CEO Newsletter, 5/28/08

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 313, May 28, 2008

http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm



In this issue:
Ruhama’s Review
Catch the Reading Bug
Youth Garden Grants Program
Free Best Practices in YA and Teen Services Webcast
Events This Week
Dates to Remember
Website Faves
And Finally…….


RUHAMA’S REVIEW

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin
http://www.amazon.com/Puzzling-World-Winston-Breen/dp/0399246932/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206719098&sr=8-1

Winston loves puzzles--solving them and creating them. As far back as he can remember he's been doing all types of puzzles. In fact, the first puzzle we receive in the book is one he made up using a scrap of wrapping paper from his sister's birthday (Berlin includes answers at the back of the book). The bulk of the story revolves around what Winston gives his sister Katie for her birthday--a unique wooden box which has a false bottom (discovered by Katie) and four puzzle pieces hidden inside. Eventually, the rest of the puzzle pieces are pooled, as the head librarian tells the story and other treasure hunters agree to work together. Mrs. Lewis's father had created the puzzle to make his offspring set aside their differences and become friends. The treasure at the end of the hunt was a ring--a very expensive ring--and it was agreed to split it four ways. Then the hunt begins.

This is a very clever mystery that sprinkles codes and puzzles throughout the story. Berlin includes a note at the beginning saying you can skip the extra puzzles, as the ones key to the story will be explained as readers continue. His website has printables so you don't have to write in the book. Winston is a typical boy, other than his obsession with puzzles, and I enjoyed watching his relationship with his parents, sister and the other treasure hunters develop throughout the adventure. Katie, too, had some character development, which is great, as we mostly saw her through Winston's eyes (though it's an omniscient narrator). Berlin masterfully creates suspense as the mystery heightens, and wraps the story up without being mushy.


CATCH THE READING BUG

Here’s a few final websites before you begin your summer programs! I’ll bring back this section in August for “Be Creative @ Your Library!”

Butterflies and Moths of North America
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

Drawing on the expertise of lepidopterists and other such experts at Montana State University's Big Sky Institute and the National Biological Information Infrastructure program, this site is a database that provides easy-to-use information about over 2800 species of butterflies and moths. On the site, visitors will find dynamic distribution maps showing verified species occurrences, photographs of the adult and caterpillar (when available) and a cornucopia of species accounts. Users may wish to look over the "Taxonomic Groups" area if they just wish to browse around, or they can also perform a map search, or even just browse image thumbnails by family. Those who are new to the field may wish to look over the online glossary or external links, and those who are ready to lend assistance should check out the "Get Involved" area. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 2008. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 5/23/08)


Susan Dailey has given her okay to share with you: she’s posted four bug songs from her book “Sing a Song of Storytime” to her website. You can find them at http://www.susanmdailey.com/ and click on the link.


had the pleasure of working with Vicki Patterson on her baby signing video that you’ll find on the CSLP Diversity Committee section. The video is available at http://www.cslpreads.org/diversity/diversity.htm.


Youth Garden Grants Program

The National Gardening Association has announced that Home Depot will return as the Youth Garden Grants sponsor for 2009. NGA awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. In evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of the following elements: educational focus or curricular/program integration; nutrition or plant-to-food connections; environmental awareness/education; entrepreneurship; and social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.

Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups in the United States are eligible to apply. Applicants must plan to garden with at least fifteen children between the ages of 3 and 18. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners who wish to reapply may do so but must wait a year (e.g., if an organization won in 2008, it can apply again in 2010) and have significantly expanded their garden programs.

For the 2009 grant cycle, 125 grants are available. Packages are as follows: five programs will receive gift cards valued at $1,000 (a $500 gift card to Home Depot and a $500 gift card to the Gardening with Kids catalog and store) and educational materials from NGA; seventy programs will receive a $500 gift card to Home Depot and educational materials from NGA; and fifty programs will receive a $250 gift card to Home Depot and educational materials from NGA. Each award package also includes twelve months of NGA Supporter benefits.

Deadline to apply is November 1, 2008. Visit the NGA's Kidsgardening Web site for complete program information. http://www.kidsgardening.org/YGG.asp (RFP Bulletin, 5/23/08)


Free Best Practices in YA and Teen Services Webcast

Looking for ideas and technology tips that can boost your visibility with young adults? Got an hour? Register now for the Library Journal Teen Spirit in the Library: Best Practices in YA and Teen Services Webcast, June 10, 2 PM EDT. Attendees will hear how leaders in teen library services are creating and maintaining great physical and online spaces, and learn how to develop and sustain programs and events that keep young adults coming back to the library again and again. Panelists include: Michele Gorman, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County; Jen Maney, Pima County Public Library; Christine Pearson, Maricopa County Library District; and Scott Nicholson, School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. This free Webcast is sponsored by Polaris Library Systems, and will be moderated by Bill Schickling, President and CEO. (SLJ’s Extra Helping, 5/27/08)


EVENTS THIS WEEK

Thursday, May 29
Pink Flamingo Day
Paper Clip Day
Ancestor Honor Day
John F. Kennedy's Birthday

Friday, May 30
My Bucket's Got a Hole In It Day
Hug Your Cats Day

Saturday, May 31
National Macaroon Day
What You Think Upon Grows Day
World No Tobacco Day
Bicycle Race Day
National Save Your Hearing Day

Sunday, June 1
Children’s Awareness Memorial Day
Marilyn Monroe’s Birthday
Ann Hutchinson Memorial Day
National Cancer Survivors Day
Pen Pal Day

Monday, June 2
Yell Fudge at Cobras Day
Leave the Office Early Day

Tuesday, June 3
Chimborazo Day

Wednesday, June 4
National Tailors Day


DATES TO REMEMBER

June 16 First day of Storywagon
June 27 First day of Summerfest!
June 26-July 2 2008 ALA Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA
July 5 First day of Bristol Renaissance Faire
November 4-7 WLA Conference, Middleton


WEBSITE FAVES

National Archives Experience
http://www.digitalvaults.org/

After a dynamic introduction, visitors will be more than a bit intrigued by this new site created by the National Archives. Designed to give users the unique ability to create their own cache of historical documents and other ephemera, the site offers sections that include "Collect", "Backtrack", "Pathways", and "Create". The "Collect" section allows users to drag historical documents into their own collection profile and the "Backtrack" area keeps tabs on which items visitors have used so far during their exploration of the site. The "Pathways" area is quite fun, as it offers users a series of clues that reveals relationships between photographs, documents, and other records. Visitors can create their own "pathway" or take a look at the three provided here. With more than 1200 documents contained within the site, visitors will definitely want to plan several return visits. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 2008. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 5/23/08)


On This Day in Literary History
http://www.bloomsbury.com/WritersArea/LiteraryHistory.asp?&BLI=

Find significant events in literary history for each day of the year. View the current day, browse past and future days, and have the events sent to your email box. Emphasis is on British, American, and European authors and literature. From Bloomsbury Publishing. (Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index, 5/15/08)


Rocking Chairs History
http://www.designboom.com/eng/education/rocking/origin.html

Illustrated history of rocking chairs. Covers origins ("We all know that the rocking chair is a distinctly American passion, its origins, however, are less clear."), precursors (such as the Swedish gungstol and British Windsor rocker), and modern and contemporary chairs (such as Thonet bentwood rockers, Eames rocking chairs, and an Italian rocking stool). Also includes images of rocking chairs from a 2002 design competition. From Designboom. (Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index, 5/8/08)


Make Beliefs Comix
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/

MakeBeliefsComix.com is a free tool for teachers to encourage students to express themselves through writing and creating their own comic strips. The site offers fun animal and human characters with different moods, thought and talk balloons to fill in with words, and story prompts. It can be used by educators to teach language, reading and writing skills, and also for students in English-as-a-Second-Language programs to facilitate self-expression and storytelling, as well as computer literacy. Parents and children can create stories together, print them to create comic books or email them to friends and family. It is a learning tool that is just plain fun! (Education World Site Reviews, 5/27/08)


AND FINALLY………..

The newsletter is back, after an unintentional month-long hiatus due to other deadlines and being out of the office.