Category Archives: Programs

I didn’t get it

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

One of the joys and difficulties of being a children’s librarian is you can never completely master the job. There is always something or someone to set your expectations on end. My current storytime group has a little girl in … Continue reading →

Posted in Programs, Youth Services | 1 Comment

The onslaught begins

Posted on June 6, 2011 by

We are bracing ourselves, because today is the first day of our annual Summer Reading Club. From this point on any time the Youth Services Department is quiet, we will all pause and listen and enjoy that silence, because it … Continue reading →

Posted in Programs, Public libraries, Youth Services | 2 Comments

If you build it, they will (or won’t) come

Posted on May 7, 2011 by

Last night, I attended the annual Zena Sutherland Lecture at the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago. It was, as always, a delightful occasion. This year, the author speaking was the brilliant and very funny Mo Willems. And that was … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Parents, Programs, Uncategorized, Youth Services | Leave a comment

Trust the Process

Posted on February 4, 2011 by

Last week, I had the chance to use the 2011 Caldecott Winner,  A Sick Day for Amos McGee, with my storytime group for ages 4-Kindergarten and with my story group for grades K-3. It proved to me once again that … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's book awards, Children's books, Programs, Public libraries, Reviewing, Uncategorized, Youth Services | 2 Comments

A hopeful time of year

Posted on June 9, 2010 by

This is the hopeful time of year. It’s when Summer Reading is just beginning. Parents and kids appear at the desk excited and eager to sign up for your Summer Reading club. You give them their logs and most of … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's books, Programs, Public libraries, Uncategorized, Youth Services | Leave a comment

Benjamin Franklin visits Niles

Posted on October 29, 2008 by

As you can see, Ben Franklin paid a visit to the Niles Public Library recently, in honor of a traveling exhibit the library is hosting all about HIM.  Ben mostly stayed in character, though did occasionally show a disconcerting knowledge … Continue reading →

Posted in Programs, Public libraries | Tagged | 1 Comment

Learn from my mistakes

Posted on September 22, 2008 by

You know, when I started this blog, I thought of it as a way to share some of my experiences in 25 years as a children’s librarian.  I sort of forgot how often my experiences could be filed under the … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's books, Programs, Public libraries, Youth Services | 1 Comment

National Library Week on Easter?

Posted on September 8, 2008 by

Okay, I get the idea of trying to stay neutral where religion is concerned, but it makes no sense at all to me to kick off National Library Week on a day when virtually all of the public libraries in … Continue reading →

Posted in Programs, Public libraries | Leave a comment

The prize dilemma

Posted on July 25, 2008 by

What’s the best summer reading prize? My answer to that used to be automatic: Of course you give them a book. Of COURSE! If you have a lot of money, you give them this: If you have a more normal … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Programs, Public libraries, Youth Services | 2 Comments

No Child Left Behind @ your library?

Posted on April 24, 2008 by

I am back on my early literacy soapbox, thanks to the checklist someone passed to me of how library staff in one library system are being rated on their storytimes. The checklist is entirely based on Every Child Ready to … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Children's books, Programs, Public libraries, Youth Services | 5 Comments