From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults & Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>

To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults & Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999 00:01:03 CST

Subject: PUBYAC digest 22

PUBYAC Digest 22

Topics covered in this issue include:

1) School visits?

by Marlyn Roberts <chaisegirl@yahoo.com>

2) Re: web site concerns

by Jill Patterson <jpatterson@ci.glendora.ca.us>

3) RE: Limiting Books & Request for web sites

by CCullum621@aol.com

4) Re: using teen volunteers

by Cheryl Cruse <cgrudem@earthlink.net>

5) Accelerated Reader programs

by "Deirdre Miller" <dlmm34@hotmail.com>

6) Re: Page Productivity

by Paulalef@aol.com

7) RE: Amnesity Week

by "Denise Inman" <kedeez@hotmail.com>

8) Re: Amnesity Week

by Cheryl Cruse <cgrudem@earthlink.net>

9) RE: Job postings

by Dawn Sardes <dsardes@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us>

10) Re: staff prep time

by "" <edwarc@mx.pon.net>

11) Re: Harry Potter party

by Gwenyth DeHetre <gwenyth@ppld.alibrary.com>

12) Re: Amnesity Week

by "Nancy J. Hackett" <njhackett@htls.lib.il.us>

13) Bib. Request

by Susan Barash <barashsu@metronet.lib.mi.us>

14) animal encyclopedia

by Pam Gravenor <pam.gravenor@ncc.govt.nz>

15) Job Posting: Library Aide, Young Adult Dept.

by Heather Stockwell <stockwel@noblenet.org>

16) Bravo for PUBYAC and a letter to parents of teens

by Ellen Snoeyenbos <ellens@ocln.org>

17) Picture Book Biographies

by Denise Matulka <denisem@unllib.unl.edu>

18) publishers on Pubyac

by Kerry Reed <kreed@wpld.alibrary.com>

19) Free Expression Groups Launch E-mail / Web-linked News Wire

by "Don Wood" <dwood@ala.org>

20) RE: reader's advisory software

by "Lee Parker" <lparker@sailsinc.org>

21) Request for web sites

by "Catherine E. Ingram" <ceingram@starbase1.htls.lib.il.us>

22) Blue Web'n

by "<Lesley Knieriem>" <lknierie@suffolk.lib.ny.us>

23) limiting books

by Pamela Stack <pstack@vlc.lib.mi.us>

24) Have you noticed?

by Pamela Stack <pstack@vlc.lib.mi.us>

25) Re: Bravo for PUBYAC and a letter to parents of teens

by "Karen Holz" <easternlibrary@smithville.net>

26) Re: publishers on Pubyac

by LWilli0316@aol.com

27) RE: Gender Role titles

by "Susan Graf" <susangraf27@hotmail.com>

28) Making a Difference

by RKent20551@cs.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Marlyn Roberts <chaisegirl@yahoo.com>

To: Pub Yac <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: School visits?

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 15:50:51 CST

Hi, everyone.

I work at a branch of the Boston Public Library.

Traditionally, children's librarians have been

expected to do regular visits to school classes, along

with preschool storytimes, and other programs that

normally take place during the time when older

children are at school.

For some of us, who are in areas with several

elementary and middle schools, it seems nearly

impossible to visit each school more than once or

twice a year. And it seems that it's just as

difficult for the classes to take time away from a

tightly packed curriculum to spend a class period

listening to a booktalk or a promo for library

programs.

I'd like some feedback from others who are in branches

of large library systems such as the BPL. Do you do

school visits? If so, how do you schedule the visits?

Do you do classes individually, collectively by grade,

or the whole school in assembly? If you do not do

school visits, how do you handle outreach to your

neighbourhood schools?

Please respond directly to me.

TIA,

Marlyn

=====

Marlyn K. Roberts

Children's Librarian

Codman Square Branch

Boston Public Library

chaisegirl@yahoo.com

__________________________________________________

Do You Yahoo!?

Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place.

Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com

------------------------------

From: Jill Patterson <jpatterson@ci.glendora.ca.us>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: web site concerns

Mime-Version: 1.0

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:00:59 CST

We have a policy for our web sites in general (not specific to YA web

pages). I can fax it to you if you send me your fax number.

At 06:38 PM 12/15/1999 CST, you wrote:

>Dear Pubyackers,

>

>I am part of a group that is currently updating and improving our library

>system's YA web page. One of the concerns that came up at our first meeting

>is that feel we need to have some sort of written collection development

>policy for web sites just as we do for books. This is both to help us

>decide what types of links are appropriate, and also to help us defend

>ourselves if we receive any challenges or complaints about a particular

>link. I'm sure that this has already been done by someone out there. Would

>you be willing to share?

>

>Susan Dunn

>Children's Librarian

>Columbine Library, JCPL

>sdunn@jefferson.lib.co.us

>

>

>

Jill Patterson jpatterson@ci.glendora.ca.us

Glendora Public Library 140 S. Glendora Ave. Glendora, CA 91741

Tel: 626/852-4896 FAX: 626/852-4899

------------------------------

From: CCullum621@aol.com

To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org

Subject: RE: Limiting Books & Request for web sites

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:03:07 CST

I wish to thank all those who responded to my harried request

on how you limit your circulation. I can se I'm not alone and

I have taken a deep breath and moved on. Many sent good suggestions

which I am trying to use now.

Might I ask one other question?

Does anyone have any good sites they have bookmarked for school

assignments on the following topics:

Explorers

American Indians

Planets

States

Presidents

Leaf identification

If you've already found a site and care to share it please e-mail me directly

at:

CNCullum@lmxac.org

Thanks again.

Carolyn Cullum

Edison, NJ

------------------------------

From: Cheryl Cruse <cgrudem@earthlink.net>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: using teen volunteers

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:05:21 CST

Hello Everyone,

I am replying to the list because I think this may be helpful. The Los

Angeles Public Library's homepage has a link to information regarding

it's Grandparents and Books program. The GAB information includes a

training manual that can be downloaded. The program could be adapted, I

believe, to a Teen volunteer program. I am thinking of using some of

the info. at my library. My question is: how many of you require your

volunteers to be fingerprinted before they can work with small

children? In my former position we had a hard time rallying for teen

volunteers because everyone who worked with the kids had to be

fingerprinted first, at a cost of $32.00 a person. I would now like to

have teen tutors in the library, but I am worried about the possible

fingerprinting problems. The Los Angeles Public Library's homepage is

at http://www.lapl.org

Cheryl Cruse

Children's Librarian

Shasta County Library (formerly with Los Angeles Public Library)

------------------------------

From: "Deirdre Miller" <dlmm34@hotmail.com>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Accelerated Reader programs

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:07:40 CST

I would like to express my viewpoint as a parent of a "reluctant reader"

on the Accelerated Reader issue. I grew up a book devourer, have a daughter

who reads at least as much as I, and a teenage son (age 13) who has been a

challenge to me. I read to him constantly as a child, encouraged the love

of books, and yet found him less than eager to pick up a book for pleasure.

He caught on to the "Goosebumps" fad in third grade, but I despaired of his

ever poring over the pages of quality literature...

A fourth-grade teacher read aloud to the class and tried to instill a

love of great children's literature in her pupils. Yet, I must tell you,

his fifth-grade teacher used the AR system in the classroom, and my son

began to read, on his own, classic J lit such as _The Yearling_ and

_Treasure Island_ (which are replete with

difficult regional dialects)! We sometimes shared these, but my son enjoyed

them on his own. I believe he was "lured" by the promise of high points on

the AR tests, and then (yes!) drawn into the spell of these books. Perhaps

it was the competitive aspect, for a tough and athletic boy, of vying with

his classmates for points. But it did help him read quality literature and

to enjoy great children's books. He read all of Brian Jacques' Redwall

books soon thereafter, and is waiting for more.

I have been reading your discussion of the AR programs and felt the

overall negative opinions of the majority of public librarians. I too, as a

child, never would have cared a whit about an AR list of books, for I read

anything and everything I could get my hands on.

But now, as both a parent of a teen reluctant reader, and as a YA librarian,

I ask that you look at both sides of the issue, weigh the good and the bad,

and use whatever tools you command to encourage kids to read, read, read!!

If the AR program helps, let's work with teachers to encourage the love of

both classics and new literature.

That's my two cents worth. Thanks for all the great discussions on

Pubyac. (P.S.: I too enjoy the stumpers and bibs. My favorites are the YA

program & literature ideas!)

Deirdre Miller

YA Librarian, Lake Forest Park Library

King County Library System, WA

* Opinions expressed are merely my own *

______________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

------------------------------

From: Paulalef@aol.com

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: Page Productivity

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:11:11 CST

I agree. We have the same problem. One reason for it here is that the

local fast food joints, etc., pay a lot more than we do. Another is that the

best, most highly motivated teens are so busy with school activities most of

the year that they don't have time to work and so the kids we get are not

necessarily the top of the heap.

We also do the sorting bit. It weeds out a surprising number of

applicants, both adult and teen. Over time we've found that if you have a

page who is a leader who has a good work ethic he or she can influence the

other pages for good. Unfortunately the reverse also is true, and we seem to

get more of those. In our area it appears that the job market is so good

that applicants have choices they prefer to ours. Perhaps someone has an

idea to sweeten the pot so we all get better applicants. One of my

colleagues offers very flexible hours. It works for her and we try to be as

flexible as possible, but eventually someone has to work to put the books

away, even if it is band season!

Perhaps someone has some words of wisdom for all of us!

Paula Lefkowitz

Parsippany (NJ) PL

------------------------------

From: "Denise Inman" <kedeez@hotmail.com>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: RE: Amnesity Week

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:13:16 CST

We do a kind of amnesty. Our library system does "Food for Fines" all

December. People may return overdue material and clear fines if they bring

in non-perishable food items. This has been successful for us. We

distribute the food to the RI Food Bank and to a few city food bank

distributors.

Some people do "get away with" clearing fines for a small price, but we do

get a LOT of food! (and we get our books back!)

Denise Inman

Rumford Branch Librarian

East Providence (RI) Library System

______________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

------------------------------

From: Cheryl Cruse <cgrudem@earthlink.net>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: Amnesity Week

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:15:27 CST

Hello Linda Peterson and Group:

A library I worked at is considering an amnesty week for book returns. The

staff read these two articles:

Little, Paul L. _Overdue Materials : Causes and Corrections_ (August

1986), 2, ERIC,

ED238177.

Milner, Art. "Forgiveness Week" _Library Journal_ (April 1, 1984) :

627-630.

I could not determine where exactly the first article was published, but

the ERIC number should get you to it. It has a pretty good bibliography that

may be helpful to people considering Amnesty Weeks. The library I worked at

has not conducted their amnesty week yet, so I can't give any first hand

comments.

Cheryl Cruse

------------------------------

From: Dawn Sardes <dsardes@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: RE: Job postings

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:17:45 CST

I like reading the complete job postings. Now, I absolutely love my job

and my library, but reading job postings helps to keep me up on what

libraries around the country expect from their employees. Sooner or

later, I will be expected to do it and know all about how to do it.

So, job postings help me to be mopre aware of my own shortcomings so I can

carefully pick and choose workshops and continuing education credits to

make myself a better librarian.

JM2C,

Dawn Sardes

Teen Services Librarian I

Cumberland County Public Library

North Regional Branch

Fayetteville, NC 28311

Phone: (910) 822-1998 ext. 231

------------------------------

From: "" <edwarc@mx.pon.net>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: staff prep time

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:19:50 CST

I wasn't going to weigh in on this topic of staff prep time, but I started remembering this one library where I worked where no matter how much prep time you gave my coworker, she never thought it was enough. Finally after one summer program that took well over 60 hours (which turned out wonderfully by the way) we canceled her other programs.

It isn't a matter of what can be done that's great, but what the library can afford in terms of the time allotted for everything that needs to be done. I once got booed when I asked what are we not doing that we used to do before the internet arrived. I also don't think we should just donate our time to our communities to make sure everything is covered. If we do, there will never be an impetus to staff at the level needed to do what the library regards as essential. I have worked at libraries where the culture was you just pitch in and work as many hours as needed to get work done. I always maintained that if a meeting is required or desk time is required or a program is required then the library needs to pay for the time it takes the professional to do those things. If I chose to volunteer to work on an awards committee, or read a book or review for a journal or whatever that is above and beyond, then that can be after hours. Certainly, the library and the public benefit, !

!

!

but it isn't required.

I think it works best when there is a balance. Enough time is allotted for programs or storytimes that staff have a comfortable feeling of being prepared and ready with creativity possible. And not so much time that the program eats up all the staff time available and no one wants to work the desk, order, read reviews, maintain the collection, coordinate with the schools and youth service groups, manage the budget, write reports, ,etc. etc.

Carol Edwards

Sonoma County Library

Santa Rosa, CA

------------------------------

From: Gwenyth DeHetre <gwenyth@ppld.alibrary.com>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: Harry Potter party

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:23:30 CST

Tracy,

How do you play library quidditch??

Gwenyth DeHetre

Palatine (IL) Public Library District

gwenyth@ppld.alibrary.com

------------------------------

From: "Nancy J. Hackett" <njhackett@htls.lib.il.us>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: Amnesity Week

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:25:33 CST

I agree with this. In my previous library, people held books for the

amnesty week.

Once when a staff member called about books that were more than two

months overdue, the response was "I am waiting for the free week", which

we had just completed.

This library has not had an amnesty period and I hope that they won't

start it. It has been discussed.

------------------------------

From: Susan Barash <barashsu@metronet.lib.mi.us>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Bib. Request

MIME-Version: 1.0

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:27:45 CST

Can anyone please suggest titles in which an individual must struggle with

nature?

Some of the titles that we've already found include:

Julie of the Wolves

Hatchet

Tornado

My Side of the Mountain

Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Sue Barash

West Bloomfield Township Public Library

Westacres Branch

7321 Commerce Rd.

West Bloomfield, MI 48324

(248) 363-4022

(248)363-7243 (Fax)

------------------------------

From: Pam Gravenor <pam.gravenor@ncc.govt.nz>

To: "Pubyac (E-mail)" <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: animal encyclopedia

MIME-Version: 1.0

Content-Type: text/plain

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:29:46 CST

I'm posting this again in case it didn't go through the first time - I got

no replies! Here goes:

> Can anyone recommend an encyclopedia set or CD rom on

> animals/reptiles/birds etc of the world, suitable for 8-12 year olds? I'm

> looking for something which covers lots of species, not just the main

> ones. Something which also covers plants would be fine too.

> TIA

>

> Pam Gravenor

> Children's and Young Person's Librarian

> Nelson Public Library

> Private Bag 41

> NELSON

> New Zealand

> pam.gravenor@ncc.govt.nz

>

>

------------------------------

From: Heather Stockwell <stockwel@noblenet.org>

To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org

Subject: Job Posting: Library Aide, Young Adult Dept.

MIME-Version: 1.0

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:31:47 CST

The Peabody Institute Library in Peabody, Massachusetts is currently

accepting applications for the position of Library Aide, Young Adult

Department. This person assists and reports to the young adult librarian

in the performance of his/her responsibilities. Duties may include

clerical tasks, assisting patrons in information retrieval, readers'

advisory, and reference, as well as other duties relating to the mission

of the YA Department.

This is a part-time evening position, Monday-Thursday, 4-8pm, and an

occasional Saturday.

An ideal candidate should demonstrate a genuine interest in young adults

and be familiar with their literature and music. Ability to speak Spanish

or other languages desired, but not necessary.

Contact: Nanci Milone, Head of Young Adult Services. Peabody Institute

Library. 82 Main Street. Peabody, MA 01960.

Heather Stockwell, Childrens Library Assistant

Peabody Institute Library, Peabody,Massachusetts

stockwel@noblenet.org

North of Boston Library Exchange

------------------------------

From: Ellen Snoeyenbos <ellens@ocln.org>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Bravo for PUBYAC and a letter to parents of teens

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:33:54 CST

First I'd like to add my thanks to Shannon VanHemert for keeping PUBYAC

going. It is a wonderful forum. I also agree that listing the subjects

at the beginning is a huge help.

Secondly, I'd like to offer this article I wrote to the local newspaper

for parents of teens.

"What can I do to get my teenager to read?"

"All my kid wants to read is horror and pulp fiction. Isn’t there

anything else you can recommend?" "Whatever happened to good, clean

books for teens?"

As a young adult librarian, I hear these comments often. They reveal

the frustrations of parents eager to help their teenagers find age

appropriate reading material. But what is age appropriate? That is one

of the toughest questions to answer. Each teen is different in terms of

reading skill level and subject understanding. A meaningful read for

one person can be an exercise in monotony to another. Creating a

relevant and enticing collection for this age group is the challenge of

my job and one that I find continuously fascinating.

Having two teenage daughters myself, I have as critical an audience at

home as I do on the job. "Mom, that book is so trivial." "Why do they

have to write so many depressing books?" In spite of the moans and

groans, my daughters have become adventuresome readers maybe because of

the range of books I have brought home to inspect.

Here are some tips for expanding your teenagers reading repertoire:

1. Be a diverse reader yourself. Have a book going all the time and

read a lot of different kinds of books. Tell the family about your

latest favorite.

2. Read a book out loud to the family. It sounds hokey, but even if you

start out reading only to your younger child, if the book is engaging,

your older children will be listening in. It’s just way too tempting

not to! Recently we have read The Golden Compass, Harry Potter,

Mansfield Park, together and have inside jokes based on these books.

3. If you find a book you’d like your teen to read, start them off by

reading the first chapter out loud. You give them the "voices" of the

characters, set the atmosphere and, chances are, your teen will want to

continue on his/her own to speed up the story a bit. If they don’t like

it, set it down and no hard feelings.

4. Remind your teen that they don’t have to read a book just because

they’ve checked it out. That’s why it’s good to check out a variety

right off the bat. Giving yourself some options even after you get home

is a recipe for success.

5. Have a book going in the car. Books-on-tape come in all different

genres. A good mystery, non-fiction adventure story, memoir can be

enjoyable to everyone.

6. Be open to genres you may find distasteful. Comic book format is

becoming much more accepted and we should not trivialize the work being

done by artists such as Neil Gaiman, Katherine Arnoldi, Ted Rall, and

Karen Hirsch, to name a few. Magazines are fun, short, often have

thought-provoking quizes and are easy to subscribe to. A GREAT gift for

your teen is a subscription to Cicada, the young adult literary magazine

put out by the publishers of Cricket.

7. Be aware that not all young adult literature is going to be easy for

a parent to read. Coming-of-age stories that deal with difficult

personal and social topics are mainstays in the young adult field. Sex,

drugs, abuse, gangs, suicide, peer pressure, depression are topics

handled by well-respected young adult authors. Teens who don’t want to

read these kinds of books will filter them out by reading the jacket or

the back of the book. If they are fascinated by these topics they may

need to read them.

8. Many teens are drawn to real-life stories. Non-fiction writing has

had a renaissance and many books housed in the children’s or adult areas

are skillfully written. Russell Freedman’s biographies, Jennifer

Armstrong’s book on the Shackleton expedition, and Larry Gonick’s

Cartoon History of the Universe are examples of excellent presentation

of fascinating topics.

Have your teen come in to see me in the Young Adult area. I LOVE to

suggest books and know a fair amount about many of them.

Happy Reading! Ellen Snoeyenbos, your Young Adult Librarian

------------------------------

From: Denise Matulka <denisem@unllib.unl.edu>

To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org

Subject: Picture Book Biographies

MIME-Version: 1.0

Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:36:58 CST

Hello:

I am looking for biographies in picture book format for my picture book

website (http://www.geocities.com/dimatulka). I am very aware (as I am

sure others are too) of David A. Adler's contributions to the field (i.e.

A Picture Book of...). While I like his titles (illustrated by Terry

Widener) "Babe and I" and "Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man," Adler's generic

"A Picture Book of" series leave me cold. I am looking for titles that

have a more artistic bent, such as "If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of

Rosa Parks" by Faith Ringgold.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Denise I. Matulka

Nebraska Newspaper Project

University of Nebraska Libraries

209N Love Library

Lincoln, Nebraska 68588

PHONE: (402) 472-2517

EMAIL: denisem@unllib.unl.edu

WEBSITE: http://www.geocities.com/dimatulka

_____________________________________________________________________________

------------------------------

From: Kerry Reed <kreed@wpld.alibrary.com>

To: PUBYAC <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: publishers on Pubyac

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:39:02 CST

Andrew Wooldridge from Orca Book Publishers wrote:

> I am not sure if it is OK for a publisher to post to this list - I wanted to

> ask a couple of questions. If this is inappropriate please let me know and I

> will resume lurking!

>

In response, I would like to invite any and all publishers to speak up

on Pubyac. I would enthusiastically welcome the chance to give feedback

and ask questions of the people who are responsible for the books we

offer to our patrons.

Kerry Reed

Winnetka-Northfield Public Library

Winnetka Il

Kreed@wpld.alibary.com

CAVEAT FROM MODERATOR!!! This is what I wrote yesterday to Mr. Wooldridge

in response to his query about publishers on PUBYAC:

Publishers do on occasion post to PUBYAC, as long as they are adding to

the discussion, or looking at it from a slightly different perspective,

that will enhance our service to children and YAs. Your latest post

certainly falls under those guidelines. What I will NOT post is reviews

of books or anything that smacks of advertisement. That started to happen

on PUBYAC in its earliest months and it was becoming less of a helpful

tool for the librarians on the list, because of all the junk mail.

Shannon VanHemert

PUBYAC Moderator

pyowner@pallasinc.com

------------------------------

From: "Don Wood" <dwood@ala.org>

To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>

Subject: Free Expression Groups Launch E-mail / Web-linked News Wire

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Content-Disposition: inline

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:41:10 CST

A Birthday Present to the First Amendment: Free Expression Groups Launch E-mail / Web-linked News Wire

"Celebrating the birthday of the First Amendment, the Free Expression Network today launched the first electronic news service dedicated exclusively to supplying journalists with information regarding incidents and issues relating to freedom of expression. With content supplied by the country's leading advocates and activists, the FEN Newswire will the enable the quick and efficient dissemination of authoritative press releases, announcements, and media advisories."

http://www.freeexpression.org/newswire/121499.htm

______________

Don Wood

American Library Association

Office for Intellectual Freedom

50 East Huron Street

Chicago, IL 60611

800-545-2433, ext. 4225

Fax: 312-280-4227

dwood@ala.org

http://www.ala.org/oif.html

------------------------------

From: "Lee Parker" <lparker@sailsinc.org>

To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: RE: reader's advisory software

MIME-Version: 1.0

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:43:34 CST

Hi,

Does anyone have software which ask questions, then makes recommendations

for books that the child might like? I seem to remember something like Book

Whiz or Book Brain? which did that. I know, ideally, WE would be the ones

doing this, but we're not always available, and it sounded like a fun

option. I believe the types of questions asked were not "do you like

mysteries?" but fun, and it acted like a choose your own adventure book.

Does anyone remember this? or have anything like this?

Thanks for your assistance!

Lee Parker

Youth Services Librarian

Norton Public Library

Norton, MA

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From: "Catherine E. Ingram" <ceingram@starbase1.htls.lib.il.us>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org, CCullum621@aol.com

Subject: Request for web sites

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:58:24 CST

I get to talk about a great site for all of you!!!!

Blue Web'N

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/

This site is great! You can look for stuff by dewey number, subject,

grade level! All selected and evaluated sites. They also have sites

listed with activities and lesson plans by subject. Take a look!

For example, under "Native American" it found:

First Americans for Grade Schoolers

http://www.stanford.edu/~kmartin/School/

Created by a Muscogee Creek student at Stanford for her local school, this

site offers information, activities, and links to help

elementary students learn about four Native American tribes. (added

10/12/98, reviewed 4/24/99)

Grade Level: Elementary, Middle School

Content Area: History & Social Studies (Geography & Cultures),

History & Social Studies (United States History)

[Dewey #900]

Application type: Resource

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 |

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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From: "<Lesley Knieriem>" <lknierie@suffolk.lib.ny.us>

To: PUBYAC <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: Blue Web'n

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 20:06:18 CST

Catherine Ingram recommended the Bllue Web'n site, which selects

and evaluates sites, and is searchable by subject and grade level. I

went to take a look, and this does look like a great idea. But FWIW, I

tried that "First Americans for Grade Schoolers" site that came up, and it

was a dead link. How many other dead links are here?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Lesley Knieriem ~

~ YA / Reference Librarian (631) 549-4411 ~

~ South Huntington Public Library fax (631) 549-6832 ~

~ Huntington Station, NY 11746 lknierie@suffolk.lib.ny.us ~

~ ----------------------------------------------------------------- ~

~ "*Gasp! We can't GET Snickerdoodles in Hell!" ~

~ -- from CASTLE WAITING by Linda Medley ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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From: Pamela Stack <pstack@vlc.lib.mi.us>

To: list serve <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: limiting books

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 20:10:25 CST

I just had a chance to read my email. The problem here got so bad that I

went to the superintendent of our school system and told him I would be

more than happy to help but we needed noticed. He told me to keep him

informed and he told all of the principals about it. So far it seems to

be working.

Pamela C. Stack

pstack@vlc.lib.mi.us

Children's Librarian

St. Charles District Library

St. Charles, Michigan

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From: Pamela Stack <pstack@vlc.lib.mi.us>

To: list serve <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: Have you noticed?

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 20:11:57 CST

Hi Pubyaccers,

I was just weeding my young adult and came across something I just noticed

and thought I would let you know. The book "Final Exam" by A. Bates is

about a girl afraid of tests and in this story the final exam is a matter

of life and death. What I just noticed is the name of the school on the

cover - COLUMBINE HIGH. This was written in 1990 and published by

Scholastic, Inc. I just thought I would pass this on.

Pamela C. Stack

pstack@vlc.lib.mi.us

Children's Librarian

St. Charles District Library

St. Charles, Michigan

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From: "Karen Holz" <easternlibrary@smithville.net>

To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Subject: Re: Bravo for PUBYAC and a letter to parents of teens

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 20:13:46 CST

I agree with alot you said I for one read The Drifters by Mitchner when I

was fifteen. My parents never would have thought of telling me what I could

and could not read.

If a parent ask me if this is appropriate for their child, I say "Each child

is different, and if you are concerned with a book, then you read it first,

and you judge it."

-----Original Message-----

From: Ellen Snoeyenbos <ellens@ocln.org>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org <pubyac@prairienet.org>

Date: Thursday, December 16, 1999 4:34 PM

Subject: Bravo for PUBYAC and a letter to parents of teens

>First I'd like to add my thanks to Shannon VanHemert for keeping PUBYAC

>going. It is a wonderful forum. I also agree that listing the subjects

>at the beginning is a huge help.

>Secondly, I'd like to offer this article I wrote to the local newspaper

>for parents of teens.

>"What can I do to get my teenager to read?"

>"All my kid wants to read is horror and pulp fiction. Isn't there

>anything else you can recommend?" "Whatever happened to good, clean

>books for teens?" <snip>

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From: LWilli0316@aol.com

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Re: publishers on Pubyac

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 20:15:18 CST

I agree with Shannon AND with Kerry. I think it would be a great forum for

both Children's Librarians and Publishers to discuss WHY some things happen

in publishing. I have had questions off and on that beg answers from

publishers. No one else could possibly be able to answer them. Examples: Why

did they put that old man on the cover of The Giver (I could never

understand

that... it certainly doesn't pull in readers...)? and Why are there at LEAST

20 biographies of Tiger Woods, but many important historical figures do not

appear in biographies for children? (I've had many more questions that don't

come to mind at this moment.)

I think questions from publishers would be appropriate -- maybe more of

the stuff we know we need would get published! But I agree -- I read lots of

reviews already. I don't want to see any publisher on this list to promote

his/her company's publications. I get enough of that already!

Just my 2 cents...

Linda Williams

CT State Library

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From: "Susan Graf" <susangraf27@hotmail.com>

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: RE: Gender Role titles

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 20:49:37 CST

Well, I am hoping to say this without offending anyone. I also have a myriad

of college students asking for "two or three titles..." However, it is my

professional opinion that the college professor (albiet Community College)

is not expecting me to do their assignment. I do always show the students A

to Zoo and a few other bibliographic tools on my reference shelf to assist

them in developing programs for their future classrooms.

Then I invite them to pull up a chair and look through several shelves of

picture books to determine or select two or three titles that meet the

criteria.

In my previous library we had many students coming in for books on grieving

and death, or ecological themes or sibling rivalry, etc, etc, etc. My

then-boss spoke with the CFD professor assigning these students said

annotated lists. She who was assigning made it quite clear to us that we

should not be doing the work--The process of finding these materials was

just as important as the list of titles. SO I have resisted doing a bookmark

bibliography for gender/role model picture books. Just MHO.

Susan Graf "Saint James says in

Family Services Librarian his epistle that we are

North Las Vegas Library District to confess our sins to

2300 Civic Center Drive each other, which is the

North Las Vegas, NV 89030 Christian rationale for

(702)633-1070 FX (702)649-2576 storytelling..."

susangraf27@hotmail.com

Garrison Keillor, in

the preface to "The

Best American Short

Stories, 1998"

______________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

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From: RKent20551@cs.com

To: pubyac@prairienet.org

Subject: Making a Difference

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Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 21:53:13 CST

Dear pubyac members:

Please consider sending a holiday card to an independent librarian in Cuba.

They are suffering persecution because they refuse to submit to the

censorship imposed on state-funded librarians in Cuba.

Please send cards to:

Alfredo Dennis Camps

Callejon de America 25

entre Barnadas y San Agustin

Santiago de Cuba

CUBA

Alfredo is a children's librarian who has received death threats because of

his participation in the independent libraries. For full details of IFLA's

disturbing report on this subject, refer to (www.faife.dk) in the "news and

events" section. Cards in any language are fine, but do not write "library"

or "biblioteca" on the envelope or it will not be delivered.

Thank you,

Robert Kent

Friends of Cuban Libraries

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End of PUBYAC Digest 22

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