Please note the upcoming webinar opportunity on May 6th in CSLP's April Newsletter<https://mailchi.mp/cslpreads/cslp-newsletter-april2026-6751270?e=c18caf2bb6> below. ~ Cathy ________________________________ Professional Development and more to prepare you to Unearth a Story(TM) this summer! View this email in your browser<https://mailchi.mp/cslpreads/cslp-newsletter-april2026-6751270?e=c18caf2bb6> [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405/images/ed31fdf7-bdb5...] [Professional Development] More wonderful resources from our partners at the American Museum of Natural History The second of our three webinars from the American Museum of Natural History is quickly approaching! Join us on May 6 at 1:30 PM ET for Engaging All Your Audiences, a webinar with Russell Taragan focused on engaging diverse audiences in informal learning environments. Designed with librarians in mind, this session will explore the techniques and tools used by American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) explainers to connect with visitors of all backgrounds. Russell Taragan, Sr Manager of Tour Guides and Explainers, will share practical strategies for fostering meaningful interactions, adapting to different audience needs, and creating memorable educational experiences. Drawing from work with a team of more than 300 volunteers, he will highlight approaches including live interpretation, e-learning, virtual programming, and thoughtful use of both digital tools and hands-on resources Engaging All Your Audiences: Strategies from AMNH Explainers w/ Russell Taragan Wednesday, May 6, 2026 1:30 pm Eastern Time (EST) |12:30 pm Central Time (CST) | 11:30 am Mountain Time (MST) | 10:30 am Pacific Time (PST) Register here to attend live: https://amnh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ej4SqsQYTa-umbpC3sHeMw<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=0ba7654b56&e=c18caf2bb6> Register here for the recording: https://forms.gle/SSdbggNHp47sAcs2A<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=32c5e41595&e=c18caf2bb6> The recording of the first AMNH webinar (Dinosaurs 101) and certificate can be found here here!<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=3c10ff6a97&e=c18caf2bb6> [The American Museum of Natural History is also offering libraries a free poster to download and print. Click here to access the file - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/6wy3vpptwgvsj7ko2thbp/ADfFx0kX9ndY9UGjc3oxK00?rlkey=mlui2e5z3jhqvkyjlnrimmbqy&st=ycrc1x1i&dl=0]<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=f22f26961b&e=c18caf2bb6> [images of examples of social media templates] 2026 Social Media Toolkit Now Available The 2026 Social Media Toolkit is live and ready to help make this summer the best ever! Visit the 2026 Online manual here<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=3971265dd1&e=c18caf2bb6> (passcode required) to find the following resources: * Unearth Your Story brand guidelines * Pre-written copy to use * Ready-to-go graphics * Customizable Canva templates (Pro Canva account needed) We are excited to see you on social media! Like and share with @CSLPreads (Facebook<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=3cd7549849&e=c18caf2bb6>, Twitter<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=b70e012952&e=c18caf2bb6>, Instagram<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=700c272a21&e=c18caf2bb6>, Pinterest<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=3e3d83f9f5&e=c18caf2bb6>) and don't forget to use hashtags #CSLPreads and #UnearthAStory Thank you, CSLP Social Media Committee A big thank you to the CSLP Social Media Committee for their work on this helpful toolkit! [Thank you for voting to name our 2027 mascot. Now, we'd like to introduce Inspector Whiskers!] [https://mcusercontent.com/043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405/images/50d67cac-7d65-097...] CSLP & NLS Partner to Expand Accessible Options for Unearth a Story® [NLS Logo with text: NLS National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress]We’re excited to announce a new partnership between the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=068eaed54d&e=c18caf2bb6> (NLS) to ensure that patrons of all ages and abilities can fully participate in the summer reading experience. Through this collaboration, CSLP’s 2026 suggested book lists will also be offered in braille and audio formats. NLS, a free library service based at the Library of Congress, provides accessible reading materials to individuals who are blind, low vision or have a physical or reading disability that makes it difficult to read print. To learn more about NLS, please visit loc.gov/nls. NLS also provided guidance on improving the accessibility of CSLP’s manual. CSLP has created a screen-reader-friendly version of the complete manual, which was added to the online manual in late March. NLS staff helped test these improvements. To further support accessibility, CSLP is also developing a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for the manual. This process includes testing against WCAG 2.1 AA standards to ensure our materials meet recognized accessibility benchmarks. CSLP is committed to universal access in library programming—designing and documenting materials so that everyone can participate. Together, CSLP and NLS are helping libraries offer more inclusive, barrier-free access to reading and programming. What this means for your library: Your Unearth a Story® program can now reach even more patrons. We’re proud to make this partnership official and look forward to sharing more updates soon. [Professional Development] [Click for information and to register for webinar - How to Channel Your Inner Archaeologist this Summer: A Webinar for Librarians. Friday, May 8, 2026 at 3:30pm EST.]<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=9d672450da&e=c18caf2bb6> Summer Reading Button Exchange Program from Detroit Public Library [Image of buttons being sorted for the exchange.] The Detroit Public Library is kicking off summer with its first-ever Summer Reading Button Exchange (SRBE)! Chris Land, Technology Training Associate at the Franklin Branch of the Detroit Public Library, shared some information on this collaborative program and how other libraries can bring a similar idea to their area. The Franklin Branch of the Detroit Public Library invited libraries and other partners from all over Michigan to participate in this collaborative effort. Libraries participate by making 50 buttons promoting Summer Reading, then sending them to the Detroit Public Library. Received buttons are then mixed, sorted, and sent back out to participating locations in mystery boxes. Over the course of the summer, buttons can be shared, traded, and collected, celebrating makerspaces and Summer Reading alike! [Image of dino button being held in front of the box of 50 that they received to contribute to the exchange.] For more information and resources on the Detroit Public Library's Summer Reading Button Exchange, visit the 2026 online manual here<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=566e643d12&e=c18caf2bb6>. Thank you to the Franklin Branch of the Detroit Public Library and Chris Land for sharing such a creative and engaging way to celebrate Summer Reading! [Add and link to School Life's website to order CSLP themed Brag Tags.]<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=a7cb4f8a63&e=c18caf2bb6> Partner List<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=efed384c9c&e=c18caf2bb6> Was this forwarded to you? Click here to sign up for your own copy of the newsletter!<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=d2d6640bbe&e=c18caf2bb6> [Facebook]<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=e4914b4410&e=c18caf2bb6> [Pinterest]<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=f91313f1f3&e=c18caf2bb6> [Website]<https://cslpreads.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=043a7515ceb3ad45bdd2dd405&id=7576c5d2cd&e=c18caf2bb6> Copyright © 2026 Collaborative Summer Library Program, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website.