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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: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 11:01 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 833
PUBYAC Digest 833
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) toys
by "Jackson Librarian" <jack2libs@hotmail.com>
2) Murder Mystery Ideas
by Ann Trompeter <ann@lfpl.org>
3) Re: Looking game ideas
by "RoseMary Honnold" <honnolro@oplin.lib.oh.us>
4) Blockbuster Halloween Event
by "Stephanie Zaslav" <szaslav@ci.escondido.ca.us>
5) Postcards-Help!
by "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us>
6) Increasing Program Attendence
by "Maria Glaser" <mglaser@weberpl.lib.ut.us>
7) RE: favorite homework websites
by "Keener, Lesa" <LKeener@acmail.aclink.org>
8) Re: Looking game ideas
by "Jackson Librarian" <jack2libs@hotmail.com>
9) Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
by "RoseMary Honnold" <honnolro@oplin.lib.oh.us>
10) Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
by Mary Ann Gilpatrick <magilpat@walnet.walla-walla.wa.us>
11) Re: request for library cards
by Sushila Mertens <kidlit_2000@yahoo.com>
12) library card sign-up month
by "Roberta Meyer" <roberta@effinghamlibrary.org>
13) RE: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
by "Robin Benoit" <rbenoit@libraryweb.org>
14) Helpful homework sites
by "Margaret Keefe" <mkeefe@midhudson.org>
15) Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
by Dori Blodgett <librarylady4kids@yahoo.com>
16) MTV materials - help! (fwd)
by Erin Helmrich <helmrich@tln.lib.mi.us>
17) Re: List for Lemony Snicket
by "M. Neiman" <mellifur@cox.net>
18) Re: Lemony Snicket program
by Kim Darby <kdettman51@yahoo.com>
19) Game Boy...rules? registration?
by "Piowaty, Deanna" <DPiowaty@ci.west-linn.or.us>
20) Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation: LONG
by "Granny Sue" <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>
21) (no subject)
by "M. Neiman" <mellifur@cox.net>
22) RE: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
by "Stephanie Squicciarini" <ssquicci@libraryweb.org>
23) STUMPER: Umbrella felt story
by "Christine L. Tyner" <tynercl@yahoo.com>
24) STUMPER: Family who lives at the zoo
by "Andrea Johnson" <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
25) Stumper - 3 books
by Tracy K Brundage <tracy.brundage@nyu.edu>
26) List of Frequently Challenged Classics and 2002 Banned Books
by "Don Wood" <dwood@ala.org>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Jackson Librarian" <jack2libs@hotmail.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: toys
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 22:59:53 CDT
Hello yakkers,
Any strong opinions about having toys in a children's department? I have
mixed feelings.
thanks in advance,
Deb Cooper
Jackson Township Branch Library
Stark County District Library
------------------------------
From: Ann Trompeter <ann@lfpl.org>
To: "'PUBYAC@prairienet.org'"
<PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Murder Mystery Ideas
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:02 CDT
Our library would like to host a murder mystery night for middle schoolers.
While I've gotten some ideas from staff in our system,I would like to check
out what other libraries have done.
Thanks for all the help you have given me in the past. I find pubyac to be
an invaluable resource of ideas.
Ann Trompeter <ann@lfpl.org>
------------------------------
From: "RoseMary Honnold" <honnolro@oplin.lib.oh.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Looking game ideas
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:09 CDT
Party Game Central is pretty cool... you can enter the size and age of the
group and if you want indoor or outdoor games, and how active you want them
to be.
http://www.partygamecentral.com/forms/gsform.htm
RoseMary Honnold
Coshocton Public Library
655 Main ST
Coshocton, OH 43812
740-622-0956
101+ Teen Programs That Work
Neal-Schuman Publishers
http://www.neal-schuman.com/
See YA Around: a Web site for librarians who work with teens
http://www.cplrmh.com
------------------------------
From: "Stephanie Zaslav" <szaslav@ci.escondido.ca.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Blockbuster Halloween Event
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:16 CDT
Our library has done a "Haunted Library" for the last 16 or more
years.
Needless to say it is time and labor intensive what with 5-10 different
stations, each an individual scene with storytellers, theatrics, balloon
animals, costumes, giveaways, volunteers, etc.; children follow a
maze-type route from stop to stop. Just curious to know if any other
libraries do anything like this and if so what. Please respond off
list to szaslav@!ci.escondido.ca.us;
if anyone would like this
information, I'd be glad to pass it on. Many thanks.
------------------------------
From: "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us>
To: "PUBYAC" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Postcards-Help!
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:22 CDT
We did Reading Road Trip this summer and asked friends and relatives to
send us postcards as they traveled, in hopes of getting all 50 states.
We lack 7. Would some kind and sympathetic librarian from the following
states be willinf to send a postcard? Idaho, Iowa, North Dakota, West
Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana and Delaware. Thank You so Much.
Linda Peterson
Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library
125 South Franklin
Bloomfield, Indiana 47424
Phone: (812)384-4125
Fax: (812)384-0820
email: lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us
------------------------------
From: "Maria Glaser" <mglaser@weberpl.lib.ut.us>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Increasing Program Attendence
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:29 CDT
Hello,
One of the libraries in my system constantly experiences very low
attendence at preschool storytimes. This library is located in a valley
that is apart from the rest of the system. It is often used as a
community center by patrons instead of a library. To boost attendence,
they have sent flyers to local schools, put posters up in several public
areas, mailed out information about the program, and inform patrons in the
library.
In addition to low program attendence, this library is also in need of
higher circulation. Often, people attend community programs there, but
never check out a book!
Does anyone have any suggestions about how to boost attendence or increase
circulation?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Maria Glaser
Children's Librarian
Weber County Library System
Ogden, Utah
------------------------------
From: "Keener, Lesa" <LKeener@acmail.aclink.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: favorite homework websites
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:37 CDT
My two favorite sites are http://www.multcolib.org/homework/
the Multnomah
county homework page. An excellent site but it does not allow searching by
keyword. The other is
http://www.bigchalk.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WOPortal.woa/db/Home.html
this
looks by age level. If you want another good site especially for preschool
children is http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
They have an
fantastic preschool dictionary. I was about to find information on biomes of
third graders along with animal cutouts perfect for their biome shadow
boxes.
I am putting together an internet homework resources class for middle
schoolers and am looking for sites to include. Any favorite websites out
there you would love to share? I'm looking for both general and subject
specific. You can send responses directly to me and I'll summarize for the
list.
Thanks for your help!
Maggie
Maggie Snow
Community Services Librarian
Austin Public Library
Austin, MN 55912
msnow@selco.lib.mn.us
------------------------------
From: "Jackson Librarian" <jack2libs@hotmail.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Looking game ideas
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:44 CDT
Hi April,
We played "feed the elephants" and "water the elephants" at
two separate
game days we had this summer. Both are best done outside in the grass.
For
"feed the elephants" all you need are four to six buckets of the same
size
and two to three drinking cups. line the kids up in teams (2 teams if
using
4 buckets, 3 teams if using 6 buckets). Each team gets one empty bucket at
one end of their line, and one bucket full of popped popcorn at the other
end. first kid fills the cup with popcorn then kids pass the cup down to
the empty bucket & fill it up. First team to fill the empty bucket
wins.
Same concept with "water the elephants", just use water instead of
popcorn.
Easy cleanup. lots of fun. kids had a great time with these. (75 showed up
at our second game day, where we did the popcorn version).
good luck!
Deb Cooper
Jackson Township Branch - Stark Co. Dist. LIbrary
Massillon, OH
>From: April Mazza <amazza@mln.lib.ma.us>
>Reply-To: pubyac@prairienet.org
>To: PUBYAC Listserv <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
>Subject: Looking game ideas
>Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 20:30:43 CDT
>
>Hi all! Like many of you may be, I am suffering from some Summer
>Reading Program burn out! This wouldn't normally be a problem except
>that the summer isn't over yet! I've planned an end-of-the-summer
party
>that should include some games but I can't think of anything because 1)
>I am a newbie and this is my first time doing a party and 2) I have no
>idea how many people or what ages will show up since it's drop in.
What
>I did do was advertise the party as having "games and prizes" and
>besides musical chairs I can't think of a thing! If anyone has any
game
>ideas or a good resource for them I would be forever grateful. Please
>post to the list or write to me at amazza@mln.lib.ma.us
>Thanks so much,
>April Mazza
>Youth Services
>Wayland Free Public Library
>5 Concord Road
>Wayland MA 01778
>(508) 358-2308
>amazza@mln.lib.ma.us
>
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
------------------------------
From: "RoseMary Honnold" <honnolro@oplin.lib.oh.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:52 CDT
An oddity that occured for me is that my July YA circulation was the best it
has been in over a year, so the kids were reading my stuff. BUT enrollment
was down in the SRP and part of that, and this is just my opinion, is our
circus theme here in Ohio didn't appeal to a lot of people, specially teens
(and some of their librarians).
RoseMary Honnold
Coshocton Public Library
655 Main ST
Coshocton, OH 43812
740-622-0956
101+ Teen Programs That Work
Neal-Schuman Publishers
http://www.neal-schuman.com/
See YA Around: a Web site for librarians who work with teens
http://www.cplrmh.com
------------------------------
From: Mary Ann Gilpatrick <magilpat@walnet.walla-walla.wa.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:00:58 CDT
We do this and it is a full third of our total participation. Summer School,
Day Camps, Parks program.
Mary Ann Gilpatrick
Tracey Woodward wrote:
> Dear Mr. Minkel and fellow pubyaacers,
>
> My director had a very interesting concept of what could be happening
> concerning the decrease in summer reading participants. She believes
> that the decrease is the result of the changing dynamics in our
> communities i.e., there is a whole audience of children in daycare
> centers and preschools that have two working parents who cannot
> physically get to the library. Her idea is that if we bring the
program
> to them, our numbers will increase and most importantly we will
> introduce our libraries to families who otherwise would not know that we
> exist. I think there is some validity to her point.
>
> Any comments?
>
> Tracey
------------------------------
From: Sushila Mertens <kidlit_2000@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: request for library cards
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:07 CDT
This is a great idea. Please send your library card to
me too. I will gladly send our card to anyone who
wants to use this idea.
Sushila Mertens
Grass Valley Library
207 Mill Street
Grass Valley, Ca 95945
--- Judy Czarnecki <jczarnec@vml.lib.mi.us>
wrote:
> Please excuse the cross posting! Our Youth Services
> staff is borrowing a
> fellow librarian's idea for September, National
> Library Card Sign-up Month.
> We will be putting up a big map of the US (and other
> countries if we
> receive cards from them) with library cards from
> different states. We would
> appreciate it if you could send us a library card
> from your library.
>
> Send all cards to:
> Sarah Prielipp
> Veterans Memorial Library
> 301 S University
> Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
>
> Thank you!
>
> Judy Czarnecki
> Youth Services Associate
> Chippewa River District Library System
> Veterans Memorial Library
> Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
------------------------------
From: "Roberta Meyer" <roberta@effinghamlibrary.org>
To: "PUBYAC" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: library card sign-up month
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:13 CDT
As I am a shameless "borrower," I would also like to piggyback onto
the idea
of getting library cards from everywhere for library card sign-up month.
If
you don't mind helping out one more library, please send a card to me at:
Library Card
Helen Matthes Library
100 E. Market Ave.
Effingham, IL 62401
Thanks so much!
Roberta
**********************************************
Roberta L. Meyer
Youth Services Librarian
Helen Matthes Library
100 East Market Ave.
Effingham, IL 62401
(217) 342-2464 x6
Fax (217) 342-2413
roberta@effinghamlibrary.org
"The Library is the Answer. What's the Question?"
------------------------------
From: "Robin Benoit" <rbenoit@libraryweb.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:19 CDT
We took an outreach variation of our Summer Reading Club program to two
daycares this summer. (I offered iti to six different centers, but only
two
took us up on it!) It worked beautifully in one where the teachers were
very invested in it. They read with the kids each day and had them ready
to
show their reading logs to our aides that visited. In the other center,
however, it was a different story. The kids never had their reading logs
and the teachers viewed our aide as a babysitter.
I will try it again next summer, however. I agree with your director-
there
are so many kids in daycare now that I think we have an obligation to bring
the program to them. In our case, I think we just need to educate the
teachers better as to what we are all about.
Robin M. Benoit
Children's Librarian
Fairport Public Library
1 Village Landing
Fairport, New York 14450
585-223-3648 x36
rbenoit@libraweb.org
------------------------------
From: "Margaret Keefe" <mkeefe@midhudson.org>
To: "Pubyac" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Helpful homework sites
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:27 CDT
> We have developed a homework support site called Lifelines. Initially
it
> covered grades K-5 subject areas (a few pertinent to NYS history but most
> generic). This past year we have been working on expanding it to K-12 &
> this will be done in early fall. The url is
> http://midhudson.org/lifelines/
> The designer has linked to specific websites and encyclopedia entries
> pertinent to the topic, as well as indicating keywords to search in the
> online catalog. There are also links to homework and study help sites for
> kids & parents. Although it was designed around our own catalog and
> available databases, I think much of it is useful throughout the US. Take
> a look at it and see if it should be included in your list.
>
> **********************************
> Margaret M. Keefe
> Coordinator of Youth Services
> Mid-Hudson Library System
> 103 Market Street
> Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
> (845) 471-6060 X35
> (845) 454-5940 FAX
>
> URL: http://midhudson.org
------------------------------
From: Dori Blodgett <librarylady4kids@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:34 CDT
Hello,
In our library, we are very lucky to have the best of
two worlds. We can afford in-house programs as well
as outreach programs. We service 7
preschools/daycares a week in outreach, and we offer
5 in-house programs as well. (I say 'we' although,
'we' is one full time staff member and plenty of
volunteers) Our Summer reading program was sooo big we
had to travel just to keep the numbers down. We also
offer extra storytime days exclusively for local
preschools as well as travel to their sites. The
public schools get visits every week during the year
and this really helps to fill our summer programs. We
talk kids here! Hope this helps? Dori
P.S. It is the atmosphere and the leadership combined
which can make or break a program. If the leadership
is stiff and humdrum...the kids resist attending. Just
a thought.
Dori Blodgett
Children's Services
Chetco Community Public Library
405 Alder St.
Brookings, Or. 97415
(541) 469-7738
------------------------------
From: Erin Helmrich <helmrich@tln.lib.mi.us>
To: pubyac <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: MTV materials - help! (fwd)
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:42 CDT
Hi again -- if you work at any of the following libraries PLEASE look at
the message below! I'm desperate for stats on this video! TIA - Erin
Hayward, CA; Volusia Cnty, FL;
Arlington Hts, IL;
Minutemen LIB Network, MA; Fairfield Cnty, OH;
Coop Libr Auto Network, RI;
****************************
Erin V. Helmrich, M.L.S.
Youth/Teen Services Librarian
Royal Oak Public Library
222 East 11 Mile Rd.
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
PHONE: 248.246.3734
FAX: 248.246.3705
EMAIL: helmrich@tln.org
*****************************
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 2002 17:09:01 CDT
From: Erin Helmrich <helmrich@tln.lib.mi.us>
Reply-To: pubyac@prairienet.org
To: pubyac <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: MTV materials - help!
Dear Collective Brain,
We've had a recent challenge against a videotape of MTV's Real World "You
Never Saw" series. The season in question is "Hawaii."
Based on Info on
OCLC/Worldcat there are only 8 libraries that own this item: Hayward, CA;
Volusia Cnty, FL; Arlington Hts, IL; Minutemen LIB Network, MA; Fairfield
Cnty, OH; Coop Libr Auto Network, RI; Timberland Reg. Lib, WA.
Is there anyone out there from these libraries who could report circ stats
or any other valid info? Anyone else out there who owns these videos in
their collection that didn't show up on Worldcat?
I'm trying to reach someone at MTV who could give me viewership stats,
video sales stats etc. but I'm being sent around and around trying to
locate a librarian/researcher on staff :(
TIA for any help!
Erin
****************************
Erin V. Helmrich, M.L.S.
Youth/Teen Services Librarian
Royal Oak Public Library
222 East 11 Mile Rd.
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
PHONE: 248.246.3734
FAX: 248.246.3705
EMAIL: helmrich@tln.org
*****************************
------------------------------
From: "M. Neiman" <mellifur@cox.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: List for Lemony Snicket
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:49 CDT
I might add PURE DEAD MAGIC to this list, because it also has that
tongue-in-cheek way of describing disastrous occurrences.
At 06:11 PM 8/12/02 -0500, you wrote:
>A few people asked me what I received. So this is this list. I
believe it
>was compiled earlier by someone else. I'm not sure who it was. A
lot of
>people sent me the same list. Here is the list.
>
>Here are the responses for if you liked Lemony Snicket's Series of
>Unfortunate Events, try these...
>Aiken Arabel and Mortimer
>Aiken Arabel's raven
>Aiken Mortimer says nothing
>Aiken Mortimer's cross
>Aiken Wolves of Wolloughby Chase + others
>Bellairs The house with a clock in its walls + others
>Bellairs Curse of the blue figurine
>Colfer Artemis Fowl
>Garfield Smith
>Garfield The ghost downstairs
>Garfield The December rose
>Garfield John Diamond
>Garfield BlackJack
>Garfield The strange affair of Adelaide Harris
>Haugaard Princess Horrid
>Heide The shrinking of Treehorn
>Heide Treehorn's treasure
>Horvath Everything on a waffle
>Horvath The trolls
>Ibbotson Dial a witch
>Ibbotson Island of the aunts
>Ibbotson The secret of Platform 13
>Ibbotson Which witch?
>Ives Monsieur Eek
>Maguire Seven spiders spinning
>Pullman Spring-heeled Jack
>Pullman Count Karlstein
>Pullman Clockwork, or all wound up
>Sachar Holes
>Scieska Time Warp Trio series
>Waddell Harriet and the crocodiles + other Harriet books
>Wallace Cousins in the castle
>Wallace The twin in the tower
>Wallace Peppermints in the parlor
>
>Authors suggested:
>Gorey, Philip Ridley, Sachar, Daniel Pinkwater
>
>
>Stacie Barron
>Children's Librarian
>East Bank Regional Library
>Metairie, LA 70001
>Stacieb@mail.jefferson.lib.la.us
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: Kim Darby <kdettman51@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Lemony Snicket program
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:01:55 CDT
Thanks so much for all of your wonderful ideas! My Snicket Day will be so
much more FUN.
Hope you are surviving the summer rush & have a terrific fall!
Kim
laanders@bellsouth.net
wrote:You all have been so helpful to me, I just
wanted to share what we did for
our Lemony Snicket program.
We (the children's department) joined the young adult libarian in planning
and presenting the program, feeling that a wide variety of ages might come.
We also wanted to use the meeting room rather than the story room, so older
children wouldn't hesitate to come.
We first met in the story room, to "sort" the children into groups-
Violet,
Klaus, Sunny, or Count Olaf, using colored star stickers. We also offered
"eye" stamps (rubber stamp made by local company, washable ink)- for
the
left ankle, of course.
We then moved to the meeting room, where several stations (tables) were set
up.
There were word find sheets, "secret in a message" sheets, sites from
the
different books to draw maps of, a "hacking" (coughing) contest,
"guess how
many lemon drops in the jar," a scavenger hunt using reference books, and
play dough for making creatures- snakes, leeches, etc. As each team
completed a station, they came to me to have an eye stamp put on their
paper. There was also a table with the Series of Unfortunate Events books,
and other books in the "if you liked this, try this" category.
We then went back to the story room for a trivia contest and refreshments
(frobscottle- remember The BFG by Dahl?, lemonade for the less adventurous,
foot cookies, lemon bars, gummy worms, "eye" crackers made with
olives,
etc.)
They got points for everything, and there were prizes for everyone.
Scholastic's Classroom Activity Kit (a pamphlet)and the official (and
unofficial) Lemony Snicket web sites were a great help, as well as all of
your suggestions.
We had 27 attend, and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Linda Anderson, Nashville
------------------------------
From: "Piowaty, Deanna" <DPiowaty@ci.west-linn.or.us>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Game Boy...rules? registration?
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:02:03 CDT
We're going to be circ'ing Game Boy Advance players in kits with games and
some other paraphernalia. We have one issue left to work out - how to
provide some sort of security for this item while still allowing free access
to all library materials to all cardholders. We have considered a couple
approaches: 1) Should a parent or
responsible-person-who-has-reached-majority be asked by us to sign for the
Game Boy kit each time it's checked out? 2) Or should that person sign one
time and thereby authorize other people of any age to check out the kits on
their own library cards (with the signee being ultimately responsible if the
kit is lost or damaged)?
In the first scenario, we can quickly solve problems as they arise and
probably make the experience a more positive one for users in the long term.
However, it generates a lot more paperwork and general fuss and muss over a
single checkout. In the second scenario, a young library patron wouldn't
need a parent or guardian close at hand each time he/she wanted to check out
a Game Boy -- but if something goes wrong and they rack up excessive fines,
the block will be on their card, not their parent's. We might have to
figure out a way to transfer that fee in order to resolve it. We don't
want
to overthink problems that haven't arisen as yet, but would like to have any
ideas how to resolve this elegantly so that we don't fail to plan for
problems we know we're going to have!
Deanna Piowaty
DPiowaty@ci.west-linn.or.us
------------------------------
From: "Granny Sue" <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation: LONG
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:02:11 CDT
Mr. Minkel and all,
Two years ago our library system decided to completely overhaul the summer
reading program, from the name on down. Three of us were charged with
brainstorming and coming up with new ideas. We were encouraged to think big,
think out-of-the-box, and think widely.
The result was a program with many new features, better prizes, a gamesheet
instead of a booklog, and more high-profile, system-wide programs. We pumped
up publicity, sent summer calendars home from school with every kid, and
established a budget for the program. We call it the Summer Library Club
now, we give t-shirts when kids read 50 books, and other prizes as they
progress along their gamesheet. Those who read over 50 get entries into a
grand prize drawing (2 prizes worth $100 each).
We book three major programs each year by national presenters, and weekly
programs for each branch in addition to storytimes. Fiction chapter book
readers can participate in Star Readers as well, writing reviews for books
and getting prizes for that.
Our participation levels have really increased, particularly this year as
people are more aware of the changes and their kids are excited about
joining. I'm at home today, not at work with the statistics, but I think
systemwide registrations are at least 10-15% above past years. And this is
after years of decline. At my location, the increase was roughly 33% in
onsite registrations ( from 189 to 283).
We also began really encouraging outreach to day cares and summer camps.
That's where the kids are in the summer. At my branch, I've been doing this
for about 5 years with a large (200+ kids) summer day camp near my library.
The kids enroll in the program, and the librarian at that site (yes, they
hire a school librarian each summer!) keeps the records.
They get prizes like the other kids, and they are not required to read just
books form my library. My goal is for kids to read; higher circulation stats
would be nice of course, but my primary goal is that kids read--the
secondary that they know where the library is, who we are and how to use the
library. The camp brings a busload (40-70 kids) to the library each week
during the SLC. And I visit there once a week to read, tell stories, stock
up the prizes, consult (and console!) the school librarian.
This year we added two smaller summer school programs, with basically the
same approach. All are thrilled to be part of the program, the kids are
happy because they get to do it, and parents are pleased that their children
are reading. The payoff for us is deeper relationships with the schools,
more face-time with the kids and teachers, and new patrons. Because a lot of
these kids come back to the library--with parents--in the evenings and on
weekends. Lots of work, and extra staff time, but I think the payoff is
worth it.
With the inclusion of the daycamps and summer schools, our SLC registration
at my small branch alone was 577. Systemwide (10 location and a bookmobile)
registration was around 3000.
For more details and information, contact Terri McDougal, Head of Children's
Services for Kanawha County Public Library system. Her email is
terri.mcdougal@kanawha.lib.wv.us
Susanna Holstein, Elk Valley Branch Library
on vacation and at home at:
Granny Sue
Stories from the Mountains and Beyond
R2 Box 110 Sandyville WV 25275
holstein_susanna@hotmail.com
toll-free 1-877-459-5502
------------------------------
From: "M. Neiman" <mellifur@cox.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:02:18 CDT
>At 05:44 PM 8/10/02 -0500, you wrote:
>I know that our library has experienced a decrease in
>participation (and total # of books read during the
>summer)and when I spoke to a storyteller who performs at
>various libraries in New England, he reported the same
>trend.
>You'd think that, in this crazy economy, that folks would
>be eager to come to and use the "free" public library!
We're WAY up this year. We had 932 children read at least 320 pages.
Actually, we've had more, but that's the number of T-shirts we bought and
gave out before they ran out. Our program involves a prize for every 320
pages read (that's ten picture books, counting the average picture book as
having 32 pages). We gave out T-shirts as the last prize three years ago,
and they were very popular. However, fewer kids reach the end of the game
(1,920 pages, and I don't know how it was decided that there would be six
awards given out, one for every 320 pages) than start it, and the T-shirts
were so popular, they became the first prize last year. Well! Talk about
word of mouth! People started pouring into the library. We bumped up by at
least 100 last year, and over that this year. This does not include the
teen program (not quite 150, who got T-shirts for reading two books) and
the adult program (somewhere around 150, I think), who got T-shirts for
reading three books.
You might think that kids would stop reading after getting their T-shirts,
but a very healthy proportion finish the game, and most of those who
participate get up to at least 640/960 pages. And the incentives after the
T-shirt aren't nearly as enticing: a pencil, a bookmark, a pinwheel.
McDonald's is pretty good, though, and then they get their name on display
and a bookplate in a book for finishing. They like that a lot.
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: "Stephanie Squicciarini" <ssquicci@libraryweb.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Question from SLJ: Summer Reading Participation
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:02:25 CDT
I have been watching this discussion with great interest. While we did
have
record numbers participating in our reading program this year - over 2000
across all age levels including adults - I do have some concerns about the
future of SR. I should mention that, as suggested in Tracey's email below,
that someone from our Children's Dept does go into area daycares with the
program - once a week I believe. The response has always been positive.
I
cannot speak to the numbers since I am YA, but I could get them if you
wanted them.
Competition for participation I think is a big factor in the decline. It
seems that every year there is another retailer taking on a SRP. I was
wondering if instead of competing for this audience, we could do it
together. Here in Monroe County there is a bagel shop - Brueggers - that
sends us thousands of bookmarks offering a free bagel with peanut butter for
readers. The program is Books and Bagels and they send these bookmarks to
every library that requests them. The ask for the reading goal and a
listing of the readers' favorite books (3). We give these out at weekly
incentives to all of our participants. Also this year, Taco Bell did the
same thing. Readers list 10 books that they read for the summer and then
turn in the bookmark for a free taco and cinnamon twists. Taco Bell's
program is Feed the Need to Read. They also sent out thousands of these.
We also had a local miniature golf center (Putt-Putt/Adventure Landing) send
out free passes for rounds of miniature golf. Their program was called
Come
Celebrate Reading with Us. Parents and kids loved getting these. It
promoted their business as well as the library program. When I went on
school visits (6th through 8th grade) I mentioned these weekly incentives
and they really helped bring in the students.
I guess my point is that if businesses work WITH the libraries in their
communities (like the 3 I mentioned) it is a win-win situation for everyone
involved. This year Barnes and Noble started a reading program. Here
in NY
it was even along the lines of the NY SR theme. Participants got free
books
at the end. Wouldn't it be great if ALA could work something out where
B&N
helps sponsor summer reading - it would get kids into the library to be able
to win B&N stuff. It could be cross-promoted in the stores and the
libraries and would again benefit everyone. With budget cuts facing
libraries (and our county is being hit hard this year) we might not be able
to compete with the retail programs. And perhaps some libraries, as
indicated by drops in numbers, are already facing that reality.
Just my opinion - as a librarian and former retail manager.
~Stephanie~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stephanie A. Squicciarini
Teen Services Librarian
Fairport Public Library
One Village Landing
Fairport, New York 14450
ssquicci@libraryweb.org
VM 585-223-3648, ext 17
FAX 585-223-3998
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------------------
From: "Christine L. Tyner" <tynercl@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: STUMPER: Umbrella felt story
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:14:55 CDT
I don't know if I'm confusing this with Mushroom in
the Rain by Ginsburg, but I thought there was a felt
story involving an elf and mouse who use a mushroom as
an umbrella. Does anyone know what I mean? Or know of
a cute umbrella felt story? Please respond to
tynercl@yahoo.com. Thank you.
Christine
=====
Christine L. Tyner
Betty Warmack Branch Library
Grand Prairie, TX
972-237-5773
972-237-5779 fax
tynercl@yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: "Andrea Johnson" <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
To: "PUBYAC" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: STUMPER: Family who lives at the zoo
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:15:02 CDT
Hi all,
Patron remembers a book about a family who lives at the zoo. She =
believes there is a little girl from the family who tells about her =
experiences living at the zoo. That's all we've got; the patron's =
recollection was very vague.
Can anyone help? We would greatly appreciate it! Please send your =
replies directly to me, and I will post the answer to the list.
Thanks!
Andrea Johnson
Cook Memorial Public Library
Libertyville, IL
ajohnson@cooklib.org
------------------------------
From: Tracy K Brundage <tracy.brundage@nyu.edu>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Stumper - 3 books
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:15:08 CDT
Patron is looking for 3 books....
1.NANTUCKET A TO Z by Wendy Burns and Donna Kelley -
(OUT OF PRINT) andy idea where to buy the book? Tried the usual
sorces.
Mitchell's Book Corner in Nantucket no longer has it.
2.remembers a story about a cat named PUSHKIN ?
Pushkin would have been a book was read to child early
70's ....it was about the adventures of a cat
3. remembers a story about a child who goes around smelling roses?
patron remembers having the rose smelling book read to
him...so later 40's ....all he remembers is it was about what
happens to a child who goes around smelling
roses.....................
Thank you for your help,
Tracy K. Brundage
Children's Librarian
tkb1@nyu.edu
------------------------------
From: "Don Wood" <dwood@ala.org>
Subject: List of Frequently Challenged Classics and 2002 Banned Books
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 23:15:14 CDT
List of Frequently Challenged Classics
http://www.ala.org/pio/presskits/bbwkit/classics.html
Related Links
2002 Banned Books Week ""Read-out!"
http://www.ala.org/pio/presskits/bbwkit/bbw02release.html
Don Wood
Program Officer/Communications
American Library Association, Office for Intellectual Freedom
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
1-800-545-2433, ext. 4225; Fax: 312-280-4227; dwood@ala.org
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/
http://www.ala.org/cipa/cipalegalfund.html
intellectual freedom @ your library
Free People Read FreelyŽ
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/intellectualfreedomandcensorship.html
"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise,
we don't believe in it at all."--Noam Chomsky
------------------------------
End of PUBYAC Digest 833
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