Read! Think! Create! @ your library (Summer Library Adventure 2003):

Be sure to visit the Northeast Photo Showcase at http://www.nmrls.org/sum/srp_libraries.shtml. See what your colleagues are up to this summer and keep checking. More will be added as the summer goes on. We invite your library to participate in this special web event by sending us one to three photos that feature your library's summer reading programs, displays, and special moments. Otherwise, look for Susan Babb and her handy dandy digital camera. She may show up on your door step and click away!

School Library Journal Site of the Month:
Haverhill Public Library Teen Cybercenter

Young Adult Librarian Beth Gallaway recently got mention in School Library Journal for her web site for teens located at http://www.teencybercenter.org/.

"Beth Gallaway, Haverhill Public Library's young adult librarian, has a definite goal for her Teen Cybercenter site-she wants it to be a jumping-off point for young adults who are searching for information. "I think teens want to find reliable and trusty information quickly without wading through junk," she says."

Read the full article at: http://slj.reviewsnews.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA300747
&display=TechKnowledgeNews&industry=TechKnowledge&industryid=1997&verticalid=152&.

Chelmsford's Creative Summer Reading Incentive:

Each summer the Chelmsford Public Library provides children with a small gift at the beginning of the summer reading program, and then ice cream stands in town provide coupons for a free ice cream cone at the end of the summer. This summer I wanted to do something creative to fit with the theme. The Friends of the Library provided money for a machine that laminates, magnetizes and puts a gentle adhesive on paper. We are creating bumper stickers this summer. I have a template with the library's name. Children draw on the paper, and we laminate the top and put adhesive on the back. I've put a few on display in the library, and the idea is starting to take off. We suffered through many days of rainy weather as I was testing bumper stickers on my car. They do not hold up in downpours. If we get good weather this summer, we will have these bumper stickers around town advertising our summer reading program. I'm sure I'll be able to think of many more uses for the machine after the summer is over. (We have a Xyron machine, but 3M makes one as well.)
Maureen Foley, Head of Children's Services in Chelmsford

New England Round Table of Children's Librarians Programs (NERTCL) at the NELA Conference— Worcester Centrum, Worcester, MA, October 26-28, 2003

Schedule of Events:

Sunday, October 26, 2003

1:00 - 2:30 PM — Jordan-Miller Storytelling Workshop

How clearly do you see your own stories' physical setting? How well are you able to create the imaginary "stage set" to help your listeners visualize the supporting landscape and actions? Discover valuable techniques from Jackson Gillman, a veteran of the Maine Touring Artists Program and a featured performer at the National Storytelling Festival. Using spatial awareness and simple gesture, he offers concrete exercises to improve "storyscaping," setting the stage and illustrating movement within storytelling. In addition to this workshop, Jackson Gillman is presenting a concert on Saturday, October 25, at the Worcester Public Library at 2:00 pm. You're invited to enjoy this performance before the NELA conference begins.

4:00 - 5:30 PM — Storytime Methods

Join Jan Drake of the Wellesley (MA) Free Library and Sandy Leifeld from the Newton (MA) Free Library to explore creative storytime methods utilizing flannel stories, finger-plays, group dynamics, fold and cut stories, and inventive group stretches. Learn how to adapt favorite storytime techniques for multiple age groups, and discuss ideas to create programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The program is sponsored by the New England Round Table of Children's Librarians (NERTCL), a NELA section.

Monday, October 27, 2003

8:30 -10:00 AM — First Teachers and Early Literacy Success

How can you motivate and help parents to develop early literacy skills in young children? Dr. Perri Klass, Medical Director at the National Center for Reach Out and Read (ROR) in Somerville, MA, will discuss the link between brain development and early literacy and describe how pediatricians are fostering these skills through ROR. Collaborative activities of the First Teachers Project in Windham, NH, will be described by Beth Strauss of the Nesmith Library and Beth McGuire and Diana Greenleaf from the Golden Brook Elementary School. The program is sponsored by NERTCL.

11:00 AM -12:00 PM — Teen Programming: Across Generations

NERTCL invites you to examine two innovative programs that "span the ages" of library patrons. Molly Hancock and Victoria Woodley of the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, MA, will describe the evolution of the "Story Brigade" which uses middle school and high school volunteers to conduct storytimes and puppet shows for preschoolers. Chelmsford (MA) Public Library's "Connecting with Computers" pairs teens with senior citizens in basic computer tutoring, and is discussed by Kathy Cryan-Hicks and Barbara Morrison.

12:30 - 2:00 PM — NERTCL Luncheon

NERTCL welcomes M.T. Anderson, a 2002 National Book Awards nominee for his satirical novel Feed. He is also the author of the young adult novels Burger Wuss and Thirsty. His picture book in collaboration with illustrator Kevin Hawkes, Handel, Who Knew What He Liked, won the Boston Globe/Horn Book Nonfiction Honor Award for 2002. He teaches in the Vermont College MFA program on writing for children. The program includes a brief NERTCL business meeting, book sales and autographing following the luncheon.

3:30 - 5:00 PM — Titles for Teens: Exploring Four Genres

Discover new titles for teen readers in fantasy, graphic novels, historical fiction and contemporary fiction. Ruth Nadelman Lynn, Robin Brenner, and Pam Ikauniks from Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, MA, join Carey Conkey of the Watertown (MA) Free Public Library to offer this NERTCL-sponsored survey of current books in genres appealing to teens.

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

8:30 - 10:00 AM — Homeschooling: The Library Connection

Homeschoolers expect a lot from libraries, and libraries find a natural audience for their services in homeschooling parents and children. Discover methods for successful library-homeschooling collaborations based on the extensive experience of Abbey Lawrence and Jane Grady from the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition. The program is presented by NERTCL.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Be All Things to All Readers: Readers Advisory for Patrons from 0 - 14

Susan Raskin Abrams and Marthe Forrester of the Newton (MA) Free Library offer tips to become a successful readers' advisor in youth services. This NERTCL program focuses on providing solutions to difficult readers' advisory interviews.

2:30 - 4:00 PM — Tween-Age Programming

How can we serve those middle-graders who are too old for traditional storytime but not yet ready for YA programs? Phyllis Wiggin, formerly of the Wellesley (MA) Free Library, Debbie Foley of the Newton (MA) Free Library, and Vicky Smith from the McArthur Library in Biddeford, ME, will share ideas for fun, innovative programs that will keep these kids connected to books and libraries. The program is sponsored by NERTCL.

Molly Hancock
Coordinator of Youth Services
Pollard Memorial Library

NASA @ your library:

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has announced a new program, NASA @ Your Library. They are soliciting libraries across the country to host an exhibit that has been developed by the Office of Biological and Physical Research, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the American Library Association. ALSC is managing the program. The traveling interactive exhibit will feature special presentations specifically created to draw children, ages 5-12, as well as members of the community. The exhibit is self-contained and complete, with six desk top computers and work space, and will spend one month in every library selected.

The deadline for submitting an application is July 25, 2003. For more information and an application, go to http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ALSC/NASA_@_Your_Library_Traveling_Exhibit.htm.