Curious George To Promote Literacy

The Library of Congress has chosen Curious George, the children’s book character, to star in its new public service advertising campaign. Check it out. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/business/media/26adnews.html

Week 3

All good intentions to accomplish this week's tech assignments! We have an intranet wiki called Lilly (stands for something like Lancaster information... I forget) anyway, it is under reconstruction and I will have to rework the youth pages with the recommended template.  For those with access to this, please look for some updates before summer's end.

News -- 1719 Hans Herr House is our new Family Museum Pass partner! Our collective thanks for their support of this family-friendly educational initiative.

Driving home last night I saw tucked down between the rows of mowed grass a wild turkey. One never knows what they'll see when they aren't looking straight ahead (just for a brief time!)

Today I'm out driving around picking up the Preschool Connection grant applications, and stopping by our wonderful MGO and Free Comic Book Day sponsor Joe Miller at The Comic Store.  Now, onto those tech assignments (smile).

New adventures!

Our system trainer Stephanie presented Del.icio.us to us years ago and at the time I just wasn't ready for it or what -- today thanks to ALSC (and Stephanie, 'cause she deserves it) 'ta-da'
http://delicious.com/ru4libraries

Week 2

It has been a slow start on my end in terms of working on the next set of 21 Things! I've been cleaning out files, trying to make room for more project documents and such. The shelves are too full. It's amazing how many things a youth librarian accumulates and not everything fits neatly in a file or standard shelf--what to do?! Do you too get comments from co-workers about your space? Do they wish they had the stuff we do, I wonder? I'm looking at a broken ukelele, ARCs, Roald Dahl program kit package, a stack of We the People ideas to scan or copy, and of course, summer reading notebooks and folders. What's on your desk?
For fun I'm going to visit local member library to meet up with one of our summer reading sponsors; they've brought their mascot for a program "Mind Your Pennies with Buck!". Back later...

Get ready for lots of idea sharing and planning for fall. In cleaning up the piles of papers and folders behind me I have uncovered items which I'd like to have your input on--at YIG, or sooner.

Summer Reading -- news from everyone is that Matthew Dodd is awesome and we ought to have him back for some fall programs...

Five Below has asked about another fundraiser too..

Okay, I looked at ScreenToaster and I'm fascinated. I could see this coming in handy for trainings when people can't get to one, or a demo. I'll have to ask our resident Training Guru Stephanie about this -- she probably already knows about it!

AdLit Contest

Looks like fun-- please share. Adlit.org is holding a contest, visit their website to get the rules, guidelines. Contest ends August 13, 2010.

'Central casting' at AdLit.org and Reading Rockets is looking for young, creative writers and filmmakers to star in the Exquisite Prompt Write It, Film It Video Contest. To enter the contest, writers and film makers in grades 2-12 choose a prompt, create a narrative, then make a video of their story. In addition to a short video (no longer than 3 minutes) kids also submit original writing related to their video project, such as interview questions, storyboards, dialogues or scripts, in order to win fabulous prizes (Flip cameras, books, DVDs and movie tickets). The prompts for the contest are inspired by the authors and illustrators participating in the Exquisite Corpse Adventure, the rollicking online serial story sponsored by the Library of Congress and the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance.

Rachael Walker

Education Outreach and Children's Literacy Consultant

Back to School Night, Thursday, August 26 at 6pm. With 2010 Scott O'Dell Award Winner Matt Phelan and Author Mara Rockliff, at Aaron's Books, Lititz.
Look for some flyers to come via the crates to you! Thank you.

Summer Contest for Kids from WGBH Educational Foundation. Dear Librarian,

Design Squad, the PBS engineering reality competition series, is offering kids a chance to get in on the action this summer. Complement your library's summer outreach efforts and increase the chances of someone from YOUR community appearing on the next season of Design Squad by encouraging kids to enter.

The 2010 Trash to Treasure Competition challenges kids, ages 5-19, to recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into out-of-the-box inventions. Three winners will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and appear on an episode of Design Squad. Twenty-five finalists will be featured on the series website and will receive a Design Squad t-shirt. Entries will be accepted through September 5, 2010 at pbs.org/designsquad.

To help share the excitement, we have the following resources:

1. Contest Flyer
Print, post, and distribute the promotional flyer. You can find a PDF on the Design Squad website.

2. Invent It, Build It Activity Guide
Explore the invention process with kids through fun, hands-on challenges from this award-winning activity guide.

3. Promotional Language
Include a message about the competition in your newsletters, announcements, and print pieces. We can provide you with a formal press release or customized blurbs.

4. Logo and Images
Include a web button on your website linking to our contest page. Or, spice up your newsletters with some fun signature images.

If you would like any of the resources listed above, please feel free to contact me at natalie_hebshie@wgbh.org or 617-300-3639.

Cheers!
Natalie Hebshie
Outreach Coordinator, Design Squad
WGBH Educational Foundation
natalie_hebshie@wgbh.org
T. (617) 300-3639, F. (617) 300-1040

day's end with just finishing reading a letter written by Mary A. Dempsey, Commissioner, Chicago Public Library in response to a news reporters story about whether or not libraries are necessary in these times.

Teen Read Week -- Books with Beat

check this out Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart Simpson promotes teen reading!

library happenings

If you can, stop by the system today at 2:30pm for the ALA technology webinar.

Rain and summer programs & presenters trying to get to where they're supposed to be, and it doesn't look good...

Strasburg-Heisler's presentation of the Shark program by New Jersey Academy of Aquatic Sciences is postponed until tomorrow, July 14 at 4:00 pm. All those who may have had patrons miss a show can be prompted to attend tomorrows, and too catch the Gap or Elanco or Pequea program!

ending day thoughts

YIG is cancelled for tomorrow. Happy birthday to all the Summer Time Youth Librarians and Branch Managers and anyone else I'm missing.

I contacted Neil the caricature guy and he is going to put together a proposal for some tween or teen programming.

The TT re: Mr. Peanut Man is most likely going to happen in October.

Congratulations to Ephrata PL for THE BIG READ! and getting Tom Ridge to be the Speaker!

Reminder to please sign up for RJ Weekend. Thank you!

Mary Ann sent out PR on summer reading stats with the message that there is still time to for kids and teens to participate.

The musical instruments are getting around to ADM and MJY and report is that kids are loving them!

Mission GO

MGO is up and running, know that letters were sent to superintendents and private schools -- I'll be looking for member library letters to insert into the school educator packets.

Already confirmed participation from Manheim Central and Penn Manor.

The beginning!

Welcome to youth services in Lancaster County. Visit here to read, know, or learn what is going on from the desk behind the scenes and more!