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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: Saturday, September 20, 2003
Subject: PUBYAC digest 1220
PUBYAC Digest 1220
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) hardback vs paperbacks and upset parent and child checking
out
2) Re: Upset parent - child checking out non-children's
material
3) YA - Magnetic Poetry Craft
4) Re: regulating children's library use
5) Re: YA music/video/audio selection tools
6) Cuba bib
7) Re: death of a Library pet?
8) Recruiting volunteers
9) Suggestions please: Older J titles for parent-child reading
10) chinese fairytale
11) Thank you!-Dear America and Sign of the Beaver
12) Re: American Library Association responds to Attorney
General
13) ALA issues new guidelines for developing library privacy
14) Managing Student Assistants
15) stumper "Mig o' the Moor"
16) Teen Halloween Party or a Teen Valentines Day Party
-------------------------------------
From: Ellie Teaford [mailto:eteaford@kendallvillelibrary.org]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:38 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: hardback vs paperbacks and upset parent and child checking out
It is interesting that these two discussions are going on at the same
time. In one people are trying to find ways to get kids to check out
hardbacks not paperbacks. In the other people are trying to explain how
kids have a right to check out whatever materials they want in the
library.20
Why is it a problem to check out a paperback book? Is it somehow a
better book in hardcover? Let the people have what they want. Also
if
we are not serving as the parents why do we care what kind of book they
are reading? Are we censoring when we select what we feel are the good
books and display them in hopes they will read them? I thought we were
supposed to be serving them and meeting their needs. Apparently their
needs involve paperback books, not hardbacks. Have you looked at their
school backpacks lately? They are huge and heavy. Maybe they just
don't want the weight of a hardback book. Maybe they just want to read
something light and fun. They have to read all that serious stuff for
school. The library should be a place where they can choose whatever
they want. 20
I have always been told to buy paperbacks for my teen collection. It is
the only format they read. Perhaps this trend is moving to younger
readers. Just as the younger kids are all dressing like they are in
highschool perhaps they reading format choices are becoming similar too.
I just don't understand how librarians can get so hung up on
Intellectual Freedom when we actually censor so much everyday but
collection omission or reader's advisory that leads the reader only to
the "good" books. Why are Disney books and popular paperback
series
bad, but letting kids have access to R rated movies okay? I guess after
11 years in the field I guess I am having trouble getting the ideals of
librarianship to fit with the everyday workings of the library.
Thanks for listening,
Ellie Teaford
Kendallville Public Library
-------------------------------------
From: Jennifer Baker [mailto:jbaker93711@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:14 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Upset parent - child checking out non-children's material
Linda makes a very good point. Even if you have the
ability to restrict a child's access to adult or young
adult materials via your computer system, you will
still run into problems with parents who disagree with
our placement of materials. you may have a book in the
children's collection that they think is more
appropriate for ya or adult. also i find "kids"
materials in the adult area all the time--things like
dr. seuss or cartoon books like calvin and hobbes.
ultimately it's always the parent's responsibility to
care for their child's book selection. let's leave it
that way.
~j.
--- Linda Peterson <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us>
wrote:
> Even amoung our
> staff, we disagree on what is aprropriate for juvs.
> and what should be in
> ya.
>
>
~jenniferbaker
fresno co. public library
"I may not be an explorer or an adventurer or a treasure seeker or a gun
fighter Mr. O' Connell, but I am proud of what I am." "And what is
that?" "I
am a librarian!"
~ Evelyn, The Mummy
-------------------------------------
From: Heather Ujhazy [mailto:heatherlynnu@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:17 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: YA - Magnetic Poetry Craft
Greetings,
I am planning on doing a magnetic poetry cafe for Teen
Read Week. I will be setting up the room to be a cafe
and have pastries and beverages. I will also have
some teen read some original poetry or there favorite
poems. I want to also have a magnetic poetry craft.
Has anyone done this before? If so can you send me
instruction on how you did this and what supplies you
needed?
Thanks~
-Heather
-------------------------------------
From: Sean P. S. George [mailto:seanps@george.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:18 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org; Bonita.Kale@euclidlibrary.org
Subject: Re: regulating children's library use
Well, we don't do that in my library system but, if we did, I would have
no problem with it. In my opinion it's not just "letting one patron
determine which items you'll lend to another patron." It is letting a
parent decide how they want to raise their child, much like not letting
children see R rated movies without parental accompaniment.
Just my $.02
--Sean
Bonita Kale wrote:
>Don't you who put notes on children's cards have trouble with the concept
of
>letting one patron determine which items you'll lend to another patron?
>
>Bonita
>
-------------------------------------
From: Sean P. S. George [mailto:seanps@george.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:19 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org; mchelton@s1.optonline.net
Subject: Re: YA music/video/audio selection tools
Hi Mary K
For popular music, I watch the Billboard charts (via billboard.com) and
then refer to the All Music Guide (http://www.allmusic.com/)
for
descriptions & reviews. In my previous system, when I also ordered
audiobooks, I used the Multimedia section of SLJ as well as Audiofile.
When there was more than one company producing an audio version of a
particular title, I would also sometimes go to the publisher's web site
and listen to samples of each one before deciding which to purchase.
--Sean George
Mary K Chelton wrote:
> Hi guys!
>
> I'm working on a list of current selection tools for my "Literature
> for the Young Adult" class (not my choice of title, but...), and I
> wondered what people are using, if they are, to select music and or
> videos, and if everybody's using AudioFile for audiobooks? I am trying
> to make the point to them that contemporary YA collections, where or
> however housed, need to be multimedia, not just print books.
>
> I will post all responses back if people are interested.
>
> Mary K.
-------------------------------------
From: Maria Taylor [mailto:Maria.Taylor@lfpl.org]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:57 AM
To: 'pubyac@prairienet.org'
Subject: Cuba bib
Hello! I'm doing a children's booklist on Cuba. I'm looking for any
suggestions on picture books, folk tales, chapter books, and YA books etc.
that are by cuban authors, deal with cuban culture, etc. Thanks in
advance!
Maria
-------------------------------------
From: Deborah Shelton [mailto:dshelton@morleylibrary.org]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:57 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: death of a Library pet?
When our library bunny died many years ago we explained to the children,
when they asked, that the bunny was very old and he died. We had a
few
pet death books on top of the empty cage if anyone cared to take them,
but no one did. It wasn't a big deal. Children accepted the fact
that
he died. Some said "that's sad" and we said yes it was sad.
They asked
if we were going to get a new pet and we said no.
I however was a mess even though I complained daily about having to
clean the cage and litter box, & the %#*&%## thing would occasionally
take a chomp out of my hand.
Debby Shelton
Morley Library, Painesville OH
-------------------------------------
From: Mh27625@aol.com
[mailto:Mh27625@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:57 AM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Recruiting volunteers
Hi collective brain!
I am seeking innovative and successful ways to recruit volunteers for our
library. I would love to hear how others are reaching out into the
community to draw volunteers into their facilities. I will compile replies
for the list!
Thanks so much in advance,
Misty Bass
Youth Services Librarian
Wilkes County Public Library
North Wilkesboro NC
-------------------------------------
From: Allison C. [mailto:cadnac@yahoo.ca]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:58 AM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Suggestions please: Older J titles for parent-child reading
club
All assistance appreciated! Looking for recommended titles with a male main
character, suitable for older J's (9 to 12 years old). Our last title was
fantasy, so any other genre is open to our reading group: sci
fi/realistic/historical/adventure/mystery etc.
Many thanks,
Allison (cadnac@yahoo.ca)
-------------------------------------
From: Mitzi Thomas [mailto:mthomas@co.st-johns.fl.us]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:12 AM
To: 'PUBYAC@prairienet.org'
Subject: chinese fairytale
A patron is looking for a book that she remembers from childhood (10 - 12
years ago). It is about a Chinese village that is very cold and a dragon
comes along and is able to heat the village. Any one know the title?
Mitzi Thomas, Librarian
St. Johns County Public Library System
Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
mitzi@neflin.org
-------------------------------------
From: Christine Attinasi [mailto:chrisbeth@excite.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:00 AM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Thank you!-Dear America and Sign of the Beaver
Hello:) I just want to thank everyone who responded with suggestions for
similar titles to the Dear America series, and The Sign of the Beaver.
I
apologize for taking so long! I will be sure to pass these suggestions along
to our patron. Thanks again!
ChristineChristine E. AttinasiYouth Services LibrarianOntario Public
Library1850 Ridge Rd.Ontario, NY 14519Phone: (315) 524-8381Fax: (315)
524-5838E-mail: cattinasi@pls-net.org
-------------------------------------
From: RKent20551@cs.com
[mailto:RKent20551@cs.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:00 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: American Library Association responds to Attorney General
Letter to the New York Times:
Dear Editor:
It is hypocritical for the American Library Association to complain about
government intrusions into the privacy of library records ("Ashcroft Mocks
Librarians and Others Who Oppose Parts of Counterterrorism Law," Sept. 16).
Where
were ALA leaders this March when the Cuban police raided a network of
independent libraries offering public access to banned books? Library
records were
seized, and 14 of the Cuban librarians jailed during the raids have been
declared prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. Instead of
protesting
this outrage, ALA leaders have nothing but praise for the regime in Cuba,
the
only government in the world which throws people in jail for the
"crime" of
opening uncensored libraries.
Robert Kent
Friends of Cuban Libraries
(WWW.FRIENDSOFCUBANLIBARIES.ORG)
-------------------------------------
From: Don Wood [mailto:dwood@ala.org]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:21 AM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: ALA issues new guidelines for developing library privacy
ALA issues new guidelines for developing library privacy policy
http://tinyurl.com/nztl
"The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the
Guidelines for Developing a Library Privacy Policy, prepared by the ALA
Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC)."
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/oif
-------------------------------------
From: Julie McCoy [mailto:jmdmccoy@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:02 AM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Managing Student Assistants
This is the original question I posted to the listserv on checking the work
of Student Assistants:
I am requesting input on the ways you verify that your student assistants
(shelvers) are doing their jobs properly, especially new students who have
just been trained. Also, how often do you spot check the job your shelvers
are doing?
Thanks for all the input from everyone! Here are the combined results:
One of my team-members used to be a shelver at another library system. She
passed on this idea to us and I think it is a very simple way to verify the
accuracy of any shelver (old or new). It requires immediate follow-up by the
trainer, but is a very effective training tool. Here's how it works:
1. Give the shelver a cart of books - or maybe just one area to shelve (i.e.
juvenile fiction or juvenile non-fiction by dewey number). We put carts in
order first, based on the call number.
2. Ask the shelver to shelve the books spine up.
3. The trainer follows behind (as soon as possible, but not necessarily
right on their heels) and checks all of the shelves for books that are spine
up to make sure they are shelved in the correct place.
4. This allows for immediate feed-back. You can actually show them their
mistake and offer suggestions to assure accuracy in the future.
**********************************************************************
We have 7 pages at my branch. We have a training manual we give each new
page and as they are rotated through the different sections of the library,
each section is reviewed with them and then they are tested on each section
during that month. This means that if their section is Juvenile Fiction and
Easy book, they will be given a cart with assorted books on it, including
ones for all the unusual or special locations, and they have to shelve all
of the books correctly. Once they have completed all of the sections, which
I think is 6 or 7, then they have completed the Training Manual. We also
have a shelving standard of being able to shelve 180 books per hour, so
prior to every evaluation, pages are given a shelving test of 80 books to
shelve in 30 minutes. We also have a set of Evaluation Standards we use when
writing the evaluations.
**********************************************************************
For the first 2 weeks that our student assistants shelve, we have them put
2"x8.5" strips of scrap paper in the books. Once they are
through shelving,
a staff member goes and checks the books, pulling the strips of the books
that are correctly shelved. The books that are misshelved are then pointed
out to the student and the error explained. After the first 2 weeks,
occassionally we will write down 10 books from the cart that are checked
after they are shelved. We do this to maintain quality, since the students
never know when we are going to do a "spot check". We do this
about every 6
weeks or when we notice that books are out of place as we shelf-read.
**********************************************************************
In the Pre-Cambrian Era, when I was being trained, you got a cart of books
and a handful of long strips of blue paper. You shelved the books, only
putting them sideways with the paper sticking out, and the boss checked you
later and explained your errors. I don't think anyone does that at our
library now, but it worked very well.
**********************************************************************
We have a shelf reading sheet. Assistants are expected to shelf read every
day at the beginning of their shift for 15 minutes. On the sheet they put
date, area read, and their initials. If you want you can see how well they
did.
**********************************************************************
We don't use student assistants, but we do hire pages who are trained by the
circulation supervisor. The way she "tests" a new page is that
she has
him/her put a brightly colored strip of paper in each book, which is shelved
spine up with the strip of paper sticking out. The supervisor then later
checks the work by finding the colored strips and checking to see that the
book is in the right place.
**********************************************************************
Before we have anyone shelve, non fiction especially, we have them put a
cart together and check the cart. In a smaller quieter library years ago I
used to have new pages and volunteers shelve a couple of carts tipped over,
i.e. shelve the book in the correct place but tip it forward and sticking a
little out, then I would go around and check it tipping the books upright,
here I'm lucky if it is slow enough for me to realize a volunteer has
arrived during the summer months. Actual double checking the shelves happens
as staff shelves. We don't have enough volunteers so we all shelve, so we
pick up mistakes or the odd, "I don't want to be here but I have to"
volunteer who stuffs things in on the ends of shelves.
P.S. If we have two carts of non fiction (and the time to do it) and a new
volunteer coming we will try to put one cart together and have the volunteer
interfile the other books just as if they were at the shelves.
**********************************************************************
When I was first trained as a page, the staff that trained me had me shelve
the books sideways and with a piece of paper sticking out. They had me do
this for a couple days. (This was at a fairly small library, so I wasn't
shelving thousands of books a day, which meant there weren't all that many
to check and re-shelve upright.) That way, it was easy to check to see if
the books were being shelved correctly.
**********************************************************************
At our local library (where I worked during high school and college) they
would make a list of books on the cart before the page arrived on duty.
After all the books were shelved and the page had left for the day one of
the adults would check the shelves for those books. Any that were
mis-shelved were set aside for that page to do over again the next time she
was on duty. Occasionally a book couldn't be located at all. In that case
the page was asked to located it and explain, if she could, why she put it
in that spot. The pages never knew when this might be done to them. They
only knew about it if follow-up became necessary. You knew you were trusted
when you were asked to check on another page. Since no one ever wants to
have to re-do work, this was pretty effective.
**********************************************************************
I have graduate students that I train to shelve & they aren't very good at
it!!! One thing I do to double-check what they've done is have them leave
the books they put on the shelf either stick out an inch or two, or turn
them on their side. Then when they're done, I go with them to the shelves
&
we look at their mistakes together.
**********************************************************************
We give new pages paper strips to place in the items before shelving. These
are color coded, such as Sue gets red and Bill gets blue. We then check the
shelving and pull the strips. We do this for a week or so, as needed. We
also do spot checks by writing down the bar codes for a few items and then
checking if they get put in the correct place. We use this if we are having
a problem with other branch books being shelved on our shelves or a problem
area.
**********************************************************************
The person in charge of our shelvers usually writes down the title, author
and location(picture book, nonfiction, fiction) of a couple of different
books and then has one person shelve that cart of books. Once the cart is
shelved Steve then takes his list and checks that the books he wrote down
where shelved properly. I believe he checks on this every couple of
months.
Usually everyone is checked during a 2 week span. We usually have 7
- 10
shelvers on staff.
Julie McCoy
jmdmccoy@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------
From: ysstaff [mailto:ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:04 AM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: stumper "Mig o' the Moor"
A woman came in today looking for a book she read in her youth. She is
positive that it was published in the '50's. She thinks the author is
Nancy McCaffrey, but she is not certain that is the correct spelling.
The book is about a horse and is titled something like "Mig (or Mick)
o' the Moor". She would love to read it to her grandchild.
I'm hoping someone has some further information relating her
description.
Thanks in advance.
Alison Troy
Youth Services Assistant
*****************************************
Youth Services
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715)839-5007 - voice
(715)833-5310 - fax
www.eauclaire.lib.wi.us
ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us
*****************************************
-------------------------------------
From: Dawn Imada [mailto:dawnimada@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 11:04 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Teen Halloween Party or a Teen Valentines Day Party
Hi Everyone,
My colleague and I are considering hosting a Teen
Halloween Party and a Teen Valentine's Day party
either in our library's new Teen Center or in one of
the other rooms.
Have you hosted a Teen Halloween Party or a Teen
Valentine's Day party before? If so, do you have any
advice?
Please email me at dawn.imada@sjlibrary.org.
Many thanks!
Dawn Imada
End of PUBYAC Digest 1220
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