Category: In Memoriam

Blogger Jonathan Dolce

Holiday Programming Planning

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Holiday Programming Planning Now that you’ve eaten most of your Halloween candy, it’s time to seriously solidify your end of year programming. Here to help you with planning are tons of ideas, news, and much more! Read on, enjoy and, as always, best of luck! And just in case you are wondering — 22 Things to Do with Pumpkins After Halloween But first…*sniff* I’m Talkin’ Full Stream Here! New (& Cool) Kids’ Shows Coming to Netflix in November Billy Porter will direct and produce a feature adaptation of Camp, the young adult novel by Lev Rosen. Joey King and Chase Stokes Cast in Netflix Movie Based on Uglies Series Joey King and Chase Stokes have been cast to star in the Netflix movie adaptation of Uglies, based on Scott Westerfield’s young adult science-fiction series. Also cast in the upcoming film are Brianne Tju and Keith Powers. Netflix has yet to confirm who each of the actors…

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Author Spotlight

Flowers for Beverly Cleary

| Kirby McCurtis|Leave a comment

I know every state has their claims to fame–people or events that bring about pride of place and cause for celebration. When you don’t live in California or New York those local celebrities or occurrences are just a little less known to the rest of America.  While every resident thinks their person/place/thing is the best, I have to say being a children’s librarian in Beverly Cleary’s city really is something to cheer about. Considered a local heroine, Beverly Cleary (April 12, 1916 – March 25, 2021) was born in McMinnville and lived in rural Yamhill before moving to Portland. Most of her books are set in Northeast Portland where she was raised, and the truly special thing about her and her work was that she was a champion of children as they really exist. 

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Blogger Jonathan Dolce

Active Shooter – Run, Hide, Fight

| Jonathan Dolce|3 Comments

Dedicated to the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o67rVmZF0DM?start=74&w=560&h=315] On August 7, 2004, I sat down for a staff meeting at my library, and was completely caught off guard by some of the most shocking news of my entire life: one of my teen advisory board members had been involved in what would come to be known as the Deltona Massacre.  I was instantly crushed.  Between gasps, all I could say was, “He was just here”.  All I could think was what could I have done to prevent the senseless death of six teens. Walter Dean Myers’ book, Shooter had been out for three months.  Despite being a fantastic work of fiction by one of my favorite authors, I didn’t really find any answers there. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptjv7LHf1mA&w=560&h=315] I turned to the author Chris Crutcher via email, as I knew he was also a child…

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Guest Blogger

Remembering Margaret Mary Kimmel

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Margaret Mary Kimmel, ALSC President (1982-1983), died on June 10th at the age of 76. Maggie Kimmel was a force of nature and she carried many students, colleagues and friends along in her wake. From her initial teaching as a part-time instructor at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., to a two year stint as a visiting professor at the College of Librarianship in Wales, her time at Simmons College in Boston and her long tenure as a full-time professor the University of Pittsburgh, Maggie influenced countless numbers of future librarians, authors and teachers. As an active member of the ALSC, she served on many committees and worked tirelessly to advance the profession and enhance children’s services at libraries all around the country. In recognition of her many contributions, Maggie received the ALSC Distinguished Service Award in 2001. In addition to furthering the work of ALSC, her committee work also provided…

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Guest Blogger

Remembering Marilyn L. Miller

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A leader in our profession, Marilyn L. Miller, ALSC President (1979 -1980), died on May 22nd at the age of 83.  Lillian Gerhardt offers a memorial tribute: A few years ago, I stumbled on a statement that brought our late, great Marilyn Miller to mind.  It is from an essay by mid-20th century America’s most influential journalist, Walter Lippmann, after the death of FDR.  He said that “The genius of a great leader is to leave behind him a situation that common sense can deal with successfully.” Change that “him” to  “her” and you will have a clear picture of MLM’s leadership as president of not only one but two of the American Library Association’s youth services divisions (AASL and ALSC)  and on through her presidency of all of ALA. Marilyn’s management of both her own life as well as her life’s work on behalf of libraries and librarians was…

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Blogger Mary R. Voors

Remembering Dr. Eliza Dresang

| Mary Voors|4 Comments

With a very sad heart, I must report what many of you know already. Dr. Eliza Dresang, a beloved friend and colleague, died on the morning of April 21, 2014 at the age of 72. A library science professor, author, speaker, and active member and leader in ALSC, Dr. Dresang will be remembered as a strong advocate for children and libraries, but will also be remembered for her caring smile and sincere ability to really listen carefully and respectfully, helping each colleague she worked with grow and learn. It was an honor and a privilege to serve on the Notable Children’s Books committee when Eliza was chair. I learned so very much from her and it truly saddens me that I will no longer see her — or laugh with her — at Conferences. Her impact on my life will never be lost. School Library Journal published an obituary which…

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Blogger Jeanette Larson

Rose Trevií±o

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ALSC member Rose Zertuche-Treviño died on April 30. Fittingly, her death occurred on El dí­a de los niños/El dí­a de los libros, a celebration of reading for children of all cultures and linguistic backgrounds that Rose worked to establish and strongly supported. Most recently Rose served as chair of the Newbery Award committee and the crowning achievement of her career may well have been presenting that award to Neil Gaiman in Chicago. Rose served as the youth services coordinator for the Houston Public Library until last October. Prior to that Rose was an independent consultant and the children’s services coordinator at San Antonio Public Library. She was very active in ALA, REFORMA, and the Texas Library Association and served on many committees. In addition to writing for ALA, which published her books Read Me a Rhyme in Spanish and English (2009), a collection of Latino rhymes, songs, finger plays, riddles,…

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