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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: Monday, September 15, 2003 1:44 PM Subject: PUBYAC digest 1214 PUBYAC Digest 1214 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) RE: Book Discussion Group - Name? by "Kropp, Lisa" <kropplisa@mcpl.lib.ny.us> 2) Re: Hawafena/Singing ad by "Kathleen Conger" <kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us> 3) Re: Book Discussion Group - Name? by "Beverly Kirkendall" <bkirkend@ci.hurst.tx.us> 4) Re: YA Teen Read Week Program by Jeannie Kunzinger <jkunzing@leaguecitylibrary.org> 5) RE: Hawafena/Singing ad by "Townshend, Peggy" <PTownshend@mailserv.gcpl.lib.oh.us> 6) RE: Countdown to Teens' Top Ten Vote by "Tracey Firestone" <tfiresto@suffolk.lib.ny.us> 7) Subject: preschool storytime letter to parents by "Zahra M. Baird" <zjanmo@hotmail.com> 8) Re: Starting a Chess Club by "Kathleen Conger" <kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us> 9) Re: Computer hours and inappropriate pop-ups by "Sam Maskell" <jmaskell@sover.net> 10) American crafts compilation by "Wilson, Amy (Library)" <amy.wilson@nashville.gov> 11) Lapsit ideas by "Jennifer Goldman" <jgoldman@hcpl.net> 12) Unaccompanied Juveniles Compilation by Lisa Coker <lcoker@hpl.lib.tx.us> 13) Re: Books for Reluctant Mathematicians by Maryrhatley@aol.com 14) parachute ideas by akacahill@toolkitmail.com 15) Re: Book Discussion Group - Name? by N Korsavidis <nkorsavidis@yahoo.com> 16) Customized orders from jobbers by "Laura Matheny" <lauramatheny@comcast.net> 17) Books about stealing by "Janice Dukes" <jpdukes@peachtree-city.org> ---------------------------------- I run a group for 4-6th graders called "Pageturners"From: Kropp, Lisa [SMTP:kropplisa@mcpl.lib.ny.us] lisa kropp middle country public library kropplisa@mcpl.lib.ny.us ---------------------------------- I just checked our copy, but page 90 has an article on it. Perhaps theFrom: Kathleen Conger [SMTP:kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us] singing ad is in special markets, only. Kathleen Conger Librarian Saint Paul Public Library St. Paul, MN ---------------------------------- Our group had a slightly different focus, but "Book Banter" was ourFrom: Beverly Kirkendall [SMTP:bkirkend@ci.hurst.tx.us] name. Beverly K. Hurst Public Library Hurst, TX ---------------------------------- In addition to a Poetry Slam we are Slammin' Sports with a cafe typeFrom: Jeannie Kunzinger [SMTP:jkunzing@leaguecitylibrary.org] evening of; a sports trivia contest, games, and sports related readers theater with athletes from two of the local universities. I would also like to hear what other people are doing. Jeannie Kunzinger Youth Services Coordinator Helen Hall Library League City, TX At 04:18 PM 9/10/2003, you wrote: >Hi! > >Anyone have any YA programs they are planning for Teen Read Week that the= >y would like to share? I am considering holding a Teen Poetry Slam and w= >ould love to hear any comments from anyone who has hosted a teen poetry s= >lam at their library or any other related events--pros, cons, "heads up" = >type issues and the like. Thank you, in advance, for your help! > >Erin Smith >Children's Librarian--Fargo Public Library >esmith@ci.fargo.nd.us >erinleann77@hotmail.com ---------------------------------- I missed the post with the title of the magazine singing ad. Does anybody remember it?From: Townshend, Peggy [SMTP:PTownshend@mailserv.gcpl.lib.oh.us] Peggy Townshend Children's Librarian Yellow Springs Community Library 415 Xenia Ave. Yellow Springs, OH 45387 Phone: 937-767-7661 email: ptownshend@mailserv.gcpl.lib.oh.us ---------------------------------- Jan Drake said:From: Tracey Firestone [SMTP:tfiresto@suffolk.lib.ny.us] "Hi, I went to the teen read site and couldn't find the TTT list. I could only find a list of novels in verse and there were not 35 of them. Can you help?" Yes, I can help! With the "New ALA Web site," navigation can be very difficult to describe & the direct URLs are too long to post in e-mail. Instead of going through the Teen Reading/TRW page, try using YALSA's "Booklists & Awards" page, www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists The link to the Teens' Top Ten page is the last one on the list! ~Tracey ******************************************** This message is from tfiresto@suffolk.lib.ny.us <mailto:tfiresto@suffolk.lib.ny.us> AKA: Tracey A. Firestone, MLS Young Adult Specialist Suffolk Cooperative Library System 627 North Sunrise Service Rd Bellport, NY 11713 Phone - 631-286-1600 x1352 FAX - 631-286-1647 Visit the YA Librarians' Homepage http://yahelp.suffolk.lib.ny.us <http://yahelp.suffolk.lib.ny.us> ---------------------------------- Hi Lorraine,From: Zahra M. Baird [SMTP:zjanmo@hotmail.com] I have to agree with Andrea, those who need to read the information about storytime are probably the ones who won't read the letter, but it is always good to have something to hand to them and show them when they continue to say that their child is gifted and should be able to come to such and such a program etc... Here is our letter: About STORYTIMES at the Chappaqua Library There are two schools of thought with regard to storytime. The first is that children deserve programs that are age-appropriate so we create special storytimes for specific ages. The second is that there are advantages to multi-age story experiences: older children help younger children learn. For this reason, we now offer multi-age storytimes along with our regular schedule. We ask that you respect the age guidelines listed for each program. We carefully plan storytime for you and your child. Please help us make it a happy and successful time by being aware of the following: 1. Please come on time. Parking is often a problem here, so coming 10 minutes early will enable you to be relaxed and ready. If you are a few minutes late, please wait by the Program Room door until the librarian has finished the story or song that is in progress and then QUIETLY slip in. If you are more than 15 minutes late, please do something else in the library: read a book together, play with the toys, use the computer and try again next time! 2. Children learn by watching, which is why you must show your child how to "go to storytime." Please do not read magazines or books or talk during storytime (even just little side comments to your friends) so that your children learn to be attentive, active participants. 3. Toys, books and/or other playthings distract children from the focus of storytime, making it harder for them to enjoy the program. Please do not bring these items to storytime. Also, eating and drinking are not allowed in the library at any time. If your child must have a snack, please eat outside the building before or after a program. This is also true of bottles and spill-proof cups. When they are visible, every child in the room will be interested in them. 4. Sometimes children change their minds about being at storytime or realize that they have had enough. They squirm, talk with a friend, flop on the floor or don't want to participate -- these are usually very good signs that that it is time to go. Please watch your child's behavior so that you can recognize these signs, leave quickly and quietly. Once you leave the room, PLEASE do not go back in since running in and out is disruptive to the other children. There will be another storytime, another day, so try to make library time pleasant for everyone! We offer 16 storytimes a week. They are divided into the following programs: Movers and Shakers for Walkers under 2 Nursery Rhyme Time for 2 year olds All Together Now! for birth to 5 years old with an adult Great Stuff for Good Listeners for Kindergarten and up Three's, Four's and Five's for the 3 to 5 year olds Morning and Afternoon Laptimes for pre-walkers Hope that this helps. Zahra :) Zahra M. Baird Children's Librarian Chappaqua Library 195 South Greeley Avenue Chappaqua, NY 10514 Tel: (914) 238-4779 x3 Fax: (914) 238-3597 email: zjanmo@hotmail.com "To affect the quality of a day, that is the art of life." "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill ---------------------------------- At my library we put out Checkers, Chinese Checkers, and Chess boards.From: Kathleen Conger [SMTP:kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us] We keep the pieces at the desk. Several times a day during the summer kids would ask for game pieces (yes, even chess!) and entertain themselves. It was great for kids who had used their turn on the internet, or who needed some distraction on hot summer days. I displayed a book or two on checkers and chess to attempt a reading connection. I never noticed them getting checked out, but I can hope the kids browsed the books for strategies! Kc Kathleen Conger Librarian Saint Paul Public Library St. Paul, MN kathleen.conger@ci.stpaul.mn.us >>> "Tara Mendez" <TaraM@mail2tara.com> 09/08/03 04:07PM >>> We placed an inexpensive chess set in the adult reading area of our library. We got a little press but did not go all out. I even purchased a few extra sets in case pieces went missing or were lost in action. I have to say I am so very happy with the result. We have young children and families and seniors all dropping by to play chess. The set is always out in the reading room and we have had no problems to date with projectile popes or missing Queens ( that a story for another day) Everyone who comes up stairs to use the set plays quietly and respectfully. We were so pleased with the response that we added a checker set and we just get a warm fuzzy feeling all over every time we see people upstairs playing ( in an otherwise under used area) Tara Mendez Pembroke Public Library www.pembroke.library.on.ca ---------------------------------- Hi, Tara~From: Sam Maskell [SMTP:jmaskell@sover.net] I had a similar experience recently. A woman and her child came in, the child touched the mouse, and up popped something horrible. She hasn't gone as far as your patron, however she did call members of the board and I received a personal visit. She also refused our explanation of why we will not filter the computers and has said that she will never drop her son off and leave him alone at the library again as it's not safe (apparently the fact that he also wasn't old enough - 6 years - didn't bother her?). My point: allow me to recommend the Google toolbar. It has a fabulous pop-up killer. If you go to Google.com and click on the Services link at the bottom you can download it. You would need to get the toolbar with enhanced features. I would recommend that if you get it, turn off the PageRank feature (you can do that by going to 'options') as this falls under the Spy Ware category. Since I applied the toolbar to all of our public access computers I have not had one complaint about inappropriate pop-ups. In fact, I've had more positive comments about computer use as patrons really appreciate not being subjected to pop-ups. ~Sam Rockingham Free Public Library ---------------------------------- Dear PUBYACers,From: Wilson, Amy (Library) [SMTP:amy.wilson@nashville.gov] I recently asked for craft suggestions with the theme patriotic and American Legends (i.e. Casey Jones, Johnny Appleseed, etc.). Here is a compilation of the responses I received to my request for patriotic/American Legends crafts: I don't have a suggestion of a craft, but do have a suggestion of a book. "New York's Bravest" by Mary Pope Osborne. It's a great "tall tale" picture book about a firefighter named Mose, set in the 1800's or early 1900's. Christy Schink Scenic Regional Library 308 Hawthorne Drive Union, MO 63084 Phone: 636-583-3224 FAX: 636-583-6519 e-mail: cds002@mail.connect.more.net __________________________________ Amy, Have you seen Kathy Ross's new book Star spangled crafts? I got it because next years NYS theme is patriotic. Hope that helps. Cathy Henderson Children's Librarian Seymour Library Brockport, NY 14420 cathyh@frontiernet.net _______________________________ Hi Amy, I did a "Tall Tales" read aloud with 2-4th graders last year. I have a few suggestions that I hope you could use: - We read "The Bunyans", I think by Kellogg. I had blank copies of a map of the United States. When we came to a part in the story that "established" a famous geographical landmark, like Niagara Falls, we located it on the map and they colored in New York State, blue(the color of Babe the Ox). It was a fun geography lesson. You could use other colors for other legends. - Go to the Casey Jones Museum in Jackson TN's website. They may have some materials on line. - For some female legends, check out "Sally Ann Thunder....Crocket", also by Kellogg, and Swamp Angel. Hope this helps. Take care, Michele Yellin- Senior Youth Services Librarian East Shelby branch library Memphis, TN 31825 __________________________________ Amy, Several things come to mind - flag windsocks, fireworks-in-a-jar, and 3-D apple trees. To make the windsocks add stars to a blue piece of paper. If you feel like being messy, try sponge painting on the stars with a stencil. If not, use stickers or chalk. Roll the paper into a cylinder and glue or staple. Add red and white streamers, alternating colors, with glue or staples. Use yarn to make a hanger. The fireworks are simply a variation on the old snowglobe. Half fill a jar with clear corn syrup. Add red, white, and blue glitter, sequins, stars, et al. Fill with water and put on lid. A note about jars: Use the kind that have a rubber gasket around the inside of the lid. These come with honey, jelly, salsa, olives, pickles, etc, so they should be pretty easy to collect. If you heat the jar, lid, and contents before sealing it shouldn't leak. I guarantee nothing, however. For apple trees, cut out three trunks and fold in half. Staple or glue them back to back to back so that the tree stands. Make three treetops, fold, and glue onto trunks back to back to back. To make apples, use stickers or pinky fingerprints made with red paint. You might also want to consult Jim Razzi's Star Spangled Fun for ideas taken from American history. Have fun. Peg Siebert Blodgett Library Fishkill, NY ________________________________ Thanks again to those who responded. Amy Wilson Children's Department Hermitage Branch Library 3700 James Kay Lane Hermitage, TN 37076 Public Library of Nashville/Davidson County amy.wilson@nashville.gov ---------------------------------- Thank you so much to all of you who emailed suggestions for my lapsitFrom: Jennifer Goldman [SMTP:jgoldman@hcpl.net] routine. I really appreciate your help! I know that this is all about repetition, but the moms and I are all getting restless. This is going to help immensely! We use bells each week as part of our program. We sing a song to a familiar melody and have the children ring their bells. We have used rattles and keys in the past with great success. After we finish with the bells or rattles, we sing a song to have the children put them away. Ring Your Bells (Tune: Jingle Bells) Ring your bells Ring your bells Ring your bells today! Oh, fun it is to ring Ring your bells today! Repeat with different verses Ring high, ring low, etc. Bells away, Bells away, Put your bells away. (repeat) Rattle, Rattle (Tune: Old MacDonald) Rattle, rattle, shake, shake, shake E-I-E-I-O. Rattle, rattle, shake, shake, shake E-I-E-I-O With a shake shake here, And a shake shake there. Here a shake, There a shake, Everywhere a shake shake. Rattle, rattle, shake, shake, shake E-I-E-I-O Hope this helps! Stacey Irish-Keffer Denton Public Library 502 Oakland Denton, Texas 76201 940.349.7738 Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com Hi Jennifer, Our lapsit is for 12-24 months. I include bean bag activities. Georgiana Liccione Stewart's CD Bean Bag Activities & Coordination Skills has some great tracks (The Bean Bag Rock is a favorite -- teaches body part identification). Hap Palmer also has a bean bag song that is good (I use it more with preschoolers) -- it is on the cd Can a Jumbo Jet Sing the Alphabet? There are many others. If your library doesn't own any, Kimbo may be a source for purchase. As for the bean bags....I had some difficulty finding them at local stores to purchase. I ended up making them without too much trouble using unpopped popcorn as the filler. Very economical!! Couple bags of popcorn, a bit of colorful fabric and thread, minimal sewing skills plus my time, of course. If you need more info please let me know. I would also be interested in hearing about any other good ideas you collect. Thanks, Lisa Green Children's Library Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Hi Jennifer, Some of the things we have done in our lapsits that the parents seemed to really enjoy: Infant massage classes (we were able to find someone to come for a really reasonable price) Music programs through Kindermusik (one of our patrons is a teacher in the organization so again a reasonable price, you might want to ask some of your patrons if they do baby music programs) Our most popular part of lapsit is the sign language portion. We don't teach a lot of signs and we repeat a lot but it's fun for the kids and parents. Usually we go over Mommy, Daddy, Please, Thank You every week then we add a few each week. Popular signs have been Milk, More, Hungry, and whenever we teach an Animal sign. I also wrote our Friends organization and asked for money to buy giveaway board books. I made a punch card and after the 5th visit the families get to chose a free board book (they only get to participate in this once though.) Also you might want to see if there is a Bright Beginnings organization in your area. They have great bags for babies and parents full of some really good stuff (free board book, a game book, parent info etc.). Hope this is of some help, Erin Richards Homeschool Liaison Smoky Hill Branch Library Centennial, CO 303-693-7449 Hey! Don't know what all you've used, but if you haven't heard Debbie Clement and her tapes/CDs, you will love her! We sometimes put her CD on and pass out the instruments and march around - mommies too - banging and singing! She does workshops using music and she is just absolutely wonderful! Her website is debbie@rainbowswithinreach.com She is GREAT!! and has some really good ideas that work in stroytime or lapsit. Good Luck! Marcia Schaffer Hi Jennifer-- I haven't done an infant storytime, but I do a storytime for 20-36 months-old toddlers with parents. I've found that young children like, rely on and actually need the repetition in a set format, although I personally get restless with the same format. I explain to parents at the beginning of each session that the repetition of rhymes, songs & fingerplays helps these young children to become more comfortable and secure in a group storytime setting. Parents are more accepting of the format if they know that it benefits their children. I have varied the format from time to time but I've found that my usual format is what works best for me. Celeste Fong Librarian Ontario City Library Colony High Branch 3850 E. Riverside Drive Ontario, CA 91761-2603 Hi, How old are the children in the program? You can institute some more fun by blowing bubbles or bringing scarves. My tots and babies love scarf play. We wave them, play peek a boo and toss them (in the background, I play Mostly Mozart or Bach for Babies). Or small beach balls that the moms can roll to the babies if they are old enough. Hope these help Natalie ===== Natalie Korsavidis Youth Services Librarian Farmingdale Public Library Hi! I'm restarting my lapsits this fall (had to take a break--v. little interest and attendance!) and have decided to try adding a little "baby tip" every week. I'll find simple activities moms can do with their babies to encourage development, and we'll practice it a little in storytime. For example, one tip is to help develop small motor skills and learning about hot and cold (mostly cold) with a game called "Ice Cube Play." Basically I'll bring in some ice, we'll let the babies feel it, play with it and watch it melt a little, and I'll encourage the moms to talk with their babies about what's happening, what they're playing with, etc. And I'll have a take home sheet as well. I'm hoping it will increase the education level of the lapsit, as well as have something different. Good luck! :) ruhama Ruhama Kordatzky Youth Services Librarian Burlington Public Library rkordatz@burlington.lib.wi.us Hi Jennifer, You're talking babies, right? How shaken up do they really want to be?! I wonder if maybe you are feeding into the Mom's energy. What I mean is that really babies need to take things slow - they need time to process and respond. I find my Lapsit storytime to be pretty relaxing, actually. Sometimes, spontaneously, we just watch the kids interact for a minute and talk about what they are doing, and the stages they are going through. I have been reading some parenting books in preparation for my Fall Lapsits and I've found some good simple activities that are quite brief. They are really a way of sharing some information with the parents about child development. Here are some titles, if you're interested: Baby Play by Wendy S. Masi Story Stretchers for Infants, Toddlers and Twos, by Shirley Raines Good luck and I hope you all continue to enjoy Lapsit! Elizabeth Murphy I used to do lapsit at the library where i worked. I used a lot of the Palma smiley material and as a base for teaching. She has people that do workshops with her material. She also has a web site. Just put Palma smiley in the search. How her material is christian relative ,but you can use a lot of her ideas in teaching and tell stories in public. some schools use it in preschool and kindergarten. Rita Russell Gallatin, Tn Jennifer Goldman Children's Librarian Barbara Bush at Cypress Creek Harris County Public Library 6817 Cypresswood Drive Spring, TX 77379 (281) 376-4610 ---------------------------------- Original Post:From: Lisa Coker [SMTP:lcoker@hpl.lib.tx.us] We have a healthy-sized group of preteens as well as teens who use the library some evenings. Most come intending to study as the crowds are largest the evening before an assignment is due, but stay creating more of a "mall" atmosphere than a library atmosphere. The director is looking at different methods of crowd control. She is investigating the possibility of requiring all unaccompanied juveniles to have a library card in their possession in order to enter the library. By juveniles, she means the teens as well as preteens - 9 - 17. Most of our young patrons complete assignments but many come to just "hang out" with friends creating more of a "mall" atmosphere. While personally I'm thrilled to have teens in the library and want to ensure that all feel welcome and become life-long library users, the director is looking at different methods for dealing with teens who are disrupting other (including teen and pre-teen) patrons. Hence her idea of requiring library cards in their possession. This is a good problem to have (too many patrons) but as the situation is so intermittent, it's difficult to plan programs for them. Any advice? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Update: Good News: our library's director has nixed the library card idea. (Thanks goodness!) It is discriminatory to require unaccompanied juveniles to have one. We are still working on keeping things calm in the evenings and I'll let you know if we hit upon the magic bullet. Rant: As the children's librarian, I feel like I'm always defending the kids for their behavior. Why are reference librarians so quick to jump on anyone younger than 20 and then let the over 40 crowd get away with murder? (Okay, I exaggerate, but you know what I mean.) And, while I'm venting, why is always "the kids" who cause the problems? The last time I worked reference, there were problem patrons of all ages. I received some great responses about dealing with our library's crowds of bored teenagers and some thoughts about the whole "those darn kids" philosophy some co-workers have. Thanks a million to everyone who responded and thanks also for not flaming me for sounding like I come from an anti-teen library. Thanks! Lisa Lisa Coker Sterling Municipal Library Baytown Tx 77520 --------------------------------------------------------- Replies: Hey, This is just a comment. I wish we had your problem. If you start to "cull" them and make the library less inviting, you might get your wish. Granted, my library doesn't experience the issues you have, but I'd rather have too many kids causing a stir, than not having any. Could you involve them in a teen council or something? Put them to work as volunteers? Amy ------------------------------------------------- Hi, Lisa~ My library was experiencing a similar problem a couple of years ago and settled on a two-point answer. First we gave the teens a cool space to chill in the Youth Library, which made a big difference. Next we added a statement to our unattended child policy that allows staff to address that behavior which is disruptive beyond what is acceptable. We're also a library that has relaxed rules, we allow talking, in the youth library it's relaxed even more, but there are still limits. Here is the policy statement that addresses the issue: **Self-Supervised Youth, Aged 8 and Up, are welcome to use the library as long as they exercise acceptable behavior** Parents should not view the library as an alternative to daycare. Unlike a daycare facility, the library is not a closed environment. Staff cannot monitor everyone who enters, and all patrons are free to use any public area with the library. For safety's sake, parents should make sure that their children are sufficiently mature before allowing them to visit the library by themselves. Staff shall not be placed in the position of supervising children who are too young to be unattended, or whose behavior indicates that they have stayed at the library for too long a time. Parents should be advised that if their children misbehave they will receive two warnings for them to change their behavior, then they will be asked to leave the library and the library grounds. Parents should further realize that, even in their absence, they are legally responsible for their children's behavior. And finally, unlike school, the library does not operate "in loco parentis". ~Sam ---------------------------------------------------- What a lovely problem to have, Lisa. Your library is a "cool" place but I'm afraid what you're considering (or your director is considering) could change that. Why does your director assume that the trouble is coming from kids without cards? I find it a little amusing to think the mere possession of a library card guarantees better behavior! I just can't imagine that "carding" at the door will bring about good things. I guess I have some weird vision of library bouncers at the door! Do you already have things like chess, checkers, UNO, magnetic poetry, etc? They may not be the answer but in our library they're used all the time. But most of all, if you agree with your director that you have a problem, communicating the problem to your kids in a simply stated way seems the best place to start. Ask for their help - I have more than once told kids they're punching adult buttons and something's gotta change. I have rarely been disappointed with the result. Good luck! Carol Thornton-Anderson Melton Public Library French Lick, IN --------------------------------------------------------- Requiring a library card to come into the library seems to me to discriminate against those who, for whatever reason, do not have a card. Aren't we supposed to offer open access to all? There must be a better way to keep those teens in line. We have the same problem here in CT. I think being firm and consistent with them regarding their behavior will be more effective. Bina Williams Bridgeport CT Public Library --------------------------------------------------------- Is your director suggesting that librarians should now card everyone? I'd hate to have that job. We allow anyone into the library without requiring ID, regardless of age. Next you'll want the elderly who may talk a little loud due to hearing problems to be in a sound proof room. How about creating a teen space in a corner of the library where they will feel comfortable congregating and not be disruptive to the rest of the patrons. Having said that, we don't have such a space, but will be expanding our library over the next year or two and we hope to create it. Ed Goldberg Syosset Public Library Teen Librarian (Trainee) longislandlibrarian@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------- We sometimes have teens and preteens who are disruptive even if they are here to study. We handle them the same way we handle any other disruptive patron. We first talk to the teen and remind them of library behavior and if that doesn't work, we do ask them to leave for the day. Sometimes they have too much energy to be inside and so we can suggest that they play outside for awhile. Most of the young patrons handle this well. If it becomes a persistent problem, our director has contacted the parent. On a very few occassions, the director has sent a letter to the parent telling them that the child may only come with a parent for a certain length of time. This is only done when the child has been severely disruptive. Hope this helps.. Nancy Thelen 920 W. Michigan Ave Three Rivers Public Library Three Rivers, MI nthelan@monroe.lib.mi.us --------------------------------------------------------- Wow! I can't believe a director would require a certain patron age group to show library cards to enter a building! I can't imagine the same restriction put upon any other age group. It would create very bad feelings if, for example, mothers of toddlers were required to show ID before entering, and we all know how loud the little ones can get. If you require it for one group, you should require it for everyone. We design libraries to be social spaces, so please keep that in mind, too. Tables with chairs around them encourage conversation, as compared to study carrels, which isolate. Computers with room for additional chairs also encourage this. Libraries often scatter around board games and popular materials to keep patrons comfortable and happy. All this contributes to the "mall" atmosphere, and no, we shouldn't get rid of these things, but we should be aware of what we've created and not be shocked when it works. Do your teens come from a certain school? Sometimes it helps to contact the principal and have him/her do a walk through after school to remind teens they need to behave. We set a limit on how many people can gather around computer terminals (two) and enforce it for everyone in the building. I have heard of "special" teen rooms that require library cards to enter, but these function more like clubs, with special hours and rules. Check out the works of Patrick Jones for some other ideas. Good luck!! Kim --------------------------------------------------------- We generally use the "Three strikes - you're out" system. If a group is making too much noise or being disruptive, they're warned that they need to behave properly or they'll be asked to leave the library. If they continue, they're given one more warning, with the addition that if we need to talk to them again, they won't be asked to behave themselves again - they'll be kicked out. Third time, they're kicked out. No discussion. It generally works, especially if you talk to the kids as if they're relatively responsible in the first place - "Hey, guys, you're making too much noise and the people who've come here to study are finding it very hard to concentrate. You need to quiet down, or you'll have to leave." The idea of requiring teens to have library cards to enter sounds like discrimination to me. I don't think you can legally do that, unless you do it with *everyone* who comes in, not just the teens. Becky Ann Smith Youth Services Librarian Logan Library Logan, UT bsmith@loganutah.org --------------------------------------------------------- I'm afraid that this sounds like out and out age discrimination to me. Our guideline is not to allow unaccompanied YOUNG children in the library without nailing it down so we have some wiggle room based on delopmental age. You must have some sort of Library Code of Conduct -- you know, no running, jumping, bad language, etc. Apply this to teens and tweens just as you would to other regular customers. And stress to your director that they ARE regular customers. May the day come when this critically important group get the service they need and deserve. Mary Ann Gilpatrick Walla Walla Public Library ---------------------------------- I found a good one! It's titled, "Simple Ways To Make Teaching Math MoreFrom: Maryrhatley@aol.com [SMTP:Maryrhatley@aol.com] Fun", Elementary School Edition, by Bob Algozzine and James Ysseldyke (yep, that's the way he spells it...). It may help. The only problem is that it is geared towards a class-type setting, BUT, it's worth a look. Hope it helps! -M. Hatley Fort Worth, TX ---------------------------------- I recently purchased a parachute from Lillian Vernon for a very reasonableFrom: akacahill@toolkitmail.com [SMTP:akacahill@toolkitmail.com] price ($29.95 it think) to use with daycarebrreschool storytimes. What are some great ways that you use prachutes in your storytimes? Please respond off list and I will compile and post a hit. Thanks. Maria Cahill Media Specialist Shell Point Elementary School Beaufort, SC mc9327@beaufort.k12.sc.us ---------------------------------- I call mine Snack 'n Chat. (We feed them snacks)From: N Korsavidis [SMTP:nkorsavidis@yahoo.com] I've seen Books 'n Bites as another title. Natalie ===== Natalie Korsavidis Youth Services Librarian Farmingdale Public Library ---------------------------------- Thank you to all who responded to my request for finding a vendor who =From: Laura Matheny [SMTP:lauramatheny@comcast.net] could customize our orders. Everyone seemed to agree that BWI books was = the vendor to use. In case anyone else is interested, you can reach = them at www.bwibooks.com. You all saved me hours of having research the = question on my own. Thank you again. Laura C. Matheny Children and Youth Services Librarian Durham Public Library Durham, NH 03824 ---------------------------------- Hi everyone,From: Janice Dukes [SMTP:jpdukes@peachtree-city.org] I have a patron who is a social worker and wanted some books for a 9yr old who has a problem with stealing. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks Janice Janice Dukes, MLIS Youth Services Librarian Peachtree City Library 201 Willowbend Rd Peachtree City, Ga 30269 Office Phone: 770-632-4273 Library Phone: 770-631-2520 Fax: 770-631-2522 www.peachtree-city.org/library A miracle always begins in the mind, and if you insert this word into your consciousness, the miracle will begin. The word is possibility. -Dr. Norman Vincent Peale End of PUBYAC Digest 1214 |
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