Leah Langby | IFLS Library System

Easy Interactive Teen Displays in Menomonie

by Leah Langby | Aug 2, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

I heard from a reliable source (my own teen) that the interactive teen displays in Menomonie are the bomb. Abby Seymour, the teen librarian, shared some of her recent displays:The first display takes the intriguing first line of a YA book was on the front, with...

Downloadable Posters and More from 15 Minutes a Day

by Leah Langby | Jul 28, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

Read Aloud 15 Minutes is devoted to encouraging parents and caregivers to read at least 15 minutes a day with children. They have some fun infographics, posters, and other resources that are free to download, and in addition, they are sponsoring a challenge in...

Does Coding Seem Like the Scary Monster Under Your Bed?

by Leah Langby | Jul 19, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

Many thanks to Kathy Larson from Bloomer for this terrific guest post!I’ve gone to many workshops over the past few years where I’ve heard librarians say, “Setting up a coding club is so easy” but they can’t really explain how they started it. I thought there was some...

Strong Girls School at ALA

by Leah Langby | Jul 5, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

One of the programs I attended at ALA this year was called Strong Girls School. Nancy Evans, from the public library in Levittown, New York discussed a program that she developed after teen girls in a library writing group clamored for it. As a writing...

Reading without Walls Challenge

by Leah Langby | Jul 3, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

I know I have posted about National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Gene Luen Yang’s Reading Without Walls Challenge before. But I just heard Gene Yang at ALA, and he inspired me to remind you. He told a great story about his next...

Art’s Power

by Leah Langby | Jun 21, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

A couple weekends ago, I discovered a new favorite band (The Resonant Rogues–check them out!). As I sat in the concert, I was missing a beloved, departed family member and wishing I could share the music with her, so I wasn’t surprised to spring a...

WLA Awards–Make a Nomination!

by Leah Langby | Jun 20, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

Do you have a terrific and innovative program at your library you are proud of? Is your whole darn library incredible and amazing? Do you work with someone who you think is inspiring, smart, and effective? Maybe it is time to consider nominating...

SLJ Teen Live Virtual Conference is FREE

by Leah Langby | Jun 14, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

Authors will speak on topics including immigration, gender, and reluctant readers. Click here to register for the 6th annual SLJTeen Live! Join us on August 9, 2017, from 10 AM – 5 PM ET, for the 6th annual SLJTeen Live! This free, entirely virtual conference...

Cumberland Scavenger Hunt

by Leah Langby | Jun 12, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

Building off a successful program from years’ past, the library in Cumberland is sponsoring a scavenger hunt for Pete the Cat, who is hiding in the windows of different downtown businesses each week this summer. When kids find Pete, they let the library...

Last Day of School Celebration in Phillips

by Leah Langby | Jun 9, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

When my daughter was a toddler, she discovered the wonders of Popsicles, and entertained her older cousins to no end by declaring regularly, “I want a need a pop-the-weasel!”Lucky for the kids in Phillips, the librarians there understand the experience of...

Making and Doing in Ogema

by Leah Langby | Jun 8, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

Over the past year, a group of tween girls have been spending Wednesday afternoons at the library in Ogema. To engage these kids in some projects, the library put together a series for them this spring. Activities included:Making May Baskets to give to...

River Falls Hosts Little Golden Book Show

by Leah Langby | Jun 6, 2017 | Keeping Up With Kids

From Baby Animals, illustrated by Garth Williams, used by permission, copyright 1952 Penguin Random HouseThis summer, the River Falls Public Library Gallery will feature an extensive collection of original illustration art from one of American publishing’s best-loved...