FYI,   The CLEL (Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy) Bell Award Committee is pleased to announce the winners for 2021! https://www.clel.org/bell-awards-winners   The CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards are an annual recognition of five high-quality picture books that provide excellent support of early literacy development in young children, highlighting the Every Child Ready to Read activities (read, sing, talk, play, write) that prepare young children to be ready to learn to read when they reach kind ...Continue Reading

FYI, _Brainfuse HelpNow Webinar – Training for Public Library Staff_ Thu, Feb 25, 2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST) The State Library has provided access to this tutoring program for all public libraries through the CARES Act funding. This training will cover all of the services and features available to your patrons through the HelpNow service. This includes a demo of a live tutoring session, our Writing Lab, academic content, and more, including some lesser-known features of Brainfuse available to any patrons that creat ...Continue Reading

Hi all, There might be snow all around but the Statewide Summer Reading committee has been hard at work to prepare for our summer reading workshop next month! VIRTUAL SUMMER READING WORKSHOP https://njsummerreading.org/events/virtual-summer-reading-workshop/  Friday March 5, 2021 10am - 1pm Free to attend Registration required on njsummerreading.org  **Workshop will be recorded if you cannot attend Designed for adult, teen, and children's librarians, this workshop will inspire you to plan your summer program ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   Hi, Everyone,   Just forwarding the latest monthly news and events from ALA’s Young Adult Library Services Section (YALSA) if you’re interested. They are looking for bloggers and for a member manager for its programming website, Teen Programming HQ ~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 ...Continue Reading

Please excuse cross postings   Hi, everyone!    A colleague of a colleague of mine in Maine is working on her doctorate.  She needs some more responses to her survey.  She’d especially love more youth librarians taking it.  The only requirement is you must have an MLIS.  If you all would  consider taking it and/or passing it along to folks we’d really appreciate it.  Thanks!   Please consider taking this survey https://usouthmaine.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3jz405Gv ...Continue Reading

FYI, JOIN US FOR THE OPENING ACT OF THE 14TH IBBY REGIONAL CONFERENCE! The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Regional Conference OPENING ACT, has planned a virtual event dedicated to exploring two amazing books: Ashley Bryan's Infinite Hope in the morning session (10:30 am - 12:00 pm EST), and Ruta Sepetys’ The Fountains of Silence in the afternoon session (2:30 - 4:00 pm EST). $10 for USBBY members; $15 for non-members           ...Continue Reading

Hello all, Our reference dept received the following email - just sending out in case any one of you have any ideas regarding the book the patron is inquiring about. Here is the request: I am writing to you about a book I read as a child, some 60+ years ago! This book made a lasting impression on me, but I unfortunately cannot remember the title or the author.  The reason this book came to mind after so many years was an experience I had as a child which I shared with a friend:   /"I read a story a ...Continue Reading

FYI,   *_Blossom: Building Life-long Opportunities for Strength, Self-Care, Outlook, Morale, and Mindfulness. A free virtual symposium for library staff_*   This free three-day virtual symposium sponsored by the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) on March 24-26, 2021 will bring together experts on morale, invisible services, vocational awe, burnout, and self-care. The symposium will provide library staff at all levels, including management, […] Continue reading Save the Date! BLOSSOM: Buildi ...Continue Reading

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day) Grants El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30th. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. REFORMA will award up to 5 mini-grants of $300 to support a Día program that ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Bound Brook Branch of the Somerset County Library System of NJ is looking for a FT YS/YA Librarian.  The position is open to students who will be finishing their MLIS soon as well as recent grads and experienced librarians.  I wanted to pass it along in case anyone knows of anyone who may be interested.   Youth Services / Young Adult Librarian (Library Intern or Librarian III/IV), Somerset County Library System, Bound Brook Branch All the best,   Sharon Rawlins, MLS, she/her/he ...Continue Reading