One Book Every Young Child 2010

One Book Every Young Child plans are underway.  This year's title is What a Treasure by a husband and wife team, Jane and Will Hillenbrand from Ohio.  Sadly, the publisher won't be providing the Big Books everyone loves so much for storytimes.  But as usual Commonwealth Libraries will be providing each library with HB copies for your collections and/or giveaways. 

Because the minimum number of copies have changed this year, I'm offering to manage orders for those libraries not interested in ordering in sets of 50 (PB) or 40 (HB).  I've created a wiki page (but of course!) for libraries to fill in your orders.  Please complete the form on the wiki with your order by January 28th.   

Another Place to Look for Collection Development Recommendations

The Center for Children's Books recently released their free 2009 Guide Book to Gift Books and if there's any place to which to compare your collection, it's a guide to gift books.  I'd think if parents are encouraged to buy these books for their children, then libraries should most definitely have them!  I've posted the PDF on the wiki (the first link under Children's Literature Awards and Suggested Titles.)  Take a look! 

TD Canadian Children's Book Week!

Canadian Children's Book Week is a week-long celebration of Canadian children's books that happens every November!  According to the website, this event is "the single most important national event celebrating Canadian children's books and the importance of reading." 

This year's book week will run from Saturday, November 14, to Saturday, November 21st.  During this time, authors and illustrators will visit libraries, schools, community centers and like places to help promote the wonders of reading. 

In addition, Book Week includes a Book Week Theme, Book Week Illustration, Book Week Kit, and TD Grade One Book Giveaway.  All these topics are very cool, and interesting to read about.  Click  here  to visit the website for lots of fun information! yay!

What is a Tween??

A Tween and his dog :-)

Last month we celebrated Teen Read Week, and hopefully got lots of teens into our libraries!!

But what about Tweens?  I know, some of you might be thinking, what in the world is a tween?  Well, a tween is a individual who is no longer a child but not quite yet a teenager.  Usually, they are categorized in the 8-12 age range. Surprisingly, researchers have found that tweens actually have a great influence on many of the monetary decisions made by their parents and other adults in today's society.  Marketing for tweens is actually a huge sector of the advertising world, as can be seen in this article on CBS. USAToday also recently posted an article about the power of the tween marketing, focusing on the fact that two tweens now live in the White House (Malia and Sasha Obama).

If the marketing and consumer world has decided to focus on products and services for children, why should our libraries be any different? Our programming should not be only for the very young or the teens.  In order to fulfill our missions to encourage life-long learning in all individuals, we must plan programs, booklists, and events for the tween sector.  If we want to keep more kids coming into the library, we need to keep them interested in our services and ensure that they do not feel left for attending programs that are too young or too old for them.  Tweens need programs that are just right for them!
Some programming assistance to get you started:

• Books for Tweens, Middle School 
• Award Winning Tween Books 
• News for Tweens! Website 
• Ideas for Tween Programming
• Tween Games
  

Blogs Are Where It's At (for some)

For several years - actually, ever since I became the youth services coordinator for ACLA - I've been reading and thoroughly enjoying blogs of all kind.  Some for my own personal enjoyment like Cute Overload, some for those non-work passions I have like design and cooking.

But many of my feeds are literacy and children's literature blogs.  And today I see that the new cover of School Library Journal is highlighting some of the blogs I love and have been recommending ya'll check out too!  Many of them I have linked to here on the blog over to your right.  It seems the world of children's literature bloggers is getting pretty important.  Actually, waaaay back in 2005, SLJ was talking about children's literature bloggers which were just coming on the scene.  The annual Cybils were just this past month.  The Cybils are books awards given by children's and young adult literature bloggers.  They're getting some pretty major attention and I think it's interesting to see what books that group is paying attention to.  Anyone can nominate titles - though this year's nominations have ended.  There's even an annual Kidlit Conference every October for anyone who blogs, writes or even thinks about children's literature. 

I say a group of us goes next year!    It was in DC this year, so hopefully KidLit '10 will be somewhere drivable!  Road Trip!

SRC 2010 ALSC/BWI Grant

Call for applications! The ALSC/BWI Summer Reading Program Grant is designed to encourage reading programs for children in a public library by providing financial assistance of $3,000, while recognizing ALSC members for outstanding program development. The application is easy to complete and is due December 1, 2009.  The program must be (1) theme-based summer reading program in a public library and (2) open to all children from birth through 14 years. The applicant must work directly with children and be a personal member of ALSC. The Committee encourages proposals with innovative ways to encourage involvement of children with physical or mental disabilities. The application can be found on ALSC website under Awards and Scholarships, then Professional Awards.  For more information or to apply for the grant, visit the ALSC Web site.

Have You Had a Chance to See the New CLP-Allegheny Branch on the North Side?

If not, check out the pictures I took recently of the new building.  Some real great features at this branch!