In April and May, the Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee will be hosting a series of free webinars on the topic of working with infants in the library. Here’s what’s coming:
The first is Honoring Infancy: Growing the Garden – Nurturing a Play and Early Learning Space on Tuesday, April 14th at 3:00 PM Eastern. “Let’s Do It” you proclaim. As a youth professional you have established the importance of play. But how do you get there and create a space supported by the library and your community? Join Mike Rogalla and Tori Ogawa from ALSC’s Early Childhood Programs & Services committee as we explore library play and learning spaces for the youngest of patrons. Whether you’re working with a small budget or looking to redesign your space you can create a play and learning space. Register here.
Next, we will offer Honoring Infancy: Libraries Welcoming Babies on Thursday, May 7th, at 3:00 PM Eastern. “Can I take my baby to the library?” Even though many libraries are working to encourage families with infants by planning infant-friendly programs and spaces, families with babies still sometimes don’t realize that the library can be a destination for them. Join Kristen Rocha, Jo Caisse and Stephanie Smallwood of ALSC’s Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee as we share ideas and tips for developing a baby-friendly library experience. Topics will include marketing strategies, family-friendly policies and areas and helping non-youth staff understand babies. Register here.
Finally, on Tuesday, May 19th, at 3:00 PM Eastern, we will offer Honoring Infancy: Beyond Baby Storytime. From sign language to dancing and everything in between, libraries are finding ways to engage babies with words, music, and sensory activities that not only entertain them, but provide much-needed mental stimulation. In this webinar, Kim Alberts and Eiyana Favers of the Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee will talk about what makes a program appropriate for babies and share some tried and true ideas that are doable at any library. Register here.
Each session will last approximately one hour and will be archived. If you are unable to attend the day of, all archived webinars are free for ALSC members and $25 for non-members. The committee hopes you will join us for this fun and informative series!
Kim Alberts and Stephanie Smallwood are co-chairs of the Early Childhood Programs & Services Committee
This post addresses the following ALSC Core Competencies: Professionalism and Professional Development
Carol Edwards
These are great. I truly believe that by reaching infants and their caregivers we can change the world. Webinars are perfect in this strange world we’re in. Thanks to your committee for providing these.