Save the Date(s)! Ready to Read Michigan will be hosting The Reading League<https://www.thereadingleague.org/> for a 2-part webinar series on the Foundations of the Science of Reading for MI libraries on Tuesday, January 27th and Tuesday, February 3rd. Both webinars will be at 2pm ET, and registration will open soon, so mark your calendars now. Collaborative Summer Library Program Unearth A Story(™): Connect & Collaborate Thursday, December 4, 2025 10:00 am - 4:30 pm ET Library of Michigan - 2nd Floor Lake Erie Room (New update: lunch will be provided!) The dinosaurs are coming in 2026! Join us as we gather to view the Collaborative Summer Library Program's annual virtual Summer Symposium all about Unearth a Story(™). We will start the day with a conversation around summer library programming best practices, before tuning into the opening Keynote with Dan Santat. Between sessions we will "unearth" ideas on programming, so feel free to bring craft supplies, materials, or stories to share. This event will be limited to 50 participants, so be sure to register now<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=9756>. Can't make it in-person but still want to watch the Summer Symposium? You can register with CSLP<https://www.cslpreads.org/professional-development/> to watch it live or request the recordings for a later date. Keynote speaker will be Dan Santat<https://sites.google.com/g.risd.org/dansantat/home>, plus Michigan's own Detroit Zoo will be presenting a panel with great STEM ideas! This program is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Resources Big impact, small budget: After-school ideas that cost next to nothing November 18th - 3:00 pm ET Discover how one librarian launched a thriving after-school program from the ground up with less than $100 a year. Learn how to tap into community partnerships, think outside the box, and turn your library into the go-to after-school hub for enrichment, creativity, and connection. Register to attend this WebJunction webinar, or check the website later for the recording: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/bigimpactsmallbudget.html Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEA) is seeking new leadership 2026 Steering Committee Applications Are Open! This is an exciting opportunity to connect with early literacy leaders statewide, empower fellow professionals and affect great change. Members of the Steering Committee serve a minimum two-year term and are divided into specific subcommittees: Steering; Communications; Advocacy and Fundraising; Training; Membership; and Conference. All committees need new leaders next year! Interested candidates should complete this Google Form with all the required information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbvvyC009_upmvhitEBeb-vx_XJZOmC9FZzKPya3qIz8KsfA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108034673239574329374 Submissions must be received by Friday, November 14, 2025. Please note that leadership positions are open to the entire CLEL membership, with a maximum of four positions available from people residing outside the state of Colorado. Steering Committee members attend bi-monthly, virtual meetings in addition to meetings with their specific subcommittees. CLEL members across the country are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be chosen by a majority vote of the CLEL membership. Informal, virtual interviews will be conducted with all prospective members prior to voting. If you have further questions, please email Mary Lanni at mlanni@dclibraries.org<mailto:mlanni@dclibraries.org> 2026 Smart Money Kids Read Order your free copies now to join participating libraries in providing money-themed children's programming during Financial Literacy Month, April 1-30, 2026. The book How Do You Spend? is supplemented by fun, age-appropriate programming. Librarians are so creative! Most libraries do in-person story time events, using our chosen book, along with coloring sheets, finger puppet plays, songs, rhymes, crafts, and more! Consider partnering with a local credit union on these events as well! Michigan credit unions not only provide funding for the Smart Money Kids Read program, but also enjoy participating in, and helping to provide program support, for such youth events. This year's book is Cinders McLeod's How Do YOU Spend? If your library has already submitted your request for free books for kids, please do not submit another as it makes things very confusing! Here's the google form link<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckQos0T42sam6VPo-9rcAPMyDyNetTOwX8CmOIBPWKtM7zPg/viewform> where requests may be made. Questions can be directed to Kelly Masters, MiFinancialWellness@gmail.com. Girls Who Code Club with free resources Start a free Girls Who Code Club<https://girlswhocode.com/assets/downloads/craft-prod/downloads/2025-26-Clubs-Flyer.pdf> and help students build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of belonging through coding. Clubs meet just one to two hours per week and can fit into your existing schedule—after school, during lunch, or online. When you start a Club, you’ll receive free access to curriculum for grades 3–12, plus training and resources to support facilitators every step of the way. Ready to get started? Complete the Clubs Application at girlswhocode.com/clubsapply<https://clubs-hq.girlswhocode.com/login?showTab=signup&redirect=/gwc-club-application> <https://clubs-hq.girlswhocode.com/login?showTab=signup&redirect=/gwc-club-application> . PBS Learning Media is offering a full slate of resources for educators associated with the new Ken Burns documentary, "The American Revolution." Among these opportunities is a Special Event with Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt<https://wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/pbsteach250/>, the team of filmmakers who created the latest documentary. Tap into these free resources and events<https://wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/pbsteach250/> <https://wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/pbsteach250/> to support your America250 programming. Celebrate Children’s Book Week with Dog Man and Friends this fall! Join in the Fun November 3-9 with Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man and Friends Epic Activity Guide Anyone can celebrate using the brand new Dog Man & Friends Epic Activity Guide<https://everychildareader.net/cbw/davpilkey2025/>. The guide has activities perfect for kids ages five and older. This guide also includes an exclusive coloring page which is sure to spark creativity! Kids (and adults) can create their own version of the poster and share with us and Dav using #ChildrensBookWeek and the tags listed on the CBW website. In the News... Hand in Hand: Schools’ Embrace of AI Connected to Increased Risks to Students<https://cdt.org/insights/hand-in-hand-schools-embrace-of-ai-connected-to-increased-risks-to-students/> - Center for Democracy & Technology, 10/8/25 How Parents Manage Screen Time for Kids<https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/10/08/how-parents-manage-screen-time-for-kids/> - Pew Research Center, 10/8/25 Thank you for reading my emails! 🙂 Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
