Youth Services Forum Executive Committee
Charlottesville, VA
June 7, 2002

Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Tim Carrier, Indira Dholakia, Jane Ferguson, Susan Head, Dena Martin, Lisa Payne, Lorry Risinger

Lisa called the meeting to order with VLA Council news.  She reminded members to pay VLA membership dues if we have not already done so.   The VLA Executive Committee would like to advocate greater governmental support of Virginia libraries.  Fifty-five people attended Federal Legislative Day and the program was seen as successful.  The Paraprofessional Conference had 409 participants.  The Treasurer’s report stated that the budget seems to be operating smoothly.  VLA nomination forms will be mailed to members shortly.  VLA is looking for other ways to fund our legislative liaison. 

Lisa stated that the Conference Committee approved all of the Youth Services Forum programs for the VLA Conference.  The Virginia Young Readers program and the “How To” program on critical review will be held on Thursday of the conference.  The Patchwork of Children’s Programs, Jefferson Cup Overfloweth, SOL discussion, and the YA Patchwork of Programs will be held on Friday of the conference.  Lorry will present during the Patchwork of Children’s Programs.  Indira, Jane, Tim, and Dena will present during the YA Patchwork of Programs. 

At the VLA Conference, Lisa hopes to have a table available to provide Youth Services Forum handouts.  She would like the table to be manned and would like to offer Jefferson Cup information as well as Read Aloud Virginia, Read Aloud Week, and Pat’s Library of Virginia Committee information.  Those manning the table can answer basic questions and recruit interested people to join the Youth Services Forum.

Lorry presented Region II news.  Amherst County Public Library will host the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the 4-H club and snakes, the Amherst Humane Society, and Carrie Jones from James River State Park.  Franklin County is offering a magic show with Fish the Magish, a barn dance, a Garfield party, the Bird Seed Guys, Pets in a Jar, and a Teddy Bear Picnic among other activities.  In Campbell County, Delano Douglas is opening the summer reading program with “Curious George.”  Tim Cruser will bring his dogs and explain pointers on training them.  Diane Prout and her therapy dog, Eubie, will represent the Humane Society.  A Time Traveler event will be held at Red Hill Shrine, Patrick Henry’s last home and burial site.  Kim and Jimbo Cary will present a historical music and dance interactive program with kids.  Amy Kukla may read the book she co-wrote with Dr. Jon Kukla, Patrick Henry: Voice of the Revolution.  The Pittsylvania County Library will offer programs on pet care, “Adopt a Pet,” and an obedience demonstration.  The Meherrin Regional Library will host the Steven’s puppets who will perform “Beauty and the Beast.”  Zendiva will perform and a pet parade will be held.  The J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library will hold a Summer Reading Fair complete with games and prizes, face painting, a book and bake sale, balloons and more!  Carol Catizone will present “K9 Tracks” offering tips on pet ownership.  The Lynchburg Public Library will host Ty-Rone and Tilford with a “Follow the Dream” presentation.  A family craft program will be held on the Fourth of July.  “Amazing Amphibians and Remarkable Reptiles,”  “Music with the McKenzies,” and the “Magic of Joseph Young” will be offered.  The grand finale will be a “Create-Your-Own-Ice-Cream-Sundae-Party.”   Lorry distributed flyers and scheduling information about library events in the region.

Susan reported on Region III news.  The Chesapeake Public Library will have a visit from the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie mouse.  Bill Wellington will perform and the 10^th Annual Civil War Days will be held in September.  The Portsmouth Public Library is lucky to have its summer reading program once again sponsored by the family of Mrs. Louise Rapoport.  The kickoff will be a program presented by the Humane Society.  There will be a “Guiding Eyes” storytime with guide dog, Nina.  Rabbit Rescue and Iguana Man will also be featured with a final program by Big Man Dave.  The Portsmouth Ready to Read Initiative is an effort to have all kids ready when starting kindergarten.  Portsmouth is currently looking for ways to provide training opportunities to day care, Head Start, church day cares, and home day cares.  Susan is looking for ways to open communication with the schools and hopefully receive school summer reading lists earlier.  The Virginia Beach Dodge donated $500 so that each teen who completes the summer reading program will have a pound of pet food donated to the SPCA.  Programs included a pet scrapbook workshop, “Let’s Go to the Farm” (field trip to a real farm), and a library sleepover.  The summer reading program is also traveling off-site to some day camps for kids.  Teen summer programs include an open mike night, mystery night, and a karaoke café.  Outreach is working with Social Services for the Fathers In Training summer reading program and also with the Healthy Start staff for a mother and child summer reading program.  Susan stated that Virginia Beach received a couple hundred responses to their library survey of parents and youth.  Top responses included the following: students liked having a place to talk with their friends, students liked having a place to quietly study or study with friends. Parents appreciated having a library computer to use for their children to type and print reports.  Virginia Beach will also hold a Teen Life Skills Fair Day.  A Storytime Fair that is open to the public will be held where those interested in becoming storytime providers can audition to become a contracted storytime provider for the library system.  Susan distributed a newsletter outlining Virginia Beach events.

Dena reported on Region IV events in Henrico County.  The “Free to Read” theme will be used for the teen program.  Teen book groups will read The Giver by Lois Lowry and Holes by Louis Sachar.  A local author who has written two science books will present a program.  Teen Council members worked on a bibliography of historical fiction by historical period.  Lisa reported on children’s programs in Henrico.  “Reptiles Alive,” “The Noise Guy,” juggler Jonathan Austin, and Ocean Encounters will present programs.  A special agent will also visit with a canine that can detect explosives.  Smithfield the Pig, a local pet store, a veterinarian, and Normal Norman’s Animal songs will be presented.  A Harry Potter book discussion will be held and a Girl Talk discussion for girls ages 8 to 12 will also be held.  The Richmond Public Library’s YA summer program is entitled “Who Let the Pets Out?”  For every hour volunteered at the Animal Shelter, a pet store will donate food.  The library has asked teens to create a Pet Rap.  Some will be selected to appear on the local channel 45.  Ginjer Clarke will visit and promote her new paperback titles, Wild Dads.  Barefoot Puppets, Magic For You, and Theatre IV will also visit the region.  Ginger reported on events in Chesterfield County.  Radio WOOF with Bill Wellington, author Ginjer Clarke, Amazin’ Jason, Snakes Alive, C-Shells in Concert, Choctaw Native American storyteller Running Deer, Cheryl Dunfee and Truffles (will demonstrate dog training and tricks), storyteller Linda Fang, Smithfield the Pig, and some professional clowns will visit.  The Chesterfield County Fire Department will present a special storytime.  Virginia State University offers the Virginia State Aquaculture Farm Tour at the Ettrick-Matoaca Library.  The Fischer Sundae Puppets will present a program at a few branches.  “Share a Caged Pet Day,” “My Imaginary Pet Contest,” “Fourth Annual Family Game Night,” “Exotic Reptile Show,” “Stuffed Animal Pet Show,” and the “First Annual Pet Parade” are among other highlights.  A program entitled “We Will Sink in Our Ships Rather Than Surrender” will include a living history experience of the Virginia State Navy in 1781.  Also programs featuring pet stores and local veterinarians will also be held as well as the “Read to Feed” summer program.

Jane discussed some events in Region V.  The Alexandria Public Library will use the Library of Virginia theme. Family Story Night (just started in the spring) is doing well.  The Arlington County Public Library reports that their ASSETS program which helps immigrants with literacy issues has been adopted and funded by the county.  They are busy getting ready for SummerQuest with the theme of “Catch a Dragon by the Tale.”  Caroline County Public Library will use the state theme and will offer many different storytimes.  A responsible pet ownership presentation, a trip to the Richmond Metro Zoo, and a picnic in the park will be offered.  The Fairfax County Public Library will offer “Reach for the World READ” this summer.  Generous donations from the Friends of the George Mason Regional Library and the Friends of the Fairfax City Regional Library have allowed a variety of programs to be offered including visits by the following performers: Anansegromma, Animal Ambassadors, Autumn Morning Star, The Healing Force, Tom Knight, Joan Leotta, the Maryland Science Center, Monster Drawings, a cartoon workshop by Mark Riddick, Joe Romano, Antonio Sacre, Richard Shine, Silly Socks Puppet Theatre, and the Stevens Puppets.  Teens will be able to participate in book discussion groups, may volunteer in libraries, and can submit a video in the Cool Clips contest.  The Falls Church Public Library will offer a summer reading program for elementary school children with the theme “Open New Doors through Reading.”  “Book Zone” for middle and high school students allows students to volunteer at the library.  The Fauquier County Public Library reports that Jennifer Heelen has just been hired as the Children’s Librarian.  The theme for summer reading is “Catch a Title Wave.”  A book club for upper elementary children, Book-nic, will be held.  Programs for teens include a yoga workshop and a presentation by the sheriff’s department. They are also offering a “Reading Readiness” program for parents of children entering kindergarten in the fall.  King George County will offer a “Sounds of Summer” concert series.  Other programs include the Spirit Keepers (an organization that offers pets as visitors for the ill and elderly), storyteller Margaret Chatham, singer and musician Barbara Martin, and the Blue Sky Puppet Theatre. The Animal Rescue League will teach children how to care for pets and a Stuffed Pet Show will be held.  Indira reported on Loudoun County news.  The Eastern Loudoun Regional Branch installed SAM (Smart Access Manager by Comprise Technologies, Inc.) that allows easy access to the Internet.  Patrons log in themselves and then are automatically logged off after their allotted time.  SAM is currently on a 30-day trial basis.  The new Library Information Phone Service (L.I.P.S. epixtech product called Telecirc) went into effect in April.  Indira brought a sample of the promotional flyer.  This automated phone service calls customers who have items on hold.  Patrons can choose whether the system will call them or not.  The theme for summer reading is “Read for the Fun of It.”  The Prince William Public Library celebrated April in Paris with a Madeline Tea Party.  The Leesburg Animal Park will present a small petting zoo program.  The Bull Run Regional Library celebrated with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and a “Magic Up Close” program with Lawrence Cummings.  The Central Branch invited the Jane Franklin Dance Group to perform “Dance of the Decades.”  The Potomac Branch celebrated with Travelin’ Jack and Company Puppet Show.  The SummerQuest theme will be “Discover a Hoppin’ Place @ Your Library.” The Teen theme is “Read to the eXtreme.”

Tim reported on events in Region VI.  The Culpeper County Library will host Clifford the Big Red Dog in June.  Puppets with Pizzazz, juggling with Jonathan Austin, and Animal Ambassadors will present programs.  The Handley Regional Library welcomes author Sally Keehn to the library.  Other presenters include the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Barefoot Puppets, Barry Louis Polisar, Snakes Alive, ventriloquist Ty-Rone and Tilford, Animal Ambassadors, and Blue Sky Puppets.  The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library will host Bill Wellington’s “Outlandish Tomfoolery,” musical performances by Zendiva, Kim and Jimbo Cary, juggling with Jonathan Austin, animals from the Wildlife Center of Virginia and Under the Sea, and storytelling by Jamal Koram.  Mother Goose storytimes will be featured.  School age programs include creative writing workshops, colored pencil illustration, and Who-Dun-It Tuesdays.  A Spanish storytime and the annual ice cream social will be held with a special appearance by Spot the dog.  The teen summer reading program will kick off with a chocolate festival.  Bingo will be played with M&Ms and a chocolate taste-off will be held.  Book discussion groups as well as workshops on creative writing, mehndi, card weaving, magic, gel candle making, paper bag art, tie-dye, drumming techniques, and a “snake necktie” craft program will be held.  The Orange County Library will host Barefoot Puppets, Amazin’ Jason, and Kim and Jimbo Cary among others.  One branch will hold the summer reading program finale at a nearby swimming pool.  Grand prizes for the summer reading program include a Gameboy Advance game, a portable CD player, and a radio-controlled sport truck.  The Samuels Public Library will host storyteller Tom Knight as well as visits from the Front Royal Cardinals and the Warren County Canine Unit.  The Shenandoah County Library will begin the summer with a puppet show and will also hold a Mother-Daughter Book Group and a teen genealogy workshop.  Kathleen Jacobs will present a puppet theater titled “Magic Pots and Recycled Bottles” at the Staunton Public Library.  The Waynesboro Public Library will host a free family concert by musician John McCutcheon at the Waynesboro High School auditorium.  Two pajama nights for families will also be held.

Lisa discussed ways to promote the programs going on in the regions.  She suggested highlighting successful children’s programs in the VLA Newsletter with a quarterly article by the Youth Services Forum.

Lisa reported that Read Aloud Virginia is still in the process of reorganization.  The Read Aloud Virginia group would like us to spread the word about their organization.  They are not sure how, otherwise, we can help at this time.

For Read Aloud Week last year, everyone was asked to promote Shiloh.  This year the Read Aloud Week Committee is hoping to have either Kate DiCamillo or Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole participate.  More information will be forwarded later.

Lisa distributed Pat’s Library of Virginia report.  Pat recently attended a meeting of the Family Literacy Consortium.  The group is planning a conference in Roanoke in September.  The official name of the project is Project Reach and its purpose is to develop a structure for family literacy in Virginia.  The idea is to create a central point of reference for all family literacy needs and services that can serve for referrals and as a clearinghouse.  Also staff training is included in this project.  Pat is serving on the Options, Models, and Guidelines Committee for this group.  A handout was distributed that included information about the Literacy Conference.  The Virginia Arnold Children’s Literature Conference and Read Aloud Virginia combine to host “Listening Leads to Literacy” on October 17, 2002 to launch “Read Aloud to a Child Week” (October 20-26, 2002).  Jim Trelease will be the keynote speaker.  Suzanne Fisher Staples will be the afternoon speaker.  On October 18, 2002, TheatreVirginia will present “Tamer of Horses,” the liberating force of literacy.  A VCU Graduate 1 hour credit course will be taught among other events.  On October 19, 2002, the Youth Matters 3-R Summit will be held and will offer ten workshops on topics such as children’s literature and children’s brain development.

Lisa asked everyone to think about a new chair for next year. 

The April minutes were approved.

The next meeting will be held on September 6^th at the Gordon Avenue Library in Charlottesville at 12:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ginger Armstrong