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Shhh! Whisper Tube!
This Active Learning Center is inexpensive, easy to install, space efficient and sure to be a hit! All you need is 1 ½ inch PVC Pipe and 90 and 45 degree joints to fit your space, PVC Glue, plastic...
View ArticleRegister for Nov. 14 ALSC Student Session on Early Literacy!
On Wednesday, November 14 at 5pm Central, ALSC will present a new student session, Early Literacy in Action. A recent poll of new MLIS graduates found that most are interested to some degree in early...
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Face It! You Are a Children’s Librarian in the Digital Age
I posted an opportunity recently on the ALSC Listserv for children’s librarians to give some feedback to a start-up based in Silicon Valley that is developing a new eBooks distribution platform. “This...
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I Work For Children, Not Technology
I work for children, not technology. I say this because they don’t always belong together and I am obligated, as is anyone who has the public’s trust in serving children, to put children first. In...
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Early Literacy in the Digital Age
LittleeLit.com started out as a blog that reviewed book based apps for kids, until I realized that there are a lot of other review sources already doing that. Not only did traditional journals review...
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This Week: Every Child Ready to Read Webinar!
This week, don’t forget to sign up for the ALSC webinar Every Child Ready to Read: How to Train and Motivate Adults to Foster School Readiness. This 90-minute webinar is open to anyone trying to...
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Play Boxes: Mini Playspaces in Your Library
About a year ago I became fascinated with playspaces popping up in public libraries around the country. Miniature kitchens, corner art stations, neat science-themed installations. Yes! I decided to...
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Minnesota Smart
Last week Rochester Public Library (MN) celebrated the grand opening of our Minnesota Children’s Museum Smart Play Spot. The installation is the tenth of eighteen Smart Play Spots that will be...
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Family Crafting and Writing for Early Literacy
When we present ECRR-based storytimes, we demonstrate five everyday practices that are important for children’s cognitive, physical, and social development. These practices- Talk, Sing, Read, Write,...
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Spreading the Word about Early Literacy
How do we reach those who might not yet know about the importance of early literacy? Attendees at storytimes tend to be the motivated ones, but Deschutes Public Library in central Oregon wanted to...
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The Screen Free Story Time is the Best Story Time
Story times for children age 0-5 are one of the most valued and popular programs libraries provide the communities we serve. It is both a vehicle and an icon for the library’s commitment to literacy...
View ArticleJunk Food, Beer and Books–Incredible Food for Thought #ala2013
Susan Linn, Director, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, gave a compelling presentation this morning that urged librarians to consider how commercialism plays a role in the lives of children, in...
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How to Get Early Literacy Tablets in the Library
Located next to the “read-to-me” book kits is our Listening Station with four boomboxes, giving children another activity to do while in the library. One by one, these boomboxes were picked off by...
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Got Outreach?
I walk in to _______ preschool. Shouts of “Storytime!” and “It’s the book lady!” abound. Teachers greet me with happy (and relieved) smiles. Children (mostly) quickly gather on the rug as I pull...
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Remembering the Wonder of Books
We are all aware that libraries have been changing. Librarians are busy making future plans and choices for their Children’s and Youth Services departments. Build a Makerspace? Invest in e-reader...
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Talking, Singing, Reading, Writing & Playing with Technology
“We all have only one life to live on earth. And through television, we have the choice of encouraging others to demean this life or to cherish it in creative, imaginative ways.”...
View ArticleAmerican Sign Language (ASL) in Your Library
Did you know that American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most common non-English language used in the United States? ASL contains all the basic features of language—it has its own pronunciation,...
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New Year, New Employee
We have a new library assistant starting this week and new staff training is on my mind. What resources do you use when training new staff? Photo from ALSC stock photos Some of that definitely depends...
View ArticleInspiration!
I cannot count how many times I get asked the question “Where do you come up with your ideas for Active Learning Centers?” I usually answer with something like “it is simple, it just comes to me” or “I...
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Guerrilla Storytime Takes #alamw14 by Storm!
A group of about 50 youth services librarians took over the Networking Uncommons this afternoon for another round of Geurilla Storytime. This innovative, grassroots professional development event was...
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