New Job(s)...New Adventure

It's been a few months since my last post. I've been a little..busy.  I have begun 2 exciting new Library jobs.  For most of the day I am a director of a small rural library.  For a few hours each week, I am a school librarian.   For all my bibliophile, teacher, infomaniac friends who are currently looking for a library job(without much luck) I have surely been blessed.  Hang in there.

I entered library school because I crave information, helping others, teaching, serving, and love the dynamic nature of 21st century libraries.   There's so many exciting things happening in our community's information centers and I am thrilled to be a part of it all.  

When is the last time you took an adventure to your local library?   What did you see, hear, read, checkout?   Was this the same library you remember going to as a child, tween or young adult.  Dare I even ask...do you have an updated library card?  Does anyone in your immediate family have a library card.

No matter what your answers are, I challenge you to take an adventure to your local library.   If you are a parent, you know all too well that our children only get 'specials' such as PE, art, music, technology, and library a few times month.  First, I should assert my belief that 'special's are just as important as our core curriculum because we deliver important skills and knowledge in unique ways that appeal to all children. Children crave, beg to have specials more often.  They excel in dynamic learning environments and that is exactly what these sparsely scheduled 'special's represent.    Unfortunately, more frequent classroom visits may not be plausible in the immediate future.  

BUT WAIT, you can help.  YOU can still support their interests and save the day. Head to your local library.  Here you'll find resources such as books, movies, databases, displays, and programming that is entertaining, educational and fun.   Local library's are a community hot spot that have many offerings than just books.(Yes, books are vital, but there is more.)  

Just as I have begun two new adventures in my community I challenge you to take an adventure in your community.   Use this as an opportunity to open up a new dialogue with your family and try something new.   Are you retired and without little ones?  Why not see if you can volunteer your time or bring a friend with you to enjoy this adventure.

Finidng Buried Treasure in Your Backyard!!

It's been a while since I last wrote to my adoring fans....I got a NEW job!!  I am now a director of small library that gives me incredibly flexibility, support, authority, and creativity to grow as a library professional.  And since I earned this new title, I have found buried treasure.  YES you read that correctly, buried treasure. And it was right in my own back yard, so to speak.  A fellow bibliophile and author released the first book of a YA dystopian trilogy titled The Breeding Tree.  Author Jesse Andersen is a writer, mom, and former teacher who knows how to capture and entertain an audience.  She is part of a dedicated writer's circle in her hometown and is a huge supporter of libraries and writing.  You can learn more about this new release at her website https://www.jandersenbooks.com. 


Buckle up and get ready to read on....

Is the opportunity to create the next generation of life a dream come true or a deadly nightmare? 

When seventeen year old Katherine Dennard is selected to become a "Creation Specialist" in Sector 4, the opportunity sounds like a dream come true. But Kate soon discovers the darker side of her profession - the disposal of fetal organs and destruction of human life. It makes sense, really. In a society where disease and malformations don t exist, human perfection demands that no genetic "mutants" be allowed to live. For Sector 4, "survival of the fittest" is not just a theory - it's The Institute's main mission. 

When Kate discovers that The Institute is using her DNA to create new life, her work gets personal. In order to save her unviable son, she'll have to trust Micah and his band of underground Natural Born Rebels. The problem is, if The Institute discovers her betrayal, the next body being disposed of could be hers.

Do you have local authors in your community that you support?  Do you really know any local authors?  I  would encourage you to get a conversation going and see who's who in your community.  I view books, stories and authors as special gifts.  They are something I value deeply.  When I read a new book that really gets me going, I see it as a treasure.  Why not go find some treasure in your backyard today?!

LEGO Mania - Sweeping through libraries and getting stuck in your vacumes all over the USA!!

For years and years the Summer Reading Program at the public library where I work has always boasted a new bike as the 'top prize' for the luck boy and girl reading winners.  I think bikes are totally cool, wonderful, great rewards for reading diligently all summer, filling out your summer reading log, and dutifully submitting your reading minutes to your local library's reading program.  However, last year I suggested that we add a second place prize our potential awards list....A LEGO castle...valued at $150!   Oh the horror, the madness, the library not giving only bikes away!?!?.....the children begging me to let them win the castle if they won instead.  Nearly every single child wanted to win second place so they could take home a Lego Castle.




Our library hosts a Lego club each week that welcomes 10 -20 children plus adults and other siblings.  Lego clubs are a fun and easy way to promote literacy in your library, engage reluctant and/or eager readers, brings families in every week, and is guaranteed to improve circulation and program attendance.   Can you say, "Everything is Awesome"?(This is a reference to the Lego Movie - No matter how old, hip, or technologically talented you are, you NEED to see this movie!)  For libraries desperately trying to bring a 'maker-space' group into the library or simply trying to reach out to potential new patrons, Lego clubs are a win win. 



Our library had nearly all the Legos donated by the community.   Legos maybe a bit on the pricey side, but they are durable, long lasting, high quality, and compatible with all different sets - Chima, Ninjago, Harry Potter, Lego City - they're all Legos and all fit and work together.  When people brought in 20 year old Legos and 10 year old Legos, we were able to pool all the parts together and get building!  They're also easy to clean in the washing machine and rarely crack or break.  We have 100s and 1000s of Lego and Lego people - and our club is growing.


This type of club has many connections to literacy.  Literacy is dynamic and has practical applications with many kinds of library clubs.  In this case, understanding architecture and building technology, how to construct race cars, building house....it's all literacy.  We host Lego themed contests through out the year that involve reading, writing, and construction skills and boy oh boy do our patrons attend these special events.  We've also had to increase our ordering of Lego fiction and non-fiction titles for books and DVDs - and they rarely sit on the shelf for more than a couple days.


For the avid Lego user and reader you can even sign up for a FREE Lego Magazine subscription.  We actually get 2 subscriptions and circulate them in our library system.  This magazine is high quality and engaging...but also includes a catalog of, you guessed it, popular Lego toys and sets. But, it's still free and maybe you'll find the perfect gift for your little nugget.  Although you maybe cursing as you read this because you just stepped on or swept up another Lego sword, remember that Legso can provide your family with some unique reading and literacy opportunities - maybe even for free, if you visit your local library.   Have an AWESOME night.

Weekly Read - I Love New York!

Each day the website DayByDayNY offers one free high quality book that children can read with their families, read alone, with a buddy, at school, at home, or even on a smart device.  While most people know how to find  eBooks of varying quality on the Web, these books are GREAT!   They're high quality, but are only offered for one day.  Why only one day?  Well, that's the hook - if you find a book you want to read again, you won't find it for free on the website - you have to visit your local library.  BAM!

Often times people assume that the quality of a FREE book on the Internet will be good. Unfortunately that is just not true most of the time.  DaybyDayNY provides a vital link between families, literacy, and libraries.  It gives families a wonderful resource to use everyday, but a daily reminder to visit their local library.  To be honest, it makes my job as a public children's librarian easier.

The website is easy to navigate and provides rich resources to enhance the story: Arts & Crafts, Be Healthy, Fun Museums in NY, and Read With Me.  The site makes it incredibly easy to find a local library by hyperlinking a 'click here' so that New York State users can locate the closest library to their home. Go ahead and try it CLICK HERE. There is not much text on the main page and it is easy to use by adults and children.  The page is a winner!


Homeschool families would love the quality of this website.  It would be sort of like a story surprise each day - accompanied by crafts and activities.  I love it when someone takes the work out of  lesson planning and parenting.  And...it's FREE and HIGH QUALITY.


This can be viewed on all computers and smart devices.  Because the page is concise and well organized, it's easy to navigate on all these devices as well.   As a thrifty mom and librarian - I raise an eyebrow when I hear "FREE".  But with DayByDayNY, I raise my eyebrows with delight. When will you visit for a free eBook?

This week, without prompting, my son said "I love you."

Personally and professionally I have had a pretty stellar week.   To start with, my little red haired boy has started talked in phrases, climbing everything, and has become very independent.  Today at work I was actually singing the song that his Fisher-Price vacuum sings, "I'm gonna clean the house today do-dah, do-dah".   He LOVES that darn thing.  I am even getting him a child sized broom for Easter.  I hope his love of cleaning and helping continues well into his teens.(Fingers crossed.)  He also did something truly profound.  He said, "I love you" after I said I said it and he's continued to say it. Loud and clear. (Loud like his mama.)  Ahh - he's growing up so fast.




I welcome all these changes. They are incredible.  However, he is growing up fast and as a responsible parent I want to prepare myself for him becoming a big boy.  I do not plan to be surprised when he wants to actually use my cell phone as a technology device instead of a play phone to call grammy.  I am may be a bit old school, but I think that a person's privacy is important and that includes eager children wanting to have Facebook and Instagram accounts.  As much as I enjoy social media, I too want to maintain my privacy.  However, I am an adult.  I know right from wrong, I know how important being safe in the Internet is, and I do not over share with strangers or friends, Online.  Our children NEED to be taught right from wrong in the physical  and  digital world.  I feel strongly that over sharing  and posting provocative pictures, quotes, and opinions, is  is tacky.  However, when children post personal information on the Internet, it may not only be tacky, but it is extremely dangerous. Unlike eager to please children who are not always aware of their actions,  adults have a responsibility to be knowledgeable parents, role models, and guardians when it comes to Online safety.  So let me ask you, what are you sharing Online?




Have you seen that commercial where the little boys dad tries to give him the keys to a real car as the little boy is playing in his toy car?  The little boy has to think about it and consider if the decision would he good or bad. Would you put your five year old in real car?  I sure wouldn't.  So why would you let your children go play on a vast and unknown place filled with danger, strangers, and violence?  When you let children go Online you could be putting them in danger IF you or them are unaware of how  to be safe Online.


I urge you to visit the Net Smartz web page that is partnered with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children..  This webgage has resources for teachers, parents and guardians, tweens, law enforcement, and kids. The information is reliable, easy to access and proven to be successful as a tool to teach Internet safety. I am not here to argue as to whether or not your child should be on the Internet.  I am here to tell you that when they are on the Internet they need to be safe. Your actions and teaching should speak loudly and clearly.  Lead by example.


If your child, like mine, tells you "I love you" then show them and teach them that you love them back...by being a responsible adult who leads by example.  Show them the I Love Yous by being involved in their day to day life in person and Online and set guidelines and boundaries for safety and privacy on the Internet.  This might even be a good time for you to check your own Online activity and the privacy settings on your favorite social media websites.  

5 Things Children Should Never Share Online

1. Your full name
2. Home address
3. Social security number
4. Name of school, mascot, or location
5. Pictures or photos of myself or my family

How will you show the children in your life that you love them?

It may be Monday, but here's a Fabulous Freebie - Book Bub

I am lucky enough to be surrounded by a fantastic team of librarians, clerks, assistants, teachers, volunteers, and long time library advocates.  People are ALWAYS providing me with suggestions: books to order, movies to see, blogs to read, listservs to join, products to purchase, pages to like, the brilliant ideas are endless.  I L-O-V-E the suggestions.  Some of the best resources I use regularly are from my fellow staffers. 

Today I have one for you.   If you read digital books, I encourage you to sign up for Book Bub.  Book Bub sends you daily emails containing links to discounted and free eBooks that are available for a limited time only. The kind of books offered are remarkable and hit every interest level imaginable: biographies, LGBT, children's, Christian fiction, paranormal romance, horror - you name it and the genre is on this list.  The deals only run for two to three and titles are either free or deeply discounted.  To take advantage of these deals it is essential to have an Amazon.com account, but some additional formats are supported.  (I prefer Amazon because I can read it in my cloud reader, on my Android phone, or on my Kindle.)

Today I download a children's book called Diggy as well as a biography about Nelson Mandella, for FREE.  Most titles are not over $2.99.  When you sign up for the service, you take a survey to help set up preferences so that when you receive your daily message your interests are reflected in the suggestions.  However, you can also go right to the Book Bub page and search for books as well, depending on what kinds of reading mood you are in.

As a busy mom, I don't always immediately get to read the books I 'purchase'.  However, that is the beauty of buying digital content.  Readers can keep the content indefinitely and read it as time permits.  So if you know you're doing to the Dominican with your honey to catch some rays, you can stockpile cheap or free titles and read them when you have a few minutes to relax.  As a public librarian I have to be resourceful, as a mom, wife, and lady, I choose to be resourceful.  Why not give you pocket book a break and sing up.  Let me know how it works out for you. 

Weekly Read - What's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz? Happy Birthday Suess!

Dr. Seuss would have been 114 this year.  Wowza.  As my J and I  watched PBS kids TV show The Cat in the Hat Knows A lot About That  this morning with my son I felt a sense of silliness that reminded me of Mr. Geisel's birthday.  Although, I read Dr. Seuss everyday, not as a librarian but as a mom, it was a wonderful reminder and an enjoyable, rare, weekday home with my little poopy.


In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, visit the national Read Across America webpage for tons of great activities.  To be honest, these activities can be done any day. If children can see the joy and fun that reading brings for special occasions, why not have that joy in your home everyday.  Twenty years ago, finding last minute fun activities for Read Across America would have required lots of planning and reading.  There was no Pinterest, not all libraries had computers, and finding things easily Online was just not easy.  Today we have no excuse.  


So this week I challenge you to find something joyful to read, whether it is a cookbook, a graphic novel, a slasher mystery, or a sweet church romance.  If you want a wave of silliness to pass over you as well, and you don't have a 19 month old that wants to read Dr. Suess ABC Board Book, ask your grandkids, neighbor kids, or church kids, "have you ever me a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz?"  What did they say?

Big Read - What book is your local library celebrating this year?

Each year libraries across the country celebrate a community wide reading event called the Big Read.  According the Big Read website, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, "The Big Read supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences."  Sounds like a great idea...because it IS a great idea!


I have proudly been the Big Read leader at our library for the past  two years.  Each month our library, which serves a community of over 30,000 patrons, produces a monthly calendar that lists daily and month long activities.  For the Big Read our calendar is jam packed!  This year we are ALL reading one of the greatest books ever written, F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.  If you haven't read this book, it's an easy read that whisks the reader away(in a fast coupe) to the 1920s.  There's dames, dancing, drama, a giant, and an imperfect flower.  Are you interested in learning more - run to your library, cash in your free book credits on Amazon, or turn on your wi-fi  and learn to download a FREE copy through Overdrive at your local library.  Go ahead, get carried away.  I dare you.


In our library we will be incorporating themes of the Great Gatsby into much of our existing programming.  Like many libraries, our budget and staff hours are tight. Fortunately, we are extraordinarily resourceful and each year we get a few bucks to celebrate and promote this event.  We partner with local groups, use library volunteers and Kabam! - the community gets involved.(And our statistics have been on the rise!)  We'll be having storytimes involving the 1920s, fast cars, and dancing, our craft club will be making flapper style headbands, our Lego Club will be having a coupe car race, we'll be hosting movie nights, and families can win prizes by taking part in a literacy based reading activity.  Reading should be fun and our library staff works hard to spread this excitement and energy.  Your local probably has a few events as well and you can check here.  But I can tell you any library will welcome new faces - maybe take a trip to new library? 


I hope your library has a fun book to celebrate.  If the library is not reading an enjoyable novel, find a library that does.  If you're a real busy bee like me, download a copy of the book into your cloud reader, Nook, Kindle, or audio book.  If you're feeling adventurous, visit a book sale at a library.  Their books are cheap and all the money stays in the library.(At least in our communities it does.)  Maybe you'll meet a friend  who's also BIG on Reading.  

WEEKLY READ - Who do you think will win the Super-Bowl of Illustrations this year...the prestigious Caldecott Medal

Randolph Caldecott Medal

I find it funny that each year the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal coincides with the Superbowl.Several years ago it was decided to push back the date of the Superbowl...I am guessing this was for financial reasons, in an effort to generate as much buzz, publicity, and financial fanfare as possible. This year the Superbowl takes place on Sunday February 1st and the Caldecott Medal and all youth media awards will be announced on Monday February 2nd.  What event will I anticipate giving me the most joy?

Now as a die hard Buffalo Bills fan, I simply do not get as excited about the Superbowl because my team has not been in the playoffs in 15 years and they have not made a Superbowl appearance since I was in 8th grade. (insert sigh of sadness and an unhappy, aggravated, fan smiley guy face).  Yes, the commercials are terrific.  Nonetheless, a book has a lasting presence who's benefits far outweigh the good feeling of a commercial.  Unlike the Superbowl,  I always look forward to seeing who's beautiful illustrations will win this coveted award.  This year, sadly, I do not know who I will cheer for on Sunday.  Do you have a favorite football team..er..I mean illustrator? 

I was luck enough to meet a Caldecott Honoree(actually several times honored) Bryan Collier at the New York State Library Association conference in Saratoga Springs, NY this November.  It was liking seeing a celebrity for me.  I purchased his book Clemente! for my father in law and his Caldecott Honor book Martin's Big Words for my son.  His illustrations are truly remarkable and what's more special is that he has been honored for non-fiction illustrations.  Usually the awards are bestowed on fiction titles, but in recent years this trend has shifted.  You can find Mr. Collier's on Amazon and read his biography at his web page http://www.bryancollier.com/ .   Who would you like to see win a Caldecott?

I love to craft ! No seriously, I do.

Ground Hog Day - Puppet (Easy)

As I sit in at the desk in the public library where I work...snow, snow, and more snow, and sunshine are pushing hard against the giant old windows of our beautiful building.   It's a bit deceiving, because it's so sunny, but it's about 10 degrees outside.   If you're like me, you like to stay busy on a blustery, yuck day.  So...let's craft.  All you need is a printer, crayons, scissor, and glue or tape.   Visit the link above to make your own Punxsutawney Phil. 

If you'd like to make this a literacy based activity, why not take a virtual tour with your family to the Official Ground Hog Day Website !   Ground Hog Day Website .  Or take a trip to your local library and dig into some of my favorite resources, DATABASES.  Databases will have lots of great articles about February weather, groundhogs, and anything you can dream about.  In New York State, you can access NOVEL NY databases at most public libraries with just a little help from a librarian, possessing a library card, and having access to a computer at home or in the library.   Well now that databases have put me in a good mood, I'm off to make my own groundhog craft.  Do you want Phil to see his shadow on Monday?

WEEKLY READ ~ Libraries Re-Imagined

Libraries Re-Imagines

To me, libraries, at their core are about people.  Helping, encouraging, healing, entertaining, training, leading people, people, people.  Without people, we'd just be a big building full of stuff.  I am NOT one of those librarians who would have chained themselves to well-worn card catalog in an effort to stop changes/time/progress.  As people change, so should libraries.  In a low funded, public library this presents lots of unique challenges(where I work).  How can I, who should I, what will I do to help?  All good questions that I feel should be examined each year in the library world.

Thoughts?

Tried and True - Great Sites for Children to Promote

ALA Great Sites for Children

If I had a nickel for every time a parent asked me to recommend a site to them to help their children become better readers, learners, thinkers, problem solvers....etc. etc. etc.  I'd be rich !!  Often times I take them to individual sites and help them write down these suggestions.   This works, but it doesn't give them too many choices, especially if they are not confident Internet searchers or users.

When I recommend a truly GREAT resource I call it T&T - Tried and True.  It means that I have tried and used it myself and that it is truly the Real Deal.  Tried and True resources are all around user-friendly, reliable, easy to load, and effective.  The link above offers a gaggle of super great resources for any interest or ability level.

There are eight areas of interest and each offer an icon that leads you to a useful site.  These topics are: Animals, the Arts, History and Biography, Literature and Languages, Mathematics and Computers, Reference Desk, Sciences, and Social Sciences.  Once you have opened a broad topic, there are also several subtopics listed with adjoining site suggestions.  Just browsing through these sites makes my librarian heart warm...National Geographic, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, PBS Kids, the Crayola Homepage....  Each site is wonderful and informative and RELIABLE and useFULL.

One of the biggest challenges for parents and adults is to determine if a website is well suited for their children's needs.  It's nice when Liz the Librarian can save them the work and point them in the right direction.  The American Library Association has a comprehensive website for librarians, but do not be scared of this one.  It is has a welcoming tech, smiley guy at the top of the page and is designed for children...and maybe a helpful parent?

If you are feeling adventurous today, visit the site and look for a gray button on the top "Sites for Parents, Caregivers, Teachers, and Others."  I regularly use many of these sites such as Bookworm For Kids and Booklist Online.   I hope after visiting this site, it builds up your confidence and your little one's confidence in doing more effective research Online.

WEEKLY READ - Storytimes, Revisited

Storytime Refresher Course 


I've been doing children's storytimes for years.  Still, it's nice to get a refresher about the significance of a well planned, organized, and executed storytime.  Storytimes have a unique impact on promoting early literacy and engaging child and adult users.   If you're a library student, library user, homeschooler, or worn out story teller...check out this online class from OCLC's webjunction.   It's informative and useful.  This mini-course is geared for librarians and professionals, but it's not over the head of homeschool families either.

You will have to create a user name and password, but it's no big deal.  Takes a minute to sign up and a minute to write down your secret password.

Cure a case of the Mondays with the Lego Movie!

There's nothing like coming in to work on Monday when you spill your breakfast, slip in the driveway, and you can't find your darn snow brush.  Yep, that was my morning in Western NY.  Not to be outdone by this brisk and dreary day, I am still buzzed from watching the Lego Movie last night with my hubby.   If you haven't seen it, stop what you're doing, call your local library, and put a hold on it.  Or, got to redbox.com find the closest location, and get it!(Blu-Ray was best, but regular DVD will do to.)

If you're a fan of the movie hook - and sometimes enjoy a gentle reminder of what's important and special in the busy, fast paced, competitive world in which we live...The Lego Movie will help cure your case of the Mondays.