Category Archives: Children’s services

Books, Children's services

Engineering books for young readers!

Getting students involved and interested in STEM activities from a young age is so important! If you are a library person working with young people, this article from UCL Engineering lists some titles you may find useful to encourage an interest in STEM topics:

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
“For the early grades’ exploration of character education, this funny book offers a perfect example of the rewards of perseverance and creativity.

 

 

Detective Dot by Sophie Deen
“Nine-year-old tech whizz Detective Dot has a dangerous new mission from the Children’s Intelligence Agency – investigate teenage trillionaire Shelly Belly. Dot’s going to have to use all her coding skills, cunning and gadgets to crack the case.”

 

 

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
“Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she’s a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer.”

 

 

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
“Galileo. Newton. Salk. Oppenheimer.
Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far?”

Books, Children's services, Training

Try Camp Read A Lot!

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Do you want to read books and chat about them?? Sounds great! Check out the Camp Read-A-Lot programs! (Remember: you can receive up to $300 in scholarship money from CMLE for your continuing education!)

You can have reading fun this summer at three different Minnesota locations:

  • Welcome to the 2017 SELCO Camp Read-a-Lot

    We are happy to bring you the 9th Annual Camp Read-a-Lot!  A professional development opportunity for those who work with children’s literature, focusing on specifically on grades 2-5.  Our campers have the chance to read from a set list of books prior to camp and then spend the day discussing the books with their peers.  They’ll also have a chance to hear from Dr. Sarah Park Dahlen, Assistant Professor in St. Catherine University’s Master of Library Information Science Program, and Minnesota children’s book author Lauren Stringer.

    Tuesday, August 15, 2017  |  Check-in begins at 8:30a, Camp runs from 9:00a-4:30p  |  $30 Fee

  • ADVENTUROUS READING AWAITS
    Welcome to the 2017 TdS Camp Read-a-Lot

    We are happy to bring you the 1st Annual Camp Read-a-Lot!

    Join us for a professional development day designed for librarians and teachers who work with children’s literature, focusing on grades 2-8. Campers read and discuss new children’s literature and fresh techniques to bring reading alive to students and patrons.

  • Wednesday July 26, 2017

    SAMMI and Plum Creek

    Mark your calendars for Camp Read-a-Lot 2017, July 26 & 27.  The Plum Creek Library and Pioneerland Library Systems along with SAMMIE are once again sponsoring CAMP READ-A-LOT, a conference full of fun and education for teachers, media specialists, homeschool educators and public library staff.  Camp Read focuses on literacy and literature for today’s young people and is designed to help educators and librarians enhance student reading experiences.   July 26 – 27, 2017

Books, Children's services, Public, Resources

Troy library receives donation of more than 1,000 books, other materials

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(From SentinelSource.com, By Meghan Foley Sentinel Staff)

“As the Gay-Kimball Library director was defending her budget and proposed repairs to the building at town meeting in March, something was floating in the back of her mind.

Hours earlier, Stephanie R. Charlefour had learned the small library she oversees was one of three recipients of a national grant that would flood its shelves with new books and other materials geared toward helping children learn and become strong readers.

Charlefour had applied for the grant from the Bookapalooza program, which is run by the Association of Library Services to Children, a division of the American Library Association. Each year since its inception in 2007, the program awards a variety of materials, including books and DVDs, to three public or school libraries in the United States.

The Association for Library Services to Children receives the materials from publishers to evaluate for awards, according to a news release from the organization. But once the books have been reviewed, the association has nowhere to store them. Hence the creation of Bookapalooza.

Charlefour was excited, but couldn’t share her news at town meeting because it wasn’t yet public, she said.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is such a huge honor,’ ” she said. “But I couldn’t announce it publicly until I had gotten the go-ahead.”

Continue reading Troy library receives donation of more than 1,000 books, other materials →

Advocacy, Books, Children's services

Mission of ReadOKC is to create culture of literacy

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(From NewsOK, Oklahoma; By Mary Mélon The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Dr. Seuss has many words of wisdom, but none more so than what he says about reading: The more you read, the more things you’ll know. The more you know, the more places you’ll go. To focus on developing a culture of reading for Oklahoma City Public Schools students and the community, the OKCPS Compact recently launched ReadOKC.

The Oklahoma City Public Schools Compact, made up of the City of OKC, the Greater OKC Chamber, United Way of Central Oklahoma, The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools and Oklahoma City Public Schools, organized last year to assist OKCPS with key areas that require resources and community assistance. Literacy and reading was identified as the group’s first project and evolved into ReadOKC.

The mission of ReadOKC is to create a culture of reading and literacy in Oklahoma City, beginning with our students. As part of the Great Commitment (the OKCPS strategic plan), OKCPS is working to ensure every student will meet literacy and numeracy criteria for successful transitions throughout elementary school. This happens through reading, both in school and out, and requires the engagement of students, families and the entire community.

Continue reading Mission of ReadOKC is to create culture of literacy →

Advocacy, Books, Children's services

Virtual book drive in Valley aims to bolster literacy among children

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(From KTAR news, Phoenix, AZ)

The local “Grow A Reader” program is aiming to put more books in the hands of children, who could benefit significantly from getting ahead on literacy at a young age.

In an effort to ensure that kids are successful when they enter school, Southwest Human Development has paired with businesses around the Valley with the “Grow A Reader” program, where patrons can “pick a flower” and go online to buy a book for a child.

Southwest Human Development, an Arizona non-profit dedicated to early childhood development, said the average child has 13 books at home, but low-income neighborhoods see just one book for every 300 children.

“Unfortunately, lots of kids arrive in kindergarten unprepared and without the early literacy skills they need to be successful,” chief development officer Jake Adams said in a statement. “They tend to be the same kids that start behind and stay behind. We’re trying to change that.”

Businesses where you can get a flower include places like CVS Pharmacy, Jason’s Deli, Jobot Coffee & Diner, Spinato’s Pizzeria and more. Click here for a full list of participating businesses.