Children's Services Division Blog - Children's Services Division, OLA

Children's Services Division, OLA

Collection Development Resources

9/8/2022

We have a lot of new folks in youth services and someone asked me recently about collection development. First off, I highly suggest my Connecticut colleague Kym Powe’s webinar: From Diversity to Inclusion – It’s an excellent and brief (1 hour!) summary of why we weed/audit and includes really practical suggestions for doing so – and hyperlinks! All her slides are hyperlinked and posted below the video.

If you want to do a refresh of your kids/teens collections, check out the Bank Street College yearly booklists for Best Books of the Year, they are an excellent overall compilation of recent titles that would be good additions. If I needed to do a quick refresh/update, this is the first place I would go.

You probably already know about School Library Journal, Horn Book, ALA Lists of Youth Awards.

Booklists:
Cooperative Children’s Book Center at Univ Wisconsin Madison Booklists (for more deep dives into collection)
International Literacy Association Choices List (newest is 2020)
We Need Diverse Books Where to Find Diverse Books link

Podcasts:
Books Between – This podcast stopped in 2019 but the blog is still quite active and for middle school reads is still a great resource
One More Page – Reviews, news, and kids lit from Australian hosts, sort of breezy/fun
Publishers Weekly PW Kidcast – mostly recently published author interviews, also episodes run fairly short
The Yarn - Interviews kids’ authors, 170-ish episodes, School Library Journal podcast

Author

Greta Bergquist
Youth Services Consultant
State Library of Oregon

Banned Books Week

8/28/2022

Banned Books Week will begin September 18. Let’s give our communities a chance to raise their voices.

The Penguin Random House publishing company has some Banned Books Week kits to share while supplies last, and downloadable resources.

HOW TO TALK ABOUT BOOK BANS

READING is a foundational skill, critical to future learning, and to exercising our democratic freedoms.
WE CAN TRUST individuals to make their own decisions about what they read and believe.
PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT to guide their children’s reading and education, but parents should not be making decisions for other parents’ children. A small group of parents should not dictate what books other people’s children are allowed to read.
BOOKS ARE TOOLS for understanding complex issues. Limiting young people’s access to books does not protect them from life’s complex and challenging issues.
YOUNG PEOPLE deserve to see themselves reflected in a library’s books.
REMOVING AND BANNING BOOKS from public libraries is a slippery slope to government censorship and the erosion of our country’s commitment to freedom of expression.
PLEASE REJECT any efforts to ban books and allow individuals and parents to make the decision about what they can read and believe.
VISIT UniteAgainstBookBans.org to learn more and to join our efforts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I handle difficult conversations with individuals seeking to ban books, especially parents concerned about what their kids are reading?
A: We must trust individuals to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. We also believe that parents have the right to guide their children’s reading and education. At the same time, individuals should not be making decisions for other readers or for other parents’ children. Specifically, a small group of parents should not dictate what books other people’s children are allowed to read.

Q: What if someone says that children are too young to begin reading a book that addresses sexually explicit topics?
A: We recognize that there will be disagreements over certain content. However, individuals should not be making decisions for other readers or for other parents about what is appropriate. Services, materials, and facilities that fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of providing library services and should be determined on an individual basis. Reading materials available in the library are available to students for personal selection; they are not required books. Banning these materials will remove access for all members of the community.

Q: What if someone argues that they don’t want their children being taught political views that they find objectionable, such as critical race theory?
A: School educators and librarians are professionals who are trained to not impose their own thoughts and opinions on which ideas are right, but to make knowledge and ideas available so that people have the freedom to choose what to read. Further, librarians and educators respect the rights of parents to decide which books their children are exposed to. They work closely with parents to help them decide the best books for their children. Libraries provide access to books that offer teachable moments for readers of all ages and expand our understanding of people with different backgrounds, ideas, and beliefs.
SOURCE: UABB Toolkit PDF

For more resources, visit Unite Against Book Bans.

Author

Perry Stokes
Co-Chair, OLA Intellectual Freedom Committee
ifc.chair@olaweb.org

Fostering Readers

8/16/2022

When you start planning fall programs, Fostering Readers may be a helpful free resource—paid for by an LSTA grant from the State Library of Oregon.

If you want to offer research-based literacy programs for K-3rd graders, Fostering Readers provides:

Ready to use literacy activity plans, including scripts.
Planning templates to create your own research-based literacy activities.
Ideas for passive literacy programs.
Ideas for integrating research-based strategies into existing book clubs and story times for K-3rd graders.
Handouts for parents and caregivers in English and Spanish.

Do whole families participate in your children’s programs? Here are resources to help you that:

Extended activity plans include tips for “Family Engagement” in the navigation bar along the right side of each plan and “Messages for Caregivers” in the variations and extended learning section at the end of the plan.
Literacy messages to share with parents and caregivers in English and Spanish. These are like the Every Child Ready to Read early literacy messages many of us have integrated into storytimes and other programs. For example:
- When children are allowed to choose their own books, they read more and develop lifelong reading habits and strategies.
  Cuando pueden escoger sus propios libros, los niños leen más y forman costumbres y estrategias de lectura que les servirán durante toda su vida.
- Reading isn’t always a quiet activity! Kids need to talk before, during, and after reading to develop comprehension skills.
  La conversación puede dar vida a la lectura. Los niños tienen que hablar antes de, durante, y después de leer; eso facilita la comprensión.
- Give parents and caregivers handouts at the beginning of the activity so that they can support kids during the activity
  - Visual Thinking Strategies (bilingual)
  - Fostering Reading Growth in English and Spanish

Author

Katie Anderson (she/her)
Youth Services Librarian | WCCLS

CSD Open Positions

6/28/2022

Mock Workshop Chair:
Plan and provide a Mock Workshop based on one of the ALA Youth Media Awards (YMA) aimed at ages birth-14, including subcommittee recruitment, book selection, activity planning, event promotion and registration, and event debrief. Time commitment varies - particularly based on the length of the material being considered - but administrative work is approximately 20-30 hours over the year, plus the workshop. Professional skills used/gained:
● material assessment/analysis
● project management
● organization
● communication and networking
● event coordination
● committee coordination

You have an awesome Children’s Services Division team to support you and give guidance.

Here is the link to the Full job description.

Mock Workshop Committee Members:
Assist the chair plan and provide a mock workshop to the Oregon Library community.

Please contact us at csdwebeditor@olaweb.org if you have any questions or would like to volunteer as Mock Chair, Co-Chair, or Mock Committee member.

Author

Tara Morissette
Library Assistant, Tigard Public Library
CSD Incoming Co-Chair

Adaptive StoryWalks

6/27/2022

The State Library of Michigan collaborated with their Talking Book Library and 32 public libraries to offer braille-enhanced Storywalks in their state.

There are a few resources attached here, You can see a quick video of their process and here’s an ALSC blog post about their PLA presentation.

Greta Bergquist via Kids-Lib

Author

Tara Morissette
Library Assistant, Tigard Public Library
CSD Co-Chair Elect

Spring Workshop Recap

4/25/2022

On April 16, 2022, library workers from the Portland metro and beyond gathered for the Children’s Services Division’s first in-person event in over two years: the Spring Workshop. Read on for a few highlights.

Lampman chair Holly Campbell-Polivka and co-presenters drew inspiration from Camper and Kenard Pak’s Ten Ways to Hear Snow to showcase the accomplishments of the award recipient. We heard the “swish-flip-flip” of librarianship, the “shhhhhh-ta-ta-ta-ta-t-t-t-t” of seed artistry, and more. In her acceptance speech, Camper reminded us that librarians have tremendous power through their institutions to fight against racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice. Her call to action: “Keep doing what you’re doing. It connects even if you don’t know that.” (You can read more about Cathy Camper’s incredible legacy over on the 2022 Lampman Award page.)

Through self-reflection and hands-on learning, Megan Barella—a parenting coach—encouraged us to see play’s “promise to restore human relationships and connections.” Considering the pandemic’s effect on youth social-emotional development, play can help prevent and transform “flipped lids.” Libraries can help encourage play by loaning toys, creating calming corners, and even facilitating spontaneous dance parties. Barella suggested libraries share the load among staff by assigning someone to be in charge of fun each week.

How are you currently using play in the library?
What are the challenges to using play right now?
What are your goals and ideas for play?

Thanks to all who joined us—and braved the weather! Want to get involved in putting on events like these? Apply for one of CSD’s open positions.

Author

Alec Chunn
Tualatin Public Library
CSD Secretary

Open Positions 2022-23

3/20/2022

Are you interested in impacting children’s library services and programming? Are you passionate about serving children? Do you know someone who is? Please consider nominating yourself or someone else for the OLA, Children’s Services Division Board. Work with your peers to make children's libraries a better place. You learn new things along the way. Fill out the form below to indicate your interest.

Position Openings

Incoming CSD Chair: The primary responsibilities of the Incoming Chair are to advocate for CSD members as a member of the OLA Annual Conference Program Committee; to coordinate CSD’s annual fundraising activity (typically held concurrently with the Spring CSD Member Workshop); and to support and learn from the current Chair and Past Chair. This is a three year commitment. Click here for the full job description. This position will start in September 2022.

Communications Chair: The primary responsibilities of the Communications Chair are to implement CSD member communications and event promotions. The CSD communications chair works closely with the CSD event facilitators to schedule communications and promotions that will maximize attendance. Click here for the full job description. This position can start immediately or September 2022.

Mock Workshop Chair: Plan and provide a mock workshop in December 2022 or January 2023 based on one of the ALA Youth Awards. Click here for a detailed job description. This position would start immediately.

Committee Member: Committee members help various Chairs execute duties. If you would like to contribute, but do not want as much responsibility, this is the position for you. This is also a way to get to know the Children's Services Division and see if you would like to contribute in a larger way at a later date.

Author

Tara Morissette
CSD Communications
Library Assistant, Tigard Public Library

Congratulations

3/19/2022

Congratulations to Cathy Camper our 2022 Lampman Award Recipient

Congratulations to Cathy Camper, our 2022 Evelyn Sibley Lampman Award recipient for her significant contribution to the children of Oregon as both a librarian and an author. For more information about Cathy Camper, please go to our Lampman Award 2022 page.

Join us to Celebrate!

Lampman Luncheon Tickets Here

The Lampman Award Luncheon returns for the first time in over two years. We will celebrate Cathy Camper! You can pay for a $10 catered lunch or you can bring your own lunch and attend for FREE. It will be held outside in the River shelter at Memorial Park in Wilsonville on April 16th at 12:00 pm. We will send an email to ticket holders with details about the location of the event in Memorial Park. Get your tickets here.

Questions? Contact our Lampman Chair.

Author

Tara Morissette
CSD Communications/Web Editor
Library Assistant, Tigard Public Library

Spring Workshop

3/16/2022

We are so excited to host our first in-person event in over two years. It will be held outside in a covered shelter at Memorial Park in Wilsonville on April 16th. Megan Barella will be our featured speaker and talk about the importance of play for children. We will also have time for attendants to share about outdoor programming at their libraries. We will send an email to ticket holders with details about the location of the event in Memorial Park. This event is FREE and is subsidized by the Children's Services Division.

April 16, 2022 In-Person

12:00 pm Lampman Luncheon
Cathy from ODE Summer Meals
Tribute to Cathy Camper
Catered Lunch by Jimmy John's
1:15 pm Spring Workshop
Speaker Megan Barella: The Importance of Play for Children
Programming Share
4:00 pm Close

For more information about the Spring Workshop, please go here. For more information about the Lampman Award and the Luncheon, please go here. To go directly to the website to order your tickets, go here.

Job Opportunity

2/3/2022

Job Opportunity: Hood River County Library District
Children's Services Assistant
Closing Date: Open until filled. First review begins Friday, February 4, 5pm.

Job description
The Hood River County Library District seeks applicants interested in developing meaningful community relationships and dynamic, ever-expanding outreach programs that identify and address the literacy needs of children and youth in Hood River County, with special emphasis on meeting the needs of Spanish-speaking families.

The Children's Services Assistant provides services directly to patrons of all ages at the public service desks at all three library branches and outside the library buildings in the community. The Children's Services Assistant provides programming for children and families, and promotes children’s services and programs in the community.
The individual in this position must enjoy working with people of all ages, especially children, have excellent customer service skills, and have the ability to learn to use integrated library system software. The successful candidate preferably will be fluent in English and Spanish. The position reports to the Library Director.
Application packets, together with the job description and job announcement, are available online at https://hoodriverlibrary.org/employment

Author

Tara Morissette
CSD Communications & Web Editor
Library Assistant, Tigard Public Library

Oregon Library Association
Children's Services Division
Oregon Young Adult Network
Public Library Division

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