Teen Swap Wrap-Up

Photo by Júnior Ferreira on UnsplashIt’s always fun, and never enough time, when youth services librarians get together.   Thirty percent of attendees have played Madame Trelawney at Harry Potter events in the past few years!  I...

Super-Charged Storytimes

Storytimes!  They are the bread-and-butter of what we do as youth services librarians.  They are an important tool for sharing early literacy information and skills with kids and parents, they are a ton of fun, and most libraries have one. Now, thanks...

What Do the Doctors Order? MORE PLAY!

A young child enjoying play in Bloomer I know I harp on about the importance of play for young children’s development, including opportunities for play that is set up with some intention on the part of caregivers.  But it is SO IMPORTANT!  And so...

National Book Award Long-List

  Check your shelves and your order carts!  Are these books on them?  Several of them have holds on them, I’m guessing that people have seen the news and want to read them!                Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X  (HarperTeen / HarperCollins Publishers) M....

Civic Labs for Kids and Teens

Over the past year, after much gnashing of teeth on my part and the helpful advice of several IFLS-area librarians, I created a resource for libraries to use when hosting programs and displays that promote civic dialogue and engagement about pressing issues.  I...

Every Child Ready for MATH!

Image:  PixabayThere’s been so much great work in libraries about early literacy skills, and empowering parents to talk, sing, read, write, and play with their kids to help develop them.  Many libraries are also doing some great work around early math...

Venn Diagram Boost

Winding down the summer, maybe you need a little boost?I was chatting with my daughter the other day about someone we both know–I know her because she’s a librarian, Alice knows her because she works at another job with her.  We were discussing how...

Retirements!

Image:  PixabayThings are frequently in flux in the IFLS-region, with new directors and new youth services people a regular part of the job.  It keeps things very exciting around here!  But at the end of this summer, we are saying goodbye to two youth...

Bike Locks in Chippewa Falls

Image from PixabayIn case you missed this great press from the Chippewa Falls Public Library–a sad and frustrating situation (a kid’s bike got stolen) turned into a terrific opportunity to do something cool (a bike lock collection).  I’ve seen...

Inspiring Play in Young Children

I came across some books that some of you may already be familiar with:  Loose Parts:  Inspiring Play in Young Children and Loose Parts 2:  Inspiring Play with Infants and Toddlers, both written by Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky, with gorgeous photos...