Check out two awesome video contests!

Make a Movie. Make a Difference.

Take a Shot film competition is back! This year the contest, aimed at middle and high-schoolers, asks teens about something in Pittsburgh that has changed the world or how they can change the world. PopCity announced that the contest has returned for its second year, this time with $10,000 dollars to award to winning films.

Encourage your teen patrons to pick up a video or Flip camera and start filming! Not only did Pittsburgh change the world with the polio vaccine, but it also produced the country's library champion, Andrew Carnegie (what a great film topic!).

Not only are there video contest opportunities for teens, but there is a great one for librarians!

How are YOU handling the digital lives of tweens and teens at your library? The 2012 President's program at ALA Annual is a joint program between ALSC and YALSA, and is focused on the use of technology by teens and tweens. Create a short video about a program or experience with teens and technology. All entrants will be eligible for a $100 Amazon gift card and the winning videos will be shown at 2012 ALA Annual.

For more information and submission guidelines visit the ALSC blog post, "Check out the ALSC/YALSA video contest!"

A Great Opportunity for Professional Development

If you're like me, you are always looking for professional development opportunities that are affordable, convenient, and applicable to your job. Look no further than Robert Morris University's Bayer Center for Non Profit Management.

I can vouch for their claim that they are a "comprehensive resource for education, consulting, coaching, research, and hands-on solutions for every aspect of nonprofit management," as I have attended and enjoyed two of their great sessions so far.

They offer courses in a wide variety of topics including leadership and management, marketing, fundraising, board governance, and technology (including Dreamweaver and web design clinics). They can even create a custom session just for you! The best part of all is the prices...most courses run about $40-$65 for a half-day session.

Believe me, it's worth the small investment. I was able to attended a private, one-on-one session with an instructor to build the Whitehall Children's Library website from scratch for only $50! Although I'm sure I've "junked up" all of the coding over the years, I think it still looks great!

So take a look at the course catalog if you're looking for opportunities outside of the library with instructors that understand the needs of nonprofits while offering new perspectives to library services.

Friends Forever

I really, really like Carin Berger's 2010 title, Forever Friends, this time of year.  It makes me think of Spring things and the whole wonderful year ahead.  This is the story of a rabbit and a bird whose  friendship lasts and lasts through Spring, Summer, and Fall.  But bird flys away as Winter nears.  Happily, Bird and Rabbit find that true friendship lasts no matter what the distance.  This story is short enough to share with a group of preschoolers, but the subtle details and minimalist style of Berger's collages illustrations may be more appreciated by school-age children and caregivers or families.  No matter who shows up for story time, the thought of flowers and bunnies and fireflies will put everyone in a happy mood...especially you!

Is there ever a time when there are too many friends around?  Yes!  When Ma just baked a plate of yummy cookies.  Pat Hutchins classic, The Doorbell Rang, will have your audience giggling and moaning, Oh noooo! It is silly, quick, and light.  I love hearing how my young patrons solve the problem of so many surprise guests (everything from cutting cookies into pieces to getting a bigger table).  Most importantly this book is an excellent segue into post-story time refreshments. yum.

PROGRAM

Song
If You're Happy and You Know It...


Fingerplay or Rhyme



Five Friends
Five good friends went out to play.
It was a bright and sunny day,
One good friend said, "I can't stay."
Then there were four friends left to play.


Four good friends went out to play.
It was a bright and sunny day,
One good friend said, "I can't stay."
Then there were three friends left to play.


And so on... 
From Friendship Theme


Books


Forever Friends, by Carin Berger


Elephants Cannot Dance, by Mo Willems


The Doorbell Rang, by Pat Hutchins


Activity


"Who Stole the Cookies From the Cookie Jar?" Chant 


Then invite everyone to eat lots and lots of cookies!!!  Make tissue paper flower bouquets to take home and share with a friend.  They will remind everyone of Spring, too.