of "protection" as children do. While I do not
PU>want them sitting in the public library viewing hard core sex acts...

AH, herein lies the rub; if we champion the rights of YA's to have
access to unfiltered access to the web, yet recognize the fact that
given the opportunity many of them would be delighted to enjoy the
sorts of explicit sexual material which are not hard to find on the
web, then we are left with one of two choices; give them free reign ,
grit our teeth and prepare to be stoned to death by the public for
becoming PURVEYORS OF PORNOGRAPHY, or be prepared to spend a lot of
time acting in loco parentis. In view of the fact that neither
alternative has much appeal for me, I get forced to conclude that
filters might not be the least worst (not best) alternative, though I
say this with no great joy. I'm hoping that somebody will be able to
persuade me otherwise, though; is there a third choice that I'm missing
here which would allow free access but still keep us out of the skin
trade? We need to be realistic about teenage human nature here while
we're championing intellectual freedom...

Chuck Schacht
Romeo District Library
Romeo, MI.
PU>

PU>Some food for thought...

PU>Ciao

PU>--
PU>PLEASE NOTE NEW PHONE NUMBER - 330-335-1299
PU>C. Allen Nichols 1998 Ohio Library Association
PU>Director Vice President/President-elect
PU>Wadsworth Public Library
PU>132 Broad Street
PU>Wadsworth, OH 44281
PU>c.allen.nichols@wadsworth.lib.oh.us
PU>330-334-6605 - FAX
PU>"One soon learns that so long as books are kept open then minds can
PU>never be closed" - Ronald Reagan

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:40:34 1997
From: "Lorie J. O'Donnell" <odonnell@borg.com>
Subject: Re: IF and youth

Hi all,
I just had to jump in this discussion, as this is one of my main
concerns right now. I am a very strong supporter of intellectual
freedom for children.
It has always been the position of my Library, and my Children's Room
that each parent is responsible for their own child's reading (and now,
web browsing/internet use). That is a position which I am willing to go
to the mat to defend and uphold. (I was a major part of the committee in
charge of developing our internet use policy, as in I wrote the draft
and worked on the final product as well. I was also a member of our
system, Mid-York Library System, committee for Internet Use Policy
Development.) Our library is now revising our internet use policy for
the addition of public terminals with graphical access. I am also on
that committee. This is a very practical issue for me, as I am sure it
is for many in my same position.
If we, as children's (and YA) librarians don't defend the rights of the
children we serve, no one will. Once the foot is in the door for the
censorship of the 'net (and I firmly believe that government/library
restricting the use of computers/internet of children to only machines
with filters is censorship), what's next? If we allow electronic
censorship, we are setting a terrible precedent for the challenge of
other materials.
I have had many people try to change my mind regarding this issue, and
over the past few years, I have grown even more firm in my stance
against filters in the children's room, or anywhere in the library, for
that matter. So, you see, not everyone accepts filters for children's
terminals a foregone conclusion.
I will admit, I am one of the lucky ones, as my director agrees with me
for the most part on this issue, and we will stand together(with the
other two librarians on the committee) when putting the issue, and the
new policy to our board for approval.

Lorie
**************************************************
Lorie J. O'Donnell, Children's Librarian
Jervis Public Library, Rome, NY

odonnell@borg.com
http://www.borg.com/~odonnell/index.html

"I hope we never lose sight of one thing.
That this was all started by a mouse" Walt Disney

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:36:09 1997
From: Lu Benke <lubenke@libsys.ci.fort-collins.co.us>
Subject: RE: IF and Youth

Mary K., if we've been quiet too long on what's happening with IF
and youth lately in public libraries it is not because we have given in
to the pressures to filter--at least not in our neck of the woods. I was
excited to receive the following post yesterday that gives a quick
survey of the public libraries' stance on filters and children's use in
some Colorado locations. Like you, without hearing from people on the
filtering issue for a while, I was wondering what WAS happening. I find
the following news encouraging.

Lu Benke
Media and Children's Services
Fort Collins Public Library
201 Peterson Street phone: 970-221-6686
Fort Collins, CO 80524 fax: 970-221-6398
lubenke@libsys.ci.fort-collins.co.us

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 08:46:06 -0600
From: Hank Long <hlong@ci.englewood.co.us>
To: libnet@csn.net
Subject: EPL's Internet Survey

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

On October 23, I posted two questions on Libnet regarding the public use of
Internet terminals in public libraries across the state. Many, many thanks
to all of you who have responded to my inquiry. I have just gotten back in
town after a week's absence, and this is my first chance to tally the
comments.

Below are the questions along with the responses I have thus far received.
I am still accepting responses?

1. How many public libraries in Colorado use filtering software on their
public Internet computers (and, is it used on the computers for kids,
adults, or both)?

2. How many public libraries in Colorado require parents to pre-approve or
sign ?parental permission cards? in order for their under-18 children to
use the Internet terminals in their library (if so, how do you do this, how
does it work, what has been the attitude or response of your patrons)?

? From Paul Paladino at Montrose Library District: We don't use filters.
(and re: parental approval) We don't do this either.

? From Anne Mojo at Louisville Public Library: Louisville does not use
filtering software. Louisville does not require permission for minors to
use the Internet.

? From Janine Reid at Jefferson County Public Library: I am not an
official spokesperson for JCPL, but can tell you that we do not currently
use filtering software. Nor do we require that parents authorize use of the
Internet for their children.

? From Pam Belfor at Loveland Public Library: We are just introducing
Internet to the public. We are not planning to use any filtering software
.We also do not require parents to pre-approve.

? From Peggy Martin at Gunnison Public Library District: We haven't
started yet (installation due Nov. 5) but we plan no filtering software in
any section of the library. We also do not ask for pre-parental approval.
I am trusting in the exposure of the terminals to the circulation desk to
help with offensive graphics.

? From Mike Bartlett at Meeker Public Library: The Meeker Public Library
uses no filtering programs. My board is against filters. We do require
parents signatures, but we don't ask people to sign in or in any other way
do we check against the list. This is a very small town and the library
assistants know everyone.

? From Barbara Youngblood at Norwood Public Library: We're very small,
(and) have been letting all patrons use the Internet with no filtering
device or pre-approved sign-ups by parents of children and have had no
problems.

? From Jamie LaRue at Douglas Public Library District: We provide public
Internet computers, all positioned in the adult area, none filtered. No
attempt is made to keep the kids away from the Internet workstations, any
more than we would attempt to keep them away from adult encyclopedias. Our
assumption is that only parents have the right to restrict children from
access to library materials.

? From Lu Benke at Fort Collins Public Library: We do not use filters on
any of our WWW workstations. This is true for our 8 adult stations as well
as our 2 stations in the Childrens area. We do not require parents to sign
any kind of permission for their child(ren) to use the WWW stations, but
all WWW users must submit a library card or picture id. For children under
age 18 to obtain a library card, parents must sign the back of the card
(with the child if possible) where it states children will have access to
all materials. If a child has a picture id (in our area, junior high on up
are issued one) they may obtain a library card on their own as well as use
that id to use a WWW station.

? From Istara at Bud Werner (Steamboat Springs) Memorial Library: Bud
Werner Memorial Library does not (do either).

? From Randy Smith at Boulder Public Library: As you might have guessed,
Boulder does neither of these.

? From Dave Stover at Arapahoe Library District: I called Boulder,
Denver, Jefferson County, For. Collins, Pueblo, Pikes Peak Library
District, Adams County, and Douglas County. Not a one uses filters.

? From Tami Weage at Ignacio: We're small enough that I am able to keep
an eye on what's happening on the net on a more informal basis, so we don't
use any filtering software, and we don't require written parental
permission.

? From Chuck Bates at Pueblo Library District: At the present time, PLD
only has Lynx access to the Internet. Internet access is available on all
public terminals. PLD does not require parents to
?pre- approve? their child's access to the Internet.

As to our own situation, the Englewood Public Library has had public
Internet access since the beginning of the year. We have 6 terminals in
the adult area and 2 in the children's area. Per the decision of our
Library Board, the kid's computers are equipped with CyberPatrol filtering
software (along with appropriate signage) for those parents who are
concerned about what their chidren see on the 'net. The adult terminals
are not filtered, however we do try to block access to chat rooms and
e-mail as much as is technologically possible. We DO NOT restrict children
to only the filtered terminals. We try and encourage parents to work with
their children in choosing what web sites to visit, the same as they would
in choosing which books, tapes, movies, etc. are appropriate for their
family. We also remind parents that no current filtering program is able
to filter only pornography and that no current filtering program is able to
filter all pornography. We have a first-come, first-served sign-up & usage
policy, and we currently do not require any sort of parental authorization
for under 18 folks to use any of the computers. In 10 months, we have had
only 2 public complaints, with the second one coming only after an article
on the "problem" appeared in the local paper. What prompted my inquiry on
Libnet is that there is a small, albeit vocal segment of the community
pushing for some sort of parental pre-approval card for those under 18 to
use the 'net, and I wanted to see how others are handling the issue.

Thanks again for all of your assistance.

Hank

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:37:42 1997
From: "Barbara J. Lintner" <blintner@net66.com>
ubject: Toddlers and puppets

I agree with Cathy Williams, puppets can be used with babies and toddlers.
I recently tried puppets in our Babies' Laptime. I hid a little mouse in
the crook of my arm and had him "peek-a-boo" during the song of the same
name. All the babies and toddlers (6-24 months) were delighted, even those
who were not skilled at "peek-a-boo". I also use Mother Hubbard's dog with
nursery rhymes on bones found in a cupboard in Toddler Time for 2's and 3's.
Probably the key is to use friendly looking non-threatening puppets in a
low-key manner.

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:45:48 1997
From: Sarah Hudson <shudson@plcmc.lib.nc.us>
Subject: Filters and Intellectual Freedom and YAs

Okay,

I will add my 2 Cents worth. Since everytime I'm vocal, a good friend from
Library School Days will write me, so I'll post again on this issue.

My library system in North Carolina does not use filters. My main objection
to filters is that they block useful information. However, I've never used
a computer that had a filter on it, so I cannot comment from personal experience.

Our regional branch is fortunate enough to have a Learning Lab with internet
access on all 15 PCs. We do have a written internet policy, which I have shared with many people on this list, that each patron must sign to when
they get on. Children under 12 must have a parent with them, which I think
is a good idea. YAs, 13-17, must have a PARENT'S SIGNATURE on file
to use the internet without a parent with them. Most parents gratefully sign to
this, they are not worried about their teens getting into something they
are not supposed to. The parents do not want to have to come to the library
everytime their teen wants to get on the internet.

Since we do not have a filter system, we do have patrons that pull up pornography, and I tell you , I hate it. I don't care if someone chooses to
look at pornography, or to not use that term, nekkid people having sex on
the computer screen, in their own home, but please don't expect me
to see it in my workplace. It really affects me when I have to go tell someone
to remove that site from their screen because it is against policy. I don't mind
telling them, but I end up getting a close up view of what they are looking at.
I don't particularly enjoy quick time movies at 11:00 in the morning. :)

At our location, we've only had trouble with a few teenagers pulling up "porn".
We've had probably less than 5. It is "grown men" and I use the term loosely,
that we have the most problems with. When we first opened,
We had trouble with teens on chatllines. Since we offer internet as a research
tool, and we have such a high demand for usage in our location, we have
denied the use of chat except for research. This is sort of vague, but
people generally accept this. If there is a legitimate use for chat, we will
make an exception. The teens generally got loud, disruptive, foul mouthed,
and argumentative when on chatlines, and I can tell you, things have changed
for the better since this new rule.

Internet restriction is an important topic, and we do have differing opinions in
the field. I don't condemn libraries for using filters. If that is your system's
choice, fine. I don't condemn libraries who have Appropriate Use policies, they
work for us.

It seems to me if you can't yell Fire in a crowded movie theater, than you can't
pull up nekkid people having sex in a library. But that's just MHO.

We need to keep a sense of humor about things, and we also need to realize
that we are real librarians practicing in the real world. We all have
different communities and different standards. It is nice to sit in an ivory tower
and philosophize about things, but we need to be practical. I am
glad there are people and organizations who can remind of us philosophical
issues, and we do need to keep talking. But remember us out here who are
dealing with the perverts and pedophiles.

Well, I've gotten long winded again, and there's more I could say, but I won't
If anyone is interested in looking at our Library's internet policy, here is the
address on our home page:

http://www.plcmc.lib.nc.us/find/policy/internet.htm

Sarah

Sarah Hudson
Information Specialist
Independence Regional Library
Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
shudson@plcmc.lib.nc.us

These opinions are my own, and do not reflect those of PLCMC

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:48:05 1997
From: " Anne H. Nolan" <anolan@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us>
Subject: possible quote

Dear pubyacers,
I have a rather different request for the group. My library's Friends'
group is honoring one of our volunteers who has been doing story hour
here for 35 years! They would like me to give them a quote from a
children's fiction book that reflects a love for books and reading. The
only restriction is it must be brief. I've come up with two, but am not
crazy about either one. Do any ofyou have a very special quote you would
be willing to share? Thanks very much. Please respond directly to me.

ANNE H. NOLAN e-mail:anolan@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us
Ogden Farmer's Library (716) 352-2141
Spencerport, NY 14559
************************ **************************************

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:48:17 1997
From: midstaff@erinet.com
Subject: Stumper-The Abandoned

Thanks to all who responded to my question concerning the title "The
Abandoned". I actually received two answers and had to do some further
investigating to make sure I had the right one. It looks the one my
patron is looking for is by the author Paul Gallico which is about a boy
hit by a car and while in a coma fantasizes about being a cat--I could be
a little off by that. Sounds pretty close to what the patron wanted.
What threw me off was that I got a few responses saying there is a book
titled "Abandoned" by Gordon Douglass Griffiths (Griffith was the author
the patron gave me)which is also about a cat but is set in London during
WWII but has nothing to do with a boy and a car.
Apparently both are great books. The one by Gallico is still available.

I haven't been able to reach this patron, but I'll let her know about
both. Thanks again for all your help.
-------------------------------
Julie Pfeiffer
Children's Librarian
Middletown Public Library
Middletown, Ohio

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:48:44 1997
From: "Allison Ho" <HO@slais.ubc.ca>
Subject: RESULTS - Suggestions for realistic fiction on family issues for

Hello PUBYAC:

Over a month ago I posted a request for assistance with my booktalk
to grade 8/9 youth, on the theme of realistic fiction dealing with
teens and their conflict/difficulties with their parents and family issues.

Here (finally) are the titles/authors recommended for my request.
I have included the contact/e-mail information for the recommenders,
and I hope this is acceptable to them.

Many many thanks to those who provided their ideas. I enjoyed
reading many of the books, and will read more as soon as I can.

Allison :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Rebecca Hastings <rhasting@vlc.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Re: Recommendations for good "family-issue" realistic fiction...

well allison, a rather off-beat "family-issue" book set in australia is
angel's gate by gary crew. it is a real page turner!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: susand@ci.hillsboro.or.us

You must include RATS SAW GOD by Rob Thomas. Also, IRONMAN by Chris
Crutcher. Both books are about teenage boys in conflict with their
fathers and are wonderful reads.

Good luck with your project!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wonder if you've considered the Night the white deer died by Gary
Paulsen; or Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume...these are two that deal with
(somehow) problems with a parent and/or changes in the
relationships...Andrea Tarr ktarrleg@gte.net
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jinx Watson <jinxbohs@utkux.utcc.utk.edu>

Here are some of my favorites:
Be sure to get to know John Marsden (Australia) - Letters from the Inside
and his newest title, Tomorrow, When the War Began; My Sister's Bones
(Cathi Hanauer) about a sister's bout with anorexia; work by Michael Cadnum,
Bruce Brooks and Jacqueline Woodson, Walter Dean Myers. Of course, be
sure to read each of these to see if you like them before you booktalk
them! Good luck, Jinx Watson, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Sylvia Jadczak <sjadczak@mhs.sad59.k12.me.us>
Organization: madison_area_high_school

Chris Crutcher books deal with conflicts with parents and personal
issues.
Anne Fine's Sugar Babies, is one by a British author.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've just finished reading Secrets by Alane Ferguson (Simon & Schuster 1997).
It's about a boy who sends his summer days at the zoo, there one of the
workers claims to be his biologial mother. He has no idea that he's
even been adopted. He finds out that she's telling him the truth, and
starts spending alot of time with her and his new found sister. But a
emergency forces his father to find out about the situation (he nevre
wanted his son to know he was adopted) and the boy must make and
important decision, stay with his adopted father, or discover what life
would be like with his family. I tought the book was very good. It
sounds like it would fit into what you want, however the main character
is only twelve. Hope this might help you out!

Laura Kelley
Maple Valley Library
Akron, OH
ac521@acorn.net --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How about
Crutcher, Chris
Ironman

Grant, Cynthia
Mary Wolf

Virginia Cooper
Youth Services Librarian
Henrietta Public Library
vcooper@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Romer <fromer@suffolk.lib.ny.us>

Allison, he is neither British nor Australian, but you really should read
novels by Chris Crutcher, especially IRONMAN and STAYING FAT FOR SARAH
BYRNES. Also, a new American writer, Rob Thomas' RATS SAW GOD.

Good luck, Fran Romer, YA Librarian
Northport Public Library
Northport, NY 11768
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "F. Brautigam" <fbrautig@nslsilus.ORG>

For your 9/10 grade project I'd recommend Toning the Sweep and
Revolutions of the Heart. The only Australian thing I can think of that
might do is Syndey Herself, but I can't remember how old the protagonist
is. I should be able to think of some British ones, too, but am drawing
a blank.

Good luck!

Faith Brautigam
Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL 60120
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: mchelton@cadvantage.com (marykchelton)
Hi Allison!

Berlie Dougherty's SNAKESTONE is about a teenager searching for his birth
mother. She's British.

Mary K.

Mary K. Chelton, PhD
Assistant Professor
School of Library and Information Management
Emporia State University
1200 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Lola Teubert <lolat@evans.evcpl.lib.in.us>

Dear Allison,
The Great Santini-Conroy,Pat
Stone Water- Gilbert, Barbara Snow
Hoopi Shoopi Donna -Shea,Suzanne Strempke
The Middle Heart - Lord,Bette Bao
The Tender Years - Oke,JAnet
What Girls Learn - Cook,Karin
Friends to Die For -Giberga,Jane Sughrue
The Blooding - Windsor,Patricia
Tenderness _ Cormier,Robert
Locked In Time - Duncan,Lois
Practical MAgic - Hoffman, Alice
So Loud A Silence- Jenkins, Lyll Becerra de
FAther Figure - Peck,Richard
My memory is good today-its just short-the one where the boy sees his father
on the beach w/ another man. Sorry its left me at the moment.

Hope this list is helpful.
Lola

Lola Teubert
Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Library
22 SE. Fifth St.,
Evansville,IN.47708

*******************************************************
Allison Ho, Graduate Student
School of Library, Archival and Information Studies
The University of British Columbia
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
E-mail: HO@slais.ubc.ca

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:48:59 1997
From: "A. Day" <aday@remc4.k12.mi.us>
ubject: ornament ideas

Hello, all. To celebrate our community's annual Cold Nights, Warm Lights
kickoff to the winter holiday season we are having a tree trimming event in
the youth services department. The plan is to have the kids create three
different, but simple, ornaments that represent Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and
Christmas to decorate an evergreen in the department. Does anyone have any
simple ideas that might work for this project? I am currently going through
Kathy Ross' Crafts for Christmas, Crafts for Kwanzaa and Crafts for
Hanukkah, as well as some of our other holiday craft books. I thought I'd
check with the collective brain, in case someone has done something similar
that worked really well. Our date for the event is November 29th. Please
respond to me personally and thanks in advance for your help!

Alison Day, Youth Services Librarian e-mail: aday@remc4.k12.mi.us
Hackley Public Library phone: 616-722-7276, ext. 229
316 West Webster FAX: 616-726-5567
Muskegon, MI 49440

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:49:17 1997
From: JUDY SHERIFF <JSHERIFF@duluth.lib.mn.us>
Subject: IF and youth -Reply

I certainly don't blame you for worrying, Mary K, but Pubyacers must be
lurking on ALAOIF and even on filt4lib (all points of view, you know . . .).
At least I am! I can't be alone.

But keep prodding - and keep teaching IF. We need to know the support
is there in the broader library world so that we don't get overwhelmed by
local concerns.

I'm fortunate in Duluth that my position places me solidly in the
management circle and that I have a wise director who doesn't
micro-manage. Youth services librarians can't afford to let these issues
be delegated "up." Somehow, if they have been, they have to be
reclaimed! (I freely acknowledge, however, that this is probably the most
difficult issue I have ever wrestled with professionally!)

I'd reply privately to you, but decided it was important to be "public!"
Anyone else?

Judy Sheriff, Youth Services Manager
Duluth Public Library
520 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
218/723-3817, fax 218/723-3822
jsheriff@duluth.lib.mn.us

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 19:49:38 1997
From: mchelton@cadvantage.com (marykchelton)
ubject: Re: ALAOIF query

Hi Amy! Thanks for your post. To subscribe to ALAOIF, send a message to
LISTPROC@ALA.ORG. No subject. For the message: SUBSCRIBE ALAOIF. Some of
the people on the list, like any list, are a big pain. There's a guy from
Boston who has made it his life's work to damn the Boston PL on the list
and we all delete him, and the Filtering Facts guy, David Burt, who is
promoting the use of filtering software, can get wearing, but the list
needs a youth presence, and it is worth it for the posts from Karen
Schneider, Carolyn Caywood, Dorothy Broderick, and John Gear, among others.
There is a digest option for the list if the individual messages get to be
a lot to wade through. I agree with you completely that managing IF is a
lot more difficult than just pontificating about it.

Mary K.

>I am very interested in Intellectual freedom and would be interested in
>joining this list you mentioned if you would tell me how. The library
>I work at has internet access and the parents are required to sign a
>permission slip for children if they want to use the Internet. I have very
>little say into this policy. I know next to nothing about blocking
>software as I have never used it. I think that our policy somewhat punishes
>the older children, or children from certain families (ones with parents
>who don't speak the language) and that is a problem. I also think that
>since it is the parent's job to make the decisions about what their
>children can and cannot do, and gives them the choice to only let their
>children use the Internet under their supervision it puts responsibility
>for the child back on the parents where it belongs. I am not totally
>comfortable with the issue, as it is still a violation of IF, but it is
>better than blocking software or getting sued, I suppose....Anyway, if you
>could send me the information about signing up for ALAOIF, I would apreciate
>it....(I have only been working for a couple of years now, but have found
>that things that seemed so simple and cut-and-dried back when I was taking
>IF classes in library school are much more complicated in real life....
>)
>
>Anyway, let me know, and thanks....
>
>--Amy Lilien
> Ferguson Library, Turn of river Branch
> Stamford, CT
>
> alilien@ferg.lib.ct.us

******************************************************************************
Mary K. Chelton, MLS, PhD
Assistant Professor
School of Library and Information Management
Emporia State University
1200 Commercial
Emporia, KS 66801
phone: (316) 341-5071 work
(316)342-9277 home
fax: (316) 342-6391 home
e-mail: mchelton@cadvantage.com

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 21:48:35 1997
From: "Johnson, Deidre" <djohnson@wcupa.edu>
Subject: Caps for Sale--folktale??

One of my students just asked whether Esphyr Slobodkina's _Caps for Sale_ is
a folktale, because David Russell's _Literature for Children_ (3rd ed.)
lists it as such. I've always seen it classified as fiction and my copy of
_Caps_ only refers to it as a "tale", an ambiguous term at best. Does
anyone have source information for this story--either the country of origin
or any information about its origin?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Deidre Johnson
djohnson@wcupa.edu

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 21:48:48 1997
From: Gilbert Crawford <gcrawfor@sparc.hpl.lib.tx.us>
ubject: Houston, Texas - Library Service Specialist

 HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

 Library Service Specialist

 PN# 64115

 Branch Services - Carnegie Regional Branch 



 DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 Provides paraprofessional reference service for patrons by telephone, mail, and
in person. Assists with scheduling, planning and promoting children's programs.
Performs outreach activities including visits to schools and day care centers.
Provides reader's advisory service to parents, teachers and other persons desiring
juvenile service. Assists in the development of other programs. Performs other
tasks essential to efficient library operations. Requires evening and weekend
(Saturday/Sunday) work.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

 Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Must be able to
use a computer to access/input information. Must be able to move freely throughout
the library to file/retrieve library materials. Position requires stooping,
bending and lifting materials up to 20 pounds. Must meet requirements for City
of Houston Policy on Operation and Use of Vehicle by Employee.

 MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 Bachelor's degree in subject area applicable to working with juveniles.

 MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

 No experience required.

 MINIMUM LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

 A valid Texas Driver's License and comply with the City of Houston policy on
driving (AP 2-2).

 PREFERENCES

 Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) preferred.

 SALARY INFORMATION

 Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications
as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. The minimum
to midpoint of this salary range is:

 Salary Range - Pay Grade 13

 $741 - $994 Biweekly $19,266 - $25,844 Annually



 OPENING DATE November 12, 1997

 CLOSING DATE November 18, 1997 



 APPLICATION PROCEDURES

 Original applications only are accepted and must be received by the Human Resources
Department during posting opening and closing dates shown, between 9:00 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m. at 500 Jefferson, 15th floor. TDD Phone Number (713) 759-0838.
First consideration will be given to those applications with a resume attached.

 Out of town applicants may mail a cover letter, referencing PN# 64115, and resume
to: 

 City of Houston

 Attn: Greg Carter

 Human Resources Department

 P.O. Box 1562

 Houston, TX 77251



 Successful candidates will be notified of their application status. All new and
rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination
and verification of information provided.

 An Equal Opportunity Employer 

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 21:51:45 1997
From: "Children's librarians" <children@mtlib.org>
ubject: Stumper: Penguin picture book

A patron is looking for a penguin picture story book from her childhood
(about 15 years ago). It's about a penguin who was cold so he sailed
north, until his iceberg began melting in the heat. So he (she?) filled a
bathtub with ice water and used the spout to get back home. The patron
believes the book is named after the penguin's name. We don't have some of
the books in A-Zoo that are just named e.g. The Penguin's Tale, so we're
not sure if those might be this book. If you know the title, many thanks!
Paula Davidson Bozeman, MT

From: "Children's librarians" <children@mtlib.org>

---------------------

From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Wed Nov 12 21:48:55 1997
From: oneil <oneil@asbank.com>
Subject: Stumper: The Last Class

I am looking for a French short story about the Alsace region.It is the
story of the last class in French, because the Germans have just
conquered the region and now the classes will be taught in German.I once
saw it in an anthology for junior high students.I thought maybe it was
written by de Maupassant or Daudet, but I haven't been able to find
it.Thanks a lot!
Sally O'Neil
oneil@asbank.com

---------------------

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