April is National Poetry Month, and I, too, like it! From picture books with poems to novels in verse for middle grade readers and fun activities, there are so many ways to involve poetry in library plans.
Category: Reference and User Services
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.
Media Literacy for a Young World
This May, Soman Chainani returns to the scene with his first original novel in over ten years. Young World, published by Penguin Random House, is a political thriller set in the not too distant future where countries around the globe are on the brink of collapse. Chainani blurs the lines between fact and fiction on and off the page to make us all think: Wait, is this really happening?
March! Women in History
March is Women’s History Month! ALSC bloggers have highlighted trailblazing women and picture books, and there are plenty of materials to explore. From winning the right to vote in the U.S. or honoring women who led the way as firsts in their fields, here are a few more resources and book tips to make history come alive.
AI, KPop Demon Hunters, and the Rise of the Knock Off Book
If you work with kids, know any kids, or have left your house any time in the last six months, you have undoubtedly heard of KPop Demon Hunters. The popular Netflix film follows Rumi, Mira, and Zoey who make up the popular k-pop band HUNTR/X. Using the power of music, they protect the world from demons. At my library, kids ask for books about KPop Demon Hunters, just like they want books similar to Taylor Swift, Stranger Things, and other pop culture topics.
Newsletters for Everyone
Our Library newsletter, Browsing, comes out quarterly with program descriptions, registration information, and news for our community. In Youth Services, we wanted to create something for our specific segments of the community and have found great success in two newsletters: Preschool Pages and Selections, Jr.
The Importance of Evaluation: How to Check In on New Services
At any given time, many of us who are children’s librarians are experts in multi-tasking, from implementing weekly programs to adding new services that we would like to try or addressing patron requests for more. It is also easy to keep saying yes to more until you get to the point when it is time to start doing and that can very easily begin to get out of hand and eventually lead to burnout. Evaluation can help staff members get to the “why” something is important and help with our balancing act. It helps identify needs, measure outcomes, and look at a bigger picture than daily library life. It also gives you a valuable moment to pause instead of continuously adding more.
So Long Stranger Things, Hello Stranger Reads
After nearly ten years, Stranger Things has ended. The saga of Max, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Eleven has come to a close, and the patrons at my library can’t stop talking about it. Our seventh and eighth graders are discussing the show the most. Some even started rewatching it from the beginning again to watch the entire show in one go! These conversations usually end with a question: “Now what should I do?” I always answer the question the same way. “Read a book perfect for Stranger Things fans, of course!” If you also have some Stranger Things fans at your library, here are some great books to recommend.