Please excuse cross postings * * Hi, Everyone,   It’s that time of year when I ask you in public libraries for your creative suggestions for the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)’s *Slogan for the 2025 program (theme is Art)* and *2026 Theme*. Slogans are short, catchy phrases like “/Tails and Tales/” for the Animal theme. The themes are broader categories like Space, Music, etc.   I have set up Jamboard for you to suggest your ideas. Others can see what’s being anonymously suggested too, so ...Continue Reading

Hi, everyone –   As I’m updating some of the performers’ entries for the NJ Statewide Summer Reading Committee, I’ve chatted with some very nice people!  Joyce Schenkman, who’s on the list as a provider of interactive classes in conversational Spanish, asked if I’d be able to let other librarians know that she is K-8 certified and virtually tutors students in Spanish as well as reading.  If your library shares tutors’ flyers, would you mind adding hers?  You can view it here.   Thanks! Suzanne ...Continue Reading

Hi, Everyone,   Senator Booker's Office is looking for recommendations for a book he can read virtually for March's Read Across America week. I’d love to share your recommendations with his office. They didn’t say but I’m sure he’s looking for picture book suggestions. It would be great if it was a NJ author but it doesn’t have to be. Last year he read /Freedom Soup/ by Tami Charles.   Thanks for sharing any titles with me by Thursday, Feb 3, 2022. Feel free to email me off line if you want.   ~Sharon &n ...Continue Reading

FYI,   The NJ STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN) has dedicated March as NJ STEM Month over the past number of years. They have a STEM mini-grant opportunity you might want to take advantage of if you’re doing any STEM workshops in March 2022 (such as for NJMakersDay or Leap into Science if you’re been trained on that curriculum). Those can count toward a NJ STEM Month activity.   The NJ STEM Pathways Network will award up to $500 in grant funds to organizations hosting NJ STEM Month events. They are looking for ev ...Continue Reading

*/FYI,/* */ /* */Call for Essays/* */ /* */Contact: Shannon M. Oltmann /* */shan...@uky.edu/**/  /*  We are soliciting essays from librarians, library science faculty, and others for the new book: /The fight against book bans: Perspectives from the field/.   In the past six months, there has been a flood of book challenges and bans in public and school libraries across the U.S. Challenges have been raised by parents, legislators, educators, and others; sometimes the challenge is ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Freedom to Read Roundtable webinar on Feb. 24th at 5 PM discussing censorship and the freedom to read.   ~Sharon   All the best,   Sharon Rawlins, MLS, she/her/hers Youth Services Specialist for Lifelong Learning NJ State Library 185 West State St. P.O. Box 520 Trenton, NJ 08625-0520 _sraw...@njstatelib.org_ 609-278-2640 ext. 116 609-278-2650 – fax / / *From:* Booklist Webinars <book...@ala.org> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 26, 2022 11:10 AM*To:* Sharon Rawlins <sraw...@njstate ...Continue Reading

FYI,   We Are NOT Okay: Library Worker Trauma Before and During COVID-19 and What Happens After Date: *February 8, 2022, at 1 pm ET***   Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event... Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives. -- American Psychological A ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Just sharing this with you….   Dear Librarians and Educators:   ATC Studios is pleased to announce the continuation of our Young Playwrights Project, 2022!  Submissions are invited from students *Middle School through High School Teens (ages 10-19)*, inspired by the themes, “On My Own,” and “Putting It Together."   We’ve attached a flyer you can use to spread the news. Students may also submit as individuals, not necessarily associated with your school or library.   NOTE: ...Continue Reading

*_Apply for the 2022 Miss Rumphius Award!_* The New Jersey Center for the Book is seeking nominations for the *2022 Miss Rumphius Award*. Based on the title character of Barbara Cooney’s book, /Miss Rumphius/, winner of the National Book Award in 1983, this Award honors public librarians, school media specialists, and educators who are exemplary in improving and promoting literacy in their communities.   *The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, February 25, 2022.* The nominee must be employed in New Jer ...Continue Reading

FYI,   I’m passing along this opportunity that I received from the Children’s and Youth Services Consultant from the Library of Virginia. ~Sharon   /Socks, Stories & Scratch/ is focused on computer science programs for youth 9-11 years old, and hopes to specifically target Black urban youth and build their sense of belonging in STEM. This project combines Critter Code, an existing curriculum offered by CodeVA which combines slow-making, storytelling and the computer program Scratch, as well ...Continue Reading