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Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 18:39:11 -0500 (EST)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #509
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Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 09:08:15 -0500
From: "Kelly Poole" <kpoole@lex.lib.sc.us>
Subject: storytime/parents
Remember we are all in different situations. Just because something
works for one of us, does not mean it works for all, and remember this
is email, your emotions can really be misconstrued and feelings can be
hurt.
We offer several different storytimes. The first is Public Storytime
for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Personally most of the parents at our
library want their children to interact with other children on their
own. They (the parents) also appreciate the time to search for
materials on their own. When I am asked if a parent can attend, I
usually state that if its their first time, they can help get them
settled and/or if they are 3 they may also stay the first time or two.
I have never had a complaint. Personally, I find parents and other
"onlookers" are very distracting to the children and the presenter. I
think that when parents attend sessions, we should have the same
expectations for attentiveness and participation of him/her as the
child. I believe in sharing the theme with parents before or after
storytime may be beneficial for the parent and child.
We also have an evening storytime and a Sunday afternoon Storytime for 3
and up that is more family oriented. Parents may or may not attend.
Our Toddler Time (18-35 months) is different. Parents or caregivers are
required to be a part of Toddler Time, and they participate in finger
rhymes and songs.
Kelly Poole
Youth Services
Lexington Main Library
(A Midsized Library/average circ. YTD 40,000)
kpoole@lex.lib.sc.us
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Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 07:53:55 -0800 (PST)
From: bcl003@coyote.accessnv.com
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Toddler Storytimes
I have to agree with Lisa about being a vigilant parent who is not willing
to turn her child over to a stranger even for 15 minutes. You see the
problem is not that I can't let my child out of my sight for 15 minutes,
it's that she is already out of my sight for way too many hours each week!
As a working mom, I look for activities we can do together. So cut your
seemingly overprotective moms some slack! (And actually like Lisa, I
really see nothing wrong with being overprotective in this day and age.
After all, that's are argument against filtering and card limitation -
that it's the parents job to moniter his or her child.)
On that note, I read an interesting book last week called _Saving
Childhood_ which was about protecting the innocence and wonder of
childhood. I thought it was very interesting from both a personal and
professional perspective. Although, it took to task many of the overly
frank materials available to children, it several times stated that it did
not advocate censorship - that's the parents job. (A Librarian was
however taken to task for recomending _Are You There God? It's me
Margaret_ to an 8 year old.) Although, I'm not as conservative as the
authors, I found myself nodding at many of the points they made.
Stephanie Gall Miller
Head of Youth Services
Boulder City Library
Boulder City, Nevada
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Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 09:07:15 -0500
From: Melody Allen <melodyan@lori.state.ri.us>
Subject: RE: summer reading...
Jennifer, Rhode Island has a statewide theme for the Summer Reading Program
selected by the children's librarians of the public libraries at an annual
meeting. For 1999 we are doing "Don't Bug Me - I'm Reading!"
Melody Allen
Melodyan@lori.state.ri.us
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Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 09:34:56 -0500
From: Mary Matuszewski <marym@mail.bulloch.public.lib.ga.us>
Subject: HELP WITH TEENAGERS
Hello,
I would like to ask the group's advice about a recent problem the
library has been having. We have for about the last two weeks had
anywhere from 20 to 30 teens wandering around the library. Not really
such a big deal right? Well, we have had fights right outside our door,
and when we ask kids to leave because they are yelling for the third
time across the library, or for whatever reason, they leave and come
right back, or stand outside our front doors (the only way to get into
the library) in big groups. They do not come to the library to do
assignments, they come without book bags for the most part. Basically
we are fighting every day from about 5:00 until about 7:00 to maintain
any control. We have other patrons complaining about the noise and the
activity level. On the day we had the fights, the police came three
times, and the crowd would disperse until the police left and then would
be outside by the door again.
I don't want teens to be unwelcome in the library by any means, but they
are making life miserable for all the other patrons, smaller children
and parents included. Some of you may have this problem also and I
would love some advice. We are a smaller town, who I believe just had
the basketball courts torn down in the neighborhood. Thanks in
advance!! Please respond directly to me and I will post answers if
anyone else is interested.
Mary Matuszewski
Statesboro Regional Library
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Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 20:03:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Melissa Karnosh <emmelisa@bc.seflin.org>
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Toddler Storytimes
I have just finished reading Ms. Payton's remarks to Annie Leon.
Ms. Payton, while I understand your concern for your child, your tone
came across as unnecessarily rude and vituperative, and not appropriate
to this mailing list. Clearly, you do not agree with Ms. Leon's opinion
regarding the presence of parents in story programs for 3-5 year olds.
However, there is such a thing as agreeing to disagree, and realizing
that what works for one librarian in a given situation may not work at
all for someone else in a different situation.
There is also such a thing as disagreeing in a courteous and professional
manner, rather than launching what amounts to a personal attack in a
public forum.
Melissa Karnosh
Head of Youth Services
Broward County South Regional/BCC Library
Broward County, FL
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
We have plenty of youth. What we need is a fountain of smart.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
emmelisa@bc.seflin.org
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Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 21:06:56 -0500
From: Susan Gilkeson <cowgal@ptd.net>
Subject: Re: summer reading theme
And for Pennsylvania, it's "Route for Reading." We're already getting
comments that "root" will also work. :)
Susan Gilkeson
Dimmick Memorial Library
Jim Thorpe, PA
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Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 16:24:48 PST
From: "Dana Lubow" <danalubow@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Multimedia PC questions
What we did at our library, a noisy (after school), suburban library was
to purchase compuers without speakers. Yes, we've eliminated that
aspect of the Internet. So be it.
Dana
> 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?
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Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 21:39:59 -0500
From: czlr@musica.mcgill.ca (L. Bowler)
Subject: snow closures
Two weeks ago a question was posed regarding libraries and snow closures.
Living in Montreal, Quebec, I have some experience with snow.
The decision to close the library to the public is made by the city
administration, not the Head Librarian. Usually, but not always, the staff
are sent home for the day. In this case we are paid for the day. However,
last year during our famous Ice Storm, our library was closed for over one
week. In order to be paid during this week,the employees were expected to
work at the shelter set up at the Town Hall. Keep in mind that Montreal was
a disaster zone for two weeks last January - there was no power, trees and
live electrical wires blocked most streets, 50 lb. blocks of ice were
falling from buildings, the streets were sheets of ice. The Canadian Armed
Forces were called in to help. Throughout all this, our municipality never
stated clearly that employees were not to put themselves at risk in order
to get to work. Other than lying and calling in sick, the only way to get
paid was to fight the elements and work at the shelter. Some people, faced
with losing up to a week of pay and possibly being reprimanded for calling
in sick, chose to work. Perhaps the town had no other option, but I think
that there should be some sort of "insurance policy" built into the
payroll
budget for natural disasters. People should never have to put their own
welfare at risk in order to earn money to eat.
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Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 19:47:36 PST
From: "annie leon" <annie_leon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Complaint about YA novel
I don't know how small your client base is, that you can personally
intervene when you see a book that YOU think a parent might find
inappropriate for the YA client to read. I personally am flabbergasted.
YA librarians ususally pride themselves as advocates of teens rights to
read whatever materials they choose. Public librarians run an incredible
risk legally when they assume the role in loco parentis.If you assume
that role, where will you stand should you find yourself having to
defend someone's right to access? Bit of a conflict, I think.
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 20:25:29 PST
From: "annie leon" <annie_leon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Toddler Storytimes
Sorry my smily-face got you so upset. It was meant to reflect just what
it was - a smile. Having been a mom myself for many years--soon
hopefully a grandmom--I can understand the apprehension of a new mother,
not smugly, but with long-earned empathy. I spent many years as an
at-home mom and school volunteer. That still does not change my
professional opinion--based on observation--of the value of enhanced
storytime attention span without parents in attendance and using this
experience as a pre-school readiness time. But as I also said, my
department offers both kinds--to give parents the choice.
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Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 08:12:32 -0500
From: Jane Connor <janec@leo.scsl.state.sc.us>
Subject: Re: pubyac V1 #506
South Carolina's 1999 theme is Book Trek.
- --
Jane G. Connor
Children's Services Consultant
South Carolina State Library
P.O. Box 11469
Columbia, SC 29211
803-734-8666 Fax: 803-734-8676
Janec@leo.scsl.state.sc.us
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Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 09:31:03 -0600 (CST)
From: Lyn Persson <lpersson@nslsilus.org>
Subject: cd-rom advice
This list has been so helpful to me in the past. I appreciate having all
of you "e-colleagues" who are nice enough to share collective wisdom.
Here is another request. A patron is looking for good CD-ROM software
which will help her 5 year old with letter recognition. She really likes
the Arthur CD-ROM and is looking for something similar (and fun!) Does
anyone have a recommendation to pass on? I can check award
listings, magazines, etc., but I'd love to hear of anyone's personal
recommendation.
And does anyone besides me have trouble keeping up with the media
equivalent of readers advisory? I love to read adult books, and, while I
enjoy children's books, it's sometimes a struggle to tear myself away
from the latest Philip Roth (or whatever) in order to get to the latest
Katherine Paterson (or whatever). I work in a very book-oriented
community, and feel as if books should be my first priority. Yet there
are more and more requests for recommendations of good videos, CD-ROMs,
etc. I don't have kids myself, and the thought of taking the time to get
to know some of these materials personally is not terribly appealing.
Should I feel totally guilty? Does anyone have any inspiring words to
motivate me? Does anyone share my concerns?
So I guess this is both a speicific and a general request/discussion. Any
replies would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Lyn Persson, Wilmette (IL) Public Library
lpersson@nslsilus.org
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Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 13:56:54 EST
From: Seashli@aol.com
Subject: Re: historical fiction
Rebecca - I save the bibliographies from Booklinks. They have lots of great
historical fiction bibliographies, annotated and with grade level notations.
Good luck! Clara Sheffer
Niles Public Library Children's Dept.
Niles, Il.
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Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 11:35:02 -0400 (AST)
From: Patricia Jane Oakley <poakley@is2.dal.ca>
Subject: YA's and witches
I am a student at Dalhousie University, Halifax, in Library and
information stuies. A group in the YA class is producing a YA hotline
about witches. We would like to include a program guide for witches. Has
anyone ever incorporated successful ya programs about witches. Did they
have any censorship problems. Does anyone have any ideas for programs
that would encorporate the subject of witches. Any info would be
appreciated. Please reply to me.
poakley@is2.dal.ca
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Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 14:30:56 -0500
From: Carole Fiore <cfiore@discover.earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: summer reading...
The Florida Library Youth Program theme for 1999 will be _Readers on the
Prowl_ and will feature art work by Paul Yalowitz, author and
illustrator of _Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch_. Margie Johnson, Ann
Cook, and Leslie O'Riley from the Seminole County Public Library System
are have completed the manual (it will be going to press shortly) and
will be presenting 6 staff development and training workshops in
February. As soon as we have the manual on our web site, I'll let
everyone know.
Carole
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 10:10:13 -0600
From: "ROBIN DAVIS" <davisr@ci.farmers-branch.tx.us>
Subject: Parents in Storytime
Dear Pubyacers--
In regards to whether parents are "allowed" to be in your respective
story sharing programs, you might want to consider what I recently learned at
the Harriet Dickson Reynolds program in October. This is a program put on every
other year by the Houston Public Library System. The theme for this year realted
to babies, brain development, and libraries.
After hearing the WONDERFUL educator, musician and all around great guy Jim Gill
describe his work with families of children who are disabled, abused or
autistic, I have taken what he does to heart. Mr. Gill does include the whole
family in his music sessions, which are very similar to what we do in storytime.
He does this beacuse of research and his own experiece. To summarize the
research--"Children best learn through meaningful concrete interaction with
SIGNIFICANT adults." Lots of times we are one librarian to 40 kids, and it
is hard to have concrete interactions with each child. It is also impossible to
know if the child knows you well engough in his mind for you to be considered
significant! So, involving the parents and even whole families in your sessions
does have benefits that some researchers believe to impact the quality of the
experience.
I have worked at libraries from one end of the spectrum to the other--even at
one where the children's librarian threatened to lock the door to keep the
parents out! I think do what ever works best, causes the least conflict, and is
easiest for you. But consider looking into the research and then making a
decision. Hope this helps.
Robin Davis
Youth Services Supervisor
Farmers Branch Manske Library
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Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 15:55:58 -0600
From: cwitek@park-ridge.lib.il.us
Subject: Circulating CD-ROM Comments
Hi all,
Here are the compiled comments I received on how other Libraries deal with
circulating CD-ROMs once they are returned to the library( who checks for
damage, all parts, etc.):
"Our AV Clerk very carefully labels every piece that is invluded with the
CD-ROM. (Guide, Case, CD-ROM, Book, Card, etc...) A master list of all the
parts is taped to the pocket of the white plastic case that we circulate
them in. Circulation checks for each of the pieces whenever it is charged
or returned. This way we catch when items are missing. We have a slip that
is inserted into every AV item that we circulate that allows a patron to
document
a problem with the item so that we can take care of it. These procedures
allow us
to fix problems and track down patrons if needed."
"We have a good-sized collection as well. However the circulation desk
visually checks the disks for damage at CIN. We only test if staff see
serious scratches or if patrons reports problems. The disks can take a
fair amount of punishment without the operation being affected. I'm not
sure what you mean about all parts missing. We circulate only the disks
in their jewel cases. If there is a longer instruction book it is barcoded
and remains on the patron's record if it is not returned. If we had to
inspect each disk we would never have them on the shelf for circulation."
"Our CD-Roms have a check in note that appears on our computer screen
promting you to check for the parts and a copy of that note is taped to
the pocket so you can check before checking in. We also request that
patrons run down the "parts" list before returning the item. This way
whoever is doing checkin knows what should be in the box and can check
for parts immediately without delaying check in. For example the
checkin note may read 1 CDROM, 1 BOOK, 1 SHEET, 1 BOOKLET. A sheet
is defined as a single piece of paper and a booklet is any folded
overpiece of paper or small stapled booklet most often this is the
jewel case insert and a book is obviously say the paperback to a
living book or the large teacher manual to Mayaquest. Anything
with parts missing comes to us for follow up. Right now our
collection is 75-100 titles so we have been able to keep a
photocopy of all parts except books for quick replacement but 300
titles would mean a lot of storage space."
"We have been circulating CD-ROMs for a little over two years and have 300+
titles in our collection. Our circulation department handles any missing
items the same as they would for books, tapes, etc. When they receive a
report that a CD-ROM does not work, they send it to me. I keep a database of
these reports. For the most part, I put the report in my database and return
the item to circulation. If it would be returned again, I would send it to
our automated services department to check it out. This has only happened
once or twice and not at all since I had Circ start asking if they were
using it on a PC or MAC. If the CD-ROM is scratched, I send it to Automated
Services to be checked. Since we have started, I have had a total of only 61
reports that a CD-ROM didn't work and in only about 4 or 5 cases was there
any validity to the report. I think I have only replaced two CD-ROMs and
those were actually cracked through. Most of our original CD-ROMs have 75+
circulations."
"Our children's department includes circulation. We
staff a separate desk and check AV materials when returned, including
CD-ROMs. What data is digitally recorded on the disc shouldn't determine
who checks
its physical condition. CDs are CDs."
"It's a little tricky about charging for damages. Usually the patron says
it
was like that when they got it. We pretty much have to believe them. We have
had damage to so few, especially when you consider the total circulation of
the collection, that we really don't worry about it. It's pretty much the
same as with books. If the patron admits it or if the damage is obvious, we
charge them. If they deny it, we pretty much accept their word. But with the
thousands of circulations, I have only had to withdraw or replace 2 or 3."
Thanks to everyone who responded!
Charlene Witek
*Opinions Expressed Are My Own and May Not Reflect Those of My Employer*
Charlene Witek, M. L. S.
Children's Librarian
Park Ridge Public Library
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847)825-4527
FAX (847) 825-0001
mailto:cwitek@park-ridge.lib.il.us
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End of pubyac V1 #509
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