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Summer reading

Zoho Creator for simple, free, online signup

Jun 30th, 2008
by pollyalida.
1 comment

In something for nothing Aaron Schmidt explains how his library is using Zoho Creator for a handy and effective summer reading program sign up form that is embedded on the library’s web site. After the kids sign up, they’re taken to a page where they can download a reading log and get other info about the program. Very cool. Could be used for many other types of sign up. Free, simple, easy, effective.

As Aaron said: “I’m all for making library services easier to use, but making people’s lives easier is an even better goal.” Couldn’t agree more.

Summer Reading Photos

Jun 27th, 2008
by pollyalida.
No comments yet

I did it!
The 2008 Summer Reading photo pool at flickr is growing by leaps and bounds. Tons of great photos of programs, activities, displays and more. Like this great photo from the Newport (OR) Public Library. Take a look at the pool for some fun ideas. And please add your photos too!

p.s. Don’t forget to check out the news on the Summer Reading blog.

Nancy Pearl was in town

May 31st, 2008
by pollyalida.
1 comment

Last week Nancy Pearl was in town for the 50th anniversary of the Southern Adirondack Library System and gave a delightful talk at their annual dinner. She also presented several other programs, including a session on readers advisory for children & teens. And even though I’ve never done any real RA work, the librarians I work with do. Going to events like this helps me keep a bit better in touch with the real world of libraries! Little did I know that I’d learn so much in that hour. Nancy’s framework for looking at the appeal of books is so elegantly effective, yet simple enough for my non-literary brain to wrap itself around.

I won’t attempt to write up my notes since my good friend and librarian extraordinaire, Sue Rokos, did such a great writeup.

Some excerpts from Sue’s excellent post.

… every book of narrative fiction and non-fiction fits
at least one of Nancy Pearl’s four potential doorways through which
readers enter a book:Doorway # 1 is Story (more…)

Frog & Spider – fun for summer reading web sites

May 8th, 2008
by pollyalida.
No comments yet

Great frog eating flies:


(Source: http://abowman.com/google-modules/tree-frog/)

 

And Spider!


(Source: http://abowman.com/google-modules/spider/)

 

I’ve been having great fun working on the NYS Summer Reading web site!

Voting time in the StoryTubes video contest

May 6th, 2008
by pollyalida.
2 comments

Congratulations to the seven children in New York State who submitted videos about their favorite books to the nationwide StoryTubes video contest.

All the New York State entries have been posted to the NYS Summer Reading Program web site.

To enter the contest, children in grades 1 to 6 made short videos about their favorite books. And they’re delightful to watch!

All of the entries from around the country can be viewed at the StoryTubes site. During May, finalists will be selected the following categories and everyone will be able to vote.

  • May 5 – May 11, 2008 – Hair-Raising Tales
  • May 12 – May 18, 2008 – From or For the Heart
  • May 19 – May 25, 2008 – Of Heroes and Heroines
  • May 26 – June 1, 2008 – Facts, Fads and Phenoms

The StoryTubes project was created by the folks at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin IL. Staff of the Children’s Services department at Middle Country Public Library in Centereach & Selden NY were the coordinators for the Northeast region.

A bunch of bugs!

Mar 22nd, 2008
by pollyalida.
No comments yet

Summer reading bugs that is! Nioga Library System in Lockport NY has posted a bunch of photos of summer reading crafts on flickr. They’re wonderful! Some great ideas. Nioga, thanks for sharing.

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