WEBSITES FOR WMRLS LIBRARIANS

Email Discussion Lists

• WMRLS List - http://www.wmrls.org/list/index.html - This email discussion list is the communication vehicle for members of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System - all library related posts are welcome (Examples: job postings, questions for colleagues, inviting colleagues to attend your library programs). This list is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
• MASSYAC - http://www.wmrls.org/list/massyac.html - This email discussion list is the communication vehicle for youth services librarians throughout Massachusetts - all youth services posts are welcome (Examples: sharing/swaping program and service ideas, discussing issues of concern to youth services librarians - children's access to library materials) and more. This list is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Ellison Dyes - http://www.wmrls.org/services/youth/ellison.html - The western Massachusettslibraries that are listed on this webpage are generosly making their Ellison and/or Accu-Cut Letter Machines available for WMRLS Member Library use. Using special dies, these letter machines allow multiple copies of letters, numbers, and selected shapes to be cut at a rapid pace. This eliminates hours of tracing and cutting name tags, library decorations, and more! Librarians must bring their own materials to cut.

Copyright - http://www.wmrls.org/services/additional/copyright.htm - Several participants mentioned the need for information on copyright and fair use. This website includes a number of websites that address this topic.

Lapsit Success! Resources for Programs with Wonderful Ones- http://www.mmrls.org/materials/lapsit.htm - Summary of the Metrowest Regional Library System's October 27, 2005 program. Includes podcasts!

Mother Goose On The Loose - http://www.mgol.org/ - From the website: "An early literacy program that uses rhymes and songs to help prereading children get ready for reading."

Performers Directories On The Web - http://www.wmrls.org/services/youth/performers.html - features both the Southeast Massachusetts and the New York State online performers directories.

WGBY READY TO LEARN - http://www.wgby.org/edu/readytolearn/index.html - WGBY, a WMRLS member library conducts PBS Ready To Learn training. Ready To Learn, launched in 1994, and was created as public broadcasting's response to a critical national education goal: that all children enter school ready to learn. WGBY's Ready To Learn service includes: 9 hours of educational children's programming each weekday; free workshops for parents and early childhood professionals; distribution of Scholastic First books;distribution of PBS Families magazine, and other free resources encouraging children to read and learn.

WMRLS Site Index - http://www.wmrls.org/toc/index.html - to best serve all of our member libraries (academic, public, school, and special) 24/7, WMRLS has developed a website index which features "Ready Reference" links to the information that is most often requested by our members.

EVALUATIONS - SUMMARY OF LIBRARIAN COMMENTS

All librarians who submitted evaluations gave our WMRLS "Baby & Toddler Lapsit Storyhour Swap!" very high ratings. Highlights of comments are as follows:

What did you find most helpful about this workshop?
Seeing Barbara's story room with activities helped to show exactly how things are run.
Great Ideas
Inspiration!
Ideas presented were great
Lots of ideas to be immediately applied
Hearing what others are doing
Actual programs and handouts
So many questions were answered! Fabulous workshop!

Suggestions for Future WMRLS Workshops:

Craft Idea Swap
More ideas on funding programs and getting supplies
Music in storyhour
More ideas for preschoolers and mixed age (family) storytimes
Library holiday celebration ideas
Choosing manga/graphic novels for YA
Children's NF Collection Development
How to motivate YAs for Teen Advisory Board
More programs on lapsits
Storytimes for primary grades
Follow-up on this workshop
Creating a storyhour closet
Continue to swap program ideas

BIBLIOGRAPHY - RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM WMRLS

Below is a listing of all of the resources that we displayed at our January 13 Baby and Toddler Lapsit/Storyhour Swap:

Born to read : how to nurture a baby's love of learning : a planner's manual. Chicago : Association for Library Services to Children, American Library Association, c1997. PROF 027.625

Born to read : how to nurture a baby's love of learning : motivational/training video. Chicago : Association for Library Services to Children, American Library Association, c1997. VIDEO PROF 649.58

Ernst, Linda L. Lapsit services for the very young II : a how-to-do-it manual. New York : Neal-Schuman Publishers, c2001. PROF 027.62
Features complete information on meeting the library program and service needs of children from 12 to 24 months.

Nichols, Judy. Storytimes for two-year-olds ; illustrated by Lori D. Sears. Chicago : American Library Association, 1998. PROF 027.62
Includes program instructions listed by theme.

Reach out and read : program manual. New York, N.Y.] : Association of American Publishers Trade Division, [199-?] PROF 027.62
"A hands-on guide to establishing and running a pediatric early literacy program, based on the successful Reach Out and Read program at Boston City Hospital."

Story timers [videorecording] : changing the world one child at a time / Baltimore County Public Library ; writer, Susan Bard ; producer/editor, Sally Bishop. Towson, MD : Distributed by Library Video Network, c2003. PROF 027.625 STORY
Features excellent information on early literacy and drop-in baby story time tips.

FLIPCHART NOTES - January 13, 2006

Thank you to all who participated in our recent WMRLS continuing education workshop "Baby & Toddler Lapsit/Storyhour Swap! " on Friday, January 13 at the Chicopee Public Library. A special thank you to the staff of the Chicopee Public Library for their gracious hospitality. As promised, I am listing all of the topics that we listed on our flip chart so that we can continue discussing ways to provide outstanding library service to babies, toddlers, parents, and caregivers. Our discussion topics - in alphabetical order - are as follows:

Ideas:

• Do you have recommendations for the best way to conduct a library baby and toddler lapsit in a very small space (examples include seating, sound)
• How do you adapt your program to different community "flavors" or group "flavors" or needs?

Planning:

• How far in advance do you plan?

Policy:

• Do you accept local residents or is your program open to all?

Programming:

• How many different songs/fingerplays do you use?
• Lots of folks talked about parachute play - I'm looking for suggestions on how to play with parachutes with a mixed age audience.

Publicity:

• Do you advertise your library's program themes in advance?

Snacks:

• Do you provide snacks?

Tips & Techniques :

• When you have a mix of ages (babies to 3 or 4 years old) how do you keep all entertained?