Bugs Bugs Bugs Sign

Not sure why the text "Bugs, Bugs, Bugs" isn't showing the full mottled brown color ...

Graphic Novels for Teens/Adults

I have graphic novel on the brain!  So I made it into a (children's) display today.  Here's a sign available for download by clicking on "Graphics" under the "Youth Services Programs and Resources" heading in the upper right hand corner of this blog: http://librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com/




Speaking of graphic novels, I just finished reading Scenes from an Impending Marriage (LOL!) and Artichoke Tales (What?) ... Even with the pictoral character key on the end pages of Artichoke Tales, I had trouble distinguishing one character from the other.  Anyone else read these two?  In the carousel below are other more teen or adult graphic novels that I currently have checked out but haven't read yet.


Update: 7/25/11 I now realize Big Crunch isn't a graphic novel ... cover is very intriguing though ...

Simple Signs for Temporary Displays

I  like to have a poster to accompany temporary displays.  The following were created with Microsoft Word and Microsoft clipart.  Today I used legal sized paper, and advertised the Dewey numbers.  (See "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles (Cars)" poster.)

The embedded images below are also available in the "Graphics" folder under "Youth Services Programs and Resources" from this blog: http://librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com/

Preschoolers: Water, Water Everywhere

An Earth Day influenced storytime ... If the embedded programming handout does not display below, visit the upper right hand corner of this blog: http://librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com/. Under "Youth Services Programs and Resources," choose "Preschool, ages 4 and 5."  Then choose (2011 4) Water, Water Everywhere (Narrative).pdf

A colleague suggested putting a coloring sheet on the other side of the programming handout to encourage the caregivers to take it home.  I thought it was a great idea!

Google Books

Have a quote? Google Book search it.  (Note the new interface!)
 
"The overall purpose of human communication is -- or should be -- reconciliation." M Scott Peck

Gotta Move! Program: Birthdays (Letters Bb & Cc)

I had a LARGE group for this program today -- 20 kids and 13 adults.  With some newbies and kids ranging from infants to six year olds ... It was all I could do to keep the attention (and control!!) of the crowd and make sure everyone was as engaged as possible and having fun ...  Forget about any "talking points" on ECRR to the adults! 

That's one reason I am a stickler about making and giving the program handout below.  Before I begin, I make sure I put it in the hands of every grown up and say, "This is what we are doing and why we are doing it."  True, a few handouts get left behind, but it's an effort at communicating the importance of the early literacy skills.   

(If the embedded image does not display, visit the upper right hand corner of this blog. Under "Youth Services Programs and Resources," choose "Music and Movement (and Early Literacy!) Programs)." Then choose "(2011 2 24) Birthdays (Letters Bb and Cc)."



For the "Four Candles" rhyme, I had four plastic, battery operated candles that turned off and on.  Below are the images I used to tell "Rub a Dub Dub."  (They are available in the "Graphics" folder.)  They were also in the Sound Suitcases.  (I had a Bb and a Cc sound suitcase today.)

Toddler Program: Talking about Love (Narrative Skills)

I am liking the visual communication of information on this handout. If parents are the reluctant readers of programming handouts, here's plenty of white space and visuals!

(If the embedded image does not display, visit the upper right hand corner of this blog. Under "Youth Services Programs and Resources," choose "Toddler, ages 2 and 3." Then choose "(2011 2) Talking about Love.")

New Year, New Visions

It seems that I am moving toward becoming even more immersed in the technological world, especially with how it can be used in my professional life.

This afternoon I became a member of the free, social networking, and book-focused site called Shelfari. I envision that it will replace my Excel spreadsheet of read books. As a librarian, a list like this provides me with helpful reminders for book talking or, in other words, for marketing titles to readers. Not only will Shelfari organize this list in a more detailed, visually stimulating, and interactive way, it also offers instant reading recommendations ... a feature librarians refer to as "readers' advisory."

I also have a firsthand understanding of widgets through the successful addition of a Shelfari widget to this blog.

Cheers to another year of Learning!