01-17-04 or 1319
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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, January 17, 2004 11:01 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 1319

    PUBYAC Digest 1319

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Re: Newbery winner caution
by Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
  2) Re: Awards announcement
by Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
  3) activity for fractured fairytales
by "Natasha Forrester" <nforrester@wpl.org>
  4) RE: Programs vrs Book Circulation ... the question may be ...
by "Beverly Bixler" <bbixler@sanantonio.gov>
  5) RE: Awards announcement
by "Connor, Pat" <PConnor@libraryweb.org>
  6) small rewards of the job
by rkordatz@burlington.lib.wi.us
  7) RE: library as entertainment center for young children
by "Mary Ann Gilpatrick" <MGilpatrick@ci.walla-walla.wa.us>
  8) RE: Awards announcement
by Leslie Hauschildt <lhauscht@jefferson.lib.co.us>
  9) Caudlill Question
by "Terri Norstrom" <tnorstrom@fremontlibrary.org>
 10) Shopping/Money Storytime
by Janet Tharp <jtharp@will.state.wy.us>
 11) Book scavenger hunt
by "Juli Huston" <jhuston@snap.lib.ca.us>
 12) RE: In defense of the Pigeon:
by "G Gallagher" <gglibrarian@hotmail.com>
 13) Were you a nontraditional teen?
by "sanderso" <sanderso@lib.de.us>
 14) Bob Books Summary
by Ford-Betsy@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov
 15) Award announcement ... BWI
by "Ahern, Kathleen" <Kathleen@neill-lib.org>
 16) Winn-Dixie
by "Cheryl D." <whirlee@hotmail.com>
 17) RE: weird and unusual state sites
by "Susanna Holstein" <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>
 18) Talking with Robert Martin at PLA
by Mary K Chelton <mchelton@optonline.net>
 19) Process Oriented Crafts
by "Jennifer Salt" <jennifersalt@hotmail.com>
 20) Re: library as entertainment center for young children
by Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
 21) Chinese New Year Program...
by "Barbara Scott" <barbarascott@hotmail.com>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Newbery winner caution
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:47:18 CST

hmmm. sad isn't it? too bad so many libraries do much
of the same with selection in general.
~j.

--- Selma Levi <slevi@mail.pratt.lib.md.us> wrote:
> 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
>


=====
~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: Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Awards announcement
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:47:32 CST

we had the same problem and i have to say that i have
been extremely disappointed with ala's site in general
lately. pages are difficult to search and take forever
to load and you often click on links that take you
nowhere. i don't know what the problem is but it seems
to have gotten worse since they redesigned it a while
back.
~j.
--- Suzanne Hall <suzanne@putnam.lib.in.us> 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
>


=====
~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: "Natasha Forrester" <nforrester@wpl.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: activity for fractured fairytales
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:47:45 CST

  Next week I'm doing a birthday celebration for children's authors with
January birthdays, and I'm looking for a short activity to do with grade
schoolers revolving around fractured fairy tales - we're covering Jacob
Grimm and also Julius Lester (I'm reading aloud from Ackamarakas, so
basically that is fractured fables).  We only have an hour total, and that
includes reading a REmy Charlip book and the reading from Lester, plus a
Winnie the Pook activity to celebrate A.A. Milne.  Any ideas would be
appreciated - please send off list to nforrester@wpl.org Thanks!

  Natasha Forrester, Children's Services Librarian
  Winfield Public Library
  605 College  Winfield, KS 67156
  (620) 221-4470

  "Once again I teeter at the precipice of the generation gap." - Giles,
'Out of Mind, Out of Sight'

------------------------------
From: "Beverly Bixler" <bbixler@sanantonio.gov>
To: <Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com>,
Subject: RE: Programs vrs Book Circulation ... the question may be ...
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:47:58 CST

I also have to chime in and agree with "it's the process, not the =
product." However, I have had young storytime participants, when I =
reused a craft a couple of years later, tell me they still had the one =
they had made a couple of years before! And we are talking about color & =
glue stuff, not nice pencil holders.
Beverly Bixler
bbixler@sanantonio.gov
San Antonio Public Library, TX=20

-----Original Message-----
From: Stacey Irish-Keffer [mailto:Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 3:40 PM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org; trumpeter2@shaw.ca
Subject: Re: Programs vrs Book Circulation ... the question may be ...


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: "Connor, Pat" <PConnor@libraryweb.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>,
Subject: RE: Awards announcement
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:48:12 CST

I went looking for the announcement on Monday also. I even signed up for =
the ALSC discussion board hoping I would get an e-mail from them. Are we =
compulsive or what. Anyway, today I received this message from them and =
thought I would pass it along:

Greetings all:

As many of you know, the 2004 ALSC book and other media awards were
announced on Monday, January 12. Prior to the Midwinter Meeting, I
posted to the ALSC-L electronic discussion list, letting subscribers
know when the announcements would be made and where the information
would be posted on the ALSC Web site. 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. We sincerely apologize for this situation. ALSC will work in
the future with other ALA entities to find solutions to this type
problem in the future.

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

Happy Friday to all and to those in the cold--stay warm.

Pat Connor
Children's Librarian
Sully Branch Library
939 Bay Street
Rochester, NY 14609
585-428-8209
pconnor@libraryweb.org

------------------------------
From: rkordatz@burlington.lib.wi.us
To: pubyac listserv <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: small rewards of the job
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:48:26 CST

Hi everyone--

Just had to share a couple of things that happened after school today=2E =
 I had an 8th grade boy come in and blame me for his sleepiness=2E  I ask=
ed why and he said it was because of the book I had recommended to him ye=
sterday!  I gave him a stack of Ruhama Recommended Reads (it=27s 5 p=2Em=2E=
 on Friday=2C can you tell=3F) to paw through=2C and he chose The House o=
f the Scorpion (Farmer)=2E  He started it last night and was up until 1=3A=
30 a=2Em=2E finishing it!  I can only hope all my recommendations are tha=
t well received=2E=2E=2E

The other thing that happened was a little girl and her dad came up to th=
e reference desk saying they needed help finding a book=2E  It was Lily a=
nd the Purple Plastic Purse=2E  I went over to the picture book section a=
nd plucked it off the shelves and handed it to the girl=2E  The dad start=
ed laughing and said =22Gotta love librarians!  I would have stood here f=
orever trying to find it!=22  Hee hee=2E

=3A) ruhama

Ruhama Kordatzky
Youth Services Librarian
Burlington Public Library
rkordatz=40burlington=2Elib=2Ewi=2Eus

Libraries keep the records on behalf of all humanity=85=2E the unique and=
 the absurd=2C the wise and =5Bthe=5D fragments of stupidity=2E =

Vartan Gregorian=2C NY Public Library

------------------------------
From: "Mary Ann Gilpatrick" <MGilpatrick@ci.walla-walla.wa.us>
To: <jlachman@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,
Subject: RE: library as entertainment center for young children
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:48:41 CST

I have no problem with the magic school bus on our Gates computers, as I
feel they, and the other software, fill a real need.

My frustration comes when I search for things to add, especially for the
younger ones, and I cannot get information on whether the product is
networkable and some guarantee it will run on the newest operating
system. I have seen a lot of threads on this listserv saying "The
directions say it will run on this system but we can't seem to get it to
..."

We have been in a weather situation here in SE Washington State.
Storytimes resumed this week after the holidays and the kids were very,
very wound up after being cooped up inside. The only ones we didn't have
to sit on after storytime to keep from running were the three on our one
children's terminal (3 jacks, I machine). It's not perfect.

I myself have deep reservations about AR but have learned to bring it up
very carefully with teachers, as some say it is an indispensable
classroom management tool.

Yes, I worry that kids are getting obese and forming bad habits from
spending so much time in front of monitors. This doesn't make the
technology bad. It does mean too many adults take too many short cuts.

Mary Ann Gilpatrick
Walla Walla Public Library
mgilpatrick@ci.walla-walla.wa.us
FAX: 509-527-3748
phone: 509-527-4550 x 510


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org [mailto:owner-pubyac@prairienet.org]
On Behalf Of Josh lachman
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 1:42 PM
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: library as entertainment center for young children

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
immediately 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: Leslie Hauschildt <lhauscht@jefferson.lib.co.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: Awards announcement
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:48:57 CST

I also found it difficult to learn the winner - we learned the news around
noon (Mountain Time), from a non-ALA site that gathered the award info.  The
ALA official site had the info about 20 minutes later.  I don't know the
specifics of the announcement process - I thought maybe since the meeting
was in San Diego that was holding back the time a bit, but noon still seemed
late.  I don't know if the annoucement is made in a specific ceremony at the
mid-winter meeting, or through the main offices of ALA - that could make a
difference, I would guess.

Leslie Hauschildt      lhauscht@jefferson.lib.co.us
Head, Children's Information Services
Evergreen Library, Jefferson County Public Library
5000 Highway 73, Evergreen, CO  80439
303-674-0780     303-670-7001 (Fax)

Find us on the Web!  info.jefferson.lib.co.us


-----Original Message-----
From: Suzanne Hall [mailto:suzanne@putnam.lib.in.us]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 6:46 PM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Awards announcement




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: "Terri Norstrom" <tnorstrom@fremontlibrary.org>
To: "PUBYAC (E-mail)" <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Caudlill Question
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:55:22 CST

Do any of you have experience as a polling place for the Caudill =
awards?? =20

If so, what are the pros and cons??

Thank you,

Terri N.
Youth Services Librarian
Fremont Public Library District
tnorstrom@fremontlibrary.org

------------------------------
From: Janet Tharp <jtharp@will.state.wy.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Shopping/Money Storytime
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:55:39 CST

Hi, Pubyacers:

I am planning a storytime with a shopping/money theme in February and
need  fingerplays or short flannel board ideas to round out the program.  I
am using Benny's Pennies and Bunny Money as books.  I have looked in all
the usual sources for shopping/money fingerplays and have come up empty
handed.

If you have any suggestions and are willing to share that would be great!

Thanks,
Janet Tharp
Campbell County Public Library
Gillette, Wyoming

------------------------------
From: "Juli Huston" <jhuston@snap.lib.ca.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>, <ya-yaac@ala.org>
Subject: Book scavenger hunt
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:55:52 CST

Hello all,
Please forgive the cross posting. Has anyone done a library scavenger hunt
based on the book "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix? If so,
could I borrow some ideas from you? This is the book my book club is reading
this month and I thought it would be fun to do a library scavenger hunt.
Thank you in advance.
Juli

Juli Huston
Children's & Young Adult Librarian
Solano County Library
Rio Vista Branch
jhuston@snap.lib.ca.us

------------------------------
From: "G Gallagher" <gglibrarian@hotmail.com>
To: ccarey@trlib.org, pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: In defense of the Pigeon:
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:56:06 CST

Cindi,
I loved Don't Let the Pigeon as well and I am happy to say that at ALA, I
was able to read a f&g of the sequel- Don't Let the Pigeon Eat the Hotdog-
with a special guest chicken (I hope I haven't ruined it for anyone).
For a bio and other info about Mo, check his site:
http://www.mowillems.com/bio.htm
He also wrote Time To Pee which is very funny- children love them both.
Genevieve



Genevieve Gallagher
Youth Services Librarian
Orange County Public Library
Orange, Virginia

------------------------------
From: "sanderso" <sanderso@lib.de.us>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Were you a nontraditional teen?
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:56:21 CST

I'm conducting research on librarians who were not mainstream as teenagers.
I
would like to interview current librarians who were extreme as teenagers.
By
extreme, I mean that they were involved in nontraditional educational
situations and/or living environments.  For example:

-----homeless
-----lived in a group home
-----became married as a teen
-----homeschooled
-----became a teen parent
-----ran away from home
-----dropped out of high school
-----dual enrollment in high school and college
-----legally emancipated from parents

If you did not fit the mold as a teen and you were involved in one of the
above, please send me an e-mail message if you'd like to be interviewed.

Sheila B. Anderson
Library Director
Dover Public Library
45 South State Street
Dover, DE 19901
sanderso@lib.de.us
www.doverpubliclibrary.org
(302) 736-7032
(302) 736-5087 (fax)
ALA Councilor at Large
YALSA Board of Directors

------------------------------
From: Ford-Betsy@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Bob Books Summary
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:56:38 CST

Thanks to all for the suggestions and ideas on circulating Bob Books.



The overwhelming responses suggest that it does meet a patron need and that
it's good idea to circulate them.  Here are some specifics:



Most libraries do circulate them although the responses were divided between
those who circulate the individual booklets and those who circulate the
sets.  Some circulated the sets in plastic hanging bags and other circulated
the sets in plastic video cases.  Most libraries didn't really have a
problem with missing booklets although one person suggested that the
booklets are relatively cheap to replace.



Thanks again.



Betsy Ford

Children's Librarian

Monroe County Public Library

Key West, FL

------------------------------
From: "Ahern, Kathleen" <Kathleen@neill-lib.org>
To: "Pubyac Pubyac (E-mail)" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Award announcement ... BWI
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:56:51 CST

I too was so frustrated at not being able to find the winners in a =
timely manner.  Then, it occurred to me to check on my favorite jobber's =
website  ... BWI  (www.bwibooks.com) and there they all were -accessible =
to everyone -  keep it in mind for next year!     THANKS to BWI and =
their great staff! =20

Kathleen Ahern
Youth Services Librarian
Neill Public Library
210 N. Grand Avenue
Pullman, WA  99163

------------------------------
From: "Cheryl D." <whirlee@hotmail.com>
To: mmacleod@sailsinc.org
Subject: Winn-Dixie
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:57:04 CST


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."


I'm not trying to take anything away from Despereaux, but wanted to add my
two cents to the comments above:

I have yet to meet a child who has read and not loved Winn-Dixie.  It is
universal in its appeal.  My daughter read it as an eight-year-old and was
completely taken by the story.  It is one of those rare books and I felt
this way the minute I finished reading it for the first time.  The children
of Connecticut selected it as their favorite for the Nutmeg Award (kids vote
for the winner) so I believe in it as a book for kids.  All the better that
adults find things to like in it, too!

Here's to more great kids' books in 2004!  Way to go Kate!!!!

Cheryl Donahue
Canton (CT) PL

------------------------------
From: "Susanna Holstein" <pkb00700@alpha.wvup.wvnet.edu>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children"
Subject: RE: weird and unusual state sites
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:57:16 CST



This is a one-stop shop for many wonderfully odd and strange places in the
US:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
It's a lot of fun just to browse and wonder at the weirdness of the human
mind.

This is the list of West Virginia's weird places:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/wv.html

Probably the most offbeat place is the Mystery Hole, in Ansted, WV.
For more information about it, go here:
http://www.mysteryhole.com/pages/421368/index.htm


Susanna Holstein

------------------------------
From: Mary K Chelton <mchelton@optonline.net>
To: yalsa-l@ala.org, alsc-l@ala.org, publib@sunsite.berkeley.edu,
 pubyac@prairienet.org,
 Open Lib/Info Sci Education Forum <JESSE@LISTSERV.UTK.EDU>
Subject: Talking with Robert Martin at PLA
MIME-version: 1.0
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Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:57:30 CST

In response to all the interest in talking with him about the next
generation of youth services faculty, Dr. Robert Martin, Director of
the Institute for Museum and Library Services has asked me to send
the following statement and announcement of an informal meeting at
the PLA conference. If you are attending, please RSVP to me no later
than Feb. 15 (even if you responded to the feelers sent out a couple
months ago) just so we can get a reasonable head count.

"Planning, developing and managing services for children and young
adults has never been more important.  We are in urgent need of
professional librarians with the specialized expertise to carry out
this important role.  Preparing librarians for this practice requires
faculty who have experience in the field.  But these individuals must
also have the requisite academic preparation to qualify for faculty
positions in graduate programs accredited by the American Library
Association.  In order to prepare the next generation of youth
services librarians, we need to encourage a critical number of
today's practitioners to earn a doctorate and dedicate themselves to
an academic career of teaching, research and service.  I would be
pleased to have the opportunity to talk informally with youth
services librarians attending the Public Library Association
Conference in Seattle in February, to discuss their perceptions of
needs and priorities.  If you are interested in this topic, please
come share your thoughts with me in Seattle at the PLA conference on
Thursday morning in the Aspen Room of the Sheraton Hotel."

Mary K. Chelton


--
******************************************
Mary K. Chelton Ph. D.
Professor
Graduate School of Library and Information Studies
254 Rosenthal Library
Queens College
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11367
w (718) 997-3667 direct; 3790 office; 3797 fax
h (631) 286-4255
mchelton@optonline.net
*****************************************

------------------------------
From: "Jennifer Salt" <jennifersalt@hotmail.com>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Process Oriented Crafts
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:57:43 CST

The topic of process oriented crafts is surfacing once again--it seems to be
a periennal topic on PUBYAC. Which delights me--I'm very interested in the
topic. And discussing it is sort of a refuge from the way that arts and
crafts are handled in my current library system--something that drives me up
a wall. But, so far no one has hit on the information I need, so I thought
that I would post.

First, can someone direct me to some research on _why_ process centered art
is so important, how it links to children's development, and so forth? I
want hard hitting research, the type of stuff that library school course
packets are made of. I don't mean information such as the MaryAnn Kohl
books--I have that sort of stuff. I want research rather than craft ideas. I
also have Susan Striker--her books are great, but to some extent she expects
the reader to accept her as an expert without offering substanstial
research.

I have searched in EBSCO for juried articles, but turned up nothing relevant
to my needs. Perhaps "process centered art" and "art as a process" are not
the right keywords to use? I would appreciate any help.

My current situation is grim, but I feel that I may be able to express--or
even implement--my own views someday, and I would definitely like the
information to back them up. Also, in the meantime, reading this stuff will
help me to feel that I'm sane in my views.

My supervisor has actually complained about a few mothers who have come in
over time, saying that they want their kids to be "creative." Her complaint?
That their children's project doesn't look like the other children's
projects. Definitely not an art as a process viewpoint. :^)

TIA,

--Jennifer

------------------------------
From: Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: library as entertainment center for young children
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:57:57 CST

hmmmm. well josh while i completely agree with you as
far as how annoying this trend can be i have to take
issue with a couple things you say.

first that you are in the profession to promote your
own values--again, in this context i think i can
understand what your saying but i think it's also
important to be careful here. if this same sentiment
extends to your selection of books or the types of
programs you offer you can be getting into dangerous
waters.

also, what about all the *adults* that just sit in the
library and play games or chat or surf ebay all day?
does age make a difference as to what type of service
we should be providing? maybe. some libraries think so
but i'm not so sure.

unfortunately with regard to having public access
computers i think it is a bridge that was crossed and
then burned a long time ago...we can't go back now. i
too would rather see the kids reading books and
computers reserved for homework/research, but it's a
little late for that now. it would be difficult to
draw a line between patrons using the computers for
fun versus business or reference and some people don't
think we should--we don't do the same thing for books.


also, the public library is for a lot of people the
only access they have to computers. but then again,
lots of people don't have cable tv and we don't have
free hbo here. and public access computers eat up *a
lot* of our valuable resources in staff & capital.

i think ideally the proper place for computer access
when it is just for fun is in a recreation center and
some cities are seeing this now and setting up rec
center computer rooms. but for many of us, like i said
we already crossed that bridge and to pull the
computers out now or start trying to make rules as to
what does & doesn't qualify as legitimate library use
would be difficult if not impossible.

~j.
--- Josh lachman <jlachman@ci.berkeley.ca.us> wrote:
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> When children leave our weekly preschool storytime,
> some of them immediately 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?
>


=====
~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: "Barbara Scott" <barbarascott@hotmail.com>
To: OPLINLIST@EPICURUS.OPLIN.LIB.OH.US, PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Chinese New Year Program...
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 23:58:11 CST

CHINESE NEW YEAR

On January 17th, 2004, a small but intrepid group braved the cold weather to
gather in the Bucyrus Public Library's Community Room for an afternoon of
learning about Chinese New Year, which officially begins January 22, 2004.

Children's Librarian Barbara Scott presented a short Powerpoint presentation
on the history of Chinese New Year for those present.

After that, participants could choose to make any or all of seven crafts
available:

1.  Let's Make a Dragon Mask--Participants colored and cut out a dragon face
and taped it to a paint stick to form a mask.

2.  Let's Make a Chinese Flag--a small replica of the Chinese flag was
provided for participants to color along with a short history of the flag.

3.  Year of the Monkey Coloring Page--Downloaded picture of monkey with
banner was colored and turned in to Mrs. Scott to be displayed with pictures
of the day's event..

4.  Chinese New Year Fireworks--Glue was spread on black construction paper
in fireworks shapes.  Glitter was sprinkled onto the glue to color the
firework.

5.  Dancing Dragon Toy--Dragon head and tail were colored and then attached
to accordion-folded paper and barbeque skewers taped to the back to move the
toy.

6.  Chinese Lanterns--Participants folded and cut construction paper to make
lantern body and added strip for handle.

7.  Let's Make a Tangram Puzzle--Tangram square shape (with smaller pieces
inside) was given to be cut apart.  A sheet of tangram patterns was also
available for participants to take to form figures, as well as a small sheet
that told the legend of the tangram.

After the crafts were finished, participants were invited to the refreshment
table.  Pretzels, chow mein noodles, gummi/marshmallow sharks, fruit snacks,
brownies, and punch were served.

Seth Keller was the lucky winner of a set of small Chinese character stamps.

Each participant received a goodie bag with two sheets of Chinese panda
stickers, two small notepads shaped as Chinese coats, a set of chopsticks,
and a red good luck envelope with a play $1.00 bill inside.

I would be glad to send patterns to anyone who would like them.  Email me
directly at barbarascott@hotmail.com


Barbara Scott
Children's Librarian, Bucyrus Public Library

------------------------------

End of PUBYAC Digest 1319
*************************