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Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 15:17:38 -0500 (EST)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #504
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 10:31:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Heaney <eheaney@nwpl.new-westminster.bc.ca>
Subject: Re: Homeschoolers
We are a small-ish municipal library in a larger metropolitan area. We
have neither a teacher's card, nor do we make special provisions for
homeschooling parents. We generally allow any card holder to take 2 or 3
books per subject, depending on what our collection can offer (this
includes material from both adult and children's sections).
If the parent uses a card and the child also uses his/hers (although we
discourage this, explaining that we are attempting to spread things
around as much as possible), a family can still clear out all the books
on Peru or blue whales pretty rapidly.
Our total limit on children's books is 25, which satisfies most borrowers.
Our loan period for books (exept holiday materials) is 4 weeks.
I think most homeschool projects can be completed within these parameters.
Ellen Heaney
eheaney@new-westminster.bc.ca
On Mon, 16 Nov 1998, Virginia McKee wrote:
> We have had a request by a homeschooling mother for one of the
> "teacher's cards" we offer to those in the school system. I am
curious,
> what special services do others provide for homeschooling parents? I
> know that there has been some discussion recently, but I have never been
> successful at locating the pubyac archieves.
>
> Please respond directly to:
> Virginia McKee, Youth Services Coordinator
> Providence Public Library ginnyme@lori.state.ri.us
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 14:21:16 -0500 (EST)
From: Linda Smith <lsmith@vlc.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Murder Mystery
We are planning a murder mystery night for area teens. Our Teen Board is
working on a script and clues, to help the teen sleuths solve the crime.
Was wondering if other libraries that have held a mystery night had any
tips o things that worked and also on those that didn't work. Also what
age group showed up for the event, middle school or high school students?
Thanks!
Linda Smith
Young Adult Outreach Librarian
Bay County Library System
Bay City, MI 48708
lsmith@vlc.lib.mi.us
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 12:07:48 -0800
From: Thom Ball <ballt@pls.lib.ca.us>
Subject: Re: Homeschoolers
Hello Virginia,
I cut and pasted some of the responses I got to my homeschooling
questions - hope these help.
Thom Ball
Peninsula Library System
San Mateo, CA
From:
"annie leon" <annie_leon@hotmail.com>
At the North Regional /BCC Library in Broward County FL, we provide a
resource center for Homeschoolers. We keep homeschooling catalogs on
file, as well as the Florida parent-organization pamphlets, a contact
list for people seeking assistance, subscriptions of several
Homeschooling magazines. We also provide tours and computer instruction
to groups upon request.We provide a meeting room for science fairs, art
shows, and other group special events (we do not provide regular meeting
space since so many local groups--not just homeschoolers-- would tie up
all our rooms, and we need the space for our own library programming)
From:
Beth Gallaway <egallawa@concentric.net>
Dear Stephanie,
Currently, the only services we offer to homeschoolers is access to our
parent teacher collection, which has some great homeschooling resources
in it, and let families take more than 2 books on the same subject, when
appropriate. We also go out of our way to order requests for books for
members of families who we know homeschool. Often, the kids are asking
for fiction paperbacks, as opposed to parents wanted texts or expensive
nonfiction
I tried to get a list of homeschooling families from the city's dept of
ed, and the man in charge said it was a confidential list. We also
designed part of our children's room homepage with special links for
homeschoolers. Check it out at
http://www.Haverhill.com/Library/pt/ptindex.htm
We have talked about offering some sort of open house during the day to
meet homeschooling families, but it hasn't happened yet.
Beth Gallaway
Haverhill Public Library
Haverhill MA
From:
<cwitek@park-ridge.lib.il.us>
Thom,
Our library recently hosted a program that introduced local
homeschoolers to
our library. The program included a tour of the building and an
overview of
resources we have that would be useful to homeschoolers (computer
access,
reference resources, and books in our collection about homeschooling,
etc.).
We also have links to homeschool related web sites on our web page.
Other
than that we really don't have much specifically for homeschoolers
because
the ones in our area do not seem to use our library very much despite
our
efforts to draw them in. I am surprised by that but then again we could
also make better efforts.
I am a fairly recent graduate of Library school ('96) and during Library
school I did a research paper and oral presentation on homeschoolers and
the
public library. I observed one of the local libraries (Champaign, IL)
that
serves a healthy population of homeschoolers and got some really good
ideas
of what homeschoolers want and need. That particular library regularly
visited the local monthly homeschool meetings and promoted their
programs
and library card sign-up. They put together a "introduction to the
Library"
type of presentation just for homeschoolers that included tours and
hands-on
use of catalog computers and reference resources. The presentations
were
done during school hours so there were fewer interruptions and since
that's
when homeschoolers often use the library. As a service to homeschoolers
they also created a special bulletin board in the library where
homeschooled
kids could post their art work and other things.
>From my journal research I learned that homeschoolers would like libraries
to keep vertical files on state laws for every state in regard to
homeschooling, to provide a copy of local public school curriculum
guidelines, and to subscribe to homeschool journals/ periodicals and
newsletters. Beefing up one's collection to include books on different
aspects of homeschooling would most certainly be helpful. From being in
contact with homeschool families I know that homeschoolers rely very
heavily
upon the library--that was certainly the case at the Champaign Public
Library. But then CPL had a great rapport with the local group by
seeking
them out and attending their meetings to include them in what was
happening
at the library, letting them know they were welcome. This aspect is
important as many homeschoolers try to keep a low profile due to the
negative reactions they sometimes get from people who are ignorant about
homeschooling.
Hope this helps!
Charlene Witek
****Opinions Expressed Are My Own****
Charlene Witek
Children's Services Librarian
Park Ridge Public Library
20 S. Prospect
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 825-4527
Fax: (847) 825-0001
Email: cwitek@park-ridge.lib.il.us
From:
"justin cooley" <jkcooley@ll.net>
We offer homeschooling programming at our library. Once a month, I do =
two "groups"... those 5-9 and those 9 and older. This month was the =
first time for me to do so... it went really well overall. I just went
=
through Chase's and picked something for the month... this month we =
celebrated "National Chicken Month"... younger group - "chicken
books" =
and we did a related craft activity. Older group I read a chicken =
folktale and we did experiments with eggs. With the older group, we =
also discussed books with chickens/eggs in the stories and how they were
=
portrayed... as strong characters (Little Red Hen for example) or as =
weak (Chicken Little, for example) or as "magical" (as in Jack and the
=
Beanstalk, for example), etc. =20
I'm looking forward to our upcoming programs each month! Kathleen Ahern
From:
Rsponaas@aol.com
This is an abbreviated version of my response to Stephanie some weeks
ago.
Greenville County (SC) has a large population of homeschoolers - over
500
families in a county with a population of 350,000. We consider
ourselves
their "school library."
PROGRAMS:
We allow homeschool groups to book tours and class storytimes the same
as
schools & preschools. With advanced permission from us and the school
involved, individuals children may "tag along" with a school group of
the same
grade that has already booked a program. Of course, they are always
welcome
at regular family storytimes.
We actively search for material to help parents cope with
homeschooling. NOT
specific curriculum texts, but books like "Homeschool Burnout." These
are put
in our parenting and early childhood education room. We keep local
homeschool
newsletters for 6 months in our Vertical File (these check out.) We
also
maintain a Homeschool Notebook, copies of which at at every library
location
in circulating and reference. The Notebook has sections dealing with
state
laws & regulations on homeschooling, help groups, bibliographies,
curriculum
sources, etc.
Quik Kits, a special collection of thematic storytelling kits made up
for
preschool and daycares, will soon be made available to homeschool
families as
well.
Hope this helps. Susan Sponaas, Children's Services Coordinator,
Greenville
(SC) County Library
Virginia McKee wrote:
>
> We have had a request by a homeschooling mother for one of the
> "teacher's cards" we offer to those in the school system. I am
curious,
> what special services do others provide for homeschooling parents? I
> know that there has been some discussion recently, but I have never been
> successful at locating the pubyac archieves.
>
> Please respond directly to:
> Virginia McKee, Youth Services Coordinator
> Providence Public Library ginnyme@lori.state.ri.us
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 15:17:59 -0600
From: Peggy Northcraft <mdu002@mail.connect.more.net>
Subject: Re: summer reading...
Jennifer,
In Missouri and Pennsylvania there are statewide committees who decide on
the theme, art work, etc. In MO the theme for 1999 is READING TIME '99.
You can contact each State Library for their summer reading themes. The
Public Relations office of the large city libraries would know their
themes. Use the yellow pages on the Intenet.
Peggy
Margaret "Peggy" Northcraft
Children's Librarian
Hannibal Public Library
Hannibal MO (pop. 18.004)
mdu002@mail.connect.more.net
"Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to
govern, but impossible to enslave." Henry Peter Brougham
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 15:29:50 -0600
From: Eric Norton <enorton@scls.lib.wi.us>
Subject: toys in the collection
Gretchen,
I just started working in Children's Services in August and one of my
first big jobs was to spend a large chunk of grant money on our games
collection. I was able to buy many of the items through locally owned toy
stores and the rest through catalogs. We have a circulating collection of
games that are educational in some way as well as toys for preschoolers,
mostly manipulatives (building toys, stringing beads, blocks, etc.). We
have just got the newer things cataloged and had a game day to show them
off (during which the power went out, but that's another story). It was
one of the busiest afternoons we have had in a long time. We are preparing
a photographic catalog of the various games so that parents or teachers can
peruse and see the entire collection, regardless of what is in at the
moment.
The advantages of the collection are that kids can reinforce their
learning of various topics in a game atmosphere. For younger children,
simply mastering basic tasks like building with blocks are important
developmental steps that books can't really assist. So we provide other
tools for them. Game-playing itself helps develop social skills.
The big disadvantage is all the darn pieces. We haven't had a lot of
problems but there are a lot of blocks, dinosaurs, markers, cards or
what-have-you in any given game or manipulative to go missing. All of
these also have to be counted by circulation staff each time a game is
returned.
We also have an in-house collection of toys. We have a Lego table, Roller
Coaster Beeds, puppets, stuffed animals and puzzles. A few of our stuffed
friends are book related (Spot seems to be a big favorite of the toddlers)
but most are just cute. These all have two basic functions. The first is
that they give the young kids something delightful to look forward to at
the library that, especially for pre-readers is more immediately
interesting than books. I know this may sound a bit sacrilegious but I
think that the average two year old is going to pick Pooh Bear over a book
every time (without Mom or Dad or a librarian there to read the book to
them). Connected to this idea is the fact that these things provide a
young child with something amusing to do while a parent may be helping an
older child or selecting material for themselves. Just by having a stuffed
dolphin for little Molly to lug around, we make it easier for the rest of
her family to accomplish their library tasks, without having to engage each
child individually. A third function of the stuffed toys and puppets is
linking them to books. We can display our two _Where the Wild Things Are_
puppets with the book and the book instantly disappears. The same goes for
connections between critters and books where the critters weren't produced
as a direct tie-in. Stack our squeezable sea otter with _Lots of Otters_
and the book is gone.
There are some disadvantages to in-house toys as well. There is a fair
bit of general tidying that needs to be done to keep the various toys
arranged to the point were they are attractive. Book/stuffed displays take
a bit of extra work on top of that. It seems that putting together all the
undone puzzles occupies whoever is closing for the last 20 minutes of each
day. Toys shared by many children can also pose some health questions and
we don't honestly really address these. We have had these collections for
a number of years without doing any sort of cleaning without any complaints
or visits from the health inspector. I am not sure how we would even clean
the fuzzy critters but we could and should probably wipe down the puzzles
and send the Legos through the dishwasher at least every once in a while.
Well, that's a long winded answer but I hope that that covers some of the
things that you were interested in.
Eric Norton
enorton@scls.lib.wi.us
Head of Children's Services
McMillan Memorial Library
490 E. Grand Ave.
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54494
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 16:45:44, -0500
From: HBEA68A@prodigy.com (MS ELIZABETH B NEWKERK)
Subject: Re: Toddler Storytimes
Cynthia Bishop wrote:
>My observation has been that 3 to 5 year olds can focus on being
with a peer group better when their parents are not present. I
notice that when a child's parent is in the room the child seems to
have to divide his or her attention between the peer group and the
parent. Often I find the children better behaved and more attentive
when the parent is not present.<
>I'm talking here about parents who value books and bring children
to story time as a matter of course. If you're dealing with young
parents or those who aren't comfortable with books, then it makes
sense to have the parents present. In this case, you're essentially
teaching the parents as well as the children. In a situation like
this I find it works better to have the parents sitting with their
own children rather than out of sight behind them.<
I may be reading something more into this than was intended, but
these statements make me uncomfortable. In my child's eleven years,
if we encountered any situation (doctor's offices, music lessons,
school, etc.)where parents were discouraged from being present, we
"voted" with our feet. It has never happened at any of the libraries
or library functions he has attended, so I'm a bit surprised to even
read about it. Separating children from parents on the arbitrary
basis of ages three to five sounds harsh.
I believe it is a decision that is strictly up to the parents.
Parents, more than any other person or professional, know their child
best. Too many times parents are chastised for not being more
involved with their children and I think parents should always be
told they are welcome. The final decision is then up to the parents.
About parents being present because they're young or aren't
comfortable with books... I was neither when my son was attending
storytimes, but I always felt I could learn something about books
from the librarian's presentation. With the myriad of books
available, I can't imagine one knowing everything (or enough!) even
if they are older and comfortable with books. My educational
background is on the other side of the spectrum from literature
(especially children's) and librarianship, so my son and I have
always felt fortunate to be in the company of welcoming librarians
with lots of book ideas.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Newkerk
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 15:47:08 -0600 (CST)
From: lochwouters@axp.winnefox.org
Subject: Re: [TOYS]
We've been circulating toys, puppets and puzzles for over twenty years
now. The toys are primarily large wooden ones (some of the originals
still!) that we bought through Community Playthings - riding toys, large
trucks, planes and boats (many are no longer available which is too
bad-they were cool!). The puppets have come from various sources although
Dakin and Folktails are the primary source now and the puzzles are
primarily from Judy Instructo with a few others thrown in. These
collections have been much enjoyed by kids, parents, teachers and care
providers. Often the toys selected coincide with the books the kids
enjoy reading.
We do minimal repair - one of our Friends of the Library washes sad
puppets monthly (we encourage parents to "give the puppets a bath" at
home prior to using); puzzles missing pieces are held for a month or two
to see if the errant piece arrives back and then withdrawn if it doesn't;
toys get a wipe down when needed and an annual cleaning by summer volunteers.
Barcodes for each item are on 3"x5" cards with the items name and a
number specific to the toy. We put that number somewhere on the toy,
puzzle or puppet and just look for that number when the item is brought
up to the check-out, pull the barcode card and wand it in.
Overall, we like the variety toys add to the collection and don't see
them as any more work than checking pieces on returned CDRom software or
cassette packs with books.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marge Loch-Wouters | Email: lochwouters@winnefox.org
Menasha's Public Library lochwout@athenet.net
Elisha D. Smith Public Library | Phone: (920)751-5165
Menasha, WI 54952-3191 | Fax: (920)751-5159
_________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 17:16:11 -0500
From: Diane Mayr <bratcat@mediaone.net>
Subject: Re: summer reading...
Hi from NH! The slogan for our 1999 SRP is "Once Upon a Summer's
Reading..."
Our statewide theme (folktales, fairy tales, tall tales) is selected by a
volunteer SRP committee that is a part of the children's services section
(CHILIS) of NHLA.
Diane Mayr
Nesmith Library pop. 11,000
Windham, NH 03087
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 15:32:08 -0600
From: Bobbi Ludwig <BJ.Ludwig@marquette.edu>
Subject: Computer Hardware/Software Question
Hi PUBYAC-kers!
I hate to ask yet another question, and I know everyone is very busy, but
I would greatly appreciate your responses to the following brief questions!
For a Microcomputer SLIS class, our project is to set up a system in a
specific type of library (of our choosing)--we must decide on hardware and
software and have a limited budget. We can create our own scenario, and
the one we have chosen is a small-to-midsize public library's children's
area. My thoughts are:
two or three computers hooked up to our catalog, online resources, and the
Internet
one CD-ROM station
one librarian station (this would be the children/young adult librarian's
"office" computer)
Now, my questions to YOU are:
1. Do you have computers specifically for/in the children/young adult area?
1a. If so, how many? (please also give some idea of the size of your user
population)
2. Do you provide Internet Access?
2a. If so, do you use a filtering product?
2ab. If so, which one?
2b. Which Web browser do you use?
3. What kind of software (games, CD-ROMs) do you provide access to on
these computers?
4. What kind of software applications do the librarian's use? (ex. Word,
Excel)
5. What are other programs that you use (anti-virus, security
protection?)? Are the terminals networked? Which operating system do you
use?
Please reply directly to me at BJ.Ludwig@marquette.edu. I would
appreciate any and all responses and THANK YOU for your time and knowledge!
Bobbi-Jean Ludwig
Science Library, Day Supervisor
Marquette University
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 10:00:00 -0500
From: Kate McLean <mcleank@mail.dekalb.public.lib.ga.us>
Subject: Re: summer reading...
Jennifer from Binghampton raised an interesting question. What are
everyones's themes for Summer 1999? I'll start the ball rolling.
Georgia's is 'Chill out with Books' (an arctic theme). I'll compile a list
so send your state's theme in!
- ---Kate
Kate McLean
Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library
mcleank@mail.dekalb.public.lib.ga.us
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 09:16:03 -0600
From: Carol & Marcel Erkens <erkens@home.com>
Subject: Re: Library Pages
Carol ? said:
At 08:39 AM 11/17/98 -0500, you wrote:
>I have read some of the responses to this and I find that I am in a very
>unique situation. At this present time I am a library page and I am in my
>first semester of my MLS program. Where I work we have a very relaxed
>dress code:
> Tee shirts and jeans are acceptable.
I started my library career as an adult page as well, and we were allowed
to wear jeans, as it was very dirty work at times.
>As for the reference questions my first day I was told not to
>answer any questions but that didn't last very long. Once I became
>acquainted with the collection the librarian allowed me to help a little
>more and a little more.
I also was allowed to answer what reference questions as I could. Mainly it
was showing people where certain sections were and even certain reference
books that I happened to know. I always told them, though, to check with a
librarian if they needed any more information.
>When I am helping someone I usually do let them know that I am not a
>librarian but I am still willing to help.
I also would tell patrons this.
Sometimes, if a page is really good, and the library is small, this can
work (there were only 3 pages, 2 for adult and 1 for children and 3
librarians, 3 specialists, 3 clerks/circ, and a few storytellers, with only
the librarians and head clerk as full time.)
For larger libraries, however, or libraries with very large page staff, I
would not recommend it. As it was, I was the only page that knew enough to
help. The other 2 wouldn't even try. It could cause confusion with the
public to have some pages who would be willing to help, and others refuse to.
Just my 2 cents,
Carol Erkens, YA Librarian
Abrahams Branch, OPL
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 21:14:24 +0000
From: joslund@colosys.net
Subject: How do *you* train shelvers?
Hi all,
We are trying to improve the accuracy of our shelving. What specific
procedures are in place in your library to ensure that (1) when books are
checked in, they get put back on the correct book cart; (2) shelvers
know how to correctly shelve to a high degree of accuracy; and (3)
books are kept in order (of course, through shelf reading; but very
specifically, how is your shelf reading done, and by whom?)?
Also, how are you evaluating people's work and to what degree of
accuracy are you holding them? 90% 95% etc?
I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions, even tiny ones!
You may send to me directly, and I will compile for all. THanks!
Janet Oslund
+++++++++++++
Janet L. Oslund
Youth Services Librarian
Montrose Library District
320 S. 2nd St.
Montrose, CO 81401
Voice: 970.249.9656
Fax: 970.240.1901
E: joslund@colosys.net
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 09:19:44 -0800
From: DriftWood Public Library <driftwoodlib@wcn.net>
Subject: RE: summer reading...
Re: Summer Reading Themes
The 1999 Summer Reading Theme for the state of Oregon is ReadQuest, and =
is centered around a medieval theme with the dragon as the central =
character (there are no damsels in distress, only damsels in control). =
The theme is directed at pre-school and grade school age, but will have =
clip art suitable for teens.
The theme is chosen annually by a state committee of youth librarians. =
Any youth librarian who is a member of OLA (Oregon Library Assoc.) can =
be on the committee. Currently, we have about twenty people on the year =
2000 committee. We meet in the fall to brainstorm themes, which we then =
present to the OLA Children's Division members for a vote; the one with =
the most votes is the winner.
As vice-president/president-elect of the OLA Children's Division, one of =
my my duties is to chair the Summer Reading Committee.=20
Jill Heffner
Youth Services=20
Driftwood Public Library
Lincoln City, OR
driftwoodlib@wcn.net
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 12:40:52 -0600
From: Marleen Watling <MWATLING@flower-mound.com>
Subject: Re: No meeting rooms for programs
Make a BIG fuss. We do not have a program room in our current small
library---groundbreaking this Friday for our new one---and it is terrible. I do
my morning storytimes in another room (Town Council Chambers) in the Town Hall
--where our current librar
y resides. I have to book it and sometimes I get ousted. The noise level is
high, the adults and young adults doing research and study complain, We are also
over fire code when all the parents and children are in the library. Does your
library want to
use a people counter and then refuse entrance to anyone coming into the library
when you have exceeded fire code??? I think that one of the reasons our bond
issue passed is that my storytimes have increased in size and created enough
disturbance to be no
ticed by everyone. I would NOT be able to do summer reading programs in the
library. Last year I had over 200 children attend--and I was over fire code
(shhh) for the Council Chambers. We tried one program outside---heat, r!
!
!
ain, and pesticides recently sprayed are all problems! Get the fire chief on
your side! If you can, mention the possible loss of meeting rooms to the
parents. The squeaky wheel should start now, not after the meeting rooms have
been taken away.
Good Luck!
At my previous library, after the meeting room was turned into a room for the
adult fiction collection, we discontinued programs until the branch was built.
Maybe you could start having some of your programs in the children's area to get
a feel (and a sound level) for the problem. It would be a shame to lose the
room, then discover that you, the staff, and the customers are disturbed and
inconvenienced.
Best of luck,
Marleen Watling
Youth Services Librarian
Flower Mound Public Library
Flower Mound, TX
e-mail mwatling@flower-mound.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 12:58:55 -0600
From: Marleen Watling <MWATLING@flower-mound.com>
Subject: Re: TOYS
I worked at a new branch where we decided to have toys in a "toy room"
that had a big window along the side so we could see in easily. The parents and
kids loved it, the staff hated it. Parts of toys were all through the library
and pages were tired of
picking up toys at the end of the day. (Librarians were tired of constantly
picking up toy pieces.) I worried about the germ factor since kids can spread so
many diseases by chewing on the same toys or not washing hands after using the
restroom.
We have puzzles in my current library and they are better.
Good luck.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 14:13:14 -0500 (EST)
From: lynne cronyn <lcronyn@web.aacpl.lib.md.us>
Subject: Storyhour music
Does anyone know of a tape or CD that has popular storyhour music (hokey
pokey, teddy bear teddybear, head and shoulder, etc.) but no words...just
the music? I would like to have the musical back-up, but change some of
the lyrics to fit the season or theme. Please email me if you have an
answer or idea. Thanks in advance!
Lynne Dager Cronyn lcronyn@web.aacpl.lib.md.us
Odenton Branch
Anne Arundel County Public Library
1270 Odenton Road
Odenton, Md. 21113
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 12:09:41 -0800
From: Lorraine Jackson <lorraine@olympus.net>
Subject: Multimedia PC questions
Hi fellow Pubyacers,
I work in a small, rural library on the Olympic Peninsula in
Washington state, serving a population of about 17,000. We are in the
process of purchasing a multimedia PC for our Children's room and I have
a couple of questions for people who have been through this already.
1. Sound issues -- how do you deal with the noise? If you use
headphones, how do you deal with the headlice issue? Do you just let
the sound come out of the speakers and ignor it?
2. I'm also looking for some suggestions for "kid friendly" word
processing software. Our computers in the main part of the Library have
Word Perfect and Microsoft Word, I was just wondering if there is
something made for kids that works well.
Thanks in advance.
Lorraine Jackson
- --
Lorraine Jackson
Jefferson County Library
P.O. Box 990, 620 Cedar Ave.
Port Hadlock, WA 98339
voice: (360) 385-6544
fax: (360) 385-7921
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 14:06:19 -0800 (PST)
From: Ralph Huntzinger <ralphunt@kcls.org>
Subject: Re: book and video party
Susan,
Just a reminder that you will be performing a "public performance" and
will need the rights to do this -- can't just rent video and show it
without violating the law. (Isn't being a professional and working in a
professional situation difficult.) There are many books that have been
made into "movies" that libraries have picked up with public
performance
rights; use one of these.
Ralph
> At the party we plan to show the movie and have the Young Adults look for
> discrepancies between the book and the movie.
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 16:09:37 -0800
From: torrie@ci.burlington.wa.us (Torrie Hodgson Children's Librarian)
Subject: Average retail prices
Okay, I need help fast! I had extensive water damage to a bank of
my fiction picture books. Of course, about 90% are out of print (except the
dratted Berenstain Bears.)
How/where can I find a citation on the average price of children's
picture book hard cover fiction? (Preferably not mass market hard cover.)
It also needs to be recent. How about it? Any takers? Any websites? Any
journal articles? I need something soon so I can get replacement funds.
Thanks for the help! (cross-posted to child-lit and pubyac in my
desperation.)
Torrie 8)
Torrie Hodgson, space librarian from the dark side of the moon!
Burlington Public Library
900 East Fairhaven Ave
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone (360) 755-0760 Fax (360) 755-0717
torrie@ci.burlington.wa.us
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 98 17:44:08 EST
From: "OOBLibrary" <OOBLibrary@dialup.customnet.com>
Subject: YA party with movies
This is directed at the library who is having a book discussion party for YA's
with every participant reading a book that is aslo available on video. After
reading the book, the YA's will watch the movie to see if there are any
discrepencies between the t
wo. Did the kids help plan this program? It sounds like it will be interesting,
but how will you choose which book/movie to discuss?
I'm not being critical of your program, I just feel bad that books and movies
are always put together, especially in the schools. Kids aren't reading a book
just for the book. They are always comparing it to the movie under the heading
of "critical thinki
ng." When I read a book, I have my own idea of what the characters and
landscape look like. Watching the video disrupts that process. Is that not the
case anymore with teens where exposure to movies is more common place?
Are they still able to create those mental images and hold on to them after
watching the movie? Are the books as meaningful to them if they don't watch the
movie?
Thank you, and good luck (and I mean it) with your party.
Edith Libby
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
ooblibrary@customnet.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 20:53:19 EST
From: Famous99@aol.com
Subject: Re: Complaint about YA novel
Elaine,
I'm pretty new to the field (six months or so... I'm still a trainee) but I am
officially the Young Adult Services Librarian at my branch. (We're even newer
to age specialization at BPL) and I've never had a problem with complaints
about any novel.
I do work with a unique public. They're Orthodox Jews who are avid readers.
They're usually bright and itelligence and spend less time with television and
other such passtimes than other teenagers. On the other hand, they are
extremely selective in what they read. A book that you've described would be
inappropriate. So, if I see someone holding a book that might not be
appropriate I will mention it, because I know if they're parents find out
what's in that book they will be quite upset (though I don't know that they
would challenge the book.) The YA collection is FULL of material that is
highly questionable. How many parents would approve of their twelve year old
reading Judy Blume's FOREVER? They would be horrified if they knew how
graphic that book really is. (I know. I read it when I was twelve years
old!)
My point is this. The parent is not challenging the book as part of your
collection. She is mentioning the that this book might be inappropriate for
HER daughter. I would say to her I understand how you feel. (And if you
don't, say it anyway.) Explain this particular book might be intended for an
older child. That you are glad you are aware of what her daughter is reading,
so many parents are oblivious to it. If she would like, perhaps in the
future, you could TRY (I only say try) to dissuade her daughter from reading
anything that you know she would disapprove of. And encourage her to continue
choosing books WITH her daughter.
That's really the most you can do.
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