On a regular basis, I reveiw different sources, both online and paper, looking for funding opportunities for NSLS and our members.

One of my favorites is the “Library Grants” blog with postings from Stephanie Gerding and Pamelar H. Mackellar.  In case you don’t recognize the names, both women are very familiar with the grant seeking process.

Stephanie’s first book, GRANTS FOR LIBRARIES, was published in 2006 by Neal-Schuman and received a star review in LJ. For the past two years, Stepanie has arthored the “Bringing in the Money” column for PLA’s PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

Her cohort, Pamela, is a highly successful grant writer, conference presentor, and trainer.

If you travel to librarygrants.blogspot.com, you can subscribe for the RSS feed to come directly to your desktop.

Happy Hunting!

When asked why they decided to make the signs, sisters Talia (10) and Laterrikha (8) said they love to visit the library every day to read and think others would enjoy it too.

Many motorists honked their horns, including one of the librarians. Wouldn’t that be a thrill to see kids holding signs outside in support of your library?  I know I’d honk! 

This guide’s primary audience is:
*Museum and library practitioners buidling strong programs to reach and engage youth
*Community planners, youth development leaders, and educators wanting to reach this population

You can download this 36 page guide by visiting, www.imls.gov/pdf/YouthGuide.pdf

Based on data gathered and analyzed from all 50 states, the “boys crisis” in education doesn’t exist.

If you’ve been in the education field for the last few years, you have heard alot about the “boys crisis”–male students floundering in school.  The data uncovered by this new study enititled, “Where the Girls Are: The Facts About Gender Equity in Education” uncovers three facts about gender equity in school today:
1) Girls’ successes don’t come at boys’ expense.
2) On average, girls’ and boys’ education performance has improved.
3) Understanding disparities by race/ethnicity and family income level is critical to understanding girls’ and boys’ achievement.

The true “crisis” revealed was not an issue of gender, but one of race and poverty.  If you’d like to view and/or print off a copy of this study, it is available at http://www.aauw.org/research/upload/whereGirlsAre_execSummary.pdf

Interesting reading!

This fall, Scholastic (Graphix) will be releasing the newest volume.

Should be interesting to see if this format will be as popular as the original series.

Simon & Schuster is introducing a new line of eco-friendly children’s books called Little Green Books. Titles in this series are aimed at parents and children who want to learn more about the environment.

The first four books will be released this fall in cloth and hardcover formats. Little Green activity books will follow.

The books, focusing on recycling, replanting, preserving habitats and creating awareness of endangered animals will be made from recycled materials and printed with soy ink.

Good going, Simon & Schuster!

Kenney is one of six artists worldwide that are Lego Certified Professionals. He and others sculp, portaits and full-size models for public displays and private collestions.

The three titles include:
*Sean Kenney’s Cool Lego Cars
*Sean Kenney’s Cool Lego Spaceships
*Sean Kenney’s Cool Lego Robots

Though aimed at five to ten-year-old boys, these books are for all ages. I personally can’t wait!

During the presentation, Lauren demonstrated the International Children’s Digital Library website where she selects her titles for her storytimes. An interface created by the University of Maryland’s Human-Computer Interaction Lab team, provides and easy way to search for and access digital books. Visit www.icdlbooks.org for a closer look.

And don’t miss Lauren’s article, “The Digital and Traditional Storytime Research Project: Using Digitized Picture Book for Preschool Group Storytimes,” which appeared in the Winter 2006 issue of Children & Libraries.

Publisher Kaplan has just released a new series of titles using a Manga format that will make test preparation more fun for students. According to Kaplan, “Manga is the fastest-growing segment in the publishing industry with sales jumping 22 percent from 7.8 million books in 2005 to 9.5 million last year.” Hoping to engage these lovers of Manga, Kaplan has introduced the following titles, “PsyComm,” “Warcraft,” “Dragon Hunt,” and “Van Von Hunter.”

All titles are action-packed, downloable, utilize lots of vocabulary, and have a T-13 rating due to the “mild violence, mild gore, and moderate language” and are downloadble.

Great idea!

I have to admit, I laughed out loud!

Enjoy this peek at ALA Midwinter in Seattle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td922l0NoDQ

I can’t wait for Nick’s next film.