Power Up Reflection #1

Image from PixabaySo, I guess I took March off from posting to the blog.  Nothing like abdominal surgery to slow a person down.  I am back, and full of ideas for posting, so hopefully content will be more regular from here on out.  Remember that I am...

Talking Is Teaching Bundles

I’m working with a few IFLS-area libraries and a marvelous load of other partners on the Talking Is Teaching Chippewa Valley initiative.  The goal is to empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge that the more they talk (and listen!) to their kids,...

Thinking about Dr. Seuss

Read Across America Day is coming up, and many of you have fun activities planned for your communities, encouraging family reading and celebrating the fun of literature.  Since this celebration of reading happens on March 2, which is the birthday of Dr....

Parents Interacting with Intention

Wow, I cannot believe that February is half-over and I haven’t managed to write a blog post till now!  Remember, if you have a program or something you’ve been thinking about you’d like us to highlight, those are always the most popular...

Youth Media Awards!

I was moderately interested this morning when the newscasters, with bated breath, announced the Academy Award nominations this year.  But give me some Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King, Schneider Family, Pura Belpre, and Printz Awards action (not to mention...

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Image from PixabayHonoring the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. should be something we do year-round, and not just on a particular day or month.  But since it is MLK, Jr. Day today, it seems important to think about some things we can do that...

The Chilling Effect of Ghosting

Image from PixabayHere’s something that I know happens in libraries, maybe even in your library:  people decide not to purchase materials because they are concerned about potential challenges or backlash from the community.  Collection development is...

Community Event Kit

I am guessing that many of the libraries who read this blog get invited to have a table at community events.  This is a great way to meet new people who might not otherwise make it into the library, but it can be time-consuming, and sometimes difficult to think...

Free ALSC Webinar about Summer Learning

Image credit:  Pixabay Making the Move from Summer Reading to Summer Learning Thursday, 1/17 1:00 pm (Central) Children need to keep learning during the summer.  Libraries have long embraced their role in the summer learning landscape.  The National Summer Learning...