|
From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and
Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 11:01 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 557
PUBYAC Digest 557
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: parenting collections
by Patrick Jones <connectingya@yahoo.com>
2) RE: YA listserv
by Sara Ryan <sryan@si.umich.edu>
3) Author Recommendations
by Sue Jones <sjones@ci.pleasanton.ca.us>
4) Re: PUBYAC digest 553
by "M. Neiman" <mellifur@tiac.net>
5) Re: Balloon launch
by Georgi Sandgren <ivylane3@yahoo.com>
6) Popular boys' magazine or kids' art/crafts magazine suggestions?
by "Kozloff, Rae" <raek@cityofanacortes.org>
7) Re: Juvenile Detention Center Program
by Sharon Seidenberg <librarycurrents@austintx.com>
8) Re: Balloon launch
by "Suzanne Robinson" <srobinso@mail.state.tn.us>
9) RE: Looking for best Cd Roms for Children
by Sandra Strandtmann <sandras@juneau.lib.ak.us>
10) Re:Barbie
by "Anne Hall" <annehall@iclub.org>
11) Shoe tying
by Julie Ann Rines <jrines@ocln.org>
12) Re: Juvenile Detention Center Program
by "Elizabeth Lai" <elai@tpl.toronto.on.ca>
13) STUMPER
by "Webster, Lisa" <LisaW@ci.mount-vernon.wa.us>
14) Library Community Statement on Freedom of Speech and Access to
by "Don Wood" <dwood@ala.org>
15) Re: PUBYAC digest 554
by Kim Patton <kpatton@lawrence.lib.ks.us>
16) Jewish Holidays Summary
by "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Patrick Jones <connectingya@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: parenting collections
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:06:50 CDT
Why settle for just a parenting collection? How about
a whole library dedicated to parenting resources -
http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/youth/prl_index.html
--- Ellen Braby <ebraby@pen.ci.santa-monica.ca.us>
wrote:
>
> I am asking the great PUBYAC resources for some help
> in developing our
> parenting collection. While all of us assist
> parents during much of our
> workday in some way, our library is grappling with
> how much space and
> expense should be spent on a special collection just
> for parents. So I
> would appreciate if any of you with parenting
> collections could take a
> few minutes to answer the following questions.
> Please respond to me
> off-list at ebraby@pen.ci.santa-monica.ca.us
>
> 1. What is the size of the collection both in
> number of titles or
> volumes and in space allotted?
>
> 2. Do you have a collection development policy for
> the collection and
> could we have a copy? (If you preferred to fax it
> to me, my fax # is
> (310) 394-8951.)
>
> 3. Who is the audience for the collection?
>
> 4. How has it been publicized or marketed?
>
> 5. Does it include materials besides books--AV,
> periodicals, toys,
> special furniture?
>
> 6. Do you have any community partners and what is
> their contribution?
>
> 7. What are the future plans for the collection?
>
> 8. What selection aids do you use for collection
> development?
>
> Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my
> questions. If there is
> interest, I will post the answers to the list.
>
> Ellen Braby
> Coordinator of Youth Services
> Santa Monica Public Library
> (310) 458-8922
>
=====
Patrick JonesConnecting Young Adults and LibrariesWorkshops, special
projects, and coaching.6914 Pillsbury, Richfield MN 55423,
612-861-3795http://www.connectingya.com
__________________________________________________
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/
------------------------------
From: Sara Ryan <sryan@si.umich.edu>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: YA listserv
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
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Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:07:16 CDT
> Does anyone know of a listserv for YA
librarians?
>
> Thanks,
> Frannie
> fsavel@bcfls.org
YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association) has several lists:
(I've copied this from
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/professional/yalsalists.html)
*****
TeachYAL
Purpose: An open list for the purpose of sharing information about
teaching literature and services for young adults at colleges and
universities.
To subscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala.org.
Leave the subject
line blank. For the message type "Subscribe TeachYAL first name last
name.""
To unsubscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala1.ala.org
For the message
type "Unsubscribe TeachYAL."
YALSA-BK
Purpose: An open list for book discussion. Subscribers are invited to
discuss specific titles, as well as other issues concerning young adult
reading and young adult literature. It is also an opportunity for
subscribers to learn what has been nominated for Best Books for Young
Adults, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults and Quick Picks for
Reluctant Young Adult Readers and to discuss those books. Cumulative
lists of nominations for the lists will be posted by each of the
committees. Subscribers will have the same opportunity as observers who
attend ALA conferences and meetings to voice their opinions about
nominated books. From time to time nominations for other YALSA lists
may also be posted. Young adults are especially welcome to subscribe
and to discuss books they are reading, especially those who belong to
book discussion groups.
Uses: Discuss books for young adults
Discuss titles nominated for the YALSA lists
Discuss issues concerning young adult reading
Discuss issue concerning young adult literature
To subscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala.org.
Leave the subject
line blank. For the message type "Subscribe YALSA-bk first name last
name."
To unsubscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala.org
from your subscribed
address. For the message type "Unsubscribe YALSA-bk."
YALSA-L
Purpose: An open list to provide news and information about ALA and
YALSA to subscribers and to provide subscribers a channel of
communication for feedback to ALA and YALSA.
Uses: Announcements about YALSA activities and programs
Information about YALSA and ALA
Announcements about ALA activities and programs
Questions from subscribers about YALSA and ALA programs and activities.
Discussion among subscribers about YALSA and ALA issues
To subscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala.org.
Leave the subject
line blank. For the message type "Subscribe YALSA-L first name last
name.""
To unsubscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala1.ala.org
For the message
type "Unsubscribe YALSA-L."
YA-Outreach
Purpose: An open list for the puprose of sharing information about
library service to young adults outside the library walls, including to
incarcerated and homeless teens.
To subscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala.org.
Leave the subject
line blank. For the message type "Subscribe YA-Outreach first name last
name.""
To unsubscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala1.ala.org
For the message
type "Unsubscribe YA-Outreach."
YA-URBAN
Purpose: to provide a channel of communication for all staff members in
large urban public library systems who serve young adults.
Uses: Networking
Exchanging ideas
Discussing common problems and seeking solutions
Improving service to young adults in urban library systems
To subscribe: Send a request to subscribe to YALSA@ala.org
YA-YAAC
Purpose: To allow teen library advisory groups and the librarians who
coordinate them in school and public libraries to share information and
ideas. All those groups with e-mail addresses or fax numbers that are
included in the National Youth Participation Database are subscribers
of YA-YAAC. The Youth Participation Committee is also included.
Uses: Networking
Exchanging ideas
Discussing common problems and seeking solutions
Encouraging youth participation in library activities
To subscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala.org.
Leave the subject
line blank. For the message type "Subscribe YA-YAAC first name last
name.""
To unsubscribe: Send a message to listproc@ala1.ala.org
For the message
type "Unsubscribe YA-YAAC."
*****
Hope this is helpful!
Sara Ryan
sryan@sararyan.com
http://www.sararyan.com/
------------------------------
From: Sue Jones <sjones@ci.pleasanton.ca.us>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Author Recommendations
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:08:58 CDT
Dear collegues,
A school volunteer would like to
arrange for a series of dynamic
author or illustrator visits for her school. She is asking for suggestions
of personable author/illustrators who have published in the K-5 grade range.
If cost would not be a factor, who would you recommend?
You are welcome to respond to me
directly, but my guess would be
that many on the listserv would like to have your recommendations also.
To start off, for older children
we'd certainly recommend Newbery
Honor author, Kate DiCamillo ("Because of Winn Dixie"). She was a
HUGE hit
here in our community! She's a surprisingly tiny woman with curly hair,
wears jeans and pearls ! She had kids and parents alike in stitches!
Thank you all in advance,
Sue Jones
Pleasanton Public Library, CA
sjones@ci.pleasanton.ca.us
(925) 931-3400 x 23
------------------------------
From: "M. Neiman" <mellifur@tiac.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: PUBYAC digest 553
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:09:23 CDT
dbldog.com or dbldogpress.com I believe it's the latter!
Miriam
At 12:01 AM 9/19/01 -0500, you wrote:
>------------------------------
>From: Marya Kilbourne <loonlake14826@yahoo.com>
>To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
>Subject: library mystery "scenarios"
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 10:08:45 CDT
>
>Hello,
>
>I am looking for a website that sells library mystery
>scenarios for young adult programming. If I remember
>correctly, one of the scenarios was something about
>"Who killed the librarian?" and had you outline
>the body with tape on the library floor. I believe
>the scenarios cost around $40.00 and the url or name
>of the website had the word "dog" in it.
>
>Does this sound familiar to anyone?
>
>Thanks for your help,
>
>Marya Kilbourne
>UB MLS Student
>Buffalo, NY
M. Neiman
neiman@glasct.org
Welles-Turner Memorial Library
Glastonbury, CT
http://www.wtmlib.com
The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my organization.
------------------------------
From: Georgi Sandgren <ivylane3@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Balloon launch
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:09:42 CDT
Personally speaking, I strongly urge you not to do a
balloon launch. I'm pretty sure you would get some
negative feedback from the children as well as the
parents. My children were taught in school about the
risks that these balloons, once deflated, offer to sea
animals (and probably land animals too). Even if you
don't consider the risk to animals great, releasing
balloons like that could be considered polluting.
My two cents worth,
Georgi
=====
Georgi Sandgren
Children's Librarian
East Islip Public Library
381 East Main Street
East Islip, New York 11730-2896
631-581-9200 ext. 6
ivylane3@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
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------------------------------
From: "Kozloff, Rae" <raek@cityofanacortes.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Popular boys' magazine or kids' art/crafts magazine suggestions?
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:10:01 CDT
We are considering subscribing to a another magazine and feel that we need
something more for boys to balance out our seeming preponderance of girls'
magazines (we do have a lot of magazines that are aimed at both, of course).
Do you have any favorites that are very popular in your libraries? For
8-10
year olds, not middle schoolers.
Another need we have is a good general arts & crafts magazine, without
pull-outs, cut-outs, coloring pages, etc. that is aimed at both boys &
girls.
If you have any suggestions, please post to list or email me directly.
Thanks,
Rae Kozloff
Anacortes Public Library
raek@cityofanacortes.org
------------------------------
From: Sharon Seidenberg <librarycurrents@austintx.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Juvenile Detention Center Program
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:10:21 CDT
You know, my nephew was in a Texas TYC and that was the only time he read.
He had nothing else to do so he loved their coming through with the books.
They might be past these but he really enjoyed The Indian in the Cupboard
series and got a lot of the guys to read them. He wrote me when he
read the
first and then I told him about the others. They asked that the rest
be
purchased for TYC. He also enjoyed Louis
Sachar's Wayside books.
Sharon Seidenberg
Winn Elementary Librarian
Mary Moody wrote:
> Greetings,
> I'm going to be doing some programs for a boy's in a detention center.
I
would really like to have some Reader's Theatre scripts that would work well
with these young people. Any suggestions? Or does anyone have any other
ideas of books or activities to do with these young people. They are
in 3rd
grade to high school. The third grade designation is reading level
they are
all middle school to high school aged.
>
> Mary Moody
> School Liaison Librarian
> Vigo County Public Library
>
> \0/\0/\0/ "Let everything that hath breath Praise the Lord!"
------------------------------
From: "Suzanne Robinson" <srobinso@mail.state.tn.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Balloon launch
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:10:42 CDT
You'd better check with your county or state version of the EPA. I
have =
been told that in some areas balloon launches are prohibited or discouraged=
due to concerns about water birds eating them and dying.
Suzanne Robinson
Dickson Co. PL
Dickson TN
>>> jlindsey@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us
09/20/01 16:58 PM >>>
Hi all,
I had a question regarding balloon launches. I was planning on doing a =3D
balloon launch in connection with the theme "Get Carried Away" for
=3D
National Children's Book Week. I was hoping to hear from anyone who had =
=3D
done something like this before. Has anyone ever received any negative =3D
feedback from the public regarding the effect the balloons have on the =3D
environment? Our library board is all for this event, but they wanted to =
=3D
prepare me for the possibility that I may get complaints.=3D20
Thanks in advance,
Jenn Lindsey
Jennifer L. Lindsey
Children's Services Librarian
Seymour Library
Brockport, New York 14420
(716) 637-1050 Fax (716) 637-1051
jlindsey@libraryweb.org
------------------------------
From: Sandra Strandtmann <sandras@juneau.lib.ak.us>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Looking for best Cd Roms for Children
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:11:06 CDT
I use the web page http://www.superkids.com.
It has a good system of rating
ease of installation, educational value, and kid appeal. It's a very useful
site.
Sandra Strandtmann, Juneau Public Libraries
292 Marine Way, Juneau, AK 99801
mailto:sandras.juneau.lib.ak.us
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Price-Stephens
[mailto:susan.price-stephens@lpl.london.on.ca]
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 1:18 PM
To: Pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Looking for best Cd Roms for Children
Hi,
Our Friends of the Library group has kindly given us a tidy sum of money to
purchase Cd ROMs for our children's area. I would appreciate it you
you
would let me know programs you would recommend that we buy. We are
looking
at reviews etc. but I would also like to gather information from you out
there. Thanks for your time. Susan
susan.price-stephens@lpl.london.on.ca
------------------------------
From: "Anne Hall" <annehall@iclub.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re:Barbie
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:11:24 CDT
Lately I've been debating holding a special Barbie Doll program for young
children. Has anyone does such before? I know the Barbie books
by DK are
incredibly popular, and if they are, then maybe some sort of program for
little ladies would also be popular. If you have done such a
program, or
have any suggestions, would you please consider letting me know? (I
already
did a trains, firetrucks and dinosaurs, so I figure it's about time to try
something little girls would be more interested in, too.) I have
thought
about a Barbie type tea and maybe a Barbie fashion show, where the little
ones could bring their Barbie in al lher glory and show her off but I'm not
sure this is what I'd want.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Anne Hall
annehall@iclub.org
>
------------------------------
From: Julie Ann Rines <jrines@ocln.org>
To: pubyac <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Shoe tying
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:11:44 CDT
Thank you to all who have responded to my request for shoe tying
materials. Red Lace Yellow Lace by Casey seems to be the favorite. We have
placed a hold on it for our patron and I am going to order copies.
Julie Rines
jrines@ocln.org
------------------------------
From: "Elizabeth Lai" <elai@tpl.toronto.on.ca>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Juvenile Detention Center Program
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Disposition: inline
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:12:00 CDT
I have worked with teens in trouble in a different capacity and parents =
who have finished their sentences. Would love to know how this all
turns =
out.
>>> MMOODY@vigo.lib.in.us
09/20/01 05:19pm >>>
Greetings,=20
I'm going to be doing some programs for a boy's in a detention center.
I =
would really like to have some Reader's Theatre scripts that would work =
well with these young people. Any suggestions? Or does anyone have any =
other ideas of books or activities to do with these young people. They
=
are in 3rd grade to high school. The third grade designation is
reading =
level they are all middle school to high school aged.
Mary Moody
School Liaison Librarian
Vigo County Public Library
\0/\0/\0/ "Let everything that hath breath Praise the Lord!"
------------------------------
From: "Webster, Lisa" <LisaW@ci.mount-vernon.wa.us>
To: "'PUBYAC@prairienet.org'"
<PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: STUMPER
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:12:19 CDT
I have a tough one. She only knows that there is an old-fashioned house on
the front cover with a big tree and a cat on the porch or the steps. I
believe it's an older book. She says the illustrations have a
"soft" look.
Anyone have any ideas?
Respond directly to me, please.
Lisa Webster
lwebster@ci.mount-vernon.wa.us
Mount Vernon City Library
------------------------------
From: "Don Wood" <dwood@ala.org>
Subject: Library Community Statement on Freedom of Speech and Access to
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Disposition: inline
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:12:39 CDT
Library Community Statement on Freedom of Speech and Access to Information=
=20
http://www.ala.org/washoff/FreedomofSpeech9.pdf=20
"The library associations listed below support the efforts of our
Nation's =
leaders to protect and preserve the freedoms that are the foundation of =
our democracy. Libraries serve as critical resources for communities,
=
individuals, and institutions and those concerned about the important need =
for access to information. We welcome the public's continued use of =
public, academic, research, special and school libraries."
------------------------------
From: Kim Patton <kpatton@lawrence.lib.ks.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: PUBYAC digest 554
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:14:59 CDT
From: Jeri Kladder <jkladder@gcfn.org>
To: PUBYAC <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Performer Query
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:21:19 CDT
Hi Jeri,
We have had Angela come and do presentations on several different
occassions. We HIGHLY recommend her. We've had whole families attend her
programs, as well as had her do a program just for older kids (3rd grade
and up) and we had parents and little ones attend that one anyway. The
first time she did a presentation with her husband on buffalo soldiers.
They both came in costume and told stories and acted. We've also had
her
come alone and do presentations on Nicodemus and her Black Women in the Old
West program. Either way, she holds kids attention. She's an educator,
entertainer, and a storyteller all in one. I know you'll be very happy if
you have her come.
Good Luck
Kim Patton
Young Adult Specialist
Lawrence Public Library
707 Vermont St.
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-843-3833 ext 121 Fax#785-843-3368
Hi all,
Has anybody in the group seen the performer Angela Bates-Tompkins
from Nicodemus, Kansas? She does a 1-woman show titled Black Women In
The
Old West. We were thinking of hiring her for Black History Month for a
Sunday performance (CML is open on Sundays year round now). What was
audience reaction? How would you describe her
performance--entertainment,
educational, theatrical, storyteller style...? What age range is best
for
her presentation style? Anything else you can think of that will help
us
decide if she is the performer for us and how best to present her in our
publicity.
I appreciate any guidance you can offer. Please e-mail me
directly at jkladder@gcfn.org or jkladder@cml.lib.oh.us.
Thanx, Jeri
Jeri Kladder, Children's Librarian & Storyteller
jkladder@gcfn.org
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Columbus, Ohio
------------------------------>
Kim Patton
Young Adult Specialist
Lawrence Public Library
707 Vermont St.
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-843-3833 ext 121 Fax#785-843-3368
------------------------------
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Jewish Holidays Summary
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:15:19 CDT
Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to offer help on the issue
of whether or not to offer programming on religious holidays.
Our children's librarian was promoted to a branch manager position,
leaving us without a children's librarian. I've done lots of YA
programs and am a mother of a 4 and 6 year old, and gladly offered to
pitch in 4 programs a week. Our children's library assistant will also
do 3 programs. This week I did all 7, because our assistant was on
vacation.
The response to the programs was very favorable. . Next year, the
holidays will hopefully not
be an issue, because we'll start the programs earlier in September as
usual. The one thing that took me most off guard was in one of the
after-school programs. While I was introducing myself and telling them
about my plans, one kid interrupted and announced "We're going to have
a
war..."
Thanks again for all of your help. Here are your responses...
Not sure it really qualifies as help, but our policy has always been
that we
don't have programs/storytimes whenever the public schools are closed.
The
library's open on many holidays, but any regularly-scheduled storytime
group
just doesn't meet when school's out. Nancy Pirodsky, Garden City (NY)
PL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 10:54 AM
Subject: Programming on Jewish Holidays
I would not schedule a special, one-time program on the High Holidays.
This would leave out all Jewish children.
However, a storytime series that covers a number of weeks and is held
at regular scheduled times, is different. If the program is always on
Tuesday, I think you have to have it on that day as part of the series.
If you have storytime more than one day a week, I would hope you could
be
flexible enough to allow the Jewish children to come on a different day
that week. If you cancel one of the regular storytime days because it
is
a Jewish holiday, that prevents all non-Jews from attending.
I am Jewish, if that makes a difference. Someone else does my
regular
scheduled storytimes on the High Holidays.
Carol Janoff
cjanoff@lib.ci.phoenix.az.us
Librarian I
Mesquite Branch Library
Phoenix, AZ
I have to say I disagree. And I have actually worked
in a library where we *were* open on Easter
Sunday--and people did come in. And if we were open
and I thought anybody would come to a program on
Christmas day I wouldn't hesitate to do it. I don't
see why it's disrespectful to hold a program on these
days. School isn't closed, the kids just stay
home...classes still go on for non-Jewish children.
Why should storytime be different? The families have
every right to stay home and celebrate/acknowledge
their holidays and we can do the same with special
displays, etc. But why should we go out of our way to
schedule programs around religious holidays. Perhaps
if your library serves a community that is
*predominantly* Jewish...but once you start doing it
for one religion you have to do it for everybody. If
you look in Chase's I think you'll find that it would
be difficult to have programs ever.
Just my opinion.
Jennifer Baker
Fresno Co. Library
--- karen maletz <kmlib@yahoo.com>
wrote:
> I would never schedule programs on the Jewish
> holidays; Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur are the holiest
> days of the Jewish year. Would you schedule programs
> on Christmas & Easter if your library were open?
> It is disrespectful to those for whom thiese
> holidays
> are important. The way the holidays fell this year
> made Sept. scheduling very difficult
Laura,
I am Jewish and I have no problem with programs held on the High
Holidays.
I do not work those days, but the majority of people in town and most of
the
library staff is not Jewish, so I see no reason for them to stop all
programming on those days. I suppose it would be different if your
library
was in a mostly Jewish community, but assuming it isn't, I don't see why
you
should delay your programs.
Martha Simpson
Stratford (CT) Library
Hi Laura:
Well, actually, libraries do close on the major Christian holidays
(Easter,
Christmas). I think your patron may be somewhat irritated at the
emphasis
on Christian holidays being "sacred" but Jewish holidays not being
considered in the same light. If it wasn't a problem at all for next
year,
I would avoid scheduling it on Rosh Hashanah. Even if it is one person
who
is affected, I think it is still important to try to avoid scheduling
programs on any religious holiday. I realize that sometimes it is
inevitable, but going the extra mile to be considerate of this patron's
religious belief is important, IMHO.
Jan Chapman
YA Librarian
Norton Branch Library
Akron-Summit County Public Library
jchapman@ascpl.lib.oh.us
I feel very strongly that it is insensitive to hold a
children's library program on either Rosh Shashonah or
Yom Kippur. While these may not be legal holidays,
they are the most sacred days of the Jewish year,
which is recognized by the fact that many school
districts are closed. Jim's comment that it might be
illegal to cancel the programs makes me wonder why it
is legal to close the library on Christmas and Easter,
religous holidays that many people in this country do
not celebrate. Jewish children already feel left out
when they have no where to go while everyone else is
celebrating Christmas. Why set up another situation
where they are left out because of their religion.
I think the best solution might be to apologize to
Jewish patrons for the oversight of holding the
program on September 18 this year and discuss ways to
avoid that from happening next year.
Madelyn C. Littman
Children's Librarian
Ardsley Public Library
Ardsley, New York
Laura -- if it's any help to you, I had a teen very offended because I
had
a meeting of the Teen Advisory Board on the first day of Passover. I
merely pointed out that I scheduled TAB meetings every other Wednesday
regardless, and that meant that *I* had to attend one on Ash Wednesday
--
and as the librarian-in-charge, I was the only person who wasn't allowed
to skip any of the meetings. I also noted that this was a very diverse
group religiously, and if I had to accomodate the religious holidays of
Christians (Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox), Jews, Muslims, Hindus,
and Wiccans, plus all the various sports events and other school
activities, we'd never have any meetings at all. She was, if not
satisfied, at least no longer complaining.
Is it even legal for you to cancel a program for religious purposes? I
think that she may be a tad unrealistic expecting you to cancel your
program. I do not mean to be insensitive, but it is not a national
holiday,
and she is free to not attend that one time. Are these ongoing
programs
that he must attend the first one to understand the rest? Also, the
days to
have programs would be limited if you cancelled for every religious
holiday.
Maybe you could plan a program that taught kids different religious
holidays--but again, would this be legal?
Just my two cents,
Jill Hinn
Jefferson County, CO
jhinn@jefferson.lib.co.us
It's funny - I used to work in a community that was 50% Jewish and don't
remember any complaints about children's programs conflicting with Rosh
Hashanah or Yom Kippur. Maybe it worked out that our programs didn't
conflict, or that parents just didn't bring their children to storytime
that
particular week.
Since then, I've worked in two communities with miniscule Jewish
populations
and have never given the Jewish holidays a thought when scheduling
programs.
(However, we generally start Fall Storytime in October so it wouldn't
have
been an issue.)
Now to your situation. I think I would consider what proportion of
your
community is Jewish and whether the schools consider Rosh Hashanah
and/or
Yom Kippur a holiday. But really, what would it hurt to make sure you
don't
have special one-time programs or start storytime sessions on Rosh
Hashanah
or Yom Kippur? It seems like an easy thing to do, and good public
relations.
Best of luck with this challenge. You might want to be sure your
winter
holiday programs give equal time to Christian and Jewish celebrations,
to
avoid further problems with this patron. (I make sure to do that at my
current library, both for cultural diversity and because it seems like
the
right thing to do, even if the chances are slim that any attendees will
be
Jewish.)
Janet Brandy
Asst. Head of Youth Services
Round Lake Area Library
Hi,
We scheduled our story hours to start next week,
so that I would not need a substitute to do the very
first meeting of the season during Rosh HaShanah. (I
am Jewish.) However, we do have a couple story hours
scheduled during Yom Kippur, with one of the Asst
Children's Librarians. (BTW this is the first year
that schools in Waterford will be closed that day.)
As has been mentioned, these days are as
important to Jews as Christmas and Easter would be to
Christians. Is it wrong to schedule programs on these
days? I guess that depends on your patrons. If you
have a large Jewish population, rescheduling is
something to think about. Good PR is something we are
all striving for, and I would try never to plan
anything where a segment of my patrons would be unable
to participate. If it only affects a couple families,
unfortunately that's life, there will always be
scheduling conflicts.
How would I handle this? It's difficult; as a
parent whose children missed out on things held
previously during the holidays, I felt disappointment.
Perhaps you could provide her with copies of whatever
you will be doing that day. You might also tell her
you have taken the first step to investigate how other
libraries handle this for next year by writing to
PUBYAC; in fact if you feel comfortable enough with
your final decision, you might even consider showing
her the responses you get, both pro and con.
Good luck, you obviously care or you wouldn't
have written to us here.
Nadine
P.S LaShana Tova Tikatevu
Well the Holidays will fall on days when I just have regular storytimes
so they will go on. However, as I'm Jewish, someone else will do it for
me.
David
David Serchay
a013213t@bc.seflin.org
My suggestion is that a little sensitivity would be a good thing. My
place
of work is holding an "End of Summer Picnic" for town employees on
Rosh
Hashanah. Well, thank you very much for scheduling a group event on that
date. Couldn't another date have been chosen? In your case, perhaps it
would have been possible to start the program a week later? I think your
patron might not have felt the same if the child had to miss the second
class, or the third, but missing the first class is different. How many
major religious holidays is your library open for? Would you hold a
program
on Easter? Christmas? Good Friday? I think it wouldn't enter most
people's
heads to do so. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the equivalent holidays
in
Judaism, meaning that they are *the* holiest days. If you have any kind
of
significant Jewish population, consideration should be given to this in
the
future. Similarly, if you have other faiths in significant numbers, it
is
worth being aware of this issue for them.
Please forgive me if I seem a little strident. And, of course, the
opinions
expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my organization.
M. Neiman
neiman@glasct.org
Welles-Turner Memorial Library
Glastonbury, CT
Actually, I really think it depends on the community. Our community is
heavily Latino, mostly Catholic or Protestant. All of our fall
programming begins next week, in fact on Tuesday, the first day of the
high Jewish holidays. We have proportionately few Jewish patrons and I
wouldn't consider dropping our programs just because they fall on Rosh
Hashana or Yom Kippur. Just as I wouldn't consider eliminating our
programs during the month of Ramadan. If I worked in a predominately
Jewish or Islamic or Buddhist (or whatever religion) community, I would
certainly schedule differently, not out of respect as much as
expectation of low attendance. We don't schedule activities during the
Catholic and Protestant holidays because of that lack of attendance. I
myself am Jewish and am certainly not offended by this.
=====
Jill Patterson, Manager
La Habra Branch Library, OCPL
221 E. La Habra Blvd. California
e-mail: jillpatterson@yahoo.com
TEL: 562/694-0078 FAX: 562/691-8043
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End of PUBYAC Digest 557
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