CSLP Newsletter: January 2023

Summer Symposium Brought Member Libraries Together for Summer Programming

By Cathy Lancaster, CSLP Board of Directors President, Summer Symposium Chair, and Michigan’s State Representative

The 2nd annual Collaborative Summer Library Program’s (CSLP) Summer Symposium launched the 2023 “All Together Now!” year off to a great start. Held virtually on December 8, 2022, one of the highlights was the keynote entitled “All Together Now – the Library as a Civic Bridge and Community Learning Hub,” given by American Library Association’s (ALA) Executive Director, Tracie D. Hall. As one librarian put it, Hall’s keynote “was inspirational! Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and presentation sparked me & reminded me why I became a librarian.” Hall recently received the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation for her lifetime achievement in expanding the audience for books and reading.

Hall kicked off her keynote with enthusiasm, “I am SO excited! … I can tell you right now that this and these types of offerings are what make libraries indispensable in our community.” She went on to dissect the notion of what we mean when we say “together.” Hall examined libraries “as places of belonging,” how libraries build civil bridges, act as lifelong education hubs, and have joined the fight against information poverty. Hall’s entire keynote address, slides, and the other sessions from the Summer Symposium are available for viewing at https://www.cslpreads.org/all-together-now-2022/.

Following the keynote, the American Library Services for Children’s (ALSC) Library Service to the Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee (LSUCTC) shared with attendees their Toolkit on getting started with underserved communities. The panel provided tips and research on getting started as well as sharing some fabulous examples of library programming to the underserved.

With the “All Together Now!” slogan, it is even more relevant that summer programming reaches all-ages, and the Symposium featured a session on intergenerational programming, presented by SilverKite Community Arts, LLC and King County Library System (WA) . The session focused on bringing generations together through arts-based programming, the importance of intergenerational relationships, and program planning tips.

The Symposium ended with a “Decorating Together” session from Washington State Representative, Sara White, and myself (MI). The session offered new ways to reach out in their communities using ideas that are interactive and collaborative to support library themed decor. CSLP looks forward to seeing libraries flourish this summer, in our combined efforts to empower libraries in fostering community.

New Items Available in CSLP Store!

Back by popular demand, CSLP has “Love My Library” socks and beanie for sale. New this year - a “Love My Library” ball cap! All three items make great prizes and thank you gifts for volunteers, program sponsors, donors and more. Go to the CSLP Store and get your order in today!

Purchase Here

Linden Public Library’s Charlie Cart

The Linden Public Library (NJ) has recently purchased a Charlie Cart to use in programming for all ages at their library. A Charlie Cart is a mobile kitchen unit that many libraries around the country have purchased to provide accessible culinary education programs in their communities. Libraries have been using the Charlie Cart to address food insecurity, teach food literacy and nutrition and to highlight food traditions. Ginger Moore, Children’s Librarian at the Linden Public Library, says that the library, “Purchased the Charlie Cart because we wanted to do cooking programs but do not have a kitchen to work in to do public programs. The Charlie Cart is modeled on the mobile chuck wagons of the American pioneers. It is focused on bringing food education into the classroom but works great for libraries as well.” This Kitchen - on - Wheels includes all of the components needed to bring cooking and nutrition lessons to their library patrons of all ages. It includes an induction cooktop, convection oven, rinsing station, and cooking equipment. The cart can be used in many different settings. Moore says, “It can be used in program spaces in libraries and classrooms and we can even wheel it out to our children’s front patio and hopefully our library garden this year.” She reports that she is using the Charlie Cart Project K-5 Curriculum Planner for Youth Services Department programs. This curriculum includes a set of 54 lesson plans aligned to Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. The lessons have instructions for making simple, seasonal recipes that teach fundamental cooking skills that have been developed and tested by educators and professional chefs. The lessons also teach cross-disciplinary connections between food, health and the environment. The librarians at the Linden Public Library doing adult programs are working on their own programs using the cart. “We are very excited to start the Winter and Spring 2023 season doing these in-house nutrition and food programs,” says Moore.

Libraries and the Summer Food Service Program

By Janet Ingraham Dwyer, State Library of Ohio

Many libraries around the USA participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a USDA-funded program that provides free meals and snacks to children ages 0-18 in communities with high levels of need.

Libraries and SFSP are a great fit! The library is a trusted and accessible community center which is known for giving stuff out for free and has no stigma of “handout” attached to it. Libraries are also justly famous for drop-in enrichment programming, which increases the attractiveness and use of SFSP sites.

SFSP is good for the library too. Besides the obvious benefits of addressing hunger and supporting vulnerable youth, participation benefits libraries through:

Access to new user groups, especially underserved and marginalized populations
Increased visibility of the library as a community asset
Opportunities for new partnerships
Positioning of the library as an important stakeholder in community well-being and positive child outcomes
Support for summer library programming through increased attendance

Interested? CSLP offers a thorough, clear how-to guide for libraries. This guide, Libraries and Summer Food, provides a step-by-step for libraries interested in becoming SFSP sites, or otherwise getting involved in addressing child food insecurity during the summer. Libraries and Summer Food is a project of CSLP’s Child and Community Well-Being Committee, which also hosts a Facebook group to share news stories and ideas about libraries and food.

Examples Needed - Can You Help?

The CSLP's Child & Community Well-Being Committee is collecting examples of library programming that promotes social and emotional health. We are looking for library programs, for any age group/audience, on any topic that supports social and emotional well-being – from self-care, to mindfulness, to community building, to giving back. Please tell us about any programs your library has offered that you’re proud of and would like to share. Use this form to share your program(s).

Submissions will be compiled and shared with libraries nationwide in conjunction with planning for the 2023 All Together Now summer program. Thank you for sharing your programs!

CSLP Store is open for 2023’s All Together Now!

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