FYI,   ALA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation are interested in providing future training and grant opportunities to support the role of public libraries as providers of personal finance programming. This includes topics such as financial goal-setting, earning money, saving, spending, budgeting, credit, investing, avoiding fraud, children's financial literacy, teens and money, and more. To help us plan these future offerings, we would greatly appreciate your participation in this survey: www.surveymonkey ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings FYI,   The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is excited to announce its 2026 program for public libraries with the all-ages theme of dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology and the slogan Unearth a Story™ featuring artwork by Tom Bonson. CSLP member libraries across the country chose this theme because these topics are high-interest areas, offering rich opportunities to spark curiosity, imagination, and learning across all age groups.   The sl ...Continue Reading

 FYI,   Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Sponsored Webinar: / / */Universal Design: Inclusive Approaches to Public Librarianship/*** Presenter: Rachel C. Hawkins (Rachel G Hawkins Bio) *When:* November 13, 2025*Times:* 2pm EST/1pm CST/Noon MST/11am PST *Register here *   This webinar will address the Universal Design for Learning framework, how to use it, and why it matters. It will cover how to proactively utilize UDL principles when developing inclusive librar ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Gab Casieri, president of NJASL, posted this to NJASL members. It looks so good that I wanted to share it with you as well. (Thanks, Gab!). Every Library is hosting a virtual Banned Books Week festival that began on Sunday, October 5. All events are free and open to the public.  RSVP now to receive the full festival schedule and morning reminders during the week, so you won’t miss a thing. ~Sharon    All the best, *Sharon Rawlins, MLS (she/her/hers)*/Youth Services Specialist/ ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Sharing this list of resources that a colleague from another state compiled whose state has experienced another mass shooting recently. ~Sharon   *Talking with Children about Difficult Things in the News -* *Fred Rogers Institute* Since we first released our "Talking with Children About Difficult Things in the News" PDF in 2021, it has become the FRI's most-downloaded resource. The topic of how to talk with children and young people about scary news and major world events has become one ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Shared with me by my colleague from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.   The registration for Rural Library Network eSummit, scheduled for December 3rd, is now open! *Register here, at no cost*!   This eSummit will feature national speakers, local community program bright spots, and incentives!   ****Note: We are still accepting proposals for the Breakout Sessions.  **😉* * * “Any of the topics below would be great! Also, the “call for proposal” page has some guid ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Some of you might remember that Casi Herrera was the national trainer who  worked with me and Doug Baldwin from Piscataway Public Library on the statewide Leap into Science trainings a number of years ago before she left to work with Project Scientist ~ Sharon   *Project Scientist Spring Explorers Club Applications are OPEN!* Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of brilliant scientists, engineers, and innovators? Project Scientist is looking for enthusiastic educators and organiz ...Continue Reading

FYI, *NJ STEM Month Mini Grant Application Now Open*** Thanks to the generosity of the Overdeck Family Foundation, 2026 NJ STEM Month mini-grants are available in amounts of up to $500 to amplify the impact of your events and programming. Event/program activities can include hosting costs such as snacks, meals, transportation, materials, etc.   The deadline to submit is January 9, 2026. Learn more at www.njstempathwa ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   FYI,   *Research Ready: Resources for Supporting Teens – Webinar Series – Registration Open* * * You’re invited to participate in the five-part series of virtual sessions of one hour in length to equip you, as a teen or adult public librarian, with the essential tools and strategies to support teens' skills in conducting academic research. The series, sponsored by the NJ State Library, will be facilitated by Christine Jansen, Research and Instruction Librarian at Fairleigh ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Fort Lee Public Library is one of the libraires that tested out this program! ~Sharon   *Free Programming Toolkit Helps Equip Libraries to Address Youth Mental Health*** Since its inception in 2022, Nourishing Minds has evolved from a pioneering project into a comprehensive framework transforming how libraries support youth mental health. Initiated by The Seattle Public Library (SPL), Nourishing Minds has now unveiled a free, practical approach to assist library workers in creating a ...Continue Reading