Recognizing the need to prepare library staff for opposition to programs, ALSC tasked the School-Age Programs and Services (SAPS) committee with creating a toolbox focused on program challenges. On behalf of the SAPS committee, I’m excited to share the result of our work from the 2022-23 term: the ALSC Toolkit for Program Challenges.
 
We split the toolkit into three sections: before, during, and after a program challenge. For each stage, we suggest areas that may need special attention, identify specific steps you can take, and provide adaptable templates for creating a program policy, planning a program, and responding to a challenge.
 
We hope this toolkit will help library staff as they continue to serve all of their community, and we look forward to your feedback for future revisions. We invite the [insert audience here] community to participate in strengthening this evolving toolkit and our service to children by sharing suggestions, experiences, and feedback via email to alscsaps@gmail.com.
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Here is an additional link to ALSC's blog post regarding the Toolkit: A New Toolkit for Program Challenges - ALSC Blog (ala.org)

Nomination eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The person shall reside principally in Oregon.
  
• The award shall be given for personal accomplishments to recognize the individual's contribution and shall not be conferred upon an individual representing the accomplishments of many.
  
• Only living persons may be considered for the award.

 
Please include the following in the award submissions:

• Nominee's name
  
• Nominee's title, address, and phone (if known)
  
• Description of the nominee's significant and lasting contributions over the years that have benefited the children of Oregon
  
• Note: If you decide to do a campaign for nominations of one person, please collect the letters of nomination and send them all together in one email.

In the past, nominations were only accepted from OLA, CSD or Lampman committee members, and so not all nominations received were eligible. In an effort to be more inclusive, CSD members approved an amendment to the bylaws; nominations are now accepted from any Oregon resident.
 
Please email questions and nomination materials to csdlampmanchair@olaweb.org
 
Deadline for submission is Thursday, February 1, 2024.
 
For more information on the award, visit here. ​

Our monthly craft recipe series continues! We know many of you have some great crafts that you do with families and we also know that sometimes you might need a little inspiration for new ones! Check out our cupcake liner craft.

csd_craft_recipe_cupcake.pdf
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Looking for a fun fall craft that isn't too "holidayish?" Then give our cupcake liner umbrella craft recipe a try. This affordable craft comes just in time.  Maybe you already have some leftover cupcake liners lying around. A nice storytime or passive program with this craft could include a 'changes in the weather' discussion  or even a 'How Rain is Made' science project.  This craft also gives children the opportunity to improve their listening skills and helps them learn more about following directions.  Let us know how you end up utilizing the craft in your library!   

Please read as many of these titles as you can before you arrive at the program;
you will benefit from the workshop much more if you do! ​

​With November being Native American Heritage Month, I wanted to share about some opportunities and resources. Of course, a quick internet search will surface a variety of resources such as those from Oregon tribal government websites, Library of Congress, National Archives, National Geographic Education, Smithsonian, and a collaborative website representing several agencies. However, I wanted to highlight a few resources related to collection development plus two events that are specific to Oregon – one on the 14th for anyone and one on the 15th for Native American teens.
 
Indigenous Reads Rising (We Need Diverse Books)
We Need Diverse Books has a new project called Indigenous Reads Rising, “a celebration of Indigenous children’s literature of Native Nations, centering those within the United States and Canada . . . We created Indigenous Reads Rising to fill a need—to provide a resource where teachers, librarians, and readers can embrace the diversity of Indigenous children’s and teen literature. This site includes articles about best practices, book lists arranged by age category and topic, and additional resources for educators, librarians, booksellers, families, and writers alike.”
 
Additional Collection Development Resources Related to Books About or By Native Americans
Some of you may be familiar with these resources for developing a collection of children’s and young adult books about or by Native Americans, but if not, here you go. 🙂

• Through the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog, Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblo and Dr. Jean Mendoza “provide critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books.”
• Since 2006, the American Indian Library Association has presented the American Indian Youth Literature Award in even-numbered years. “Books selected to receive the award present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity.” Scroll to the bottom of the awards page to find winning titles by year.
• Heartdrum is a fairly “new imprint by Native American authors for kids 8+ . . . these children’s books emphasize the present and future of Indian Country and the strength of young Indigenous heroes.”

 
Office of Indian Education (OIE) Website and Newsletter (Oregon Department of Education)
The Office of Indian Education at the Oregon Department of Education has several webpages of resources and education requirements, such as Tribal History/Shared History, Tribal Curriculum, and Indian Education Resources. Additionally, they publish a monthly newsletter, and anyone can subscribe. The November 2023 issue is robust; I encourage you to browse it.
 
Celebrating Tribal Sovereignty and Identity – A Fishbowl (11/14)
Staff at the Office of Indian Education occasionally have online office hours, and November’s session will be on the 14th from 4:00 to 5:15 pm => Celebrating Tribal Sovereignty and Identity – A Fishbowl. This description is from the OIE November newsletter: “We invite our vibrant AI/AN [American Indian/Alaska Native] community to come and engage in a fishbowl for Native American Heritage Month. Allies will listen in on the stories told by the AI/AN community on what celebrating Tribal Sovereignty and Identity means to them. At the end of the storytelling time, allies will be encouraged to share out their learnings and key takeaways from listening to their AI/AN peers.” Here’s the registration page. Please consider sharing about this in your school, district, or library.
 
Native Youth Talking Circle (11/15)
Two OIE staff will facilitate an online discussion on the 15th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm => Circle of Seasons: Listening to Native Youth. It is open to Native American students in grades 8-12. Here’s the registration page, which has a bit more information. Questions can be directed to stacy.parrish@ode.oregon.gov. Please consider sharing about this.

Welcome back to our monthly craft recipes.  We know many of you have some great crafts that you do with families and we also know that sometimes you might need a little inspiration for new ones!  Check out our monster eye sensory counting game.

Sensory bags are so much fun. They are soothing to the touch and help children explore new textures. This Halloween-themed sensory bag also helps children know number names, counting, sequences, and relationships between numbers and quantities.

Hello Oregon Library Community,
 
To create awareness during Banned Book Week, Multnomah County Library's Intellectual Freedom Committee is sponsoring a talk focused on the current wave of book banning hitting public libraries and ways to fight censorship. The talk is virtual and open to all; we do ask attendees to register. 
 
If you know of people who might be interested, would you please share? I am attaching a flyer as well as the description below. Please let me know if you have any questions, and many thanks if you can help get the word out. 
 
Why Your Voice Matters, Even as Censorship Increases
A webinar on Thursday, October 5, 6-7:30pm.

​Follow the link above to register.
 
As censorship efforts continue across the country, what should we, the people, know? How can we ensure that our public libraries remain places of intellectual freedom? Kelly Jensen from Book Riot and John Chrastka from EveryLibrary will talk about public libraries, the current landscape of book bans, and the movement to push back. Hear stories of libraries defending the First Amendment and learn how you can support libraries.

We hope you are able to attend.