With this post and $15, kids and their grown-ups can make dynamic chalk art drawings at your next event.
Author: Heather Acerro
Highly Recommended: Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong
I don’t need to tell you that it is a challenge to match a child with a book they will love on their reading “level”. I don’t need to tell you about the numerous conversations that I’ve had with adult caregivers reassuring them that their child can check out books above or below their reading “level”. Or that they can check out graphic novels or comic books or magazines and still get practice with reading. This practice is frustrating for librarian, child, and caregiver. On the recommendation of an educator, my team recently listened to the Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong podcast by APM Reports. I was shocked to learn that the reading programs that have been just a nuisance to me, are actually harming children. Essentially, a 60-year-old unscientific theory on how children learn to read has been turned into a multi-million dollar industry and it…
Program in a Post: Dot Art
With this post and around $20-$50, you can take a super simple art activity to any outreach location. Supplies: Dot markers/bingo daubers Stencils (optional) Markers (optional) Paper Set up: Similar to Art Links, Squart, Art on the Spot, and Cotton Swab Pointillism, this is a perfect outreach activity. Throw your supplies into a small tote and off you go. Find a table somewhere (park, school, etc.), set out your supplies, and make a few samples. We love to take this one out on the ArtCart with a tray for the stencils & markers. Program prep: Just gather your supplies. Go and make some dots!
Program in a Post: Local Art!
With this post, a talented local artist, and some space, you can host a successful art show for kids and families!
Diversity in STEM & Social Studies Titles
Over the last few years, the Youth Services team at Rochester Public Library (MN) has been asked to help diversify school curriculum support materials, including social studies and STEM. These projects are a lot of fun and begin with the creation of a spreadsheet to document our finds, audit the materials for diversity & inclusion, identify subject matter, and review and track other factors instructors would like us to consider. For example, we are currently working with the kindergarten curriculum subject “Our Country, It’s a Great Place” which covers understanding what it means to be an American Citizen, identifying symbols of the USA, immigration, and identifying leaders of today. A few of our recommendations are: Dreamers by Yuyi Morales Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes V is for Voting by Kate Farrell We are a Garden: How diversity took root in America by Lisa Westberg Peters & Victoria…
The Best Vegan & Plant Based Books for Kids
Plant based diets are on the rise and so is the demand for vegan books for kids. Below is a short bibliography featuring the best books that I have found. If you only have a few dollars to spend, the starred titles are highly recommended.
1,000 Connected Chromebooks
In late September, Rochester Public Library (MN) was one of 260 libraries in the nation to receive Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF) support from the Federal Communications Commission. RPL received $619,000 in ECF funding to help close the digital divide in our community.
Keeping Connected with Custom Collections
At a time when Rochester Public Library (MN) has limited ability to provide direct services to children, teens, and families, our custom collection service has helped us stay connected. Since mid-March, RPL staff have been heavily engaged in city-wide pandemic response work, including setting up and staffing a day center for people experiencing homelessness and running a COVID-19 call center. We also provide library services through our digital library, Curbside pickup, Bookmobile services, Deposit & Homebound services, phone reference, and Internet access by appointment. This work has required our library to collaborate as a large team, with staff from multiple divisions sharing ideas and responsibilities on the various projects. As a result, our Youth Services team hasn’t had many opportunities to work together. During this time, two YS programs have allowed us to provide direct service to our kids, teens, and families. In June, we launched our Pen Pal program which has been…