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Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 20:49:50 -0400 (EDT)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #752
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Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 09:03:25 -0400
From: ahendon@dorsai.org
Subject: Re: Summer Reading List with no purpose
Debbie Becker wrote:
>
> I beg to differ with the statement made of books recommended and then not
> being followed up upon in the fall having no purpose.
Summer reading lists as they appear in my library, clutched in
children's (or parents') hands are set in stone. One school is
requiring that each grade read ONE book - the same book - plus a
list of additional books. We don't have 30 copies of Amelia
Bedelia, or The One in the middle is the Green Kangaroo....We
don't have a lot of the books on the lists. Several of the books are
out of print, and/or not widely owned in this large library system.
Summer reading lists are one of my least favorite reference
questions. I don't get to recommend good books. I don't get to
promote the books that the library has purchased for the Summer
Reading Program (to go along with a graded list that the library has
produced). I just have to search for specific books that are either
checked out or not owned.
Sorry for the grumble,
Alison
Brooklyn Public Library
Definitely speaking only for myself
Alison Hendon
ahendon@amanda.dorsai.org
"Though my soul may set in darkness,
It will rise in perfect light,
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night...."
- Sarah Williams, "The Old Astronomer to His Pupil"
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 11:30:16 -0400
From: "Patricia S. Cheney" <cheneyp@lcm.macomb.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Re:Pirate Fingerplays-Thanks!
Thanks Everyone!
Here are the fingerplay suggestions sent to me for a pirate storytime:
Fingerplays:
One-eyed Jack, the pirate chief,
Was a terrible, fearsome ocean thief.
He wore a peg
Upon one leg,
He wore a hook
and a dirty look,
One-eyed Jack, the pirate chief.
5 mean pirates stood upon the shore
1 went looking for treasure, and then there were 4.
4 nasty pirates set sail upon the sea,
1 fell overboard (Ahhhhh!) and then there were 3
3 surly pirates watched how their Jolly Roger flew,
1 got caught in the ropes, and then there were just 2.
2 dangerous pirates sleeping in the sun,
1 got a terrible sunburn, and then there was only 1.
1 ugly pirate felt so all alone,
He went off to find his friends and now the ship is gone!
1 little, 2 little, 3 little pirates (etc.,)
The one-eyed pirate (cover 1 eye)
He's fierce and he's tough (clench fists)
He digs for buried treasure (digging motion)
He never finds enough
He lives on a ship
Way out on the sea (wave motion)
His parrot is his only friend (perch hand on
shoulder)
Except for me. (point to self)
2 green parrots on a pirate perched
One flew away and then there was one
The other flew after
And then there was none
Of those two parrots, one back again flew
The other flew after, and then there were 2
Said the pirate to the parrots
"Do you want a cracker, Polly?"
Said the parrots to the pirate
"Yes we do by golly." (like "2 little blackbirds")
Limerick:
A pirate from Pittsburgh loved books
But he and his friends were still crooks.
They pillaged and robbed
And made families sob
For all that they took were the books.
Song: (to "Hi Ho, Hi Ho" from Snow White)
Yo ho, Yo ho, it's out to sea we go
We'll climb in our boat, and hope it floats, yo ho, yo ho!
We'll pull the ropes and raise the sail, yo ho, yo ho!
Yo ho, yo ho, wind and rain does blow,
But we'll be brave and ride the wave, yo ho, yo ho!
Poem:
There's pirate treasure buried here, it's here, I'm very sure.
I have a map, a compass too--and gold will be my lure
I'll cover every inch, I'll search and dig and hunt and look--
And then if nothing shows up, I'll read a pirate book!
Patti Cheney
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 17:21:53 -0400
From: "C. Sexton" <csexton@hyperaction.net>
Subject: thanks for responses to wee one's card
Thanks to all who responded to my plea for how other libraries handle =
wee ones library cards . I found it all very interesting and helpful!
Carol S. from Somerset,Ky...
csexton@hyperaction.net
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Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 18:14:29 -0400
From: Jan Chapman <jan@thechief.com>
Subject: Re: fall programming
Hi Jan:
I would suggest that you ask the mother who requests the storytime schedule if
there is any particular reason she would like to know this...for example, I
might
say, in a friendly way, "Is there a special reason why you would like to
know the
themes for the fall storytimes? I was just curious, because other mothers have
asked me about this."
Who knows, there might be a legitimate reason for parents requesting this
information. Some mothers may want to do activities at home which would
coordinate with what you are doing in storytime. This is just a guess, but the
fact that you have been asked for this information by more than one parent
indicates that there is a perceived need for this information (even if you feel
it
is unnecessary to reveal themes ahead of time).
I also agree with you that you should be able to retain an element of surprise
in
the storytimes. But the first step here is finding out why parents request this
information and then you can handle it from there. As the saying goes,
"just
ask!"
Jan Chapman
YA librarian
Akron-Summit County Public Library (Norton branch)
Jan Wall wrote:
> So now for my pet peeve: parents (usually moms) who want storytime themes
> for the entire fall in August; complete SR schedule in April. You get the
> picture. I often like storytime themes to be a surprise, and guessing what
> we're going to talk about is part of our opening routine.
>
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 09:49:08 -0500
From: Marilyn Zaruba <fmpl@startext.net>
Subject: Re: fall programming
I like doing it because it is something substantial to hand people & to hear
them
talking to their kids about upcoming programs on airplanes or fairy tales or
whatever. I design bookmarks for each quarter of the year & print them up
& hand
them out & have them put in the Welcome Wagon baskets. Also, I print up
colorful,
eye-popping, individual program signs for the children's bulletin board to grab
people's attention & so they can easily see the fun we are having in our
storytimes. I feel that parents might be more inclined to go out of their way to
bring their children when they see that there is some thought being put into
them. It also keeps me on track & thinking about clever themes. My
storytimes
are usually packed full & the bookmarks & bulletin board might be a
small part of
the reason for the success.
My primary job is cataloging & taking care of computers & I got this
children's
programming gig by default when the children's librarian quit so I do everything
in my power to make these programs work for the children. Our former children's
librarian didn't plan in advance & her storytimes consisted of a video, a
book of
questionable merit & some sort of craft & her attendance reflected it.
BTW, makes good newspaper copy, also.
Marilyn
Mansfield Public Library
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 13:02:16 EDT
From: LaceyDport@aol.com
Subject: Puzzles and stepstools
I would be extremely grateful for any feedback on the following two issues
that relate to a local library:
1) The children's department received a donation of a "Small World
Toys"
puzzle (for ages 18 months and up), but declined the gift due to a worry that
one of the small red plastic knobs might come out and choke a toddler (there
isn't a choking hazard warning on the box). Is anyone who has had these
puzzles in their collection aware of any choking incidents?
2) One circulation desk serves both adults and children, and unfortunately
small children can't see up over the counter. The Friends wanted to donate a
wooden stepstool or some such device to enable children to check books out
themselves. Library administration said that a stool would present a tripping
hazard. I'd be interested to know how other libraries (who don't have a
separate children's circulation desk) have made their checkout areas more
child friendly.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!! You may respond to me directly at
LaceyDport@aol.com.
Rebecca Verrill Smith
Simmons GSLIS student
"Christopher Robin came down from the Forest to the bridge, feeling all
sunny
and careless and just as if twice nineteen didn't matter a bit, as it didn't
on such a happy afternoon." --A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh
Corner
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 09:49:19 -0700
From: "torrie" <torrie@ci.burlington.wa.us>
Subject: RE: fall programming
Hi there!
I know, my best storytimes are sometimes the ones that are
"off the cuff." I fully sympathise right down to the ends of my toes.
My storytimes are currently themeless, with a few pre-planned
exceptions. (That way I don't have to keep the books out of
circulation for two weeks or more when summer reading is rolling.)
When I first started here I planned all my themes, especially for
summer reading. I was surprised to receive a call from two
(separate) parents wanting to know what would be covered in the
"dinosaur" storytime--they did not believe in evolution and didn't
want to expose their young children to that concept yet. They
were very fantastical stories, the kids attended, and all was well
with the world. Other families appreciate knowing if a theme of a
particular storytime is Halloween or Christmas or something else to
which they wish to closely monitor their childrens' exposure. In a
parents' eyes, nothing could be worse than actually getting those
little ones clean and out the door (with both shoes on) to the
beloved storytime only to have to do an about-face in the doorway
when all the stories are about witches.
That being said, I have indeed encountered parents who believe
the entire world and all the beings in it exist solely for their own
pleasure and convenience: the dads who want special exceptions
to the Summer Reading rules (which are very achievable anyway)
since their darling sweetheart was invited to a special 5-day sports
camp run like an army bootcamp from 6 am to 10 pm every day,
the grandmas who fully expect you to order her entire list of 50
picturebook classics that can only be obtained from rare book
dealers if at all, the moms who want you to move your successful
storytime from Tuesday to Monday because their one little
pumpkin gets so wired just before "Mommy and Me" playgroup
from doing the "Hoky poky." Just try to strike a balance.
Off the record, and if it were me, I would informally whine about
my budget:
"I would love to be able to have all the storytimes planned and
advertised far in advance, but it would take up 40 hours of staff time
a quarter and I don't have an assistant. I will advertise the themes
as far in advance as I know them. I'm sure you understand.
*dazzling but frazzled smile*"
"I would love to take my little Mel to "Mommy and me" but she
gets so excitable that I think I'll have to wait another 6 months. I'm
so glad everyone loves the storytimes so much. It's taken me 2
years to get this wonderful Tuesday attendance; it's so good for the
kids to begin learning social interaction and listening skills at this
young age. I wish we had more staff time (and a bigger room for
that matter) so that we could meet the demand for library
programming in this community. *sigh* I hope we'll see you next
week--Billy asked for a trains storytime a couple of weeks ago and
I've found the cutest toy train craft that I want to try out."
"Oh, I remember most of these books, they're great. I haven't
thought about Flikka, Rikka, and Dikka for quite a while.
Unfortunately, books go out of print within a year of their publication
and I have a hard time getting them. Even if I can track these
down, they'll take up over 30% of my book budget for the whole
year. I'll see if I can get a few. If you spot some really new &
clean copies, maybe you would like to donate them to the library?
We'll put you and your granddaughter's name on a special donor's
bookplate inside. I would particularly like to get these three titles.
In the meantime, this newer book really reminds me of this title...."
"I know Tommy is an excellent reader. He's the one that got
me to try those great _Hank the cowdog_ books. I really can't
bend the rules. Surely he had some reading to do at camp, even
though the hours spent playing were long. Did he read letters from
home? Did he spend time studying the playbook? Did the coach
read rules or inspirational stories or sporting articles to them?
Have Tommy think back--he only needs to come up with another
60 minutes to be eligible for the Mayor's Award. Thanks for letting
me know why his numbers dropped, and be sure to congratulate
him for me on his "most improved" award at the camp!"
I do advertise storytimes generically, but I do try to get those
times published every week. (If they only hear it on the car radio 4
times a year, or see it in the paper at the start of the session and
never after, attendance suffers.) If I have a special storytime
(maybe 1-2 times a quarter &/or some of the summer reading
ones) I will advertise it. I already know that I'm planning a "Tricks &
treats" storytime for the Thursday before Halloween, and I'll publish
it in the flyer/survey at the end of summer reading.
So the answer is no easy answer. Walk the tightrope between
doing good programming to meet the needs of the public without
driving yourself to an early grave. Try to meet halfway. Maybe let
your parents know that you do monthly holiday programs at the
program just prior to the holiday, or promise to let them know (if
feasible) ahead of time if you will be doing dinosaurs since you
know it's an area of concern, promise to do a storytime on their
favorite subject two weeks prior to the program (I love to do this one-
- -I couldn't if I had a very concrete schedule), ask them if they or
their teen child would like to help color and hang storytime
advertising posters, give them a schedule when it is published and
let them know that you really trust them to make sure it's posted
on the coop preschool bulletin board......Who knows? Maybe
they'll even lobby your council and library board to get you an
assistant or a bigger book budget.
Hope it helps! (I haven't heard from you in a while. Other than the
calendar-freaks I hope your summer reading is moving along
smoothly as a dream!)
Torrie 8)
Torrie Hodgson, Mutant librarian from the center of the earth!
Burlington Public Library
900 E Fairhaven Ave
Burlington WA 98233
(360)755-0760 phone
(360)755-0717 FAX
torrie@ci.burlington.wa.us
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 16:48:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Susan Lafantasie <slafanta@kcls.org>
Subject: alex award books
Do any of you shelve Alex Award books in your YA collection? (See Alex
Awards at ala.org in YALSA).
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 11:29:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kelli Shimabukuro <shimabuk@nitnoi.howa.lib.md.us>
Subject: Re: Stumper: read on NPR
Did you try amazon.com's " in the media" section. It lists what's been
on
NPR. and there is an archive.
Kelli Shimabukuro, Assistant Branch Manager
East Columbia Branch
Howard County Library
6600 Cradelrock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7708
shimabuk@nitnoi.howa.lib.md.us
On Wed, 30 Jun 1999, Diane Adams wrote:
> I had a woman come in yesterday asking if I recognized a story she
> had heard on NPR several months ago. It sounded familiar but I
> couldn't find it in our catalog or anything that sounded right to her
> in A to Zoo. She believes it is a new picture book. I also browsed
> the last couple of months of Scott Simon's page on the Internet, but
> the patron wasn't here and the list doesn't include book
> descriptions. It might have been the tribute to Shel Silberstein,
> but I don't know.
>
> Storyline: young girl wakes up one morning with a little girl in her
> head telling her what to do. The voice tells her to do things that
> are bad or wrong. She doesn't remember how it ended.
>
>
>
> Please reply directly to me. Thanks.
> Diane
>
>
>
> Diane Adams Youth Services Librarian
> Monmouth Public Library (503) 838-1932
> P.O. Box 10 fax: (503) 838-3899
> 168 Ecols St. S. diane@monmouth.chemek.cc.or.us
> Monmouth, OR 97361
>
>
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Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 11:43:51 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kelli Shimabukuro <shimabuk@nitnoi.howa.lib.md.us>
Subject: Re: craft ideas for YA's that go beyond tie dye?
We had a mehndi program at our library. Someone came in to do it. However,
she told use how to do it and where to by the henna. It can be purchased
at an Indian food store, or ordered online. Look up Mehndi on internet for
sites. we also have some books in our collection with detail on how to do
mehndi. I've bought the tube of henna to use. I haven't tried it yet, but
if you can draw or if you know anyone who does cake decorating, the same
principle applies. Just practice on wax paper tracing over design you want
to use.
Kelli Shimabukuro, Assistant Branch Manager
East Columbia Branch
Howard County Library
6600 Cradelrock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7708
shimabuk@nitnoi.howa.lib.md.us
On Tue, 6 Jul 1999, victoria vannucci wrote:
> Does anyone know of any simple,interesting craft ideas for YA after- school
> programs?
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Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 10:16:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ruth Shafer <shafer@fvrl.lib.wa.us>
Subject: Re: Another name for "baby" programs
Years ago I did a program called Book Babies. It had both a story time for
babies and their caregivers, and half hour of information on a topic of
interest to parents.
Ruth
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Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 15:48:12 -0400
From: Christine Hill <chill@willingboro.org>
Subject: Re: fall programming
Somtimes evangelical Christians are looking to avoid the occult, not just
holidays
such as Halloween, but story times about ghosts, witches, magic, even luck.
Sometimes homeschoolers want to know if future story times will tie in with
their
studies. So some groups are looking to avoid and some not to miss.
As to the lengthy advance time for publicity, some libraries include their
programs in regional brochures or magazines which are printed quarterly or even
twice a year.
Christine M. Hill
Willingboro Public Library
One Salem Road
Willingboro, NJ 08046
chill@willingboro.org
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Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 17:08:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: Julie Ann Rines <jrines@ocln.org>
Subject: Henna
I recall someone asking if anyone had done their own henna program, I
haven't but I came across this book in the newest Lark Books Catalog:
Henna from Head to Toe by Norma Pasekoff Weinberg. Part of the descripyion
says "teaches you how to prepare, apply and revel in this vivid body
decor." Lark Books can be reached at 800-284-3388 or www.larkbooks.com
Julie Rines
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End of pubyac V1 #752
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