Youth Services Forum Executive Committee
Charlottesville, VA
April 12, 2002
Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Janet Boucher, Jane Ferguson, Shelley Gravel, Susan Head, Dena Martin, Pat Muller, Lisa Payne, Sherry Pearson, Lorry Risinger
Lisa opened the meeting with VLA Council news. She announced that there are still spaces open for Legislative Day. The VLA Paraprofessional Conference will be held May 19-21 and staff can register online. If anyone would like to nominate someone for Paraprofessional of the Year, please send in a nomination form. A Serials Classification Workshop will be held in the fall. The new version of the VLA Council page now will include pictures. Now programs other than VLA sponsored programs may be listed on the VLA calendar. More detailed information is forthcoming. The VLA Conference Committee announced that Sara Paretsky will appear for the opening session and Rick Bragg will speak at the closing session. Receptions are in the works. The Jefferson Cup luncheon will be held on Friday. Concurrent session proposals are due on May 1st.
The group discussed programs for the Youth Services Forum to sponsor at the VLA Conference. Top choices suggested and sent to the Conference Committee were: 1) Patchwork of Children’s Programs, 2) Patchwork of YA Programs, 3) SOL Project Program with Patricia Popp, and 4) Critical Review Workshop.
Lisa stated that the Youth Services Forum members Years of Service information was given to VLA.
Pat reported on Library of Virginia news. She stated that the Youth Services Forum may want to keep up to date on Read Aloud Virginia activities and Lisa volunteered to attend the next meeting in Henrico to find out how that group sees our role with them. Lisa will share information at our next meeting. Pat is currently focusing her energy on family literacy and devising an initiative. She is planning to bring in speakers on early childhood development, brain development, and reading with parents. She recommended that everyone check out the Winter 2002 issue of the Journal of Youth Services which provides a good overview on family literacy issues. She distributed a packet including information on the importance of family literacy and on other states success with promoting family literacy. Currently the Department of Education supports family literacy programs and family literacy is a required component in many grant proposals issued by the department. The State Department is also hiring a family literacy coordinator. A public awareness campaign needs to be implemented as well. Pat would like libraries to be involved in a family literacy initiative that promotes understanding of its components at the state level, increases understanding of departments’/agencies’ roles and programs that relate to family literacy, identifies existing resources that support the key elements needed for family literacy programming, identifies connections between programs and services and the components of family literacy, and identifies opportunities and barriers that influence support of family literacy at the state and local levels. Pat would like to liaison with the Legislative Committee on this issue. The Department of Education would like to build a coalition and in December, a Family Literacy Conference will be held in Roanoke.
Lorry reported on Region II news. She introduced Janet Boucher and members welcomed her to the group. Amherst County held a Dr. Seuss birthday party, an Easter Egg Hunt, and started the ACT (Afternoon Craft Time). Franklin County will have the local Master Gardeners introducing K-5th graders to the world of plants through hands-on activities. Young adults will plant squarefoot gardens in the center of the county parking lot. Ron Cromer with Snakes Alive will visit and the Scholastic Book Fair will be held. The Lynchburg Public Library added holiday storytimes for kindergartners and first graders along with their regularly scheduled storytimes. Ann Lawson and Diane Daniel entertained six schools with a St. Patrick’s Day performance. The others six schools heard a variety of Springtime stories by Lorry Risinger and Ellen Morgan while Pat Justice kept busy with storytime visits to Bethune and Headstart. Three drop-in craft programs were offered: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Springtime. Lynchburg has begun to take craft programs on the road to students in alternative schools who cannot get to the library during weekends. Teachers have been impressed with their students response to the crafts especially with a group of autistic students. So far Lynchburg has booked Ty-Rone and Tilford for the Summer Reading Program kickoff. Amazing Amphibians and Remarkable Reptiles have also been booked through local Parks and Recreation. Also programs on bugs and astrology will be hosted. In return, Lynchburg presents storytimes to the Parks and Recreation Department’s “Rug Rangers.” Joseph the Magician will visit in July and the “Create-Your-Own-Ice-Cream-Sundae Party” will be the grand finale. Any child who reads a minimum of fifteen books or 300 minutes will gain admission. A grant proposal has been submitted to the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust in hopes of receiving $1000 to continue the Book for Book/Pound for Pound Teen Summer Reading Program. The Meherrin Regional Library held an adult storytime with the new director and her husband doing readings from Southern Writers. All of the money raised went into the children’s programming fund. The Pittsylvania County Public Library has confirmed dates for the Poetry Breaks during National Poetry Month. Lorry stated that the Ellison die machine is moving around the region and that staff love the pet dies.
Susan reported on Region III news. The Blackwater Regional Library currently offers storytime sessions, provides middle and upper school students with library tours and demonstrates how to do research, and offers a Writer’s Club for Young Adults although the system currently does not have a children’s coordinator. The Chesapeake Public Library will host the annual Sheep to Shawl Program on April 19th at the Central Library and will feature sheep, 4-H shearers, and demonstrations of weaving, knitting and spinning. “Life on the Farm Day” will occur on April 20th and will feature exhibits, farm animals, and antique engines. The Second Annual Medieval Festival will be held on April 27th at the Major Hilliard Library and will be presented by the library and the Virginia Medieval Arts Association. Upcoming events include a May Day Celebration featuring dancing around the Maypole and “A Gift for Mom” program for youth ages 5 and up who are invited to honor their mother by making a gift for her. The Gloucester Library will offer a “Read My Lips Café” with a karaoke machine. The Hampton Public Library is partnering with Lee Elementary School to provide Motheread/Fatheread workshops. The Middlesex County Public Library will host a series of weekly programs by the Girl Scouts at each branch this summer. The Norfolk Public Library will host a visit from the Azalea Festival Queen with a program presented by the Van Wyke Library’s Reader’s Theater group. Christopher Paul Curtis visited Norfolk and attracted a standing room only crowd of approximately 400 people. He read for an hour, answered questions, signed autographs, and posed for photos with attendees. For the Summer Reading Program, Norfolk is partnering with local animal rescue groups including the SPCA, PETA, and other agencies. Two volunteers who participated in last summer’s Teen Summer Work Program have applied for jobs with the library. The Northumberland Public Library is working in conjunction with Northumberland Middle School to run the SUPER (Students Utilizing Partnerships to Empower Reading) program. Students (eighth graders this year ) chosen by their teachers are transported to the public library where they receive one on one tutoring with the library’s volunteers on an assignment provided by the teacher. The Poquoson Public Library received 177 entries in the poetry contest sponsored in March. The Portsmouth Public Library is participating in the Portsmouth Ready to Read Initiative. They are currently working toward supporting training opportunities for teachers in daycare and HeadStart facilities. The Virginia Beach Public Library currently is involved in a Ready to Learn Initiative. The Library’s Storytime Training Team has been sponsoring a series of workshops this year for library staff as well as daycare providers, parents, and others. On April 29th, Dr. Katharine Kersey, ODU Professor of Early Childhood Education, will present “Positive Discipline with Children.” The Library’s Youth Services Plan Team has been surveying fourth through eighth graders and their parents to find out how to improve youth services. Susan distributed a copy of the survey for children and for parents. The new South Rosemont Youth Library began a monthly mother-daughter book club. Susan showed the group an example of a multimedia kit that will soon be available for checkout to day cares, kids, teachers, etc. A Kids @ the Keyboard class will be held in May for children ages 7-10 with an adult. The Second Annual Storytime Fair will be held in June. The Williamsburg Regional Library held a five-hour reading marathon at the James City County Library. A new grant from the Friends of the Williamsburg Regional Library provided three additional Park Packs for the library collection. These packs are backpacks filled with books, videos, maps, activities, etc. that relate to the Park Pack’s theme. (ex. Plants and animals of Jamestown island). The York County Public Library will host magician Lance Smith during National Library Week. Songwriter and guitarist Barbara Martin and Pottery Painting by Glazenfyre will perform. The Babies and Books program and the 12-week American Girl program focusing on Felicity were also successful.
Lisa reported on news in Henrico County for Region IV. The Tuckahoe Library hosted Queen Nur who sang, dance, told stories, and performed with drums. She told African folktales and family stories and was highly recommended. She engaged both younger and older children for an entire hour. Henrico will use the state theme this year and currently has booked Reptiles Alive and the Noise Guy. Puppeteer Emily Madden will visit next week. Theatre IV is also booked. Dena reported on YA programming and is starting a mother-daughter book group. The first book to discuss will be Leaving Fishers by Margaret Peterson Haddix. In the summer, plans are being made to have a book group and a writing workshop at each branch. The theme she is using this summer is “Free to Read.” Dena will offer a volunteer program for young adults which gives community service credit to those teens participating. She is also planning to create a youth advisory group. Ginger reported on news in Chesterfield County. A YA program on computer crime is scheduled as well as a book discussion of The Golden Compass. The Central, Chester, and Enon libraries sponsored a poetry contest for teens ages 13-19 with the winning poem published in the Chester Village News. The Midlothian Library will host eight weeks of music programs this summer featuring different bands and ensembles. A macramé workshop as well as a “Design a Tile Mosaic” program will be held. A professional dog trainer is scheduled to visit as well. “Poetry and Pizza” will be held in which teens read their own poetry or some of their favorite poems. Writer Adam Bernaek and artist Heidi Evans will talk about comic book development in May. This summer RADIO WOOF will visit and summer readers will receive a coupon for a free McFlurry from McDonald’s and a meal for an animal at the animal shelter when finished with their goal.
Jane reported on Region V news. The Alexandria Public Library will have a “Beauty and the Beast” puppet show in April and the Burke Branch has reopened. The Arlington County Public Library just started a program called ASSETS, an in-house training between YA service staff and children’s staff. The purpose is to explore ways an individual, an organization, and the public can support parent and children’s programs and services. The Caroline County Library will provide stories, poems, and crafts for National Library Week including an outdoor play period for children. The Fairfax County Public Library will host storyteller Tom Stamp at the Patrick Henry branch. Jim Vandelly from the Russian musical group, “The Beltway Balalaikas.” Author Bob Woodward and ABC news veteran Sam Donaldson will speak during the “Presidents: Politics and Power” series. The Mary Riley Styles Public Library will offer craft programs such as making Mardi Gras masks. Amazin’ Jason visited recently for an evening family program. Karen Lyles, the Juggling Lady, will perform for TV Turn-off Week. A Roald Dahl program will be offered for third through sixth graders. The Fauqiuer County Public Library will celebrate Mother Goose Day with the Outreach Coordinator presenting storytimes for daycare centers as well as at all three branches. A “Reading Readiness” program will also be offered for parents in cooperation with the local schools. The King George Library System will hold a family program on April 4th to celebrate National Library Week. The librarians will give a brief history of public libraries, a booktalk, a library game for all to play, and refreshments. The Loudoun County Public Library celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with special programs and a movie festival. “Daily Life of Loudoun County – Women and Children in the 18th, 19th, and 20th Century” was presented by the Loudoun Museum. Children were able to try on costumes at the event. Magician Joe Romano visited. The Ashburn Library just had a groundbreaking ceremony in March. Prince William County Public Library will use MELSA’s artwork and theme, “Discover a Hoppin’ Place @ Your Library.” Two goals for this year have been to invite individual schools to the library for a special night for their specific school as well as the “Take a Second to Read” program which targeted several elementary schools and invited all second graders to get cards. The library promoted this program by visiting the classes and having the classes come to the library.
Tim Carrier sent a report on Region VI news. The Augusta County Library is planning a Curious George 60th Birthday Party for National Library Week. The Handley Regional Library will host Region VI librarians on April 26th and will provide a tour of the system’s new library facilities including the new Bowman Library, the renovated Handley Library and local sites such as the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Discovery Museum. The Handley Library has plans for an Alice in Wonderland tea. The Bowman Library will celebrate the Peter Rabbit centennial with a Saturday morning celebration including visits to a play at Hilltop House, “Beatrix Potter” reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit in Castle Cottage, and the Tailor of Gloucester Tea Room for tea and scones. The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library will observe “Turn Off the TV Week” with a number of activities for children as well as pledge packets where children record what they have done instead of watching television. The Northside Library is holding a Redwall trivia contest. The Seventh Annual Logo Contest was held in March to select a winning design for the front of the teen summer reading program brochure. There were 49 entries. The winner and runners-up receive a gift certificate to the local mall. The Massanutten Regional Library will host author Carolyn Reeder for a program about writing historical fiction. The Shenandoah County Library now has two youth specialists – Nancy Webster for preschool and primary ages and Gwen Lantz for elementary and teen.
Pat Muller reported that she is coordinating publicity for the first week of June for the summer reading program. The theme for 2003 will be “Wolfin’ Down Books at the Library” using Lane Smith’s artwork. The VLA Paraprofessional Forum will hold a mini-Youth Services Institute on Monday with three sessions – Planning and Evaluating Programs, Reading Aloud, Age-Appropriate Storytimes. A YA session is planned for the conference as well. Pat would like to offer a similar institute at the Paraprofessional Conference every other year. The Mem Fox program in March was well attended. The Mother Goose program at the Science Museum of Virginia was recommended. Pat has two scholarships available for this program based on the math and science standards for kindergarten. Pat will attend the SWING meeting and will highlight new titles from the Capitol Choices list. She has mailed letters to publishers to find out if they will donate titles for a traveling collection. Pat hopes to have a video public service announcement available for next year’s reading program.
Sherry announced the Jefferson Cup winners to the group. Storm Warriors by Elisa Carbone is the winner of the 2002 Jefferson Cup Award. Honor books are Under a War-Torn Sky by L.M. Elliott and Freedom Summer by Debbie Wiles. Books Worthy of Note are The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline Cooney, The Belly Gunner by Carol Hipperson, and My Family Shall Be Free: The Life of Peter Still by Dennis Fradin. The Series Worthy of Note is the Encyclopedia of American Studies published by Grolier. Rebecca will make the official announcement of the winners next week. The Jefferson Cup program will consist of a luncheon at the VLA Conference as well as the Jefferson Cup Overfloweth session. There may be the possibility of having a program with the Jefferson Cup winner as well as the luncheon. Sherry also recommended The Cod’s Tale by Mark Kurlansky.
Shelley reported that the Virginia Young Readers committee will meet tomorrow to look at books for next year. The new list was announced at the Virginia State Reading Association Conference. She will e-mail the new list as well as last year’s winners to the group.
The February minutes were approved.
The next meeting will be held on June 7th at the Gordon Avenue Library in Charlottesville at 12:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ginger Armstrong