Children’s Activity Calendar: November 2018
There’s so much to be thankful for this November! Make it a month to remember in your library with fun children’s activities, book suggestions, craft projects and more!
Literacy
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: November 2018
Our November Early Literacy Activity Calendar is overflowing with simple activities parents can do with their kids to celebrate Thanksgiving, autumn and much more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: October 2018
This October, scare up some tasty fun in your library with this children’s activity calendar from Matthew Winner. Get ideas for delicious celebrations like National Pizza Month and National Cookie Month, including book suggestions, craft projects, and more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: September 2018
The September calendar features fun children’s activity and book ideas to kick the school year off right in your library. Celebrate International Literacy Month, Library Card Sign-up Month and more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: August 2018
Not only is August Back to School Month, it’s also Family Fun Month and National Sandwich Month. And days like Friendship Day and National Book Lovers Day offer even more opportunities for fun library activities for kids!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: August 2018
Summer may be winding down, but you can still help parents and caregivers keep kids entertained this August with simple and fun early literacy activities that celebrate Friendship Day, National S’mores Day, National Dog Day and more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: July 2018
Matthew Winner shares book suggestions and children’s activity ideas for a deliciously fun July at your library! Not only is it National Ice Cream Month, but it’s also National Hot Dog Month, National Blueberry Month, and National Picnic Month. Is your stomach growling yet?
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: July 2018
Give parents simple early literacy activities they can use to keep their kids learning this summer. The July calendar offers craft ideas, math and science activities, book suggestions, songs and fun celebration ideas for National Ice Cream Day, National Dance Day and more!
6+ Ways to Celebrate Dr. Seuss
Oh, the places kids can go in the library! Bring the simple joy of whimsical rhyming adventures to your library this summer with these Dr. Seuss activities, passive programs, decorations and much more.
Children’s Activity Calendar: June 2018
Ready to have a great summer at your library? The June calendar is full of fun activities for kids and book ideas for summery celebrations like Great Outdoors Month, Great American Picnic Day and more!
Early Literacy Activities Calendar: June 2018
Help parents build early literacy skills at home this summer! You’ll find ideas like celebrating Best Friends Day along with craft activities, math and science projects, books and more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: May 2018
Grab a book that makes you grin – May is Get Caught Reading Month and National Smile Month! So gather your favorite books and get ready to get caught at the library!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: May 2018
Give parents fun and easy ways to build early literacy skills at home. The May calendar is filled with crafts, math and science activities, book suggestions, songs and more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: April 2018
We dare you to try to keep a straight face this April — it’s National Humor Month! Get ready to laugh it up at your library with a full calendar of engaging spring activities for kids.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: April 2018
Make parents and little ones smile with lots of early literacy activities they can do together at home to celebrate April Fools’ Day, National Pet Day, National Superhero Day and more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: March 2018
Encourage students to let their artistic sides shine with March activities that celebrate Youth Art Month, Music in Our Schools Month and more!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: March 2018
Brighten parents’ days with a month of springtime early literacy activities, crafts, books and more they can share at home with their little ones.
Children’s Activity Calendar: February 2018
February is the month of hearts and valentines — but it’s also the time to celebrate Library Lovers’ Month with books, crafts and engaging activities that kids will adore.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: February 2018
Help parents capture their little ones’ hearts with a month of early literacy activities they can do at home together in February.
3 Ways to Connect STEAM With Literacy in Your Library
Adding a STEAM component to a literacy assignment can encourage students to think more deeply about what they are reading and writing. Library Journal’s Maker Hero School Librarian of the Year Alisha Wilson shares three ways you can collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate robotics, circuitry and coding into English class.
Children’s Activity Calendar: January 2018
Usher in 2018 with engaging January activities, fun celebrations and book suggestions that will get the new year off to an inspired start!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: January 2018
Help parents get 2018 off to a great start with a month of early literacy activities, including math and science activities, art projects and more!
Children’s Activity Calendar: December 2017
The holiday spirit is in the air — and in your library! It’s Read a New Book Month, so grab a brand new book and a tasty treat, and get ready for a sweet December!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: December 2017
Help parents bring winter cheer into their homes with a month of early literacy activities, crafts and books they can share with their little ones in December.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: November 2017
Give parents and caregivers an exciting month full of early literacy activities to share with children at home during the month of November!
Ideas for Using Informational Text to Help Students Develop a Global Worldview
Global literacy heroes are working tirelessly to ensure books reach impoverished and remote areas around the globe. Award-winning librarian and SLJ Mover and Shaker Krista Welz shares ideas for introducing kids to these literacy heroes and inspiring learning opportunities through their stories.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: October 2017
Candy corn and pumpkins galore — fall is in full swing and the early literacy development opportunities for parents and caregivers are bountiful!
Adult Engagement Calendar: October 2017
Library Journal Mover and Shaker Emily Ellis shares tips, tricks and ideas for engaging adult library programming for the month of October.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: September 2017
Inspire parents to have fun with little ones this month with fun early literacy activities like going on nature walks, celebrating Teddy Bear Day and more!
3 Activities to Try This School Year
Get amazing back-to-school ideas from teacher-librarian, blogger and author Matthew C. Winner. Bring on the robotics, author interactions, and stretch goals.
Adult Engagement Calendar: September 2017
Library Journal Mover and Shaker Emily Ellis shares tips, tricks, and ideas for engaging adult library programming for the month of September.
Children’s Activity Calendar: August 2017
Get ready to celebrate Back to School Month and Family Fun Month, plus a host of holidays like Book Lovers Day and S’mores Day, with fun library activities!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: August 2017
As summer comes to a close, help parents keep their little ones learning every day with simple early literacy activities they can do together at home.
5 Ways to Inspire Creativity With Pete the Cat
Get the wheels of creativity turning in your young learners’ minds with Pete the Cat activities that get them thinking, writing, movin’ and groovin’!
Adult Engagement Calendar: August 2017
Kick off adult programs in August by celebrating National Watermelon Day. Then celebrate Senior Citizens, Women’s Equality, dogs, bad poetry and more.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: July 2017
Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to give parents a month’s worth of fun early literacy activities they can share with their kids at home!
3 Easy Ways to Promote Early Literacy and Brain Development in Your Library
Too Small to Fail’s campaign “Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing” provides you with early literacy resources to help you further your goals of empowering parents and enriching the lives of young children.
Adult Engagement Calendar: July 2017
The July calendar is filled with ideas for adult programs — ones that encourage us to get outside, create time to relax and try some new recipes.
Children’s Activity Calendar: June 2017
Celebrate the beginning of summer with June activities and books that will get kids excited to spend vacation time at the library!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: June 2017
Send parents home with a myriad of creative ideas they can do with their kids to build early literacy skills all through the month of June.
Adult Engagement Calendar: June 2017
What’s on deck for your June adult programs? How about ways to celebrate Great Outdoors month and more? Download the June 2017 Adult Engagement Calendar.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: May 2017
Support learning at home with this free early literacy resource! Kids and parents will love making spring crafts, doing simple science experiments and more.
Children’s Activity Calendar: May 2017
Get caught having fun at the library this May with book suggestions and spring activities to celebrate Children’s Book Week, Star Wars Day and more!
Adult Engagement Calendar: May 2017
May offers lots of opportunities to deliver engaging adult programs, events, displays and more with celebrations like Get Caught Reading Month and Teacher Appreciation Day.
Children’s Activity Calendar: April 2017
This month’s calendar is jam-packed with April activities and book suggestions that will get kids excited to visit the library!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: April 2017
Give parents a full month of fun and simple early literacy activities that they can share with their kids to boost learning at home.
Mo Willems Writing Activity: Thank-you Notes
Combine this fun writing activity with Mo Willems’ “The Thank You Book” and you’ve got the perfect way to encourage children to express gratitude.
Children’s Activity Calendar: March 2017
March is the month to welcome warmer weather and celebrate Women’s History Month and Youth Art Month with engaging children’s activities, books and crafts.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: March 2017
Parents and kids will love celebrating days like St. Patrick’s Day and Puppy Day with simple early literacy activities they can do at home together every day.
Connecting Schools and Public Libraries Through Data
Measuring the impact of programs and services is a challenge, but it can be done. Learn how a library partnership and data sharing can get you started.
Teen Activity Calendar: March 2017
Teens are sure to find a topic to get excited about during the month of March, including women’s history, March Madness and Extraterrestrial Abduction Day!
Children’s Activity Calendar: February 2017
Show the love in your library this February with heartwarming books, feel-good crafts and fun library activities from Matthew Winner!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: February 2017
February is filled to the brim with early literacy activities and books inspired by Valentine’s Day and more. Spread the love!
Gail Borden Library Redefines Summer Reading, Partners With Community
Read how the Gail Borden Public Library won the 2016 Upstart Library Innovation Award for taking traditional library summer reading programs in an exciting new direction.
Children’s Activity Calendar: January 2017
Matthew Winner of All the Wonders is here to help you get ready to ring in the new year at your library with January activities and books that are sure to put big smiles on kids’ faces!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: January 2017
Help parents get the new year off to a great start with a full month of simple activities they can do with their little ones to boost early literacy skills.
4 Maker Programs for Preschoolers
Children’s Librarian Holly Storck-Post brings STEAM, making and literature together with four preschool programs for preschoolers — happy making!
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: December 2016
Kids and parents will love getting cozy and sharing simple early literacy activities like wintery crafts, heart-warming reads and delicious treats!
4 Steps to Evaluating Your Collection for Diverse Books + Book Suggestions
Learn how to evaluate your collection for diversity! Get diverse books and multicultural author suggestions, plus activities to help create a culture of inclusivity.
Teen Activity Calendar: November 2016
There’s tons of engaging teen activities to be thankful for this November, including some election fun, delicious snacks and DIY buttons and origami.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: November 2016
Send parents home filled with gratitude for these simple early literacy activities they can do with their kids every day of the month!
Children’s Activity Calendar: November 2016
There’s something to be thankful for every day of the month! Get your fill of November activities and books for Thanksgiving, Family Stories Month and more.
5 Election Activities for Your Library
Vote for Pete! During this presidential election season, use these 5 engaging activities to help your students understand how the election process works.
Best Practices for Sharing Digital Picture Books With Young Children
Have you ever wondered what to tell parents and caregivers when they ask “Is it ok to share digital picture books with my child?” Early childhood expert Elizabeth Stilwell helps answer this question and shares advice and resources for librarians and caregivers.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: October 2016
Give this October calendar full of simple, fun ideas to parents for an at-home literacy resource to share with their little goblins — all treats, no tricks!
5 Steps to Ditching Dewey: Genrefication in Your School Library
Are you entertaining thoughts of ditching Dewey and exploring subject-based classification in your library? Nationally Board Certified Librarian and Mover and Shaker Tiffany Whitehead gives you tips and tricks to help you start genrefying your library.
How a Librarian and Elephant & Piggie Changed My Life + Mo Willems Library Activities
Engaging a reluctant reader can be a challenge, but Mo Willems is here to help! Supplement his engaging books with these Elephant and Piggie activities.
Are You Helping to Spread This Important Early Literacy Message in Your Library?
Reading aloud every day can have a big impact on a child’s future success. Join Read Aloud 15 MINUTES and share this literacy program with your community.
Children’s Activity Calendar: September 2016
Welcome fall with a bushel of exciting September activities! This month is Library Card Sign-up Month, the perfect time to show off all your library has to offer.
Early Literacy Activity Calendar: September 2016
Hand this September calendar full of early literacy activities to parents and you’re giving them a valuable tool for sharing learning with their kids every day.
8 STEM Activities for Engaging Reluctant Readers
Quicksand, black holes and tsunamis — oh my! Combine attention-grabbing topics with engaging STEM activities and books, and draw in even the most reluctant readers.
Here’s a Library Program That’s Helping to Boost Literacy Skills and Self-confidence
Support young patrons’ literacy development and confidence through artistic expression with The Picture Show — an easy program for any library or classroom to implement.
Deliver Diverse Storytimes With Multicultural Activities From the Experts
Kendra Jones and Cory Eckert, creators of Storytime Underground, share multicultural activities, books, songs, rhymes and resources for creating diverse storytimes.
Helping Teen Parents Teach Early Literacy Skills With The Very Ready Reading Program
Four County Career Center has found the perfect tool for supporting teen parents in teaching early literacy skills — The Very Ready Reading Program.
Make Fact-finding Fun With These 3 Library Lessons
Fact-finding doesn’t have to be boring! Harness kids’ innate curiosity with fun library research activities tied to the curriculum.
How Iowa’s Libraries Are Getting Kids Ready for Kindergarten
The State Library and Iowa Library Association work hard to provide continuing early literacy education and resources for librarians to support Iowa’s youngest learners.
How Reach Out and Read and Libraries Can Team Up to Boost Early Literacy
By collaborating with Reach Out and Read clinics to improve early literacy from birth, your library can have a greater impact on the lives of the children in your community.
Library Lessons in Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship is a critical literacy for today’s students to master, and the library is a natural place to do it. With these online and print resources, you can create digital citizenship lessons that help students learn to act safely and responsibly, with courtesy and respect, in the digital world.
Emerging Technology Trends and the Library: The Future is Now
What will 2016 bring into the world of library technology trends? Get ready to have fun with your community and staff as you forge new ground with fitness trackers, robotics, coding and more!
How One Library Is Boosting Literacy With 1,000 Books
Explore the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten partnerships, outreach, programming and more that helped one library make changes in their community.
How to Get Started With Bilingual Storytimes
Want to create a bilingual storytime, but aren’t sure where to start? Use these tips, songs, books and apps to reach diverse populations in your community — even if you’re not bilingual!
Books Build Better Brains: How Promoting Literacy Is Key to Early Brain & Child Development
Human relationships and interactions play a key role during the first thousand days of a child’s life. Learn from Dr. Navsaria, founding medical director of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin, about the importance of early literacy, how toxic stress and early adversity can lead to lifelong issues and some key concepts about literacy development.
How Redwood City Public Library Is Impacting Early Literacy in Its Community
The spectacular early literacy programming at Redwood City Public Library has established the institution as a leader in education and outreach, passionately supporting childhood development and literacy in their community.
Easy and Inexpensive STEAM Centers for Your Library
Have you been wanting to add a STEAM program to your library’s list of events but think it might be too expensive or too difficult to plan? Think again! In this blog post, Terry Ehle shares the inspiration you need to get started.
Make Your Library a Part of the Take Your Child to the Library Day™ Initiative!
Your library is an important resource for your community — get the word out! Learn all about how the Take Your Child to the Library Day initiative started, discover how to get involved, and explore engaging program ideas, past success stories and online resources.
Children’s Activity Calendar: February 2016
There’s something for everyone to love at the library this month — share February activities surrounding Valentine’s Day, Black History Month and more!
How to Bolster Your Outreach Using the 3 Ps
Raise awareness of your library’s services in your community and find ways to reach underserved populations with the 3 Ps of library outreach, a formula to help you plan your next outreach event and partner with community service providers for maximum impact.
Children’s Activity Calendar: January 2016
Ring in 2016 with educational, inspirational and tasty January activities and event ideas — there’s something for everyone in the library this month!
Dancing Off the Page: Adding Movement to Storytime
Get moving! Promote multimodal literacy skills with movement in your storytimes and set little learners up for reading success.
Readers’ Advisory: Games Galore
What better resource to teach kids about the games of life than books?! Learn about 6 captivating children’s books that illustrate the enjoyment of playing games and the lessons they teach us.
Children’s Activity Calendar: December 2015
Prepare for a flurry of fun to wrap up 2015! Enjoy plenty of engaging (and delicious!) December activities to draw the crowds into your library.
6 Myths About Diversity in Early Childhood Storytimes (and How We Can Read Diverse Books in Our Library’s Storytime Now)
Our population is becoming more and more diverse, with the youngest generation leading the way. We owe it to all our readers to offer diverse books during storytime, deepening the connections we are making and furthering our goal of building a solid reading foundation.
Libraries: Making a Difference in Early Childhood Brain Development
When children are not given opportunities to experience language through books and other interactions, disparities develop that can last a lifetime. Pediatrician Dr. Navsaria teaches us how to combat this and empower parents!
Children’s Activity Calendar: November 2015
We’re not talking turkey! There are plenty of creative November activities you can play up to encourage more people to check out your library. Have a look.
How Will You Make Your Mark on International Dot Day?
International Dot Day celebrates mentorship and its power to foster self-discovery, creativity and courage. How will you inspire and encourage this year?
Library Experiences That Engage Young Readers
Even the most reluctant readers can be engaged through programming that brings reading to life. In this webinar, you’ll learn new ways to help kids in your community discover their deepest interests and a passion for reading.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: Early Literacy DIY
Thinking of extending early literacy learning into the homes in your community? 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten initiatives are a great way to give families the tools they need to prepare their children for later reading success.
4 Powerful Ways 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Prepares Kids for School
Deliver a powerful message to caregivers through the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program — books are all kids need to be ready for school!
1000 Books Before Kindergarten: A Passive Program with Enormous Benefits!
Looking for a cost-effective, parent-led library program that can have huge returns on early literacy in your community? Get the lowdown on 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and find out how easy it is to start this program in your library!
Children’s Activity Calendar: September 2015
You’re in the fall swing of things and now is a great time to showcase your library’s many colors and programs. Get ideas for September activities, holidays and observances.
Get Started With 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
It’s easier than ever to have a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at your library. Get ideas on scaling the program to suit your needs. Plus, get a free step-by-step guide!
List of Reading Strategies: 8 Tips to Reach Every Reader
From fun displays to multimedia and guest speakers at your school, this list of reading strategies will help you win over kids and foster a love of reading.
Reflections on ALA 2015, San Francisco
Almost 16,000 library professionals attended ALA 2015 during a historic weekend in San Francisco. Read the top 3 highlights and apply the insights.
Talk to Me, Baby: The Research Behind Language Development
Crack the code on what baby babbling really means. As babies make these noises, they’re making important progress toward language development: they’re literally finding their voice! Learn about the importance of encouraging baby babble and ways your storytime can do just that.
3 Research-proven Ways Libraries Help Fight Summer Slide
Summer library programs can reduce or eliminate summer slide! Check out the latest best practices for countering learning loss during the summer months.
Learn the Secrets to Successful Sensory Storytimes
Children with developmental disabilities can struggle in traditional storytimes. As a result, their caretakers may avoid bringing them to library programs. Find out how you can help all families feel welcome and address children’s learning needs with sensory storytimes.
Pairing Bedtime Math with Your Summer Reading Program Really Adds Up!
Join the founder of Bedtime Math, a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids love numbers, on her mission to weave math into summer learning.
Bringing Diversity to Summer Reading
Get great ideas for great reads! Including diverse books on summer reading lists can have a major impact on children and on the publishing industry.
Children’s Activity Calendar: May 2015
May is the perfect time to flex your reading muscles and reach even more readers with great new ideas, displays and resources! Catch up on all the holidays happening in May 2015.
Children’s Activity Calendar: March 2015
Let your creativity blossom as you celebrate March holidays and observances in your library. Get great ideas for Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Youth Art Month, National Craft Month and more.
Secrets to Selecting High-quality Storytime Books
With countless classic tales and tens of thousands of new children’s books published each year, selecting books for storytime can seem overwhelming. We’ve got just the fix. Gain helpful hints for choosing read-aloud books for your next storytime.
4 Ways Art in Storytime Makes Kids Smarter
From encouraging fine motor movement to expanding vocabularies, art plays an important role in strengthening the skills our children need to succeed in the 21st century. Learn more about the benefits of incorporating art into storytimes and get 10 tips for talking to kids about art.
Want to Make Your Library the Go-to Place for Playtime? Here’s How!
At the La Crosse Public Library in WI, children pretend to shop at a farmers market, tell stories on flannel boards and play parachute games. See how playtime at the library builds early literacy skills in a natural way and learn how you can create an engaging children’s environment, even on a budget.
Children’s Activity Calendar: April 2015
Spring is in the air! Get crowd-pleasing and library-friendly ideas for April Fools’ Day, National Library Week and more. You may even learn about holidays and observances you didn’t know existed!
Children’s Activity Calendar: February 2015
February is known for Valentine’s Day, but there’s so much more to do this month! Get great ideas for your library programming, such as celebrating Library Lovers Month, Black History Month and more.
Catch a Child with a Tale
Find out how folktales, fairy tales and other traditional stories can capture children’s imagination AND help them develop important literacy skills.
8 Tips for Planning Successful Mixed-age Storytimes
In an ideal world, libraries would be able to offer an array of storytimes designed to meet the varying developmental needs of young children at different ages and stages. But, this isn’t always the case. Get tips on creating successful mixed-age storytimes for kids.
Debates & Common Core Speaking and Listening Skills
Looking for a way to incorporate speaking and listening standards into projects? Look no further! See LibrarySparks’ tips for holding a student debate that draws on students’ reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills.
Students In Charge — Fostering Community Engagement
Imagine teens calling all the shots and adults letting them! Sound crazy? That’s the case at Mattoon Middle School in Mattoon, IL and librarian Anieta Trame prefers it that way. Read her story!
How Using Apps in Storytime Can Be a Good Thing
Children today are born as digital natives, surrounded by cell phones, televisions, tablets, computers and other media. See how one Youth Services Librarian is using storytimes to help parents find and use the best apps for early literacy learning.
Library Lessons: Picture Books for Kids
Picture books capture children’s attention while building essential literacy skills. Get started with book recommendations, resources and a library lesson plan from LibrarySparks.
Principals’ Perspectives on the Value of School Librarians
School librarians have the opportunity to position themselves as essential and irreplaceable. Read real stories about 2 associate professors who thought school librarians deserved more respect. Watch their advocacy video to see why principals appreciate school librarians.
Why You Should be Promoting Playtime at Your Library
According to researchers, children’s participation in unstructured playtime is crucial to laying a foundation for literacy success. Learn how to maximize the positive effects of play through storytimes and parent involvement.
Children’s Activity Calendar: January 2015
Did you know that there is an Appreciate a Dragon Day in January? You do now. View the January calendar for more fun kids activities and programming ideas.
Raising Healthy Readers
Raise healthy readers! See how one doctor uses well-child visits to build early literacy skills, providing books to children and encouraging parents to be active in their children’s learning.
Helping Reluctant Readers in a Common Core World
How do you nurture a child’s interest in reading and support Common Core Standards? Learn 4 ways to help reluctant readers reach Common Core objectives.
Boost Early Literacy Skills Through Storytimes
See how librarians can promote early literacy skills through enriched storytimes. During these storytimes, librarians model activities that parents and caregivers can practice at home with their children to boost reading readiness.
Children’s Activity Calendar: December 2014
Celebrate the season and December’s many special days with book suggestions and holiday activities for kids. You won’t believe all the ideas that await you.
4 Simple Storytelling Tips to Teach Parents
Learn about the benefits of sharing stories and how you can model best practices for caregivers. Plus — get our caregiver handout, “10 Tips for Sharing Stories.”
Engaging Nonfiction Library Displays and Activities
Six library displays and activities that support Common Core State Standards and help you inspire and challenge kids to read more nonfiction material.
Children’s Activity Calendar: November 2014
Fall into some great ideas for kids, teens and adults alike with our November activity calendar! You’ll benefit from new angles to engage readers and your community with your library.
Support the Core with Close Reading Strategies
Educators have students take a second look and even a third look at texts. This deeper study of text is called close reading, and it’s helping prepare students to meet the text analysis requirements of the Common Core State Standards. But, how can you help students get the most out of close reading? Read this post to learn more about effective close reading strategies.
Check Out What Happened at The Digital Shift
Catch the highlights from Library Journal’s recent virtual tradeshow, The Digital Shift: Libraries @ the Center and see how they apply to you.
Common Core: Partnership, Instruction and Advocacy in the Elementary School Library
Grow your confidence and secure your spot in your school! Author and Library Media Specialist, Toni Buzzeo, explains how Common Core standards align with school librarians’ skills, how to partner with teachers and how to seize the opportunity to play an even stronger role in education.
Want to Take a Powerful Approach to Storytime?
Sue McCleaf Nespeca, a youth services librarian and early childhood education expert, has traveled across the country to train librarians in research-based best practices for early literacy learning. During her travels, she heard a common plea: How could librarians incorporate best practices into storytimes? Learn more about how Sue turned research into action with The Very Ready Reading Program.
The New Storytime for Kids: Putting Research into Action
Sound familiar? Crucial need for family literacy services. Limited resources. See how a new storytime for kids approach was the solution for a Washington library.
Finding Funding for Early Literacy Programs
Two-thirds of U.S. 4th graders can’t read proficiently at grade level, but research shows early literacy programs can help. Get tips on finding and writing literacy grants.
Enriching Early Literacy Storytimes: Small Steps, Big Results
Did you know the #1 determinant of successful language and literacy development is parental involvement? Learn what small steps you and parents can take to yield big results for children.
Readers’ Advisory: Mystery Books for Inquiring Minds
Solve the mystery of what books to recommend to your inquisitive young readers with these fiction and nonfiction children’s mystery book recommendations.
Library Lessons: Bullying Prevention
Start a conversation about bullying while teaching students crucial literacy skills. Get 10 children’s book recommendations and a free library lesson plan to introduce young readers to the concept of bullying.
Reading to the Beat: Music Enhances Early Literacy
Recent research in education, cognitive psychology and neuroscience show music and literacy go hand in hand. Find out how music is essential for building early literacy skills.
1 Book for Every 300 Children
While the neuroscience behind language acquisition and reading readiness is complex, the pathway to early literacy development is not. All a child needs is a caregiver with basic instruction on some purposeful activities that can be consistently worked into everyday activities.
Common Core: An Unparalleled Opportunity for Elementary School Librarians to Shine
Wondering how you fit into the new Common Core world? Author and librarian Toni Buzzeo leads a lively discussion and offers pointers on how you can become an indispensable instructional leader at your school.
The Very Ready Reading Program
Looking for a research-based early literacy solution? Hear about the science behind The Very Ready Program, how to maximize children’s brain development and 7 ways to easily get parents involved.
A New Approach to Early Literacy
Sharing books and language with children is critical to preparing them for reading success. Through purposeful daily interactions, parents have a tremendous impact on their child’s reading readiness.