The following activities will enhance brain development in programs for babies and preschoolers:
A Balance of Repetition and Variation
Learning is enhanced when a known thing changes patterns or routines. For example, using the same rhyme every session, but perhaps having a different puppet recite it.
Or use the same book in multiple sessions, but present it differently. For example, you may read it the first session, tell it the second session, act it out in a third session, do it as a flannel board in the fourth session, do it using puppets, etc. Every story in your presentation does not have to be repeated, just the one title
Ritual
This is another type of repetition that helps define the program. The best example is to always use the same songs at the beginning and end of your program.
Movement
Physical activity can actually create physiological changes in the brain. It correlates with increased attention levels which can often lead to greater memory performance. Make sure you have both large and small motor activities throughout your program so that there is something for children who are too shy to get up and move their whole body as well as those who have no inhibitions whatsoever.
Music
Music teaches children vocabulary words painlessly; it can incorporate patterns of speech and voice inflection. It also improves children’s ability to concentrate, which enables them to make the most of their intelligence. Even just having music playing in the background will inspire creativity and a pleasing response from children. You don’t have to be able to carry a tune to get a positive reaction!
For more information on brain development and children, try:
Mother Goose on the Loose: a handbook and CD-ROM kit with scripts, rhymes, songs, flannel board patterns for promoting early childhood development by Betsy Diamont-Cohen (2006).
School Readiness: Birth to Age Three How-to Guide
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Gaming seems to be every where in libraries! Where can I learn more about gaming in libraries?
Gaming in libraries is a new way to reach beyond the library’s traditional patron base and encourage new participation at the library. Board games, card games, and video games are being recognized as new ways to tell stories and information while they entertain and educate patrons. “There is no doubt gaming and literacy go hand-in-hand,” says Carla D. Hayden, Chief Executive Officer of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. “If you can’t read, you can’t play. Games are educational and it involves critical thinking, problem solving, and a constant learning cycle based on hypothesizing, experimenting and evaluating.”
Here are a number of resources to learn more about gaming in libraries:
Librarian’s Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @ your library
This toolkit offers content contributed by expert gaming librarians across the country and includes a wide range of resources to help librarians create, fund and evaluate gaming experiences in the library.
ALA’s Gaming News Blog
Check out this blog for information on all of the latest developments in library gaming.
ALA’s Games and Gaming Resources Wiki
This wiki includes National Gaming Day resources, bibliography, compiled lists of online games, equipment, model programs, and more.
Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki - Gaming
Library Success provides success stories, gaming resources, and information on libraries hosting gaming programs, including using Wiis, circulating games, and creating games.
Here are a number of resources to learn more about gaming in libraries:
Librarian’s Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @ your library
This toolkit offers content contributed by expert gaming librarians across the country and includes a wide range of resources to help librarians create, fund and evaluate gaming experiences in the library.
ALA’s Gaming News Blog
Check out this blog for information on all of the latest developments in library gaming.
ALA’s Games and Gaming Resources Wiki
This wiki includes National Gaming Day resources, bibliography, compiled lists of online games, equipment, model programs, and more.
Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki - Gaming
Library Success provides success stories, gaming resources, and information on libraries hosting gaming programs, including using Wiis, circulating games, and creating games.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
What are the best resources for answering health questions? Where do I find reputable information online?
The vast amount of health information on the Web can be daunting. Where do you start?
Easy! Start with the best consumer health Web site out there: MedlinePlus.
MedlinePlus was developed by the National Library of Medicine to help consumers locate high quality health information online. Available in English and Spanish, it has more than 750 listed health topics with links to symptoms & treatment, information on drugs, herbs and supplements, recent news, directories of health care providers. There is a section devoted to Senior Health and even a collection of narrated videos of surgeries.
You may also want to try these Web sites also:
NOAH (New York Online Access to Health) provides high quality health information in English and Spanish that is specifically geared for the consumer. Much of the information concentrates on care and treatment. There is some overlap with MedlinePlus. Start with the A-Z index.
KidsHealth has separate areas for kids, teens, and parents. You can search all three areas, and then limit your results. Although the specific categories are different, each area allows browsing by broad categories like recipes, drugs and alcohol, growth and development, or infections.
Cancer.gov is from the National Cancer Institute. It is a comprehensive resource with accurate and up-to-date information on all types of cancer, clinical trials, and cancer statistics.
Through SAILOR, you also have access to three health databases that index magazine and journal articles. The databases, together known as the “Ebsco health databases” are Health Source – Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Alt HealthWatch. Most, but not all, of the articles in these databases are full-text.
For other health Web sites, try the State Library Resource Center’s Health & Medicine Subject Guides.
Easy! Start with the best consumer health Web site out there: MedlinePlus.
MedlinePlus was developed by the National Library of Medicine to help consumers locate high quality health information online. Available in English and Spanish, it has more than 750 listed health topics with links to symptoms & treatment, information on drugs, herbs and supplements, recent news, directories of health care providers. There is a section devoted to Senior Health and even a collection of narrated videos of surgeries.
You may also want to try these Web sites also:
NOAH (New York Online Access to Health) provides high quality health information in English and Spanish that is specifically geared for the consumer. Much of the information concentrates on care and treatment. There is some overlap with MedlinePlus. Start with the A-Z index.
KidsHealth has separate areas for kids, teens, and parents. You can search all three areas, and then limit your results. Although the specific categories are different, each area allows browsing by broad categories like recipes, drugs and alcohol, growth and development, or infections.
Cancer.gov is from the National Cancer Institute. It is a comprehensive resource with accurate and up-to-date information on all types of cancer, clinical trials, and cancer statistics.
Through SAILOR, you also have access to three health databases that index magazine and journal articles. The databases, together known as the “Ebsco health databases” are Health Source – Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Alt HealthWatch. Most, but not all, of the articles in these databases are full-text.
For other health Web sites, try the State Library Resource Center’s Health & Medicine Subject Guides.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I have customers asking for advice finding audiobooks. How do I do reader’s advisory for audiobooks?
It’s important to remember that many customers often listen differently than they read depending on where they listen and whether they listen alone or with family.
Many customers listen in their cars, while working, exercising or at home. Reader’s Advisory skills and knowledge transfer from print material to audiobooks; however, there a few exceptions to consider.
Narration
The narrator interprets the printed word rather than merely reading the words. Many customers chose audiobooks based solely on the narrator regardless of the genre. Does the narrator capture your interest? Is the audiobook worth listening to? Another consideration is type of narration: single voice, multi-voiced (a narrator may voice more than one character), and full cast (every character has a different narrator).
Format
Audiobooks are available in many formats: audio cassette, cd, mp3 cd and ebooks or digital downloads. Does the customer have a format preference? Also, be sure to inquire about abridged and unabridged editions. In some cases, the abridged version is released on audio prior to the unabridged version. The abridged version offers the opportunity to sample the author’s work as well as a particular narrator.
Characterization
How does the narrator portray the different characters? This can be a challenge for the listener who does not have visual cues to denote character changes.
Music
What role does music play in the audiobook? Music is often used to transition between chapters, to create a mood, or as an introduction and closing to an audiobook production.
If you are new to audiobook reader’s advisory, Audiofile magazine is a good resource for reviews, author interviews, articles, audio clips and narrator biographies. The magazine also includes listening recommendations for the whole family. Recorded Books, LLC also features new releases, award winners, brief summaries, featured narrators and genre recommendations. If you need recommendations for children or young adults, see the Odyssey Award; it’s awarded annually for best audiobook production for children and young adults.
The best way to become familiar with audiobooks is to select different genres, listen to a few tracks, read the wrapper (comparable to the book jacket) and decide the overall audibility. Is it a good listen or a better read?
For additional resources and Web sites, check How to Find the Audiobook That You Want.
Many customers listen in their cars, while working, exercising or at home. Reader’s Advisory skills and knowledge transfer from print material to audiobooks; however, there a few exceptions to consider.
Narration
The narrator interprets the printed word rather than merely reading the words. Many customers chose audiobooks based solely on the narrator regardless of the genre. Does the narrator capture your interest? Is the audiobook worth listening to? Another consideration is type of narration: single voice, multi-voiced (a narrator may voice more than one character), and full cast (every character has a different narrator).
Format
Audiobooks are available in many formats: audio cassette, cd, mp3 cd and ebooks or digital downloads. Does the customer have a format preference? Also, be sure to inquire about abridged and unabridged editions. In some cases, the abridged version is released on audio prior to the unabridged version. The abridged version offers the opportunity to sample the author’s work as well as a particular narrator.
Characterization
How does the narrator portray the different characters? This can be a challenge for the listener who does not have visual cues to denote character changes.
Music
What role does music play in the audiobook? Music is often used to transition between chapters, to create a mood, or as an introduction and closing to an audiobook production.
If you are new to audiobook reader’s advisory, Audiofile magazine is a good resource for reviews, author interviews, articles, audio clips and narrator biographies. The magazine also includes listening recommendations for the whole family. Recorded Books, LLC also features new releases, award winners, brief summaries, featured narrators and genre recommendations. If you need recommendations for children or young adults, see the Odyssey Award; it’s awarded annually for best audiobook production for children and young adults.
The best way to become familiar with audiobooks is to select different genres, listen to a few tracks, read the wrapper (comparable to the book jacket) and decide the overall audibility. Is it a good listen or a better read?
For additional resources and Web sites, check How to Find the Audiobook That You Want.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
I have more customers asking for help finding non-fiction books to read for pleasure. How do I do non-fiction reader’s advisory?
Library customers in search of leisure reading for enrichment, entertainment, pleasure, and recreation are drawn to non-fiction as well fiction, so it’s useful to move back and forth between the two in order to provide good readers’ advisory service.
Some fiction readers may be open to a non-fiction title with appeal factors similar to a novel they’ve enjoyed.
Although non-fiction can be read for its informational value, those non-fiction titles that tell a good story, develop characters, set a scene, create suspense, and are written in an engaging style appeal most to customers in search of an engaging read. Non-fiction that reads like fiction, which can also be called narrative or readable non-fiction, incorporates fiction-like elements in such a way that increases the readability and the appeal of the title.
Some well-known examples of such non-fiction shaped and written like imaginative works include John Berendt’s Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil, David McCullough’s John Adams, Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran, Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm, and Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.
Appeal characteristics are those elements of a book which make it attractive, compelling, or accessible to the reader. Such appeal characteristics as plot/story line, characters, writing style, setting, dialog, theme, pacing or tone are important to both narrative non-fiction as well as fiction.
In doing booklists and displays mix fiction, non-fiction, and audio-visual titles for broad appeal.
When suggesting readalikes mix non-fiction as well as fiction. For example, will someone who enjoys Patricia Cornwell’s mysteries also enjoy Ann Rule’s true crime titles?
Classification of non-fiction serves as a readers’ advisory tool since it provides links between titles.
Overbooked and Library Booklists both provide annotated booklists of readable non-fiction.
Some fiction readers may be open to a non-fiction title with appeal factors similar to a novel they’ve enjoyed.
Although non-fiction can be read for its informational value, those non-fiction titles that tell a good story, develop characters, set a scene, create suspense, and are written in an engaging style appeal most to customers in search of an engaging read. Non-fiction that reads like fiction, which can also be called narrative or readable non-fiction, incorporates fiction-like elements in such a way that increases the readability and the appeal of the title.
Some well-known examples of such non-fiction shaped and written like imaginative works include John Berendt’s Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil, David McCullough’s John Adams, Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran, Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm, and Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.
Appeal characteristics are those elements of a book which make it attractive, compelling, or accessible to the reader. Such appeal characteristics as plot/story line, characters, writing style, setting, dialog, theme, pacing or tone are important to both narrative non-fiction as well as fiction.
In doing booklists and displays mix fiction, non-fiction, and audio-visual titles for broad appeal.
When suggesting readalikes mix non-fiction as well as fiction. For example, will someone who enjoys Patricia Cornwell’s mysteries also enjoy Ann Rule’s true crime titles?
Classification of non-fiction serves as a readers’ advisory tool since it provides links between titles.
Overbooked and Library Booklists both provide annotated booklists of readable non-fiction.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
You’re at a busy public service desk and a customer approaches you and says “I’ve read everything by author X, can you think of another author who writes like him?” How do you respond?
It’s important to interview the customer in order to determine what it is that he or she likes about that author. Listen carefully to determine elements of appeal. Once you’ve determined that, your challenge is to then match the customer’s reading interest with another author who has similar elements of appeal.
Try to think about books in such a way that looks for similarities and links between titles or between authors. Group books by genres, be aware of distinctions within genres, think across genres, and utilize non-fiction, fiction and other formats.
If a library customer approaches you asking for a suggestion for a read-alike and you haven’t read anything by that author don't panic. Be candid about your lack of knowledge, and invite the customer to provide more information. Ask your co-workers for assistance.
One extremely easy way of answering the customer’s question is do a simple Google search. Type the phrase “read-alikes for author x” (try doing it both with and without quotes around the phrase) and you may be pleasantly surprised. You may find booklists done by other librarians around the country that suggest other authors similar to the author that your customer enjoys. These librarian-compiled booklists frequently have titles like “If You Like (Author X) ... Then Try.”
The Fiction and Young Adult Department at the State Library Resource Center has done a how-to guide called Click Now to Find Your Next Good Read. This guide includes a section called “Read Every Book By Your Favorite Author?” which includes a number of good Web sites that you and your customers can use in your quest for read-alike authors.
Novelist is a subscription database available to every public library in Maryland through Sailor. It too contains a user-friendly author read-alikes section that appears on its top level page.
Try to think about books in such a way that looks for similarities and links between titles or between authors. Group books by genres, be aware of distinctions within genres, think across genres, and utilize non-fiction, fiction and other formats.
If a library customer approaches you asking for a suggestion for a read-alike and you haven’t read anything by that author don't panic. Be candid about your lack of knowledge, and invite the customer to provide more information. Ask your co-workers for assistance.
One extremely easy way of answering the customer’s question is do a simple Google search. Type the phrase “read-alikes for author x” (try doing it both with and without quotes around the phrase) and you may be pleasantly surprised. You may find booklists done by other librarians around the country that suggest other authors similar to the author that your customer enjoys. These librarian-compiled booklists frequently have titles like “If You Like (Author X) ... Then Try.”
The Fiction and Young Adult Department at the State Library Resource Center has done a how-to guide called Click Now to Find Your Next Good Read. This guide includes a section called “Read Every Book By Your Favorite Author?” which includes a number of good Web sites that you and your customers can use in your quest for read-alike authors.
Novelist is a subscription database available to every public library in Maryland through Sailor. It too contains a user-friendly author read-alikes section that appears on its top level page.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Top Ten Tips for Library Outreach
Library outreach is important for reaching potential users who generally do not come to the library. It brings the library and its services to them. We typically view these groups as:
If you are responsible for outreach in your community here are some tips to help your planning:
- Those who are non-users
- Those who have special needs (e.g., visually, hearing and mobility impaired)
- Those who are typically underserved
If you are responsible for outreach in your community here are some tips to help your planning:
- Identify those who do not have access to the library. Conduct a cursory demographic search of the community. The Census Bureau’s American Factfinder and new programs like the American Community Survey can provide the latest statistical data.
- Do not approach outreach services as a one-time event or program. Your goal is to foster an on-going working relationship with the targeted group.
- Are you busy but need a low impact idea to reach the underserved? Why not arrange to go to a facility or institution regularly to read the newspaper or discuss current events? It will allow you to promote materials from your library. Technorati has a great page with up-to-the-minute blogs on all things current.
- Go outside your system. Marketing your library will help make contacts that can help facilitate your objective. This should include using the web (RSS, wikis, blogs) and local media for promotion.
- Need a reason to approach a group or institution for outreach? Find special days or months to celebrate and prepare accordingly. To identify what’s being celebrated, use Google to search special holidays (Chase’s Calendar of Events can be viewed online at Google Books).
- Approach a senior citizens center, nursing home or assisted living facility. They’ll be happy to have you. Can you do a simple book talk during lunch at an adult day care center?
- Be informal. Is there a large business, school or government agency in the area where you can present while holding a brownbag lunch. You bring the soft drinks and cookies, attendees relax and listen while you handle your topic.
- Is it possible to conduct outreach invisibly? Eye catching displays promoting your services can be effective. Don’t forget to leave ample bookmarks or fliers so they know how to contact you. And always include your library’s URL on the promotional material-that’s the first place they’ll look.
- Use your technology skills. Demonstrate social networking to one of the many groups you can educate about communicating in today’s world. Can you teach adults to use Flickr or Delicious? Can you produce podcasts for the visually impaired or streaming video for the hearing impaired?
- If you do not have the training, or can’t find the expertise at your local or regional library, consider partnering with SLRC staff to satisfy your outreach responsibilities. SLRC specialists have the requisite experience to help and will be happy to work with
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Where can I find answers to math questions?
Many of us can find math questions challenging, difficult, or down-right scary. Never fear: math help is here. There are now many good Web sites available that will help you and your customers figure out the answers from all kinds of math questions, from arithmetic to calculus.
Some will give you answers and tell you how they calculated them, some will explain how to look at a problem, like a word problem, and figure out what they’re really asking, and many have games and exercises to help you work out your math muscles.
If you are interested in learning more about answering math questions, you can take SLRC’s Math for Librarians online class.
Math Web Sites to Use
Google
You can use Google to convert measurements, such as "16 ft. to yards."
Lowe’s Using and Maintaining a Tape Measure
This is a great site to help you learn to use a ruler. The measurement markings are explained clearly, and there is a quiz to see how well you’ve learned.
mathFiles.com
This site offers hundreds of sample word problems with solutions. Although they try to get you to purchase their services, about half the problems they show give the solutions for free.
The Math Forum @ Drexel
An authoritative resource for math students, educators, and parents. You can search through the archive of frequently asked questions posed to Dr. Math, submit your own questions, play games, join math discussion groups, and more.
Maths Is Fun
A British site for children that gives tables and explanations on how to solve different types of math problems. It also has games, puzzles, and worksheets to help you practice the concepts.
PurpleMath.com
A site started by a former math teacher. It explains how to answer word problems, first by showing how to translate English into math, then breaking down the different types of problems (e.g., distance or money problems) and illustrating how to solve them.
Webmath.com
If you are stumped by problems involving percents, fractions, algebra, or calculus (just to name a few), this site can help. Simply select the type of problem you need, fill in the blanks, and then click "Solve."
Math Games for Kids
Cool Math 4 Kids
This site has math definitions for K-6 Algebra, math games, practice math problems, and math lessons (for help). Some fun activities include: Crop Circle Geometry, jigsaw puzzles, brain bender puzzles, and number monster.
Free Math Worksheets
Includes printable worksheets and answer sheets. Worksheets on different math topics and holiday themes are available for teachers, parents, or students.
Math Arcade on Funbrain
Flash enabled online games that help children learn math. Game is customized by gender and grade level up to 8th grade.
Some will give you answers and tell you how they calculated them, some will explain how to look at a problem, like a word problem, and figure out what they’re really asking, and many have games and exercises to help you work out your math muscles.
If you are interested in learning more about answering math questions, you can take SLRC’s Math for Librarians online class.
Math Web Sites to Use
You can use Google to convert measurements, such as "16 ft. to yards."
Lowe’s Using and Maintaining a Tape Measure
This is a great site to help you learn to use a ruler. The measurement markings are explained clearly, and there is a quiz to see how well you’ve learned.
mathFiles.com
This site offers hundreds of sample word problems with solutions. Although they try to get you to purchase their services, about half the problems they show give the solutions for free.
The Math Forum @ Drexel
An authoritative resource for math students, educators, and parents. You can search through the archive of frequently asked questions posed to Dr. Math, submit your own questions, play games, join math discussion groups, and more.
Maths Is Fun
A British site for children that gives tables and explanations on how to solve different types of math problems. It also has games, puzzles, and worksheets to help you practice the concepts.
PurpleMath.com
A site started by a former math teacher. It explains how to answer word problems, first by showing how to translate English into math, then breaking down the different types of problems (e.g., distance or money problems) and illustrating how to solve them.
Webmath.com
If you are stumped by problems involving percents, fractions, algebra, or calculus (just to name a few), this site can help. Simply select the type of problem you need, fill in the blanks, and then click "Solve."
Math Games for Kids
Cool Math 4 Kids
This site has math definitions for K-6 Algebra, math games, practice math problems, and math lessons (for help). Some fun activities include: Crop Circle Geometry, jigsaw puzzles, brain bender puzzles, and number monster.
Free Math Worksheets
Includes printable worksheets and answer sheets. Worksheets on different math topics and holiday themes are available for teachers, parents, or students.
Math Arcade on Funbrain
Flash enabled online games that help children learn math. Game is customized by gender and grade level up to 8th grade.
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