01-16-04 or 1317
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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: Friday, January 16, 2004 2:42 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 1317

    PUBYAC Digest 1317

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) song I've got two eyes
by Chris Reid <christiner@picnet.org>
  2) In defense of the Pigeon:
by <ccarey@trlib.org>
  3) RE:   Newbery Winner (disappointment)
by Jennifer Wells <jenlibrarian@yahoo.com>
  4) Another question for you about Summer Reading Programs
by "Dukelow, Rosemary" <rmdukelow@livermore.lib.ca.us>
  5) Newbery qualifications
by "jr desk" <jrdesk@downersgrovelibrary.org>
  6) Re: Newbery winner caution
by "Neville, Katrina" <kneville@sdcounty.ca.gov>
  7) Help! I need the strange and unusual for summertime
by "Catherine Kyle" <ckyle@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us>
  8) Re: Artemis Fowl Series
by nkoebel@birchard.lib.oh.us
  9) RE: Newberry Medal Winner
by "Beverly Bixler" <bbixler@sanantonio.gov>
 10) Re: Programs vrs Book Circulation ... the question may be ...
by "Stacey Irish-Keffer" <Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com>
 11) Re: Artemis Fowl Series
by "Amy Shelley" <AShelley@larm.lib.wy.us>
 12) Re: Awards announcement
by Lu Benke <lubenke@julip.fcgov.com>
 13) RE: Newbery
by "Patricia Ferrell" <pferrell@kcls.org>
 14) Re: Newbery winner caution
by "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
 15) Re: Awards announcement
by "Melody Allen" <melody_allen@gw.doa.state.ri.us>
 16) Youth Service Manager Opening-Topeka & Shawnee County Public
by "Tracy Seitz" <tseitz@mail.tscpl.org>
 17) call for contributors/internship book
by Cindy Mediavilla <cmediavi@ucla.edu>
 18) 2004 ALSC/ALA Book Awards
by "Laura Schulte-Cooper" <lschulte@ala.org>
 19) Re: Programs vrs Book Circulation
by Terrill <trumpeter2@shaw.ca>
 20) library as entertainment center for young children
by "Josh lachman" <jlachman@ci.berkeley.ca.us>
 21) Re: Newbery
by "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
 22) Fw: Programs vrs Book Circulation
by "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Chris Reid <christiner@picnet.org>
To: 'PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children'
Subject: song I've got two eyes
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:38:11 CST

Hi Everyone:  This is my first posting and I hope I am doing it correctly.

I am looking for a song with the words, "I've  got two eyes, one two..."

Someone suggested it may be from Sesame Street.  Please help!  Please reply
directly to me.

Thanks

Chris
Petticoat Creek Public Library
Pickering, Ontario, Canada
christiner@picnet.org

------------------------------
From: <ccarey@trlib.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: In defense of the Pigeon:
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:38:27 CST

Kathleen,
=20
I, too, love the pigeon.  When I first read it, it reminded me of one of =
my kids' favorite Golden Books with Sesame Street's Grover.  The book is =
The Monster at the End of the Book.=20
=20
Then I think I read in a review that Mo Willems (I think that's the =
spelling) wrote the Grover book too!  I think he worked for the =
Childrens Television Workshop as a writer on Sesame Street.  Did anyone =
else hear or read this or am I making it up?
=20
Cindi Carey
Lacey, Washington

=20

------------------------------
From: Jennifer Wells <jenlibrarian@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE:   Newbery Winner (disappointment)
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:38:45 CST

I really enjoyed "Tale of Despereaux." When I started
reading the other day my view was a bit colored by the
comments I had already heard on the list. I was
expecting to not like it ( I didn't like last years
winner that much). But I finished it last night and
thought it was great. Fun to read, Creative, and
Interesting.

Jennifer Wells
Vinings Library
Cobb County, GA
jenlibrarian@yahoo.com

------------------------------
From: "Dukelow, Rosemary" <rmdukelow@livermore.lib.ca.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Another question for you about Summer Reading Programs
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:38:56 CST

Thank you for your helpful and prompt responses to my last question
regarding using time in Summer Reading Programs. I have yet another
question:

What criteria do you use for achievement in your Summer Reading Program?
How do you measure goals in Summer Reading Program? Do you count books,
time spent reading, or do you have other measurements?=20


Rosemary Dukelow
Livermore Public Library
Civic Center Library
Livermore, California
925-373-5513

------------------------------
From: "jr desk" <jrdesk@downersgrovelibrary.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Newbery qualifications
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:39:08 CST

I didn't have the opportunity to read Tale of Despereaux until Monday
night and really enjoyed it.  I found it outstanding literature.  I
liked how the author stuck with the old fashioned feel of the tale. =20

But that isn't why I'm writing. I also finished Olive's Ocean on Tuesday
(it had been sitting in my tote bag for a month).  While I enjoyed
Olive's Ocean, there was at least one typo.  This really surprised
me-and I wonder if this sort of thing is considered during the process.

Kevin Henke's writing is wonderful, as usual.  There is one short
chapter that has an incredibly long sentence (like a paragraph long).=20

However, I would think that having this typo (a wrong word that
completely changes the sentence) would make the book something other
than outstanding and worthy of a Newbery honor medal.

Anyone know about this?

Sharon Lawrence

Downers Grove Public Library

------------------------------
From: "Neville, Katrina" <kneville@sdcounty.ca.gov>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Newbery winner caution
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:39:20 CST

Hi all,

In response to Selma's email and in frustration with the wah-wah-ing =
going on over the winners (which happens *every* year), this is why so =
many states and regions have Young Readers' awards and/or medals!  If we =
don't think that the kids will like the Newbery Committee's picks, we =
can certainly encourage them to vote for their own favorites every year!

Of course, this is my own opinion and does not in any way represent the =
opinion of the organization for which I work.

>Hi, Just a reminder that the criteria for choosing the Newbery Award =
has
>nothing to do with whether children will like the book.  It is based on
>literary merit alone.  Just the facts...

Katrina

Katrina Neville
Youth Services Librarian
San Diego County Library
San Marcos Branch
#2 Civic Center Drive
San Marcos, CA 92069
t: (760) 891-3000
f: (760) 891-3015
e: kneville@sdcounty.ca.gov

------------------------------
From: "Catherine Kyle" <ckyle@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us>
To: "PUBYAC" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Help! I need the strange and unusual for summertime
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:39:31 CST

The theme for NYS summer reading program this year is Read, White and =
Blue. I wanted the kids to "travel" around the US this summer in their =
cars and visit different monuments or attractions. But instead of =
visiting the Washington Monument or Mount Rushmore, I thought I'd do =
something a little different. I want the kids to visit the strange and =
unusual places in the US, and at first I was looking on the Internet, =
but then I thought  what better way to find strange and unusual places =
than to ask PUBYAC, since librarians all over the country respond to =
this.

Right now I have:
Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri
The World's Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas or Darwin, =
Minnesota
National Atomic Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dinosaur Museum in Blanding, Utah
Salem Sue: the world's largest cow in New Salem, North Dakota or
Chatty Belle: the world's largest talking cow in Neillsville, Wisconsin
The world's largest penguin in Cut Bank, Montana
The world's largest Mona Lisa in Wisconsin
Mall of America: The world's largest mall in Bloomington , Minnesota
Barbed Wire Museum in LaCrosse, Kansas
The world's largest artichoke, in Castorville, California
UFO Museum, Roswell, New Mexico
The world's largest Uncle Sam, in Lake George, NY
Jell-o Museum, in LeRoy, NY
Spam Museum, in Austin Minnesota

I'm not just looking for the "world's largest", but some of them are =
pretty weird. Anything interesting or amusing would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Catherine Kyle
Youth Services Librarian
Parma Public Library
7 West Ave=20
Hilton, NY 14468
585-392-8350
ckyle@libraryweb.org

------------------------------
From: nkoebel@birchard.lib.oh.us
To: jjohnson@linc.lib.il.us
Subject: Re: Artemis Fowl Series
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:39:43 CST

There is a new title called the Wish List that came out in December,
although from the review I read, it is not one of the Artemis Fowl books but
rather a re-issue of an older title that was only published in Britain.  It
is the first publication here.

Nancy Koebel
Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County
nkoebel@birchard.lib.oh.us

----- Original Message -----
From: Jessica Johnson <jjohnson@linc.lib.il.us>
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:31 pm
Subject: Artemis Fowl Series

> Hi Everyone,
>
> I had a patron come in asking about the 4th and 5th book in the
> Artemis Fowl series. I was unaware of any new book. I checked on
> Amazon, Eoin Colfer's website and the internet and I could not find
> anything about a 4th or 5th book. The patron insists the fourth and
> fifth book are coming out soon. Have any of you heard of these books,
> know the titles, or release dates? If so please let me know. Thanks
> so much.
>
> Jessica
> Youth Services
>
>

------------------------------
From: "Beverly Bixler" <bbixler@sanantonio.gov>
To: "Deva Walker" <dwalker@heightslibrary.org>,
Subject: RE: Newberry Medal Winner
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:39:56 CST

Hear, hear! I just started Tale of Despereaux last night, and so far I =
am enjoying it immensely. As Jennifer Baker & Deva Walker point out, =
reading tastes are very personal & subjective. While I like this book & =
last year's winner, Crispin, the Cross of Lead, I couldn't get through =
more than a couple of chapters of "A Single Shard" because to me, it was =
very boring. No doubt there are other librarians on this list who loved =
that title, though. My colleague here told me that in the Texas town she =
worked in before she came here, the library was proposing the program =
"One Book One Community" idea, but it didn't fly because no one in town =
could agree on the same book...
Beverly Bixler
bbixler@sanantonio.gov
San Antonio Public Library, TX=20

-----Original Message-----
From: Deva Walker [mailto:dwalker@heightslibrary.org]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:42 PM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: Newberry Medal Winner


I personally did not like The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a
Mouse by Kate DiCamillo.  Other people in my department did read the
story and loved the book.  It is good when everyone has a varying
opinion of a book.  Children in general have varied taste in what they
like and dislike.  If a child has the same likes in a book as I do they
will hate the Newberry Winner.  If a child has taste like my colleagues
the child will love the book.  I believe this difference in opinion
helps librarians better serve their customers.


***************************************************
Deva Walker
Children's Services Librarian
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
2345 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
216-932-3600 office
216-371-9148 fax
E-mail: dwalker@heightslibrary.org
***************************************************

------------------------------
From: "Stacey Irish-Keffer" <Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>,<trumpeter2@shaw.ca>
Subject: Re: Programs vrs Book Circulation ... the question may be ...
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:40:10 CST

I agree with Terrill Scott, wholeheartedly.  For young children, crafts
are not about the end product, they are about the process.  Useful,
long-lasting crafts are a nice goal, but can lead to frustration for the
younger set.  I use my crafts as a way to reinforce my book program for
younger school age kids.  Even if the craft gets thrown away, the kids
remember it and often the book as well.  So, please don't give up on
those wonderful opportunites to create collages and other things that
reflect each child's individual personality and artistic style.





Stacey Irish-Keffer
Denton Public Library
502 Oakland
Denton, Texas 76201
940.349.7738
Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com

------------------------------
From: "Amy Shelley" <AShelley@larm.lib.wy.us>
To: <jjohnson@linc.lib.il.us>,<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Artemis Fowl Series
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:40:25 CST

I just spoke with the Hyperion rep at ALA Midwinter and she said there
are no plans at this time for additional Artemis Fowl books, although
there is plenty of interest from readers. I guess we'll just have to
wait and see.

Amelia J. Shelley
Manager, Youth and Outreach Services
Laramie County Library System
2800 Central Avenue
Cheyenne, WY  82001
(307)634-3561, ext. 151
ashelley@larm.lib.wy.us

>>> "Jessica Johnson" <jjohnson@linc.lib.il.us> 1/15/2004 7:31:49 PM
>>>
Hi Everyone,

I had a patron come in asking about the 4th and 5th book in the
Artemis Fowl series. I was unaware of any new book. I checked on
Amazon, Eoin Colfer's website and the internet and I could not find
anything about a 4th or 5th book. The patron insists the fourth and
fifth book are coming out soon. Have any of you heard of these books,
know the titles, or release dates? If so please let me know. Thanks
so much.

Jessica
Youth Services

------------------------------
From: Lu Benke <lubenke@julip.fcgov.com>
To: Suzanne Hall <suzanne@putnam.lib.in.us>
Subject: Re: Awards announcement
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:40:37 CST

Encountering the same frustration, went to the Barnes and Noble website
and found the information there.

Lu Benke email: lubenke@julip.fcgov.com
Lead Librarian phone: 970.221.6678
Children's Services fax:   970.221.6398
Fort Collins Public Library
201 Peterson
Fort Collins, CO 80524

On Thu, 15 Jan 2004, Suzanne Hall wrote:

>
>
> Was anyone else frustrated on Monday by not being able to learn of the =
> Caldecott and Newbery winners and honors right away?  It was my day off =
> and I'm afraid I spent way too much time hitting the refresh button on =
> the ALA site and cruising through Google trying to find out who won.  =
> Finally, at about 6 pm, I found the info in a very interesting New York =
> Times article.   Short of having a friend at the meeting, did anyone =
> else get the news more readily than I?  OK, so maybe this is a little =
> obsessive, but this is the information age, isn't it? =20
>
> Suzanne Hall
> Children's Librarian
> Putnam County Public Library
> Greencastle, IN  46135
>
>

------------------------------
From: "Patricia Ferrell" <pferrell@kcls.org>
To: "PUBYAC" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Newbery
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:40:50 CST

You are so right.  Was Milkweed in contention? I hope not. I did read
Desperaux and found it okay.  I like fantasy and thought the characters
were cute but the plot seemed a bit disjointed and the end a bit pat. =20

I loved Milkweed.  Thought it was a revolutionary, amazing book. =20

Patricia Ferrell
Children's Librarian
Kirkland Library
King County Library System
425-822-2459
pferrell@kcls.org


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org [mailto:owner-pubyac@prairienet.org]On
Behalf Of Lorraine Getty
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 6:32 PM
To: PUBYAC
Subject: Newbery


My two cents on the Newbery:
I will admit that I haven't read Despereaux yet, but
am planning on doing so over the weekend.  I will
agree with others that I was disappointed in last
year's winner, Crispin and the Cross of Lead.  I
actually enjoyed it very much until the very end,
which I thought was too upbeat and "tidy" - a quick
wrap-up worthy of a half-hour tv show.  As to this
year's winner, I had thought that Spinelli's Milkweed
would have at least made an honor book and I thought
deserved to be the winner.  Oh well.

Lorraine Getty
Forsyth, IL

------------------------------
From: "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
To: <slevi@mail.pratt.lib.md.us>,
Subject: Re: Newbery winner caution
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:41:05 CST

2. A "contribution to American literature for children" shall be a book for
which children are a potential audience. The book displays respect for
children's understandings, abilities, and appreciations. Children are
defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen, and books for this
entire age range are to be considered.

Actually, children's understanding, abilities and especially appreciations
ensure that it should be a book children will like, otherwise what would be
the point! Forcing children to read things they hate but are "good" for them
does nothing to create life-long readers.
Take care, Melissa, Carver, MA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Selma Levi" <slevi@mail.pratt.lib.md.us>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:27 PM
Subject: Newbery winner caution


> Hi, Just a reminder that the criteria for choosing the Newbery Award has
> nothing to do with whether children will like the book.  It is based on
> literary merit alone.  Just the facts...
>
> Selma K. Levi
> Supervisor, Children's Department
> slevi@epfl.net
> 410-396-5402
>

------------------------------
From: "Melody Allen" <melody_allen@gw.doa.state.ri.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>, <suzanne@putnam.lib.in.us>
Subject: Re: Awards announcement
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:41:24 CST

I'm with you, Suzanne.  We held our Mock Caldecott session that morning =
and people stayed for pizza waiting to get the real announcement at 1:00 =
Eastern/10:00 Pacific following the press conference.  I think I finally =
got the info at about 2:30 Eastern from ccbc-net (which I might have got =
earlier but my mail server was down).  I'm not sure when ALA had it up, =
but it did not seem to be available immediately following the press =
conference.  I thought they were mounting it overnight so it would be =
ready to"unveil" at 12:45 Pacific.  It was hard to get into the ALA site =
because of all the people trying to get the results over and over, but we =
got there about 1:05 and could find nothing.  Melody Allen

>>> "Suzanne Hall" <suzanne@putnam.lib.in.us> 01/15/04 08:46PM >>>


Was anyone else frustrated on Monday by not being able to learn of the =3D
Caldecott and Newbery winners and honors right away?  It was my day off =
=3D
and I'm afraid I spent way too much time hitting the refresh button on =3D
the ALA site and cruising through Google trying to find out who won.  =3D
Finally, at about 6 pm, I found the info in a very interesting New York =
=3D
Times article.   Short of having a friend at the meeting, did anyone =3D
else get the news more readily than I?  OK, so maybe this is a little =3D
obsessive, but this is the information age, isn't it? =3D20

Suzanne Hall
Children's Librarian
Putnam County Public Library
Greencastle, IN  46135

------------------------------
From: "Tracy Seitz" <tseitz@mail.tscpl.org>
To: <PUBYAC@PRAIRIENET.ORG>
Subject: Youth Service Manager Opening-Topeka & Shawnee County Public
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:41:35 CST

YOUTH SERVICES MANAGER

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is seeking applications for
an enthusiastic, positive, people oriented and creative YOUTH SERVICES
MANAGER.


The position of Youth Services Manager reports to the Deputy Director of
Operations and performs the following essential administrative duties:
formulate and oversee implementation and management of Division goals,
procedures, programs and projects, oversee day-to-day operation of the
Division for interviewing applicants, training, scheduling, assign
projects, direct committees and focus groups, evaluating and problem
solving, submit annual budget request to correlate with collection
development plan and special projects, prepare and submit all reports as
required, implement policies and procedures, plan and chart staff
training and development.  Complete staff evaluations in a timely manner
and provides clear, well articulated communication to the Deputy
Director of Operations.

The required qualifications include a Masters of Library Science degree
from an ALA accredited college or university, three years of
supervisory/management experience and three years experience in a
related library setting.  Preferred skills include excellent reference
skills, strong public service orientation, excellent computer skills
with Microsoft Office Suite software applications and Internet searching
techniques and experience with team building.

The starting salary is $47,050.  Excellent benefits, including BCBS
health/dental, retirement and cafeteria plan, with 22 days vacation and
12 days sick leave.

Application and more specific job information is available at web site:
http://www.tscpl.org/jobs.asp Please submit an application with resume
and a list of three professional references to Human Resources, Topeka &
Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66604-1374.
1-785-580-4492 EOE   Applications accepted through February 13, 2004.

Tracy Seitz
Human Resource Professional
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
1515 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS  66604

785-580-4492

http://www.tscpl.org <http://www.tscpl.org/>=20

------------------------------
From: Cindy Mediavilla <cmediavi@ucla.edu>
To: <calix@listproc.sjsu.edu>, <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: call for contributors/internship book
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:41:48 CST

dear colleagues:  I am reposting this message as I still need librarians and
library managers to contribute chapters on this very important topic.  in
particular, I need folks from specific library depts (children's, reference,
branches, technical services, archives/local history) to talk about the
internship opportunities they provide.  please feel free to post this widely
and/or make recommendations on who I might contact for further information.

many thanks, Cindy Mediavilla

************

Dear Colleagues,

I have been contracted by Scarecrow Press to edit a monograph tentatively
entitled _Public Library Internships: Advice from the Field_.  The book
would incorporate approximately 25 articles on various aspects related to
the public library internship experience across the US.  The intended
audience includes public librarians, library managers, and library
educators.  Topics include:

Developing effective public library internship programs from the library
perspective

Developing effective public library internship programs from the student
perspective [no more contributors needed]

Internships in children=B9s departments

Internships in reference departments

Internships in branch libraries

Internships in technical services

Internships in public library archives and local history collections

Internships as a recruitment tool for librarians from diverse backgrounds
[no more contributors needed]

Developing a mentor relationship


If you have expertise in any of these areas and would like to contribute a
chapter, please contact me at cmediavi@ucla.edu.  Deadline for chapter
submittals: spring 2004.

Cindy Mediavilla
cmediavi@ucla.edu

------------------------------
From: "Laura Schulte-Cooper" <lschulte@ala.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: 2004 ALSC/ALA Book Awards
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:42:00 CST

Greetings all:

As many of you know, the 2004 Association for Library Service to
Children (ALSC) book and other media awards were announced on Monday,
January 12, in San Diego. I'm very sorry to report that the ALA server
in Chicago was down for the majority of the day on Monday, January 12,
and we were unable to post the list of winners in a timely fashion on
our Web site. We sincerely apologize for this situation. ALSC will work
with other ALA entities to find solutions to this type problem in the
future.

Again, we apologize for any frustration caused as our colleagues and
members attempted to access the 2004 winners on our Web site.

Please note:

- A page listing all ALSC winners is at:
http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ALSC/Awards_and_Scholarships1/Literary_and_Related_Awards/2004_Media_Award_Winners.htm
 (Find a link to this page under "Breaking News" on the ALSC homepage,
www.ala.org/alsc )

- All of the 2004 Children's Notable Lists (Books, Videos, Recordings,
and Software) are online. Find links to these lists under "Breaking
News" on the ALSC homepage, www.ala.org/alsc

- All of the individual book award pages (Newbery, Caldecott, etc.) are
updated with the 2004 winners, including book cover images and committee
annotations. Links to these pages are at:
http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ALSC/Awards_and_Scholarships1/Literary_and_Related_Awards/Literary_and_Related_Awards.htm

(or go to www.ala.org/alsc and click on "Awards and Scholarships" and
"Literary and Related Awards")

Best wishes,
Laura Schulte-Cooper



*****************************************************
Laura M. Schulte-Cooper
Program Officer, Communications
Association for Library Service to Children
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-280-2165
800-545-2433, ext. 2165
FAX: 312-944-7671
lschulte@ala.org

------------------------------
From: Terrill <trumpeter2@shaw.ca>
To: AMazza@minlib.net, PUBYAC <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Programs vrs Book Circulation
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:42:12 CST

Back at you April et al

Circ stats are important ... I don't know how your libraries work, but in
BC/Canada these stats are part of what determine the money the branches get
for materials, staffing and programming. While the library being a service
is incredibley important, the idea of library too, is to lend books and if
books aren't being lent, the number-crunchers could interpret that as less
use, therefore less money is needed. A potentially vicious circle. As with
Tara, it may be time to look at the demographics, the hours open and other
non-literary, non-book, non-programming issues that your library feeds off
of.

Terrill Scott
Fraser Valley Regional Library
British Columbia        Canada
http://www.fvrl.bc.ca/

"Let us read and let us dance, two amusements that will never do any harm to
the world."     - Voltaire


----- Original Message -----
From: "April Mazza" <AMazza@minlib.net>
To: "PUBYAC" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 6:29 PM
Subject: Programs vrs Book Circulation


> Hi all,
> I also share Tara's problem of a drop in circulation (her email is below)
> with an increase in programming.  While I do not do programs in an effort
> to increase circulation I know that it can draw people in and then they
> may choose materials.  My problem is that the "higher ups" are way more
> concerned with the circ drop than I am.  I am not a number driven person
> (otherwise I would have gone into sales and even though I didn't I am
> getting this Glen Gary Glen Ross vibe lately) yet I feel like terrible
> things will happen if I don't personally up the youth services circ!!!
> So I guess I am expressing my frustration here but also looking for maybe
> a little coaching and support.  Every piece of advice my director gave is
> already in place....displays, programming (a great increase from the
> past), outreach to schools (though I am still working on daycares...you
> can check the archives!), loads of new books and extra copies of
> the "hot" titles....we even have (way too) many videos and DVDs....so i
> am just at a loss and while part of me could care less how many books
> people take out (since I know they are coming and they get excellent
> customer service-my 2 important criteria for a successful library) I also
> don't want to look as if I am not doing my job and/or lose my job.
> Any thoughts are appreciated!
>
> April Mazza
> Youth Services
> Wayland Public Library
> (508) 358-2308
> AMazza@minlib.net
>
>
> <<<From: "Tara Mendez" <TaraM@mail2tara.com>
> To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
> Subject: Programs vrs Book Circulation
> Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 15:06:25 CST
>
>
> Fellow Pubyacers
> I have two dilemmas the first is that while we are offering all kinds of
> both adult and children's programs our circulation is dropping. We have
> gone as far as "charging one book circulation per program" but still our
> numbers are dropping. I wonder am I wasting time doing the programs? I
> love programming and find it personally fun and exciting but wonder
> about the benefits of the programs if no one comes back or takes out a
> book. >>>
>

------------------------------
From: "Josh lachman" <jlachman@ci.berkeley.ca.us>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: library as entertainment center for young children
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:42:25 CST

The comment below makes me ask this question:  What are the role that =
computers should play in a children's library?
Libraries embraced computers because they allowed us better access to =
books.  Remember the "dumb" terminals that first allowed keyword searching?=


 Then the Internet came along with infinite amounts of information.  But =
it also allowed strictly entertaining activities and recreational =
communication (chat rooms and email).

Now children's rooms have computers with Internet and games (many got =
started thanks to Bill Gates and his grants of Gates Machines).  But how =
many children's  libraries set up a collection development policy and =
mission statement for computer usage and software?  It seems like Bill =
Gates did it for most of us!

I am throwing this out there, hoping it generates a good discussion.  I'm =
not thrilled to see two, three and four year olds in front of a computer =
screen.  Of course it is really the parents decision, but I am in this =
career to promote activities that are in harmony with my own values.  For =
instance, I wouldn't feel happy being in a business selling sugar laden =
baby food (if there is such a thing anymore) or other nutritionally =
undesirable child oriented food products.  Even though I could justify it =
by saying it is up to the parents whether their kid could eat it or not.

In case you're wondering, our library has time limts on computers (though =
sometimes loosely enforced).   Kids can have 30 minutes at the computer =
and if nobody is waiting, they can stay on for an hour.  Sometimes they =
end up on for a little longer. =20

Libraries have evolved over the years from strictly depositories of =
knowledge to having more services within a community.  So we must have =
programming and I think that is usually a good thing.  Especially when it =
has some relationship to books.   I also think that computers for children =
have a place in the library.  Especially children who are old enough to be =
in the library by themselves.  But I'm really questioning the value of =
having all the computer games for young children.  Some parents like it =
because the limited amount of time their child uses a computer is just =
during their weekly library visit.  But I've also heard of  non-computer =
families avoiding the library because it turns into a hassle when they =
arrive.  The kids beg for the computer and the parent has to keep saying, =
"no."   So those are the families (probably a very small number) who we =
aren't seeing. =20

I think the library is an opportunity for families to have some quality =
time together and computers can be a powerful distraction from that.  =
Unless you consider a parent and child, sitting side by side, staring at a =
screen together to be quality time. =20

When children leave our weekly preschool storytime, some of them immediatel=
y get on to computers.  I have no idea what that 20-30 minutes of computer =
usage  is doing to their brains, eyes and development.  But I know that if =
the games weren't on the computers those kids would probably be looking at =
books at that time.  And that seems to be a lot better choice.

Josh Lachman

>>> Christina Johnson 01/15/04 06:24PM >>>
I have a slightly similar personal problem with all of the programming we
are expected to do.  When did the library become the entertainment center
for its community?
We do many things to make our circulation look higher than it would be
otherwise.
Our children's programs are well attended and I enjoy doing most of them,
I'm just wondering how this all got started.
--Frustrated with my job at the moment, can you tell?

------------------------------
From: "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
To: <lgetty1969@yahoo.com>,
Subject: Re: Newbery
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:42:39 CST

While I think Milkweed was a great book, I don't think it should have won
the Newbery for kids 14 and under, the content was too much for kids. I
began reading The Tale of Despereaux to my son last night (he is turning six
soon) and he is loving it! I had to read ahead and finish it last night, I
couldn't put it down and thought it was better than Winn-Dixie, and this is
why: it's for the kids! Winn-Dixie was a good book, but I think we as adults
like it so much because we get to "feel good" about a child who would create
such friendships with an old woman, a simple man (and let's not debate his
menatlity) a down-and-out stray and others on the "fringe." Isn't that the
theme we all like, no matter how weird we get as we age, not matter how
bravely we stick out of the edges of society, this remarkable, courageous
child would be able to love us. Same thing in Single Shard, we want the kids
to love and need us and love to see this reflected in their literature.
Well, that's great for us, but kids like to read about kids and I don't
believe my son would be begging me to read for hours on that one. I love
Desperoux, (Here come some plot spoliers, so if you haven't read the book
yet and don't want to know what's going to happen, stop reading here!) and
yes, he is a social outcast, as most of our heroes in this society are,
particularly because we admire their bravery to do so in the face of our
assimilation (although we librarians are a breed unto ourselves!) However,
he doesn't fall in love with poor old Mig, he falls in love with the
beautiful princess! Roscuro doesn't suddenly become the enlightened rat who
regrets his former ways and is embraced whole-heartedly by his new circle of
friends, which would be oh, so trite but so typical of wrapping up novels in
that feel-good way. Despereaux's parents were self-absorbed, and his brother
didn't provide that last kindness before exile, even the mouse who ties his
thread noose gives him encouragement but makes no move to stop what is
happening. My son was fascinated by the departure from typical children's
literature, the mother is not heart-broken about the prospect of his dying
at birth but rather says she will bear no more children because it is too
hard on her beauty, the family does not love him despite his quirks, but
rather shuns him and sends him off to his death, the anatagonist does not
make this 360 degree adjustment of attitude, etc., etc. It forced my child
to consider that not everything in life ties up neatly in a bow, and the
language of the book was just perfect! There was no modern imitation of old
language, it was direct, unique and still evocative. Perhaps people are
complaining because for the first time in many, many years, the winner was a
book aimed the lower end of the under age 14 readers, not at the upper cusp.
I think it was a great choice, maybe not my hands-sown favorite for the
year, but whose favorite gets to win all the time? So, thumbs up ove here,
Melissa, Carver, MA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lorraine Getty" <lgetty1969@yahoo.com>
To: "PUBYAC" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:32 PM
Subject: Newbery


> My two cents on the Newbery:
> I will admit that I haven't read Despereaux yet, but
> am planning on doing so over the weekend.  I will
> agree with others that I was disappointed in last
> year's winner, Crispin and the Cross of Lead.  I
> actually enjoyed it very much until the very end,
> which I thought was too upbeat and "tidy" - a quick
> wrap-up worthy of a half-hour tv show.  As to this
> year's winner, I had thought that Spinelli's Milkweed
> would have at least made an honor book and I thought
> deserved to be the winner.  Oh well.
>
> Lorraine Getty
> Forsyth, IL
>

------------------------------
From: "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Fw: Programs vrs Book Circulation
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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:42:52 CST


----- Original Message -----
From: "Melissa MacLeod" <mmacleod@sailsinc.org>
To: <cglevin@access4less.net>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: Programs vrs Book Circulation


> I also don't feel that charging a book for program attendance will boost
> circ. - it may even create a negative connotation by giving the idea that
it
> is a chore rather than a priviledge. Our circ has gone up and up in the
past
> few years and I think it mainly has to do with knowing your patrons,
> ordering what they want and reader advisory. I always ask people what they
> have read lately that they really enjoyed and ask "have you read such and
> such yet?" and if the answer is no then I enthusistically exclaim, "you
have
> just got to read it!" and go and get it for them, talking it up the whole
> time. If they have read it I keep going until I find something they
haven't
> read. Of course, this means I am reading a lot, a lot of children's books
> (as I am sure most of us do!) Just as no amount of displays, advertising,
> etc. ever gets my attendance at programming as high as my repeating the
> info. a million times for every other person who walks in, neither does
any
> amount of bribery go as far as finding out what people like and putting
into
> their hands more and more books. I sometimes feel like I am selling books
> but it works! On the other note, I have been hosting Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournaments
> here and drawing tons of preteen and teen boys in here. Having never
charged
> a book for attendance, I would watch some boys come in and leave and never
> check anything out. However, this week, a fourteen year old boy who I have
> gotten to know from these tournaments came in and was asking for help on
an
> assignment. While he was here he used the Internet to look us his Chinese
> zodiac. I happened to walk by shelving books and asked him what his sign
> was. We got to talking about the qualities of his astronomical sign and I
> showed him some books on astrology, fortune telling and the zodiac. He
left
> with several and seemed really happy. So.. essentially he did not start
out
> as a person checking out books, but by coming here for programming and
> getting familiar with the buidling, the people, etc., he eventually found
> something he was interested in. Next time I am going to drop some
> skateboarding magazines near him as I have seen him leave with his board,
or
> maybe I'll be able to pass off the Tony Hawk biography on him. It's
sneaky,
> it requires a little bit of the "used car sales" mentality, but it works!
> Ideally, no, we shouldn't have to peddle books because they are
intrisically
> wonderful, as we all know, but it is a great satisfaction to have a child
> who tells you they hate reading to leave with a book about Jeff Gordon.
More
> importantly though, you have to have the books there so maybe reevaluate
> what you are ordering. Am I happy that I may have to pass up a beautiful
> reference book that will get used maybe twice a year in order to purchase
a
> complete set of Pokemon and Mary-Kate and Ashley chapter books - not
always,
> but I am not here for my own reading pleasure so I make the sacrifice. So,
> if any of this can be of any help or convince you to have hope than great,
> it will justify my long-winded reply. I think at this point I am typing to
> keep my fingers warm because it is cooollld in here today! Good luck,
> Melissa, Carver, MA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carol and Gary Levin" <cglevin@access4less.net>
> To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 8:47 PM
> Subject: Re: Programs vrs Book Circulation
>
>
> > While we haven't had this problem of dropping circulation, I can't help
> but
> > feel that "charging" a book has entirely the wrong feel.  I like
> displaying
> > books (and other media) related to the program and  brief book-talking
"If
> > you liked this book, here are other ones "by the same author", "about
> cats",
> > or whatever .  Usually whatever I display is taken if I mention it and
> > people usually want to check out what I've used in the program as well.
> >
> > As for the programs, I make sure that all of ours are book-based in some
> > way...our baby times and rhyme times don't actually use many books, but
> the
> > nursery rhymes (puppets, flannels, props) are clearly derived from
> > literature...even our "craftacular spectacular" begins with a book and
> song
> > or fingerplay or some other rhyme before the kids go to the tables and
the
> > glue.  Nothing we do involves any materials that are very
> > expensive...construction paper, glue sticks, markers, googly eyes,
> feathers,
> > etc. are our stock-in-trade.  As for the nature of useful crafts...I try
> to
> > make all my crafts open-ended so that kids aren't merely gluing together
> > precut pieces but adding their own individuality to the project .  As an
> > example, for a snow-based craft, we made snowmen (women/children/dogs)
in
> > the tradition of Lois Ehlert's "Snowballs" -- we gave them white paper
and
> > lots of bits and pieces (feathers/buttons/sequins/scraps of
> > stuff/pompoms/etc.) and let them create.  As a fall craft, I had them
make
> > paper wreaths tracing their handprints on construction paper for
"leaves."
> > For dinosaurs, we got some coloring sheets, glued them to cardboard,
> spread
> > more glue for kids to attach pasta "bones", then dipped the whole thing
in
> > playground sand.  Yes, many crafts will be tossed in a couple of weeks
but
> I
> > like to think of crafts as a process, not a product.  The kids are
> > developing fine motor skills, learning about colors, shapes, etc. and
> > exercising creativity.  And, of course,  the more personal crafts may be
> > saved and treasured.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> >
> > Carol Levin
> > Somerset County Library/BridgewaterEnjoy Life! This is not a Dress
> > Rehearsal!
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Tara Mendez" <TaraM@mail2tara.com>
> > To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 4:06 PM
> > Subject: Programs vrs Book Circulation
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Fellow Pubyacers
> > > I have two dilemmas the first is that while we are offering all kinds
of
> > > both adult and children's programs our circulation is dropping. We
have
> > > gone as far as "charging one book circulation per program" but still
our
> > > numbers are dropping. I wonder am I wasting time doing the programs? I
> > > love programming and find it personally fun and exciting but wonder
> > > about the benefits of the programs if no one comes back or takes out a
> > > book.
> > > Second problem... We spend all kinds of money on glue and pretty paper
> > > etc. for crafts to allow the children to create a project in 20
minutes
> > > or less that they take home and toss out. I am thinking that we should
> > > create more useful crafts. One parent told me she still has the pencil
> > > holder her daughter made for her in the beginning of the summer. I
would
> > > like to see the kids making something functional that will last more
> > > than a day. I am not looking at creating little carpenters but
something
> > > of lasting value I think is more beneficial for all. I value feedback
on
> > > this and any functional craft ideas ( for adults and kids) as well.
> > > Thank you
> > > Tara Mendez
> > > taram@mail2world.com
> > >
> >
>

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End of PUBYAC Digest 1317
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