CEO Newsletter, 03/17/09

Children’s Event Organizer
Lakeshores Library System and
Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System
Youth Services Update
Issue 328, March 17, 2009
http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/mwflskids.htm
http://www.llsmwflschildrens.blogspot.com/

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

In this issue:
· Ruhama’s Review
· Be Creative @ Your Library/Express Yourself @ Your Library
· Adolescent Literacy Workshop
· Grant Opportunities
· Celebrate the Lorax Project Student Earth Day
· Curious George Earth Science Resources
· New online tools available for National Library Week 2009
· ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ Turns 40
· Dates to Remember
· Website Faves
· And Finally…….


RUHAMA’S REVIEW

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell
http://tinyurl.com/8u8yfz

Jamie is an Army brat--her father, grandfather and now her brother are all part of the United States Army. Her father, in fact, is a Colonel at Fort Hood and has trained his children to love their country and see the Army as part of displaying that loyalty. Everything seems to change, though, when TJ signs up to join the Medical Corp as soon as he graduates from high school. Suddenly, the Colonel wishes TJ would go to college first, especially since most recruits get sent immediately to Vietnam. Jamie is confused--her father has always been full-on Army, but she gradually comes to realize war isn't as glamorous as she thought, especially with the help of her brother's photos that he sends back home once he's in Nam.

Dowell has created a fascinating look at the Vietnam War--from inside an Army family. Jamie is well developed and her change from her starry eyed viewing of her brother as a war hero to reality is convincing and she is likeable. The use of photography as a major plot point is neat: most folks know a picture is worth a thousand words, but for those that don't, Dowell lays out the concept well. It also showcases that everyone has some sort of talent--they just need to find it. I appreciated the look at the war from the military standpoint and was relieved it wasn't all protests and bad mouthing. Everything wraps up a little too neatly, but I did find it nice to have closure and wouldn't want to know too much more in the context of this book. This is a quick read that effectively conveys several messages.


BE CREATIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY/EXPRESS YOURSELF @ YOUR LIBRARY

Activities from Susan Dailey

Author and librarian Susan Dailey has added a page to her website with some activities you could use in storytime to go along with the “Be Creative” theme. Go to: http://www.susanmdailey.com/index.html and click on the "Be Creative @ Your Library activities" button.


Music and the Brain
http://www.loc.gov/podcasts/musicandthebrain/index.html

What is the relationship between the brain and music? That very question animates the Library of Congress' Music and the Brain series, and their website allows interested parties to listen in on some of the conversations, lectures, and symposia. Noted psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison chairs the initiative, and the programs bring together physicians, theorists, composers, and performers. Visitors can listen to some of these recent conversations via this website, and they can also sign up to receive new podcasts via iTunes. Currently, there are five different podcasts available. They include talks with Dr. Charles J. Limb ("Your Brain on Jazz"), Jessica Krash ("Dangerous Music"), and Dr. Aniruddh D. Patel on "The Music of Language and the Language of Music". (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


Captured Emotions: Baroque Painting in Bologna, 1575-1725
http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/captured_emotions/

This web exhibition from the Getty Museum traces the influences of the Carracci family of Bologna, Italy, thought by some art historians to have revitalized painting in the late 16th century, after the passing of the great Renaissance artists. The Explore tool provided by the Museum allows visitors to see and read about all 43 paintings in the exhibition, including works by the Carracci themselves, brothers Annibale and Agostino, and their cousin Ludovico, as well as some of their followers and students, Guido Reni, Domenichino, and Francesco Albani. Works can be sorted by theme, artist, or lending museum using the tool. For example, sorting by portraiture creates a set of portraits: a young boy, possibly Antonio Carracci, who was Agostino Carracci's illegitimate son, shown with cherries and a lute; Giulio Mascheroni, a lute player; and two important religious leaders: Pope Gregory XV and Cardinal Roberto Ubaldino. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


Creativity Portal
http://www.creativity-portal.com/

Creativity Portal is “an invigorating community alive with the voices of creativity coaches, artists, writers, and business professionals sharing their knowledge and expertise, inspiring creative exploration and expression in everyone.” You’ll find writing projects, blogs, book excerpts, free printables, a newsletter and more. Share this with your YAs.


ADOLESCENT LITERACY WORKSHOP

Libraries and literacy have always gone hand-in-hand, but for today’s teens – and today’s libraries – the changing literacy landscape demands a new skill set. The first part of this all-day workshop will provide an in-depth look at adolescent literacy and teen brain development, focusing on ways that libraries can develop programs, services and spaces that target the range of literacy skills teens need to succeed in the 21st century. Then, we’ll spend an afternoon looking at methods and best practices for connecting teens and reading, with highlights of the past year’s best books for teen readers.

This workshop is sponsored by Lakeshores Library System, Kenosha County Library System, and MidWisconsin Federated Library System. Register by March 27th by calling Rhonda at 262-514-4500 x67 or emailing rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us.


GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

2009 LOIS LENSKI COVEY FOUNDATION LIBRARY GRANTS

Libraries serving economically or socially at-risk children and teens are invited to apply for 2009 Lois Lenski Covey Foundation library grants. Grants are for the acquisition of books published for young people preschool through grade 12. To be considered, libraries must have limited book budgets and serve a disadvantaged population. Rural and urban, public, school, and non-profit agency libraries are eligible. The grants are given to individual libraries, rather than library systems or cooperatives. 2009 grants will range from $500 to $3000.

Information regarding the Foundation, details regarding the grant program, and a downloadable 2009 grant application form can be found at the Foundation Web site www.loislenskicovey.org. Libraries unable to download the application form may request a hard copy by writing to the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, P.O. Box 255366, Sacramento, CA 95865 or by sending an e-mail to michael.covey@loislenskicovey.org. Applications must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2009.

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation was created by Lois Lenski, respected writer and illustrator and 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl. Ms. Lenski had a life-long concern that all children have access to good books. Her foundation continues to help provide that access through grants to deserving agencies serving disadvantaged populations.


SAVE OUR HISTORY INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION PROJECTS

Save Our History http://www.saveourhistory.com/, a program of the History Channel and the American Association for State and Local History, is a national initiative that supports local history education and historic preservation efforts in communities across the United States. Each year, Save Our History awards a total of $250,000 to history organizations that partner with schools or youth groups on preservation projects that engage students in learning about, documenting, and preserving the history of their communities.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) history organizations (e.g., museums, historical societies, preservation organizations, historic sites, libraries, or archives). Other eligible applicants include local government agencies such as parks and recreation commissions, historic commissions, departments of local history, or other local government agencies that own and/or operate a historic site or property. Applicants must be located in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.

Applicants must partner with a local elementary, middle, or high school(s), or organization(s) that provides educational programming for children of similar ages to design a historic education and preservation project. Organizations that have received a Save Our History grant in the last three years are not eligible to apply. For complete program information and descriptions of previously funded projects, visit the Save Our History Web site at http://www.history.com/minisites/saveourhistory/


BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP GIVING PROGRAMS ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2009

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is accepting grant applications as part of its annual giving program. In the company's twelve-year history it has donated over $20 million to organizations that support families, children, animals, and the environment, including the donation of thousands of stuffed animals to comfort children in need.

Grant applications can be submitted through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation http://www.buildabear.com/aboutus/community/grants and the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation http://www.buildabear.com/aboutUs/community/BabwFoundation.aspx.

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation supports charities in the United States and Canada through the following special grant programs:

· Children's Health & Wellness: Champ-A Champion Fur Kids grants provide direct support for children in the areas of health and wellness. Grantees include childhood disease research foundations, child safety organizations, and organizations that serve children with special needs. Grant request deadlines are at the end of April, July, and October.
· Domestic Pets: Bearemy's Kennel Pals grants provide direct support for domestic pet programs, including animal welfare organizations, pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and thera- peutic and humane education pet programs. Grant cycle deadlines are quarterly at the end of the months of March, June, September, and December.
· Literacy and Education: Grants provide support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs, and literacy programs for children with special needs. Grant request deadlines are at the end of February, May, August, and November.

U.S. applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. Canadian applicants must be registered Canadian charities. For further information, grant guidelines and application forms, visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop Web site at http://www.buildabear.com.


CELEBRATE THE LORAX PROJECT STUDENT EARTH DAY

If you’re thinking of a way to make Earth Day fun at your library or classroom, how about getting them involved in first-ever Lorax Project Student Earth Day? Long before saving the Earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss spoke about this issue through his book The Lorax (Random, 1971), which provides a powerful ecological warning that still rings true today.

As part of the official April 22 Earth Day celebration, the National Education Association and Random House Children’s Books are asking educators to set aside a special time to celebrate the Lorax’s message to protect the environment and to “act on their own pledges to beautify and conserve their school environment and beyond.” The project urges educators to start planning now so that classrooms can fulfill their environmental pledges by Earth Day. Here are some ideas: lead a class discussion about what Earth Day means to your students and why it’s important to take care of the Earth all year round; brainstorm a list of simple Earth-friendly actions that people can do every day, such as changing to energy-efficient light bulbs, carpooling, picking up litter, and using the front and back of paper; challenge your students to come up with conservation goals to meet by April 22, such as recycling a certain number of bottles, planting a certain number of trees, cleaning up a local park, or adopting an endangered species. Students are also encouraged to compete against each other to make it more interesting.

On Earth Day, host a reading of The Lorax in a group or have students read the book individually; present awards to students who’ve met their conservation goals, write poems for Earth Day, make arts and crafts out of recycled materials, invite park rangers, environmentalists, or governmental officials to speak with your students; and have your class conduct an environmental research project specific to your region.

Visit http://www.theloraxproject.com/ for tips and materials and for a free classroom kit, including a printer-friendly environmental pledge poster for all your students to sign, a list of conservation challenges, a photo gallery, and educator idea exchange. (SLJ’s Extra Helping, 3/9/09)


CURIOUS GEORGE EARTH SCIENCE RESOURCES

The Curious George children’s program website offers earth science investigations to conduct with preK-2 children. These tested, age-appropriate activities are detailed online at http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/parentsteachers/activities/ aptly named “Curiosity Centers”. At these “Curiosity Centers” (or activity stations), children can make their own discoveries about recycling, wind, water drops, and the properties of soil and sand. Family take-home activity sheets can be downloaded along with book recommendations. A related episode from CURIOUS GEORGE, which might help introduce the topic of earth science to children, can be ordered for free by contacting Gay Mohrbacher at gay_mohrbacher@wgbh.org. Family activity pages in Spanish also can be ordered in quantity and will be shipped gratis.


NEW ONLINE TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK 2009

New online materials and products are available to help libraries reach out to their communities during National Library Week (April 12-18, 2009) from the ALA Public Information Office and the Campaign for America’s Libraries. Materials are available in both English and Spanish, focusing on the 2009 National Library Week theme, “Worlds connect @ your library.” They include a proclamation, sample press release and letter-to-the-editor, as well as scripts for use in radio public service announcements (PSAs). Libraries can download materials at www.ala.org/nlw.

Libraries planning to participate in “Worlds connect @ your library” themed programming are encouraged to share their stories with the Campaign for America’s Libraries, by sending an e-mail to atyourlibrary@ala.org.


‘THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR’ TURNS 40

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a lot more than a book about a famished insect. Now that the children’s classic is celebrating 40 years in print, Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, is launching The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day on March 20th, complete with lesson plans, arts and crafts, and other activities for librarians and teachers to share with their students.

With more than 29 million copies sold worldwide since 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, with its simple text and colorful illustrations, is also a story that encourages science, math, language arts, spelling, and independent reading. Librarians and other educators are encouraged to download an activity kit http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/yr/pdf/caterpillar.pdf, which includes a free commemorative 40th anniversary poster featuring classroom activities on the back, and a booklet with cross-curricular lesson plans, booklists, and arts and crafts projects such as a make your own Very Hungry Caterpillar mobile. Suggestions for math and science lesson plans include counting activities, discussion of the concept of metamorphosis with students, explaining what a cocoon is, what caterpillars and butterflies actually eat, and which species live in your area. There are also exercises that encourage critical thinking, spelling, vocabulary, and independent reading.

"I'm delighted that four 40 years readers all over the world have enjoyed The Very Hungry Caterpillar a story that came to me while I absentmindedly punched holes into a stack of papers," says Carle. "The story to me is one of hope, of how a small, defenseless creature can grow and change and ultimately spread its wings and fly." Philomel is releasing a special edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book in March, which will feature Carle's original illustrations in 3D form. Email Penguin at schoolandlibrary@us.penguingroup.com to request a free printed kit, which comes with a packet of 30 temporary tattoos and a poster. And feel free to tell them about your plans for celebrating this day, which coincides with the first day of spring. (SLJ’s Extra Helping, 2/25/09)


DATES TO REMEMBER

April 2 Adolescent Literacy workshop with Christy Mulligan, Waterford
April 12-18 National Library Week
April 21-24 CSLP Annual Meeting, Omaha
May 6-8 WAPL conference, Wisconsin Dells
July 10-14 ALA Annual Conference, Chicago


WEBSITE FAVES

Cotsen Children's Library: Virtual Children's Books Exhibits
http://library.princeton.edu/libraries/cotsen/exhibitions/index.html

Princeton University's virtual exhibit of past exhibits of children's book illustrations offers visuals and brief explanations geared towards children and adults. The easy-to-use website is divided into four virtual exhibits that contain a portion of what the physical exhibits at the Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University displayed. The four exhibits can be accessed by clicking on their links on the homepage.

The "Water Babies" exhibit contains illustrations of swimming, and was meant as a respite for kids who couldn't escape the city's heat. Each illustration in the virtual exhibit is accompanied by a short synopsis of the book or publication it came from, and often a web link or reading suggestion for more information on the author, illustrator, or subject matter of the book. The "Magic Lantern" virtual exhibit contains illustrations of magic lanterns, a type of projector widely available for home use, that were the precursors to film and television, and which enthralled children and adults alike. The "Creepy-Crawlies" exhibit highlighted the many illustrations of insects in children's books and natural history. The insects in children's books were most often portrayed as evil or villainous. But, if visitors can put those feelings aside, they will find many beautifully rendered drawings. The physical "Beatrix Potter" exhibit coincided with the publication of the Beatrix Potter Collection of Lloyd Cotsen in 2004, and the virtual exhibit contains illustrations by Potter, and others, with whom the visitor can use for comparison, to see Potter's unique style. (From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/, 2/13/09)


The Stickley Museum
http://www.stickleymuseum.com/

Website for this New York museum created to portray the history of the Stickley furniture company, which originated with Arts and Crafts furniture designer Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) and his four brothers. Features brief background about each brother, a family tree of Stickley companies, gallery of shopmarks, and collection highlights, including mission and colonial revival furniture. (Copyright 2009 by Librarians' Internet Index, LII This Week, 3/5/09)


AND FINALLY……….

As of this coming Saturday, I will be the mother of a teenager!