Children's Services News

Would you like to receive more than 1,000 children's books, videos, audio books and recordings for your library collection? Than look no further! Every year the Bookapalooza program, administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), gives more than 3,000 newly published children’s materials to three libraries. These collections (estimated to be worth $10,000 each) are given to the winning libraries to be used in a way that creatively enhances library service to children and families.

Personal ALSC members are encouraged to submit an application by the December 1, 2008 deadline. For more information about requirements, criteria, and applying, please visit the ALSC Web site.

Questions? Contact Aimee Strittmatter, ALSC Deputy Director, at astrittmatter@ala.org

Apply now for a Teen Tech Week Mini Grant! The theme for the 2009 Teen Tech Week is Press Play @ Your Library. YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, will award up to 20 grants consisting of $450 in cash and $50 in Teen Tech Week products to libraries planning innovative programs, services or resources to celebrate Teen Tech Week. Read more about this and apply by January 19, 2009 at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw09/home.cfm Winners will be notified the week of February 9, 2009. Funding provided by Verizon Communications, Inc. Registration is now open!

Here's some stats to consider: Nearly 1 in 4 youth aged 8 to 18 do not have Internet access at home. A June 2007 study found that 1/4 of teens who regularly visit the public library and nearly 1/3 who regularly visit the school library said their primary reason is to use the library's computers for fun. Multiple studies have shown that the majority of teens lack the critical thinking skills and technical expertise to use the Internet and other electronic resources effectively.

Teens need to know that the library is a trusted resource for accessing information and that librarians are the experts who can help them develop the skills they need to use electronic resources effectively and efficiently.