Resources

Reimagining School Readiness – WebJunction

Time to Change the "Checklist": A Toolkit for Reimagining School Readiness: A literature review of over 150 research studies indicates that we are missing the mark in preparing our children for school by equating “school readiness” with a finite checklist of academic skills to be mastered by age five. Instead, we should think about school readiness as a robust developmental process that spans the early childhood years through age eight. Libraries are perfect places for children to develop early learning skills and practices to prepare them for school. You may already be offering opportunities at your library in programs such as storytimes, play groups, and STEM/STEAM workshops. Or maybe you want some planning and assessment tools to help you learn and communicate the impact of this programming for the families in your community. The free, online Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit, includes an easy-to-use structure for incorporating these important skills and practices into the programs in your library.

Tools for Reimagining School Readiness

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 ◆ 3:00 pm Eastern ◆ 90 minutes

Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/tools-for-reimagining-school-readiness.html

Libraries play a vital role in preparing young children for school by providing interactive and playful programs in which children can develop social, emotional, math, science, and executive function skills and practices. Research has shown these skills to be important for later academic and lifelong success. The Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit provides free, online, research-based resources, created specifically for library staff. These resources make it easy for you to enhance what you are already doing, with eye-catching tips, planning tools, program surveys, activity ideas, family conversation starters, social media posts, and more.

 

Books for All

Reminder! The New York Public Library is partnering with ALA and Unite Against Book Bans on the national Books for All initiative, focused on protecting and celebrating the right to read freely. As a part of this campaign, we have a teen writing contest and banned book clubs for teens. I've included information on both projects below, and you can download a toolkit with resources and information on how to participate here.

At a time of rising book bans and censorship, The New York Public Library invites teens across the country to enter our national writing contest exploring the question: Why is the freedom to read important to you? One grand prize winner will be awarded $500 and 20 additional winners will receive $250 each-plus, we will publish all winning entries in a special edition of NYPL's Teen Voices magazine. Deadline to submit is December 22 at 11:59 PM EST. Learn more and submit your work here.

Throughout the year, our Teen Banned Book Club is offering free, nationwide digital access to young adult titles that have been the subject of bans or challenges alongside virtual events where teens can connect with the authors of these titles. Our first title is Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro. Save the date for a virtual author talk with Mark on November 28 at 4 PM.  Learn more and start reading here.

If you are interested in amplifying this campaign on social media, social posts to repost are below:

·       Instagram

·       X / Twitter

·       LinkedIN

 

PLA's is back—unlock a year of adventures full of reading, writing, singing, talking, playing, and counting! Share these engaging, reproducible calendars with the families who visit your library, and watch the magic of literacy come to life. Each month includes daily learning activities, curated book lists, nursery rhymes and song lyrics, and early literacy tips for parents and caregivers. Available in both and , PLA members can save an additional 10% with the code: ELC24.

 

In the News…
Michigan third-graders still struggle with reading, more supports needed – Bridge Michigan, 11/7/23

West Michigan library defunded over LGBTQ books wins tax support on 3rd try – Bridge Michigan, 11/7/23

How to unlock healthier communities? Have two critical institutions team up – The Washington Post, 11/6/23

Summer Library Program Planning

CSLP’s Virtual Summer Symposium - SAVE the DATE!
Adventure Begins at Your Library!

Thursday, December 7, 2023

11 am to 4:30 pm EST

Registration Opens on November 10, 2022

The Collaborative Summer Library Program’s Summer Symposium (FREE) is a half-day virtual offering for public library staff to connect, learn, and collaborate as we plan for summer library programming around the 2024 theme of Adventure Begins at your Library.

Sessions will include:    

Not able to attend the virtual event live? Recordings will be available after the event. If you expect to only view the recorded sessions, you can sign-up at registration to have an email sent when the recordings are posted.

 

The Collaborative Summer Library Program’s Inclusion Committee is hosting a webinar for library staff with author Dr. Ruth Wilson called Naturally Inclusive (which is also the title of her 2022 book).  Find out more about the book here: https://www.gryphonhouse.com/books/details/naturally-inclusive-engaging-children-of-all-abilities-outdoors. This topic aligns very well with our upcoming 2024 Adventure Begins at Your Library theme, so join us to find out how to make your library’s outdoor programming inclusive for all.  The webinar will be on November 15, 2023 at 2pm ET/1pm CT/Noon MT/11am PT.  It’s free and open to all members.  Please register here: https://tinyurl.com/rsbrx8us. A zoom link will be sent shortly before the event to all registrants, as well as the recording.  The webinar will be closed captioned, and a transcript provided.   

 

CSLP Programming Manual Codes
Public library directors were send an email from me on Tuesday, 10/10/23, that included the manual code for CSLP’s 2024 “Adventure Begins at Your Library!” (Subject: “2024 CSLP Manual Code for summer library programming”) If you are public library staff that needs access and has not seen their code passed along yet, or you’re a director who didn’t receive it, please complete this form with your official work email to be notified directly. I’ll send them out weekly to any requests from public library staff.
Reminder: the storefront is also now open, and some items are going fast.

 

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Save the Dates

Registration will open soon for the following webinars from the Library of Michigan, supported in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services:

 

Take care this Veterans Weekend,

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
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Join the MiYouth Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.