Editor's Desk: Storytime Rocks! Storytime represents a special opportunity for librarians: to share the rich diversity of stories that are a part of our collective cultural heritage with children, and also convey to them that libraries are fun places where all kinds of activities happen. (Psst: ideally, storytime also positions librarians as go-to resources for parents.) Librarians who make this service look easy are a part of this month's focus on storytime. Author and librarian Toni Buzzeo identifies books on popular subjects (Construction! Animals!) that are ideal for storytimes to support STEM initiatives. Deschutes Public Library (Bend, OR) Youth Services manager Heather McNeil shares resources and thoughts on training that will help both managers and trainees feel confident. Outreach Librarian Holly Jin shares Skokie (IL) Public Library's ongoing work to create library programming and most importantly, a welcoming environment for children with special needs and their families. And NoveList librarians offer suggestions for fun poetry picks to share, plus tips for making readers' advisory part of storytime. Read More,
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by Toni BuzzeoOne of the newest buzzwords in American education is STEM, an acronym for the combined fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Why STEM? The new focus aims to produce students who are prepared to succeed in an innovation-based economy. What has that to do with storytime? In a word, plenty! Continue Reading
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Interview with Heather McNeil: Storytime Training & Resources
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Public Library Youth Services Manager Heather McNeil shares information about storytime training and resources used for their many storytimes that meet a variety of needs. Read the Full Interview
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Interview with Holly Jin: Storytime Welcomes Kids with Special Needs
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Outreach Librarian Holly Jin's mantra "What special needs programming lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in heart and impact" is reflected in this interview about Skokie (IL) Public Library's efforts to reach out to kids with special needs. Read the Full Interview
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Steal This Idea! $mart Choice$, Great Fun: Financial Education for Preschoolers
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by Bridget DanielWhen PNC approached Wake County (NC) Public Libraries with the opportunity to apply for a grant supporting financial education, library staff asked two questions: - How would we introduce the concepts of financial education to preschoolers?
- Were we in a position to pursue a grant and project of this size?
Continue Reading
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Featured NoveList Content: Poetry
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10 Readers' Advisory Tips for Storytime
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by Kathy Stewart
Do you have regular storytimes? If so, congratulations! You're uniquely positioned to provide terrific readers' advisory for young patrons. Continue Reading
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by Krista BiggsI don't know how anyone else's career in a public library children's department began but "pandemonium" might best describe mine. When it came to storytime, I had to learn by doing. Here are my top five tips for storytime survival when you're starting out and might have no idea what you're doing. Continue Reading
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