FYI, Just passing this along. Crayola is partnering with the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) to celebrate America's 250th in a super creative way! They're selecting 3 schools and 3 public libraries to receive a replica of the Declaration of Independence on loan and - get this - $2,500 worth of Crayola art supplies! Even if you don't win, there are free downloadable resources and videos that are perfect for sparking student creativity and conversations around fre ...Continue Reading

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 surv ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings ...@01DC3872.48EF6CF0" rel="File-List" /> \[\-\-w8EY2qQADM_TMP[if !mso]> \[\-\-w8EY2qQADM_TMP[if gte mso 9]> Clean DocumentEmail false false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 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 Bo ...Continue Reading

 ...@01DC378C.8FB5FCD0" rel="File-List" /> \[\-\-kCGwQSgJDM_TMP[if !mso]> \[\-\-kCGwQSgJDM_TMP[if gte mso 9]> Clean DocumentEmail false false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 FYI, Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Sponsored Webinar: Universal Design: Inclusive Approaches to Public Librarianship Presenter: Rachel C. Hawkins ([1]Rachel G Hawkins Bio) When: November 13, 2025 Times: 2pm EST/1pm CST/Noon MST/11am PST [2]Regist ...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. [1] 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) ...Continue Reading

FYI, Sharing this list of resources that a colleague from another state compiled whose state has experienced another mass shooting recently. ~Sharon [1]Talking with Children about Difficult Things in the News - Fred Rogers Institute Since we first released our "[2]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 even ...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 [1] here, at no cost! This eSummit will feature national speakers, local community program bright spots, and incentives! ***Note: We are still accepting [2] proposals for the Breakout Sessions. 😉 “Any of the topics below would be great! Also, the “[3]call for proposal” page has some ...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 ...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 [1]www.njstempathways.org/njstemmonth. Apply Here: [2]NJ STEM Month (March 2026) Mi ...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 Fai ...Continue Reading