|
Date: Fri, 27 Nov 1998 11:09:29 -0500 (EST)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #514
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 15:02:30 -0600 (CST)
From: Sarah Swaner <sswaner@nslsilus.org>
Subject: Easy Reader Levels
Dear pubyac,
This is my first post, although I have gained lots of useful information
and ideas from this listserv in the past. Thank you!
We would like to revamp our easy reader collection in terms of how we
divide it up by levels, and by adding some new very easy books. I have
searched the archives and gleaned a little bit on the subject of easy
readers, but not much specifically on how to differentiate the levels
for patrons. Currently, we use color stripes on the spines to indicate
easy, harder, and hardest. We are especially interested in how to
indicate to patrons which are the very easiest readers--the ones with
only a few words per page.
If anyone has developed a particularly successful way of indicating
levels of easy readers, I would much appreciate hearing from you what has
worked well. Also, I would love any suggestions for very easy reader
series that you like. I will post a compilation of the responses.
Thank you very much, and I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!
Sarah Swaner
Wilmette Public Library
Wilmette, IL
sswaner@nslsilus.org
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 12:59:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Diane Bartlett <bartlett@scfl.lib.ca.us>
Subject: library clipart
Hello all,
Our children's deparment is looking for copyright free clipart to use on
flyers, calendars, etc. We have everything Upstart has to offer, and were
wondering if anyone knew of similar clipart. We like images that connect
the subject with books and reading. We really don't want internet
sites or computer software, but would rather have hard copy material. I did
search the archives, but didn't come up with anything we didn't already
have.
Thank you for your time,
Diane Bartlett
Stanislaus County Free Library
Modesto, CA
bartlett@scfl.lib.ca.us
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 10:12:24 -0600
From: Bobbi Ludwig <BJ.Ludwig@marquette.edu>
Subject: THANK YOU! (Computer Questions)
Hi! I just wanted to thank those that took the time to respond to my
questions about computers in the children's area. It was *very* helpful
hearing what others provide. I'm sorry I couldn't reply individually, but
my inbox was damaged and I lost all of my recent messages! So, thank you
to those who replied!!
Bobbi-Jean Ludwig
BJ.Ludwig@marquette.edu
Marquette University Science Library
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 16:45:40 -0500
From: "Kathleen Saxton" <ksaxton@wepl.lib.oh.us>
Subject: Parents in storytimes
Hi All!
I came into the library world fresh out of grad school less than a year
ago. The policies that we use for storytimes were in place when I came
into this system and are as follows: Infants (0-24 mos.) and toddlers
(2-3 1/2) must be accompanied by an adult. Preschool story time is just
for the children- children switch over to preschool when they can go in
comfortably without an adult. I do the toddler story times and
sometimes have trouble with adults who do NOT want to go in with their
children. My assistant has never mentioned any trouble with parents
being upset that they can't go in with their children, although for the
first couple weeks the parents will often sit through part of the
stories, then sneak out. My main concern is space. Our story room is
very small and there is no way we could allow all the parents in for the
story times. Our meeting room is in constant use, so there's nowhere
else for us to go!
I didn't realize there was such a debate about allowing or not allowing
parents in. We've had no trouble with our policies, but maybe I should
re-think them... I can see both sides to the argument.
Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts!
Kathleen Saxton
Children's Librarian
Willoughby Public Library
Willoughby, OH
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 11:56:34 -0500
From: bwilliams@brdgprtpl.lib.ct.us (Bina Williams)
Subject: RE: parents and storytime
My storytime is for kids 3-5 and it for the kids only. The program room is
separated from the rest of the children's room by three arches, tow of
which have curtains drawn over them. The parents sit outside the room and
visit with each other, pick out videos, or play with their babies. If the
child needs the parent, he or she can get them immediately. If the child is
new, I invite the parent to sit in for the first few weeks. THis ensures
that the parent knows what I am doing and it also gives the child an
opportunity to feel "safe" in the group and room.
During the craft time, I count on the parents to help their own kids with
glue and crayons, etc. Some of them have more fun than their kids!
I do agree that it is important to respect the needs of each child and each
parent for these programs, but not to the point of undermining what we are
trying to do. I would no more want a child who is unhappy in the room alone
than I would a kid with the flu.
I am more concerned with the parent who leaves the children's department
completely while the program is going on.THis invites disaster! The child
suddenly needs to go to the bathroom and there is no mommy or daddy out
there.... Meanwhile, said parent is using the internet in another
department or checking out videos in the adult section. I am pretty clear
about parents needing to stay, but some are not listening!
Bina Williams
Bridgeport (CT) Public Library
bwilliams@brdgprtpl.lib.ct.us
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 10:20:00 -0600
From: Peggy Northcraft <mdu002@mail.connect.more.net>
Subject: Story Time security
Hello, All
This controversy has really brought out some interesting claws. When I
started as a Children's Librarian in 1968, I was given the Library policy
that the parents were to remain in the building, but should go upstairs to
the adult area during story time. Story Hour was conducted in an area of
the Children's Room with a slightly raised dais and lots of windows. There
were a couple of mothers who didn't think I would know too much about
children because I was young and single with no children. But most of the
parents respected me and my training as a librarian.
The asking parents to go to another room or area of the Library during
Story Time was a way of easing them into the separation which school would
require. My personal experience was that the children behaved better, more
maturely (is that a word?)when the parents weren't there.
When I was helping design a new public library in an old grocery store, I
wanted the Children's area to be in the back away from the door. My
concern, heightened by a local kidnapping incident, was that anyone could
slip in the front door and take a child and we would not know it was
happening.
In my current position I have Story Time in an area of the Children's Room
and the parents are welcome to stay with us or not. It doesn't matter to
me, although I have one child who will not sit still and I'm wondering if
he would do better if his mother went upstairs. There is no way that I
would make either a child or a parent uncomfortable about the situation.
Having said all of that I am horrified that there seems to be a lack of
trust of librarians, by our own! What harm do you think a librarian might
do in a simple story time? Are you concerned about the content of the
stories or the conduct of the librarian?
The one entry to this discussion sounded particularly paranoid. I'm sorry
life has led you to this lack of trust, but it seems to me that the local
librarian in a half hour Story Time would be a good place for you to learn
to trust and for your child to experience another adult who cares about
children. I would be very surprised, shocked even, to hear of a library
staff member, who is willing to do Story Time, who would have a political
agenda or any inappropriate attitude toward children.
Thanks for "hearing me out".
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
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
------------------------------
End of pubyac V1 #514
*********************
|