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Summer Updates: www.nmrls.org/sum/2004/northeast.html

2004 Summer Reading Program Evaluation Form - Deadline September 24:
An online evaluation form for librarians is available on the Summer Library Adventure website. Please take the time to fill it out. Your response will make a difference!

2005 Summer Reading Program Order Form - Deadline September 24

Every Child Ready to Read @ your library®

Emergent literacy has become a buzz word. Every Child Ready to Read, from the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children, incorporates the latest research into a set of powerful tools for libraries to use. Libraries can take a leadership role in early literacy in their communities and establish themselves as a crucial partner in the education of young children. Please visit the web site www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaissues/earlylit/earlyliteracy.htm to learn more about this program or contact Susan Babb susan@nmrls.org.

1st Annual Northeast YSLead Reunion

YSLead Massachusetts was a two-year LSTA grant, which grew out of strategic planning conducted by Regional youth service consultants in June 2000. It was proposed by the six Massachusetts Regional Library Systems and submitted by the Central Region, which administered the project.

During the summers of 2002 and 2003, 95 participants and 32 mentors in school and public libraries from across the state were identified, selected, and brought together for two and a half days of collaborative training in leadership and mentoring. Maureen Sullivan, a prominent national consultant, facilitated both Institutes. Ms. Sullivan addressed topics of interest, including the understanding of leadership styles, the role of the leader, communication, coaching and mentoring.

Recently a Northeast YSLead Reunion was held at the residence of mentor Debbie Froggatt. As attendees sipped cool drinks and munched delicious summery treats, they were asked by Susan Babb to note any and all impact of YSLead in their lives.

Beth Gallaway, the former Young Adult Librarian at Haverhill Public Library, summed up her experience:

"Attending YSLead made me realize I was already a leader and gave me a confidence boost. I accomplished all goals I set for myself including getting involved in MLA as a member of the YA Standards Revision Committee. Attending YSLead also gave me the encouragement I needed to apply for a regional consultant position. I accepted the position of Regional Consultant for Metrowest! This is the culmination (for me) of YSLead and IDYLS…."

Other attendees were:

  • Kim Barker, Assistant Head of Children's Services, PIL, Danvers
  • Rachel Baumgartner, Reading, is a member of the Youth Services Committee for the region. She is also a member of the Reading Public Library Strategic Planning Committee.
  • Corinne Fisher, Reading, is Chair of NERTCL (03-04). As Chair, she planned a very successful stand-alone and is getting ready for the NELA conference in September, where 9 YS programs will be held. She is on the Reading Public Library Director Search Committee (she was asked to apply for the position but regretfully turned down the opportunity - she's too valuable in Youth Services!). She had a great experience talking about summer reading programming at MLA.
  • Deborah Lane Froggatt was the LMS at Beverly MS but the position was cut. Fortunately she was able to move right into a LMS position at the Danvers Elementary Schools.
  • Kathleen Hutchins, Westford, has been invited to serve as a collection development consultant for a Mother Goose Asks Why? Grant. She was also invited to speak to school and public librarians about cooperative efforts and strategies.
  • Beth Kerrigan, Andover, has continued her leadership in YSS and is currently co-chair of the YA Standards Revision Committee. She continues to encourage all to become involved! She took on a more supervisory role in her job by becoming Coordinator of Children's Services and is part of the Memorial Hall Library management team. Personally she took on a leadership role in her daughter's day care by being Chair of the Board. She says she used her skills learned at YSLead to know when to cut her losses for the good of the organization!
  • Theresa Maturevich changed jobs last January by moving from Norwell in the Southeast to Stoneham as children's librarian. She also is now on the Statewide Summer Reading Program Steering Committee.
  • Donna Maturi, Danvers, is managing a two-year Information Literacy Grant at her library. She is also the incoming Chair of the Reference Committee for the Northeast.

This gathering of Youth Services Leaders also resulted in the inauguration of a Mentor Page, located at www.nmrls.org/youth/services/mentor.shtml. Recognizing that there are always new arrivals to the field of youth services librarianship, this page is offered to provide information about our "seasoned" librarians and their areas of expertise. We hope folks new to the profession or new to a position will visit this page and contact a mentor for help.

Special Upcoming Program - Monday, November 15, 2004
(Register online at www.nmrls.org/ce/ceform.shtml)
The Fifth Annual Meet the Author
11/15/2004 -- 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM -- Reading Public Library

Agenda:

3:30 - 3:40: Introductions
3:40 - 5:00: Panel Presentations:

Nancy Garden: Molly's Family (author)
Sharon Wooding: Molly's Family (illustrator)
Barbara Diamond Goldin: Just Enough is Plenty, Cakes and Miracles
Lesléa Newman : The Best Cat in the World, The Boy Who Cried Fabulous, Fire Engine for Ruthie, Haichiko Waits
5:00-5:15: Break, Book Sales
5:15-5:45 Question and Answers
5:45-6:00: Book Signings & Door Prizes

"Let's Book" Children's Book Week: November 15 - 21, 2004
By Michelle F. Bayuk, Marketing Director, The Children's Book Council, Inc.

Let's rock…let's roll…let's move…let's go…let's discover…let's fly…let's do it all…with children's books. Join the party and share the joy of reading…Let's Book.

Celebration Ideas for Communities:

  • Hold a children's event each day of Children's Book Week
  • Host a children's book author or illustrator reading
  • Hold a Children's Book Week Party and Costume Contest
  • Have Mayor Make Official Proclamation for Children's Book Week

The Children's Book Council sells materials specially designed for celebrating Children's Book Week. Visit the Children's Book Council Web site at http://www.cbcbooks.org for more information on ordering and for more ideas such as:

  • activity lists
  • party ideas
  • crossword puzzles
  • bibliographies
  • planning and promotional help

Best wishes for a successful Children's Book Week. We'd love to know how your celebration goes. You can e-mail us at marketing@cbcbooks.org. Please be sure to use "Children's Book Week Celebration" in the subject line.

Upcoming Youth Services Workshops

The Youth Services Book Review Group
Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Wednesday, November 3, 2004
Thursday, December 2, 2004

The Youth Services Book Review Group meets once a month, from 10:00 to 12:00, at the NMRLS office in Danvers. Books from publishers are available to reviewers in advance of their publication date. Reviews are shared each session in round-robin fashion. New reviewers are always welcome! Just come and the books will fall into your hands! Registration is not required.

MSLMA/NMRLS Library Media Specialist Discussion Series
9/20/2004 -- 03:15 PM to 05:15 PM -- Landmark School, Beverly

Session One: Collaboration and Integration
Discuss with your colleagues the issues of collaboration such as scheduling and marketing. How can you successfully integrate your library program into the curriculum? What works? Bring your questions and your success stories to share! This workshop will be facilitated by Susan Babb, YS Consultant; Hosted by Carol Ann Dumond, Library Media Teacher, Landmark School

Please note: Ten (10) PDPs will be awarded if 5 of the 6 Sessions are attended. This series has been approved by the DOE.