What they Don't Teach You in Library School- Part I

What to do when a kid comes in with a cat carrier with a screeching cat inside.

No, I'm not kidding.

I told him, "Sorry, no kitties in the library," and he left.

Sigh....

Little Women

So, we are into Week 3 of the semester and I am SWAMPED with readings and should be starting projects/papers that are do.

But who are we kidding?

I'm actually reading articles for class (major accomplishment for me) and finding some of them quite interesting, particularly those for my Public Library Management class. But my readings for my seminar on Literature for Youth are much more enjoyable. I'm actually required to read Little Women for class! I haven't read that in ages and have forgotten how much I loved it. Also working my way through Treasure Island and Ragged Dick.

Ok, I'll go be good and do (read: pretend to do) homework.

Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny With a Scattered Chance of Hissy Fits

So...

My internship is long over with and the whole creation of this blog was part of my internship requirement. I should just let it fall by the wayside, right?

WRONG!

I love my little blog. (Ok, I don't post everyday but I still loves it!) Therefore, I shall keep it but change the focus a bit and a tad. Since I'm still in Library School, I'll post about what's going on in my classes and about my adventures working in the library. I may also post any reviews of books I've read. Depends on how ambitious I am.

The hungry Caterpillar

The hungry Caterpillar
Originally uploaded by luckysundae

Because I couldn't end this without a picture of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!!!

The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians (or in this case the grad student)

Wow. I've been looking back over journal entries and thinking about my internship and have realized some stuff. What have I realized?

• Kids really do smell fear.
• Parents can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy.
• The day is not complete until you've had to use a glue stick or scissors.
• Re-shelving books in children's nonfiction is a form of cruel and unusual punishment.
• Librarians spend more time drooling over the new books than many of the kids.
• Not everyone knows their library manners....
• Animals in the library are both a blessing and a curse. (Don't tap the glass!)
  
• All of the madness is worth it when two little arms wrap around you and say, "Thank you Miss Alyssa!"
• I want to be a children's librarian!

And for those of you who scoff at the idea that an internship can open doors for you, I present you with this story. The day after my internship ended, I got a call from one of the staff members telling me about an open circulation clerk position. I turned in my application on a Monday and that Thursday I was called back and asked if Monday and Thursday evenings were good for me. Hooray for a library job!!!!

Article Alert! (And it's a big one!)

Albright, Meagan, Kevin Delecki, and Sarah Hinkle. "The Evolution of Early Literacy: A History of Best Practices in Storytimes." Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Services to Children 7.1 (2009): 13-18. EBSCOhost. Web. 1 Aug. 2009. .

• Gives a brief overview of the early history of story hour/storytime, beginning in the 1950’s, and its values. Also discusses the roles of parents in storytime then and now, and how story hour needs to change to accommodate today’s families.

• If you thought storytime was the little ones sitting happily and being quiet, attentive listeners you were wrong! I sat in on a storytime this summer, and I was also the reader of several stories as well, where I found out that some of the little ones were very vocal and squirmy. Sometimes their grown-ups helped out, other times not so much.... The article did mention the fact that the "traditional storyhour" wasn't exactly condusive to today's busy families (two working parents, after school activities, etc.) and that librarians needed to make the effort to make storyhour more accessible for all.
  

• The article also touched on the fact that story hour isn't as easy as it seems. Not only do you have to "keep the peace," if you will, but it's not just merely reading the story. You have to pick an appropriate story for your age group and you need to keep the kids engaged in the story.
  

Smith, Meg. "The ABCs of Advocacy: The Role of Children's Managers in Public Libraries." Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children 6.3 (2008): 50-51. EBSCOhost. Web. 1 Aug. 2009. .

• Discusses the importance for children’s librarians to become advocates for services and resources for both the children and the libraries.
• This seems to be be simple enough but some of my experiences this summer made me wonder if some librarians and library staff are doing enough to help the library and the kids that come to the programs. Does personal job security get in the way of building the library collection? Are some people more willing than others to make sure patrons are being good patrons and not causing disruptions and problems in the library?
  

Bane, Rebecca. "Let's Pretend: Exploring the Value of Play at the Library." Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children 6.2 (2008): 21-23. EBSCOhost. Web. 1 Aug. 2009. .

• Discusses the importance of play for children and discusses specific programs the library has done to facilitate play and imagination.

• Like one of my coworkers said this summer, "What's the point in working in the children's department if you can't play with scissors and gluesticks?!" Without a doubt, the most successful program I had this summer was the "Build It" program where I gave the kids cardboard, aluminum foil, tubes, paper, and a ton of glue and let them go to town.
  

• This article also discusses how programs don't need to be fancy. The librarians mentioned used large cardboard boxes, tubes, butcher paper, and other craft/found items for their hugely successful programs. Recycling rules!
  

Brown, Amy, and Molly Meyers. "Bringing in the Boys: Using the Theory of Multiple Intelligences to Plan Programs that Appeal to Boys." Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children 6.1 (2008): 4-9. EBSCOhost. Web. 2 Aug. 2009. .

• Using Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, librarians have devised programs to help get boys interested in reading and the library. Discussed their version of Monopoly, Bookopoly, and programs that featured learning about other countries as their most successful ventures.
  

• Getting boys involved in reading and the library seems to be a recurring issue that I keep hearing about. To be honest, most of the kids I saw coming to the library this summer were boys and about half of the kids in each group I had during a program were boys. All of them seemed happy to be at the program and were enjoying themselves and the activities (although I have to say that "Build It" was by far the program that got them the most excited). Perhaps I just lucked out and got a community of awesome boys.
  

Hastings, Samantha Larsen. "Stress-Free Programming for Teens: Stop the Stress and Do More by Doing Less." Young Adult Library Services 7.1: 28-29. EBSCOhost. Web. 2 Aug. 2009. .

• Discusses young adult programs that are of a more independent variety. Instead of having big group programs at the library, the library sends the teens home with a craft or has them enter their predictions for the end of a popular book series.
  

• While I see the author's point and the benefits of this type of programming, it also seems a bit counterintuitive. Granted, this particular library saw circulation of YA materials soar before this type of programming started, this style of programming seems like it might put further distance between the teen and the librarian. Teens still seem to be "feared" by librarians and other patrons so it seems to me that increasing their presence in the library and making them feel welcome in the physical space would be extremely important.
  

• Again, I guess I also got blessed with awesome teenagers this summer (well...most of them). I sat in on two teen programs where there was a good turn out (granted, one was for henna tattoos) but what impressed me more was the rapport between the YA library and the teens. She knew their names and what was going on with them, and the teens really seemed to feel comfortable around her.
  

Flowers, Sarah. "Guidelines for Library Services to Teens." Young Adult Library Services 6.3: 4-7. EBSCOhost. Web. 2 Aug. 2009. .

• Presents guidelines for services for teens as set forth by YALSA and RUSA (Reference and User Services Association) in 2006.

• Because I didn't really get to spend as much time with teens this summer as I had hoped, I'm still very curious as to how libraries deal with this specific age group of patrons. It still seems that there is still this notion of "those pesky teenagers," and that they are feared by other patrons and some library staff. What do we need to do to make sure these patrons needs and wants are taken care of?

Are You Quite Polite?

Today was my last day at the library. Laura and her daughter, Michelle, surprised me this morning with brownies and a stuffed bunny. I went to the Monrovia branch to do some puppet shows ("Little Late Riding Hood" and "Little Blue Riding Hood) and spent the day seeing how things work at a branch library. I had a good time and Lori was very kind to me and I wish I had more time to spend at the other branches.

When I came back to Main, I had bags full of goodies from the staff, including an awesome card they made me. I managed not to burst into tears but it was difficult. I really had a great time this summer and will miss everyone terribly!

What's the Time Grandma Wolf?

Second to last day at the library. Spent the morning in children's and the afternoon in the main part of the library.

Let's just say that while kids can be hilarious, you get your more interesting patrons in the form of adults.

Clarence the Copy Cat

Last three days at the library began today. Janice asked me this morning, "Is there anything that you haven't got to do with this experience that you would like to do?" Well...I haven't worked upstairs at the main circulation desk....

So I spent the first half of the day upstairs! Everyone there was very friendly and more than happy to help me. There are a lot of similarities between the children's desk and the main desk but the biggest difference are the VHS and DVD's. We don't have them downstairs to contend with so I got to experience this joy first hand. It wasn't really that bad, just something new I needed to learn.

I'm gonna miss everyone!!!!

Cat and Mouse: A Delicious Tale

Today was the last day I did a Summer Reading Program at one of the branches. I wasn't an emotional basket-case like I thought I would be but I am sad. I'm going to miss those kids! Janice and I were talking yesterday and I really lucked out this summer. I've only had the one "issue" with a parent and none of the kids at my programs were terrors. I did have some that were a bit rambunctious but the parents were there to remove them once trouble popped up.

I know I've mentioned it before but I was continually surprised by how many parents stayed for the programs and helped out. Now it's become so commonplace that I become shocked when a parent isn't helping out! Overall, this summer has been an awesome experience. Three more days to go!

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More

Last full week of the internship and my last week going out to the branches! I haven't been as sad as I thought I would have but I nearly lost it yesterday when Ms. Laura actually told the kids it would be the last time they would see me....

This week I've been doing a puppet show with one of the other librarians (it depends on the day as to who it is), "The Three Little Fishes and the Big, Bad Shark," and then we've made paper bag puppets. Oh, and the kids get treats! Kool-Aid, chips, and M&M's! The parents must really love us....

Article Alert!

Schimmel, Judith. "Programs That Open Doors." School Library Journal 39 (1993): 36-39. EBSCOhost.

• What about programming for children with special needs? What do you do to get these children involved when mainstream programs aren't an option? Schimmel discusses how her library was able to create programs for special needs children and their parents.
  
• We have special needs children who come to the library but there are no programs specific to their needs. I wonder if these programs were to be offered if these children and their parents would attend and if it could possibly bring new patrons to the library.
  

"Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act." American Library Association. 10 Mar. 2009. 8 July 2009 .

• This article is a brief overview of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and how books are typically excluded from this act. However, if the library knows of a book containing high amounts of lead, they should dispose of it.

• Wow, who knew librarians had to worry about such things at lead in books?!
  

Galimoto

EEK!!! As of today there are only two weeks left of my internship and this blog and my articles are horribly behind!!!

In other news, this week is "Build It!" and I think it has gone quite well. Basically, I give the kids a bunch of "stuff"-cardboard, cardboard tubes, straws, yarn, Cool Whip tubs, etc.- and glue and let them go to town. They really seem to enjoy it. Some have made abstract art while some have made crowns, masks, and one of my guys made a telescope. Everyone left happy which is all that matters to me. Would be nice if we could get them to help clean up though....

I actually didn't do the "Build It!" program today. Miss Laura went to the Monrovia branch for the program and I stayed at Main to help Jennifer with one of the teen programs. It was quite cool actually. The kids (we had four) brought in a t-shirt and place stencils, puzzle pieces, etc. on the shirt to form a desired pattern and Jennifer sprayed the shirts with a bleach mixture. The bleach faded the shirts except for where the objects were placed leaving some really cool designs. Two girls brought brown shirts but one shirt become purple when the bleach faded while the other turned orange. I rinsed the shirts out for the kids and bagged them so they could take them home. I even got to bleach my own shirt to keep!

Sigh...I'm really gonna miss seeing my kids and my coworkers....

Skippyjon Jones

Ok, so it's time perhaps reevaluate my programming. I can't just coast by anymore, I suppose. My big issue: how do you get the kids interested when they clearly aren't? I'm not going to force the poor things to do something they don't want to but I don't want them to be bored out of their minds either. I also need to watch my time. I forget that many of these parents are driving close to half an hour to bring their kids to programs so it needs to be well worth everyone's time.

Next week will be much better. It's "Build It!" where I'm gonna gives the kids tons of stuff (cardboard, aluminum foil, beads, paper, etc.) and they are going to build whatever they want! I've made a few things to give them some ideas but I think they'll come up with some awesome stuff on their own.

Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp

Wow, after two programs where no one showed up, I had 30 today for the Dance Party! Very entertaining. I think everyone had a good time but the craft took awhile to make. There were two options, a hat made from newspaper or a hula skirt from newspaper, and the skirt was a pain in the neck. They also didn't hold up very well.... Oh well, we had fun dancing to the "Lucy & Linus" theme from Charlie Brown!

Have spent a lot of time shelving over the past week. Not my favorite but not terrible...until it's time for the nonfiction. If you are ever looking for a form of cruel and unusual punishment, send them to shelf books in the children's nonfiction. Not only are you shelving but you're rearranging everything as well!

Boom Chicka Rock

This has been a fun week at the library! We've been making mice finger puppets as our craft during programming, then the kids have been "helping" me tell the story with their puppets. Today I got to help out with one of the teen programs and we did henna tattoos. That went over very well and we even tatooed some of the moms!

But the best part of the week has been the chicks. We've had chicken eggs in an incubator that we've been candling (holding over a light to see their development) and they were due to start hatching this past Monday. The first two busted out overnight and one hatched before our very eyes today. We have five more eggs waiting to hatch and we have six duck eggs due to hatch around July 15. The little ones are so cute and have been quite popular. Patrons have even been calling to see if they've hatched yet! I'll have pictures of them (and my crafts) in the next few days.

Article Alert!

*NOTE: Another of my internship requirements is to read articles and provide abstracts/comments in my blog. When you see an entry entitled "Article Alert!" it's going to feature an article abstract.

Smith, Vicki. Disappearing Children's Books (2006). School Library Journal. 1 June 2006. School Library Journal. 24 June 2009 .

• Vicki Smith's article discusses the lack of good fiction novels written for children ages 8-12. Smith also tries to get readers (specifically those who evaluate children's literature) to define what a children's book really is. The article discusses the fact that many recent releases seem more directed to the young adult audience or to young reader's with a higher reading or comprehension level. What are we to do to keep the attention of reader's who aren't quite part of this group?
• This is an issue I noticed while compiling lists of books for this age range for a couple of class assignments over the past few semesters. Many of the novels that claimed they were suitable for ages 8-10 didn't seem like they were and I could not for the life of me figure out how a novel could be suitable for ages 7-18. Children not only read at different levels but mature at different rates too, and the two things may not correspond at all. This is an issue I'll continue to think about and keep an eye on.
  

Olivia Forms a Band

First week of the internship went wonderfully! The remaining programs at the other branches went quite smoothly, save for one little boy who was a bit rowdy but mom was there to remove him. I was very impressed, and even a little surprised, at how many of the parents stayed for the programs and even helped out with crafts.

I've also helped out with checkouts and checking in books. I haven't done any shelving yet, other than materials I've just quickly looked over, but I'm going to ask about that this week. I've spent a lot of my time gathering materials for the next programs I'm leading and trying to sort out crafts to make. This week- finger puppets!

The Remarkable Farkle McBride

First two official days of internship complete, yay! I worked half a day yesterday and went to do the program at the Eminence branch of the library. I had two very nice boys who came and we read The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow and made egg shakers (maracas out of Easter eggs). Let's say that everyone had a great laugh when the popcorn kernals we used to fill the eggs exploded everywhere....

Today was a full day at the library, first at the Main branch then a trip out to the Brooklyn branch for programming. I spend part of this morning coming up with a new craft idea for next week's programming and I think I had a success! I'll post pictures of my grand craftiness in a few days.

Went out to the Brooklyn branch this afternoon, where I had 13 kids and three moms for the program. I switched it up and read Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer today (it seemed to be better suited for the age group that was there). Everyone was very excited about their egg shakers and the moms helped with gluing the eggs together and cleaning up. I was just thrilled that they stayed for the program, helping me out was just the icing on the cake.

Three more days this week, three more branches...how will things go?

The Giving Tree

Let's have a quick update of what I've been up to, shall we? I really haven't started the internship yet but I've done a few things here and there. On the 12, I went with Janice, the children's librarian, to Monrovia Elementary School to do a puppet show to promote the Summer Reading Program. It was a lot of fun, considering it was the first time I've ever done a puppet show, and the kids seemed to enjoy it and were quite well-behaved. I also got a quick tour of the Monrovia Branch of the library and it is gorgeous! The building isn't quite a year old yet and it's a green building (as in environmentally friendly green, not the color!) which is pretty coo.l.

Today, I was slated to go perform another puppet show but was given the option to stay at the Main Branch and help with some classes that were coming in. It was three groups of fifth graders who got a quick tour of the children's department and a tutorial on how to search the online catalog. I enjoyed the day and the majority of the kids were attentive and I think they got a lot of good information from the trip.

The First Post!

Spring semester is over, which means Summer Sessions start next week...which means the internship is coming up....

Let me tell you all what's going on. This summer, I'll be an intern in the Children's Library of the Morgan County Public Library. While I'll be doing many things, my biggest task is to run the Summer Reading Program- "Be Creative @ Your Library." The program will have kids of various ages attending, so I need to be ready for anything and everything.

What will this do for me? Other than give me the much needed library experience, I think it will also help me figure out if Children's/Teen Services is what I really want to focus my library career on.

We'll see what happens.....