Fall 2013 SLRC Conference
October 16, 2013
Program Description:
With
more than a dozen learning opportunities available, attendees can
register for topics like STEM, grantseeking, storytelling, fine arts,
E-readers and e-books, and collection development. There will also be
department showcases and the option of taking
a tour of the building which includes visits to all of SLRC’s subject
departments. The day will conclude with keynote reflections by Joe
Thompson, Associate Director of Western Maryland Regional Library and
VP/President-Elect of ALA’s Reference User Services
Association.
My Summary
In the morning session, I attended the STEM program where we performed the "Dancing Colors" milk experiment. Several STEM activities were shared. Their was also presented a brief discussion of the GlaxcoSmithKline Science in the Summer program administered by AAAS. I also attended the "First steps in genealogy" which was useful to help patrons get started, with several suggestions on how to start. During the afternoon session, I took the tour of the building. Some notable items were a "Food for Fines" campaign in the YA department, and the ability to ILL foreign films from their collection. Very interesting and worth while conference.
How it fits in the bigger picture
After the conference, I contacted AAAS, and WCFL will be hosting Science in the Summer at 4 branches and down town in the summer of 2014. I was also able to have a "Kitchen Science" program with the dancing colored milk and soap souflees.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Books for the Beast 2013
Books for the Beast
October 19, 2013
Sponsored by Enoch Pratt Free Library
Keynote Speaker: Robin Wasserman
Program Description:
“Books for the Beast” is a biennial conference devoted to showcasing and discussing the best in Young Adult Literature.Participants meet in small groups to discuss current YA books by genre.
My summary
This year the book group discussions I participated in were:
D is for Dead
E is for Excitement
I don't normally read YA books, so each time I am able to attend this conference, I am usually pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy the books. It also allows me to make better YA reader advisory recommendations.
October 19, 2013
Sponsored by Enoch Pratt Free Library
Keynote Speaker: Robin Wasserman
Program Description:
“Books for the Beast” is a biennial conference devoted to showcasing and discussing the best in Young Adult Literature.Participants meet in small groups to discuss current YA books by genre.
My summary
This year the book group discussions I participated in were:
D is for Dead
- How they croaked: The awful ends of the awfully famous by Georgia Bragg (non-fiction, very interesting account of the deaths of famous people)
- Everybody sees ants by AS King (Viet Nam War tie in, coming of age story)
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness(Story of a teen boy dealing with parents terminal illness. Great illustrations. I highly recommend)
- Jasper Jones (Another coming of age with a murder mystery thrown in, also Viet Nam War tie in)
- Orchards by Holly Thompson (story of a Japanese American teen set to her Japanese relatives for summer after the death of her best friend. I liked this book very much and would recommend)
E is for Excitement
- Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition by Karen Blumenthal (non-fiction account of prohibition and the doomed attempt to stop alcohol consumption. Good read)
- The Raft by SA Bodeen (A teenage girl lives through an ocean plane crash and must survive on a raft with no provisions. Predictable story, but I enjoyed it.)
- Kegend by Marie Lu (Violent futuristic story of heroic teens a la Hunger Gamed, Divergent, etc)
- Trapped by Michael Northrup (Teens are trapped in their High School during an horrific snow storm)
- Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber (Teen becomes involved in the espionage world of the seemingly quiet exchange student living with his family. I didn't like this book-far fetched to the point of being stupid)
I don't normally read YA books, so each time I am able to attend this conference, I am usually pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy the books. It also allows me to make better YA reader advisory recommendations.
Dancing Like a Scientist
Dancing Like a Scientist
April 8, 2014
Presenter: Amanda Layton, Wolftrap Master Teaching Artist
Program Description
How can dance promote the natural scientist in all children? Dancers use many of the same skills to explore their world as scientist--observing, classifying, predicting, experimenting and communicating. The natural connections between dance, movement, and science can empower children to learn, understand, and apply scientific inquiry process to all areas of learning.
My summary
Through many interactive exercises, Ms. Layton showed the audience how dance could be used to teach pre-science skills to even preschool children. Some of the exercises were too involved, or would require more time or space than I usually have available. But encouraging "observational language" is something easily incorporated into all programs. And her magic wand was wonderful and I want one.
How it fits in the bigger picture
By encouraging the children to approach any activity using observation, classifying, predict, experimenting and communicating in a fun way, you help prepare them to use these skills throughout their lives.
April 8, 2014
Presenter: Amanda Layton, Wolftrap Master Teaching Artist
Program Description
How can dance promote the natural scientist in all children? Dancers use many of the same skills to explore their world as scientist--observing, classifying, predicting, experimenting and communicating. The natural connections between dance, movement, and science can empower children to learn, understand, and apply scientific inquiry process to all areas of learning.
My summary
Through many interactive exercises, Ms. Layton showed the audience how dance could be used to teach pre-science skills to even preschool children. Some of the exercises were too involved, or would require more time or space than I usually have available. But encouraging "observational language" is something easily incorporated into all programs. And her magic wand was wonderful and I want one.
How it fits in the bigger picture
By encouraging the children to approach any activity using observation, classifying, predict, experimenting and communicating in a fun way, you help prepare them to use these skills throughout their lives.
Dancing Like a Scientist
On April 8, 2014, I attended the Dancing Like a Scientist workshop presented by Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Amanda Layton Whiteman. The workshop was sponsored by the Children's Service Division of the Maryland Library Association.
Amanda taught us about the six components of pre-school scientific inquiry: observation, classification, experimenting, predicting, drawing conclusions, and communicating ideas. She also taught about observational language, or terms describing lines, size, spatial relationships, and body part relationships. She then combined all of these aspects and presented possible ideas of how to use them in storytime. I realized that, although I am not necessarily scientifically inclined, there are still fun things that I can do in storytime to introduce science concepts.
My favorite idea, which I really want to try in storytime is to cut pieces of fluffy white yarn for the children to use to make their own cloud shapes. The pre-schoolers would go wild, but would have fun doing it. Everyone who attended also coveted Amanda's metal chime wand- we need to get one for storytime!
Abigail Andrews
Children's Dept. in Hagerstown
Amanda taught us about the six components of pre-school scientific inquiry: observation, classification, experimenting, predicting, drawing conclusions, and communicating ideas. She also taught about observational language, or terms describing lines, size, spatial relationships, and body part relationships. She then combined all of these aspects and presented possible ideas of how to use them in storytime. I realized that, although I am not necessarily scientifically inclined, there are still fun things that I can do in storytime to introduce science concepts.
My favorite idea, which I really want to try in storytime is to cut pieces of fluffy white yarn for the children to use to make their own cloud shapes. The pre-schoolers would go wild, but would have fun doing it. Everyone who attended also coveted Amanda's metal chime wand- we need to get one for storytime!
Abigail Andrews
Children's Dept. in Hagerstown
Libraries and Autism: We're Connected
On November 14, 2013, I attended the Libraries and Autism: We're Connected conference sponsored by the Maryland Library Association. The presenter, Catherine Creighton Thompson, is the mother of a child with autism, so she was able to use personal experiences to good effect in her presentation. I learned what autism is, a neurobiological disorder originating from complex bran development. Catherine Creighton Thompson also talked about the restrictive behaviors but also the strengths of individuals with autism. I also learned about strategies to use when helping autistic patrons and about adapting materials to better serve individuals with autism.
At the end, several librarians were talking about their sensory storytimes geared towards autistic patrons and others with special needs. Hopefully we'll be able to incorporate those ideas into new programs at our library.
Abigail Andrews
Children's Dept. in Hagerstown
At the end, several librarians were talking about their sensory storytimes geared towards autistic patrons and others with special needs. Hopefully we'll be able to incorporate those ideas into new programs at our library.
Abigail Andrews
Children's Dept. in Hagerstown
Kids Are Customers Too 2013
On October 10, 2013, I attended the Kids Are Customers Too Conference sponsored by the Children's Services Division of the Maryland Library Association. The first session discussed Common Core and provided a good overview of what Common Core is and how it affects the school systems. Since I only had a vague understanding of Common Core, this was very helpful. Katherine Lyons from Wolf Trap presented a session about finding math hidden in books. Some of the ideas, although geared towards older children, could still be used in Pre-School Storytime. One idea focused on Caps for Sale and identifying shapes and sorting them by color. Another session focused on technology in storytime. Although they showed some apps that could be useful, they didn't do as good of a job introducing the topic to individuals such as myself who don't use technology (i.e. how do you make it work for big groups).
My favorite sessions were Music in Storytime, where I got lots of good ideas for music I can use, and Kevin Sherry's book signing (author of I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean).
When I attend this conference, I always enjoy the time to network with other librarians throughout Maryland and come back with ideas for new programs, storytimes, etc. I feel that it was very worthwhile.
Abigail Andrews
Children's Dept. in Hagerstown
My favorite sessions were Music in Storytime, where I got lots of good ideas for music I can use, and Kevin Sherry's book signing (author of I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean).
When I attend this conference, I always enjoy the time to network with other librarians throughout Maryland and come back with ideas for new programs, storytimes, etc. I feel that it was very worthwhile.
Abigail Andrews
Children's Dept. in Hagerstown
Webinar-Floating Collections
Floating collections include materials that move among branches based on where the materials are returned, holds placed, or new books distributed. Materials remain at the library where they are returned. When necessary, items are moved to another branch due to lack of shelf space or too many items on a topic. Having a floating collection gives smaller branches a wider range of items. Less time is spent sorting and handling a delivery. Depending on the policy of the library you can decide if all items should float or if you have a special collection that you don't want to float.
I have information dating back to 2008, about floating collections. Maybe it's time WCFL started floating.
I have information dating back to 2008, about floating collections. Maybe it's time WCFL started floating.
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