Good afternoon, I wanted to briefly share some information from a Rutgers student who I have been working with who does neuroscience workshops for kids and teens (grades 2-8). His organization is called The Brain Bunch and he has done his program in several libraries and schools in the central Jersey area. He has revamped his in-person hands-on workshops and turned it into a flexible 45 min, 1hr or 2 hr virtual workshop offering called "The Virtual Brain Fair". He is offering these workshops at no-co ...Continue Reading

FYI,   The deadline to apply for this grant is January 15th so I know there’s not much time – and the grants are usually awarded to education based groups or organizations but libraries are eligible to apply. Just thought I would send it out just in case. ~Sharon NSLA knows last year was an exceptionally challenging season for summer learning programs. Yet, we want to acknowledge the many programs that pivoted during the crisis and found innovative ways to keep kids learning, safe, and healthy. ...Continue Reading

Just in case you’re not a member of NJLA but wanted to know…. Hi everyone!   I would like to officially announce the winners of the 26th Annual Garden State Teen Book Awards! While we would normally wait to announce the winners closer to the NJLA Conference, we want to let you know the winners now. Winners are listed below and a formal press release is attached.    Stay tuned for an announcement soon about our GSBA Luncheon speaker! FICTION GRADES 6-8 New Kid by Jerry Craft   FICTION GRADES 9-1 ...Continue Reading

FYI,   The 9th Annual Schomburg Center Black Comic Festival is happening virtually January 13-16th. It’s free to attend but registration is required. The Black Comic Book Festival celebrates the rich tradition of Black comics featuring panel discussions, a cosplay show, and highlights the work of creators from across the country. The annual extravaganza and free community event connects fans, writers, illustrators, bloggers, nerds, independent publishers, and collectors of all ages. #SchomCom2021 Go to their we ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm EST Online: This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email. In celebration of MLK Day, Michigan State University Libraries and Capital Area District Libraries present a panel discussion on the graphic memoir March: Book One by the late US Representative John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell. The panel will include activists, artists, teachers, students and scholars.  Panelists include:  ...Continue Reading

FYI,   */For your information and sharing . . . /**//* Link to register (English): https://fema.connectsolutions.com/emotionalhealthyoungadults/event/registration.html Link to register (Spanish): https://fema.connectsolutions.com/mentalhealthyoungadultsspan/event/registration.html Make sure to test your Adobe Connect before the meeting. This event will include live captioning. If you need additional accommodations, please email fema...@fema.dhs.gov. Young Adult Mental Health Announcement. ...Continue Reading

Hi Fellow Librarians, We are reviewing the designations in our collections for young people, and I'm curious about how other libraries divide their collections, and what they call the various sections. Currently, our fiction for youth is categorized as Juvenile (about grades 2-6), Teen (about grades 7-8), or YA (about grades 9-12). I would like to know if other libraries separate their books into 2 or 3 different categories, or have middle school and high school together, and what different libraries are calling each o ...Continue Reading

FYI, Coretta Scott King Book Awards Donation Grant Libraries may now apply for the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Donation Grant. One or more recipients will be awarded selected books submitted to the Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) of the American Library Association. These books are sent to EMIERT every year for consideration for the Coretta Scott King Book Award. EMIERT receives multiple copies of approximately over 100 titles by African American authors and illustrators, ...Continue Reading

*_YALSA’s 2021 Selected Book Lists Released_* YALSA has released three of its four 2021 selected book lists. View them below. Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Great Graphic Novels for Teens Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers The Best Fiction for Young Adults list will be released after the BFYA Teen Feedback Session that takes place this weekend. *_Beta Phi Mu Award_* The American Library Association and the jury for the Beta Phi Mu encourage you to submit nominations for some ...Continue Reading

FYI,   Sharing this with you. ~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:* n...@memberclicks-mail.net <n...@memberclicks-mail.net> *Sent:* Friday, January 8, 2021 8:52 AM*To:* Sharon Rawlins <sraw...@njstatelib.org>*Subject:* Vaccine Information Meeting for NJ Libraries - Monday ...Continue Reading