Programs Added

These programs are now available through the Google Docs links on your right:

Programs for Families All Ages: (2013 11) Butterfly Science

Programs for 2-3: (2013 11) Food

Programs for 4-5: (2013 11) Food

Programs for 2-5: (2013 11) Fast and Slow Fall

Apps and Kids at Your Library Presentation

I can't get the embed feature to work, so here is the link to this presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/MissHayleyMac/apps-and-kids-at-your-library-for-slideshare?utm_source=slideshow02&utm_medium=ssemail&utm_campaign=iupload_share_slideshow

Appy Hour for Kids and Apps Folder Shared via Google

I have started a folder via my Google docs where I am starting to store all my presentations and info on Apps.  Here is the link: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByZSJgcQD22tU1VOdFh2TDhyZXM&usp=sharing


In the folder, you can access my handout for the "Appy Hour for Kids" program:

This presentation on iPad apps is for an audience of school-age kids, parents, teachers, and other adults who have an interest in being introduced to learning apps for kids in Kindergarten to fourth grade. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Program is from 6:00 to 7:00 pm

iPad Storytelling to Foster Perspective

Click Using Picturebooks to Expand Perception by Hayley McEwing, or click on the title on the right hand side under "Youth Services Programs and Resources."

Early Learning Apps in the Library Presentation

Early learning apps in the library from Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County

Apps in the Library : Notebook on SpringPad

Click here to access the entire notebook: http://sprng.me/h5prp Click on "Filter" to bring up a list of and search by tags. For example, "science" will bring up science apps. Viewing problems? Make sure your internet browser if up to date.

Game of Books

Wow! Someone recently Facebook-ed this to me: http://kck.st/Q6krcH

Apps

Hooray! My article entitled "Play to Learn: Free Tablet Apps and Recommended Toys for Ages 3–7" has been published in ALSC's Children and Libraries.  It is available through the Ebscohost database.

I will be adding the article's app suggestions as well as others to a Springpad.com Notebook: http://sprng.me/h5prp 

It's just in the beginning stages now, but please continue to check back =)

Please note that to access the notebook, your internet browser will have to be the newest version.

Springpad vs Pinterest

I've been working on creating "notebooks" on springpad.com that I am hoping will allow me to better bookmark, organize, and share program handouts, websites, videos, voice recordings, files, and notes.  I am hoping that the efficiency and features of this system will let me move away from Google Drive and Google Docs (which I usually embed in this blog).

The only minor limitation I see with Springpad so far is that to access the site, one's browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Apple Safari) has to be the newest version. However, from what I understand, one can email a "spring" (bookmark etc) from one's email in an older internet browser (on public computers etc) and this will be added to one's Springpad notebooks.

I also like that Springpad has mobile app (iOs and Android) capabilities and can bookmark and organize websites, notes, videos, and uploaded documents vs. Pinterest.com's picture only boards.

Let's try this and see how it goes ... Click on the link to access my brand new "My Library Programs" notebook -- remember to be in the newest version of one of the internet browsers listed earlier.  So far there is a note called "Tales & Talk for 2s & 3s."  Click on it to access an uploaded .pub and .pdf files of a recent program handout. 

How does that work from your end?

http://sprng.me/h5p5q

Technology and Temple Grandin

First, let me say that in order to type this and all new posts, I have to access my blog in Google Chrome ... time to find a new way to share online ... How can I move the content of this blog into something more appealing and accessible?  I've tried a wiki but didn't like that it was purely text oriented ... Anyway ...

So I'm reading Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery



And I was disappointed that a freshman college Agriculture Production student working at http://www.malabarfarm.org/ for the summer hadn't yet heard about Temple Grandin.

Not only am I inspired by Temple's intelligence, passion, and work ... I am inspired by the Teachers that encouraged her interests and who fueled her passion in science.

Silent but Active

I've been quiet on this blog but active in professional activities:

I have worked on the Ohio Library Council Planning Committee for their Children's and Teens Services Conference:
http://www.olc.org/CTSCFeatures.asp
Please take part in the "Swap and Shop" even if you are elsewhere in the States!

-- Yes, I finally listened to Gantos' Dead End in Norvelt 2012 Newbery Winner: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal

I'm working on a co-presentation: http://www.neo-rls.org/ce/eventdetail.cfm?ID=3013

Communicating on the Librarians' Executive Board for our library's union.

Creating a list of (mostly free) Apple apps to use in Library Programming and am planning programs using the iPad (+ LCD projection potential) in programming.

Planning to bring back our music and movement age 0-6 programs this summer and hopefully in the fall.

I am also using iTunes University to take a "Programming Methodology" class by Standford University.

I'm still honing my communication skills as I work "on desk" throughout our 16 branch library system ... am looking at Patron Behavior in Libraries: A Handbook of Positive Approaches to Negative Situations by Beth McNeil and Denise K. Johnson and listening and taking to heart the information in Five Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell.

Recommended EBooks

I just saw a YouTube ad for the following book. Will explore to help plan financial literacy for children library programs. I would like to project and share the following eBook at a grandparent advertised/invited family library program.

Technology for Babies

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Apptivity-Case/dp/B004UU9W78/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1319233157&sr=8-12

Thoughts?

We Are All In a Story

This is my first blog post from my new computer!  Yes, it was time to make the leap from my 2003 desktop ... I'm still in the (learning) process of moving things from the old to the new ... Did you know a CAT5 crossover cord is the cheapest cord to transfer information from computer to laptop?  At least that's what I've heard.  We'll see what happens when the item comes.



After trying to create a home sharing network and failing (my old computer needed to have Windows 7 which I was not willing to install), I hope this cord will expedite the process.

I debated about just uploading all my pictures to Shutterflly.  However, Shutterfly doesn't give you the option to download pictures saved on the site back to your computer.

So many technology options ...

At any rate, I wanted to share this quote with you.  It's my own when I was four years old.  Thanks to mom for writing it down so long ago!

"Everybody is growing up.  We are all in a story; Is it a real story?"

Apps for Library Programs

I see I had 94 hits on this blog today!  I'm assuming most of these people saw my article on music, movement, and early literacy in Children and Libraries ... My hope is that others find this blog to be a useful resource for library programming.  I appreciate any comments or questions as the site evolves!

Yes, I have been a bit quiet on this blog the last month or so ... involved in learning and special projects ... but after much research, I've FINALLY upgraded my personal technology to an iPhone and Toshiba Satellite laptop.  (I'll wait for the Flash issue on the iPad to be resolved and for the Droids to have better/ more apps.  I'm more comfortable with a keyboard for typing, and so far, I prefer storing on a harddrive vs. wireless "in the cloud" network attached storage... though I will be willing to upgrade again when technology is more refined and becomes cheaper.)  This is definately increasing my personal education and social connection, but it will also affect my professional aspirations, such as audio/video recording storytelling and library programming.

Here are some apps that I've been playing with that have great potential for use in library programs:

   Star Walk http://vitotechnology.com/star-walk.html $2.99
      From the website:  "Star Walk ... allows users to easily locate and identify 20,000+ objects in the night sky. The 360-degree, touch control star map displays constellations, stars, planets, satellites, and galaxies currently overhead from anywhere on Earth." 
       My thoughts: I hope to use this during a family evening program as a supplement to stories and songs.  It would have been a perfect fit into my Starlight at Night program: http://librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com/2010/12/starlight-at-night-program-outline.html

   LeafSnap  http://leafsnap.com/  FREE
      From the website: "Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from photographs of their leaves."        
      My thoughts: The game mode covers tree leaves, tree flowers, and nuts.  My four year old nephew and I knew nothing about tree flowers and still had fun matching a name with a photograph.  A science-based option to add to a family gaming program.

I'm not sure yet how I could share these apps in the library, but I'm thinking there must be some kind of cord I could connect from my iPhone to an LCD projector ... or if I can access those apps through my iTunes account on my laptop and project through the LCD.  I'll keep you posted!

Oh ... and did you know that Amazon is offering a Kindle app?  http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipad_mkt_lnd?docId=1000493771
This allows you to purchase Kindle formated ebooks on a non-Kindle device (PC, iPhone, etc.) or borrow Kindle formated books from a participating library.  The process is a bit tricky in that you have to download the Kindle book through Amazon (account required) and transfer to mobile devices through the Whispersync (wireless "in the cloud" technology -- yikes!) or USB.  Kind of freaky that the computer knew I had an iPhone and downloaded the book directly into the Kindle app ...

Check out these blogs about apps:
http://dailyappshow.com/
http://appadvice.com/applists

Digital (Wiki) Storytelling

Ready for an oxymoron? --> Here's some old news.

Did you know that Penguin launched an online storytelling experience using the wiki format in 2007?
http://thepenguinblog.typepad.com/the_penguin_blog/2007/02/a_million_pengu.html

Here's an interesting report of that experience:
http://www.ioct.dmu.ac.uk/documents/amillionpenguinsreport.pdf

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the actual, online finished story. However, this does recall a program activity I read about when CSLP was doing the "Creative" summer reading theme a few years ago.  While sitting in a circle, kids were invited to contribute to an improvised story.  Perhaps this experience could be continued on a library website, though much monitoring would have to occur.  At the very least, it's an interesting social experiment.

Has anyone ever tried something like this in a library setting?

My Weird School

I just discovered that Dan Gutman has a "My Weird School" website! http://www.myweirdclassroomclub.com/

Better late than never ...

I Spy: Near and Far

I'm a little frustrated that Google Docs has made its older version unavailable.  (The older version allowed me to grab the embed code from my uploaded PDFs' "Properties".)  As far as I can work out, there's no simple way to embed an uploaded document.  (It's a different story if one uses Google to create the document in the first place.)  So I grabbed an embed code from somewhere on the net.  I'd like to display the code here, but I don't know how to display the code without the computer thinking I want it to follow through with the command.  Contact me if you'd like the embed code.

ALA Annual Conference Schedule (Actual)

FRIDAY
8 - 6 Tour of de Grummond Collection
6 - 7: 30 Exhibit Hall

SATURDAY
8 - 10 Making Multi-Age (newborn to five-year-old) Storytimes
the Best They Can Be
10:30 - 11:10 Doing Away with Dewey: Library Innovations for Service Excellence
11:10 - 12:00 How Audiobooks Have Been Successfully Used to Engage Readers
1:30 - 3:30 Sensory Storytime: Preschool Programming that Makes Sense for Kids with Autism
4 - 5:30 Power of Play

SUNDAY
8 - 8:30 Picture Books Go Digital
9 - 11:00 Liaisons with National Organizations Serving Children and Youth Committee Meeting
1 - 2:45 Volunteer at ALSC booth

ALA Annual Conference Schedule (Planned)

FRIDAY
8 - 5 Tour of de Grummond Collection
5 - 7: 30 Exhibit Hall

SATURDAY
8 - 10 Making Multi-Age (newborn to five-year-old) Storytimes
the Best They Can Be
10:30 - 12  Doing Away with Dewey: Library Innovations for Service Excellence
1:30 - 2:30 Sensory Storytime: Preschool Programming that Makes Sense for Kids with Autism
2:30 - 3:30 Why Transliteracy
4 - 5:30 Power of Play
8 - 10 Now Showing @ ALA: Library of the Early Mind

SUNDAY
8 - 9 Picture Books Go Digital
9 - 11 Liaisons with National Organizations Serving Children and Youth Committee Meeting
11 - 12 Early Literacy Model Magic
1 - 3 Volunteer at ALSC booth