Continuing Education Archives

We are living in the Golden Age of Children's Literature, no doubt about It. At the same tlme, we are also living in an era where more books are being published for kids than we've ever seen before. How can you possibly cut through the mass to find the gems?

Whether building a collection from scratch or brushing up on what’s new and noteworthy, this presentation covers best practices for collection development and maintenance, up-and-coming series to keep an eye on, to boost your circulation statistics with appealing titles for elementary through high school readers.

This session provides an overview of research into adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the lifelong consequences of trauma. Special attention will be paid to the behavioral responses to trauma commonly observed among public library patrons. We will explore ways that libraries can move to become trauma-informed, providing customer service that addresses the needs of the whole person. Please note that while ACEs occur during childhood, the repercussions are felt throughout our lives; this session is not specific to children and youth.

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A superb high school librarian, in a discussion of making a place for all stories, explained the groups she was expanding her collection to more accurately and completely represent. When I asked about voices of those living in generational poverty, she paused and very honestly replied, "I never thought about representation and socioeconomics," and proceeded to ask me about titles.

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Jon Lewis draws on his more than 10 years experience working in libraries, songwriting, and performing in day care centers and preschools to compile his best practices for including music and puppets in storytimes and circle times. Using a mix of PowerPoint, video clips, discussion, live music, and more, "Mr. Jon" will have attendees singing and dancing, discussing music tips and tricks, and learning all about best puppet practices.

In August, 2021, the State of Illinois enacted groundbreaking legislation requiring the teaching of news literacy at every public high school. Hopefully this is the start of a nationwide trend, and it represents an incredible opportunity for school librarians to partner with teachers to help future generations become media-savvy and disinformation-aware.

Imagine a world where parents of struggling readers go to the library and librarians recommend resources that help all children learn to read. Perhaps caregivers take a child to a library and learn that—using games, activities, and the right resources, such as decodable books—their child can start to read basic words. Reading issues are common, and no one is spared. The statistics on struggling readers tell a dramatic story: Sixty-four percent of fourth-graders are not proficient in reading.

Learn the best practices of Zoom storytimes, including basic Zoom management, and gather new ideas for how to make your storytimes come alive over the screen. Whether you're just getting started with Zoom storytime, or you're a pro, there is something here for everyone.

This webinar was recorded live on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, and runs just under one hour.

As Future Ready School Librarians, it has never been more important for us to show what we can do and how we can shine! In this session, Shannon will share lots of ways we can lead and support our districts throughout the school year, and through our journey with remote and continuous learning.

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Thousands of books come out each year but so many have small or no marketing budgets that make it difficult for a lot of titles to get noticed. How do you find out which of these titles are right for your library, and how do you get them into the hands of your teen patrons? Learn from four experienced teen librarians who care about giving the right book to the right reader. The panelists will also share some great under-the-radar titles that your teens need to know about.

This webinar was recorded on June 11, 2020, and runs approximately 70 minutes.

Staying cooped up at home has led to creative thinking throughout the library world. Youth departments in public libraries are leading the way with live and prerecorded e-storytimes for patrons. E-resources are being shared via social media and email. Now that your library has these services situated, what next? Gather some fresh ideas about virtual services and programming BEYOND e-storytimes and rhyme videos. Attend to your patrons social-emotional needs by responding in a trauma-focused way through Lincolnwood Public Library's intentional programming and messaging.

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Feel like you want a firmer grasp on the books being published for kids today? Then join this fun, upbeat look back at 2019. Evanston Public Library Collection Development Manager Betsy Bird uses her location's 101 Great Books for Kids list to highlight the titles you definitely shouldn't miss. Attendees will receive a firm grasp on some of the best books written for children, as well as a broader sense of trends in publishing and what to look for in the future.

This webinar was recorded live on March 3, 2020, and runs approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Join Evanston Public Library's Collection Development Manager Betsy Bird as she guides you through her library's annual 101 Great Books for Kids list for 2018. From fairy tales and folktales to comics and picture book biographies, there's something for every kid between the ages of 2-12 on this list. Betsy talks up some of the keener selections, highlighting both known favorites and the hidden gems that might come in handy for your average children's librarian. Finally, Betsy discusses creating this list and how you can make one for your own library system. Come for the books.

Historically, children's and young adult Collection Development has been heavily reliant on reviewed materials. To order books for your library, all you had to do was receive carts of newly reviewed titles from your distributor, select them, and that was it. But as it turns out, the easy way is not the best way. Join Betsy Bird as she explains why Collection Development today is an active affair, and why making your children's and young adult collections diverse means visiting book fairs and street vendors, reaching out to local contacts, hunting down obscure book awards, and more.