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Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 18:31:09 -0500 (EST)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #556
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Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 11:17:42 -0700 (MST)
From: PUBYAC Moderator <pyowner@pallasinc.com>
Subject: PUBYAC temporarily going offline
Dear PUBYACkers,
A few months ago I alerted you to a change in server location that will
affect PUBYAC temporarily. This change in the server that routes the mail
for the PUBYAC listserver will occur sometime during the 2nd or 3rd week
of January, so PUBYAC will be down for a few days. Pallas Inc., a
software company that hosts the PUBYAC Web Page and routes PUBYAC's mail,
is moving its server from Utah to Colorado.
During this move, you will not be able to e-mail any postings to PUBYAC.
They will either be bounced back to you, or go off into the big blue
beyond. Because of my e- mail configuration, however, I will be able to
mail to all of you, and will do so each day that the server is down, just
to ease your minds and remind you not to send mail to PUBYAC. I've been
informed that this switchover will take about 3-5 days, a short hiatus
only.
I will keep you posted on exactly when the server will be unplugged, and
when it's plugged back in again.
Thanks for your patience during this change.
Shannon VanHemert
PUBYAC Moderator
pyowner@pallasinc.com
PUBYAC Web page: http://www.pallasinc.com/pubyac
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 21:45:31 -0600
From: "justin cooley" <jkcooley@ll.net>
Subject: summer reading rewards and so on!
Greetings from a librarian who LOATHES rewards for reading! I've worked =
in a library where the director (the library's former children's =
librarian) wanted "trinket rewards" for kids' summer reading =
efforts/logs/etc. I cringed but went with the flow to keep the peace. =
Now, I'm at a library that uses BOOKS for rewards.... ok, they're still =
rewards (MOAN!) but the BEST rewards if there is such a thing! We're in =
a city of 19,000 with around 1000 kids who register for summer reading =
and have about 5000 (combined) overall attendance at summer programs, =
performances, etc. We have a very supportive Friends of the Library who =
commit at least 500 per summer to buy paperback books for kids' rewards =
(we get them from Scholastic, Trumpet, etc.) It's a "hit" and one that
=
I feel comfortable doing - at least the "rewards" better fit the =
activity.. reading! A child has the opportunity to earn 2 books of =
their choice during the 6-7 week reading program. They read for 20 =
minutes a day and record their days on a log. When their log of 24 (or =
so -changes based on length of summer program) days is completed - they =
trade it in for a book of their choice. Some kids read a total of 24 =
days the whole 7 weeks and get their 1 book and are happy. Others read =
48 days and are thrilled to get their two books. There is no =
competition that I"m aware of. But, I have been amazed that a few =
parents have "complained" about their now being "more books to
choose =
from" ... we usually have at least 50-60 different picture books, at =
least 30-40 J or YA titles and we have both fiction and nonfiction. =
Talk about ARRRGG at those moments... I DO have to bite my tongue to not =
give a brief soliloquy on "appreciation for what we have" ! Ideally, =
I'd like to not do any rewards... what can I say - I'm know I'm in the =
minority. But if you're intrigued at all about the power and effects of =
rewards.. check out the book, "Punished By Rewards" by Alfie Kohn (I'm
=
not sure that last name is spelled correctly!) Reading that book and =
processing that book changed my whole philosophy and outlook about =
rewards and how they're used in our society! And I was a BIG rewarder =
prior to finding that book! Good luck to ALL of us as we approach the =
summer... which right now seems distant since it's 20 below zero here in =
MN (that's without the wind chill factor!) :)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 21:31:20 -0600
From: "justin cooley" <jkcooley@ll.net>
Subject: "holiday" issue
Hi all - since I "started" this topic about "Holiday" =
performances/programs, I feel a need to put my own closing two cents in =
at this time. Thanks to those of you who e-mailed me directly and for =
both points of view. The sentiment of those who e-mailed me directly =
overwhelmingly stated their feelings of concern regarding this issue in =
public libraries. Thanks to the others who sent a different point of =
view two - it's always interesting to me to see how people think! I =
just finished reading Leslie's posting and could not agree more! An =
issue within this issue is the question of the appropriate use of =
taxpayers' money to promote/host holiday programs, etc. Regardless of =
whether it is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or whatever. I still =
feel no matter what we do - if we do anything "holiday" - we send a =
direct and indirect message to our patrons. And where do we as public =
librarians "draw the line"? Is Santa OK but a Nativity not? Is a =
dreidel ok but a symbol or object from the area "Witches Religious =
Group" not? I know that sounds exaggerated but it's inevitable, isn't =
it? Given enough time and energy and thought.. someone will ask for =
"their fare share". So, are libraries that host or promote holiday =
programs ready for ALL religions/beliefs to be talked about displayed, =
read aloud, etc. Do I think those materials belong in the collection? =
Absolutely! But I think we really need to look at our subtle and =
blatant endorsements (and interpretations -as in Leslie's comments about =
the dreidel and the even the reindeer/candy canes!) that result from =
what we offer and what we use our taxpayer's money for. One of the =
comments sent to me said "We are a Christian nation" and another said
=
"We are a Christian nature by choice".... does that concern anyone
else? =
We are a nation founded on the very premise of religious freedom and =
choice... even to NOT believe - and we haven't even addressed the =
atheists who use our libraries! (and their children)! "The masses =
("what most everyone is our community believes") should not become the
=
"standard" for public libraries' planning and programming. Just
because =
a voice doesn't speak loud doesn't mean it doesn't count. Thanks again =
for a lively discussion and your ideas! It's great to have a format for =
such discussion!
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1999 23:03:25 CST
From: "Kjerstine N" <kjmn@hotmail.com>
Subject: "Unattended adults"
The Children's Center at the Dallas Public Library is looking for
infomation on how other urban libraries protect the children using their
children's area. We realize there is a delicate balance between
protecting the children who use the Children's Center and not being too
restrictive to other library users.
In particular, we are looking for policies, procedures and
practices that other libraries use. Do you restrict adults (besides
teachers, daycare workers, etc.) from the children's area or using the
seating in the children's area? Do you require "unattended adults" to
check-in at your service desk?
Any information about policies, practices or procedures would be
appreciated. Please send all responses directly to me at
kjmn@hotmail.com.
Thank you very much!
Kjerstine Nielsen, Assistant Manager
Dallas Public Library
Children's Center (Central Library)
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 05:34:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Christi Bayha <cbayha@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: patron "branding" of books
Jennifer -
My guess is that this woman wants a way to keep track of what she has
read, so that she doesn't read the same book twice.
If your circulation software allows you to track what books a patron
has checked out, then perhaps you can approach her with the offer to
provide her with occassional printouts of what she has borrowed. That
way she won't need to continue branding the books, and her goal is
still accomplished.
I know that the King County Library system in Washington State was
offering this service, when I was working there as a sub, to those
patrons who wanted it. They didn't do it for everyone, since it does
consume memory, but some people found it to be a great service.
Good luck.
- -Christi Bayha
Ledward Library
Schweinfurt, Germany
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 09:07:59 -0500
From: kskellen@mail.gcpl.public.lib.ga.us (Kendra Skellen)
Subject: Re: program age limits
We publish the age specifications in our calendar. Other than that we do
not check the ages of the children. We do not sign up for storyhour. It is
open to anyone who shows up that day. Occasionally we get a child who is
too young for the preschool storytime who should be at the lapsit. We then
encourage the parent to possible come to another more age appropriate
program. We do not stop parents from bringing in their babies. We had a
big hassel with this several years ago and decided that it was not worth it.
Once we stopped being the age police we actually had fewer complaints. That
is not to say that you don't get any, but it has been fewer.
Good luck
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 09:47:17 -0500 (EST)
From: Mark Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us>
Subject: Re: program age limits
I sign up for our 2 year old programs and ask the parents their child's
birthdate. No matter how advanced a child's parent thinks their child is,
we explain that they have to be two by the start of the program. Although
there have been exceptions, child's birthday is the day before, we do have
the authority to enforce our systemwide policy. Also, if there are space
or number limitations we can point out that because of the popularity
of our programs, attendance is restricted to those who fit the age
criteria.
I have found if we force parents to stick with a chronological age it
makes for fewer problems. Parents attend the program with their child and
parents are aware that if their child is disruptive they need to leave the
storytime. Even some older two's can't always handle their first
storytimes and its a policy that we can enforce if someone has a problem.
Usually, when we calmly explain why the local library policy and the
countywide policy has been created it deals with the majority of people.
Unfortunately, there are pushy parents or ones who lie, because they think
their child is being deprived or discriminated against if they are not
allowed to attend the storytime before they are "old" enough. Years
ago,
when more exceptions were made, many times, I found that it was those
children who became disruptive and whose parents didn't have the sense to
recognize that they should remove themselves from the storytime without
being reminded.
Mark S. Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us>
Children's Librarian
Poolesville Library
Montgomery County (Maryland) Dept. of Public Libraries
The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my
organization.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 13:01:45 -0500 (EST)
From: Elaine Williams <williael@oplin.lib.oh.us>
Subject: List of Cow Activities--Thanks!
Dear Yakkers,
I had a request to post a list of all the cow activity ideas I
received. Thanks to everyone who responded!
1. For use with CALICO COWS by Arlene Dubanevich: trace a two-sided cow
pattern onto white paper (making it so that it can unfold and
stand). Have the kids glue or stick on spots of different colors
so the cow will look like the ones in the book.
2. Read THE COW THAT WENT OINK and have the kids draw a picture of an
animal that's a mix between a cow and a pig.
3. Read MS. BLANCHE, THE SPOTLESS COW. Draw a big cow on butcher paper
and let each child draw a spot on her.
4. Cow magnet memo holders. Supplies: brown & white paint, black magic
markers, clothespins, stick-on magnet, pink construction paper,
tongue depressors. Have children paint tongue depressors white,
then let dry while you read stories, sing songs, etc. Draw black
dots on white paint, then draw eyes. Pink paper is used to make
ears (glue to top sides of tongue dep.) and nose (a big oval that
hangs off both sides of tongue depressor, black dots for
nostrils). Then stick magnet on back of clothespin & glue other
side to tongue dep. The clothespin can either open up on the top
or bottom to hold memos. (top works best, says contributor)
5. Get cow craft from Ben and Jerry's (ice cream) web site.
6. Cut cows from paper & hide around room. Each cow should have one of
four different brands. On a table, have four corrals with signs
depicting the four brands. Have children put the cows they find
into the correct corrals. Or have them collect only cows of a
certain brand. Jail them for rustling the wrong kind!
7. Use the cow craft from THE PAPER TUBE ZOO by Joy Evans & Jo Ellen
Moore.
8. Pin the tail on the cow. Prize: Milk Duds!
9. Make cow bell shaped name tags with little bells attached.
10. From GIANT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THEME ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN 2-5:
Make a cow from two chairs & actually milk it. Place two chairs
with backs facing one another a few feet apart. Place a pole (
mop handle) across the back of the chairs. Attach a paper cow
face to the other end of the handle--a paper bag type works great.
In the middle, between the two chairs, you take a rubber surgical
glove and place milk in it (you can use powdered milk and add
water). Tie the top of the glove securely and attach with a
rubber band or string to the center of the pole. When it is
time to milk, poke a hole in each finger of the glove and let 'er
fly! This was surprisingly un-messy, and kids found out it is
harder than they thought to milk a cow!
11. Several pages of cow activities & crafts in COPYCAT, May/June 1995,
pages 41-46.
12. "Animal on a Roll" craft from ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR LITTLE HANDS
(The
Education Center, Inc., 1995). Cow pattern is included!
Thanks again, everyone, for the great ideas!
Elaine Williams, Youth Librarian
Lynchburg, OH
williael@oplin.lib.oh.us
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 12:07:04 -0800 (PST)
From: janw@norby.latah.lib.id.us (Jan Wall)
Subject: Public library help for college assignments?
Hello to all -
The semester at the local universities will be starting next week, and this
question always seems to come up:
How can we use/integrate/help students in education courses (etc) in any of
their course requirements?
Every semester I have at least 1 or more students come in and ask about
volunteer opportunities at the library. By that they don't mean just general
volunteer opportunities (e.g. cleaning or viewing videos, checking lists,
etc.) but more specifically programs or events with children.
I have pretty simple guidelines, but so far no one has taken me up on it.
(My guidelines are: observe and/or help at least 1 program, come up with a
plan, run it by me for feed-back, schedule a time/date for the event.)
So my question is: if you have a university/college in your town, what
opportunities do you offer to students? If you are a student, what
opportunities would you like your local public library to offer you?
I remember my frustration in library school with assignments in the "real
world" where I didn't know anyone to ask for a favor. So I'm aware that
there may be something I can offer a student to help out. OTOH, we've had
really variable experiences with college age volunteers, some that really
weren't too positive, to put it mildly.
So any thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks -
Jan Wall
Youth Services
Latah County Library
110 South Jefferson
Moscow ID 83843
208-882-3925 fax: 208-882-5098
email: janw@norby.latah.lib.id.us
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 16:12:23 -0600
From: DLHIETT <dlh@greennet.net>
Subject: RE: winter carnival activities
If there happens to be snow on the ground during your winter carnival =
you can have a snow man contest where the children build snowmen and =
decorate them with articles of clothing or even props. Then you can =
have a contest and award small prizes for the scariest, cutest, most =
like a book character, etc. Then bring the children in for hot =
chocolate! I so much wanted to carry this program out at my library but =
we just never got the snow when we needed it! Of course this program =
would depend on whether or not you had the outdoor space, if not you may =
be able to move the location to a public park. Think of the PR!!! =20
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 16:24:21 -0600
From: DLHIETT <dlh@greennet.net>
Subject: RE: printer problems
we had a similar situation and we had to resort to taking the paper out =
of the printer when this patron arrived and she had to pay for the paper =
prior to using it. It involved a lot of extra work especially when she =
would buy only 1-2 pieces of paper at a time and make multiple trips to =
the circ desk to purchase her paper.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 16:30:03 EST
From: PIKLY@aol.com
Subject: Re: Summer Reading Woes
Thank you, Angela, for raising this question. I think January is the best
time to talk about Summer Reading (SRP) because we have enough perspective at
this time of year (we aren't in the belly of the beast!). My SRP is very
popular - about 3,200 kids in a school popular of 6,000 (figure 2,000 are high
school and you can see it is the majority of under-13 year olds in my town).
Our finale is a big free Carnival in a local park. Literally thousands
attend, and rave about the program and the Carnival. But there is ALWAYS one
person who ruins my day by seeking me out to complain that the prizes aren't
motivating enough for her 11 year old boy, what I'm I going to do about it?
We need to remember this is a society of complaniners - it is much more
common to "ask for the manager" if one doesn't like a meal in a
restaurant, or
the service in a department store - but very few people compliment good
service. In fact, I was in the private sector a long time before becoming a
librarian, and I was always taught that one complaint is just that, one
person's opinion. But compliments should always be multiplied by ten.
So I agree that we should listen with an open mind to parent
"complaints,"
and constructive criticism, but ultimately weigh all those and decide what is
best for our SRP's. Or as my collegue John once heard from the mother, looking
at our SRP prizes and saying "Is that all my child gets?" John
responded,
"They get literate."
Thanks for the chance to vent,
Penny Peck
Pikly@aol.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 13:52:20 -0800 (PST)
From: Heaney <eheaney@nwpl.new-westminster.bc.ca>
Subject: Re: Deposit Collections at schools
You do not give any reason behind the idea for doing this.
We recently got into a discussion with a school librarian who feels her
neighbourhood (which is separated from the main part of our small city by
a bridge - but we are part of a much larger metropolitan area - rather
complicated to explain!) is under-served by the public library.
I made the case that a 'deposit collection' or a 'paperback library' or
whatever was a poor cousin to real library service and that if the area
cannot make a strong case to city council and through them to the library
board for a full branch library facility, they are better off (or maybe
*we* are better off) continuing to serve the whole community from one
strong central library.
If you are trying to shore up a school library collection with public
library materials, that would seem to raise serious jurisdictional issues.
Are there other schools that would feel short-changed by your doing this?
What is the staffing in the schools, and who would be looking after the
collection while it is there?
More information, please.
Ellen Heaney
eheaney@nwpl.new-westminster.bc.ca
On Thu, 7 Jan 1999, Teresa Laubach wrote:
> My library is considering depositing part of our collection in local
schools. I would like to know if anyone out there has tried this and what the
results were. I searched the archives but couldn't seem to find information
specifically related to deposit collections. Thanks so much!!
>
> --------------------------------------------
> Teresa Laubach
> Youth Services Specialist
> Tigard Public Library
> Tigard, OR 97219
> teresa@ci.tigard.or.us
> ---------------------------------------------
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 10:37:03 -0600
From: Jane Pearlmutter <jpearl@macc.wisc.edu>
Subject: AD: Scotland tour
The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information
Studies will again offer its popular tour to Scotland, July 22 - August 1,
1999. Our base will be a lovely and historic 1701 manor house at Dalkeith,
just a few miles outside Edinburgh. The large Dalkeith estate makes a
peaceful retreat after our busy days exploring scenic and historic sites
such as Melrose Abbey, Sir Walter Scott's home at Abbotsford, the
beautifully preserved village of Culross, Stirling Castle, Hopetoun House
and many other places. We'll also spend a few days away exploring the
beautiful Highland lochs and glens, with overnights in Highland towns. The
program will include visits to several important
libraries and free time to explore the fascinating old city of Edinburgh.
The cost will be approximately $1750 (plus airfare), which includes
accommodations, most meals, group excursions, admissions and tickets to
events, ground transportation, instructional fees and gratuities. For
detailed information, call or write to the tour leader, Jane Pearlmutter,
School of Library and Information Studies, 600 N. Park St., Madison, WI
53706, (608) 262-6398 (email: jpearl@macc.wisc.edu).
------------------------------
End of pubyac V1 #556
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