Vote to Name Our 2027 Mascot
As we prepare for the 2027 Mysteries Await at Your Library™ theme, CSLP wants your input on our next mascot! This mascot will be a feline detective, illustrated by Laurie Conley.
To ensure the chosen name is well-suited for national use across CSLP programs and products, we’re inviting members to help select from several strong options put forth by our Vendor and Artwork Committees. There’s also a spot where you can enter your ideas. We
know how clever our member libraries can be!
Your input will help determine the official name of this curious cat, who will appear throughout 2027 CSLP materials and promotions. The winning name will be announced in the coming months, so stay tuned!
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BCBS Cohort Announcement
 Providing professional development
opportunities for our member libraries is a key priority. In Fall of 2024, CSLP formed a partnership with the
Building
Community-Based Summers (BCBS) initiative. 18 state library agencies, and dozens of public libraries have participated in a series of BCBS learning sessions over the past several years. The CSLP wishes to continue these important conversations
around making summer programming community centered.
The CSLP partnership with BCBS focuses on designing and providing a version of the BCBS learning sessions. Supported by the Project Committee, these learning sessions are facilitated by CSLP State Representatives who are engaged in the national BCBS initiative.
We are happy to announce the 2026 Spring Cohort of librarians, selected from 38 nationwide applications, and representing 11 states.
Arlington Public Library - Arlington, VA
Broomfield Public Library - Broomfield, CO
Brown Public Library - Northfield, VT
Chesapeake Public Library, Central Branch - Chesapeake, VA
Cholla Library - Phoenix, AZ
Eagle Valley Library District - Gypsum, Eagle County, CO
El Paso Public Libraries - El Paso, TX
Flagstaff City-Coconino County Library - Flagstaff, AZ
Groton Public Library - Groton, NY
Kalamazoo Public Library - Kalamazoo, MI
Leavenworth Public Library - Leavenworth, KS
Shuter Library - Angel Fire, NM
Smyrna Public Library - Smyrna, TN
Warren-Trumbull County Public Library - Warren, OH
Washington County Public Library - Jonesborough, TN
The four-part learning series began in early March. Sessions covered will include the why of summer services, letting go of tradition, connecting with community voices, and measuring progress. Each session will include opportunities to talk with colleagues
about the theme as well as the chance to reflect on what participating library staff are thinking and wondering about. In past session evaluations, participants noted that the opportunity to reflect on equity together and hear diverse perspectives, along
with the chance to “learn from other practitioners,” were valuable parts of the training. Many praised the virtual cohort model as “a safe environment provided by the facilitators and fellow cohort members.” Most felt their voice was heard and recognized
during the BCBS sessions and felt a sense of trust, support, and community within the cohort, helping to provide a space to grapple with uncertainty or discomfort.
 Thank you, Linda!
 The BCBS Committee and CSLP would like to extend
our sincere thanks to Linda Braun, a key founding member of our training team. Linda was instrumental in bringing the
Building
Community-Based Summers (BCBS) initiative to CSLP, and her insight helped us recognize how well this approach aligns with the needs of our member libraries.
Linda also played an important role in developing the
Community-Based
Summers Guide, helping to shape a resource that encourages libraries to reflect on their summer services, build stronger connections with their communities, and focus on meaningful outcomes beyond attendance. Her expertise and leadership laid
the foundation for this work. We’re grateful for the time and thoughtfulness she contributed to the project. Linda continues to work as a consultant for the
LEO Group.
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Study up on Dinos with the
American Museum of Natural History
Brushing up on dino knowledge for this summer? American Museum of Natural History is hosting a webinar to help you with that! Raoul Seroy, Children and Family Learning Educator at AMNH will be presenting
Dinosaurs 101 for Librarians - a 1-hour session, followed by a Q&A, to guide participants through the foundational concepts to connect with young learners and get them excited about paleontology.
While the webinar has reached capacity and registration has closed, a recording will be available to all! Find the webinar recording link, information on future AMNH webinars, and other additional resources on the different
tabs of the
AMNH
Librarian Guide on the CSLP website.
Already registered for the webinar? Don't forget to join us this Friday!
Dinosaurs 101 for Librarians
Friday, March 27
12:30pm CT/1:30pm ET
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Unearthing Stories for Our Youngest Readers
Each year, inspired by the CSLP summer theme, the Early Childhood  Extension
team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln creates storybook guides to spark young children’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning. CSLP is so happy to be directly partnering with this team for 2026 to leverage their early literacy
expertise and bring it directly to our member libraries. Though some activities address a Nebraska audience, they are easily adaptable to your state's special facts and attributes.
Here's an example of what you'll get out of their guides:
The guides all include conversation starters and activities focused on STEAM connections, nature, and creative arts. This year, the 12 STEAM Imagination Guides feature books about dinosaurs and fossils. This program provides all caregivers (early childhood
professionals and parents) with books, guided questions, and expanded learning resources to support literacy development, enhance relationships, and connections with local libraries.
Access
links to the guides in the online CSLP Unearth a Story Manual!
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Personal Curriculum Zines -
A fun summer addition for adults!
Contributed by Libby Ortiz, MLIS
Dept. Head of Youth Services Librarian, Parkland Community Library
While summer reading programs often focus on preventing the “summer slide” for students, libraries also play an important role in encouraging lifelong learning for adults. At Parkland Community Library, Libby Ortiz is introducing Personal Curriculum Zines focused
on paleontology and archaeology as a way for adults to engage with the theme through self-directed exploration. These small, interactive booklets include short informational sections, reflection prompts, side quests, and suggested resources that guide readers
through topics at their own pace. Throughout the summer, the zines will be available in Parkland’s Little Free Zine Library, where patrons can browse and take copies at their leisure.
To access and print Libby's zines, visit the CSLP online manual
here
and print double-sided (short edge). |
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T-Rex Counted Cross-Stitch
Chapter 1, page 55
This hands-on craft activity is perfect for adults but may be of interest to teens, too! Provide the materials listed in the manual and introduce the project with a basic cross-stitch tutorial. The tutorial could be led by a staff member or volunteer with cross-stitch
experience, or you could share an online tutorial with the group. (See the web resources for this activity in the manual!)
Let participants start the project and work through their pattern at their own speed. This is a great chance for beginners to start the project and be around others in case questions arise while they learn. At the end of the program, participants can take their
project home to complete it on their own. Alternatively, you can have subsequent meetings to gather and continue their project over several weeks, forming a fun community meeting of crafters!
Adaptations:
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Provide various colors of Aida cloth and floss to allow participants to create colorful and creative projects.
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For individuals with dexterity issues, consider using the provided cross-stitch pattern with stickers, paint, or markers on grid paper for a more mosaic-like project.
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Invite participants to share their work at the library by creating a group display of the finished pieces.
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