Project #1

So, I was thinking, since next year is 'arts' I think it might be a good idea if you 2 (or either of you) took on the project of collecting some really cool and different craft projects the librarians could use in their summer reading clubs next summer. And, since I've just recently discovered some great crafts sites/blogs, this might be a good time to introduce you to (if you don't use it already) Google Reader (it's a way for you to get news and information brought to you instead of going out and looking for it.) It's an amazing tool that librarians everywhere are not only already using, but encouraging their patrons to use and finding ways to use it in reference services (for children, adults and teens!) So, if you don't use a reader already (doesn't have to be Google Reader, but frankly, I think that one's the best!) sign up here and then we'll go over how to use it - it's free, fun, convenient and frighteningly addictive!

Also, once you've signed up, I'd like you to begin subscribing to these current trends, literacy and craft blogs - these will not only keep you updated on what's going on in the larger library world, but it will allow you to gather ideas for participating in meetings, posting to the blog and contributing to projects! (I daresay it might help your library education as well!)

Children's Departments:

• ACLA Youth Services (duh!)
• Story Pockets (CLP Main's Children's Department blog)
• The Monkey Speaks (great children's services blog)
• Read. Imagine. Talk. (great children's literacy blog)

Crafts/Projects:

• Make and Takes (craft ideas for kids)
• Make. Grow. Gather. (crafter, NPR staffer blog)
• Craft Magazine (alternative, funky crafts!)
• Little Elephants Kids Crafts (parenting blog with lots 'o crafts)

Techonology:

• David Lee King ( super cool technie guy out in Kansas who's on the speaker's circuit, he was just here last year!)
• Information Wants to be Free (Meredith Farkas' blog, another famous techie librarian who's on the speaker's circuit)
• Tame the Web (Michael Stephens' very famous blog, also a famous techie librarian on the speaker's circuit; and he's coming here December 6th - mark your calendars!)
• Beth's Blog (not ACLA's Beth but this is a great blog for non-profits and how they can use web 2.0 technology!)
  

Children's Literature:

• Read Roger (the famous and snarky Horn Book editor's ruminations on all things children's lit)
• 7 Impossible Things (great children's lit blog with reviews and other good things!)
• Jen Robinson's Book Page (probably my favorite children's lit blog because Jen isn't a teacher or librarian, she just loves children's books!)
• Chicken Spaghetti (another book review blog that's very fun)

Misc:

• ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children, ALA association)