Many library systems around the country rely on the help of volunteers to make our workflows successful. In my system, this includes teen volunteers, and in the summer paid teen employees. If you are new to working with teens, you may feel apprehensive about how to manage their workflow. Whether you work with teens as summer volunteers or school year employees, these tips can help you set them up for success!
Category: Commitment to Client Group
ALSC & YALSA: Reflections on Reunification
There are lots of great articles and resources available about the reunification of ALSC & YALSA that are keeping members informed about the process, plans, and anticipated changes. From committee changes and bylaws to member engagement, I’m grateful for the timely updates and conversation.
Get Organized: Creating Clear, Scaffolded Learning Paths
This year, I’m viewing “traditional” New Year’s resolutions through a library lens. So far, we’ve explored ways to exercise more, live life to the fullest, eat healthier, lose weight, and save money. This month, we’re looking at organization. While it would be easy to talk about cleaning up supply closets or doing a deep clean of your digital files, I’m taking a different approach. Organization isn’t just about space – it’s also about creating clear paths for learning and engagement. Let’s talk about ways that intentional, scaffolded program structures create organization and clear direction for patrons and staff alike. While each library’s program structure is different, my goal today is to share replicable models that work for all types of libraries and programs. I’ll explore how scaffolded programs help you reach specific audiences and customize patron experiences. At its core, scaffolded programming is about purposeful program design over time. Why…
Hi, I’m New Here
New kid. Outsider. For young people who may feel like they have a foot in two worlds, such familiar social emotional themes touch on experiences that resonate with all kind of youth. That’s why they continue to be popular! With July 4 on the horizon, summer is a great time to honor the many kinds of journeys families take to the United States. Sharing stories opens doors!
Upgrade Your Literacy Resources with a How to Read Website
The science of reading is one of the fastest growing topics in librarianship. At my library, patrons want to know more about the science of reading, and how they can use it to help their children learn to read. Over the years, we’ve tried to meet this in different ways. For example, we created a Science of Reading kit to help patrons access the tools they need. As patron demand continued to grow, we realized we needed a way to help many patrons at the same time. To that end, my library created a Help Your Child Learn to Read website so patrons could access library resources whenever they needed them.
The Storytime Speech: Setting Expectations for Adults
When it comes to storytime, who is your target audience? Oftentimes we focus so much on the children in front of us that we might forget to engage with the adults bringing them to our programs. Storytime is a performative experience for librarians in which we create a fun and exciting environment that encourages early literacy, but the greater overarching purpose is to teach caregivers by modeling behavior that they can practice at home with the children that they care for. Regardless of whether a caregiver is an immediate family member, a nanny, or some other relation, it’s important that they all leave storytime with thoughts reminiscent of, “Hey, I can do this with my child, too!” There are a few ALSC Blog posts that provide helpful tips for engaging adults in storytime, and there are some I’ve learned over the years as well. Here’s a list of some recommended…
Eat Healthier: Nourishing Curiosity with Library Programming
This year, I’m viewing “traditional” New Year’s resolutions through a library lens. In February, we focused on creating movement-friendly library programs. In March, we explored living life to the fullest with messy play and learning. This month, we’re focusing on the resolution to eat healthier. While libraries may also have opportunities to feed bodies, the work I’m focusing on is feeding minds and growing a child’s natural curiosity.
Building bridges of understanding: Outstanding International Books to share in storytime
Each year USBBY, the US section of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People), selects Outstanding International Books (OIB) – books originating or first published in a country other than the US. This list is a natural extension of USBBY’s mission – to build bridges of understanding through children’s and young adult books. As a member of the OIB committee and ALSC’s Early Childhood and Preschool Services committee, I’m excited to highlight some that are perfect for sharing in storytime.