Category Archives: Youth Services

CSLP’s 2019 Teen Video Challenge!

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Sally Snyder

Looking for an easy program to share with your teens? The 2019 Teen Video Challenge (TVC) sponsored by the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) has been streamlined to help make participating in this contest easier than ever!

[https://www.cslpreads.org/programs/teen-program/2019-teen-video-challenge/] This site contains links to the Official TVC Submission Form, the Complete Contest Rules, and winning videos from years past. Changes with this new approach to the TVC:

  • Instead of state winners, there will be 5 national winners. Just have your teens submit a link to their video.
  • The program will accept submissions June 1-Aug 2, 2019, so that you can incorporate it into your summer programs (its still a great opportunity to partner with schools with video production classes or clubs; students can produce the videos as a class project and submit them in June!)
  • Videos will be limited to 60 seconds, making this a much more doable project for small teams.
  • Permission and model release forms will only be required from the winning entries (completing the forms is a requirement to receive prizes and acknowledgement).
  • The TVC Ad-Hoc Committee will convene a judging panel from CSLP partners and members.
  • Video uploads will not be limited to YouTube and Vimeo; rather, teens can upload to the social media outlet of their choice.

I hope your teens will give it a try!

Posted in Technology, Youth Services | Leave a comment

What’s Sally Reading?

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Sally Snyder

YALSA asks for book recommendations

The Hub, the blog site for YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), encourages teens and adults to submit recommendations for their Media Lists that will be announced in early 2020. Criteria varies between the lists but in general, the book must not have been published before July 1, 2018 (Quick Picks) or Nov. 1, 2018 (all the other lists) and final publishing dates vary.  The lists are: Amazing Audiobooks for Teens, Best Fiction for Young Adults, Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers

Links to the individual “Field Suggestion” forms can be found on this posting.  You have plenty of time to ask your teens what new books they think deserve consideration, or you can recommend some titles you have read and think are worthy.  YALSA does state that “suggesting a title does not guarantee it will be nominated or blogged about.”

To learn more about each of the lists prior to submitting suggestions, visit this YALSA page and scroll down a bit to see the Media Lists.

New Kid by Jerry Craft is a full-color graphic novel I recently finished reading.  Jordan Banks (12), who loves drawing, is new to the Riverdale Academy Day School and discovers he is one of only a few people of color in the seventh grade.  This school is much larger, and more confusing, than his previous school.  Finding friends and his way is difficult, especially with some students and teachers who are less than aware of their troubling viewpoints and comments.  One teacher has continued to call a student by the wrong name for years.  Some teachers also make book suggestions based on a student’s race rather than his or her interests and are oblivious to the implications, demonstrating some common microaggressions people of color encounter.

As Booklist says, “this remarkably honest and accessible story is not just about being new, it’s unabashedly about race.”  Still the artwork and Jordan’s own sketchbook lighten the mood.  This is a book for every middle school, as Kirkus notes.  Starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal and Kirkus.

The Classroom Bookshelf blog of the online School Library Journal has a review and some teaching ideas connected to the book.

(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 | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: ‘Picture Book City: Reorganizing Our Storybooks by Subject’

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Christa Porter

Learn how to make your picture books more browsable on the next FREE NCompass Live webinar, ‘Picture Book City: Reorganizing Our Storybooks by Subject’, on Wednesday, May 22, 10:00am-11:00am CT.

What do you do to make picture books more browsable? Sort them by subject! Learn how we did it and tips we picked up along the way.

Presenter: Laura England-Biggs, Librarian, Keene Memorial Library, Fremont, NE.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • May 29 – Let’s Get Real About Virtual Reality
  • June 5 – Providing Passports at Your Library
  • July 24 – The Golden Sower Award: Nebraska’s Children’s Choice Literary Award
  • Aug. 28 – Eliminating Late Fines is a Win-Win for Your Library and Community

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: A Conversation with Nebraska’s New State Poet, Matt Mason

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Christa Porter

You’re invited to join us on this Wednesday’s FREE NCompass Live webinar as we chat with Nebraska’s New State Poet, Matt Mason. Matt will discuss how the Nebraska State Poet can work with libraries and schools to promote and encourage appreciation of poetry and literary life in Nebraska.

Along with Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner and Communication Coordinator Tessa Terry, we will also be joined by Erika Hamilton, Director of Literary Programs at Humanities Nebraska; selection committee member, Chuck Peek; and Brad Modlin, Reynolds Chair of Poetry at the University of Nebraska Kearney.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • May 22 – Picture Book City: Reorganizing Our Storybooks by Subject
  • May 29 – Let’s Get Real About Virtual Reality
  • June 5 – Providing Passports at Your Library
  • July 24 – The Golden Sower Award: Nebraska’s Children’s Choice Literary Award
  • Aug. 28 – Eliminating Late Fines is a Win-Win for Your Library and Community

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Small Libraries Can Run Code Clubs for Kids

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Christa Porter

Find out how ‘Small Libraries Can Run Code Clubs for Kids’, with tips from O’Neill Public Library, on the next FREE NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, May 8, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

Running a code club at your library can be really intimidating – especially if you don’t know how to code! Prenda has helped hundreds of small libraries start and run thriving code clubs where kids are learning how to make websites, video games, apps, and animations using the resources you probably already have! And as a special treat, we’ll hear from Jeannie Mejstrik who is has been running an incredible club since 2017 at O’Neill (NE) Public Library, where their population is under 5,000.

Presenter: Luke Miller, Director of Customer Success, Prenda.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • May 15 – A Conversation with Nebraska’s New State Poet, Matt Mason
  • May 22 – Picture Book City: Reorganizing Our Storybooks by Subject
  • May 29 – Let’s Get Real About Virtual Reality
  • June 5 – Providing Passports at Your Library
  • July 24 – The Golden Sower Award: Nebraska’s Children’s Choice Literary Award
  • Aug. 28 – Eliminating Late Fines is a Win-Win for Your Library and Community

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

#BookFaceFriday “Lemons”

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Tessa Timperley

When life gives you lemons, we make #BookFace!

NLC’s #BookFaceFriday is joining forces with Nebraska’s Reading Classic Committee!  Reading Classics is a statewide competition that promotes and encourages Nebraska Schools to form teams and recognize outstanding young readers. They just launched a friendly #BookFace competition as students await the new 2019-2020 reading list. “Lemons” by Melissa Savage (Yearling, 2018). It’s one of the 10 nominated titles for the 2019-2020 Golden Sower Chapter Books list!

“Nine year old Lemonade Liberty’s mom taught her that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.  Lemonade learns how to make lemonade out of rotten lemons.  Those lemons come from losing and leaving everything and moving to a small town of Willow Creek, California with a woolly beast lurking in the woods.   This is a debut novel packed with humor, mystery, friendship, family secrets and even Bigfoot!” —Cyndi Shinn

The Nebraska Reading Classic Committee chooses books for the reading list for each Division with input from coaches, team members, and many other sources. The list includes award-winning books such as Caldecott,  Newbery, Golden Sower, and many other awards. We snapped this week’s #BookFace while members of the committee were discussing titles to add or remove for the 2020 reading list. Specifically the 2019-2020 Golden Sower nominees.

This week’s #BookFace models are committee members, Cyndi Shinn, and Marjorie Brubaker!

Love this #BookFace & reading? We suggest checking out all the titles available for book clubs at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ref/bookclub. Check out our past #BookFaceFriday photos on the Nebraska Library Commission’s Facebook page!

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Golden Sower Award: Nebraska’s Children’s Choice Literary Award

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Christa Porter


NOTE: This show has been rescheduled for July 24.

Who will win the 2019 ‘Golden Sower Award: Nebraska’s Children’s Choice Literary Award’? Find out on the next FREE NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 24 May 1, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

The 2019 Golden Sower Award winners will be announced on May 1! Want to know more about how the Golden Sower Award was started and how titles end up on the list each year? Golden Sower Award Committee Chair, Kathy Schultz; and NLC Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Sally Snyder, will present the history and the process of the Golden Sower Award, including a look at the web site.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • May 8 – Small Libraries Can Run Code Clubs for Kids
  • May 15 – A Conversation with Nebraska’s New State Poet, Matt Mason
  • May 22 – Picture Book City: Reorganizing Our Storybooks by Subject
  • May 29 – Let’s Get Real About Virtual Reality

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Connect to Meetings, and more…Experts, Virtual Field Trips with Zoom

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Christa Porter

We’re going on a field trip on the next FREE NCompass Live webinar, ‘Connect to Meetings, and more…Experts, Virtual Field Trips with Zoom’, on Wednesday, April 24, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

Zoom is a video conferencing app that can be easily used by any device to connect with others for meetings or to bring in an expert as well as learn about specific topics from a museum or non-profit organizations. Classrooms across Nebraska are connecting with Zoom to providers such as the Henry Doorly Zoo or Morrill Hall to experience virtually what can be experienced at their locations. Beth will provide information about Zoom as well as how to connect with these providers.

Presenter: Beth Kabes, Director of Blended and Distance Learning, Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • May 1 – The Golden Sower Award: Nebraska’s Children’s Choice Literary Award
  • May 8 – Small Libraries Can Run Code Clubs for Kids
  • May 15 – A Conversation with Nebraska’s New State Poet, Matt Mason
  • May 22 – Picture Book City: Reorganizing Our Storybooks by Subject
  • May 29 – Let’s Get Real About Virtual Reality

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Programming, Youth Services | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

#BookFaceFriday “Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper”

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Tessa Timperley

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
― Northanger Abbey

Jane Austen really knows how to tell it like it is. This week’s #BookFaceFriday is a tribute to this favorite author and all her works. “Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper” by Manuela Santoni (Graphic Universe TM, 2018) is a unique graphic novel for kids and teens introducing them to the life of the author.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman in possession of a keen mind must be in want of a husband . . . This graphic work of historical fiction, translated from the Italian, examines the life of beloved author Jane Austen. The story begins with spreads from the end of Jane’s life as she writes to her sister, Cassandra, remembering their time together as children, progressing into womanhood, and recounting how she cultivated, with the support of her father, her love of reading and writing.  The author shows faith in younger readers by including some challenging vocabulary that may have them reaching for dictionaries. However, the illustrations and context clues make the work accessible. A lovely, quick read.”―Kirkus Reviews

This title comes from our large collection of children’s and young adult books sent to us as review copies from book publishers. When our Children and Young Adult Library Services Coordinator, Sally Snyder, is done with them, the review copies are available for the Library System Directors to distribute to school and public libraries in their systems. Public and school library staff are also welcome to stop by and select some titles for their library collections. Contact Sally Snyder for more information.

This week’s #BookFace model is Aimee Owen, NLC’s Information Services Librarian!

Love this #BookFace & reading? We suggest checking out all the titles available for book clubs at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ref/bookclub. Check out our past #BookFaceFriday photos on the Nebraska Library Commission’s Facebook page!

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nebraska Library Commission Awards Grants for Youth Library Service

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Kayla Henzel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:NLC Logo
March 19, 2019

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sally Snyder
402-471-4003
800-307-2665

 

Nebraska Library Commission Awards Grants for Youth Library Service

 The Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded $23,254 in grants for Excellence in Youth service. Of the grants awarded to twenty-five Nebraska libraries, several addressed the need for materials like LEGO® and other activities to encourage creativity in young people. The Nebraska Library Commission congratulates the public libraries listed below as they develop new and innovative programs to ensure excellence in library service for Nebraska young people.

The recipients are:

  • Atkinson Public Library, Preschool learning materials, books, and activities
  • Blue Hill Public Library, LEGO® kits
  • Butler Memorial Library, Cambridge, Breakout EDU Platform Kits for Kid Book Club
  • Central City Public Library, Bring Edgerton Exploit Center to the library for a community day
  • Columbus Public Library, Promote literacy and musical interests
  • Wilson Public Library, Cozad, Cozad Biz Kidz Camp
  • Creighton Public Library, LEGO® Club
  • Fairbury Public Library, 3-D Printer and other makerspace equipment
  • Franklin Public Library, LEGO® Club
  • Fullerton Public Library, Programming to promote literacy and reading
  • Genoa Public Library, Toddler Concept Bags
  • Gering Public Library, Toddler Story & Playtime
  • Grand Island Public Library, SAC Museum Space Program Day, LEGO® Guy Program Day, and SAM Labs Classroom Kit
  • Imperial Public Library, K through 4 after school programs
  • Kimball Public Library, Creative program expansion
  • Louisville Public Library, Teen programming
  • Mead Public Library, 1,000 Books before Kindergarten
  • Jensen Memorial Library, Minden, Preschool programming
  • Morton-James Public Library, Nebraska City, Materials encouraging learning and creativity
  • Plainview Public Library, LEGO®s
  • Plattsmouth Public Library, Busy Bags
  • Shelby Community Library, Children activities
  • Lied Lincoln Township, Wausa, Youth games
  • Maltman Memorial Public Library, Wood River, LEGO® Club
  • Yutan Public Library, American Girl Kit’s Klub

Youth Grants for Excellence are made available by the Nebraska Library Commission with funding from the State of Nebraska. 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.

Posted in General, Grants, Youth Services | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: You Make Me Want To Break Out

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Christa Porter

Join us for the next FREE NCompass Live webinar, ‘You Make Me Want To Break Out’ on Wednesday, February 6, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

Escape rooms are popping up all over the country as groups go in and test their logic and problem solving in order to escape a locked, themed room. Breakouts take the idea of escape rooms and bring them into the classroom. Breakouts are a great way to engage your students and teachers back into the library. Breakouts can be used to introduce curriculum, review curriculum, or just work on team building skills. Students and teachers of all ages can participate and all students are engaged in the lesson. After running and writing many breakouts for the past 2 years, Meredith Fickes, School Librarian at Mickle Middle School in Lincoln, will be sharing tips, tricks, and knowledge for both running and writing breakouts.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Feb. 13 – What in the World is Emerging Technology?
  • Feb. 20 – Crafting Relevant Community Partnerships Using Archives
  • Feb. 27 – Future Ready Nebraska and the Digital Learning and Ed Tech Plan
  • March 6 – Improving Internet Access In US Libraries: the Toward Gigabit Libraries Project
  • March 13 – Ethics Behind Emerging Technology
  • March 20 – Reading Diversely
  • March 27 – Health Education Resources with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Programming, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

2019 Big Talk From Small Libraries Schedule Now Available

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Christa Porter

The full schedule for the 2019 Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference is now available!

You will find it on the Schedule page. Information about our presenters is available on the Speakers page.

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to jump over to the Registration page and sign up!

You are welcome to watch as an individual or to host a group viewing of the conference. If several staff members from the same library want to attend, you can just register for one seat and have staff members view/listen together via one workstation.

You can also host a viewing party this same way and invite staff from other libraries. For any group viewings, if you know who will be there, you can list your Additional Attendees on your one registration or you can send us a list after the event.

Posted in Education & Training, Library Management, Programming, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NET Hosts Creative Writing Contest for Nebraska Students

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Tessa Timperley

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 4, 2019) – Students across Nebraska have the opportunity to showcase their creative writing and drawing skills by participating in the 2019 NET PBS KIDS Writer’s Contest.

The contest, sponsored by NET, Nebraska’s PBS and NPR Stations, is open to all Nebraska students in kindergarten through third grade. Winners will be eligible to win a variety of prizes, including a Kindle Fire and a visit from a PBS KIDS character. First, second and third place winners will be selected from each grade level.

Submitted stories can be fact, fiction, prose or poetry and must include at least five original color illustrations.

Entries must be postmarked by March 31 and received by April 5. For more contest rules, details on how to enter, and helpful writing resources, visit netnebraska.org/write. You can also check out this short video promo on the NET website.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:  Sandi Karstens, 402-470-6578, skarstens@netNebraska.org

NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, is the statewide public media service dedicated to creating opportunities for Nebraskans to engage with critical issues, compelling stories and quality entertainment. NET serves each of Nebraska’s 93 counties with 52,560 hours of programming each year on four television and two radio channels, plus online and mobile content. In addition to providing free, high-quality educational programming for children, NET provides programming in the arts, award-winning news and current affairs information and emergency alert services. For more information about NET, visit netNebraska.org.

 

Posted in Youth Services | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Graphic Novel Collection and Programming

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Christa Porter

Join us for the next FREE NCompass Live webinar, ‘Graphic Novel Collection and Programming’ on Wednesday, January 9, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

Learn new resources to find widely-appealing graphic novel selections for all age groups, toddler through teen. Join Russ Harper, Youth Services Specialist at Omaha Public Library, as he makes core collection recommendations, discusses top sellers, and how to find the hot new thing. Includes programming tips for both American comics and manga fans!.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Jan. 16, 2018 – 2019 One Book One Nebraska: This Blessed Earth
  • Feb. 6, 2019 – You Make Me Want To Break Out
  • Feb. 20 – Crafting Relevant Community Partnerships Using Archives
  • Feb. 27 – Future Ready Nebraska and the Digital Learning and Ed Tech Plan
  • March 20 – Reading Diversely

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Programming, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Best New Teen Books of 2018

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Christa Porter

What are the ‘Best New Teen Books of 2018?’ Find out on the first FREE NCompass Live webinar of 2019! Join us on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 10:00am – 11:00am CT, for ‘Best New Teen Books of 2018: Popular Teen Novels – New Books They Need to Read’.

Learn about qualities of books that teens are reading, and the titles Nebraska teens are seeking at their libraries. The presenters will discuss new books that are popular with teens in their communities and describe the qualities these titles possess that make them good choices for many libraries.

Presenters: Jill Annis, School Librarian, Elkhorn Grandview Middle School; Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Jan. 9, 2019 – Graphic Novel Collection and Programming
  • Jan. 16, 2018 – 2019 One Book One Nebraska: This Blessed Earth
  • Feb. 6, 2019 – You Make Me Want To Break Out

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

What’s Sally Reading?

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Sally Snyder

School Library Journal Announces 2018 Best Books

Recently, in their December 2018 issue, School Library Journal listed 17 picture books, 21 Chapter Books & Middle Grade titles, 17 YA titles, 12 Nonfiction choices, four Poetry titles, and nine Graphic Novels & Nonfiction choices.  You can visit their web page for a look at the titles they chose to see what you might already have on your shelves, and what you may want to consider adding.  Underneath the slideshow of the titles is an opportunity to download the lists.

As usual, I have read and reviewed some of the titles on their lists, but not had a chance to see and read all of them. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi is one of the Middle Grade titles they selected. It is the first of “Rick Riordan Presents,” an imprint of Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Aru (12) lives with her mother at the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture in Atlanta, Georgia. Her mother is often gone on trips to research and discover artifacts for the Museum. At the beginning of winter break, three schoolmates stop by to challenge Aru to prove one of her stories is true (Aru has a good imagination), thus prompting her to light the lamp that could end the world. This freezes her mother and her schoolmates so Aru appears to be on her own to rectify her mistake. Fortunately, she is teamed up with another girl, Mini.  Soon Aru and her fellow heroine, Mini, are traveling to mystical places to try and save the world. Wonderful action, working through a possible friendship with Mini, and dealing with the guilt she feels keeps Aru on her toes. I am looking forward to the next book, Aru Shah and the Song of Death, which will be published on April 30, 2019.

(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 | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Summer Reading Program 2019: A Universe of Stories!

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Christa Porter

Check out next year’s ‘Summer Reading Program 2019: A Universe of Stories!’ on the next FREE NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

Next summer will bring plenty of opportunities to talk about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) ideas, especially with science and outer space as the new topic for the Summer Reading Program. Learn about quality books to consider for your library’s collection and start planning for “A Universe of Stories,” in celebration of the historic 1969 landing on the moon. Kids will be clamoring for both fiction and nonfiction titles as they dream about traveling in space.

Presenter: Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Dec. 19 – A Textbook Program is NOT for Us! Re-Imagining Failure Into New Possibilities
  • Dec. 26 – Talking Books and Duplication on Demand!
  • Jan. 2, 2019 – Best New Teen Books of 2018: Popular Teen Novels – New Books They Need to Read
  • Jan. 9, 2019 – Graphic Novel Collection and Programming
  • Feb. 6, 2019 – You Make Me Want To Break Out

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

Call for Speakers: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2019

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Christa Porter

The Call for Speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2019 is now open!

This free one-day online conference is aimed at librarians from small libraries; the smaller the better! We are looking for speakers from small libraries or speakers who directly work with small libraries. Small libraries of all types – public, academic, school, museum, special, etc. – are encouraged to submit a proposal. We’re looking for seven 50-minute presentations and five 10-minute “lightning round” presentations.

Do you offer a service or program at your small library that other librarians might like to hear about? Have you implemented a new (or old) technology, hosted an event, partnered with others in your community, or just done something really cool? The Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference gives you the opportunity to share what you’ve done, while learning what your colleagues in other small libraries are doing. Here are some possible topics to get you thinking:

  • Unique Libraries
  • Special Collections
  • New buildings
  • Fundraising
  • Improved Workflows
  • Staff Development
  • Advocacy Efforts
  • Community Partnerships
  • That great thing you’re doing at your library!

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2019 will be held on Friday, February 22, 2019 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Speakers will be able to present their programs from their own desktops. The schedule will accommodate speakers’ time-zones.

If you are interested in presenting, please submit your proposal by Friday, January 18, 2019.

Speakers from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered.

This conference is organized and hosted by the Nebraska Library Commission and is co-sponsored by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Grants, Information Resources, Library Management, Preservation, Programming, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Best New Teen Books of 2018

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Christa Porter

New Date! “Best New Teen Books of 2018: Popular Teen Novels – New Books They Need to Read” has been rescheduled for January 2, 2019.

You can register for this new date at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventshow.asp?ProgID=17897

UPDATE: This week’s NCompass Live, “Best New Teen Books of 2018: Popular Teen Novels – New Books They Need to Read” has been postponed.

We have just been informed that Nebraska State Offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 5, to observe a National Day of Mourning for Former President George H.W. Bush. NCompass Live is the Nebraska Library Commission’s weekly webinar series and as a Nebraska state agency, the Library Commission will now be closed on Wednesday.

We are working to reschedule this NCompass Live and will announce as soon as we have a new date.

Check out the ‘Best New Teen Books of 2018: Popular Teen Novels – New Books They Need to Read’ on the next FREE NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, December 5 January 2, 2019, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

Learn about qualities of books that teens are reading, and the titles Nebraska teens are seeking at their libraries. The presenters will discuss new books that are popular with teens in their communities and describe the qualities these titles possess that make them good choices for many libraries.

Presenters: Jill Annis, School Librarian, Elkhorn Grandview Middle School; Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Dec. 12 – Summer Reading Program 2019: A Universe of Stories!
  • Dec. 19 – A Textbook Program is NOT for Us! Re-Imagining Failure Into New Possibilities
  • Dec. 26 – Talking Books and Duplication on Demand!
  • Jan. 2, 2019 – Best New Teen Books of 2018: Popular Teen Novels – New Books They Need to Read
  • Jan. 9, 2019 – Graphic Novel Collection and Programming

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Reading Reflections – What Kids Are Reading Now: Best New Children’s Books of 2018

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Christa Porter

Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Reading Reflections – What Kids Are Reading Now: Best New Children’s Books of 2018′, on Wednesday, November 14, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.

Learn about qualities to look for in books children are reading, and the titles Nebraska children are seeking at their libraries from public and school librarians in the state. The presenters will discuss titles that are popular with children in their communities and the qualities of those titles that make them good choices for many libraries.

Presenters: Dana Fontaine, Librarian, Fremont High School; Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission: Karla Wendelin, Co-founder, Nebraska Golden Sower Award Program.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Nov. 21 – Best Practices for Digital Collections
  • Nov. 28 – Public Library Survey Using Bibliostat
  • Dec. 5 – Popular Teen Novels – New Books They Need to Read: Best New Teen Books of 2018
  • Dec. 12 – Summer Reading: The Next Frontier!
  • Dec. 19 – A Textbook Program is NOT for Us! Re-Imagining Failure Into New Possibilities
  • Jan. 9, 2019 – Graphic Novel Collection and Programming

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment