02-24-04 or 1347
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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: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:01 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 1347

    PUBYAC Digest 1347

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Stumper- Strange But True
by <laanders@bellsouth.net>
  2) youth fiction series
by "Linda Rogers" <lrogers@sdln.net>
  3) Re: Librarian for a day contest
by "Anne Simon" <ASIMON@mail.nysed.gov>
  4) librarian for a day
by Nancy Schleh <nschleh@yahoo.com>
  5) Be a Librarian for a Day
by Deborah_Dubois@freenet.richland.oh.us (Deborah Dubois)
  6) Re: Be a librarian for a day
by Clare329 <clare329@earthlink.net>
  7) Re: "Librarian for a day" contest in Women's Day
by Susan Wizinsky <swizinsk@gfn.org>
  8) Despereaux
by "Cynthia Bishop" <cybishop@ocpl.lib.ny.us>
  9) on being a librarian for a day
by Terrill <trumpeter2@shaw.ca>
 10) Volunteer Readers
by "Cathy Chesher" <cchesher@monroe.lib.mi.us>
 11) Mouse Deer reader's theater
by Aaron Shepard <AS@aaronshep.com>
 12) Launch of redesigned kids website
by Andrea Gordon <gordona@bpl.on.ca>
 13) RE: Be a librarian for a day
by "Stacey Irish-Keffer" <Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com>
 14) Open Positions
by Diane.Tuccillo@cityofmesa.org
 15) Re: Be a librarian for a day
by Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
 16) Old Granny Gooseberry Stumper
by "Ann Hardginski" <hardginski@menashalibrary.org>
 17) Win an Original Illustration by Will Hillenbrand
by Jeanette Larson <larsonlibrary@yahoo.com>
 18) Arabic storytime
by "Jennifer Salt" <jennifersalt@hotmail.com>
 19) RE: Volunteer Readers
by "Jennifer Salt" <jennifersalt@hotmail.com>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <laanders@bellsouth.net>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Stumper- Strange But True
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:22:47 CST

Hi everyone!

I have a patron who read this in school in the 1980's.  The title was
something like "Strange But True," and it was about coincidences in history.
One of the stories had to do with Lincoln's assassination and John Wilkes
Booth.

This request was given to me by our reference department, who asked that I
post it for any thoughts you might have.

Linda Anderson
Hermitage Library
3700 James Kay Lane
Hermitage, TN 37076
laanders@bellsouth.net

------------------------------
From: "Linda Rogers" <lrogers@sdln.net>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: youth fiction series
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:23:07 CST

Our youth fiction multi-author series were traditionally cataloged and
shelved by series title thereby keeping all the parts of the series together
on the shelf. More recently, they are being catalogued and shelved by author
so that books from a series may be in five different locations within youth
fiction. Good arguments can be made for both methods. We are trying to
discover which of these two practices seem most widely used and patron
friendly while encouraging information literacy, using the catalog,
independent library use, etc. Please let me know how your library shelves
youth fiction series and your thoughts on this topic.
Thanks for your information and comments,
Linda Rogers
Rapid City Public Library

------------------------------
From: "Anne Simon" <ASIMON@mail.nysed.gov>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Librarian for a day contest
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:23:16 CST

I think the idea for this contest is delightful, but I was disappointed =
(to say the least) about the statement in the contest rules regarding the =
value of the prize:
"Each Grand Prize winner will receive a Woman's Day t-shirt and arrangement=
s will be made for winner to be librarian for a day at their local =
participating library (approximate retail value: $25)." =20

Presumably they didn't mean that librarians are only worth $25 (a day? =
overall?), but the implication is still insulting, in my mind...

Anne Simon
New York State Library

------------------------------
From: Nancy Schleh <nschleh@yahoo.com>
To: PUBYAC LIST <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: librarian for a day
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:23:27 CST

Thanks to Jeannette Whitworth for a bit of measured common sense.  At
least someone out there feels that being a librarian is worthy of
consideration as a "prize."   Don't you think school principals and mayors
have to have some level of competence and education (well, maybe), and yet
these two professions routinely appear as "for a day" prizes.  Relax.
This is an opportunity to share our profession with the wider world.

Nancy Schleh
Prince William Public Library System

*my opinions, not my employer's (or anyone's, for that matter)*

------------------------------
From: Deborah_Dubois@freenet.richland.oh.us (Deborah Dubois)
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Be a Librarian for a Day
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:23:36 CST

I wondered if they would have very many entries.  It struck me as a strange
contest with a t-shirt as the only "keepsake" of the day.  I also wondered
if
they thought about asking local libraries if they wanted to participate.
Deborah Dubois

------------------------------
From: Clare329 <clare329@earthlink.net>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Be a librarian for a day
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:23:48 CST

Calm down, everybody.  Maybe we're looking at this in the wrong way.

As one of my coworkers pointed out, contests have to list a value.  Perhaps
the $25.00 value only refers to the
t-shirt.  Perhaps ALA and Woman's Day understands that the work we do is
really priceless!  Granted, it would be nice if this was clarified to the
general public, but maybe that was just an oversight.

Another coworker came up with this for good public service message:
      "The value of that new bestseller: $29.95...Just released megahit on
DVD: $24.95...Getting all your questions answered: priceless."

You often hear about this kind of thing.  Kids getting to be mayor or
principal for a day.  Of course, the principal and mayor were probably
consulted first.  As another posted already, what bothered me more was the
promise of a Day as a Librarian at their local public library.   What lucky
library is going to be put on the spot when the winner is announced?

Clare Meehan
Children's Services
Carol Stream Public Library
Carol Stream, IL


------------------------------
From: Susan Wizinsky <swizinsk@gfn.org>
To: Mary Jo Smith <msmith@gateslibrary.org>
Subject: Re: "Librarian for a day" contest in Women's Day
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:23:58 CST


Hi,
Ha, ha.  A patron the other day thought that the library didn't pay anyone
to work there.  I guess I should have let her think that we are so
devoted!

Susan


On Mon, 23 Feb 2004, Mary Jo Smith wrote:

> If you read the official rules, you'll find that the value they place on =
> the grand prize of being "librarian for a day" is--get this--25 dollars. =
>  25 dollars!?!  Granted, they don't pay me a ton here, but I'll =
> guarantee you it's a whole lot more than 25 dollars a day.  Doesn't this =
> absurdly low amount given as a prize value underscore the already =
> popular misconception that our work is worthless?  What was ALA =
> thinking?  Mary Jo
>

--

Susan E. Wizinsky, M.S.L.S.
Children's Librarian
Genesee District Library
Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch
515 Perry Road
Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439
810-694-5310

------------------------------
From: "Cynthia Bishop" <cybishop@ocpl.lib.ny.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Despereaux
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:24:09 CST

Hi, All.

I read your comments with interest because I had just begun to read
Despereaux aloud to a group of homeschooled children (ages 9-15) the week
that the award was announced.

Now that we're done, I want to report that the children thought it
excellent, and that I liked it very much indeed.  I think it deserved the
Newbery.  (Which is not to say that other titles did not.)  More than
anything I found it to be an eloquent meditation on courage, delivered in
a fresh way, and full of humor and pathos.  It's also a treat to read
aloud!

Peace.

Cynthia Bishop
Children's Librarian
Soule Branch
Onondaga County Public Library
Syracuse, NY 13214

------------------------------
From: Terrill <trumpeter2@shaw.ca>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: on being a librarian for a day
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:24:22 CST


Dare I step into the fray???? Oh, sure, its what I do!!

Regarding this promotion, and I am looking at the brief description on =
the ALA site. It didn't seem too condescending to me, mind you I'm =
Canadian and we have a whole different threshold for condescending .... =
LOL!

Seriously folks, may I suggest that this is no different that 'Be a =
Firefighter for a Day', 'Be a Secretary for a Day'  or 'Be a Baker for a =
Day' . People only know part of what librarians do and it strikes me as =
a good start to familiarizing the public with the wider aspects of the =
job. I don't know about the good ol' U. S. of A. however, but the =
librarians in Canda are largely administrative, and that may totally =
freak the public if they had to spend a day doing what my librarian =
does. I think it would be far more productive for the public to see what =
a library worker does ... someone in circ or info or childrens ... now =
thats where the  real interesting things happen! Patrons who argue over =
25 cent fines, people that smell so bad you wonder if you'll be able to =
speak clearly for lack of breath ... but of course, the finding the book =
that is just what someone wanted to understand their life, or hearing a =
child laugh when you quote "I know and Old Laddie" .... Please don't =
think me unadmiring of Librarians, I have great respect and admiration =
for their job. And may I say, to let the public into what we do could =
ease some of the things that make us seem a little snobby at times, =
without meaning to, of course. We know it takes specialized skills and =
education to do the job of librarian, as with many occupations, but lets =
share that instead of cloistering it away.

Just my two Canadian bits ....

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

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

------------------------------
From: "Cathy Chesher" <cchesher@monroe.lib.mi.us>
To: "Pubyac" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Volunteer Readers
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:24:36 CST

Hello everyone.
I've recently had a number of people call me and express an interest in
reading at storytime. I've always politely said thanks, but no thanks and
explained that I generally do all of the reading myself. I like doing it.
It's my job. The kids are used to me.  I try to find other ways to maybe
utilize this person's enthusiasm and willingness to help.  As of yet, no one
has been offended by my "thanks but no thanks" response.

I was wondering, though,  how some of you handle requests by people who want
to read books at storytime?  Do you let them? If not, how do you explain
your reasonings for not letting them?  I've on occasion had a guest reader-a
firefighter, a bilingual reader, but that's it.  For me basically it's a
quality control issue. Not everyone is good at reading aloud to a group of
kids. I, and my patrons, expect a certain high (I hope) standard from
storytime. And besides, I LIKE doing storytime. I'm selfish. I don't want to
let someone else read MY books to MY kids. But I do wonder if I should
lighten up and let the occasional person read a book at storytime.  Your
thoughts?

Cathy Chesher
Youth Services Librarian
Adrian Public Library
143 E. Maumee St.
Adrian, MI 49221
517-265-2265
cchesher@monroe.lib.mi.us

------------------------------
From: Aaron Shepard <AS@aaronshep.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Mouse Deer reader's theater
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:24:48 CST

A new Reader's Theater Edition has been added to my Web site at:

http://www.aaronshep.com

RTE #35 ~ The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia
By Aaron Shepard

Mouse Deer is small, and many animals want to eat him -- but first
they have to catch him!

            GENRE: Folktales, trickster tales
            CULTURE: Indonesian, Malaysian
            THEME: Wits vs. power
            READERS: 9 or more
            READER AGES: 7-10
            LENGTH: 20 minutes (3 + 7 + 4 + 6 + 1)

 From my home page, click on Aaron's RT Page, then on Reader's Theater
Editions. A Chamber version for four readers is also available.

As always, the script can be freely copied and performed for any
educational, noncommercial purpose. Supplementary materials include
an instrumental audio clip of Mouse Deer's song, and four gorgeous
printable posters with pictures by Australian illustrator Kim Gamble,
which originally appeared with my stories in that country's School
Magazine.

Here is a full list of scripts now in the series. All stories are my
own, unless noted.

  1. "The Legend of Lightning Larry"
  2. "The Legend of Slappy Hooper: An American Tall Tale"
  3. "Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India"
  4. "Resthaven," by Nancy Farmer, from The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
  5. "The War Prayer," by Mark Twain
  6. "The Enchanted Storks: A Tale of Bagdad"
  7. "The Gifts of Wali Dad: A Tale of India and Pakistan"
  8. "Peddler Polly and the Story Stealer"
  9. "The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale"
10. "The Battle of Song: A Hero Tale of Finland," from The Maiden of
Northland
11. "The Calabash Kids: A Tale of Tanzania"
12. "The Hidden One: A Native American Legend"
13. "Master Maid: A Tale of Norway"
14. "The Sea King's Daughter: A Russian Legend"
15. "The Millionaire Miser: A Buddhist Fable"
16. "How Violence Is Ended: A Buddhist Legend"
17. "Count Alaric's Lady," by Barbara Leonie Picard
18. "The Crystal Heart: A Vietnamese Legend"
19. "How Frog Went to Heaven: A Tale of Angola"
20. "The Magic of Mushkil Gusha: A Tale of Iran"
21. "Help! Hilary! Help!"
22. "Which Shoes Do You Choose?"
23. "Casey at the Bat," by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
24. "Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran"
25. "When the Twins Went to War: A Fable of Far East Russia"
26. "The Magic Brocade: A Tale of China"
27. "Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria"
28. "Mop Top: A Tale of Norway"
29. "The Borrower and the Boy," by Mary Norton, from The Borrowers
30. "The Boy Who Wanted the Willies"
31. "The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland"
32. "Three Sideways Stories From Wayside School," by Louis Sachar
33. "More Than a Match"
34. "The Christmas Truce"
35. "The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia"

Aaron Shepard
http://www.aaronshep.com

------------------------------
From: Andrea Gordon <gordona@bpl.on.ca>
To: PUBYAC <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Launch of redesigned kids website
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:24:58 CST

Press Release Burlington Public Library 17 February 2004   For Immediate Use
Library Contact: Sandi Burgess, Coordinator Web & Electronic Resources
905.639.3611 ext 165 burgesss@bpl.on.ca    Burlington Public Library Lauches
New Children's Website, BPL Kids     Burlington Public Library recently
unveiled our new look, new stuff website for tots to tweens.    "Our
children's website redesign reflects our belief that the library has a very
important role to play in the development of life-long learners," says
Andrea Gordon, Manager of Children's & Youth Services. "We know that
school-age children have much different learning needs than preschoolers, so
we wanted to develop a place for learning and discovery for a range of
ages."   The new site includes special features that sets BPL Kids apart
from other Canadian public library children's sites as a learning
resource-for example, the BPL Tots ePicture Book series, and the expanded
and improved BPL Kids Book Reviews and Homework Help sections   BPL Tots is
a special online place for parents and preschoolers. Together with their
grownups, pre- and early readers can explore our special series of  ePicture
Books. Just like the library's print books, each ePicture book provides an
opportunity for little ones to learn about the world around them and to be
introduced to technology as well as the written word. The first two
editions, We Can Read About Colours and We Can Read About Shapes, are
similar to the colourful board books that are popular with young children.
"We borrowed the board book concept and adapted it for use on the web," says
Sandi Burgess, Coordinator of Web & Electronic Resources. "Our ePicture
books are vibrant and fun, with simple content that is geared to early
learners."   Parents and caregivers will find lots of links to websites with
songs, games, and learning activities for young children. And, for parents
looking for a quick activity for their child to do, we offer a special
section with activity and colouring pages that can be downloaded.   For
school age kids, our website has everything students and parents have come
to expect from the children's site-plus more!   Our extensive Homework Help
section continues to provide great links for school projects, including new
sections to reflect the new Ontario curriculum. Over 1000 online book
reviews have been written and rated by library staff-all of them are linked
directly into the library's catalogue so that library cardholders can
immediately see whether the book is available or reserve a copy. We've
created booklists and lists of books in series to help kids find their next
great read and we've selected plenty of links to kid-friendly fun sites on
the Internet.    "Our goal is to provide a safe, fun, and appropriate online
education and learning tool for kids, their parents, and their teachers-as
well as a quality resource for librarians," says Sandi Burgess.   Visit
www.bpl.on.ca and click on kids.   ###
Andrea Gordon
Manager, Children's & Youth Services
Burlington Public Library
2331 New Street
Burlington, Ontario
L7R 1J4

gordona@bpl.on.ca

905-639-3611, ext. 135

------------------------------
From: "Stacey Irish-Keffer" <Stacey.Irish-Keffer@cityofdenton.com>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Be a librarian for a day
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:25:09 CST

I agree with Jeannette.  This sounds like a good way to expose
misperceptions and demonstrate what librarianship is all about.  Think
of how surprised the winner will be when he/she sees what we really do
for a living.  Most people assume all we do is read on the job and check
out books to people.            Dealing with unruly children during
StoryTime, unhappy parent's doing their children's homework, and other
things we face almost every day may make the average Woman's Day reader
more appreciative of their local librarians.  Let's give the winner a
day they will never forget!




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

>>> "Jeannette Whitworth" <JWhitworth@sno-isle.org> 02/23/04 08:01PM
>>>
The way that I read this is as a shadowing opportunity. The winner
"shadows" a librarian for a day, participating in some tasks, etc. There
has been considerable talk in various journals about the lack of good
library school candidates and the lack of interest in the profession in
general recently. Why not look at this as a way to let many people see
what librarians actually do do. And why shouldn't Ala reach out to the
public through widely seen sources.
Jeannette Whitworth
Children's LIbrarian
Snohomish Library
Sno-Isle Libraries, Wa.

------------------------------
From: Diane.Tuccillo@cityofmesa.org
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Open Positions
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:52:47 CST

We have two administrative/management positions open at our library, for
Library Director and Youth Services Supervisory Librarian. If you are
interested in these positions, or know someone who might be, please share
this information:

http://www.cityofmesa.org/jobs/pdf/ja5803.pdf

http://www.cityofmesa.org/jobs/pdf/ja4444c.pdf

Thanks!

Diane Tuccillo
Librarian III/Young Adult Coordinator
City of Mesa Library, AZ

------------------------------
From: Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Be a librarian for a day
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:53:00 CST

why not make it a *real* prize like a trip to tour the
library of congress. i'd even be interested in that
and they could use it as both a pr and a real
educational opportunity to show people what we really
do.
~j.


=====
~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: "Ann Hardginski" <hardginski@menashalibrary.org>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Old Granny Gooseberry Stumper
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:53:13 CST

Hello,

A patron is looking for the words to an old nursery rhyme called "Old
Granny Gooseberry." The 62 year old found the reference to the rhyme in
his grandmother's diary and the family is on a quest to find the words.  I
tried a Google search and had no luck.  If any of you are familiar with
this rhyme and could send me the words or direct me to a resource, the
patron and I would be ever so grateful!

Thanks for letting me tap into this fountain of knowledge when my well is
dry!

Ann Hardginski
Menasha's Public Library
Menasha, WI
hardginski@menashalibrary.org

------------------------------
From: Jeanette Larson <larsonlibrary@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Win an Original Illustration by Will Hillenbrand
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:53:29 CST

I sent this before we knew there was a Pubyac problem.

The Texas Library Association is again raffling a
piece of original children's book art. To see the art
and print out a raffle ticket that you can send to TLA
to arrive by March 12, go to
http://www.txla.org/html/wells/gallery.html. For those
attending the TLA Conference, tickets will be sold
on-site. Good luck!

An original illustration by Will Hillenbrand for Tom
Birdseye's Look Out, Jack! The Giant Is Back! (Holiday
House) is the 2004 conference raffle prize. Mr.
Hillenbrand donated the piece to benefit the Texas
Library Disaster Relief Fund, created to assist Texas
libraries that are impacted by disasters such as
fires, floods, and storms. 

For the price of a raffle ticket - only $5 - you might
take home Hillenbrand's  whimsical masterpiece. The
original painting is 9.5 X 20 inches. Print out the
raffle ticket form and send it with a check to the TLA
Office by March 12 to be included in the drawing at
General Session II in San Antonio on March 19.


=====
Jeanette Larson
Youth Services Manager
Austin Public Library
P.O. Box 2287
Austin, TX 78768-2287
512-974-7405
larsonlibrary@yahoo.com

------------------------------
From: "Jennifer Salt" <jennifersalt@hotmail.com>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Arabic storytime
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:53:39 CST

Dear All:

I previously posted a query stating that I was going to offer a bilingual
storytime program for Arab-Americans. I asked for sources of bilingual
Arabic-English materials and any advice. The grant I am working under is
specifically for bilingual materials, so I did not explore any avenues for
purchasing Arabic only children's books. I did not think this would be a
topic of such general interest, but I have gotten requests to post to the
list, so here is what I found out:

Publishers of bilingual Arabic-English books:

Multi-Cultural Books & Videos
www.multiculturalbooksandvideos.com

Culture For Kids
www.cultureforkids.com

I was disappointed by the lack of bilingual Arabic-English books that
featured Arabic or Arab-American children. I could find only two titles.
Perhaps, someone knows of more?

General Advice in Selecting Books:

Don't use books with dogs as characters or where human characters have a pet
dog!!! This was told to me repeatedly and emphatically. Dogs are apparently
seen as unclean (at least by Muslim Arabs). No Spot, etc.

Don't use books with pigs as characters for reasons similiar to the above.

Avoid books with nudity.

Be aware of different attitudes regarding gender roles.

I haven't worked directly with any of the families yet. The above are
warnings that were passed on to me--they don't reflect my direct experience.

I hope this helps someone.

--Jennifer

------------------------------
From: "Jennifer Salt" <jennifersalt@hotmail.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: RE: Volunteer Readers
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:53:48 CST

I have a query related to Cathy's. With few exceptions (ie. someone to read
in a language I don't know), I don't have volunteers read in storytime. I
have just found that this doesn't work out well--most people (well, I've
worked mostly with YA's) simply can't run a storytime that holds the
children's attention. (Of course, this could be my approach.) We are
starting teen programming, and one item that has come up is teen volunteers.
Does anyone have suggestions for using teen volunteers (grades 7-12)? I have
used teens for routine work in the past, such as cutting out nametags and
stamping date cards, but have found that most of the teens, especially the
younger ones, really hope and want to work directly with the children.

I have found two types of programming that worked really well. One was what
we called a Book Fair in my old library system. We would have several
activities offered: a reading (or listening to a book) activity, a guessing
game related to books, etc. (And, always a bean bag toss which didn't really
relate to books but was a lot of fun for the kids.) Families would drop in
and "do" the fair. I found the kids could handle this type of program and
man all the stations quite successfully. (Of course, the librarian has to be
present at all times.) The other type of program involved partnering with a
teen who was an immigrant or the child of an immigrant and spoke a different
language at home. We worked together to create a program to share the teen's
other (than English and American) language and culture with the kids. I did
this more than once, with different teens, and it was a smashing success.
So, I have something to go on. I'm just interested in more suggestions.

--Jennifer


>From: "Cathy Chesher" <cchesher@monroe.lib.mi.us>
>Reply-To: "Cathy Chesher" <cchesher@monroe.lib.mi.us>
>To: "Pubyac" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
>Subject: Volunteer Readers
>Date: 24 Feb 2004 16:58:18 -0800
>
>Hello everyone.
>I've recently had a number of people call me and express an interest in
>reading at storytime. I've always politely said thanks, but no thanks and
>explained that I generally do all of the reading myself. I like doing it.
>It's my job. The kids are used to me.  I try to find other ways to maybe
>utilize this person's enthusiasm and willingness to help.  As of yet, no
>one
>has been offended by my "thanks but no thanks" response.
>
>I was wondering, though,  how some of you handle requests by people who
>want
>to read books at storytime?  Do you let them? If not, how do you explain
>your reasonings for not letting them?  I've on occasion had a guest
>reader-a
>firefighter, a bilingual reader, but that's it.  For me basically it's a
>quality control issue. Not everyone is good at reading aloud to a group of
>kids. I, and my patrons, expect a certain high (I hope) standard from
>storytime. And besides, I LIKE doing storytime. I'm selfish. I don't want
>to
>let someone else read MY books to MY kids. But I do wonder if I should
>lighten up and let the occasional person read a book at storytime.  Your
>thoughts?
>
>Cathy Chesher
>Youth Services Librarian
>Adrian Public Library
>143 E. Maumee St.
>Adrian, MI 49221
>517-265-2265
>cchesher@monroe.lib.mi.us

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End of PUBYAC Digest 1347
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