Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Classes Start Soon!

Here is an update about some interesting training you can take to build your skills in working with kids! Remember: CMLE offers up to $200 in scholarship money to members to help you attend these kinds of opportunities.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) encourages participants to sign up for Spring 2017 ALSC online courses. Registration is open for all courses. Classes begin Monday, April 3, 2017.

Two of the courses being offered this semester are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs). The American Library Association (ALA) has been certified to provide CEUs by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET). ALSC online courses are designed to fit the needs of working professionals. Courses are taught by experienced librarians and academics. As participants frequently noted in post-course surveys, ALSC stresses quality and caring in its online education options. For more information on ALSC online learning, please visit: http://www.ala.org/alsced

Demonstrating ALSC Competencies (6 weeks, April 3 – May 12, 2017)
Instructor: Rachel Reinwald, Youth Services Librarian/School Liaison, Lake Villa District Library

This will be a highly reflective class designed to help you find ways to demonstrate your competence in the youth services field to your administrators and/or possible employers throughout your job search.

We will also formulate solid goals and a plan to go with them to learn about and practice some of the competencies you are less familiar with or have not had a chance to demonstrate. We will work on several things each week: (1) submitting a portfolio artifact, (2) formulating a SMART goal, and (3) answering mock interview questions. We will focus on one or two competency sections each week.

We will not be able to cover everything during the scope of this class, but this should get you in the habit of identifying your strengths and showcasing them, and identifying your professional needs and figuring out how to meet them. Hopefully, you will continue this new habit to demonstrate all competencies and develop an outstanding portfolio. No one will be an expert on everything, but there are always ways to improve your professional skills.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs Made Easy (4 weeks, April 3 – 28, 2017, 1.2 CEUs)
Instructor: Angela Young, Head of Children’s Department, Reed Memorial Library

Our children are lagging behind in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).  Schools have begun to concentrate on providing better education in these areas and now libraries are being asked to provide the same.  Learn how to provide educational programs using STEM without going to school to become a scientist.  Children’s librarians and associates will learn to present and adapt programs for multiple ages.

Storytelling with Puppets (4 weeks, April 3 – 28, 2017, 2.2 CEUs)

Instructor: Steven Engelfried, Youth Services Librarian, Wilsonville Public Library

From “Ask Mister Bear” to Elephant and Piggie, telling stories with puppets can bring new levels of creativity and excitement to storytimes and school presentations. And it’s not as hard as you think. This 5-week online course will give participants practical strategies for bringing stories to life with puppets; techniques for using puppets with various ages, from toddlers to early elementary students; tips for adapting folktales and picture books into puppet presentations; strategies for rehearsal, planning, and development of puppet stories; and background about how puppet tales develop narrative skills and reading motivation from the audience.

Detailed descriptions and registration information is available on the ALSC website at http://www.ala.org/alsced. Fees are $115 for personal ALSC members; $165 for personal ALA members; and $185 for non-members. Questions? Please contact ALSC Program Officer for Continuing Education, Kristen Figliulo at kfigliulo@ala.org or 1 (800) 545-2433 ext 4026.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website atwww.ala.org/alsc.

Kristen Figliulo

Program Officer for Continuing Education
Association for Library Service to Children
50 E Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
312-280-4026 (tel)| 312-280-5271 (fax)  |  kfigliulo@ala.org