Youth Services Advisory Committee Meeting, January 2006

Introductions

Attending: Mary Conable (WAR), Sue Reding (GFL), Liz O’Toole (WAL), Chris Nolan (PER), Dawn Goodman (CS), Mary Ferris (CAN), Jackie Hoyt (CAS), Ellen Reynolds (PLS). Excused: Patricia Baynes (PAL), Chris McGinty (NEW), Christine Attinasi (ONT), Karina Churchill (ONT), Barbara McCormick (AVO)

System Staffing

• Ellen announced that the System Staff will soon be fully staffed:
• Kim – Outreach/Advocacy/Communications/Marketing – cataloging/ILL
• Roma – System Librarian (OWWL)
• Ellen – Adult & Youth Services – Collection development, some cataloging
• Heidi & Kathryn – OWWL cataloging & cleanup
• Betsy – Assistant Director - Adminsitrative duties
• Andy Austin – Tech Support & Training (has MLS) starting Feb. 6

Selection list survey

26 responses. A majority of responsives are positive. (Ellen will issue full report when more responses are in)

YSS Conference – in Corning 3/31 – 4/1. Registration materials not out yet.

Join with MCLS for Summer Reading Planning

Discussion of joining with MCLS for a joint Summer Reading Planning Workshop. There was concern that the larger Monroe County libraries have resources and time beyond what our people can expect to have, and their needs are different. The comfort level of working with people we know allows more sharing and learning. The consensus was to not pursue this at this time.

Monthly System Meeting

• There was a recommendation that youth services people need to have more dedicated time to do book inspection at the meeting. Overall there needs to be more focus on books and reading. More discussion time.
• Is there a possibility to have several (eg. 3) System Meetings dedicated to J/YA services so the people who wear multiple hats could focus on age level services at a specific time and with people who share same needs and interests.
• Ellen will pursue these with the rest of the PLSHQ professional staff

Newsletter

Try using BookLetters as a basis sharing book and program recommendations. (Rave Reads on PLS page). The group would like to pursue this as a group effort and will need some training. The process is simple to learn and implement. Ellen will look into training opportunities.

Summer Reading

The group reviewed the evaluations from the 2005 Summer Reading Program Planning Workshop and the Wrap-Up Workshop in September, taking note of frequent comments:

• Needs of small libraries with little or no staff or resources – how can they be successful?
• Competition in the community from day cares, day camps, school programs, Y programs, etc. How to cooperate and draw on their audiences?
• Low attendance at special programs – should programs be the focus if need isn’t there?
• Need to focus more on books – what we are about
• People want to get to know other youth services people more easily at the workshop
• Some liked the “going around the table” sharing time and others felt it was not an effective use of time
• The craft display table was effective
• Table Talks were very well received
• Need more on reaching teens
• Reaching parents and teachers – the people who influence whether the kids come to the library
• Don’t need to review the Statewide Summer Reading Program Manual in the workshop

Book Discussion Programs

The group discussed successful book discussion groups that they had done. Chris Nolan, Sue Reding – chapter book club (6 wks Saturday), Dawn Goodman (CS) – Mother-Daughter (3 – 6th grade) 18 – 24 people Wed. night (Eg. this month :MVP, w/ school library), Jackie – Fantasy Challenge Reading Club (before Naria movie release) read 3 books from list, enter for drawing for movie passes, posters, etc.; ages preschool – YA; no meetings, display does the promotion. Mary Ferris has groups from the Y come to a lunchtime read aloud.

Ideas

• Table talks
• Craft display
• Book discussions/challenges
• Partnering with others in the community
• Fundraising
• Programs in a package – easy to do
• Needs of small-one person libraries – how to do it all
• Display table of idea books – crafts, programming, book clubs, craft table

Committee membes will send 5 books with write-up to Ellen and include an estimate of prep time for “Book Activities in a Package” display

Format for Summer Reading Planning Workshop to be held on Friday, March 17 from 9:15 – 12:30.

I. 9:15 – 9:30 I. Intro & Getting to Know You Bingo

II. 9:30 – 10:15 "Partnering In Your Community - Ready Made Participants?" Kim Iraci, Marge Brown, Mary Ferris, Mary conable

10:15 – 10:30 Break

III. Table Talks

1. Book discussions – Chris Nolan, Sue Reding
2. Ideas for funding /volunteers – Jackie Hoyt, Michelle Byrne
3. Small and simple program ideas – Andrea Reubens, Andrea Tillinghast
4. Age Levels: A. Preschool - Barbara McCormick B. School Age - Liz O'Toole C. Teen Lynne Madden & Kristen Johnson

Ellen will contact people mentioned as possible presenters.

IV. Promotion – to parents, community, etc. (Kim) (Committee would like to develop new labels for report cards and encourage ways to use them effectivley)

Displays

• Crafts
• Book Programs in a Package
• Resources from the PLS Professional Collection
• Bingo Book Swap - Bring in the Bingo Books that you already purchased for a Swap with other libraries

Refreshments relating to theme of "Books…A Treasure" (Anyone willing to make Treasure Bars?)

Submitted by, Mary Ferris and Ellen Reynolds