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12-15-99 or 20
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From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults & Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org> To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults & Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org> Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 00:01:05 CST Subject: PUBYAC digest 20 PUBYAC Digest 20 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) stumper-boy kidnapped by squirrels by mary bridger <mbridger@stic.lib.tx.us> 2) Amnesity Week by "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us> 3) Stumpers/Bibs by Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us 4) Job Notices by Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us 5) Re: MODERATOR ASKS: Stumpers and Bibs by Mark Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us> 6) MLS Children's Lit Course Ideas by "Rebecca Smith" <rsps@hotmail.com> 7) Harry Potter party by Carol Hoke <hoke@crpl.cedar-rapids.lib.ia.us> 8) Re: chat room use by Adelaide Rowe <arowe@egvpl.org> 9) re: email & chat rooms by Paula Lopatic <paulal@alpha1.rpls.lib.il.us> 10) RE: Gender Role Titles by Andrew Finkbeiner <ANDREW@rockford.lib.il.us> 11) RE: Limiting circulation by Steffens@libcoop.net 12) Re: Collective biography index by ahendon@dorsai.org 13) staff prep time by Tammy Federspiel <tfeders@esls.lib.wi.us> 14) Re: Acc. Reader by Kathryn Prestidge <kprestid@owlsnet.owls.lib.wi.us> 15) Re: Limiting circulation by Simpson <jsimpson03@snet.net> 16) Re: book budget figures by Minero@aol.com 17) Acc. Reader by Karen Bortner <karenbor@kcls.org> 18) Page Productivity by "Jennifer Bromann" <bromannj@hotmail.com> 19) Re: putting collective bibs in catalog subject by cwilson2@kent.edu 20) Re: toilet paper rolls by cwilson2@kent.edu 21) Re: Collective biography index by LWilli0316@aol.com 22) Re: Collective biography index by MC <mrc42@yahoo.com> 23) Math Reading Program by "Crystal" <cfaris@nassaulibrary.org> 24) Re: Music Collection advice needed! by "Rebecca Domonkos" <rebeccadomonkos@hotmail.com> 25) Re: Accelerated Reader by toni whitney <whitneto@oplin.lib.oh.us> 26) RE: computers & filters by Beth Werking <bwerking@kokomo.lib.in.us> 27) computers & filters by Linda Shanks <lshanks@carlnet.org> 28) AR issue -LONG by "justin cooley" <jkcooley@ll.net> 29) AR lists by Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us 30) AR by Jane Connor <janec@leo.scsl.state.sc.us> 31) Re: Limiting circulation by ILefkowitz@aol.com 32) using teen volunteers by AMY BROWN <jbbrowns@yahoo.com> 33) Re: Limiting circulation by "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us> 34) Sexism in children's lit. by Kim Flores <kimf@mail.orion.org> 35) Re: Limiting circulation by ILefkowitz@aol.com 36) Do you want PUBYAC Digests?? by PUBYAC <pyowner@pallasinc.com> 37) RE: Job Notices by Andrea Johnson <ajohnson@cooklib.org> 38) Re: chat room use by Eve Bates <batese@pls.lib.ca.us> 39) Re: Amnesity Week by Mark Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us> 40) RE: Harry Potter party by "Hudson, Sarah" <shudson@plcmc.lib.nc.us> 41) RE: staff prep time by Amy Stultz <AStultz@ci.leesburg.fl.us> 42) RE: staff prep time by "Jill Olson" <jilolson@kcls.org> 43) Job Openings by "Bobbi Ludwig" <bjludwig@co.douglas.or.us> 44) Re: staff prep time by Carol Hoke <hoke@crpl.cedar-rapids.lib.ia.us> 45) Re: Limiting circulation by "Kelly Poole" <kpoole@lex.lib.sc.us> 46) Re: have your heard? by karp@tln.lib.mi.us 47) Re: staff prep time by Mark Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us> 48) re: email & chat rooms by Jane Casto <jcasto@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us> 49) Library summer day camps by marshalj@mpl.on.ca (Janis Marshall) 50) re: email & chat rooms by "Cathy S. Lichtman" <cathyl@tln.lib.mi.us> 51) Limiting circulation / hot topics by "Catherine E. Ingram" <ceingram@starbase1.htls.lib.il.us> 52) chat rooms by Bonnie Wright <bwright@aldus.northnet.org> 53) Re: computers & filters by "Elizabeth Buono" <ebuono73@hotmail.com> 54) Re: toilet paper rolls by "Elizabeth Buono" <ebuono73@hotmail.com> 55) RE: Harry Potter party by HFL_LISA@stls.org 56) Re: Acc. Reader by Jeri Kladder <jkladder@gcfn.org> 57) Printz Prize Web Site by "Esther Murphy" <emurphy@ala.org> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: mary bridger <mbridger@stic.lib.tx.us> To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org Subject: stumper-boy kidnapped by squirrels MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 10:45:51 CST
Dear all, I had a patron today ask me for a book her second grade teacher read to the class (early 1960's). All the patron can remember is that the boy is kidnapped by squirrels and lives with them, and that the story scared her a bit. If you have any ideas at all on what this could be, please email me directly at mbridger@stic.lib.tx.us Thank you in advance for your help. Mary Gere Bridger Children's Librarian Atascocita Branch Library ------------------------------ From: "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us> To: "PUBYAC" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org> Subject: Amnesity Week Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 10:52:05 CST This is not strictly a children's question, but we are going to have an = amnesty week in January and are trying to troubleshoot a little. Does = anyone have any advice or warnings from your experiences? Linda Peterson lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library Bloomfield, IN ------------------------------ From: Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Stumpers/Bibs Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 10:54:31 CST I do not mind the stumpers; some of them are actually fun and I have solved a couple. I have also posted a couple, and was glad I had this resource. The only reason I posted them was because the patrons' descriptions were so cryptic I didn't really have much to go on for searching in the professional resources. I have used a number of the bibs and really appreciate the posting of the ones I needed! If there is something I do not wish/need to read, I just skip it. There is, by the way, a separate listserv just for stumpers. If you are really having a hard time, you could try that. I am not a subscriber, but the address I have is stumpers-l@crf@cuis.edu, if you are interested. Diane Tuccillo Senior Librarian/YA Coordinator Mesa Public Library, AZ Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us ------------------------------ From: Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Job Notices Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 10:57:08 CST While we are on the subject of postings, I wish those who have job openings would just post the very basic information about the job and where to contact someone for details/application information. We don't need all the specifics here. I think this is a great place to promote youth services jobs, but briefly. What do you all think? Diane Tuccillo Senior Librarian/YA Coordinator Mesa Public Library, AZ Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us ------------------------------ From: Mark Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us> To: PUBYAC <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: Re: MODERATOR ASKS: Stumpers and Bibs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 10:59:37 CST I consider Stumpers to Intellectual Challenges on my memory. I'm glad to be able to help others out. The Bibliographies I am glad to see as well. Since someone has worked hard at collecting this information, I take the opportunity to pass them along to other juvenile staff members on my system who are not on PUBYAC. Some of the fingerplays and craft ideas which are posted, I forward as well, if I believe that others might benefit from the information. In a way, the term "information broker" is part of my job description. I see things in various places, read a good books, or find something which I am able to pass onto to someone else who has need of it. When I converse with people it gives me the opportunity to cater what I know already or even learn about the next day to pass on to them at later time. They appreciate my going the extra mile. I'm sure many of you do the same things which is why Pubyac in all of its permutations is a very useful tool at our disposal as librarians.
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. ------------------------------ From: "Rebecca Smith" <rsps@hotmail.com> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: MLS Children's Lit Course Ideas Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:02:45 CST I'm finalizing up my syllabus for a semester long course I will teaching called "Library Materials for Children Ages 0-6." This is my first time teaching it, and I have a basic idea of what to cover and what books to feature, but I would appreciate ideas. What I am really looking for are things that, looking back, you thought were really useful or you wish had been covered in library school but weren't. Also any thing you thought was not worthwhile. (Related to children's services ages 0-6) Thanks in advance for any ideas. ********* Rebecca S. Smith, MLS San Diego Public Library Branch Libraries Division rsps@hotmail.com
______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Carol Hoke <hoke@crpl.cedar-rapids.lib.ia.us> To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org Subject: Harry Potter party Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:05:23 CST I have been asked by a local bank to develop a proposal for a Harry Potter party by the end of the week. The bank would evidently be willing to commit several hundred dollars to this. For those of you who have done a party or have some great ideas for a party, would you be willing to share them with me? I would very much appreciate this. I could also gather them all together and send them out if there seems to be interest. Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate the bibliographies and ideas which are presented on this list.
Carol Hoke Children's Services Manager Cedar Rapids Public Library 500 1st St. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Hoke@crpl.cedar-rapids.lib.ia.us 319-398-5123 ------------------------------ From: Adelaide Rowe <arowe@egvpl.org> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: chat room use MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:08:14 CST HFL_LISA@stls.org wrote: > I am having a problem with this endless discussion from supposedly educated > people who keep referring to the sleaze in the chat rooms, the fact that > they are personally 'protecting' our children from everything that is out > there etc. Where do you get this idea that a 14 sitting down and chatting > in a room with another 14 year old is only discussing something you > personally > find to be morally reprehensible in some way. Maybe they are all chatting > about the Backstreet Boys-and so what-is it really any of our business? > Most computers are in libraries now as acess to the internet, etc. NOT as > private reference sources to only look up material we deem worthy. I do > not hunt and find guns a horrifying thing-but I certainly check out plenty > of gun manuals, hunting books etc in this rural area-and do it with a smile. > I think if you tell a patron they can have 1/2 (or whatever) on the net it > is not your call as to how they use it. Otherwise you need to extend that > judgement to all the other materials you allow them access to. What a great letter! I was thinking of emails a few minutes ago and of how wonderful it would be if all libraries allowed free access to out-of- town visitors to check their mail.What wonderful PR that would be for libraries - we might lose the image of purveyors of porn lol. ALA should go for it. I know others have mentioned this sort of thing, and if this is totally redundant please ignore me, the season is upon us. Adelaide ------------------------------ From: Paula Lopatic <paulal@alpha1.rpls.lib.il.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: re: email & chat rooms Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:11:40 CST Just adding my two cents to this discussion of email use with a question. And it may take a lawyer to answer this, but here goes.
We had a situation in which a parent had an order of protection placed against him. Part of this legal order said he was not to contact his children. The father wanted the library to allow email so he could send messages to his children. If we allowed him to use email, knowing what we knew, would the library be held liable in some way for breaking the law? I understand and agree with the concept of not looking over our patrons shoulders, but, I beleive, in this instance, our policy of not allowing the use of email or chat rooms (to anyone, we did not single him out) was correct.
Paula Lopatic paulal@rpls.lib.il.us Vespasian Warner Public Library 310 N. Quincy St. Clinton, IL 61727 217/935-5174 fax 217/935-4425 ------------------------------ From: Andrew Finkbeiner <ANDREW@rockford.lib.il.us> To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'" <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: RE: Gender Role Titles MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:15:05 CST Julie-- Here in Rockford (IL), we get the request for gender role titles not from Children's Lit. students but from early childhood caregivers working on their Child Development Associate (CDA). In the last five years or so, there has been a push at the national level from the early childhood education and care community to raise the standards for caregivers. Some preschool programs (like Head Start) require teachers to have a CDA or equivalent. Perhaps this is why you've seen the question a lot, lately. As far as combating sexism by promoting role reversal, it's fun to watch the pendulum swing back and forth, isn't it? I would prefer children be given experience with lots of authentic literature--period. Some of it would, of course, show families of many different types working out solutions to various problems (such as who cooks dinner that night, or who sews the troop numbers on the Brownie vest that morning--two real life situations at our house recently!) To answer the role reversal question, we use the venerable but increasingly obsolete Bookfinder by Sharon Spredemann Dreyer (4 vols., American Guidance Service, 1977-1989). Then we hop to the catalog and dive into a subject search under "sex role--juvenile fiction." Andrew Finkbeiner Rockford (IL) Public Library andrew@rockford.lib.il.us Visit our website at http://www.rpl.rockford.org ------------------------------ From: Steffens@libcoop.net To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: RE: Limiting circulation Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:19:32 CST We do limit circulation. We are a small library with a large population, and we have the same problems with one or two people wiping out all the books.We limit circulation to two books per topic in a subject all the time, and if we know of a big report, we will pull a certain number of books and temporarily make them reference to make sure we have something for everyone. Some parents still get upset, but you can't please everybody! Susan Steffens Chesterfield Twp. Library Chesterfield, MI steffens@libcoop.net ------------------------------ From: ahendon@dorsai.org To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Collective biography index MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:22:22 CST We have 2 file boxes full of catalog cards, many of which refer to tomes no longer possessed. I'd *love* to have a database available for this purpose, but don't possess the computer expertise necessary to program it. If you're tallying interested people, though, here's one! Alison Brooklyn Public library speaking only for myself 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" ------------------------------ From: Tammy Federspiel <tfeders@esls.lib.wi.us> To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org Subject: staff prep time Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:25:43 CST This may have been covered in the past, but not since I've been on the list. I am wondering how much prep time it usually takes to prepare a storytime, toddler time, or school age program. More importantly, how much of that preparation is done during work hours and how much on your own time. I realize that practicing a story is usually done on your own time but is the searching for fingerplays, action rhymes, project or craft ect. done on library time or your own time. This has been a recent debate at work! (I'm told I spend to much time planning!) Thanks so much! Tammy ------------------------------ From: Kathryn Prestidge <kprestid@owlsnet.owls.lib.wi.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Acc. Reader MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:28:27 CST
We have only one school using AR books. I have the clerks or pages mark the school lists with call numbers as they have time, then parents or kids can ask for the lists. Unless more schools go to AR I will not sticker my books. I keep copies of Hold the Applause article in SLJ (Oct. 1996) and letters to the editor responding to that article in a binder by the catalog. I also include a copy of the official AR response given to me by a pro-AR teacher. I am opposed to AR, but I try to have both sides represented for those who ask my opion. When I see weary parents carrying that list through the stacks and just grabbing any title they can find--I cringe. I long for summer reading program when the kids can read whatever they want, then I almost cry when their teachers tell them to read so many AR books over the summer. I have seen all the negative results described in previous PUBYAC replies and once or twice I have heard about non-readers who became readers because of AR. I advise moderation--a little AR to motivate is OK, but it shouldn't be an obsession. Kathy Prestidge Wisher, Liar, Magic Bean Buyer New London Public Library 406 S. Pearl St./New London/WI 54961 kprestid@owls.lib.wi.us ------------------------------ From: Simpson <jsimpson03@snet.net> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Limiting circulation MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:31:07 CST This happens to us all the time - a teacher assigns a topic to the class and the first person who comes in wants to check out all our books. What's even worse, is that there are some popular topics (Indians, Ancient Egypt, etc) that several teachers in different schools are studying at the same time! We have tried to write a teacher borrowing policy, but our Circulation Head always knocks it down, so we have never gotten one together. If any of you has e Teacher Borrowing Policy, I would love to see it. Anyway, our solution to the grabby patron problem is to limit patrons to 2 nonfiction books per topic during the school year. This was an informal policy for years, which the Circ staff mostly ignored or claimed they didn't know about even tho I sent them email every September. This year we posted signs in the Children's Dept and at Circ. If a patron complains, we say, "How would you feel if someone else got here an hour ago and checked out all the books and didn't leave any for you?" That usually stops them from arguing. The other solution we have is to keep several books as reference copies at the Children's Info Desk. And sometimes we ask for their library cards while they are using the books. This was necessasry because we found that patrons were stealing books (during Ancient Egypt season a few years back, the E volumes of all our encyclopedias were stolen and never returned.) If we can afford duplicate copies, we will get them, but often we can't. And some books we need just aren't in print any more - like the books on saints that we need for the Catholic school assignments. (Anyone know some good books on saints that are for kids, fairly complete, and in print? I haven't been able to find any!) We only have about 6 books on saints. Most are really old and none of them have everybody. And if a book does have info about a particular saint, it's only 1-2 pages at the most. Yet every person who gets this assignment wants to check out every book we own, without even looking inside to see if the book has any information they can use! Sorry for the rant, but as you can see, this is a problem in our library, too. If anyone has a better solution, I would love to hear it, also. And yes - we have tried getting teachers to use our Assignment Alert sheets, but in the 4 or so years we've had them only 1 teacher actually has used it. Martha Simpson, Stratford (CT) Library ------------------------------ From: Minero@aol.com To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: book budget figures MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:33:46 CST Good evening. I'm lobbying for a fixed book budget for the children's department this year and I am turning to the collective knowledge and experience of this group. Would you be willing to share with me the total amount of money allotted to your general book budget versus how much of that money is dedicated just to children's/YA book needs? If you want to just give me two figures, that's fine, or if you know that your children's budget is 40% of your total book budget, well, that would be helpful, too. I know there are resources I could turn to for theoretical models, but I want some "real world" statistics to bring to my boss and to the board. By the way, our "E" collection is, consistently, the biggest circulating section of our collection, over any sort of adult material. Also, our E collection needs a lot of additions--when I arrived here, we didn't have anything by Ezra Jack Keats, for instance! Please respond to me privately, and thanks in advance for your assistance, Maggie Bollar minero@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Karen Bortner <karenbor@kcls.org> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Acc. Reader MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:36:58 CST Hi All: I understand the frustration with AR. When we first got it, I deplored it! Our school district is in the 5th year of AR and it is much better now. The list has expanded to many, many new titles, as teachers can create their own tests. Students have the option to do the program. Most students choose to participate and they love it. Students in this district are reading both from the list and many other titles as well. Teachers have become more aware of children's literature and are reading more as well. The standardized reading scores for this district have risen over 25 points. This is with a HUGE ESL population. We have the lists from each school available. Students/parents look for, find, and/or order their own titles and I have very few students who limit themselves to only AR titles. I have not found it to discourage kids from reading. The greatest deterent I have seen to that is the Good Old Fashioned Book Report. YUCK! I know the list is not for everyone, but it's not all bad either and once you have had it in the curriculum for a while and it gets settled it works out okay. I am thrilled to see our teachers having a greater knowledge of children's literature and excited about it as well. This will not be the experience the first or even second year, but for many schools this program will produce positive results and a positive attitude will too. BTW, my former supervisors son was a reluctant reader and he started reading leaps and bounds in AR. If it was all bad, it would have disappeared by now - regardless of the stipend. Karen Bortner karenbor@kcls.org Children's Librarian Foster & Tukwila Libraries King County Library System ------------------------------ From: "Jennifer Bromann" <bromannj@hotmail.com> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Page Productivity Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:39:26 CST We have a BAD page situation. For the next time around, I was wondering what you expect your page to accomplish and how you test them during an interview? For example, how long do you expect them to take to shelve or sort easy books, non-fiction, and juvenile fiction? I timed myself, and our page takes almost twice as long. During the interview, we had the applicants put books in order on a cart, but that did not show us speed and lack of motivation. Thank you. Jennifer Bromann Head of Youth Services Prairie Trails Public Library Burbank, IL bromannj@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: cwilson2@kent.edu To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: putting collective bibs in catalog subject MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:42:04 CST What a great idea Becky Tatar has to list all of the people in a collective bibliography in the subject record of the card catalog! There are so many other items that could be added, too, with just a couple of minutes of the cataloguer's time (or even one of the other professional staff as the need becomes apparent) that would save hours and hours of searching on the part of patrons and staff. And what are computers for, anyway? To process information. ------------------------------ From: cwilson2@kent.edu To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: toilet paper rolls MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:44:41 CST It's been my experience that this is one item that patrons love to donate; I can't believe you can't get enough! ; ) Put the bug in the ears of a few of the older ladies of the community or maybe ask a church women's group to collect for you. Seems like you can always get plenty of t.p. rolls and margarine tubs because everyone is interested in doing an easy recycle project or donating something that is no skin off (no pun intended) their teeth. ------------------------------ From: LWilli0316@aol.com To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Collective biography index MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:47:57 CST Katherine Heylman wrote: "I'd like to suggest creating a computer program that would enable individual libraries to create their own CB Index." I'd like to add that many of you already have this in place -- you just have to take advantage of it!!! The MARC record has a tag number (505, I think) for "contents." What I have done at two libraries is to use the automation system already in place and add the names from the collective bio into the 505 tag in the MARC records of collective bios. From then on (depending on what tag #s your system searches), a search on your computer catalog produces the results you are looking for. And it's then available not only to you but to your patrons. Linda Williams Children's Services Librarian CT State Library
In a message dated 99-12-13 18:03:57 EST, you write: << Subj: Collective biography index Date: 99-12-13 18:03:57 EST From: kheylman@apk.net (Katherine Heylman) Sender: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org Reply-to: pubyac@prairienet.org To: pubyac@prairienet.org (pubyac)
In response to Mindy Schafer's query about a collective biography index, I'd like to suggest creating a computer program that would enable individual libraries to create their own CB Index. About ten years ago, I made a very crude one for the children's department of a library where I worked as a substitute after my retirement. Using an AppleIIe (! can anyone remember?) I had to keep swapping 4 discs back and forth. The result: you looked up the subject's name, which referred you to a 3-letter code, which you then looked up to get the citation for the book. Actually, it was very handy and much used. By now it is hoplessly out of date, with many of the books missing and no way to update it. I envision a computer program that would allow for quick and simple entries of information, including subject headings. It would also allow for global deletions when the book turns up missing. I've experimented a little with Microsoft Access, but to take full advantage of MS Access's sophistication, the project would need a leader with more computer expertise than I possess. I'd love to work on it, though. Anyone interested?
Kay Heylman kheylman@apk.net
</XMP> >> ------------------------------ From: MC <mrc42@yahoo.com> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Collective biography index MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:50:54 CST I created a Microsoft Access database for my practicum library with this. Trust me, I couldn't find ANY current source out there. It took me 8 months, and the final printed version was 67 pages ! It seems like a very worthwhile project. Mary Christian Children's Librarian Delaware County District Library Delaware Oh
===== seeking wisdom - one e-mail at a time! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: "Crystal" <cfaris@nassaulibrary.org> To: "PUBYAC" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org> Subject: Math Reading Program Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:53:48 CST As you are planning your summer reading programs and/or other reading = promotional programs throughout the year, I thought that you would be = interested to know that a reading program is available on the Reading = Rainbow web site. Featuring the theme Math Is Everywhere! Read All = About It!, the materials were developed by Reading Rainbow and the = Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the = American Library Association. The program guide was written by the = ALSC/Book Wholesalers Summer Reading Program Grant and Reading Program = Committee. =20 You may download the Reading Program Guide for free from the Reading = Rainbow web site which is located at http://gpn.unl.edu/rainbow . At = the web site, click on Librarians and then you may download the guide = though an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. You may also download reproducible = masters for a book log, participation certificate, and coloring sheet. = In addition, Reading Rainbow has made the complete packet available by = mail for a small fee and the mailed packet includes full-color posters. = Contact GPN/Nebraska Education Television, the producer of Reading = Rainbow, for more information at 1-800-228-4630 or email at gnp@unl.edu = . =20 I chaired the committee that wrote the program guide and will try to = answer any questions you may have. The committee made the suggestion = that Reading Rainbow make the materials available on their web site and = are excited that they have done this. We hope that you may find these = materials useful in sharing the joy of reading and of math! -------------------------------------------------------------------------= -- Crystal Faris Children's Services Manager Nassau Library System 900 Jerusalem Ave.; Uniondale, NY 11553 516-292-8920; cfaris@nassaulibrary.org www.nassaulibrary.org/childrens/kidsmainpage.html ------------------------------ From: "Rebecca Domonkos" <rebeccadomonkos@hotmail.com> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Music Collection advice needed! Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:56:29 CST Brit, Personally, I don't like the parental advisory warning label, either. I agree with your philosophy, but I need to do what is practical for the situation. If you think about it, most kids are used to hearing the radio edit version of songs because it's the only version played on most radio stations. There are only a handful of radio edit versions of CD's in my Teen collection. I would imagine that many artists do authorize radio edit versions of their songs. Otherwise, it would be hard to make it onto the charts. If the Teen CD collection were housed with the adult collection, I would certainly order the unedited version of CD's. I have received comlaints for many CD's that I thought were fine: Cake, Nirvana, They Might be Giants. Of course, I kept them in the collection. Rebecca Domonkos Boca Raton Public Library rebeccadomonkos@hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: toni whitney <whitneto@oplin.lib.oh.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Accelerated Reader MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:00:49 CST Peggy, How can you say that testing a reluctant reader on every book they read could possibly promote reading? I couldn't disagree more. This program seems to be another way for someone to make money off this country's children! Children need to be encouraged to read, but I am not convinced of the value of the accelerated reader program when testing on each book is made a part of the requirement. I have many parents and grandparents who come to us saying how their child used to love to read and now they don't want any part of it because they failed the last test! Children have so many pressures already - why give them more? Toni Whitney Ashland Public Library Ashland, Ohio Peggy Carter wrote: > The elementary and middle schools in our county started using the > Accelerated Reading program several years ago. In response to patron > requests, our library undertook an Accelerated Reader collection development > project. We received a grant to complete the project. We have copies of > all the schools' AR lists available for our patrons, and we have tagged our > Accelerated Reader titles with reading level and point value tags. While I > agree that there are a number of problems associated with the Accelerated > Reader program, I am convinced that overall the program does encourage > children to read for enjoyment. It does this by encouraging children who > perhaps had little incentive to read outside the classroom to read more > books. And by reading more, children begin to understand the magic of good > literature. Children can't learn to love books if they don't read. Most > children who came to our public library before AR programs were initiated in > their schools were already readers. Now we are seeing children (and their > parents) who had not previously established a reading habit come to the > library. Even with the obvious drawbacks of this type of reading incentive > program, I believe the overall effect is worthwhile and positive. > > Peggy Carter, Youth Services Librarian ------------------------------ From: Beth Werking <bwerking@kokomo.lib.in.us> To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'" <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: RE: computers & filters MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:03:37 CST I used to live in Grand Rapids and saw the article about Hudsonville's decision to remove internet access. I really thought that was overly reactionary but there may be other factors that were not in the article. Kokomo is a very conservative community--many Amish and Mennonite families among others. Our decision to filter Internet access was partially based on that factor but also, frankly to save ourselves a lot of hassle and looking over shoulders. We use BESS software in the children's department and found it remarkably reliable. Its very adaptable to what you do and do not want available. Computers in the adult department are on BESS as well but it can be switched off at the customers request. We have not had any major challenges to this decision. Occasionally, some one is aggrieved that there is not access to chat, but that was a decision we made because of our limited resources. We are in the process of completing a computer lab which will allow access to chat. ------------------------------ From: Linda Shanks <lshanks@carlnet.org> To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org Subject: computers & filters MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:06:10 CST Amy, My director just gave me a photocopy of an article about A Michigan library that discontinued internet access due to fears of law suits from both sides of this issue. I would also really like to know some quality filtering products. I think it's time we started pushing for the kind of filters that are can actually help us with this issue instead of creating different problems. I've tried installing two different filters on our "children's" machine (it's housed in adult with all the other computers). One didn't block a well known porn site and the other blocked our own home page because it relied on a rating system I didn't have applied to our site. Let's put aside the question of if it's right to filter for this discussion and concentrate on the product options for those libraries that choose to filter. Linda Shanks Flora-Monroe Public Library (These are my views only, my library can't afford views) ------------------------------ From: "justin cooley" <jkcooley@ll.net> To: "pubyac" <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: AR issue -LONG Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:09:07 CST Although I've sat back and waited, I've decided to "wade in" on the AR = discussion. Bravo to Dawn for her words and her stance - not allowing = her child to participate! It takes courage to make such a stance = -especially when a movement.program is so "driven" as my experience with = AR has been! I too saw the effects at our (public) library where our = local school system adopted AR. We saw children who were always in the = (public) library become children who trudged in to get "a certain book" = - of course, they kept reading the books they chose and loved - but as = they said, "I HAVE to read one of these - it doesn't make sense to me!" = And yes, we saw kids at the library who we had never or rarely seen - = that may sound positive or promising, but ...they were on a mission and = one mission only - find the shortest book, the easiest book, the = "whatever" book that HAD to be on THE LIST. It was all about "what = level and what list, etc." And yes, it reached to lower levels - we had = parents we had never or rarely seen at the library DESPERATELY looking = for "AN AR BOOK"! Far far far too often with parents and kids there was = a mindset of "only an AR book - otherwise it didn't "count"! Some = parents even said that after their kids finishes their "AR book" they = had no time (or desire) to read what they wanted or liked! And then, = the "tests" -we actually had our school system ask if we (the public = library) would test the kids "over the holidays" so they would "keep = reading"! I kid you not. Probably my most vivid (and pathetic) memory = was a mom who came to get "4 AR kindergarten books" - because her child = was home SICK and she (mom) was afraid her little ones would "fall = behind on her tests" and that just wasn't an option! At the library, the stance we took was once that we as a staff felt was = right- based on some of the discussion points I listed below - we = refused to buy any book just because if was on an AR list, we refused to = code our books in any way and we refused to test any child (in our = local school system this "testing" included KINDERGARTNERS!!!!). Of = course, we had books in our collection that were included on the AR list = - but that was due to the book's merit, not due to its inclusion on an = AR list. We did keep a notebook provided to us by the school of the "AR = booklists" so parents had a resource at the library to find "the right = books" -their words, not mine. All I can say is that as a children's = librarian, it was a watershed of disappointment and frustration. It was = a HUGE relief to be away from that scenario! Thankfully, at my current = library, AR is not an issue at all! In my closing comments, I offer all of us the following thoughts to = ponder - they were all discussion points at my previous library when = this AR issue arose: 1. Who determines which books make "the lists"? Our understanding was = it was USUALLY publishers who PAID to have books listed -what does that = say about merit and power and choice? 2. Why is nonfiction so under represented? When I inquired to an "AR = person/rep" in the schools -she said, "Well, we all know kids don't = like NF and there's just not much there that is of quality!" Again - = think of that being the underlying message to kids?! 3. Like any list, they are only as current as the making of the list - = so newer titles were not included. How often were the lists revised? = We could get no answer from AR rep on that issue. As one kid said, "I = think AR stands for "already read" - I've read almost everything on this = list!" What a reader - who was "stuck" in a system that even he = realized was totally arbitrary and meaningless! 4. Have you seen - really seen some of the "tests"? As Dawn pointed = out - they assess the lowest level of comprehension and thinking skills. = For an Amelia Bedelia, one mother told us a question was "what street = does Amelia live on?" I ask us all - what does that have to do - really = do - with the delight and fun of Amelia Bedelia? Is that what we want = to be memorable (and tested?) about Amelia Bedelia? =20 5. At our school, kindergartens were "tested" as well - that I can't = even imagine - but perhaps a by-product of that was that little ones = would be prepared for the onslaught of standardized testing they will = confront in our educational system - scary indeed! =20 6. How much differently would WE (as adults and book lovers) read if we = knew we would be TESTED after we read our own books? Would we still = read with love or would we read more carefully and less fluidly because = we didn't know "what" would be pulled out and tested? Would part of the = joy be replaced with the thought of "doing well on a test"? What would = we as adults say if we had "lists" from which "acceptable books" were = listed from which we could choose? That is what we are doing to = children - we are giving them the direct message that they don't know = what books are best for them - is anyone offended by that than me? As = a former elementary school teacher, I can vouch for the fact that even = the youngest children can make book selections that are best for them = and for those who "struggle" - selecting books for oneself is a learning = process. It does not happen when we "assign" books to kids. It robs = them of their ability to learn to self initiate and select- keep = components of a real reader! 7. Read the words and works of Alfie Kohn and you won't be able to even = think of AR (and several other "good things" we do for kids) without = reassessing and thinking of things in a new light. If one reads for = credit or tests or reward, then we have truly given the wrong message = about reading and truly mangled a child's innate love of books. How = often do we hear kids say "I hate books" when they are little? That = phrase comes when "books" becomes equated with reading independently and = assignments, etc. and our society pushes and expects those "things" with = books at certain ages! If kids "don't measure up" by those certain = ages, then the pressure and the "failure" and the "hate to read, hate = books" sets in. How sad for us all! Many thanks for letting me express my (obvious) opinion about AR. May = we someday have systems that support reading for reading and nothing = less!=20 ------------------------------ From: Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: AR lists Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:12:17 CST Whether we in the public libraries agree with them or not, the schools themselves do have a right to decide to go with the AR programs if they wish. We could debate forever on the pros and cons of AR, but the bottom line is, are we going to support our patrons when they come in to ask for the books? Our positiion here is that if the kids are going to come in looking for the books, we are going to support the programs as best we can, just as we do for other assignments from the schools. (I don't particularly like dealing with or see the point in having kids find out what the Santas look like from the individual countries they are doing for "Christmas in other country" reports, but our staff has worked hard to make sure that information is still available for those coming in and asking for it.) All I know is, there are many kids coming in and asking for books who would not have if it were not for AR. Many of them need to sign up for library cards at the same time because AR has finally gotten them into the public library--parents too! Yesterday, I had one teenager who was all excited because she was checking out "all the good AR books" to keep her busy reading over the holiday vacation--Little Women, Scarlet Letter, a biography of Helen Keller, and three more. I have seen nothing but enthusiam from the kids coming in and asking for the AR lists--having some choice really seems to make a difference to them. The biggest obstacle I have found is books from the lists being checked out and kids being disappointed that they would need to put them on hold. I personally see some problems with the program--for example, sometimes when I go out to do booktalks, the teachers want to point out the AR books from my selections, and some teens don't want to take any that are not AR, even if the story sounds good. But, as I said before, it is not up to us to decide if the schools do AR or not! We just have to deal with it the best we can. Diane Tuccillo Senior Librarian/YA Coordinator Mesa Public Library, AZ Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us ------------------------------ From: Jane Connor <janec@leo.scsl.state.sc.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: AR MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:15:02 CST I side with those who do not like accelerated reader either as a parent or as a librarian. I once saw a report from my daughter's class on accelerated reader tests taken and not to my surprise, the great majority of the tests were being taken by the best readers--who don't need the motivation of rewards. The poorest readers took the fewest tests. As a librarian, I think the lists are mediocre at best. They contain lots of older titles and are inconsistent in how they deal with titles in series. On the whole, the nonfiction is series nonfiction which fits into the serviceable rather than exciting type. I hate to see catalogs come across my desk with the headlines stating their books are on accelerated reader lists. In actuality, the AR list does dictate a lot of purchases in many schools and I really hate to see a company driving selection especially with the limited materials budgets of many school library media centers. I have heard-- and would not want to say this is true without confirmation from the company--that publishers now pay accelerated reader to list their books. A telling comment I heard yesterday at a meeting. In a school in our state, one second grade teacher of several on the faculty does not use Accelerated Reader in her classroom. Her students who choose to take tests don't always do particulary well. However, on standardized tests, her students consistenty score higher than the other classes. AR asks fact recall questions. Standardized tests, with their many flaws, do ask students to interpret what they read. Which skill is more important? What I have begun asking is: If Accelerated Reader is so great why aren't we seeing big improvements in reading test scores?
-- 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 ------------------------------ From: ILefkowitz@aol.com To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Limiting circulation MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:17:44 CST We limit books on hot topics for assignments as soon as we are made aware of them. We do the usual two books per person, no renewals. For some topics which we have very limited resources we make most of the books temporary reference and only allow one per person to circulate. This seems to work for us here. We really haven't had too many complaints. Even with the internet students still need to look and use books for their assignments. Teachers often require mutliple sources, so they still need a book. I'm not sure there is a better system, unless your library can afford to buy 30 books on reindeer or each and every explorer. Ilene Lefkowitz Youth Services Librarian Mount Olive (NJ) Public Library ILefkowitz@aol.com ------------------------------ From: AMY BROWN <jbbrowns@yahoo.com> To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org Subject: using teen volunteers MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:20:24 CST Hi everyone! I am training teen volunteers to read to young children. I was thinking of doing a "book buddies" program. They would come in on saturdays and read preselected books to small groups of kids. I was wondering if any of you could give me some more information about this or great ideas. Thanks Amy Brown Early Childhood Librarian Marshall Public Library Pocatello, Id. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us> To: <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: Re: Limiting circulation MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:23:57 CST We too, get no warning from teachers but over the years have come to know what the regular topics are so that when the first child comes in asking for a book on Incas or Aztecs we get suspious. We put a sign up in the area the books are kept and at the desk that limit patrons to 1 or 2 items and we also offer to do free photocoping. But since more people have the Internet the demand has lessoned. Most people are pretty understanding of our limits but ther are always 1 or 2 parents who come in without the child and can't understand why they can't take home 10 books on planets so the child can pick which one he wants to report on. Good luck. Linda Peterson lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us ------------------------------ From: Kim Flores <kimf@mail.orion.org> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Sexism in children's lit. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:26:55 CST In response to Julie Linneman's comments: Last semester I did a research paper on gender bias in the Caldecott Award books in which I compared the first ten years with the most recent ten years. My assumption would be that the most recent books would be more gender neutral or portray women in less traditional roles. That was not the case. I counted male and female pronouns and found that even when the book was about a female, there were more masculine pronouns in the book. It was very discouraging-the one highlight was Mirette on the High Wire. Kim Flores kimf@mail.orion.org ------------------------------ From: ILefkowitz@aol.com To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Limiting circulation MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:29:45 CST We limit books on hot topics for assignments as soon as we are made aware of them. We do the usual two books per person, no renewals. For some topics which we have very limited resources we make most of the books temporary reference and only allow one per person to circulate. This seems to work for us here. We really haven't had too many complaints. Even with the internet students still need to look and use books for their assignments. Teachers often require mutliple sources, so they still need a book. I'm not sure there is a better system, unless your library can afford to buy 30 books on reindeer or each and every explorer. Ilene Lefkowitz Youth Services Librarian Mount Olive (NJ) Public Library ILefkowitz@aol.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 11:57:50 -0700 (MST) From: PUBYAC <pyowner@pallasinc.com> To: PUBYAC <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: Do you want PUBYAC Digests?? Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95.991214115719.3246T-100000@info.jefferson.lib.co.us> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I've heard reports that in the switchover from the old server, several people didn't get changed from individual messages to Digests. The instructions for that are in your new Welcome message, but in case you deleted that, I've included the "how-to" below. If Listprocessor doesn't acknowledge your command, it may be one one two problems: 1) You're sending your messages in MIME format and need to turn that off before you write a message, or 2) your e-mail system address changed slightly and Listprocessor doesn't believe you are the real McCoy. If the 2nd problem occurs, let me know, and I'll unsub the old address and let you resub and change your preferences using your current account. Shannon VanHemert pyowner@pallasinc.com You might prefer to receive your daily messages as digests with all the day's postings in a single message, and an index at the top. There are TWO FORMS of Digest with release 8.2 of Listproc, MIME and NON-MIME. Most people prefer NON-MIME, because the Digest comes neatly without extraneous headers or formatting. However, MIME formatted is the default, so BE CAREFUL! MIME delivers the digest as an attachment, and each message as a single icon you must click on to open. To change your individual messages to NON-MIME Digests, send a message to listproc@prairienet.org Subject: [blank] Message: set pubyac mail DIGEST-NOMIME If you want MIMED Digests, use the same address above, but the message should read: set pubyac mail DIGEST ------------------------------ From: Andrea Johnson <ajohnson@cooklib.org> To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'" <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: RE: Job Notices MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:11:25 CST
I disagree. As someone who's recently been through a job search, I think it's important to have the relevant information included, so job seekers can decide whether or not to pursue a position (e.g., if a job seeker is unqualified for a job, it's important to know that at the outset before wasting the employer's and seeker's time inquiring about it). I think if we're going to allow job notices at all, we ought to allow posters to include all the relevant information. If you're not a job seeker, you can skip the post, and it ought not matter how much info is included. Andrea Johnson ajohnson@cooklib.org Children's Librarian * Cook Memorial Library * 413 N. Milwaukee * Libertyville, IL 60048 > -----Original Message----- > From: Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us [SMTP:Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us] > Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 1999 10:57 AM > To: pubyac@prairienet.org > Subject: Job Notices > > While we are on the subject of postings, I wish those who have job > openings > would just post the very basic information about the job and where to > contact someone for details/application information. We don't need all the > specifics here. I think this is a great place to promote youth services > jobs, but briefly. What do you all think? > > Diane Tuccillo > Senior Librarian/YA Coordinator > Mesa Public Library, AZ > Diane_Tuccillo@ci.mesa.az.us ------------------------------ From: Eve Bates <batese@pls.lib.ca.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: chat room use MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:13:57 CST My library has no rules against chat rooms, and many of my young patrons use them regularly. However, our library requires patrons under high school age to have parent permission before using the Internet unattended. I do worry occasionally about safety issues because some of them are a little too free with personal information. Most of the chatting revolves around pretty benign pop culture - WWF, Pokemon, etc. We have 1/2 hour time limits on our terminals, so we don't have problems with people chatting on and on for hours. One plus of chat rooms is that it gets kids writing! I think a lot of these kids do more writing on chat rooms than they ever have done for homework. And what's more, they're actually concerned about their spelling and usage, because they don't want to look stupid to their chat-mates. I think we could be doing worse than to encourage a new medium where people are represented solely by written word - from what I've seen, it motivates kids to improve their reading comprehension and writing skills.
************************************************************ Eve Bates Redwood City Public Library Children's Librarian Redwood City, CA Community Libraries Unit 650-780-7009
------------------------------ From: Mark Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us> To: Linda Peterson <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us> Subject: Re: Amnesity Week MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:16:24 CST Our department has stopped doing this except upon instruction from our county council. We did it a few years ago before we increased the fines. People had been saving books for years waiting for amnesty week. Many books had to be withdrawn because they were in terrible condition. By not having an amnesty period, it lets people know that hoarding books is not a good idea. Some just wait for that day/week. We would rather have the materials back and we can negotiate the fines. If you can get out of it great. Or let it be known that's it is your last one. That's my perspective from here. 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. ------------------------------ From: "Hudson, Sarah" <shudson@plcmc.lib.nc.us> To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'" <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: RE: Harry Potter party MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:18:51 CST We haven't done a Harry Potter Party yet, but we did decorate a table for our staff night around a Harry Potter Theme. We used lots of great suggestions from the list. Here is what we did: Found a plastic cauldron after Halloween and filled it with dry ice and water. Filled a candy jar with Jelly Beans (Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans) Decorated using bean bag owls and other stuffed animals representing those in the book. Covered old Thomas Registers in grocery bags to look like books from the wizard's supply store. Painted the paper brown to look antiquish. We had a shimmery table cloth that someone made out of shiny blue formal wear fabric. She ironed on Stars and Moons made from silver lame. This same talented person made a "hand" out of wire and a rubber kitchen glove. She painted the glove flesh color and filled the glove with salt. This hand held the golden snitch. We taped wings onto a gold Christmas ornament. Oh, and she made a rugby shirt sleeve to look like Harry's arm. And of course, we had a broom as a key part to the table. For activities, you could have a Harry trivia contest. the scholastic site can help with the questions. You could also read episodes aloud from the book. You can invite the program participants to come dressed as their favorite character. If you search Yahoo for Harry Potter, you will find some sites that people have put up with pictures of their costumes. This sounds like a great opportunity. Good Luck, Sarah Sarah Hudson "Opinions are mine and do not reflect those of the Library" Information Specialist Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Independence Regional Branch shudson@plcmc.lib.nc.us Check out our Reader's Club: www.readersclub.org ------------------------------ From: Amy Stultz <AStultz@ci.leesburg.fl.us> To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'" <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: RE: staff prep time MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:25:10 CST It takes many hours each week to plan for programs. Since programming is such an enormous part of my job as a Children's Librarian, I don't feel that there is any reason for me to spend my off duty time preparing storytimes. I try to be efficient when preparing them at work. We spend the few weeks after Summer Reading Program preparing for the whole next school year's storytimes. I write a lesson plan and begin pulling books before labor day. We service about 75 children a week when we are at full capacity, and I have found the pre-planning to be a life saver. We also have tried and true favorites on hand to use in emergencies. I guess the truth is that I'm not making lawyer money, so why should I work like one? When I was a media specialist I gave so much unpaid labor to the school that I burnt out on the whole concept of cataloging (for example). Now I refuse to spend my off-duty time working unless it's REALLY an emergency. Amy Stultz, Children's Librarian Leesburg Public Library Leesburg, FL AStultz@ci.leesburg.fl.us ------------------------------ From: "Jill Olson" <jilolson@kcls.org> To: <pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: RE: staff prep time MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:27:37 CST Our library system did an in-depth time-use study about 2 years ago. After the work on that, it was determined that, on the average, each program takes 2 1/2 hours to prepare and present. We assumed all the work was done on staff time. ____________________________________________ Jill Olson Children's Services Outreach Librarian King County Library System 300 Eighth Avenue North Seattle, Washington 98109 Phone: 206-684-6623 ------------------------------ From: "Bobbi Ludwig" <bjludwig@co.douglas.or.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Job Openings MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:30:42 CST
As someone who got my current job by following up on a post made to PUBYAC, I would definitely be against cutting down the information in job postings. Knowing more of the specifics right away can save time later. Yes, basic contact info is good, but what if you go through the trouble of following up and then realize you don't have the qualifications, or for some other reason the job is not for you? The full postings are the best, IMHO, since I can get as much information right away and then make the decision to pursue . . . when I was looking for jobs I utilized listserv postings ALOT!! It is one of the best things about being networked! :) And, PUBYAC serves a certain purpose of focusing on children's and YA positions--much easier than wading through the tons of listings on other job sites or from other lists! Just my opinion, of course! Bobbi-Jean Ludwig, MLIS Children's Librarian Douglas County Library System--Roseburg, OR ------------------------------ From: Carol Hoke <hoke@crpl.cedar-rapids.lib.ia.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: staff prep time Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:33:20 CST >This may have been covered in the past, but not since I've been on the >list. I am wondering how much prep time it usually takes to prepare a >storytime, toddler time, or school age program. More importantly, how much >of that preparation is done during work hours and how much on your own >time. I realize that practicing a story is usually done on your own time >but is the searching for fingerplays, action rhymes, project or craft ect. >done on library time or your own time. This has been a recent debate at >work! (I'm told I spend to much time planning!) Thanks so much! >Tammy Federspiel <tfeders@esls.lib.wi.us> My personal opinion ( and I guess I apply this to my staff) is that programs are part of the job at the library and should be done on library paid time. I allow them whatever time is needed for them to do this and I don't feel that this is abused or too much time is used. The amount depends a great deal on the theme they are developing since some require more. If they are creating a magnet board story or something like that, it will take more time. If all the material is at hand and there are lots of stories on the theme, well, then it might not take as long. As for other programs (ususally I am the one planning these), it may take quite awhile especially if you are coordinating several things like a speaker, craft and materials, games, volunteers. I don't know that you could set a time something would take and have it apply across the board. But I do believe that planning well makes the program more enjoyable for the audience and less stressful for the person who is presenting it.
Carol ------------------------------ From: "Kelly Poole" <kpoole@lex.lib.sc.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Limiting circulation MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:36:13 CST We are a medium sized public lib. system, and we limit all customers to 3 books per Dewey number all of the time. Circulation staff use their best judgement when decimal points are involved. Kelly Poole Youth Services Librarian kpoole@lex.lib.sc.us ------------------------------ From: karp@tln.lib.mi.us To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: have your heard? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:37:49 CST Hi to all you pubyac readers. I have a question and am hoping one of you can help me out. We're planning some programming here at the Novi Public Library and wondered if any one had used a magician from Keego Harbor. MI named Walt Smith? I would appreciate hearing whatever you know. I thank you in advance and wish you all a healthy happy New Year. Thanks, Marjorie Karp- Opperer at karp@tln.lib.mi.us. ------------------------------ From: Mark Gochnour <gochnm@mont.lib.md.us> To: Tammy Federspiel <tfeders@esls.lib.wi.us> Subject: Re: staff prep time MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:39:52 CST If you are a member of a union, Federal law prohibts you from working off the clock without being compensated. ( and probably if you are not). This has been an ongoing discussion in our department. If you are required to do storytimes than your preparation has to be done on worktime. Practicing a story while driving down the road is a whole nother issue if you chose to do it. Crafts and etc. are to be done on work time. Depending on how long you are a children's librarian (I'm at 22 years), your time should decrease as you increase the number of books you are familiar with. I have a volunteer prepare our crafts, although, I supervise what things she cuts out for me. Now, I have a Library Associate who is new to doing storytimes and she practices a lot more than I do. She is amazed that I can do a storytime on very short notice and spend very little time preparing. About 15 -30 minutes is about it. MOst of my time is spent getting the room ready for preschoolers and the adults who sit in. Just recently, I totally forgot about an evening storytime and when the kids showed up, I gathered up the craft and materials -books off the shelf on new babies and did the storytime about five minutes later. HOwever, I don't care to repeat that mistake again. Do you get nervous about not preparing enough? Finally, with about the 15 years of programs for all different ages under my belt, no longer do I get butterflies in my stomach and elsewhere. However, when I do a different type of program which I haven't done as much (usually High School Child Development classes or for adults) they return unless I am very prepared. I am look forward to seeing other's posts. 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. ------------------------------ From: Jane Casto <jcasto@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us> To: Paula Lopatic <paulal@alpha1.rpls.lib.il.us> Subject: re: email & chat rooms MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:42:10 CST In this instance, I would refer the matter to your city or county attorney, if you usually allow e-mail and chat. If not, the problem would solve itself. That is an interesting question...about what our obligation as an instution might be, if we (or some staff) know that a customer is going to use library resources in an illegal way. Another common example is customers who check out videos from the collection to use for a public showing (like a class room setting or a meeting); even though the videos do not have public performance rights included. Often, the customer will comment on how they plan to use the materials to a staff person...are we then obligated to inform the customer that they will be in copyright viloation? how liable are we in the farfetched instance where an illegal use of a library resource is reported? __________________________________________________________________________ | Jane Casto | | Librarian II | | | | Mail: Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center | | Cliffdale Branch Library | | 6882 Cliffdale Road | | Fayetteville, North Carolina 28314-1975 | | | | E-Mail: jcasto@cumberland.lib.nc.us | | http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us | | | | Phone: (910) 864-2600 | | Fax: (910) 487-9090 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: marshalj@mpl.on.ca (Janis Marshall) To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Library summer day camps Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:44:18 CST
Hello, A few months ago I saw a post from someone who was interested in getting information from anyone who had run a summer day camp from anyone who had done it. Of course, I did not take down her name or address but the idea has stuck with me and I am quite intrigued at this point. If that person recognizes herself (or himself) I would love to hear from you (or anyone else, for that matter) on the subject. I have lots of ideas about it but it would be great to hear from someone who has actually done it. Thanks. Janis Marshall Milton Public Library Milton, Ontario, Canada ------------------------------ From: "Cathy S. Lichtman" <cathyl@tln.lib.mi.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: re: email & chat rooms MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:46:27 CST I don't get this. You would not be responsible if he used your telephone to call them or mailed a letter from a mailbox in the library. Why would you be responsible if he uses your computer to e-mail his children? Isn't he the one that's responsible? Cathy Lichtman Orion Township Public Library On Tue, 14 Dec 1999, Paula Lopatic wrote: > Just adding my two cents to this discussion of email use with a question. > And it may take a lawyer to answer this, but here goes. > > We had a situation in which a parent had an order of protection placed > against him. Part of this legal order said he was not to contact his > children. The father wanted the library to allow email so he could send > messages to his children. If we allowed him to use email, knowing what we > knew, would the library be held liable in some way for breaking the law? > I understand and agree with the concept of not looking over our patrons > shoulders, but, I beleive, in this instance, our policy of not allowing the > use of email or chat rooms (to anyone, we did not single him out) was correct. > > Paula Lopatic > paulal@rpls.lib.il.us > Vespasian Warner Public Library > 310 N. Quincy St. > Clinton, IL 61727 > 217/935-5174 > fax 217/935-4425 > ------------------------------ From: "Catherine E. Ingram" <ceingram@starbase1.htls.lib.il.us> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Limiting circulation / hot topics MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:48:21 CST
We do not limit circulation. What I have done now is to make an "assingment cart". When we are told about an assignment (of figure it out) we pull a limited number of books (2-4) and put then on the reserve cart, non-circ. Anything else can circulate. At least then I can give the procrastinators SOMETHING when they come in to look for info on their constellation, french flag info, the Irish in America- whatever! For things like "winter holidays" or "black history month" I will pull many books... 30+ and make them all non-circ. For our current holiday mode I pulled some general books and many "Christmas in Germany" type. I only pull one for any given country. Anything not on the cart can go out. But with a 6 week teacher checkout... I pulled that stuff before Thanksgiving! Catherine ----------------------------------------------------------------- | *opinions are my own* | | Catherine E. Ingram, M.L.S. Joliet Public Library | | Young Adult Librarian 150 N. Ottawa St. | | ceingram@htls.lib.il.us Joliet, IL 60432 | | phone: 815-740-2660 http://www.joliet.lib.il.us | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: Bonnie Wright <bwright@aldus.northnet.org> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: chat rooms MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:50:28 CST I agree with the message of Paula Lopatic-there was an incident in this area (not in this library) where a young teen was kidnapped by a man she met in a chat room at a library. She finally was returned home, but she was very lucky. The man posed as a teen but he was in his 30's. I see nothing wrong with e-mail(which we allow) but I am glad the director and board prohibit chats. You might ask, where were the girl's parents? When both parents work, they might think it's great their kid is at the library-never suspecting what the kid is doing. I also agree with another woman who inquired about filtering software programs. We use SURF WATCH on our children's computer, but not our adult computers, and we like it a lot. I don't know if this is a program you've tried, but if not, it is a good one. It has regular updates, like Norton Anti-Virus does. Sorry, I erased your message and have lost your name! Good Luck! ------------------------------ From: "Elizabeth Buono" <ebuono73@hotmail.com> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: computers & filters Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:52:34 CST At our library, we have two internet computers in the children's department, both with very outdated (at least 2 years old) CyberPatrol filters on them. These filters are very ineffective, because we still see lots of porn, and it's not always intentional. I've seen kids type in perfectly innocent keyword searches, and get linked to some pretty graphic stuff. Then the CyberPatrol little box pops up, and tells you that you are looking at an offensive site (!), and when you close that box, the site stays up. We also require that all patrons under 18 have a parent's permission to use the Internet--we have a permission form that is signed by a parent or guardian, which we keep on file, and we make a notation on the child's card, so that they have to have their cards with them in order to use the Internet. The permission also allows them to use the adult Internet stations, which are unfiltered. In the children's room we limit kids to an hour a day, especially when we are really busy, but adult allows patrons to stay on for two hours a day. However, the adult terminals have automatic timers, which log users out after an hour, and won't let users log back in again until a certain amount of time has passed. Are you confused yet? The adult department requires users to actually key in their library barcode number in order to get on the Internet, as well, so if you are from out of town and don't have a card, you need to get a temporary barcode number from adult services. We don't allow patrons over 18 to use the Internet terminals in the children's room, since we only have two, and the adult department has about 25, but as I mentioned earlier, the kids are allowed to use the adult computers. It's a whole complicated system, but apparently there were some irate parents a few years back, and this is the system the administration came up with. It mostly works, except when you get these kids who don't have permission and who need to use the Internet for legitimate homework reasons, but can't because of the rule. That's when we end up doing searches for them at our desks... These opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.
Elizabeth Buono Children's Librarian The Ferguson Library 1 Public Library Plaza Stamford, CT 06904 <ebuono73@hotmail.com> ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: "Elizabeth Buono" <ebuono73@hotmail.com> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: toilet paper rolls Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:54:37 CST I once worked at a library where the children's librarians just asked the library staff to bring in any rolls they had at home. You know everyone has got them...
Elizabeth Buono Children's Librarian The Ferguson Library 1 Public Library Plaza Stamford, CT 06904 <ebuono73@hotmail.com> ------------------------------ From: HFL_LISA@stls.org To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: RE: Harry Potter party Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 13:57:32 CST Day which was very successful. We had children design there own racing brooms and had a contest for that. We had the count the Every Flavor Bertie Botts Beans contest. As favors at the party we gave out the small snack bags with jelly beans. We made up Bernie Botts labels on the computer and put those on the bags. We borrowed stuffed owls froma number of sources and hung those around with envelopes addressed to various characters-of course one was a howler! Our most elaborate presentation was the play of the Sorcerer's Stone from the Nov. issue of Storyworks magazine. We did combine narrators for the sake of time but still presented afull production to over 100 children. We had giant castle doors and flying keysd on branches etc. and cast 3 children in the main parts. Using staff children meant we culd be sure they were at rehersal! We only rehearsed twice and did one dress rehearsal....it wa still a big hit with the audience. We made up opur own copy of the HOgwart's newspaper and issued Racing Broom License's to kids. I can send you the graphics for the licenses if you want-just e-mail me. HFL_LIsa@STLS.org Have fun. L. Dowling HOrsheads Library Horseheads, NY. ------------------------------ From: Jeri Kladder <jkladder@gcfn.org> To: pubyac@prairienet.org Subject: Re: Acc. Reader MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 14:00:02 CST Another question, in addition to the one below about how AR assigns reading levels is--where do the books on the list come from? Speaking to representatives of the program at ALA I understand that publishers offer titles to be put on the lists. Yes, teachers and other school personnel can request that a book be reading-level-rated but, the majority of books dare there for other than sound collection development criteria. - jeri
Jeri Kladder, Children's Librarian & Storyteller jkladder@freenet.columbus.oh.us Columbus Metropolitan Library Columbus, Ohio ------------------------------ From: "Esther Murphy" <emurphy@ala.org> To: <Pubyac@prairienet.org> Subject: Printz Prize Web Site Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 14:01:45 CST WEB SITE FOR THE MICHAEL L. PRINTZ AWARD ANNOUNCED A web site for a new award in young adult literature has been developed to provide background information about the award and the person in whose honor it is named. The address is: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz/. The award is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) and sponsored by Booklist magazine. The first winner will be announced during the ALA Awards Press Conference, Monday, January 17, 2000 at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio and will be posted on this web site shortly after the announcement. The Michael L. Printz Award will be given annually to a book that is published for young adults and exemplifies literary excellence. It will be selected annually by an award committee that can also select up to four honor books. The award winning book can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or an anthology, and can be a work of joint authorship or editorship. The books that are nominated must be published between January 1 and December 31 of the preceding year and be designated by their publishers as being either a young adult book or one published for the age range that YALSA defines as young adult, e.g. ages 12 through 18. Nominations are accepted from young adults as well as adults when the official nomination form is used. Links to the nomination form and the policies and procedures used by the committee to select the winner may be found on the Printz Award web site. The deadline for field nominations is December 1. The award is named in honor of the late Michael L. Printz, longtime YALSA member and Topeka, Kansas, school librarian. "Mike", as he was known to his friends and colleagues, also worked as a marketing consultant for Econo-Clad Books. As a YALSA member, he served on the Best Books for Young Adults Committee for three terms, and on the first Margaret A. Edwards Award Committee. As a school librarian, he started an author-in-residence program at his high school. After Mike's untimely death in 1996 at the age of 59, YALSA published, A Printz Of A Man, a volume of articles written by Mikes's friends and colleagues to commemorate his life and work. The complete book is available on the Michael L. Printz Award web site for the enjoyment of interested readers. For more information contact the YALSA office: phone: 800-545-2433; e-mail yalsa@ala.org. ------------------------------ End of PUBYAC Digest 20 *********************** |
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