The Red Carpet has unrolled! If you’re in Chicago, join us outside the ballroom at the Sheraton. If you’re celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Caldecott online, you can virtually participate in the 2013 Newbery-Caldecott-Wilder pre-banquet festivities by downloading this special bingo card. Complete the card and you could win 5 Caldecott titles (instructions on card). Share your answers using #BanquetBingo and follow the evening’s conversation using #Caldecott75 and #ncbanquet. Virtual Banquet Bingo
Month: June 2013
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing: Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast at #ala2013
One of the things I love about going to ALA conferences are the moments when I feel a great sense of connection with the library community. This morning as I sang with my fellow librarians at the CSK Book Awards Breakfast was one such moment. Near the beginning of the ceremony the entire group stood and sang “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” along with the young vocalist, Riziki Covington. This musical prelude created a celebratory, joyful, and respectful atmosphere that remained throughout the event. Several other moments stood out to me this morning, such as Jacqueline Woodson’s inspiring speech about the future of African-American children’s literature, as well as our society, and Andrea Pinkney’s humorous and humble speech of thanks and appreciation as she talked about her book, “Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America.” This was my second year attending this awards ceremony and I highly recommend…
Junk Food, Beer and Books–Incredible Food for Thought #ala2013
Susan Linn, Director, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, gave a compelling presentation this morning that urged librarians to consider how commercialism plays a role in the lives of children, in and outside of the library. A few insights from the handout distributed: Marketing to children is unfair. Kids are more vulnerable than adults. Their developing brains are no match for today’s invasive and sophisticated advertising. It encourages unhealthy eating It glorifies violence It sexualizes kids I think most people in the room are aware of these facts, but Linn gave countless examples that really brought the message home; e.g. SpongeBob Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, a toddler toilet with a tablet/smart phone holder, and the ubiquitous Disney princesses. She also cited the recent ALSC Blog post “Going Commercial Free” in her discussion of what libraries can do. Linn acknowledged that removing coloring sheets and toys from the library is a positive step…
A fine balance
So far this conference #ala2013 has been a fine balance of work and celebration, and it’s all been excellent fun (not to mention pretty good weather. Remember that you need rain to make a rainbow). Friday – Helped present a preconference workshop on outcomes-based summer reading programs (see the CA Library Association website for more information on the concept). Great stuff – but couldn’t help envying those folks attending the Caldecott preconference! Friday night – Dinner with Steve Sheinkin, the MacMillan folks and my dynamic Newbery committee. It was da Bomb! (heh) And then there was the ALA Think Tank party. Free margaritas. Much dancing and mixing with local Blackhawks fans. No photos thereof, thank goodness. Saturday morning – Missed not one but two sessions due to a blissful lie-in. Then off to be a panelist at the What’s Hot in STEAM Programming session. If you’re interested in preschoolers, Every…
Author Inspiration
I had two opportunities to hear authors today at #ala2013 and both knocked my socks off! I decided several months ago to attend the Bookmobile Saturday: Author Lunch, hosted by OLOS , which required a $25 ticket. Lauren Myracle and Audrey Niffenegger were the guest speakers, and since my daughter has declared herself Lauren Myracle’s “biggest fan,” I figured it would be a great opportunity to meet her. I planned to stick to the free programs during my first ALA Annual Conference, but I highly recommend trying a ticketed event. For $25, I received a yummy lunch, heard two talented authors speak, and received signed copies of each of their books, courtesy of Abrams Books. It was much more fun than standing in long lines in the crowded Exhibit Hall for an author signing. And Lauren Myracle signed my daughter’s copy of Twelve! I also attended a program called “Krosoczka! TenNapel!…
All ages love music at #ala2013
Live music on the Front Porch Stage outside the Exhibit Hall.
Extending Books Beyond the Page at #ala2013
Extending books beyond the page is a big part of my personal library philosophy. Getting a kid to read a book is great, but getting a kid to take the ideas and stories from the book and use it to spark creativity and curiosity is even better. Today at the conference I attended several sessions that were chock full of creative ideas that are sure to inspire kids to create and explore. This morning the panel of presenters in Multicultural Programming for Families made me want to rush back to work to plan a program to celebrate the wonderfully diverse cultures of our world as they shared pictures and insight into planning multicultural programs, such as Dia. Immediately following I attended the Take Ten with Teens and Tweens presented by three librarians from the Anne Arundel County Public Library. These energetic ladies presented the group with 10 easy, creative (and…
Connected Kids at #ala2013
This afternoon I stopped by the poster sessions in the Exhibit Hall to check out a poster by a former colleague of mine: Connected Kids: Technology Programs to Inspire Creative Exploration. The folks at the Barrington (IL) Area Library are doing some awesome technology programs with kids, including light painting, LEGO Mindstorms, and website “hacking”. Some of their tips? Start small Listen to the community It is acceptable not to be an expert Don’t try to fit technology to an age group I especially think it’s important to note that you don’t have to be a tech genius to offer technology programs at your library!