August
 2024

two girls in library reading

Youth Services Notes

From the Library of Virginia

ImmunizeVA Toolkit and Recording Available

ImmunizeVA, a volunteer-led, public-private partnership working to improve immunization rates in VA, has a new easy-to-use toolkit with printable materials and reading lists to help kids learn about germs, vaccines, and staying healthy as they return to school.


In case you missed the live training on the toolkit this past week, the Librarians and Vaccine Literacy recording is now available in the LVA Niche Academy.


In this training you will:

  • Learn about the Vaccine Literacy toolkit from Immunize VA

  • Find about how libraries can have a role in highlighting high-quality vaccination books

  • Learn how to handle patrons who may have objections to this type of programming

If you are interested in hosting an event in October for Health Literacy Month, or really any time, ImmunizeVA would be happy to support you. They can offer in-person tabling at libraries, as well as story times featuring Tracker’s Toolkit and our curated collection. Depending on geography, they could potentially have their mascot Tracker attend! If you’re interested please contact them at immunizeva@institutephi.org.


Access the Recording

2027 Slogan and 2028 Theme

This past week, the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) state reps voted their states’ choices for the 2027 program slogan and 2028 program theme.   The results are:
2027 Slogan (Mystery/Detective/Suspense): Mysteries Await at Your Library (Spanish translation in progress)
2028 Theme: Mythical Creatures (Unicorns, Mermaids, Dragons, etc.)

The Collaborative Summer Library Program is running a 2026 Dinosaur Program Contest. Help CSLP “Unearth a Story” for the 2026 summer reading theme by submitting your brilliant, fun, and “dinotastic” educational programs for the 2026 Unearth a Story programming manual.


The contest is open until September 20.  Submit your best dinosaur, archaeology, and paleontology programming ideas. CSLP’s Managing Editor, Alyssa Graybeal, will choose one program from each category (children, teens, and adults), and one contributor of early literacy books and songs that best captures the theme. The winner in each category will receive a coupon for $50 worth of merchandise at the CSLP Store. 


Learn more about the contest and submit your programming ideas here:

https://www.cslpreads.org/submit-a-programming-idea/

Grants and Opportunities

VLA Youth and Family Services Summer Wrap-up Zoom

Interested or already working in Youth Services? The Youth and Family Services Forum is excited to share a new virtual meet-up series beginning with our summer recap on Thursday, September 12th from 2pm-3pm on Zoom. Come share your summer highs and lows and hear how the Forum can support you!


Register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYodOGopzstHdV5cqWYeb3iwboCOYioD_NC


This session will not be recorded.

Adaptive Umbrella
October 1, 2024, 10:00am - 3:30pm

Registration is open for the 8th biennial Adaptive Umbrella accessibility workshop! This virtual daylong workshop features interactive sessions about current accessibility topics, led by disability self-advocates and professionals working with the disability community. The day is geared to librarians, educators, and caregivers.


Visit the Adaptive Umbrella page for more information. 


Registration: https://btpl.org/events/#/events/EzSMMhntky/instances/9ToE18645t/

Featured Programs


Your library program can be featured here! 
Please submit a photo and description of your favorite program!

Self-Care Corner

Upcoming Important Dates & Celebrations


National and State Conferences

September 19-21: ALSC National Institute (Denver, CO)

October 16-18: VLA Annual Conference (Norfolk)

November 6-8: VAASL Annual Conference (Williamsburg)

November 6-9: NAEYC (Anaheim, CA)

November 11-13: National Summer Learning Association (Washington, DC)

Library of Virginia: Library Development & Networking Division
800 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23219
804-692-3610

https://vpl.virginia.gov/