Book Trailers for the Win

Book Trailers are a fun way to promote books.  Colleen from Menomonie often uses them as part of the mix when she is booktalking to teens.  Some libraries feature them prominently on websites.  This seems like a cool project for a teen advisory board,...

Be a Mentor or a Mentee!

This means you, you awesome librarians of IFLS-Land! ALSC mentoring program applications now open for Spring 2014The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) announced the opening of spring 2014 applications for the ALSC mentoring program. The program is...

Inspiring Even When Gone

Yesterday, Pete Seeger, a folksinger, activist and storyteller who had a profound effect on the world, died at the age of 94.  I just found out, and I’m sitting here at work, weeping.  When I think about the important influences of my life, Pete Seeger...

Award Books Announced!

I must admit that I was distracted by a busy weekend and thoughts of surviving cold and drifting snow and I forgot all about the ALA Book and Media Award announcements that happened this morning.In case you are in a similar situation, take a peek at this year’s...

Artsy Smartsy in Dresser

Colorful Washi-tape creations on triangles of cardstockTiffany Meyer in Dresser has had capacity crowds for her Artsy Smartsy programs in Dresser this year.  Funded in part by a grant from Target, these programs are a chance for preschool kids and parents to...

A Child’s Work

I’ve been thinking a lot about early literacy skills lately, thinking about ways to get the message across that it is important to give young kids opportunities to explore and develop without being squelched by worksheets or flashcards.  I found a reference...

Warming Up Winter

As a response to a recent question on our youth services staff listserv, we got a few great ideas: “At Rice Lake Public Library we have a Mid-Winter reading Challenge.   During the month of January children can pick up a reading log.   If they read 25...

CSLP Teen Video Challenge

 Last year, teens from our region created the winning video.  It was incredible, and the winners were very excited to have their work recognized.  Take a few minutes and pass this information on to film clubs and media classes at the local high...

Summer Library Program Workshop!

CSLP Proprietary ImageDon’t forget to register for this year’s Summer Library Program Workshop, February 13 at the Menomonie Alliance Church (502 21st. Street North).  This is one of my favorite workshops of the year, because the energy and enthusiasm...