ALLEGHENY COUNTY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Youth Services Quarterly Meeting
Friday, September 18∙9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Robinson Township Library
Agenda
Talked about changes to the youth services meeting regarding suggestions from survey and to make it more accessible.
Part One – Announcements (15 minutes)
STEM – All youth services staff/directors are invited to a STEM Showcase led by participants in the Librarians as STEM Educators grant funded training on Thursday, November 19 from 1-3 p.m. at ASSET in the South Side. An invitation will follow as well.
Committees – Committee members are needed for the One Book, Every Young Child and Summer Reading Committee. This year’s One Book, Every Young Child committee is co-chaired by Emily Bryan-Reeder and Rebecca O’Connell. Each committee will be a joint effort between CLP and ACLA.
Kindergarten Readiness Materials – There are two kindergarten readiness brochures available if libraries would like them for children’s department or outreach visits. The first is the rack card created at ACLA for kindergarten readiness and the second is the Cruise into Kindergarten brochure created by the state. Email if you would like some of one or both.
2016 Professional Development – Working on developing professional development opportunities with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and PAEYC.
Kate DiCamillo – The event is October 15. Please promote with the flyer sent in last week’s announcements. I will also share the flyer on the Wiki.
Kindergarten Transition Teams – All libraries should serve on the school district’s kindergarten transition team. If you have not been contacted, please consider reaching out to the school district. If you do not know who is in charge at your school district, email me and I will find out for you.
LUG Partnership – Accepting libraries for the LUG Partnership to create displays at libraries. Information was sent out in last week’s announcements.
Children’s Choice Awards – The first four books were sent out a few weeks ago. The survey to choose the next few will be sent shortly.
Summer Reading – The manuals will arrive before the holidays.
One Book, Every Young Child – This year’s title is Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand.
Part Two – Pitt Partner Update (15 minutes)
Introduction of new ACLA intern – Flory Gessner
Gave brief update on the changes in the Pitt Partner program at Pitt. Starting next year sites will be required to pay interns a minimum of $10. There are other opportunities for those interested in working with a student. The chart is included on the Wiki.
Lauren Lancaster-Gudorf of Crafton talked about her field placement experience at CLP-Squirrel Hill.
Brief discussion about experiences with the Pitt Partner Program.
Part Three – Book Bus (30 minutes)
Amanda Kirby of Western Allegheny gave a tour of the Book Bus, talked about how the project started with the West Allegheny School District, the challenges that they have faced and answered questions.
Part Four – Programming Share (30 minutes)
The participants each shared about programming at their respective libraries. There were some challenges, questions and discussion.
Part Five – STEM Playtime (30 minutes)
The state received funding to provide systems with various STEM toys for libraries to access after receiving training. Librarians received informal training by spending time trying each toy.
The four that librarians used were Roominate, Squishy Circuits, GoldieBlox and Little Bits. Four more will be debuted at the November youth services meeting.
There was discussion about how these kits could be used in a program.
In 2016, the kits will be available for libraries to borrow.
Part Six – Robinson Tour (15 minutes)
Gabi Bolland gave a tour of Robinson Township Library.
Part Seven – Upcoming Opportunities (15 minutes)
Friday, September 25, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Tween Brown Bag Lunch (ACLA)
Monday, September 28-Tuesday, September 29, 12:30-4 p.m.: Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (Homestead)
Thursday, October 8, 1-4 p.m.: Everyday Mentors (ACLA)
Tuesday, October 13-Wednesday, October 14, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (Mt. Lebanon)
Friday, October 23, 1-4 p.m.: Everyday Mentors (Plum)
Friday, November 13, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Battle of the Books Brown Bag (ACLA)
Monday, December 7, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: School & Public Library Summit (AIU)
Next Meeting: Monday, November 16, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (ACLA)
I will be trying to use the Go to Meeting software for this, so that people can attend remotely for a portion of the meeting.