YSAC Meeting January 17, 2014

Meeting Minutes

YSAC (Youth Services Advisory Committee)

The following people attended: Pat Finnerty (PLS), Heidi Jensen (PLS), Deb Dennis (PHE), Marry Ferris (WOOD), Lynn Madden (VIC), Amy Aderman (RJP), Tanya Thomas (GPL), Anne Rehor (ONT), Shelia Koeberle (PAL), Sarah Matthews (GEN/WAD), Mary Conable (WAR), Lisa Gricius (WAR).

Notes submitted by: Heidi Jensen

Agenda:

• Take Your Child to the library day – February 1, 2014
• Summer Reading Workshop, March 7th. 4H will do training in am. What does the remainder of the day look like?
• Second performer update: 9 libraries will receive second performer. Macedon, Marion, Ontario, Lyons, Geneva, Newark, Victor, Honeoye & Naples.
• Idea: Create list of performers libraries have used, along with contact info. And rating scale
• Other

Take Your Child to the library day

• Pat asked if your library will be participating in this event, please let her know. Pat will keep a master list and send to YSS to let them know of PLS participation.
• Some examples of participation include: Phelps is having an Ice Cream Sundae party because it is National Ice Cream day; Ontario is having a “Love your library day” on Feb. 1st and will tie it in with Valentine’s Day. Other libraries participating include Victor, Palmyra, Ontario, Red Jacket, and Geneseo/Wadworth.

Summer Reading Workshop

• Pat announced that 4H will be at PLS the morning of the Summer Reading workshop to provide training that will relate to the Summer Reading theme. This training was paid for through a grant and PLS is serving as a “test site.” The training will be an introduction to 4-H as well as hands-on training for implementing the STEM Activities for the “Fizz, Boom, Read” program. The activities all fall into the following 3 categories “Fizz- The Power of Lightning” (think weather) “Boom- the Power of Vibration” (think sound) and “Fizz, Boom- Power” (think electricity). We have a book identified to read for each category and hands-on science that relates to the book. The training will be from 9 – 10:30 that morning.
• Ideas discussed for Summer Reading Workshop include:

Table Talks for crafts. Ask attendees to bring a craft already made with directions. At lunchtime, each person who brought a craft can discuss it.

Have a focus on school visits for older children

Incentives - what do libraries do for summer reading incentvies?

Send out agenda for workshop in advance and ask each attendee to come prepared to talk about their ideas/things that have been worked (or not) at their library. This should be an interactive workshop. The more people who participate, the better it will be.

In advance of meeting, post agenda and information to the PLS Youth Services Blog and send to YSS list.

Talk about performers - who is local, who do libraries like or dislike, what should you know about some performers, etc. Have a list of names and contact information. Sarah Matthews will compile list and ask libraries for information.

Proposed Agenda for Summer Reading Workshop

9 – 10:30 4H training

10:30 Break

10:45 to Noon Programming

Noon – 1 Lunch & Crafts

1 – 2:30 Programming

Programming topics include:

• Local performers with database Sarah Matthews to start discussion
• School Programming Mary Ferris to start discussion Local program ideas
• Sheila Koeberle to start discussion Promotional ideas
• Deb Dennis to start discussion Incentives ideas
• Ann Rehor to start discussion

Second Performers

Pat announced that George Stele will be the second performer this year and will be going to 9 PLS libraries during July. (All libraries will again be having Wildlife Defenders as their first performer. These performers are part of the NYS Family Litearcy Grant).

George Steele’s program will be Pond Ecology which would be appropriate for elementary age children or older. Here is a program description.

Pond Ecology - young library visitors will be aquatic ecologists investigating life in the freshwater environment. They'll find and capture specimens and then learn about "who is who, what do they do, how do they grow and where do they go". Use of a digital camera and a special projection system will allow participants to easily see their magnified specimens. Room requirements include space for the group to sit on the floor for the introduction and enough tables to accommodate 10 children per table for the hands-on exploration.

Other:

• PLS will be updating the Youth Services Blog every Wednesday. http://plsys.blogspot.com/
• Please be on the look out for posts and new information pertataining to Youth Services.
• A suggestion was made to have Youth Yak focused around specific themes or programming ideas.
• Some ideas include:

Each Youth Yak should start with someone giving a Story Hour just like they would with their own patrons. This would help others to see how other story hours are run.

After School Programming - Come up with ideas as to what works in other libraries. Tools you use to help with your job.

Actual items or resources such as Pinterest Apps for iPads. Apps in general. What apps work well and which ones don’t.

Programs on the fly - What to do when young patrons come in looking for something to do. Example: Don’t be bored – Play a board game.

Decorating your Storyroom - Ideas that are easy and affordable

Toddler Storytime - What do libraries do to keep this age group focused and interested.

Meeting adjourned: 1:00 pm