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Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 20:18:15 -0500 (EST)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #552
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Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1999 20:25:52 -0800
From: Jill Patterson <jpatterson@ci.glendora.ca.us>
Subject: Re: summer reading time--long but heartfelt
Vicky,
We do a "reading marathon" every year at our school. It is a
three-month
program. It takes 20 minutes of reading EVERY day to complete the entire
program (I allowed one day off for the one major Christian holiday the
program spanned). Is 20 minutes of reading every day too much during the
school year? How much time do the kids spend watching TV? I don't think
asking for 30 minutes a day-- with weekends off!--too much for the summer.
"Nothing worthwhile is ever easy" (from _Petranella_ by Jay Williams).
Just MHO.
Jill Patterson
>So, now that you've heard my whole tale of woe, any responses? Is 24
>hours over 8 weeks just too damn much? I just don't want to
>compromise too much . . . .
>Vicky Smith
>Children's Librarian
>McArthur Public Library
>270 Main Street
>Biddeford, ME 04005
>(207)284-4181
>vjsmith@mcarthur.lib.me.us
>
>
>
Jill Patterson jpatterson@ci.glendora.ca.us
Glendora Public Library 140 S. Glendora Ave. Glendora, CA 91741
Tel: 626/852-4896 FAX: 626/852-4899
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 09:52:16 -0500 (EST)
From: "<Lesley Knieriem>" <lknierie@suffolk.lib.ny.us>
Subject: Re: pubyac V1 #547
One more plea, if any of you can stand it, AGAINST "winter
holiday" or whatever you call 'em programs. No matter how secular or
inclusive you try to be, someone is going to feel offended, left out, or
pandered to. My family is Christian, and we observe the season before
Christmas -- Advent -- as a time of preparation, penance, and simplicity.
Every year it is an uphill struggle against the deluge of tinsel, Santa
Claus, reindeer, and candy that our culture pours on after Thanksgiving.
My children's school tries hard to be "multicultural", and puts on
programs celebrating Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Chanukah, and Christmas. The
first three give simplified explanations of the origin and meaning of the
holidays, and I think it's great that my kids learn about the religious
heritage of their classmates. Unfortunately, they are told that their own
"religious" heritage consists of Rudolph and candy canes!
To say that the content of the story hour is publicized ahead of
time is a cop-out. Are parents supposed to tell kids that are regular
story-hour attendees that they have to sit this one out, because the Story
Lady is about to exclude their beliefs? What will this teach the kids
about the library? And to say that this will expose kids to other
religious traditions is ridiculous. I don't think spinning a dreidel --
ESPECIALLY if the kids are not told about the burning desire to study the
Law despite centuries of persecution that lies behind the dreidel game --
is going to give them much appreciation of the Jewish heritage or
experience.
I can't believe that there is one kid in America who suffers from
a shortage of holiday stories and celebration, especially in the sanitized
and watered-down "safe" versions so many on this list have suggested.
Why
not be bold and daring and do something ELSE in December? Snow stories if
you must, but how about beach stories? Rainforest stories? Dragon
stories? I bet the kids would be thrilled to hear something different
than the relentless holiday drumbeat!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Lesley Knieriem ~
~ YA / Reference Librarian (516) 549-4411 ~
~ South Huntington Public Library fax (516) 549-6832 ~
~ Huntington Station, NY 11746 lknierie@suffolk.lib.ny.us ~
~ ----------------------------------------------------------------- ~
~ "Ergo qui natus die hodierna, Jesu tibi sit gloria: ~
~ Patris aeterni verbum caro factum..." --J.F.Wade, ADESTES FIDELES ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1999 09:10:46 -0600
From: Marilyn Zaruba <fmpl@startext.net>
Subject: Re: Parental Signatures for Internet Access?
We allow children 14 and under to use our Internet computers provided they have
a
parent by their side. Otherwise we have a sign posted that tells them that we
are
not responsible for the material they might find on the Internet & that
parents
should be aware of the type of information their children are accessing.
So far, no one has complained. We did try to use a filter, but it was so
frustrating for adults & staff that we removed it. When anyone questions our
Internet access policy, we explain that the problem with a filter for children
is
that it blocks necessary sites that adults and children might need such as
breast
cancer & chicken breast recipes. Also, it still allows questionable
materials
through at times. Everyone has seemed happy with that explanation.
My school teacher daughter wanted to know what we were doing to protect the
children & she, too, understood when I explained it all to her.
We do not require any sort of signatures or initials to use the computers. We
have a sign-in sheet at the front desk & the computers are numbered so they
merely
have to put down the time they are beginning & the time when they sign out.
We,
too, are a relatively small library with only two Internet computers for the
public so we are able to keep a very close watch on them.
Marilyn
Mansfield Public Library
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 11:51:27 -0500
From: shtulman@erving.com (Robin Shtulman)
Subject: Re: Request for Readathon info
Rebecca:
We do a Read-a-thon (affectionately known as RAT) here every year. In
fact, we're in the throes of it right now. Please go to our website for
info.
http://www.erving.com/library/readathon.htm
If you want further details, please send me your address or telephone me.
I love the RAT & think it has a very positive impact on our whole community.
Robin
R. Shtulman
Erving Elementary School
shtulman@erving.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1999 10:11:14 -0700
From: Carol Rooney <carol@pueblo.lib.co.us>
Subject: Re:
Wendy Pavelko wrote:
>
> Have any of you ever attended one of Dr. Caroline Feller Bauer's
> seminars? Was it worth it? We have a very limited budget for workshops
> and such and this one is fairly near here, what did you think about it?
> Thanks in advance, Wendy
> wpavelko@spl.lib.ar.us
Hi Wendy,
Many staff members from the Pueblo Library District in Pueblo, Colorado,
have attended Caroline Feller Bauer's seminars for many years. The
staff members always come back energized and full of ideas. I highly
recommend any of her seminars.
- --
Carol Rooney
Satellite and Youth Outreach Librarian
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1999 09:03:35 -0800
From: torrie@ci.burlington.wa.us (Torrie Hodgson Children's Librarian)
Subject: Re: summer reading time--long but heartfelt
No, 24 hours isn't too much. If parents or children do not want to
read, they do not have to. If it is easier for them to buy their children
ice-cream, a book, and a pass to the park, they are welcome to do it. The
prizes are REWARDS, not a right. (This issue really pushes my buttons too.)
Just make sure that the PARENTS understand the rules of the game when the
kids sign up.
My program is designed to be achievable for any child, if they want
to do it. Each week of summer reading, they have to read (or be read to)
for at least one hour. They also need to read at least two additional hours
above and beyond the call of duty to win the main prize. There are silly
little prizes for each of the eight weeks that they turn in their reading
times. If they read the whole ten hours (which is a minimum--they still
have to read at least one hour in each of the weeks) they win the Mayor's
Award with kids' meal certificates, paperback book of their choice, etc.
Anybody on Earth who wanted to complete this program could. I
allow people to make arrangements with me to turn in late, keep track before
they sign up late, fax or phone in their times close to deadline, etc. I
still get parents who have not come to the library since the original signup
try to turn in all the weeks' reading times a week or more after the final
date. I fully advertise that we will not accept times turned in after a
certain time, and I don't have much sympathy with procrastinators. All they
have to do is pick up the phone and make special arrangements for
extenuating circumstances. *grrrrrrr*
I will be making some reasonable changes this year suggested by
parents. We will have 4 more appealing prizes (read: slightly more
expensive), instead of 8 cheapies. When they turn in every other week, it
will match our circulation time better. We are also implementing some
changes to our packets to keep track and turn in times with greater ease and
accuracy.
Hang in there! Stick to your guns! A $20 park pass should be worth
24 hours of reading. If they don't want to play, they can take their ball
and go home. *grin*
My two cents.....not my employer's.....so on....
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
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 12:11:03 -0500 (EST)
From: Nanci Milone <milone@noblenet.org>
Subject: Re: Parental Signatures for Internet Access?
Hi.
We don't require signitures for anyone using the Internet stations, nor
do we use filtering software. We have a copy of our Internet Use Policy
on the screen as they access the Internet, and patrons must click "I
accept" in order to proceed. We do have a sign up sheet for use and
patrons need to give us not only their names, but their phone number.
Believe it or not, it rarely seems to be the young ones that get into
trouble. It is usually older men who get into these sites. When they
do, we gently tell them that what they are doing is not acceptable use
of the Internet. They generally just click off.
Hope this helps.
Nanci
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Nanci Milone | Peabody Institute Library
Young Adult Librarian | Peabody, Massachusetts
milone@noblenet.org | *North of Boston Library Exchange*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1999 10:14:10 -0800
From: Overmyer <overmyer@crl.com>
Subject: Seating at children's room tables
While being remodeled, our downtown library has moved to a smaller temporary
location in which the children's room is no longer on a separate floor.
With just 5 tables in the children's area, which abuts the teen collection
and the magazine and newspaper collection, the children's section has become
a natural spillover location for adults and teens wanting a place to spread
out. We're posting signs requesting that periodicals be kept in the
periodical section, which has tables, and we've always kept the 2 tables
within the picturebook area set aside for families with young children, but
I wonder what other effective measures public libraries in this situation
have taken to keep general children's tables available to young users (we
serve kids through the eighth grade). I've seen some libraries with signs
asking that only adults with children use the children's area tables; is
this a workable option? What other steps have people taken to deal with
this issue? I'm interested in what doesn't work as well as what does, and
if you reply to me at overmyer@crl.com, I'll compile responses and post to
the list. Thank you!
Elizabeth Overmyer
Berkeley Public Library
Berkeley, CA
overmyer@crl.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 12:53:06 -0500
From: schachtc@lcm.macomb.lib.mi.us
Subject: Re: holiday thoughts
PU>Our family lived in an Islamic country for a number of years when our
childr
PU>were small. Other religions were tolerated & in the Christian areas of
the
PU>cities they celebrated Christmas & in the Jewish areas of the cities
they
PU>celebrated Chanukah.
PU>This is still a Christian country ...
HOOOOOOOOOOO boy would the ACLU and many millions of other believing
good Americans like to have the chance to discuss this opinion with you;
I somehow had gotten the impression that one of the reasons this was a
great country was that it welcomed a great many religions and did not
elevate one above the others. Did I miss something here?
Chuck Schacht
Romeo District Library
Romeo, MI.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 13:11:48 -0500
From: schachtc@lcm.macomb.lib.mi.us
Subject: Re: summer reading time--long but heartfelt
PU>So, now that you've heard my whole tale of woe, any responses? Is 24
PU>hours over 8 weeks just too damn much? I just don't want to
PU>compromise too much . . . .
Then DON'T!!! Granted, there comes a time in everyone's life when we
must rise above principal, but this is not that time. 3 hours a week is
perfectly reasonable for something this important and enjoyable.
Chuck Schacht
Romeo District Library
Romeo, MI.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 08:26:50 EST
From: WANT2BBOY@aol.com
Subject: Re:
I attended a workshop by Caroline about 4 years ago. I found it very
worthwhile. Her enthuasiam was contagious and her ideas were great. There
are many of her suggestions I now use in my storytimes and programs. I think
it would be wonderful if you could attend.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1999 20:17:57 -0500 (EST)
From: Nanci Milone <milone@noblenet.org>
Subject: Re: your mail
Wendy,
I attended one of Dr. Bauer's seminars two years ago. It was an
increadible experience - well worth whatever expense it cost. If you
could only go to one - this would be the one I would recommend.
Nanci Milone
On Mon, 4
Jan 1999, Wendy Pavelko wrote:
> Have any of you ever attended one of Dr. Caroline Feller Bauer's
> seminars? Was it worth it? We have a very limited budget for workshops
> and such and this one is fairly near here, what did you think about it?
> Thanks in advance, Wendy
> wpavelko@spl.lib.ar.us
>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Nanci Milone | Peabody Institute Library
Young Adult Librarian | Peabody, Massachusetts
milone@noblenet.org | *North of Boston Library Exchange*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
spond directly to me to avoid cluttering the list.
> Thank you all again,
>
> Kate McLean
> Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library
> DeKalb County Public Libraries, GA
> mcleank@mail.dekalb.public.lib.ga.us
> "My opinions are my own."
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1999 20:13:09 -0800
From: Jill Patterson <jpatterson@ci.glendora.ca.us>
Subject: Re: Parental Signatures for Internet Access?
We require all minors (under age 18) to have parental signatures before
using the unfiltered Internet terminals. PLUS, their parent or legal
guardian must be there while they access the Internet. We also have
filtered Internet, for which we require no parental signature or
accompianment, regardless of age (except that all children under age 9 must
be supervised by an adult while in the library).
Jill Patterson jpatterson@ci.glendora.ca.us
Glendora Public Library 140 S. Glendora Ave. Glendora, CA 91741
Tel: 626/852-4896 FAX: 626/852-4899
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1999 10:36:25 -0600
From: Karen Sutherland <ksutherland@bplib.org>
Subject: Re: Parental Signatures for Internet Access?
Hi -
I am Head of Youth Services at a small public library also. We have a form that
we have
parents fill out for computer use and another one for internet use (Board
Policy). We also
require that if children are going to use the internet they must be accompanied
by
a parent.
If you send me your fax number I would be most happy to send copies of both
forms. So
far it has worked pretty well for us. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Karen Sutherland
Youth Services Librarian
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 08:30:24 EST
From: WANT2BBOY@aol.com
Subject: Re: Parental Signatures for Internet Access?
At my library we require a parential signature for anyone under the age of 16.
We also require parential guidence on Internet use wirth children under 12, we
have no filters either. A patron must sign in to use the Internet and there
is a half hour limit if the library is busy, otherwise it is unlimited.
Good Luck!
Linda E.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1999 23:46:20 EST
From: PIKLY@aol.com
Subject: Re: holiday thoughts
Marilyn and others,
First, I think there is room for lots of different opinions, and also, what
works for one library isn't necessarily good for another. But I want to clear
up a misstatement of FACT, not opinion.
Your thoughtful email began, "This is a Christian country..." This is
not
a Christian or any other religion country; our very first Amendment begins
"Congress shall make no law..." regarding religion. Also, many of our
country's founders were not Christian, they were Deists, atheists, Jewish,
etc.
Just a note to state a fact - I'm interested in hearing more opinions, too.
Thanks,
Penny Peck
Pikly@aol.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1999 20:17:57 -0500 (EST)
From: Nanci Milone <milone@noblenet.org>
Subject: Re: your mail
Wendy,
I attended one of Dr. Bauer's seminars two years ago. It was an
increadible experience - well worth whatever expense it cost. If you
could only go to one - this would be the one I would recommend.
Nanci Milone
On Mon, 4
Jan 1999, Wendy Pavelko wrote:
> Have any of you ever attended one of Dr. Caroline Feller Bauer's
> seminars? Was it worth it? We have a very limited budget for workshops
> and such and this one is fairly near here, what did you think about it?
> Thanks in advance, Wendy
> wpavelko@spl.lib.ar.us
>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Nanci Milone | Peabody Institute Library
Young Adult Librarian | Peabody, Massachusetts
milone@noblenet.org | *North of Boston Library Exchange*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
spond directly to me to avoid cluttering the list.
> Thank you all again,
>
> Kate McLean
> Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library
> DeKalb County Public Libraries, GA
> mcleank@mail.dekalb.public.lib.ga.us
> "My opinions are my own."
------------------------------
End of pubyac V1 #552
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