FYI,   Hayes Award Opportunity   Did you know that ALSC's Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award, established with funding from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, brings together children and a nationally recognized children's book creator by funding up to $4,000 for an author/illustrator visit to a library? Take advantage of this opportunity to create an engaging and memorable event for your young patrons. Hurry, the Hayes Award application closes this Friday, April 28. For ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   FYI,   My Youth Services Consultant colleague from Minnesota is on the planning committee for this conference and shared this with me. I’m sharing it with you:   *Power Up: A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers & Staff* *2024 Call for Proposals Now Open! * The Power Up Conference Committee wants your program proposals for Power Up 2024 to be held March 21-22, 2024, in Madison, WI.  Topics may include, but are not limited to: strategic planning, p ...Continue Reading

*NJSL Digital Literacy Forum*   Literacy Before Digital Literacy ** Libraries continue to define and refine their role as providers of digital literacy services as computer and technology skills become increasingly important for individuals to access educational, healthcare, workforce, and government resources. However, digital literacy does not stand on its own. Understanding the broader scope of literacy is crucial for the effective delivery and implementation of ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   FYI,   Any public library staff member participating in the CSLP Summer Reading Program is invited to join the conversation to refine the 2026 slogan suggestions for the theme of Dinosaurs!   We encourage all members that have an interest in wordsmithing to join the call to discuss your favorites slogan suggestions (see attached).  During and after the sessions we will have resources available for you to share your input through discussion, chat or using a Google doc. ...Continue Reading

Hi, Everyone,   I just wanted to let you know that the CSLP incentives that NJ public libraries receive each year for the CSLP Summer Reading Program (children’s, teen, adult bookmarks, children’s, teen, adult posters, and one banner per library system or individual library) will be shipped out by CSLP by the end of this week. They should arrive at your library within a week. Please let your colleagues know who aren’t on these discussion lists. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. Tha ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Just sharing this from ALA Connect: The Get Ready Stay Ready Community Action Toolkit Team continues to curate and share resources in support of all stakeholders who are fighting for intellectual freedom and library access for all. Please *help us spread the word* and *join us* for an incredible training series on crisis and reputation management for school and public librarians. Led by Hennes Communications, a team of award-winning and highly experienced public relati ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   FYI,   See science fiction teen literature grant information below.   ~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 Street P.O. Box 520, Trenton, NJ  08625 *From:* ALA Public Programs Office <publ...@ala.org> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 12, 2023 11:10 AM*To:* Shar ...Continue Reading

FYI, From ALSC on ALA Connect: This year's summer reading lists are here and packed with fun, exciting, and award-winning titles for kids--birth through grade 8. And, this year, we also highlight engaging and interactive websites, apps, and podcasts, with topics from writing and drawing to science and nature.     These colorful lists are available for free download from the ALSC website to share with kids and families and to assist with readers' advisory.    /Many thanks to the Quicklist ...Continue Reading

FYI,   I’m passing this information along from ALSC on ALA Connect: ................................................................... In response to an increase in book bans, the CAA Foundation (Creative Artists Agency) and the Campaign for Our Shared Future (nonprofit) are launching #LetAmericaRead, a new initiative designed to raise awareness of the growing danger of book bans in America. Join us starting Tuesday, April 11, to deliver one simple message: Americans don't ban books. ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   FYI,   For anyone who wasn’t able to attend a statewide summer reading workshop in March that offered ideas to go along with CSLP’s “All Together Now” theme, the handouts of the materials presented by the statewide summer reading committee are available now on the NJ Summer Reading website (login required). You can find them under the  “Children” “Teens” and “Adults” tabs with the heading “Children’s Program Ideas”, “Teen Program Ideas” and “Adult Program Ideas”.   ~ ...Continue Reading