Youth Source

Registration for ALSC’s winter online education courses now open

2009-12-16T09:34:29-06:00

Registration is now open for the Association for Library Service to Children’s (ALSC) winter Online Education courses. All five courses begin on Feb. 1 and last four to six weeks, depending on the course. Course space is limited, so please register early to reserve your spot. Don’t miss this great opportunity to liven up your library this winter!

The winter course selections are: Connecting with Tween Readers; Information Literacy—From Preschool to High School; The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future; Reading Instruction and Children’s Books; and Series Programming for Elementary School Age. Discounted rates are available for ALSC members.

“Connecting with Tween Readers” will examine the developmental needs and abilities of children ages 10-12; why children of this age group are particularly vulnerable to illiteracy; and unique activities and programs (including the utilization of currently popular technologies) libraries can offer to keep these children on the path to becoming lifelong readers. A primary focus of the course will be studying the literature available for this particular age group. The instructor of this course is Edward T. Sullivan.

“Information Literacy—From Preschool to High School” will show participants how to conduct information literacy instruction for all ages. Participants will be encouraged to examine their local schools’ and state’s requirements pertaining to library skills and to develop methods of using the library to complement those requirements. The course will include examples of successful programs, and participants will also discuss ways that information literacy instruction can be a useful “outreach” tool. The instructor of this course is Maryann Mori, director of the Waukee (Iowa) Public Library.

“The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future” discusses different aspects of the award, the history of the medal and how it has changed over time. Participants are given an opportunity to read, discuss and consider past and present Newbery winners with their colleagues from across the nation. The instructor of the course is Kathleen T. Horning, director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Reading Instruction and Children’s Books” focuses on the different methodologies for reading instruction and how to determine and interpret grade-level assigned books to effectively assist patrons. Participants will then evaluate children’s materials for grade-level of reading and develop strategies for clearly communicating this system to parents and teachers. The instructor of the course is Katherine Todd, adjunct instructor at Manhattanville (N.Y.) College.

All kids love series books! That’s why “Series Programming for Elementary School Age” will teach participants how to add series clubs to the library in order to get children reading and using the library more. Using trivia, games, music and reading, children will come back for more each week. Series such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Magic Tree House, Spiderwick, Fancy Nancy, Froggy, Curious George and American Girl will be discussed. The instructor of this course is Lisa M. Shaia, children’s librarian at Oliver Wolcott Public Library.

Courses are taught asynchronously using Moodle, an online learning community. A certificate of completion will be sent to participants upon successful completion of the course. Detailed descriptions and registration information is available on the ALSC Web site at www.ala.org/alsced. Fees are $95 for personal ALSC members; $145 for personal ALA members; and $165 for non-members. For more information, contact ALSC Deputy Director Kirby Simmering at ksimmering@ala.org.

January LGIAT

2009-12-15T13:31:05-06:00

The January issue of Let's Get It All Together (LGIAT), the monthly Youth Services newsletter produced by Rolling Prairie Library System, is now available at http://www.rpls.ws/lgiat/2010/0110.html

Join YALSA for 31 Days of Dollars and Sense

2009-12-10T09:10:03-06:00

This month, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will spotlight 31 Days of Dollars and Sense on its blog, http://yalsa.ala.org/blog.

“Librarians across the country are facing dramatic budget and staff cuts, massive strains on resources and facilities and one of the worst job markets we've ever seen, all while our patrons are depending on us more than ever,” said mk Eagle, interim YALSA blog manager. “31 Days of Dollars and Sense is a way for YALSA members to share ideas and strategies as we all struggle with uncertain times. By sharing our collective knowledge YALSA becomes more than the sum of its parts. ”

Topics will include grant writing, programming on a limited budget, where to find free supplies, defending budgets, keeping up morale and more. School and public librarians alike will offer up their own success stories and expertise. YALSA encourages librarians to visit the blog at http://yalsa.ala.org/blog and join the conversation.

iREAD rescource guide ideas

2009-12-08T14:16:50-06:00

Don’t forger that you can now visit www.ila.org/iread and submit your resource guide ideas for the 2011 iREAD Summer Reading Program A Midsummer Knight’s Read. You only have until January 18th to contribute your ideas, so don’t wait!!

‘Tis the Season

2009-12-03T09:53:39-06:00

The staff of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books has created the 2009 edition of “Guide Book to Gift Books: An Annotated List of Books for Youth”. The free download gives brief annotations for over 300 of the best books for giving this holiday season, which are divided into recommendations for the very youngest listeners up to young adult readers. This guide will help your patrons find just the right book for the people on their shopping list.

December LGIAT

2009-12-02T10:00:10-06:00

The December issue of Let's Get It All Together (LGIAT), the monthly Youth Services newsletter produced by Rolling Prairie Library System, is now available at http://www.rpls.ws/lgiat/2009/1209.html

Virtual Author Visits via Skype

2009-11-30T09:39:14-06:00

Skype is a free software that allows you to talk, instant message, or video chat using your computer. Author of Owney, the Mail Pouch Pooch, Mona Kerby, and Library Media Specialist, Sarah Chauncey, have teamed up to create Skype an Author Network.

Skype an Author Network provides K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual visits, using Skype. On the website is a list of participating authors, sample videos, and success stories.

Liven up your library service through ALSC online education courses

2009-11-18T10:25:48-06:00

Bring something new to your library by taking an online course this winter from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Starting on Feb. 1, ALSC is offering five timely courses that are sure to cure your winter blues and liven up your library.

The winter course selections are: Connecting with Tween Readers; Information Literacy—From Preschool to High School; The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future; Reading Instruction and Children’s Books; and Series Programming for Elementary School Age. Registration will open Dec. 14, and discounted rates are available for ALSC members. Course space is limited, so please register early to reserve your spot.

“Connecting with Tween Readers” will examine the developmental needs and abilities of children ages 10-12; why children of this age group are particularly vulnerable to illiteracy; and unique activities and programs (including the utilization of currently popular technologies) libraries can offer to keep these children on the path to becoming lifelong readers. A primary focus of the course will be studying the literature available for this particular age group. The instructor of this course is Edward T. Sullivan.

“Information Literacy—From Preschool to High School” will show participants how to conduct information literacy instruction for all ages. Participants will be encouraged to examine their local schools’ and state’s requirements pertaining to library skills, and to develop methods of using the library to complement those requirements. The course will include examples of successful programs, and participants will also discuss ways that information literacy instruction can be a useful “outreach” tool. The instructor of this course is Maryann Mori, director of the Waukee (Iowa) Public Library.

“The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future,” discusses different aspects of the award, the history of the medal and how it has changed over time. Participants are given an opportunity to read, discuss and consider past and present Newbery winners with their colleagues from across the nation. The instructor of the course is Kathleen T. Horning, director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Reading Instruction and Children’s Books” focuses on the different methodologies for reading instruction and how to determine and interpret grade-level assigned books to effectively assist patrons. Participants will then evaluate children’s materials for grade-level of reading and develop strategies for clearly communicating this system to parents and teachers. The instructor of the course is Katherine Todd, adjunct instructor at Manhattanville (N.Y.) College.

All kids love series books! That’s why “Series Programming for Elementary School Age” will teach participants how to add series clubs to the library in order to get children reading and using the library more. Using trivia, games, music and reading, children will come back for more each week. Series such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Magic Tree House, Spiderwick, Fancy Nancy, Froggy, Curious George and American Girl will be discussed. The instructor of this course is Lisa M. Shaia, children’s librarian at Oliver Wolcott Public Library.

Courses are taught asynchronously using Moodle, an online learning community. A certificate of completion will be sent to participants upon successful completion of the course. Detailed descriptions and registration information is available on the ALSC Web site at www.ala.org/alsced. Fees are $95 for personal ALSC members; $145 for personal ALA members; and $165 for non-members. For more information, contact ALSC Executive Director Aimee Strittmatter at astrittmatter@ala.org.

Registration now open for YALSA’s winter online courses

2009-11-18T10:18:51-06:00

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will offer two online courses this winter: Booktalks Quick and Simple, taught by Nancy Keane, and Power Programming for Teens, taught by Amy Alessio.

Both classes meet for four weeks and begin in February. To read course descriptions, please visit www.ala.org/yalsa/onlinecourses.

Registration for YALSA’s online courses is available at www.ala.org/yalsa/onlinecourses now through Feb. 5. Four-week courses cost $135 for YALSA members and students, $175 for ALA members and $195 for nonmembers.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, and all YALSA e-courses are available for licensing; contact Eve Gaus at egaus@ala.org or 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5293, for more information.

YALSA extends deadline to apply to manage new blog

2009-11-12T09:45:40-06:00

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will launch a new blog focused on young adult literature, in 2010. YALSA currently seeks a member manager for the blog. This blog will focus solely on young adult literature and will provide teens with a definitive Web connection to blog posts, images, booklists, videos and more, all related to teen reading. YALSA is currently seeking a member manager for the new blog.

The member manager will lead an advisory board that prepares content for the blog and solicits content from the YALSA community. Full details, including qualifications, duties and honoraria, are available online at http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2009/09/11/yalsa-seeks-member-manager-for-new-blog. YALSA membership is required for this position. Applicants should provide a cover letter and a resume that includes management, writing, and web publishing experience. Applications are due Nov. 30, 2009 to yalsa@ala.org. Questions may be directed to Beth Yoke at byoke@ala.org.