At Your Library blog

Mother's Day @ your library

Megan McFarlane — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:35:33 +0000

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In preparation for Mother’s Day, many libraries are planning all sorts of programs for children, teens and their families to celebrate all the different mothers, grandmothers and caregivers in their lives.

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Get graphic @ your library

Megan McFarlane — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:34:28 +0000

If you and your children bond over comics, then this week will be a treat, first, with the release of Iron Man 3 on May 1, and then Free Comic Book Day on May 4 (also known as Star Wars Day – “May the Fourth be with you…”).

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On First Looking Into the Public Library

Mark Gould — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:27:32 +0000

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Ron Grossman

Author Ron Grossman writes in the Chicago Tribune recently about the important role libraries have played in his life in an article entitled, “On First Looking Into the Public Library”:

“For 60 years, I looked down my nose at the public library, even though it's one of the key inventions and discoveries that lifted humans above lesser beings.

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Sarah Jio: 'It was our favorite day of the week'

Steve Zalusky — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:02:20 +0000

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In this video, author Sarah Jio shares her special memories of libraries, reaching back to those summer days when her mother would take her and her three siblings to the library.

"It was our favorite day of the week, and we would load our baskets up with books," she says.

She also remembers storytimes at the library, where she would enjoy hearing librarians tell stories. In particular, she recalls one room with a special child's door that she would enter for storytime.

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Finalists announced for 2013 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

Jan Carmichael — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:52:59 +0000

The six finalists for the 2013 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction were announced today by the American Library Association.

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Local Governments Recognize National Library Week

Steve Zalusky — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:07:42 +0000

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Community Organization Fair

National Library Week, sponsored by the American Library Association and celebrated this year from April 14-20, is an important event for local communities.

Several local governments commemorate the event by issuing proclamations recognizing the importance of libraries to their communities - further emphasizing the fitness of the theme of this year's National Library Week, “Communities matter @ your library.”

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Kat Richardson: 'I always felt they were the most magical place in the world'

Steve Zalusky — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:30:16 +0000

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In this video, Kat Richardson recalls how libraries played an important role in developing her love of reading.

"When I was a kid, the library was my absolutely favorite place," she says. There, she could always find a new story or a new adventure.

"I always felt safe in libraries. I always felt they were the most magical place in the world," she says.

According to one blogger, "Kat Richardson is Paranormal Fantasy's next superstar."

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Bookmobiles: A Commitment to Community

Jan Carmichael — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:42:25 +0000

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Two young patrons enjoying the Wood County (Ohio) District Public Library bookmobile.

The theme for National Library Week, April 14-20, 2013, is Communities matter @ your library. How appropriate that on Wednesday, April 17, we celebrate National Bookmobile Day. Bookmobiles and other forms of library outreach are the embodiment of libraries expressing their commitment to the communities that surround and support them.

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Librarians Matter to Their Communities

Megan Humphrey — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:34:49 +0000

It’s National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, library users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.

To coincide with School Library Month, and our 30 Reasons to Celebrate School Libraries promotion, let’s celebrate the ways that school librarians matter to their school communities.

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State of America’s Libraries Report 2013

Jan Carmichael — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:04:34 +0000

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State of America's Libraries Report 2013

Libraries and library staff continue to respond to the needs of their communities, providing key resources as budgets are reduced, speaking out forcefully against book-banning attempts and advocating for free access to digital content in libraries, with a keen focus placed on ebook formats.

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Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2012

Jan Carmichael — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:21:24 +0000

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Book cover: Captain Underpants

The 2013 State of America's Libraries Report was released by the American Library Association this morning.

The report details library trends and challenges of the past year and notes the ways that libraries and library staff continue to respond to the needs of their communities: advocating for free access to digital content, providing key resources, even as budgets are reduced, and speaking out forcefully against book-banning attempts.

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Jazz Appreciation Month in full swing

Steve Zalusky — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:34:22 +0000

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JAM_logo_vertical.gif

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Ten of the coolest librarians

Steve Zalusky — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:25:34 +0000

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Lauren Comito and Christian Zabriskie

An article on the website flavorwire.com not only acknowledges the fact that librarians are cool, but it also goes even further, naming the 10 librarians it considers among the coolest alive.

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Celebrate National Library Week with Caroline Kennedy and 'Austin and Ally' Star Laura Marano

Jan Carmichael — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:33:38 +0000

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Please watch and share this video public service announcement (PSA) featuring National Library Week Honorary Chair, Caroline Kennedy, and star of Disney Channel's "Austin and Ally," Laura Marano is currently airing on the Disney channel.

Librarians, please visit the National Library Week page on the ALA website to find a variety of resources for promoting the event.

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Jim Woodring: 'that's where I got my entire liberal education'

Steve Zalusky — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:33:18 +0000

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In this video, Jim Woodring talks about the influence libraries had on his life, particularly the public library in Glendale, where he grew up.

Woodring is a multi-purpose talent: cartoonist, artist, writer and even toy designer.

He is perhaps best know for the comics published in his magazine Jim and as the creator of the character Frank, featured in short comics and graphic novels.

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Five authors talk about their love of school libraries

Steve Zalusky — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 02:12:01 +0000

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School Library Month (SLM) is the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) celebration of school librarians and their programs. Every April school librarians are encouraged to create activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in a student's educational career.

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Environmental awareness @ your library

Megan McFarlane — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:02:30 +0000

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Book cover: 365 Ways to Live Green for Kids

Spring is the season of renewal – and with springtime events like Earth Hour (Saturday, March 23) and Earth Day (Monday, April 22), why not consider renewing your family’s commitment to living green?

Below are just a few ideas of what you and your family can do together to protect the planet for future generations.

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Owen Laukkanen: 'As a society, we lose by restricting reading material'

Steve Zalusky — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:01:55 +0000

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In this video, author Owen Laukkanen fondly recalls his experiences in libraries as a child, both in the public school library and his high school library. He says the latter offered him a refuge from math classes.

In fact, he says he loved his library books so much that he often held them long after they needed to be returned.

"As a writer, you have to be a reader first, and definitely my love of reading came, in large part, from trips to the libraries," he says.

He also makes a strong statement against attempts to ban books.

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Loren Long: 'almost as cool as going to gym class'

Steve Zalusky — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:01:25 +0000

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In this interview, illustrator Loren Long fondly remembers his elementary school library in Kentucky and, in particular, storytime with his school librarian.

He describes himself as a typical boy who liked sports. But going to her story hour, he said, was almost "as cool as going to gym class," adding, "She had such a warm way about her."

Loren Long is a New York Times best-selling author and artist.

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Aaron Swartz Honored Posthumously with James Madison Award

Jan Carmichael — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:07:22 +0000

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Aaron Swartz

Today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) will posthumously award activist Aaron Swartz the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2013 James Madison Award during the 15th Annual Freedom of Information Day in Washington, D.C. Swartz will receive the award for his dedication to promoting and protecting public access to research and government information.

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Marissa Meyer: 'I was like a kid in a candy store'

Steve Zalusky — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:24:31 +0000

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In this interview, young adult novelist Marissa Meyer shares her love of libraries.

The New York Times best-selling author of the Lunar Chronicles series talks about growing up and learning the joy of being in a library where one can choose what one wants to read - and it's free.

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Langston Hughes Library Designated a Literary Landmark

Steve Zalusky — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:42:09 +0000

The Queens Library’s Langston Hughes Community Library was designated a Literary Landmark on Saturday, Feb. 23.

A plaque was placed in the library at 100-01 Northern Boulevard during the 28th annual Langston Hughes Celebration.

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Peter Brown: 'I'm at the library as often as possible'

Steve Zalusky — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:09:21 +0000

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In this video, Peter Brown, an author and illustrator of children’s books, remembers how he would hang out in libraries after school.

Growing up, libraries, he says, made him aware of other worlds and the stories they contained.

"At a young age, I realized that I really wanted to tell my own stories," he says, adding that he started writing stories and drawing pictures because books were such a big part of his life.

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Sing-along @ your library

Megan McFarlane — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:27:41 +0000

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Singing girl

If you were like me growing up, sing-a-long time with the family was probably equal parts Raffi and the oldies station your parents listened to in the car. While perhaps not always age appropriate (my favorite was Three Dog Night’s "Joy to the World"), these are songs and memories that have stuck with me to this day.

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Video of Caroline Kennedy’s Speech at 2013 ALA Midwinter Meeting Available Online

Jan Carmichael — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:08:36 +0000

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Caroline Kennedy

As part of the Auditorium Speaker Series at the American Library Association’s 2013 Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, Caroline Kennedy, Honorary Chair of 2013 National Library Week, spoke to an enthusiastic crowd about her passion for libraries and the role that reading and poetry has played in her family members' lives.

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Zack Stentz: Libraries,'as important as roads or police or firefighters'

Steve Zalusky — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:38:10 +0000

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In this interview, screenwriter and debut author Zack Stentz declares his love of libraries and broadcasts their importance in unequivocal language.

He says, "Libraries fostered my love of reading by having so many things, so many topics that I was interested in available - and not just in a shallow way, like the Internet has, but in an in-depth way. If I was interested in sharks, I could almost become an expert by the time I was done."

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African-American Women in History @ your library

Megan McFarlane — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:57:03 +0000

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Let it Shine

Continuing our celebration of Black History Month and looking ahead to Women’s History Month check out these titles with your children and teens celebrating African-American women and their contributions to American history.

Becoming Billie Holiday
by Carole Boston Weatherford.
Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday looks back on her early years in this fictional memoir written in verse.

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Youth Media Awards 2013 Ceremony

Jan Carmichael — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:19:24 +0000

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You may already know the winners, but it's still fun to watch the archived version of this year's ALA Youth Media Awards, just to hear the shrieks and applause when the winners are announced.

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Langston Hughes @ your library

Megan McFarlane — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:32:01 +0000

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February marks not only Black History Month, but the birthday of one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, Langston Hughes.

Born on Feb. 1, 1902, in Joplin, Mo. James Langston Hughes was raised mainly by his maternal grandmother in Lawrence, Kan., while his mother looked for work. It was in Lawrence that Hughes developed his love of books, which he discussed in his memoir Big Sea:

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Ashley Miller: 'I loved the actual physical feeling of being in the library'

Steve Zalusky — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:45:04 +0000

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In this interview, author Ashley Miller talks about the importance of libraries in his development.

He says he spent most of his childhood in libraries, surrounding himself with books.

"I loved the actual physical feeling of being in the library, of having a bookin my hand, the smell of the book," he said.

Miller is the author, along with Zack Stentz of Colin Fischer, the story of a 14-year-old detective with Asperger's Syndrome.

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