Educate, Connect, Inspire
NLA Statement Condemning Racism and Violence against Black People and People of Color
The Nebraska Library Association condemns racist and violent acts against Black people and all People of Color (POC). Racist oppression has been with us since before this nation was founded and has been highlighted again by the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and James Scurlock — and these are only the most recent, high-profile cases. On behalf of the NLA Diversity Committee and of the NLA as a whole, we cannot be silent at this time.
It is not enough for us as individuals and as a profession to be passively non-racist: we must be actively antiracist, as librarians, as members of our communities, and as human beings. Libraries often promote neutrality as a professional value, and there is good intention in this: we seek balanced and open access to knowledge and information for anyone who uses our services.
However, librarianship does not have a neutral history in matters of justice, from Melvil Dewey to the segregated libraries of Jim Crow, we have seen the ways that passivity and overt oppression have played out in our profession’s history and present day. Though in many ways we have made progress, we still have much work left to do. Now is the time to be unwavering and persistent in our solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and POC colleagues, patrons, and community members. Librarians cannot hide behind the shield of neutrality on matters of human rights.
Read the full statement here.
Shawna Lindner
Youth Services Librarian – Kearney Public Library
With many libraries and schools closed across the state, and the CPLS Golden Sower Reading Day in Kearney canceled, access to books may be a little more difficult for you this year.
An option for the Picture Books is to go online and view the books on YouTube videos. Many of our nominees are read online, giving you access to the words and illustrations. They are quite simple to find! Search in the video section of Google, typing in the title of the book and author. Or, just go directly to YouTube! Here is an example of I am Not a Fish! By Peter Raymundo https://youtu.be/2kShZL35Qn4
Contact Shawna Lindner at SLindner@kearneygov.org to sign up to be a reader and be given access to the final copy of the Picture Book reading list for 2021-2022. Keep in mind, Picture Book selections should be appropriate for Kindergarten through 2nd grade students (ages 5 – 9). Please read and select titles as if you are seeing them through a child’s eye, select what they will enjoy, not based on what will fit curriculum.
An option for the Chapter Books list is to read the books as eBooks through OverDrive. Many schools and public libraries offer this service for free to their patrons. Please know we understand you may not be able to read all of the titles. Read as many as you can and adjust your voting accordingly. If you read 20 books and only 5 stand out, submit 5 votes instead of 10. Our voting is percentage based, so it will all balance out.
Contact Shawna Lindner at SLindner@kearneygov.org to sign up to be a reader and be given access to the final copy of the Chapter Book reading list for 2021-2022. Keep in mind, Chapter Book selections should be appropriate for 3rd through 5th grade students (ages 9 – 12). Please read and select titles as if you are seeing them through a child’s eye, select what they will enjoy, not based on what will fit curriculum.
Voting:
All products on this list meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The American Chemistry Council’s Center for Biocide Chemistries has compiled a list of products that have been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against emerging enveloped viral pathogens and can be used during the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Effective Handwashing
DIY Hand Sanitizer
Using Gloves Correctly
Answers to Questions about Quarantine, Masks, Gloves, Disinfectants, and More
Be the Pond
Self Quarantine Yoga
Chair Yoga Dance with Sherry Zak Morris
Kids, now more than ever, are
learning newer and better ways to interact in a digital age now that it is
mixed with safer-at-home orders. How
will you keep up with them so you don’t lose that connection that many of you
have worked hard to create over the years?
Keep up with them! Learn how with
these 16 top ways you can connect with your youth, even in such
self-isolating times!
1) Digital Escape Rooms
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/moving-programming-online/
https://www.facebook.com/events/560355461530568/
2) Online
Gaming Tournament
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/event-series/virtual-programming?page=2
While we can’t meet in person at the moment, there are endless possibilities to get together virtually, from virtual Smash Bros. Tournament with Nintendo Switch to chess matches, poetry to duct tape crafts, knitting to digital meditation, even cupcake experiments to body percussion classes, you are bound to find something that suits your interests in our various virtual programs.
3) Find a Project That You Can Do Together via Zoom
https://www.instructables.com/
4) Participate in First Chapter Fridays
http://www.mpl.org/services/events/?eid=112641
Here is what one library is doing during this time to get teens involved in reading via Zoom.
https://www.loveatfirstchapter.com/
Checkout previous first chapters that have been used and sign up to have a first chapter sent to your inbox every month.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Set-4983296
Here are resources (cost) that you can purchase or replicate to create doodle pages for kids to doodle while they listen to the chapter.
5) Read-A-Loud Books for Older Kids
A great list of 30 read-a-loud books for tweens and teens. You could read a chapter a week over the course of the summer to keep kids coming back for more!
6) Play I
Spy! In Community Windows
http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2020/04/cindy-crushes-programming-5-virtual-programs-you-can-do-right-now/&utm_source=Marketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=april16ExtraHelping
7) Compete in a Virtual Poetry Slam
https://indiacurrents.com/poetry-providing-a-platform-during-a-national-quarantine/
Looking for fun activities to explore the art of poetry and use it to support language learning? Try these simple and fun activities.
Wanting to combine a virtual slam while helping out the community? See how this one community came together to raise money for healthcare workers.
8) Create Stop Motion Animation Movies
Have you ever made a short film of your own? Don’t think you have the skills to teach it to teens? This article offers a great basic overview of what stop motion animation is, the benefits of it, and many options to help kids create their own movie in no time!
9) Host a Virtual Book Tournament
Host your very own Virtual Book Tournament using tips listed here. Erin walks you through how to decide on the book choices, how to set up the brackets, and how to make voting easy. Try a twist by hosting your tournament using a specific theme.
10) Offer “So You Want to Be An Adult” Courses
Meaningful life skills programming for teens is not a new concept, by any means. A few great libraries have also adopted the idea of teaching teens things that don’t quite make the school curriculum. Changing a tire, applying for a job, even cooking a healthy meal, are all topics that can be daunting for a young person who has never had the opportunity to try them out.
11) Provide a Photography Course
https://go.bucketforms.com/sf/234c88ac
Stuck at home? Need something fun and creative to do with the kids? Try one of these photo project ideas for kids and teens who love taking pictures! Photography is a terrific outlet to lessen anxiety, process difficult emotions, and find a bit of joy each and every day.
12) Host a Game Night….Casino Royale, Anyone?
https://www.twoscotsabroad.com/zoom-video-conference-call-games/
13) Make a Book Trailer
Do you want to tie reading with technology? Need a fun way to engage teens this summer when you can’t meet together? Have teens make their own book trailer based on their favorite book! This will not only get your teens involved but will open the door for so many discussions like the author’s purpose, story elements, what makes a great cliff hanger, etc.
14) Host a Virtual Teen Art Show
https://www.instagram.com/plainfieldteens/
15) Career Day @ Your Library – Virtually
Invite local guest speakers, either all on one day or weekly, to talk about what they do, how much education they had to get, what kind of wage range that job typically has, and why they love doing what they do. A few speaking careers could be fireman, police officer, nurse, doctor, mayor, small business owner, hair dresser, etc.
16) Interact With Teens Via Social Media
http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2020/03/virtual-programming-during-a-pandemic-a-guest-post-by-stacey-shapiro/#8230
How do you get (or keep) teens involved in programming right now? This article offers several ideas to try during this challenging time. With social media and the internet more widespread than ever, now is the perfect time to try virtual programming such as joining in the Flip the Switch challenge. What is that? Do your research into what teens are finding fun!
Great Teen Programming Ideas for When Libraries are Operational Again:
http://libraries.idaho.gov/files/Teen%20Programming%20Ideas%20and%20Resources.pdf
Feel free to post these story times that are the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day 2020.
How do we celebrate National Library Week when no one can visit the Library?
It’s not too early to think about how you’ll celebrate National Library Week, planned this year for April 19-25. The theme for the 2020 celebration is “Find Your Place at the Library.” The American Library Association offers free promotional tools that include press releases, PSAs, and ready-made graphics.
Celebrations during National Library Week include:
National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
Below are 19 different ideas to help you plan your fun-filled week!
1) Dress the Part
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g22127013/book-character-costumes/
Looking for something out of the ordinary? Encourage patrons to dress up for National Library Week following themes such as “Wacky Wednesday” (crazy socks are welcome) and “Favorite Friday” where people come dressed as their favorite book character. Could you possibly do a parade of characters who are exhibiting proper “social distancing” protocols?
2) Create an Obstacle Course
OK….so maybe patrons can’t come INSIDE the library right now, but they could come participate in your sidewalk obstacle course while they pick up any needed supplies for your live craft hours! Another idea would be to have the patrons design a message for the librarians on the sidewalks outside your library so you can see the messages of love.
3) I Love My Public Library Coloring Page Contest
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Love-My-Public-Library-Coloring-Page-3215598
Download this FREE coloring sheet and encourages patrons to share their creations via Instagram, Facebook, or by emailing them to you so you can post them on your website.
4) Quotes to Share About Libraries
http://www.dailymayo.com/2015/02/18/quotes-about-libraries/
https://www.bookbub.com/blog/quotes-about-how-much-we-love-librarians
Use these or other quotes you may find to decorate your Instagram, Facebook, or website pages. Another great idea would be to decorate your windows so patrons can see them as they drive by.
5) Institute a Bookface Friday
http://www.literaryhoots.com/2016/07/bookface-friday-in-library.html
Have patrons take silly pictures of themselves using books as their faces and
then either post them on Instagram using your libraries #hashtag and
#bookfacefriday or send them to you via email so you could post them on your
website. Another fun option would be to
make it a contest throughout the week and announce prizes on Friday!
6) Invite Patrons to “Show Your Love for the Library” By Sending a Hug
This craft idea is a fabulous way of both keeping the kids busy and
entertained, while also spreading some love to librarians.
7) Do a Bookshelf Scavenger Hut at Home
https://www.themanylittlejoys.com/library-scavenger-hunt-for-kids-part-2-bingo-version/
Help kids to “search” for good books to read that have been in their homes all along! Whether it’s finding the biggest book, the book with the most pages, or a book about animals, kids (and adults) will have fun finding treasures they have had all along. Or for a different twist, try Scavenger Hunt Bingo version!
8) Host an Around the World Tour
https://www.123homeschool4me.com/free-18-countries-of-world-book_30/
No matter what country you visit, use these printable passports or country coloring sheets to keep track of the countries you learn about. Just as you would have a stamp in your passport for each country you’d visit, patrons can collect a “stamp” from the library to add to this printable passport for each country you learn about throughout the week.
9) Create a WordArt Using Patrons Words
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/770889661186334251/
Have each patron describe the library using only one word and, at the end of the week, create a Wordart using the words they had to say about their favorite part of the library!
10) Create a Library “Family” Newsletter
https://family.lovetoknow.com/family-activities/how-create-engaging-family-newsletter
Decide on a theme (COVID-19 seems appropriate), enlist volunteers to write stories from the community, and library staff can put together a newsletter from all the patrons in the “field” reporting on fun activities, memories, or challenges to life this spring. Better yet…make it a video newsletter and have patrons submit news clips!
11) Book Spine Poetry
National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals. It was created to increase the visibility and availability of poetry in popular culture while acknowledging and celebrating poetry’s ability to sustain itself in the many places where it is practiced and appreciated.
12) Oh Library, How I Love Thee….
Have the community participate in a giant love letter to the library by stopping by, grabbing a heart, and telling why they love their library! This is something anyone can add to if it is posted on an outside door.
13) Host a Long-Distance Book Club
https://www.bustle.com/p/10-tips-for-hosting-a-digital-book-club-47362
Ready to join the ranks of Emma Watson Oprah, Emma Roberts, and Reese Witherspoon? Here are 10 tips and rules to follow in order to have great success!
14) Host a Hogwarts Digital Escape Room
Peters Public Township Library in McMurray, PA, created a Hogwarts Digital Escape Room. You can complete this escape room as a group or as individual. You can compete against friends and try it multiple times. Just make sure you have fun! This would be really fun to do as a Zoom meeting!
15) Create “Open When” Letters to Celebrate Your Library When We Reopen
A fun idea for when we can’t see each other in person. Ask your patrons to write letters to the library that you will “Open When” the library reopens! They can include funny pictures, stories about their favorite librarian, or what they can’t wait to do again once the library is open.
16) How to Help Librarians and Archivists from Your Living Room
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/archives-to-browse-from-home
If you’re cooped-up and curious, use your free time to decipher handwriting, tag images, and more! Some libraries are in the market for armchair archivists – volunteers who can put on their sleuth hats and decipher records and handwriting.
17) Go on a “Virtual” Journey Together
Can’t go on a trip together right now? No worries! Gather everyone together on a Zoom meeting and go on a virtual trip to somewhere fun. Maybe make it a theme for the week in everything you choose to do: virtual story time, virtual field trip, virtual craft project, etc.
18) Combine National Poetry Month & National Library Week
Find fun poems to feature on your Instagram, Facebook, or website each day that remind children and adults alike why they love their library and can’t wait until they can get back to it. There are also at home activities, read aloud videos, and more for ones to explore!
19) Treat Your Patrons with These Gifts
Coloring Bookmarks: https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/pinterest/pz-coloring-bookmarks.html
Coloring Bookmarks: https://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/blog/read,article/887/free-printables-read-grow-coloring-bookmarks-for-back-to-school
Bookworm Treats: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/15833036170792152/
Nerd Treats: http://talesofthefourthgradeteacher.blogspot.com/2012/05/istep-day-2.html
Party Favors: https://www.bookbub.com/blog/bookish-party-favors?popupdelay=0
Gumball Treats: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/58335757643736930/
The Central Plains Library System is having a Virtual Directors’ Meeting today, Thursday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m. There will be another Directors’ Meeting tomorrow, Friday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. These will both be telephone conference calls. Please feel free to join either one.
We will be talking about what is going on in your community, how you are serving your patrons, and what next week may look like. I do not have any hard and fast answers. It is just good to get the group together and see what we can figure out.
Please call the System Office or email Denise for the toll-free telephone number and PIN necessary to join the call.