|
From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults
& Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults & Children"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2000 5:59 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 281
PUBYAC Digest 281
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) summer reading club statistics
by "L.Marsh" <lmarsh@nstc.library.ns.ca>
2) RE: children's audio tapes
by Theyer Hillary <HTheyer@TORRNET.COM>
3) new employee orientation ideas?
by "Nanci Byers" <nbyers_clis@hotmail.com>
4) RE: Never mind professional attire--what about gum & candy?
by Theyer Hillary <HTheyer@TORRNET.COM>
5) Books as gifts
by "Denise P. Stout" <dpstout@ccls.org>
6) Re: halloween crafts, games, ...
by "Ann W. Moore" <SCP_MOORE@sals.edu>
7) RE: aquariums
by "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
8) RE: baby changing area
by Andrea Johnson <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
9) YA film showings
by "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
10) Re: library cards
by karen maletz <kmlib@yahoo.com>
11) RE: The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife
by Andrea Johnson <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
12) Graphic Novel Review Sources
by Sara Ryan <sryan@si.umich.edu>
13) Re: children's audio tapes
by Becky Smith <bsmith@loganutah.org>
14) latecomer replies (long)
by "Tami Steinbauer" <tsteinbauer@birchard.lib.oh.us>
15) list serve
by Linda Fields <lfields@state.lib.ut.us>
16) services to daycares and preschools
by "Bonnie Banks" <banksbo@oplin.lib.oh.us>
17) Food in Libraries
by Carol Chatfield <cchatfield@myriad.middlebury.edu>
18) RE: The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife
by Maggi Rohde <maggi@intranet.org>
19) Re: Never mind professional attire--what about gum & candy?
by Charles Schacht <schachtc@libcoop.net>
20) Re: children's audio tapes
by "Look, Lin" <llook@mail.contra-costa.lib.ca.us>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "L.Marsh" <lmarsh@nstc.library.ns.ca>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: summer reading club statistics
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 14:50:14 CDT
Hello everyone,
I am doing some research in order to explain the importance of summer
reading clubs. I am told I need more than the instinctive knowledge we all
have as we see children year after year attend and blossom into life long
readers for enjoyment. What I recieve from critics is "give me some
concrete proof" which usually means numbers. What I would like to
know is
if there has been surveys regarding the importance of summer reading clubs
that would show improvement in reading scores or comparisons with children
returning to school a difference seen from those that attended summer
reading club programs and those that did not.
I would also be interested in knowing how others handle their statistics
and what they are used for. Are your statistics required by your library
administration or government? What is counted, registrations,
participation, books read?
Thank you in advance. Please send responses to me at
lmarsh@nstc.library.ns.ca
I will compile and send to list if there is
interest
M. Lynda Marsh
Administrator Youth Services
Colchester-East Hants Regional Library
754 Prince Street
Truro, Nova Scotia
B2N 1G9
Telephone (902)895-1625
Fax (902)895-7149
"What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge,
and not knowledge in pursuit of the child." George Bernard Shaw
------------------------------
From: Theyer Hillary <HTheyer@TORRNET.COM>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: children's audio tapes
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:14:59 CDT
What you need are the "piggyback songs" series. There are a
series of books
of songs you can piggyback onto other themes. While the books list the
lyrics (eg. sing this to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" I
seem to
remember there were tapes too. Maybe the tapes have just the music, since
in one book there were several songs sung to the same tune. I have no idea
if they are still in print, but large teacher's supply stores and catalogs
had them a couple of years ago. I bought the Spanish Piggyback songs book
when I had to do storytimes for Spanish speaking kids.
Hillary Theyer
----------
From: RICHARDSONM@charleston.lib.sc.us
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 8:33 AM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: children's audio tapes
Hi Pubyac-ers,
I would like to "pick the collective brain". I, and several
other
staff
members, like to use tradional children's music during our programs.
We
compose our oun lyrics and set the new songs to the music of
traditional
tunes----i.e. dinosaur songs to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". I
have not
been successful in finding audio tapes or compact discs of these
kinds of
traditional children's songs that only contain the music rather than
the
music and the lyrics. I have looked locally, through a variety of
cata
logs and on the internet. If anyone has a suggestion as to where
this type
of music could be purchased, I would really appreciate the advice.
TIA Margaret Richardson Otranto Road Regional Library North
Charleston SC
------------------------------
From: "Nanci Byers" <nbyers_clis@hotmail.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: new employee orientation ideas?
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:27:29 CDT
Hello everyone,
I just joined the list. I am putting together a pamphlet of best practice
ideas on new employee orientations for youth services librarians. I have
searched the professional literature, but am also looking for ideas that
have worked in libraries currently. I know that people not research often
has the best ideas!
If anyone has any pearls of wisdom that you would like to contribute please
reply offlist to nbyers_clis@hotmail.com
If there is any interest, I would be happy to send my finished product to
either the list or to individuals if requested.
Thanks!
Nanci Byers
LISSA President
nbyers_clis@hotmail.com
Columbia, SC
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------------------------------
From: Theyer Hillary <HTheyer@TORRNET.COM>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org,
"'Beverly Kirkendall'" <bkirkend@ci.hurst.tx.us>
Subject: RE: Never mind professional attire--what about gum & candy?
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:39:55 CDT
I too love to use my local big chain bookstore because I can get a hot mocha
and browse and read while I drink. They have nice comfy clean chairs to
sit
in, they play jazz and classical music, and when I see people there studying
I don't blame them one bit.
I do think there is a difference between a bookstore and a library in
regards to food however:
1. bookstores have better custodial service than most public libraries
I have worked in. A coffee spill or dropped pastry gets cleaned up pretty
quickly. I am still waiting for replacement carpet squares in my branch
from water damage last winter.
2. Bookstore shelves rotate stock, so the books get pulled off and the
shelf gets cleaned as the stock is shifted, new stock is added, and sections
are rearranged. If we manage to do shelf cleaning in all the branches
where
I have worked it is about once a year if we can get the volunteers to do it.
Again, cleaning prevents bugs from finding a nice cozy home in the spilled
soda behind a bookcase.
3. If bookstore stock is ruined by a spilled drink or food, they are
out their money. If the same happens in the library, the area is out the
taxpayers money. We would charge someone to replace the book if it was
brought back with food on it. Why would we say "But if you do the
same
while here in the building, fine with us."
So for people who ask I tell them my genuine regret that they cannot finish
their latte in the library, and they just join the kids eating ice cream out
front. It isn't personal.
Hillary Theyer
------------------------------
From: "Denise P. Stout" <dpstout@ccls.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Books as gifts
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 15:53:41 CDT
Let's face it. It's that time of year again. November is here and
December
is looming large. Holidays, relatives and friends, and gift giving.
I'm
compiling a list of great books for kids for holiday gift giving. I'd love
for you all to give input and I'll be glad to post the results. Any
givers?
:D
------------------------------
From: "Ann W. Moore" <SCP_MOORE@sals.edu>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: halloween crafts, games, ...
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 16:06:50 CDT
Try www.enchantedlearning.com.
They have a Halloween section and many other
simple crafts for preschoolers and older children.
------------------------------
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: aquariums
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 16:20:07 CDT
I added an aquarium this past April. I paid $40.00 for nearly all of
the equipment needed at
a yard sale. I maintain it myself, and it is a bit of work. A
student
assistant helps me
add water each day or so as it evaporates. Our tank is 30 gallons. I
have someone who will be
here over a long weekend feed them if I'm not in, but generally they can
go two days without eating every once in a while. I didn't keep up with
the weekly vacuuming, and partial water changes and as a result, had a
big mess to clean up a few weeks agol. I ended up emptying the
entire tank, and refilling. A big chore! I recommend having someone who
will be designated for this maintenance. One of our branches has a
tank, which always seems sparkling clean. Their
staff cleans it. Since I proposed this tank for my YA area, I figure
its my responsibility.
If I ever get an assistant I'll delegate!
On the positive side: patrons love it, and all ages come to look at it.
Many people gravitate toward the YA area just to see it, and sit there
to the soothing sounds of the bubble rod.
I recommend having one! Good Luck!
Laura Gruninger Young Adult Librarian
Mercer County Library System
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org
[mailto:owner-pubyac@prairienet.org]On
Behalf Of Kate McCaffrey
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 5:11 PM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: aquariums
We're considering adding a small aquarium to our children's area and
would
like to know what kind of experiences other libraries have had with
this.
Have any of you arranged for a service contract, for example? what are
the
pitfalls? Is there some type of timer-activated food dispenser for
holiday
weekends? Any information would be greatly appreciated - either to the
list, or directly to my e-mail address.
Thank you!
Kate McCaffrey
Petit Branch Library
Syracuse NY
katem@twcny.rr.com
Kate McCaffrey
Onondaga County Public Library
------------------------------
From: Andrea Johnson <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
To: "'milford.public.lib@snet.net'"
<milford.public.lib@snet.net>,
pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: baby changing area
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 16:32:55 CDT
I don't know that I've ever worked in a library that didn't have one! The
one we have here is really just a high table/counter in the corner of the
restroom, but it serves the same purpose. I don't know what your director
means about a "public works issue" -- this is a basic customer service
concern! You might as well say that having wastebaskets in public areas is
a public works issue since they are the ones who will empty the trash!
That
doesn't keep you from providing them, does it?
Andrea Johnson
ajohnson@cooklib.org
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MILFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY [SMTP:milford.public.lib@snet.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 10:43 AM
> To: pubyac@prairienet.org
> Subject: baby changing area
>
> Just curious about the availability of a distinct baby changing area in
> public libraries. When we asked about having a changing station
installed
> in the children's dept (in one of the rest rooms), the idea was nixed.
> According to the director, a changing station is a public works issue and
> needs to be broached by them since they would be the ones installing and
> maintaining it. Does anyone else have a changing station in their
> library? Is that only because it is available in other municipal
> buildings or is it unique to your building? Right now, babies are
changed
> wherever. We have had many patrons request installation of a changing
> station...especially during toddler time! Just wanted to see how
common
> (or uncommon) this practice is!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Children's Dept, Milford Public Library
> Milford, CT
------------------------------
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: YA film showings
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 16:45:43 CDT
What films have you had success with showing to teens in grades 8-10?
I was thinking of hosting a "drive in" movie night for this age group,
perhaps a double feature.
The 8th graders have expressed an interest in a program with older kids,
rather than the 6th and 7th graders.
Thanks,
Laura Gruninger, Young Adult Librarian
Mercer County Library System,
Lawrence Headquarters
2751 Brunswick Pike
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
------------------------------
From: karen maletz <kmlib@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: library cards
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 16:58:16 CDT
We issue cards to children who can print their first &
last names on the application through grade 6.(By so
doing--paraphrasing our application--they agree to be
responsible for the library materials they take out).
Their parent fills out part of the application card
also assuming responsibility for what the child
borrows. The parent doesn't have to have their own
card but we do check their ID to make sure they are
library district residents.
--- GCPL Childrens Room <gcplcr@lilrc.org>
wrote:
> We issue cards to children of any age (including
> infants, in some cases)
> whose parents want them to have cards. Parents must
> sign the form for
> anyone under 16 - and no, parents are never required
> to have their own
> cards.
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Messenger - Talk while you surf! It's FREE.
http://im.yahoo.com/
------------------------------
From: Andrea Johnson <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
To: "'Heather Stout'" <hstout@lewiston.com>,
pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 17:10:53 CDT
>................and these former students and I,
> are still waiting patiently for the third novel!!!!
=================================================
Wait no longer! Book #3 (entitled The Amber Spyglass) is available!
Ours arrived last week.
Andrea Johnson
ajohnson@cooklib.org
------------------------------
From: Sara Ryan <sryan@si.umich.edu>
To: mjenson-benjamin@ci.glendale.az.us
Subject: Graphic Novel Review Sources
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 17:23:14 CDT
Hey there --
Probably the most in-depth review source for graphic novels out there is
the *Comics Journal*, which has reviews, interviews with comics
professionals, and lots of industry news. (In fact, you might think about
getting it for your collection, too, for teens and adults interested in
breaking into comics work.) You can find it in comic shops and some
mainstream bookstores as well.
A good online source is icomics.com, which also has interviews and
industry news as well as reviews.
Not all the reviews in either publication will be of graphic novels per se
(individual monthly titles and limited series will show up too), but many
monthly titles and series are later collected and published in the graphic
novel format.
Hope this helps! :)
Sara Ryan * sara@unrewarding.com * www.sararyan.com
coming summer 2001 from Viking: Empress of the World
------------------------------
From: Becky Smith <bsmith@loganutah.org>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org, richardsonm@charleston.lib.sc.us
Subject: Re: children's audio tapes
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 17:35:53 CDT
"Sing Kiddie Tunes" and "Sing Kiddie Tunes vol. 2" are just
what you're
looking for. They're in the "Professional Performance Music for
Singers" series from Priddis Music and I bought them from Amazon.com.
You might also want to look at "Karaoke Kids USA" and "Disney
Karaoke"
(2 volumes). These have the songs performed by professional singers,
and then repeated with just the music. They're very popular here!
--
Becky Ann Smith, Children's Librarian
Logan Library, Logan, UT
bsmith@loganutah.org
http://www.logan.lib.ut.us
RICHARDSONM@charleston.lib.sc.us
wrote:
>
> Hi Pubyac-ers,
> I would like to "pick the collective brain". I, and several
other staff
> members, like to use tradional children's music during our programs.
We
> compose our oun lyrics and set the new songs to the music of traditional
> tunes----i.e. dinosaur songs to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".
I have not
> been successful in finding audio tapes or compact discs of these kinds of
> traditional children's songs that only contain the music rather than the
> music and the lyrics. I have looked locally, through a variety of
cata
> logs and on the internet. If anyone has a suggestion as to where this
type
> of music could be purchased, I would really appreciate the advice.
> TIA Margaret Richardson Otranto Road Regional Library North Charleston SC
------------------------------
From: "Tami Steinbauer" <tsteinbauer@birchard.lib.oh.us>
To: "Pubyac@Prairienet.Org"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: latecomer replies (long)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 17:47:49 CDT
Thanks to all of you who responded so quickly to my inquiry. It certainly
seems to be a sore spot. I'm not yet sure what I will do as I need to go
over your suggestions with my supervisor. I received many requests to post
the results, so here they are! Good luck, everyone.
Tami Steinbauer
Birchard Public Library
Fremont, Ohio
tsteinbauer@birchard.lib.oh.us
i don't know what to do about them either. i have a 30 min. parent/toddler
storytime and recently had a parent come 25 minutes late. thankfully, the
dept. head didn't let her in (after checking with me). what would be the
point? stories were done, craft was just finishing up -- all that was left
was the closing song. i used to do crafts and always had people showing up
halfway into the project and expected me to drop everything and bring them
up to snuff. one patron showed up the following day , explained why they
missed the craft session, and asked me to do it then and there for her
child. i regretfully declined. if it's the same person all the time, you
could speak to them privately, i suppose. i think unless you lock the door
just before you start the program (which would cause too many hard feelings)
we just have to grin and bear it.
Children's Librarian
Riverhead Free Library
Riverhead, NY
We handle it two different ways. For some groups (2 1/2 - 3 1/2 + adults &
kindergarten/first grade) we have the craft first to allow for late
arrivals. We work the shifting activities time into our schedule. However we
offer age appropriate crafts that could be reasonable done in 10-15 minutes,
so most kids have completed their crafts. For the other groups we have the
craft or activites after the first story. Fortunately the door to our
storyroom has a window. We asked the adults that if we are in the midst of
reading a book to the group that they wait until the book is done. It took
awhile to "train" them , but most adults are now pretty good about
observing
this request. We put it on our Storyhour Guidelines flyer & announce it at
the beginning of each session. We explain how we understand that there are
times when late arrivals cannot be avoided but how disruptive it is to the
program. When we have a bedtime storyhour in our children's department, the
people are usually pretty good about melting into the crows ( no doors to
open & slam shut.) Hope this helps.P.S. In the summer when I have student
volunteers & not as many regular attendees at tstorytime, the volunteer will
stand outside the door to keep kids from entering until the book is
completed. Then they are welcome to join in.
Tami,
I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to starting on time. My feeling is
that when a program is advertised as starting at 10:00, that's when it
starts. As you say, there will always be some latecomers. For some
patrons, knowing that the 10:00 program really doesn't start until 10:05 is
an invitation to be late. Our Activity Room has a front and back door.
At
the appointed time both doors are closed and the front door is locked. A
sign is placed on the front door (that all the kids inside are facing)
which reads "Do Not Enter. The program has begun. Please enter
silently
through the back door." It has taken a while, and some families are
still
always late, but they know what is expected of them. I do not lock the
back door. I want to be sure that parents can always get to their children
(it could be very scary for a parent to think of their child as locked in a
room). Also, I also know that the reason a child is late is usually
because of something he or she can't control, like Mom taking a last minute
phone call or traffic or brother getting home late for his paper route.
With only one door, I would close, but not lock it. Post a sign that the
program has begun and the person should enter silently (not quietly).
People who are late, know they are late. There is no reason for YOU to
apologize for starting the program on time. Good luck.
Paula Lopatic
paulal@rpls.lib.il.us
Vespasian Warner Public Library
310 N. Quincy St.
Clinton, IL 61727
Tami,
I think we have all faced this problem at one time or another. I agree
with
you that starting the craft first is probably a mistake. I sometimes use
that as an incentive to help the kids focus an extra minute or two. I think
you need to get serious about general decorum. I would lock the door and
put
a sign that says, "The program has begun. Please join us next
time." Also,
see if someone outside the room can reinforce this with patrons when they
arrive late. IF possible, I would mention that this will be your new
policy
AT THE END of a program before you actually implement it.
One other point to consider, Saturday at 10 o'clock seems quite early to me.
Could your program perhaps be alleviated if you began at 11 o'clock? Any
family programs we do on a Saturday start at 11:30. We also have a lot of
drop-ins at that time. We found it has worked very well. We normally
don't
open until 10 o'clock.
Hope this helps. Let me know what you do - we can all use advise on this
one!
Christine Lopez
Milltown Public Library
Milltown, NJ
Do you open right at 10? If so, I would start the program at 10:30.
Then,
start on time. I usually start with a warm-up of some sort so if latecomers
come in in the first 3-5 minutes we are all still getting settled. For
preschool storytime, we do shut the door, which is locked, as soon as the
first story is started. I fortunatly have a clerical helper who works the
door and unlocks it for latecomers after the first story ends (usually
obvious because of applause.) After that, she might wait until 10 minutes
past the start of the program to see if anyone else shows up(letting people
in between stories), but after that point she leaves and the door is locked.
We have this policy described on our Guidelines for Storytime, which are
posted next to the door. Of course, just last week, someone knocked on the
door right when I was in the middle of something and since I was standing I
just went and opened the door for them. Surprisingly, this hardly ever
happens, as I feel like we have trained people pretty well to be on time.
We also ask folks to come 15 minutes early (on our phone message promoting
the program) to feel out a short census card (to track attendance).
Interruptions are difficult with our space, as we don't have a back entrance
to our storytheater so folks end up walking right in front of the
storyteller.
Remind folks of your expectation to start on time. Think about your starting
time in relation to when the library opens.
Just my two cents worth,
Sherri Douglas
Anchorage Municipal Libraries
Hi, Tami--
I don't know if this suggestion will be useful to you or not, but it
worked for me. I had this same problem where I used to work, until I
re-arranged the program room so that the kids faced away from the door
while storytime was going on. The participants were not nearly so
distracted when they could not see the latecomers entering. I did not
stop or acknowledge the latecomers, who over time got the message that
they should settle themselves and join the back of the group.
If nothing else works, you could lock the door--I would only do it as an
absolute last resort, however, for safety and PR reasons. I _do_ think it
is important to protect the experience of the participants respectful
enough to come on time from unnecessary interruptions, and if that is what
it takes, so be it.
Best of lucky with this tricky situation.
Lynn Hickernell
Youth Services Librarian
Florham Park Public Library
107 Ridgedale Avenue
Florham Park, NJ 07932
Tami,
Maybe 10:00 isn't a good time in your community.
If you try 10:30
for a while and hold the line--really start at the appointed time--and
they are still late they miss the first half of the program. But it just
might solve your lateness problem to start a little later. Just a
thought. We tinker with our start times occasionally to see if we can
make a better fit with our public. - jeri
Jeri Kladder, Children's Librarian & Storyteller
jkladder@gcfn.org
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Columbus, Ohio
I have had people arrive as late as 30 minutes for a program. If I am
not presenting the program myself, I stand at the door and monitor entrances
(and exits). I usually let latecomers in, but can whisper to them where
to sit, caution quiet, direct them what to do, etc. However, when I am
doing the program myself there are only 2 solutions that I know of--
1) lock the door and put up a sign saying, "Program in Progress.
Please
do not enter." (If the door is not locked but the sign is up people
ignore it.) 2) Station another staff member at the door to monitor late
arrivals. Prearrange with her/him as to when latecomers can come in
(i.e. between stories, not during stories). Unfortunately, with staffing
the way it is here, this is nearly impossible, so usually I just have
to grin and bear it.
Tami,
We always shut the door (sometimes we lock it but not much) then we hang a
sign on the doorknob that says, Program in progress, please go to the
information desk for admittance. Then when they go to the desk, the other
librarian can explain the need to be on time and make a call as to whether
or not to admit them. That usually depends on how late they actually are.
I've had people show up 30 minutes late and expect to get in. We also
point
out that it's disturbing to the performer (profressional or lib. staff) to
have people coming in in the middle. But the sign seems to help, because
alot of people won't go and ask to be let in, to embarassed about being
late.
Hope this helps
Alison Stein - Jefferson County Public Library
Acting Head, Children's Services - Golden Library
1019 19th Street
Golden, Colorado 80401
(303) 279-4585 ext. 13
astein@jefferson.lib.co.us
Hello,
As I remember correctly, you said that you have poems or music in the
program.
You can start with a song instead of the craft. If you prefer to have the
song
in between, you can have another one in between or just music. The kids
will
get excited from the begining of the program and the others can participate
also
without much interruption. Just a thought.
Thanks and Good luck
It is a problem here has well - for both the Mother Goose programs [ages 12
to 36 months] and the storytimes. For Mother Goose, we let them come in.
For the Storytimes we have a note on the door that states that a story is in
progress. If they will wait they will be let in when the story is
finished.
This is what symphony orchestras have done for years - with ushers to
enforce.
We talk about waiting, but then you only encourage everyone to be late - or
later.....
Ginny McKee
Children's Services
South Brunswick [NJ] Public Library
gmckee@lmxac.org
ginny1222@hotmail.com
WE always have this problem too, and hate to turn away late comers. What
really helps is if you have an extra staff member (or can recruit a parent
or
other adult present) to stand at the door watching for late comers, issue
them
in very quietly, and point out empty seats, saying very quietly that the
program has started,so be very quiet, but come in! It seems to help.
good luck!
Debra Bogart, M.L.S.
Youth Services
Springfield Public Library
Springfield, OR
I think it comes down to whose complaints you'd rather have -- the people
who made the effort to get there on time and don't like being interrupted,
or the people who are late and don't think the rules apply to them. The
second group will be the most vocal complainers. The first group will
either complain very politely, or just stopped coming. I worked at a
library where we did lock the door and put a big sign on it saying
"Storytime started at 10:00. Sorry you missed us. Late arrivals
are
distracting, so please try again next time." It has mixed results.
Mostly
someone had to stand there for the first 20 minutes or so and be firm with
angry mothers. Some staff caved under the pressure and let people in.
As a
mommy, I understand how hard it is sometimes to get anywhere on time, but
you just have to train them and be prepared for some nasty complaints. I
would *not* take this approach unless you're sure your director will back
you up. Good luck, this is a tough one. If you get any creative new
responses, please post them -- I'm sure we'd all love to hear them!
Sue
Sue Ridnour
Children's Services Librarian
Flower Mound Public Library
3030 Broadmoor Lane
Flower Mound, TX 75022
972.691.0059
Tami,
Ooh, you brought up one of my biggest pet peeves. We were getting a lot
of latecomers to our programs at our library. Last year, we pretty much
had it. So, we started putting a notation in our publicity stating
"Please arrive for programs at least 5 minutes before start time. Out
of
courtesy to our performers, audience, and librarians, no one will be
admitted to programs more than 10 minutes past the start time. Thank you
for your cooperation."
We give them a 10 minute grace period because many times our programs
start
anywhere from 2-5 minutes late anyway and also to give them the benefit of
the doubt because of traffic and getting kids ready, etc. We also posted
signs on the doors stating this and the librarian who is on the desk
reminds them when they arrive late. When we started this policy it was
mainly for the programs where we had an invited performer (musicians,
storytellers, puppeteers). Eventually, the librarians got so fed up with
people coming 30 minutes late (!) and even coming for the last 5 minutes
of a storytime (!!) that we now use this policy for everything from
storytimes to craft programs to big shows. Yes, we've had a few people
get upset when they were turned away, but let me tell you, most people are
getting here on time now. I had one mom come for Babytime in the last 10
minutes. I told her that she couldn't go in. When she got indignant,
I
looked in the room and saw that it was already playtime (the stories and
songs were over) and I said "Oh, well the storytime part is over, but I
guess you can go in for playtime." I'm sure by the time she got
settled
and her child got into the toys it was time to pack up and go. I bet she
was never late again! I think what really works is to have that statement
in your publicity so you can go back to it and tell them "I'm sorry, but
our policy was posted" and to also give a grace period. They have to
appreciate (what we think is) a generous 10 minute grace period. By the
way, our experience has been that the parents are usually more upset than
the kids. Many times the kids don't even realize why their parents have
brought them to the library. One more thing - I agree with you about not
doing the craft first. It is hard to get them away from the crafts and
focused on stories. Plus the fact that many of the kids will be doing the
crafts at different speeds. You'll end up dragging some kids away from
the craft when they're not nearly finished. My opinion is to definitely
do the craft at the end. Sorry, I've gone on so long about this, but this
issue really touches a nerve with me. Good luck with whatever you do!
Mary Rice
| Phone: (248) 618-7686
Head of Children's Services
| Fax: (248) 674-1910
Waterford Township Public Library |
E-Mail:mrice@tln.lib.mi.us
5168 Civic Center Dr.
Waterford, MI 48329
------------------------------
From: Linda Fields <lfields@state.lib.ut.us>
To: Pubyac <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: list serve
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 17:59:40 CDT
Hello,
Does anyone know of a list serve for small, rural libraries? If not,
how do we start one?
Linda Fields
Richfield Public Library
Richfield, Utah
------------------------------
From: "Bonnie Banks" <banksbo@oplin.lib.oh.us>
To: <PUBYAC@PRAIRIENET.ORG>
Subject: services to daycares and preschools
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 18:11:52 CDT
Hi everyone, I am a Children's Librarian in a rural community in Ohio of =
around 20,000 and our library is exploring the possibility of expanding =
our library's services to the daycares, Headstart, and preschools in our =
community. We currently offer a monthly storytime to them, either on =
site or at the library, their choice, and we have developed 14 =
theme-based storytime kits that teachers may check out. I am interested =
in hearing what others are doing with their preschool/daycare =
communities. You may e-mail your responses to me. Thanks for your =
help.
Bonnie Banks
banksbo@oplin.lib.oh.us
------------------------------
From: Carol Chatfield <cchatfield@myriad.middlebury.edu>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Food in Libraries
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 18:24:00 CDT
For years we enforced the "no food" rule very strictly, and we
continually had stains on the rug where someone had spilled
surreptiously trying to consume a snack. Now we find that with two
places across the street selling coffee to go, it seems as if everyone
has a cup in his/her hand. Bit by bit everybody stopped making the
patrol a priority, and we find that people are putting their trash in
the baskets instead of on the floor. We have had no liquid spills on
any keyboards. No more baby formula ground into the rug. The library is
a lot cleaner since we stopped saying no food. The kids are going to
snack no matter how many signs and warnings, so our lives are much
easier now that we don't make an issue of it. We still speak up if the
situation seems to be getting out of hand, but we have had no major
problems in the past couple of years that we decided to ignore the
coffee cups.
Carol Chatfield
Ilsley Public Library
Middlebury, Vt
cchatfield@myriad.middlebury.edu
------------------------------
From: Maggi Rohde <maggi@intranet.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 18:35:44 CDT
On Tue, 24 Oct 2000, Minkel, Walter (Cahners -NYC) wrote:
> Tangetially--I want to put in a recommendation that all libraries
> _should_ have a YA audiobook collection, & here's why: middle school
> students with reading & learning disabilities. In my previous jobs, I
> found that a lot of students who were required to read novels (and
> I'll be open about it--I'm talking 90% boys who have reading
> motivation problems, often tied in w/reading or learning problems)
> were able to function much better if they could read & listen to a
> novel at the same time. Once I publicized the fact that we had these
> tapes to teachers & our adult ref staff, they circulated very well in
> the places I used to work. --W
That means you need to get mostly unabridged tapes, of course. We had a
patron come in today looking for a biography on tape for her 14-year-old
daughter, and she wanted the book as well, so she could read along... but
all our biographies on tape are abridged.
-Maggi Rohde
Milan Public Library, MI
------------------------------
From: Charles Schacht <schachtc@libcoop.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Never mind professional attire--what about gum & candy?
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 18:47:53 CDT
Once you start having patrons wander around with drinks (much less food)
sure as
God made little green apples some 5 year old is going to dump over a coke on
a
$75 book his mom's been looking at - and then what? Is she liable?
What
happens to the morale of your staff when they're all the time cleaning up
after
people? What's going to happen to the bug population in your library once
they
have a regular food supply of crumbs etc? That way leads to waking
nightmares,
in my humble opinion. Sometimes being trendy is just more trouble than
it's
worth.
Reflecting his OWN opinion, not those of his institution,
Chuck Schacht
Romeo District Library
Romeo, MI.
Beverly Kirkendall wrote:
> I agree that beverages and food don't usually mix well with books and
> computers, but we are being encouraged to be more like area bookstores
even
> down to having a free coffe bar (and several staff members and I are not
> sold on this particular aspect of it at all!). With area bookstores
and a
> few other libraries "successfully" having this, what are we to do
when
> customer service is generally expected to include coffee and the like?
> Customer service at libraries should be a prime concern, but where should
> the line be drawn? (That comment doesn't invite open discussion at
all,
> does it?)
>
> I am genuinely looking for answers on this subject as it is only becoming
> more of an issue daily. If your library is successful in having
drinks
(and
> snacks since the one usually follows the other), how are spills on books,
> keyboards, chairs, and carpets handled? And call me skeptical, but I
will
> not believe that no one ever spills.....
>
> Just looking for answers here! Isn't that one of the things we
librarians
> love to do?
>
> Beverly Kirkendall
> Hurst Public Library
> Hurst, TX
------------------------------
From: "Look, Lin" <llook@mail.contra-costa.lib.ca.us>
To: "'PUBYAC--LISTSERV'" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: children's audio tapes
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 18:59:20 CDT
I was just in Lakeshore Learning, a teacher supply chain, and saw a CD
that
had both vocal and unaccompanied songs (i.e., Bear Went Over the Mountain,
More we Get Together). I noticed it's not in their catalog, or their
website, so it's maybe local or too new.
I don't remember the title (Sing-Along?) but it was by Lakeshore Productions
and was $9.95.
The store I saw it in was in Walnut Creek, CA 925-944-1495, if you want to
call and ask.
Hope this helps!
Lin Look
Contra Costa County, CA
llook@mail.contra-costa.lib.ca.us
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End of PUBYAC Digest 281
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