Please excuse cross postings   FYI,   “Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books launched their annual Creative Writing Awards program with a new *Freedom of Expression Award*. In their announcement, they write, “/In the face of book bans and attacks on free expression on the rise in America, Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books celebrate the power of books and stories. Applicants to the new award will be asked to answer the prompt, “Tell us about one banned book that changed your life and why ...Continue Reading

NJLA Youth Services Forum returns this year on December 12th. Using the 12/12 date as a prompt for wordplay, the theme is “12 Things I Love About YOUth Services.” The format of this year’s Forum will be unconference, unscripted, and unforgettable. You’ll experience a day of conversation-style youth services topics to engage in, such as infusing new skills into your storytime, managing teen volunteers, dealing with book censorship, plus more! There will also be keynotes from our NJLA President and Vice President, as wel ...Continue Reading

FYI,   I’m just passing this information along. Lerner Digital and Kar-Ben Publishing are making free e-books available during this painful moment in history: ebooks.lernerbooks.com/home Username: Israel Password: IsraelSolidarity2023! These are for a younger audience but sharing just in case they are of interest and because picture books are for everybody! ------------------------------ Patricia Sarles, MA, MLS, MSEd Coordinator of Library Services New Y ...Continue Reading

FYI, *_ _* Take Your Child to the Library Day is an international celebration that encourages families to take their children to their local public library, held annually on the first Saturday of February. To celebrate, libraries across the country and around the world welcome families with programs, activities, and special events. Since 2011, more than 1,735 libraries have participated, serving 56.54 million people and drawing attention to the importance of the library in the lives of children. Last year, the Ta ...Continue Reading

FYI,   ALA will distribute up to $3.6 million in grants as part of the second round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Small and Rural Communities initiative. Apply by Dec. 11th for grants of $10,000 or $20,000 to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities: https://bit.ly/3SJXnko   Here is relevant information: Programming Librarian article: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/apply-now-LTCAccess  Press release: https://www.ala. ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   FYI,   I’m just passing this along from ALSC. ~Sharon   Dear Colleagues, ALSC is excited to open the Call for Proposals for the 2024 National Institute! The 2024 National Institute will convene in Denver, Colorado, from September 19-21, 2024. The 2024 National Institute theme is "Standing Up for Stories." Submit your proposals on new research, innovative ideas, and best practices regarding literacy, collection development, library advocacy in youth services, ...Continue Reading

FYI, The Collaborative Summer Library Program’s online store with program incentives for public libraries’ 2024 program* "Adventure Begins at Your Library" is NOW OPEN*! CSLP is a non-profit and any proceeds from these materials to support your summer programming are put right back into the good works of the organization, whose mission is to empower libraries to foster community through inclusive literacy-based programming. Membership is provided to all public libraries across New Jersey through the NJ S ...Continue Reading

FYI, If you are hosting any Banned Books Week programs for teens, please share! Download flier here. Please note we will continue to accept applications after the deadline.   *Applications Now Open: Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute* Thursdays, October 19 – November 9, 2023 / 7–9 pm ET Virtual Program   This fall, PEN America and Brooklyn Public Library are teaming up to co-host the return of the Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute! In this *FREE*, ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Results of EveryLibrary and Book Riot’s survey that examines parents’ perceptions of public libraries and book bans: https://bookriot.com/parent-perception-of-libraries-survey/   ~Sharon     All the best, *Sharon Rawlins, MLS (she/her/hers)*/Youth Services Specialist/ /Library Development Bureau/*New Jersey State Library* *P.*  609-278-2640 x116    *E.*  sraw...@njstatelib.org*W. * www.njstatelib.org   185 West State StreetP.O. Box 520, Tren ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Sorry, for sending this along for informational purposes only after the September date, but it can be used beyond that date too. Hello, Friends! I'm Your Neighbor Books-partnering with the nonprofits Welcoming America and Let's Move in Libraries-has just released a FREE StoryWalk® to promote immigrant welcoming and belonging. Using the beloved bilingual picture book Nieve en la jungla/Snow in the Jungle (Child's Play Inc.), we are offering 16 free, downloadable signs to hang or ...Continue Reading