01-30-04 or 1331
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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 30, 2004 3:04 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 1331

    PUBYAC Digest 1331

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) PUBYAC settings change
by "Pyowner" <pyowner@pallasinc.com>
  2) bookstores & libraries
by Katy Obringer <katyobringer@juno.com>
  3) Stumper-- Egg House
by "Sue Peterson" <speterson@scld.org>
  4) Inkheart
by Aclasper@aol.com
  5) Junie B Jones party
by "Amy Frederick OH0227" <frederam@oplin.org>
  6) RE: Graphic Novels
by "Waarala,Karrie" <waaralak@cadl.org>
  7) Fractured Fairy Tales Program Suggestions
by Erika Burge <eburge@esls.lib.wi.us>
  8) Re: Board Games
by Larry & Tania Guyer <theguyers@pacbell.net>
  9) Read A Likes like Sierra Jenson Series
by Heather Ujhazy <heatherlynnu@yahoo.com>
 10) School visit survey responses - long
by "Deborah Cooper" <dcooper@starklibrary.org>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Pyowner" <pyowner@pallasinc.com>
To: "pubyac" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: PUBYAC settings change
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 09:49:24 -0700
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Dear PUBYACkers,

Well, the spam is getting completely out of hand.  I am going to reset a
PUBYAC parameter so that the listserve will now accept postings only from
registered subscribers.  This means that anyone receiving this message will
be able to post messages, but anyone who is not subscribed to the list will
be rejected.

The only problem I can think might happen is if the PUBYAC subscriber list
has recorded your e-mail address in one format, but your e-mail system sends
out as though you were coming from a slightly different format.  For
example, you may be subscribed as:

someone@mail.library.org

but your e-mail goes out as though it is coming from

someone@library.org

then PUBYAC would not recognize you as a subscriber.  If this happens, let
me know and we'll get your subscription into the correct format.

Sorry to have to become more strict here, but so far today more spam came
through the listprocessor than "real" messages.  One good reason to have a
moderator !

And as far as the Worm virus goes:  I have determined that it did not
originate from my machine.  Apparently this virus's modus operandi is that
it masks itself as originating from various e-mail addresses even when it's
not really there.  The thing that is totally freaking me out is that it
indeed got through Listproc because a copy of the post is in Digest 1329.
Now, when it comes through the listserver, Listproc chews up any attachment
so that it cannot execute, but it still takes up a lot of bytes.  I don't
know if changing the parameters would help with this problem, but perhaps it
will.

Shannon VanHemert
PUBYAC Moderator
pyowner@pallasinc.com

------------------------------
From: Katy Obringer <katyobringer@juno.com>
To: paula@saline.lib.mi.us
Subject: bookstores & libraries
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:02:47 CST


Paula, keep up the good work. You remind me of myself! I would do like
things. I am now a retired librarian as of 12/30/03 and I'm still doing
like things. :-) It makes a huge difference.

------------------------------
From: "Sue Peterson" <speterson@scld.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Stumper-- Egg House
MIME-Version: 1.0
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:03:01 CST

A 30ish customer is looking for a story from her childhood. The story is
about a poor family with lots of children. A bird leaves a giant egg and the
family makes scrambled eggs to feed everyone, and then builds a house in the
eggshell.

I have checked A to Zoo. Sound familiar? Please respond to me directly at
speterson@scld.org.

Thanks for your help in solving this one...

Sue Peterson
Spokane County Library District
Spokane, Washington

------------------------------
From: Aclasper@aol.com
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Inkheart
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:03:14 CST

I agree. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke was one of the best books I have read in
a long time. I could not put it down. It was beautifully written, and hard
to
believe that we are reading a translated version becaue it is so smooth
flowing. My 16 year old daughter is engrossed in it at the moment, but I
think boys
would like it too

Anne.

**********************
Anne Clasper
Youth Services Librarian
Lockport Public Library
Lockport, NY, 14094.

------------------------------
From: "Amy Frederick OH0227" <frederam@oplin.org>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Junie B Jones party
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:03:29 CST

I am new to the list and have yet to figure out the archives...

We are having a Junie B Jones party (A Mushy Gushy Valentimes Party)!  We do
have plans/ideas but would love to hear your success stories.

Thanks!
AF


Amy Frederick
Children's Specialist
Carnegie Public Library
Washington C.H., Ohio 43160
740-335-2540 ext 14
frederam@oplin.org

------------------------------
From: "Waarala,Karrie" <waaralak@cadl.org>
To: "David Winkler-Schmit" <dschmit@gno.lib.la.us>,
Subject: RE: Graphic Novels
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
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Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:03:49 CST

Capital Area District Library keeps most graphic novels in the YA =
section.  Any that are deemed a little too mature for teens are kept in =
the adult nonfiction in the 741s.  I'm personally all for them; we can't =
keep them on the shelves here, and there's a few of the series of which =
I'm an avid fan myself.

Hope that helps,
Karrie

-----------------------------------------
Karrie Waarala
Teen Services Librarian
Capital Area District Library
401 S. Capitol Avenue
Lansing, MI  48901
517-367-6327
waaralak@cadl.org



-----Original Message-----
From: David Winkler-Schmit [mailto:dschmit@gno.lib.la.us]
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 8:38 PM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Graphic Novels


Dear Collective Brain,

I'm not sure if this has been answered before, but where do you folks =
=3D
keep (if you do have them) copies of the graphic novel titles, "Sandman" =
=3D
or a little more on the rough side, "Preacher."  Any input would be =3D
appreciated even if you don't think anyone should carry these titles.

------------------------------
From: Erika Burge <eburge@esls.lib.wi.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Fractured Fairy Tales Program Suggestions
MIME-version: 1.0
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:04:04 CST


Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions and ideas for my fractured
fairy tales evening.  Someone asked that I post the responses: here are the
suggestions that I received.

You could select one of the books that you read and base a craft around
that --

For instance, you could read "The Bootmaker And The Elves" by Susan Lowell
and if you have a template or Ellison die for cowboy boots, have the kids
decorate fancy boots with glitter, puffy paint, sparkle pens, buttons,
rickrack, etc.

Or, if you read "The True Story Of The Three Little Pigs" by Jon Scieszka,
you could get together materials like straws, toothpicks and styrofoam
blocks and have the kids team up and build houses that you could then
display in the library.  Create your characters out of felt or cardboard
and set up a tableau that the kids can come back and see.  Display their
names with the house they worked on.

If you do a variant on the Gingerbread Boy you can always incorporate a
snack!!  Better yet, get some plain gingerbread boy cookies and have kids
decorate them with icing, candy, sprinkles, etc. and then let them
eat!  Photograph each child with his or her cookie and display the
photos.  Or, if you have a Polaroid, snap a photo that they can take home.

Just a few suggestions I thought of off the top of my head.  I drank coffee
this morning, and I suspect that has something to do with the brainstorm
inspired by your request!!

Could you post fun replies to the list?

HTH,
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

Have you considered writing a Mad-Lib style story which the kids could fill
in as a group?  It could go something like  :
  "(Adj.) Red Riding Hood  was (v.)ing through the woods one day on the way
to (celebrity)'s house with a basket full of (adj.) (pl.n.)..."
Review the parts of speech briefly in advance and give a few examples of
each.  Then go  around the circle or just ask the participants to raise
their hands if they have  suggestions for whatever is needed. Read the
completed version to the group.  This type of activity has always been
popular in our programs. You might want to have a second story on hand
because the students usually want more!  Some ask for copies of the
original (before it is filled in) to take home to try on other people.
Have fun!
Janet Kreason
Children's Librarian
R. P. Flower Memorial Library
Watertown, NY



We did a program for Children's Book Week called "From the Mixed Up Files
of the Brothers Grimm." We focused on fractured fairy tales. We promoted it
heavily in the schools - asking them to share traditional fairy tales with
the students, so they would get the fractured ones. They promoted the
program on the morning announcements and let us distribute flyers. We also
had "celebrity readers" from the schools, who also came in costume. We did
give them stories to choose from, so we knew they would be appropriate &
thematic.

We invited everyone to come dressed as their favorite book character -
staff too. We also had a display called "Test Your Fairy Tale IQ" with
props from fairy tales - there were answer sheets where they could record
their guesses. There were prizes for best costumes (silly categories - most
magical, fuzziest, best villain, etc).

Our teen librarian got lots of her teens to volunteer (they all came as the
kids from Holes & decorated white t-shirts with their nicknames).

We served refreshments (including chocolate covered in gold foil &
Hershey's kisses - "treasure" and ginger snaps - for the gingerbread man).

Good luck! We had a lot of fun with our program - we had over 130 people
(including parents - it was an evening program).

Amy Switzer
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library


It seems to me that doing a mad lib would be a good way to fracture a fairy
tale. You may need to create your own, but I doubt it. I'll bet there are
sites that have them, and our fellow pubyaccers may know where they are.
Peg Siebert
Blodgett Library
Fishkill, NY



I've done fairy tale "mad libs" and flip books,both ideas are from
Storycraft by
Martha Seif Simpson and Lynne Perrigo. (highly recommended!) Good Luck &
Have FUN !
Hope this helps,
Laurie Harrison
Riverhead (NY) FPL


And a BIG thanks to Jennifer Baker. who shared many mad libs with me so
that I didn't have to create all of them myself.  --The madlibs were
attachments, if anyone would like to see them please contact Jennifer or me.

Thanks so much guys--

Erika



Erika Burge
Children's Librarian
Cedarburg Public Library
W63 N583 Hanover Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012

------------------------------
From: Larry & Tania Guyer <theguyers@pacbell.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org, c.neirink@vlc.lib.mi.us
Subject: Re: Board Games
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:04:21 CST

Four popular games in the school library I work in are
Mancala, Mastermind, Tic Tac Toe, and chess. They are
used every single school day.

Tatiana Guyer
Library Coordinator
Mayfield Junior School
Pasadena, CA


--- Christine Neirink <c.neirink@vlc.lib.mi.us> wrote:
> I would like to buy 2 or 3 board games for
> elementary school-aged
> kids to play in the libary.  Do any of you have
> board games in your
> children's departments?  If so, what games are
> especially popular
> with the kids?  Thanks!
>
> Christine Neirink
> Children's Librarian
> Bay County Library System
> c.neirink@vlc.lib.mi.us
>

------------------------------
From: Heather Ujhazy <heatherlynnu@yahoo.com>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Read A Likes like Sierra Jenson Series
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:04:36 CST

Good Evening,

I had a patron today who is requesting recommendations
of book series or just book titles that her 10 year
old daughter, who is reading at an 8th grade level,
can read without the mother worrying about the content
of the book being inappropriate.  Her daughter has
already read Sierra Jenson Series and the Christy
Miller series and has liked these. 

Any suggestions any of you may have that would be
appropriate for this patron's daughter would be
greatly appreciated.

Please email me directly at heatherlynnu@yahoo.com.

Thanks Again for all your assistance.

-Heather

------------------------------
From: "Deborah Cooper" <dcooper@starklibrary.org>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: School visit survey responses - long
content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:04:51 CST

Hello again Yakkers,
Below are the responses I received regarding the school visit survey.
Thanks again for your help!
Deb
How many times per year do you visit schools? usually twice a year Do
you find it difficult to get into the schools? no When visiting the
schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)? I
usually see several classes of one grade level in the library
How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year? no
opinion
Why do school visits? to introduce kiddos to the library and library
programs, such as Summer Reading Program
How important do you think school visits are to the library? I think
they are important public relations opportunities
How important are school visits to you?  To the students? Yes, important
to me; the kids like getting out of class for something a little bit
different=09
What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during
school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
organizations?) I have also attended careers days at schools and PTA
programs
Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?  Skits? yes; and no,
but have done Reader's Theater and poetry readings in schools
Thanks again,
Deb


How many times per year do you visit schools?
AT least once.

Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?
No

When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?
We see several classes at a time-- as many as can fit in the
school library at a time.

How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?
It depends on what you have to say.

Why do school visits?
Kids and school staff need to be reminded how good we are.

How important do you think school visits are to the library?
vital

How important are school visits to you?  To the students?

What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during
school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
organizations?)
We also go to staff meeting and staff all-city workshops

Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?  Skits?=3D20
We do skits


How many times per year do you visit schools? Children's librarians
usually visit elementary schools only once, at the end of the year to
talk about Summer Reading Celebration.Occasionally teachers will call us
to do presentations or book talks on specific subjects.  Our YA
librarian visits probably 2 or 3 times per year, at the request of
language arts teachers, to do book talks, etc.=20

Do you find it difficult to get into the schools? Only the scheduling is
difficult, the schools are usually happy to see us.=20
When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one

grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?  We try
to do one large group, or two or three at the most if we are presenting
a program to all grade levels, to avoid having to make the presentation
multiple times and be out of the building for a long time.=20
How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?
It depends on how many elementary schools are in your service area.  I
think it would be nice to be able to visit once a quarter to announce
library programs, do book talks, or present literature-based programs.=20
Why do school visits?  To promote the Library, of course!=20
How important do you think school visits are to the library?If they get
children to visit the library, then they are very important!!=20
How important are school visits to you? I used to be a teacher, so it is
fun for me to be back in the schools.  Other librarians may feel
differently.=20
To the students? Again, it depends on the program.  Students like to
hear someone besides their teacher talking to them once in awhile.
Also, book talks may stimulate interest in reading.=20
What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during

school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher=20
organizations?)  Parenting programs are good.  One thing I would love to
start here, is a visit to a teacher meeting to explain Library services
for teachers (Educator cards, ordering in books, Core collections of
classroom sets, and other things we offer).=20
Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?  Skits?=3D20=20
When we do our SRC visits, we usually go with a partner, and occasionaly
skits or songs or games are part of the visit.=20

I hope this helps!=20
 =20
ow many times per year do you visit schools?

Most of the time, the school actually come to us. We
usually have them about 3 or 4 times during the year.
We also attend an annual visit. (We also make once a
month visits to our local Headstart)

Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?

No. The teachers tend to contact us.


When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one
class at a time, one grade level at a time, or the
entire school (auditorium style)?

When they visit here, we tend to have 2 classes at a
time. When visiting there, we only see 1 class.=20

How many school visits do you think is an acceptable
amount per year?

I think 3 or 4 is an acceptable amount.=20

Why do school visits?

It's our way of introducing the library to the
children. In some cases, it's an opportunity for the
children to receive their library card for the first
time.=20

How important do you think school visits are to the
library?

We believe it's a great way to foster the public
library-school partnership as well as guide the
children into a love of reading and the library itself

How important are school visits to you?  To the
students?

I love doing them. The children are always very
excited about taking out a library book, most
especially the ones getting a brand new card.


What are some alternatives to the traditional school
visit? (both during school's open house, table or
presentation to parent/teacher organizations?)

We haven't done any

Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?=20
Skits? No


Hope that helps

Natalie


=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Natalie Korsavidis
Dear Deb,
    I'm the only person children and teens here, so time is precious,
but I do make some school visits.  They occur in May, just before Summer
Reading Program and in the fall to Headstart, and I do 15 storytimes
twice a year in the kindergarten classrooms (2) who responded to my
offer--I like the kids to get to know my face and recognize me as
friendly and approachable before they need to seek me out for
homework/research help.
    I think the time is well spent.  I tell the Headstarts and
Kindergartens that maybe they'd like to return the visit and come to see
me at the library, and they do.
    Hope you get useful response on this subject.
Barbara G. Osborn, Youth Services Librarian
Allegan (MI) Public Library
bosborn@alleganlibrary.org
(616) 673-4625
----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Deborah Cooper" <dcooper@starklibrary.org>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 11:43 PM
Subject: School visits



Deb:
Our library is in a small community.  There are about 600 students in
the K-5 elementary school.  I have worked as the children's librarian
for two years.  In our community, the teachers are very receptive to
visits.  I go in through special requests throughout the year, a
classroom at a time. Once a year, the kindergarten comes to the library,
two classes at a time, during their community helpers unit.  The last
two years I have read to the entire second grade once a week while the
teachers have their planning meeting.  Generally, I read several AR
books.  As we get into the second half of school, I read Gooney Bird
Greene by Lois Lowry.  After I have finished the book, we have a
story-writing contest to see who can write the most interesting
"absolutely true" story.  I also do outreach to four preschools in the
area.

I enjoy going out to read.  Occasionally, I will take a puppet or a
flannel board story, but for the most part I just read.  I think it
benefits the teachers and the children.  The children get to hear
someone read to them other than their teacher.  The group I read to
weekly has over 100 children.  I prefer a smaller group, as sometimes
the ones that don't care to be read to distract the ones who do want to
be read to.

Our library has not had much success with in-house programs (preschool
storytimes, etc.).  The outreach gives us an opportunity to impact the
community and show our state and county representatives the numbers that
are always important when it comes time for budgets.

Hope this helps.
Tina Mauney
Morton Public Library
Morton, MS

Hello Deb,
 I don't want the position of the media center person in the school, nor
the position of the classroom teacher.   Sometimes, people in these
positions feel a little threatened by us.  Silly, I know, but that is
the truth as we have expereinced it here.  After about ten years of
working really hard to forge some kind of working relationships with the
schools in the area our hard work is finally starting to pay off.
As to your questions:
Whenever a school calls requesting a visit we try our best to comply.
Sometimes staffing the department is a problem. Nope.  Some schools know
us better than others, but usually it's not too hard. I prefer grade
levels--it's just easier if you are booktalking, storytelling, or
program plugging. We try to be fair and try not to spend all of our time
at one school.  Usually one visit and then again for summer reading. I
love school visits.  It gives the teachers, as well as the kids to see
what we're about. A great school visit will get the kids in, so I
believe they are important. To me?  I love doing them and getting the
kids revved up about books.  The kids seem to enjoy the visits (and they
are usually getting out of a class to come--they don't complain).
Usually open houses and PTA nights are too "busy" to do anything other
than a table presentation but I have done a book reading or story
telling with a few kids gathered around.  Sometimes it works, sometimes
not. We used to do a skit thing for SR, but stopped a few years back
when the department head went part time.  The present Dept. Head doesn't
care for skits.  I don't care for them either. What works for me? I take
bookmarks, sticks of gum, small candy bars and tell the kids to pay
attention to what I'm saying because there will be a "quiz" at the end
of the presentation for SR.  They pay attention, I don't call on anyone
who yells or jumps up, and viola!  THEY REMEMBER!!!!  Works well in
small groups, too. (Just as an aside--I did some Caudill booktalking at
a school a month or so ago.  The kids were so attentive, the teachers
loved it, the librarian was all smiles.  She called me a few days later
and told me that the principal was so impressed by the teachers
enthusiasm and the response of the kids that he was able to get the PTA
to give them money to buy extra copies of the "booktalked" books.  It is
not hard once you get a foot in the door.  Keep calling, keep asking,
stay enthused.  After all, you love books and kids that's why you work
in a library--your enthusiasm is contagious.  Good luck!)
=20
Margaret Tassione

his is an interesting survey, and I hope you'll share the results. As a
new programming coordinator, I'm sharing what we have done and what I
plan to do, but I am open to new ideas myself.

Because of staffing issues, we visit schools 1) in May, to promote the
Vacation Reading Program for the summer and 2) no more than one
additional visit per year. There are 13 public elementary schools and
one primary school in our county, and with only 2 part-time staff I
can't promise more than that. In reality, we rarely visit a school other
than in May, but if asked I would make every effort to visit one other
time per year.

We do "tours" if a school (public, private, pre-, etc.) wants to come to
us--but tours are usually given by the information department and not
the programming department.

As an alternative to VRP promotional school visits, we have done a
videotape and sent it to the schools to air during their televised
morning announcements. I think at one point there was a plan to
alternate between taped "visits" one year and actual visits the next,
and so on. However, I plan to visit every single year if possible. I
think the face-to-face living breathing contact is important so that
kids associate the public library with real people who are fun and
approachable.=20

In the past, we have visited schools with a portable puppet stage and
five staff (the programming dept. which is me and the 2 part-time staff
plus the youth services information specialist from each branch). This
year, I'm planning to do visits with only 2 or 3 staff, dividing up the
schools. (Is that what you mean by "team" approach?)

I don't know how difficult it will be to get into the schools, since
this will be my first year actually coordinating the visits. In the
past, nearly every school has invited us. Occasionally there have been
some scheduling problems.

Last year, we made an effort to visit each second grade, and I plan to
continue that each year, so we're seeing a different bunch of
second-graders each year. I'd like to see the whole school, but that's
impossible given the numbers and the hours in a day.

Good luck!
Vanessa Cowie

I am the school liaison in our youth services department.
There is also one for YA.

I visit schools and do booktalks mostly during National
Library Week and Children's Book Week. We have a newsletter that goes
out to all the school librarians and language arts teachers. We offer to
booktalk in that publication and sometimes they will request a visit
after they receive the newsletter. I find that the public librarian has
to be aggresive in approaching schools because they do not usually think
we will come to them. We also have a regular 4th grade research program
with two large schools. The students come to us one class at a time for
two weeks and learn to research using every part of the collection
except the Internet.

We also try to attend the beginning of the school year open houses. We
bring a table display of all our publications and brochures and always
have a give-away or raffle.

One thing we have done only on a limited basis as it does
not seem to increase our numbers, is  school promotions for
the summer reading club. It takes so much time even if it is done
auditorium style as our service population has about 20 schools. For
that we make promotional bookmarks and distribute to the schools.=20


Hope this helps.


Vicki Lamm

How many times per year do you visit schools?=20
* Used to be twice a year to each classroom, now it is less
frequent=20
Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?=20
* It is getting more and more difficult with all the testing dates
and pressure on teachers to prepare kids for tests.=20
When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one

grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?=20
* Of the above three, seeing each class gives the best interaction
between the kids and the librarian. Also, the librarian can establish a
relationship with the teacher. But it is exhausting, time consuming and
difficult to schedule.=20
How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?=20
* One each year is the minimum, unless you have a school that
sends its classes to you regularly.=20
Why do school visits?=20
* Several reasons. To promote library card registration, to remind
teachers (and school librarians) to use the public library, to make your
face familiar to the kids, and as an added benefit, to improve behavior
IN the library. And of course, to get kids excited about reading in
general, and wonderful books in particular.=20
How important do you think school visits are to the library?=20
* Very. They increase library card registrations, and they provide
great PR with your community.=20
How important are school visits to you?=20
* Very=20
To the students?=20
* They enjoy the interruption from school work!=20
What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during

school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher=20
organizations?)=20
* Our schools are trying something new. We set up a table on a
report-card-pick-up day, interacting with as many parents as possible,
encouraging them to visit the library to get cards. If your goal is to
have kids get library cards and to have kids brought to the library more
often, then you need to reach their parents.=20
Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits? Skits? No.=20


Hi Deborah -- I'm going to try to answer your questions - but I'll begin
by telling you that my municipal library serves a city of about 79,000
with 13, soon to be 14 public elementary schools, 2 large middle schools
(gr. 6 -8) and a very large public high school (high school student
population is close to 3,000).  There are 2 full-time children's
librarians, one in the branch library and one at the main library (me).

How many times per year do you visit schools?
We visit all the public elementary schools at least once during
the school year -- we target 4th grades as a system wide program and the
goal of the program is to remind older students that the library has
some great books that are just for fun - so we booktalk some newer
fiction and "fun" non-fiction.  We also go back as often as invited to
other classes - so I have done technology lessons based on the public
library's website with third and fifth graders; author presentations
with fifth grades; storytelling with kindergarteners and first graders.
We also try to promote visits to the private and parochial schools in
the area -- we have a Jewish school, 7 Catholic schools, a Christian
school and some small academies. Some years they contact us, some years
they don't.

Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?
We have an excellent relationship with the public schools - so
no we don't find it difficult at all.  Just a time problem fitting it
all in!  We have more of an uphill climb with the private schools -
there is really seems to depend on ever changing faculty and principals.
With many of the schools it seems we have to re-introduce ourselves each
year.

When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?  That
depends on the purpose of the visit.  With the ones we do on a regular
basis, we do it one or two classes at time.  (We have several elementary
schools with several classes per grade level - most have at least 2 -
one has 5 fourth grades and one has 7 fourth grades!)  But I have done
large presentations as well on occasion.

How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?
I don't think there is an answer to this -- it really depends on
why you are doing the visits.  We have definite goals for each visit.
But I do try to honor any request from a school - so we've gone in as
guest storytellers for Read Across America Day and National Reader's
Day.  I've visited classrooms during Children's Book Week and National
Library Week, as well as other "random" times.

Why do school visits? How important do you think school visits are to
the library? How important are school visits to you?  To the students?
I think they are quite important.  We have a large number of
immigrants in our city (we have 63 native languages represented in the
school system).  Many come from cultures and countries where there is no
public library available - at least not like we have it here.  My
visiting the classroom extends a personal invitation to the child to
visit me and the library.  I can't tell you how often I hear "Remember
me? You came to my school."  Of course I remember them all :) We have
gotten a larger number of children coming in for the books we have
booktalked - and they seem more willing to take other suggestions from
me once they have heard me talk to their class.  Just my presence in the
school has prompted teachers to ask for suggestions and help from the
public library, and has led to some (a few, but better than none)
telling us about assignments in advance! And I hope for the kids it has
at least given them a familiar face so that they feel more comfortable
asking for help when they come in.

Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?  Skits?
We don't do it very often -- with so many schools to visit, it's
hard for us to schedule them all in - and almost impossible for two
staff people to go at the same time.  Although the YA librarian and I
both visited all the 6th grades in one middle school this year together
- since that is traditional the year kids move out of the children's
room and into the YA section in our library.  But it was difficult
getting all the classes done (there were about 30 of them.)

What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during
school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
organizations?)
I'm not sure I would consider these alternatives - just
additional things to try.  We have also done presentations to PTA's (on
the library in general, especially during our building project; on
internet safety and on other topics).  We've also been included in
presentations to in-coming kindergarten parents on the importance of
reading; we've talked to the high school parenting class on how and why
to use books with babies and young children; and we have spoken at open
houses.  We've also participated in the city parades and picnics, at the
annual Health and Safety Fair, etc. Anything that will make people
remember and think about the library!
Oh, yes, we also have classes come to the library.  We visit all
the 4th grades in the public schools, but every single 1st grade tours
the library.  For some it's the first time they have been in the
library.  We tour the building, talk about checking books out, tell a
story - and sometimes give out library cards -- that's up to the
teacher, who needs to give out registration forms and have them signed
by the parents in advance. But every child is given a coupon to redeem
when they come back again - they get to see one "back" room that we
don't show during the tour and get a free picture of their hand on the
copy machine -- yes, I know, not a big deal -- but the kids get very
excited!

Hope all this helps.=20
Pat Vasilik

  How many times per year do you visit schools?

I see every class in the regional district twice a year.  In the
beginning of=20
the school year, they visit me at the library to learn about library
services;=20
at the end of the year I visit them to promote the summer reading
program.


*  Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?

Nope - school support is the key, I have a great working relationship
with all=20
the school librarians.  For example, in the beginning of the year, when
we're=20
ready to do school visits, I give each of them a schedule of times that
I'm=20
available for class visits and they go to the teachers for me and
schedule=20
their own times within that range.  Usually it works, when it doesn't,
the=20
school librarians call me and we figure out a new plan to get the class
that=20
can't make it there.

Another thing I recommend is to schedule yourself to be put on the
agenda for=20
a school staff meeting.  Go, introduce yourself, tell them what you're
about=20
and how they can help you.  I also print up cards for each of them to
keep so=20
that they can be in contact with me.  Once again, I do this twice a year
for=20
each school.  In the beginning to introduce myself and meet the new
teachers=20
and talk about what's planned for the library in the year ahead.  And at
the=20
end of the school year I briefly visit the last staff meeting to collect
all=20
of the summer reading lists from teachers.


*  When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time,
one=20
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?

If one class at a time is not possible, I prefer to see one grade at a
time -=20
or a couple of classes in the same grade.  The message that I need to
get to=20
4th and 5th grade youths is different from the message (and the
delivery) that=20
Kindergarten and 1st need/want.  Within my district I do have one school
that=20
is very small and I've addressed them auditorium-style, and that has
worked,=20
but was not nearly as interesting for the kids to hear because it was a
very=20
generic library presentation, not the fun things I can do with smaller
groups=20
of kids of the same level.


*  How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?

I think this depends largely on the school district your library serves
and=20
how much youth service staff you have.  Here at my library, I'm the only
youth=20
service librarian, we're in a largely rural area in Vermont - actually,
we're=20
a very strange area, while we live in the town of Rockingham there are
several=20
villages spread out that make it up.  So, the upshot is I visit 3
elementary=20
schools, 2 private schools, 1 middle school (public), and 1 high school=20
(public).  To get to all of the classes it usually takes me about 2
weeks per=20
visiting session - 4 weeks total a year.

*   Why do school visits?

Why not?  By visiting a class you have the opportunity to speak to a
captive=20
audience of your primary demographic about all the wonderful things you
are a=20
doing.  Sending out flyers and press releases are certainly one way to
do get=20
the message out, but they don't get into the kids' heads the way talking
and=20
engaging them directly does.  When you do this during the school day you
allow=20
the schools to reinforce to their students (and teachers) how important
the=20
library is. =20

You also have the opportunity to connect with students in a way that
competes=20
with material products and other distractions.  Looking at the studies
created=20
by advertising companies on the modern tween-age child, you will quickly
learn=20
that contemporary youths are looking for a synergy and availability in=20
relevant services and products, be it cereal, television, or books.  By=20
visiting schools you have the opportunity to demonstrate that you can
work=20
with another service that they are a part of (schools), and with their=20
(hopefully) undivided attention you can link your services and
collection to=20
other parts of their lives, be it homework, after school stuff, books on

sports, skateboard magazines, jokes,  whatever.  One of my "tricks" to
getting=20
to this point is to have them yell out their interests to me, I have a=20
volunteer pulled from the class write them down, and then I proceed to
point=20
out how their interests are at the library.  I should mention that I do
try to=20
predict some of their interests and bring examples, like skateboarding
and=20
teen mags, cool new books, and whatever else I think they may yell out.

Another point about visiting classes: you have the opportunity to study
them. =20
The first year that I did school visits - after getting permission from
the=20
school - I did a survey.  I needed to find out why kids that could be
using=20
the library weren't.  Who were they?  Where? And what they wanted from
the=20
library.  Boy, kids are honest!  I learned that many stayed away because
of=20
their perception of "unfriendly librarians" (they had a point); library=20
materials that weren't interesting (I won't get into that, but they had
a good=20
point there), ridiculous and restricting rules on kids, and the list
goes on=20
of all the reasons they weren't going to come in.  So, learning about
all of=20
the issues has helped me change services and work on rules and policies
that=20
are both important to the library to keep, but also need adjusting for
the=20
real kids that come in.  The hard part about that kind of survey is the
lack=20
of response it required from me.  In order for the kids to talk to me I
had to=20
listen and accept what they said, not get into argue and defend mode=20
(especially when they're suggesting things that aren't going to=20
happen.  "Okay.....so you want a pool table and large screen TV, let me
write it=20
on the list.  How about books about playing pool? Or games and
puzzles?")


*  How important do you think school visits are to the library?

As important, if not more, than any other advertising that I do for
library=20
programs and services. =20

*  How important are school visits to you?  To the students?

Very important and completely worth the time that it takes for them to
be=20
done.  To the students it is also important, over the past few years
kids have=20
told me that the visits help them know things that are going on at the
library=20
that they are into.  Additionally, since I started them library card=20
possession has gone up.  We can boast that just over 80% of the kids in
our=20
primary serving area have a current library card - I'm aiming for 100%.

*  What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both
during=20
school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
organizations?)

As I mentioned before I do visit the school staff by having myself put
on the=20
agenda for their meetings.  I have considered meeting with the PTO, but=20
haven't yet followed through with it.

* Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?  Skits?=20

Yes, one of the most popular visits was two years ago.  I wrote a skit
and=20
pulled kids from the class to help put it on.  The skit was called "My
trip to=20
the library" and in it there were certain words that were repeated over
and=20
over, and each time a word was repeated the kids had to do or say
something. =20
For example, every time I mentioned "rain" one of them got to spray a
water=20
bottle (they *all* wanted that one), or for "magazine" the kid would=20
say "flip, flip, oh he's cute!", or "book" the youth would say "gotta
love=20
em".  It was fun, the kids were great sports, I had undivided attention
from=20
the audience - who was also having a good time, and through the skit I
was=20
able to cover pretty much every major service that the library offers to
them,=20
which left lots of time for questions from me to them and vice versa.  I
have=20
taken a co-worker before, but I have to say that it really wasn't
necessary=20
for the class visit.

Hope this helps, call or email if you would like more information.

~Sam



I'm interested in responses you get. We are one library serving about
75,000 population, but we have about 14 elementary, 4 middle and 2 high
schools in our ISD (although there are a lot more in the ISD not in our
"City limits".

We used to visit each elementary once a year to promote summer reading.
We never found it hard to get it for our visits. Two years ago we
decided to cut it in half and do half the schools each year. The first
year we also prepared a video to go to the schools that we could not
visit, but didn't get it made last year. Our stats last year were up
about 17%, so that in and of itself, didn't seem to matter. We
registered almost 5,000 people last year, including our teen and adult
programs. The children's' SRP registered over 3000 and we had about a
59% completion rate. I think our school visits are part of the reason,
but we are also serve a highly educated, reading and book buying
population.

Our school visits are a big deal and very time consuming. We do use two
people for each visit and we do a skit. It really is a performance, not
just a talk about the library. Teachers and librarians always tell us
how good we are, and how much they and the kids enjoy our visits. We get
the kids all fired up about the reading program and the special
performers we will have at the library. We see about 350 per
performance, usually K-2 and 3-5. We get kids who remember us for years,
and they see a familiar face when they come to the library. When I send
the letter to the schools about SRP, I offer to do open houses or PTA's,
and if we are invited we always go, although we don't do more than about
two or three a year. I've never done class visits or booktalking, and
feel "guilty" - there's always so much more we COULD be doing.=20

We have two full time and one 30 hour per week person in children's. We
do not have a separate children's reemergence area, nor do we staff a
separate children's desk, but are exploring that possibility. We do 11
programs per week (4 unique programs, with repeats) almost year round.
We have been voted the best library in the Central Texas area by  Austin
Family Magazine for the last two years. Most of my job is collection
development, and our collection is very good. (After seeing the PUBYAC
thread on books vs. collection, our collection is not suffering due to
programs.)=20

Janette Johnston, Children's Services Manager

ear Deborah,
  I am a former (retired) school librarian who is now a public librarian
in the youth=20
department, so I have seen both sides of your question.  I have to admit
that as a=20
school librarian I had very little interest in working with public
librarians.  School=20
librarians have SO many hats to wear and SO many constituencies to
satisfy that=20
there's very little time to collaborate with anyone else.  Also, school
librarians are=20
expected to do so much programming in conjunction with school events (to
say=20
nothing of Dr. Seuss' birthday and School Library Media Month and
National=20
Poetry Month, etc., etc.) that there's little motivation to do outside
programming. =20
Many schools even do their own summer reading program, competing
(without=20
meaning to!) with publlic libraries! =20
   On the other hand, as I do programming for my public library, I hope
for=20
cooperation and publicity from our local schools -- because I can do
publicity in=20
other venues, but there's no substitute for hitting kids in their
schools.  The only=20
success we've had is with programs that don't duplicate what's going on
in the=20
schools.  So my suggestion, which I'm trying to do (and actually having
some=20
success with) is meeting each media specialist personally (some I take
lunch to;=20
others I meet whenever they're free) and creating a personal
relationship so that=20
when I want to publicize a program they're willing to help.
   So don't be discouraged if there's not a great response for you;
remember that=20
everyone not only has their own responsibilities but also their own
audience to=20
satisfy!  Good luck!

Phyllis Weeks

How many times per year do you visit schools?=20
2 times.  In September, only 1st grade classes for library card
promotion.  May/June, all classes for Summer Reading.
Do you find it difficult to get into the schools? no
When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?=20
I have done all three.  It really depends on time for both me
and
the school.  I think I get a better response with one classroom at a
time.
How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?=20
Depends on your goals & programming
Why do school visits?
To let the children know about the library.
How important do you think school visits are to the library?
It's a form of outreach.  Anytime I can get the library infront
of
our patrons I think it's important.  Is it the most effective way?
I
don't know.  But, at this time it's are the only way we get the
information home.  We've tried leaving it up to the teachers with
bleak
results.
How important are school visits to you?  To the students?
I enjoy them, and I believe the children and teachers enjoy
them.  I
really do try to work around the teachers though.  I always
remember
that the students are there to learn and if a teacher is in the middle
of a
lesson I will adjust my schedule.
What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during
school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
organizations?)
I have tried attending PTA meetings, Open House & Back to
School.  I
really believe that we need to make the connection with the parents.
After
all they are the ones that will bring their children.  To date, these
attempts have not been very successful.
Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?  Skits?=20
Yes, when a new librarian had to do an assembly and was unsure
of
herself. BUT it means 2 people are out of the office.  Don't
have
that much time or manpower.
Gail Van Vranken

Deborah, my replies inserted below. My replies are based on the past 7
years I was in a branch library. I left in August to become branch
services manager.

Susanna
------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
------------------------------------------
How many times per year do you visit schools?
7-9, depending on teacher requests. Usually September-April, once a
month per school, then the summer program promotion in May. Special
events/visits as requested, if we can fit it in the schedule.

Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?
Not at all. When I first moved to that branch, I visited each school
principal and librarian. I told them I wanted to set up regular visits
and they were delighted. As administrations changed, there were a few
bumps until the new person realized that what I was doing was something
the teachers and students wanted.

When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)? One or
two classes at a time for monthly visits. I was usually there 30
minutes, book talking, reading, storytelling, promoting library
programs. I found it much more effective to work with groups of 60 or
less.

How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?
Once a month per school seemed right for me. I had time to plan and
select materials, the schools didn't see me as a substitute they could
dump on (and that can happen!), and the kids looked forward to each
visit--as I did myself.

Why do school visits?
To interact with the school staff and admin, provide kids with one face
they know when they come to the library, to increase awareness of both
students and staff of the wealth of materials and services we offer, to
find out what's going on in the schools and identify ways to partner
with them if possible, to remind everyone over and over where we are,
what we do, and what we have for them, to promote programs, recruit
future teen volunteers.....and so many more reasons.

How important do you think school visits are to the library? Very, I
considered them major outreach opportunities. If we don't go there, they
often can't come to us, and how will the kids ever get to know who and
what we are? Teachers too--many of them never darkened the library's
doors until I began making these visits.

How important are school visits to you?
To me, this was an opportunity as a branch manager to keep my skills
brushed up on the children's materials. It also impacted my planning--I
could hear from the kids what they were interested in and plan programs
based on that, and also be sure the collection was updated to meet these
interests (yoyos were a biggie a few years ago, for example--we had a
yoyo contest, found a guy in our area who used to be a national champ to
do a program, bought books and videos. Also to network with teachers and
admin, that is priceless to a librarian.

To the students?
Well, they loved it, of course. I provided a break in the routine, and
they loved my storytelling. I was also able to tell them what we had on
the topics they were interested in or for the assignments they had. And
they got to know me so the library was not such an unfamiliar place when
they came to visit.

What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during
school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
organizations?) We did some open house things, some library card
signups, kindergarten registration. Every year I told ghost stories
around the campfire for one school's outdoor classroom event. Teachers
sometimes called to request a special presentation on a particular
topic, and we'd do that. We always mailed enough copies of our calendar
for each teacher to have one.

Three schools had summer programs, and we did off-site summer library
clubs for them. So the kids got the same prizes, etc. We knew these kids
had few opportunities to come to the library, and we needed to go where
they were. Hard work, but it was very successful. We also arranged some
of our major summer presenters to do programs at the biggest summer
school (over 200 kids there).

Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?
Yes, for the summer program promotion. We divided up the visits--I did
elementary schools, and another staff member did preschools and
daycares. That worked well for us.

Skits?
For the SLC promotion, not for other visits.


Susanna



How many times per year do you visit schools? 1 visit before the Summer
Reading Program
Do you find it difficult to get into the schools? Yes. The
teachers/principal have a lot scheduled.
When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)? Whatever
is easier for the school. Most prefer grade level/auditorium style.
How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year? I
wonder if our 1 visit actually helps.
Why do school visits? Only to promote the Summer Reading Club.
How important do you think school visits are to the library? not sure
How important are school visits to you? To the students? I like to see
the students in their own environment and they like to see me (If they
remember me from the library), but I sometimes think they are not
necessary.
What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both during
school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
organizations?) I did write a letter introducing myself which was handed
out at all the open houses. When parents came in, they said how great
that was.
Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits? Skits? No


Hi,
I used to visit all 4 elementary schools in my school district.  The
last 2 years I have concentrated on the 2 closest schools to my library
& the ones in which I have good working relationships with the
librarians.  I visit these 2 schools twice a year, once to promote the
summer reading program & once to promote our Kids Choice Award (grades 4
& 5 only)  The librarians contact the teachers & I speak to a grade
level at a time (usually 4 classes of kids)  For the summer program I
try to come up with an interactive presentation; have kids hold signs or
props, wear costumes etc to promote what I'm talking about.  Puts the
attention on their friends, not on me!!  I like that.  I've done trivia
contests with the older kids (4th & 5th)  That can get kind of rowdy
when there are 100 kids in a room.  For our Kids Choice Award, I book
talk 15 titles, again using props & funny hats.  The kids love it. =20

The more school visits I do, the more important I think they become. I
build relationships with librarians & teachers.  Kids recognize me &
know that I am from the public library. Nothing promotes a library
program like a personal visit.  Parents will regard you as part of their
child's educational network.  Plus, you can't beat the hugs from those
kindergarteners & 1st graders!!

Our library also has a table at the fall open house, where we hand out
flyers, library card applications etc. Another great way to make contact
with parents & children.

If you have a limited amount of time, chose one school & concentrate on
building a relationship there.  Then branch out. Good Luck Terry Zignego
Delafield Public Library


How many times per year do you visit schools? We
visit each school once a year in May before Summer
Reading begins

> Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?
The schools near me are usually open to it, some of
the schools in the county are not

> When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one
> class at a time, one
> grade level at a time, or the entire school
> (auditorium style)? I like one grade at a time. That
way you can gear your presentation to the age group.
One class at a time is hard. You would be there for
weeks and it's just not as fun without a crowd.

> How many school visits do you think is an acceptable
> amount per year? As many as that school will allow
and your schedule will allow

> Why do school visits? promote summer reading

> How important do you think school visits are to the
> library? I don't think it brings in that many kids
for summer but it is a nice gesture. And the kids who
do come are excited that they saw you at school.

>=20
What are some alternatives to the traditional school
> visit? (both during
> school's open house, table or presentation to
> parent/teacher
> organizations?)I've done a table at the PTA meeting
a couple of times. It doesn't seem really effective.
It depends on how many people show for the meeting.
>=20
 Jennifer Wells

How many times per year do you visit schools?  2
Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?  no
When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time, one
grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?  One
grade level How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount
per year?  2 or 3 Why do school visits? promote the summer reading,
promote other programs, guest reader for Read Across America How
important do you think school visits are to the library? important How
important are school visits to you?  important To the students?
important What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit?
(both during school's open house, table or presentation to
parent/teacher
organizations?)  putting flyers for library visits on the bulletin
boards, making flyers for distribution to each child by the school,
putting info. in the PTO or school newsletters. Have you tried a "team"
approach for school visits?  Yes, our school system is a cooperative
including three towns.  The librarians for all three towns come to the
schools together to promote the summer reading program for each of their
libraries.  Skits? no=20

Hi Deb,

Hope this helps...

>
> How many times per year do you visit schools? minimum of 3x

> Do you find it difficult to get into the schools?
no, worked with principals, lmc folks and reading coordinators over the
years to bring our literacy mission home to them...now its expected

> When visiting the schools, do you prefer to see one class at a time,=20
> one grade level at a time, or the entire school (auditorium style)?
Depends on school size...for large schools we often see grade levels at
a time; small schools with one class per grade might be classroom by
classroom and teeny schools (under 100 students) we see altogether.  If
seeing by grade level isn't feasible & we need to do auditorium style we
try to see kids by k-1/2-3/4-5 to keep interest levels the same at least

> How many school visits do you think is an acceptable amount per year?
2-4x (we work it out so we take booktalks out in Jan and March and SLP
promotion in May).  Ocassionally we also go in to do a storytelling
program or something as well

> Why do school visits?
Self selected, in-person library visits (at a minimum of once a year) by
kids or families maybe involve 50-70% of the child population served.
Not all teachers bring classes in for tours.  So outreach to schools
brings librarians out, lets us share news about programs, books, events,
and cool stuff the library has while helping kids (and teachers) become
familiar with their local children's folks and wealth of library
resources

> How important do you think school visits are to the library?
Extremely.  It keeps the kids in touch with us and visa versa.  It is
sometimes difficult to carve the time out but we consider it our main
school age programming (we also offer evening and afternoon programs but
don't get the response of new library users or increased
library-walk-ins that we see after a outreach visit). The benefits of
highlighting our great books and having a conversational and welcoming
opportunity that highlights the friendly liobrarians and cool resources
is like Mastercard's ads: priceless.

> How important are school visits to you?  To the students?
Vast majority of teachers and all the principals and LMC folks have
welcomed the visits.  They have facilitated our presence.  key in the
process was developing an excellent working realtionship and -again-
stressing our primary mission of literacy for kids.  Students come into
the library more, talk to us about books more and look for
recommendations from us.  They feel more comfortable with us and
invested in our library because of the increased familiarity with us.

> What are some alternatives to the traditional school visit? (both=20
> during school's open house, table or presentation to parent/teacher
> organizations?)
Although we do open houses; tables and etc, direct contact with students
has been far more effective in fostering a stronger link between kids,
schools and libraries.

> Have you tried a "team" approach for school visits?  Skits?
Not usually...just not enough staff to have 2 people gone at once.  We
divide the schools among the librarian staff and we each "adopt" a
couple.  Helps spresad the workload and lets kids get to know the many
staffers!

> Thanks again,
> Deb
>



Marge Loch-Wouters



Deborah Cooper
Jackson Township Branch Library
330-833-1010
dcooper@starklibrary.org

All you have to do is to decide what to do with the time that is given
to you...Gandalf

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End of PUBYAC Digest 1331
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