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Category Archives: Books & Reading
Pew Internet Releases New Report on Library Services
The Pew Internet & American Life Project released a report today about “Library Services in the Digital Age.” In general, they discovered that the majority of respondents are aware of and value established library services, such as book lending, reference service, public access computers, and children’s reading programs.
A smaller, but substantial percentage of respondents were also in favor of newer services, such as online research service, app-based access to library materials, the ability to try out new technologies at the library, and kiosk-style lending devices. But, only 22% of those surveyed said that they know about all or most of the services libraries provide. So, it appears that there is still a significant need for libraries to promote what they offer to the public.
For more details, you can read the report at http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/Library-services/
Posted in Books & Reading, General, Library Management
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What’s Sally Reading?
Get Ready for International Children’s Book Day – April 2, 2013 (Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday).
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) has been awarded the sponsorship of the 2013 International Children’s Book Day, traditionally celebrated on April 2, Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday. Program ideas, a poster created by artist Ashley Bryan and poet Pat Mora, and much more are available now here.
Scroll down to see that there are already some great programs, easy-to-replicate, available on the site. You also are invited to share, with your colleagues around the world, your great idea for celebrating International Children’s Book Day. Just submit your program idea online.
Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay touches my animal-loving heart (and yes, I am obnoxious enough to say I do love snakes and spiders – though not so much the poisonous ones). Lulu is an animal lover, she has many pets and her parents are supportive of her. She has a favorite duck in the park, and one day when some dogs run amuck and damage many eggs, Lulu grabs up the egg of her favorite duck and takes it with her back to school, knowing her teacher does not want any more animals to show up unexpectedly. This early chapter book for grades 1-3 has one or more black-and-white illustrations on almost every two-page spread.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
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NEA Challenge America Fast-Track Grants – applications due May 23, 2013
Posting date: Jan. 3, 2013
Application deadline: May 23, 2013
Award amount: $10,000
The National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Fast-Track category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations — those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.
Challenge America Fast-Track grants:
- Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations.
- Are limited to the specific types of projects outlined below.
- Are for a fixed amount of $10,000 and require a minimum $10,000 match.
- Receive an expedited application review. Organizations are notified whether they have been recommended for a grant approximately six months after they apply; projects may start shortly thereafter.
Under the Engagement project type:
An arts event or events that will feature one or more guest artists. The project (such as a festival, exhibit, recital, reading, performance, screening, broadcast, lecture) must include the participation of guest artist(s). Artistic staff and resident artists of an applicant organization do not qualify as guest artists. In addition to artists’ fees, the project may include public relations, professional documentation, and program enhancements that are integral to the event. Examples of program enhancements include interpretive material, transportation, program accommodations (e.g., sign language interpretation, audio description, Braille, tactile exhibit tours), catalogues, brochures, or publications. Other enhancements such as specific lecture-demonstrations, pre- or post-event talks, or workshops relevant to the proposed arts event also are eligible.
Closing date for applications: May 23, 2013
For more information, visit http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP14/Challenge.html.
Posted in Books & Reading, General
Tagged grants, National Endowment for the Arts, NEA
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Nebraska Learns 2.0: Skimp on the Details and Personalize your Internet
Nebraska Le
arns 2.0 is the Nebraska Library Commission’s ongoing online learning program. It is a self-discovery program which encourages participants to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and PLAY.
Each month, we offer you an opportunity to learn a new Thing (or lesson). You have all month to complete that Thing and receive one CE credit. You may choose which Things to do based on personal interest and time availability. If the Thing of the month doesn’t interest you or if you are particularly busy that month, you can skip it.
The Thing for January is: Skimp on the Details
For this month’s Thing, we will work on simplifying instructions in our libraries.
Another facet of Nebraska Learns 2.0 is BookThing. Each month we pick a single title that we feel has relevance to librarianship and/or information theory. Some of the titles will be very obviously related; while others may not seem so on the surface but there is a connection. Your assignment will be to read the book and create a blog post answering some questions about the title.
The BookThing for January is: The Filter Bubble by Eli Pariser
If you are new to Nebraska Learns 2.0, your first assignment is to sign up to participate. This program is open to ALL Nebraska librarians, library staff, library friends, library board members and school media specialists.
We hope you’ll join your library colleagues in the fun as you learn about new and exciting technologies!
E-book Reading Jumps; Print Book Reading Declines
Lee Rainie and Maeve Duggan, of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, authored a new study, E-book Reading Jumps; Print Book Reading Declines showing that the population of e-book readers is growing. In the past year, the number of those who read e-books increased from 16% of all Americans ages 16 and older to 23%. At the same time, the number of those who read printed books in the previous 12 months fell from 72% of the population ages 16 and older to 67%.
Overall, the number of book readers in late 2012 was 75% of the population ages 16 and older, a small and statistically insignificant decline from 78% in late 2011. The move toward e-book reading coincides with an increase in ownership of electronic book reading devices. In all, the number of owners of either a tablet computer or e-book reading device such as a Kindle or Nook grew from 18% in late 2011 to 33% in late 2012. As of November 2012, some 25% of Americans ages 16 and older own tablet computers such as iPads or Kindle Fires, up from 10% who owned tablets in late 2011. And in late 2012 19% of Americans ages 16 and older own e-book reading devices such as Kindles and Nooks, compared with 10% who owned such devices at the same time last year.
This move toward e-books has also affected libraries. The share of recent library users who have borrowed an e-book from a library has increased from 3% last year to 5% this year.
Beyond that, there is growing public awareness that the vast majority of public libraries now lend e-books. In the entire population of those ages 16 and older, the number who are aware that libraries offer e-book loans increased from 24% last year to 31% now. At the same time, there has been a drop in the number of people who do not know whether their local library has an e-book borrowing program.
Have you seen a similar increase paired with a similar decline in your local community? Comment below to share your library’s experience.
Nebraska Librarians Invited to Register for 2013 Teen Tech Week™
YALSA announces 2013 Teen Tech Week™
The time has come to Check In @ your library! Registration for Teen Tech Week™, the Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) annual celebration of digital literacy and technology via the library is now open at www.ala.org/teentechweek.
Teen Tech Week™ is March 10-16, 2013, with a theme of Check In @ your library, which encourages libraries to throw open their physical and virtual doors and showcase the outstanding technology they offer for teens and their families, from services such as online homework help and digital literacy-focused programs to resources like e-books, movies, music, audiobooks, databases and more.
“Teens are constantly using technology to communicate, collaborate and create, and libraries are a great place for teens to learn how to use technology safely and smartly,” said YALSA President H. Jack Martin. “Registering for Teen Tech Week helps demonstrate that libraries around the country consider technology an important part of teen lives and an important part of the programs and services offered by libraries.”
Registrant benefits include a free webinar on maker spaces with Hilary Kolos from Dreamyard and materials from TTW Partners, such as database trials, books and more. For more information and to join, please visit the Teen Tech Week website.
Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens gain the digital literacy skills they need—with the help of libraries—in order to be successful in school and prepared to participate in a 21st century workforce.
For more than 50 years, YALSA has worked to build the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve and empower teens. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to www.ala.org/yalsa, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.
To comment, share, or see related resources and images, go here.
For more information: Contact: Jaclyn Finneke
What Books Did You Think Were “Best?”
‘Tis the season for “Best Books” lists. Publishers Weekly offers their list of the 10 best books of 2012. The New York Times provides their annual list. Library Journal gives us LJ’s Best Books and Media of 2012, and School Library Journal also offers Best Books of 2012. Maybe we should have a contest to see who can find the most lists on the Web. Does your library have a list of “Best Books” or “Most-Often Checked Out Books of 2012?” These lists can offer some great Christmas gift suggestions to harried readers.
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NCompass Live: Book Club Kit Reviews – Recorded Online Session
Beth Goble, Devra Dragos, and Lisa Kelly, from the Nebraska Library Commission, will review and discuss titles to consider selecting for your book group. These titles are all available as book club kits for check out from the Nebraska Library Commission – now with over 300 titles to choose from!
Download audio (MP3)
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Video (YouTube)
Links (Delicious)
For more information, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training
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What’s Sally Reading?
Stephen King stopped by a high school in New Brunswick, Canada, recently because the students had conducted a letter writing campaign for him to visit. You can see part of his visit here, (31 minutes) or catch the short version (5 minutes) here. In the video he says he was “blissed out” to get the many letters.
Many of you know how much I love Scaredy Squirrel, imagine my delight when I saw Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas: A Safety Guide for Scaredies by Mélanie Watt! As in the other books, Scaredy has a plan, suggestions, and a unique outlook, this time on what to avoid during the Christmas season. He covers Christmas completely, including Chapter 8: “When All Else Fails.” (Play dead.) Great fun, and maybe your young ones will think of one or two items Scaredy forgot.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services
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E-Book Media and Communications Toolkit Now Available
Nebraska librarians and library supporter are encouraged to speak out in our communities across Nebraska. Everyone needs to know that libraries offer e-books and 21st century library services, but we are unable to offer all the e-reading choices our patrons need because some publishers refuse to work with us and because of funding challenges. ALA just released the e-book media toolkit, with resources to support your efforts to address this communication challenge. The toolkit includes op-ed and press release templates for library supporters interested in informing the public of the role that libraries play in building literate and knowledgeable communities. Check out these resources that you can use to support your library: http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/11/right-now-ala-e-book-media-toolkit-available/. Do you think you can use these resources in your community? Please comment below and share examples.
What’s Sally Reading?
Recently on YALSA-BK one of the members posted an email encouraging librarians to have their teens recognize Movember or NoSHAVEmber in support of men’s health. This looks like a lot of fun and can promote reading as well. Take a look at their facebook page to see their ideas. Even though November is flying by, you could still have some involvement and spill over into December, what could it hurt? As the librarian said, “Don’t shave it for later! Join in now.”
I thoroughly enjoyed Rabbit & Robot – The Sleepover written and illustrated by Cece Bell. Unlikely friends, Rabbit is hosting Robot for their first sleepover. Rabbit has written a list of things they will do, and surprises Robot with it when he arrives. They have different tastes and likes which become evident as the evening moves along. Rabbit likes carrots and snow peas on his pizza. Robot likes nuts and bolts on his. Lots of fun and readers will enjoy the fact that they are able to work things out. This is a beginning reader for early elementary age children.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
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NCompass Live: 2012 One Book One Nebraska – Recorded Online Session
In this eighth year of One Book One Nebraska, Nebraska libraries and other literary and cultural organizations continue to plan activities and events to encourage all Nebraskans to read and discuss the same book. Join us to hear more about this statewide reading promotion activity, sponsored by the Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska Center for the Book. Joe Starita, author of the 2012 selection will be with us to discuss his work, I Am a Man: Chief Standing Bear’s Journey for Justice.
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For more information, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
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NCompass Live: Video Book Talks: From Script to Screen – Recorded Online Session
Sally, Michael and Laura will discuss the how and why of video book talks—and demonstrate making one, from writing your script to editing your video to posting it online. If you want to engage your Teens, market your book discussion group, or just encourage people to read, check out this easy, fun way to add book talks to your Website. Speakers: Laura Johnson, Continuing Education Coordinator; Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services; Michael Sauers, Technology Innovation Librarian, Nebraska Library Commission.
Download audio (MP3)
Subscribe via RSS
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Video (YouTube)
Links (Delicious)
For more information, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
Kwame Dawes to Tour Nebraska Public Libraries
Kwame Dawes, Guggenheim Fellow and winner of the 2011 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, will embark on a driving tour in December 2012 to promote Prairie Schooner in public libraries across the state of Nebraska. Dawes is Editor-in-Chief of the international literary journal based out of the University of Nebraska. He will be joined by poet and managing editor, Marianne Kunkel.
This tour fulfills one of the goals that Dawes set for himself during the first few months of his tenure as editor-in-chief of Prairie Schooner. “Prairie Schooner is one of Nebraska’s greatest and most enduring gifts to the world, and it has been giving America so much for eighty-six years. I want to find as many ways to remind the people of the state about what a treasure we have and to see if we can generate even more ownership and pride in the publication.”
Since his arrival, Prairie Schooner has expanded its web presence and has even made the move, after almost a century, to online submissions. Prairie Schooner has begun to have a marked international focus. Dawes, however, sees this tour as a way to remind its core base about the journal’s roots in Nebraska and its continued interest in regional writers as well as its reliance on the support and interest of Nebraskans. “We do not want to be an impersonal journal, but one that is aware that real people read and support the journal, and many of those real people live here in Nebraska. The great perk for all of this, however, is that I get a chance to see the state more and to find out how Prairie Schooner can support the literary arts in Nebraska in town after town.”
The tour, which spans from Dec. 8 to Dec. 22, will take place in public libraries in more than twelve cities, including Alliance, Beatrice, Broken Bow, and Fremont. Each visit will feature poetry readings by Dawes and Kunkel followed by a question and answer session. Kunkel will promote the journal to attendees, offering information about submissions and selling single copies and subscriptions.
Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission Communications Director, says, “This is a great opportunity for people across Nebraska to hear an internationally-known Nebraska poet read from his work and to learn more about Nebraska’s own Prairie Schooner.” For more information contact Marianne Kunkel, PrairieSchooner@unl.edu and stay tuned to Prairie Schooner’s website (prairieschooner.unl.edu/) for a complete calendar of the dates and times of the inaugural Prairie Schooner library tour.
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NCompass Live: Nancy Drew & Friends;Or, the Case of the Neglected Books:The History (& Importance) of Youth Series Books – Recorded Online Session
With the proliferation of series books for children and young adults today it might come as a surprise to many librarians that for many years series books occupied a dark corner of librarianship–the books were deemed unacceptable forms of reading material and were often ignored for purchase despite their popularity with young readers. In this webinar, you will be introduced to the history of series books as a format and then learn specifically why these books are not only important to the history of youth literature but to American history and pop culture as well. Speaker: Lindsey Tomsu, Teen Coordinator, La Vista Public Library.
Download audio (MP3)
Subscribe via RSS
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Video (YouTube)
Presentation Slides (SlideShare)
Links (Delicious)
For more information, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
Nebraska Learns 2.0: Write a novel and get a clue
Nebraska Learns 2.0 is the Nebraska Library Commission’s ongoing online learning program. It is a self-discovery program which encourages participants to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and PLAY.
Each month, we offer you an opportunity to learn a new Thing (or lesson). You have all month to complete that Thing and receive one CE credit. You may choose which Things to do based on personal interest and time availability If the Thing of the month doesn’t interest you or if you are particularly busy that month, you can skip it.
The Thing for November is: Writing Tools for NaNoWriMo
For this month’s Thing, we will explore some free online writing tools that you can use to compose your National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) masterpiece or your next press release.
Another facet of Nebraska Learns 2.0 is BookThing. Each month we pick a single title that we feel has relevance to librarianship and/or information theory. Some of the titles will be very obviously related; while others may not seem so on the surface but there is a connection. Your assignment will be to read the book and create a blog post answering some questions about the title.
The BookThing for November is: The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual” by Rick Levine et.al.
If you are new to Nebraska Learns 2.0, your first assignment is to sign up to participate. This program is open to ALL Nebraska librarians, library staff, library friends, library board members and school media specialists.
Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Technology
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What’s Sally Reading?
Patrick Ness Webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 13!
Those of us who love to hear authors speak will want to participate in an opportunity from Candlewick Press and Booklist, Patrick Ness will talk live from England via webinar. Get to know more about him, including his writing process and his inspiration, as he talks with Booklist’s Book for Youth senior editor Dan Kraus. Joining them will be Robin Brenner and K.T. Horning, librarians who will talk about how they use his books in the library. Sign up for this free webinar here.
The webinar will be archived for a whole year after the live date. If you are unable to attend, you can access it here.
Splat Says Thank You by Rob Scotton shows a considerate side of Splat. His best friend, the mouse Seymour, is under the weather. He is covered in spots and not smiling. Splat shows Seymour a book he has made for him, all about the many things Seymour has done to help Splat, some a bit dangerous for Seymour. A fun picture book that might inspire some young readers to create a thank you book for a parent or librarian in their lives. This could be a fun story time book and project.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services
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2013 One Book One Nebraska Announced
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather is Nebraska’s reading choice for the 2013 One Book One Nebraska statewide reading program. Cather’s O Pioneers! is the story of the Bergsons, a family of Swedish pioneers that settles on the American prairie. While Alexandra, the family matriarch, turns the family farm into a financial success, her brother Emil struggles. A novel surprisingly ahead of its time, this work touches on a wide range of enduring themes—love, marriage, temptation, and isolation.
The One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, is now in its ninth year. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. A committee of the Nebraska Center for the Book selected the finalists from a list of twelve titles nominated by sixty Nebraskans from across the state. The Nebraska Center for the Book board announced the choice for the 2013 One Book One Nebraska at the Celebration of Nebraska Books on November 3 in Lincoln.
Libraries across Nebraska will join the Willa Cather Foundation, Nebraska Center for the Book, and other literary and cultural organizations in planning book discussions, activities, and events that will encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book. Support materials to assist with local reading/discussion activities will be available after January 1, 2013 at http://onebook.nebraska.gov. Updates and activity listings will be posted on the One Book One Nebraska Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/onebookonenebraska.
One Book One Nebraska is sponsored by Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Humanities Council, Nebraska Library Association, and Nebraska Library Commission. The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at and supported by the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information. The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases. For more information, contact Mary Jo Ryan, 402-471-3434 or 800-307-2665, www.centerforthebook.nebraska.gov or http://www.facebook.com/NebraskaCenterfortheBook
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