A Word from Crystal

Some time has past since our last issue of NewsNotes as you can tell by the size of this issue! In the future, look for NewsNotes every other month and, as always, Judy and I welcome suggestions for what you would like to see in this newsletter. The most current issue is also available on the Nassau Library System web page, through KidsPage professional resources (soon to be renamed LibrariansPage).

Much is going on in Youth Services in Nassau County and we hope that you take time to attend some of the opportunities listed in the calendar and elsewhere in NewsNotes. Also, while you are gearing up for your Summer Reading Odyssey, please let us know in Youth Services how we can better serve your needs in the library. For instance, what topics would you like addressed at monthly meetings? Feedback and ideas are always welcome in person, by phone (292-8920 ext. 230 for me and ext. 232 for Judy), or email (cfaris@nassaulibrary.org for me or childserv@nassaulibrary.org for Judy).

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Crystal
 

Continuing Education Opportunities and Announcements

The Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies ALA Student chapter and the Reading Motivation for Children and Young Adults class invite NLS member librarians to an appearance by Richard Peck, the Newbery Award winning author of A Year Down Yonder, in Room 230, Rosenthal Library, Queens College at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25. Refreshments and book sales and signing will follow Mr. Peck's presentation. If you would like to attend, please contact Crystal or call Queens at 718-997-3790 (or 3776). When you arrive at Queens College gates, please tell the security guards that you are attending the Richard Peck event. Also, if you would like to car pool from the NLS parking lot, please contact Crystal and we will go together (easier to find a parking place!).

The Youth Services Section of the New York Library Association will hold its annual spring conference on Long Island Friday, April 27 at the Garden City Hotel. The Conference features keynote speaker Walter Minkel, technology editor at School Library Journal, luncheon speaker Paula Danzinger, and workshops. Registrations for this conference are NOW CLOSED. The response from those who wanted to attend was greater than expected. Look for next year's conference information in early January.

The 17^th Annual Long Island Children’s Literature Conference, cosponsored by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Hofstra University, will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2001 on the Hempstead campus. Entitled "Finding Your Voice," the program will offer speakers Lee Bennett Hopkins and Roger Sutton as well as six special interest groups including Writing Picture Books (Stephanie Calmenson), Writing Fiction (Joan Bauer), Illustrating Picture Books (Susan Gaber), Writing Nonfiction (Marc Aronson), Submission Procedures (Nancy Gallt), and Writing for Magazines. Cost of registration is $68 for SCBWI members and $75 for nonmembers. For further details: UCCE, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549; 516-463-5016; kenneth.a.henwwod@Hofstra.edu.

BER, the Bureau of Education and Research, is bringing a seminar to Long Island that is of interest to youth service librarians. Jim Trelease will be presenting "Reading More and Loving It" on April 27. The seminar will take place at the Long Island Sheraton in Smithtown and costs $169. Contact Youth Services for a copy of the brochure or get more information at www.ber.org.

"The Young Person As A Book's Main Character: Writers of Books for Adults, Children, or Both Discuss Their Work," will be presented by the PEN Children's Book Author's Committee and the PEN Forums Committee on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, Lincoln Center Rose Building, 10^th Floor, 165 W. 65^th St., Manhattan. The panel discussion will feature Tony Earley, Jules Feiffer, E.R. Frank, Jack Gantos, Robert Lipsyte, and Richard Peck. Richard Jackson will moderate. For reservations or for information, call 212-334-1660, ext. 107. The event is free for PEN members and $5 for non-members.
 

Grant Opportunities

REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, is calling for applications for the Estela and Raul Mora Award 2001. The $500 award is donated by writer Pat Mora to promote participation in the celebration of El Dia de Los Ninos/Dia de Los Libros. The winning school or library will have sponsored an exemplary program celebrating this special day (April 30) which promotes literacy, reading and books for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The guidelines for applying may be obtained from the Youth Services Office or www.reforma.org. The deadline for application is June 30, 2001.
 

The Youth Services Section of the New York Library Association annually awards the Ann Gibson Scholarship (a $1000 awarded to a current MLS student) and the Dewey Conference Fellowship (support to attend the 2001 NYLA Annual Conference). YSS also recognizes excellence in a printed publication, which promotes library service to youth each year through the Pied Piper Award. Further information on each of these opportunities is attached to this issue of NewsNotes or contact Youth Services.
 

Filters and Alternatives

The March/April 2001 issue of Library Technology Reports is devoted to "Alternatives to Filters." This issue provides much valuable information. If your library does not subscribe to this journal, contact Youth Services for a copy to read.
 

A Request

The Youth Services Section of the New York Library Association is preparing a cookbook to be published by fall 2002. They are requesting youth services librarians' favorite recipes as well as programs or crafts that feature food. The submission forms are attached to this issue of NewsNotes or contact Youth Services for a copy.
 
 

Summer Reading Program Ideas

Don’t forget that The New York State Summer Reading Program Website for 2001: A Reading Odyssey is at www.midyork.org/odyssey2001/. The creator of the site, Diana Norton at the Mid-York Library System, has requested our help with another section of the website. She will be adding program ideas, suggested books and websites, craft projects, and activities to the website that she received from New York libraries. If you have developed a fun idea for this summer, why not share it with your colleagues? Send your ideas to norton@midyork.lib.ny.us.

The Missouri State Library has a wonderful resource for providing young adult summer reading programs on the web. Book Your Summer is available at http://mosl.sos.state.mo.us/lib-ser/libdev/tsrp2001/tsrpmanual.html.
 

Other Program Ideas

May 14-21 is Hiphop Appreciation Week and the First Annual International Hiphop Peace Conference will be held at the United Nations. Children and teens of all races, colors and ethnic backgrounds are fascinated with Hiphop and all of its many forms. This week may be an opportunity to take that fascination and turn it into something positive and related to the resources available from the library. Recently posted on NYLINE Listserv were several suggestions for noting Hiphop Appreciation Week at your library. Contact Youth Services for a copy of that posting.
 
 

YA Shared Cost Feature Film

Galaxy Quest was such a hit last summer that we've decided to try it again! You should have received a yellow announcement and reservation from Delia Gottlieb for Save the Last Dance staring Julie Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas. This film was recently rated the number one film that should have received an Oscar nomination on Teen People Online! So, don't miss out on reserving your showing. The film will be available from June 1 to September 1 and the cost will be approximately $50. If you did not receive the announcement from Delia, please contact Youth Services and we will get you a copy.
 
 

Did you know…

…On June 1, 2002, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial will open on the grounds of the Springfield, Massachusetts Library and Museums Association. You can visit the website to learn more and to keep track of the progress (www.catinthehat.org).

…There is an Environmental Health Resource Center available to librarians and residents of Long Island. For information contact Janet Hoffman, Consultant at 631-427-9805 or contact Youth Services for a list of subjects covered at the center.
 

Due to the sponsorship of the Houghton Mifflin Company, libraries may offer the Parents Five Owls newsletter free. Published five times during the school year, the newsletter has little advertising with content on parenting issues, book picks and child development. To place an order for these free copies, go to www.fiveowls.com or call 612-377-2004.
 

Performer Requests and News

Do you have contact info for Michael Citi-Meli, a photographer who has done workshops in libraries for children? If so, please let Crystal know.

Two participants in November’s Performer’s Showcase have new phone numbers. Storyteller Zena Cheza Oriolla – 718-542-3135. Chip Bryant, physical comedy, 631-851-9310.

Eileen Lichtenstein, of Balance and Power, has recently developed three workshops that she believes might be interesting to teens – The Power of Positive Language, The Power of Body Language, and Yoga. Contact Youth Services if you would like more information about these programs and her contact information.

Long Island Children’s Museum has several outreach programs available to libraries this summer. Contact Youth Services for a copy of their program brochure.

The puppeteer Bernd Ogrodnik with be in New York July 9-20 and may still have some dates available. He may be contacted at Alkemilla@aol.com or 607-280-4088 and he comes highly recommended from Starr LaTronica at the Four County Library System.

The Girl Scouts of Nassau County would like to cooperate with local libraries by offering workshops designed for girls to participate in their Be A Reader patch program. Contact Youth Services for a copy of the proposal for this program or talk with Wendy Kappelmier at Baldwin where they are trying the program.
 
 

Awards

2001 Orbis Pictus Award

The 2001 Orbis Pictus Award is Hurry Freedom by Jerry Stanley. Honor books are: Michelangelo by Diane Stanley, Wild and Swampy: Exploring with Jim Arnosky by Jim Arnosky, America's Champion Swimmer by David Adler, Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James Cross Giblin, and Osceola by Osceola Mays & Alan Govenar. The Orbis Picuts Award is awarded by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and honors excellence in children’s nonfiction. For more information go to www.ncte.org/elem/pictus/index.html.

The Sydney Taylor Award

The Association of Jewish Libraries recognizes children’s books of positive Jewish content with the Sydney Taylor Award. The Key Is Lost by Ida Vos and Gershon's Monster: a Story for the Jewish New Year by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Jon J. Muth are this year's winners. For more information and honor books go to http://aleph.lib.ohio-state.edu/www/ajl.html.

The Bank Street College of Education’s Awards

The Children's Book Committee at the Bank Street College of Education has published its 2001 edition of The Best Children's books of the Year and has presented its annual awards. The Josette Frank Award (fiction) was given to Kate DiCamillo for Because of Winn-Dixie. Dennis and Judith Fradin accepted the Flora Stieglitz Straus Award (nonfiction) for Ida B. Wells: Mother of the Civil Rights Movement and The Claudia Lewis Award (poetry) went to Douglas Florian for mammalabilia. The acceptance speeches, and other information about the booklist and awards are available on the Committee's website: www.bankstreet.edu/bookcom.

The Christopher Award

The Christopher Award is given annually to media that affirm the highest value of the human spirit. The 2001 recipients in the books for young people category are: How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague; The Mousery by Charlotte Pomerantz, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus; The Yellow Star by Carmen Agra Deedy; Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer; and The Wanderer by Sharon Creech. More information is available at www.christophers.org/awards2.html.

The 2000 Americas Award

Lynn Joseph's The Color of My Words is the winner of the 2000 Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, Secondary Reading Level. The Primary Level winner is The Composition by Antonio Skarmeta with Alfonso Ruano. The Americas Awards are selected and presented annually by the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs.
 
 

The Charlotte Zolotow Award

Kate Banks, author of The Night Worker is the fifth annual winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award for outstanding writing in a picture book, given by the Cooperative Children's Book Center. The award committee named one Honor Book, "Wings" by Christopher Myers. The award committee also cited six titles as Highly Commended:Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen; The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo; If You Find a Rock by Peggy Christian; Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney; When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan; and Yoshi's Feast by Kimiko Kajikawa.

Scott O'Dell Award

The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor is the winner of the 2001 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Established in 1981 by Newbery Medal author Scott O'Dell, the Scott O'Dell Award is presented each year to a work of outstanding historical fiction. The book must be published in the United States, written by an American author, and set in the Americas.
 
 

Web Sites to Surf

The annually updated reference book, Summer Programs at New York Colleges for Kids 8-18 is no longer available in print. However, it is now available online for free at www.summeroncampus.com and will be updated yearly.

The Book Report Network recently launched Authors On the Web, a new website where readers and writers can find entertaining features and latest news about authors (www.authorsontheweb.com) Links to author’s web sites can be found at www.authoryellowpages.com.

Created by the Sylvan Learning Foundation, Book Adventure is a free, reading incentive program dedicated to encouraged children (K-8) to read. Kids can register to get book suggestions and prizes when they finish a book and take a quiz. Parents and Teachers may register too for booklists and other info. www.bookadventure.org

Chapter a Day, www.chapteraday.com has a teen book club where you receive five minutes worth of reading in your e-mail every day. Share this with your teens and sign up too!

A youth services librarian in Spokane, Washington has developed a website devoted to Storytime Ideas at www.geocities.com/mystorytime/index.htm. New themes are added on a regular basis. The Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California has also created a site for preschool story time ideas at www.bayviews.org/storytime.html. A young adult librarian in Ohio has put together a web site of programming ideas and other miscellaneous promotions for YA library service at www.geocities.com/cplrmh.

YA Librarians – have you visited CD HotList? It is a monthly review service offered to the library community for new CD’s you may want to add to your collection. Check it out at www2.library.unr.edu/anderson/cdhl/index.htm.

Author Cynthia Leitich Smith has a web site with author interviews, bibliographies, and other information related to her heritage (Muscogee Indian Nation). An interesting interview with YA author Lori Aurelia Williams was recently added to the site. www.cynthialeitichsmith.com

Gale Group has created free marketing resources for libraries on their web page at www.galegroup.com/freestuff.

R.L. Stine’s new series The Nightmare Room has a terrific website, www.thenightmareroom.com. He was at Roosevelt Field on Saturday, February 17 for WLIW’s Reading Fun Day (so were Crystal & Judy at the Nassau Library System table!) and this new series was heavily promoted.

If you have a particular novel in mind but can’t remember the title or the name of the author, you may want to try a search engine at www.allreaders.com, where you may search by plot points, traits of the main character and main adversary, structural options, and theme.

The Association of College and Research Libraries has produced a Student’s Guide to Evaluating Libraries in Colleges and Universities. The guide is available on the ACRL web site at www.ala.org/acrl/evalguide.html.

Book discussion guides including the 2001 Newbery Award Winner and Honor Books are available on the Multnomah County Library Talk It Up Website at www.multcolib.org/talk/.
 

Great Ideas to Borrow from Youth Services or to Request a Copy

The December 2000/January 2001 issue of Zero to Three, the bulletin of the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families, focused on libraries as vital for infants, toddlers, and their families. Contact Youth Services if you would like to borrow this journal.

At the Jewish Librarians meeting on March 27, a selected bibliography of young adult titles related to anti-Semitism and prejudice was distributed. Contact Youth Services for a copy. The meeting was held at the Holocaust Resource Center at the Temple Judea of Manhasset. The Resource Center is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is well worth visiting. Youth Services also has a brochure about the center.

For Children’s Book Week last November, The Bryant Library at Roslyn developed a Guess the Children’s Book game. "In the great green room, there was a telephone and a red balloon." What book is that? Contact Youth Services if you would like a copy of this fun game.

New York Public Library’s selection of their 100 best Children’s Books, as well as the 2001 edition of Books for the Teenage may be borrowed from Youth Services.

The December 15, 2000 issue of Booklist had an interesting article on computer generated art for picture books. If you did not see it and would like to read, call Youth Services for a copy of "Computers and the Art of Picture-Book Illustration."

May is National Bike Month - why not do a display of books, videos, and magazines related to that all-important mode of transportation for pre-license teens? Contact Youth Services for a copy of a booklist recently posted on YALSA-BK.

Recreational Reads is a nonfiction list of recommendations for YA leisure reading. The list provides full bibliographic data as well as review citations and annotations. Contact Youth Services for a copy or access it at www.bccls.org/ya/recreational_reads.

Recently posted on a listserv was an extensive article on Gang Awareness for Librarians. Based on a program presented to Houston Public Library staff, the article provides good information and food for thought. Contact Youth Services for a copy.

Recently posted on PUBYAC was a wonderful Library Murder Mystery game for Young Adults to play in the library with script, clues, and set-up, all in instructions you need to create this fun program too. Contact Youth Services for a copy of the posting.

The March 4 issue of The New York Times Magazine featured an interesting article about novelist Paula Fox. (For instance did you know she was Courtney Love’s grandmother?) If you would like to borrow the article, contact Youth Services.

Do you like to use Chicka Chicka Boom Boom in your storyhours? Recently posted on PUBYAC were some fun ideas related to the book that you might want to try. Contact Youth Services for a copy.

First Lady Laura Bush recently launched her Education Initiatives, which focus on recruiting more good teachers and making sure children start school ready to read and learn. If you would like to learn more about these initiatives, contact Youth Services for a copy of the materials or you may access them on the Department of Education website (www.ed.gov).

Three booklists were recently posted on YALSA-BK that you might find interesting. Taking Responsibility provides a list with annotations of good YA books focusing on that subject. Books Over 300 Pages is a list of just that – good books with more than 300 pages. A Sense of Place is an annotated booklist of non-fiction books about travel and other locales. Contact Youth Services for a copy of these booklists.

A short survey was sent to several listservs requesting input on Teen Trends in libraries. Twenty-three libraries responded to the survey and their answers provide some interesting reading. Contact Youth Services for a copy of the survey results.

Annotated lists of the 2001 Notable Children’s Books and the 2001 Best Books for Young Adults are available from Youth Services. Contact the office for a copy.

The January/February 2001 Issue of SB&F (Science Books & Films) includes their lists of the Best Science Books, Videos, and Software for Children and Youth. Call Youth Services to borrow.

Mildred Bernstein, former trainee at Elmont Public Library, recently gave Youth Services a copy of Young Adult Program Ideas presented for the Ohio State Libraries. The guide includes several suggestions for YA Programs from Ohio librarians. Contact Youth Services to borrow Yakety Yak: A Quick & Dirty Young Adult Program.

Brooklyn Public Library’s Selection Lists – contact Youth Services to borrow any of the following: March Juvenile Pick-up List, March Pick-up and Replacement List, and the April Pick-up List.
 
 

Recently Added to NLS Youth Services Collection

Two Young Adult Training Videos and accompanying printed materials featuring Michael Cart have been added to the NLS Youth Services Collection. Contact Youth Services to borrow Collection Development (for Young Adult Library Services) or Programming for Young Adults.
 
 

Library Service to Spanish Speaking Patrons: A Practical Guide by Sharon Chickering Moller, a 2001 publication of Libraries Unlimited, has been added to the NLS Youth Services Collection. The majority of this book focuses on service to Spanish speaking children and teenagers and their families including outreach and marketing and collection development. Contact Youth Services to borrow.
 
 

Attached to The Print Copy of NewsNotes (contact Youth Services for a copy)

The Children's Literature Festival Flyer

The Long Island Children’s Museum May 2001 schedule

An update for your Long Island Author’s & Illustrators Booklet of Lisa Passen

YSS Ann Gibson Scholarship and Dewey Fellowship Information

YSS Publication Submission for Cookbook

YSS Pied Piper Award Application