SLP Update from Barb Huntington

Map Added to the Performer Web Page

We have had numerous requests in the past few years for a map that would help people identify performers in certain areas. When I last checked on having a map developed I was told DPI did not want that mounted on the state Web page because of the space it would take. But times and technology have changed, much faster than I realized. Jamie McCanless who manages the Performer Directory for me has developed the map people have been wanting.

Public librarians and staff from other organizations who want to hire performers for their children's programs can now use the new Performer Map to locate potential candidates in their area. This map uses the free Google Maps service. On the map, every city with at least one performer in the Performer Directory has a location marker. Clicking a marker displays its information window, which includes:

* The city name
* An alphabetical list of performer names
* The primary directory category for each performer
* An underlined link to each performer's main directory entry

In the full-size map, the location markers are also listed in order by city name on the left side of the window. Clicking a marker in the city list scrolls the map to the city and displays its information window. The markers are color coded for Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In performer entries of the directory pages, the city/state of the contact line is linked to the Performer Map. Clicking the link displays the city on the map and it's information window.Note: Performers who are represented by a booking agency that is listed as their contact are not included in the Performer Map.

From: April 2008 Monthly Posting for System Youth Services Liaisons

Help Us Redesign the SWLS Youth Services Page

From Leah:

If you have ideas for the type of content you would like to see as the foundation of the YS web page, please share them with me.

In the months ahead, I will be consulting with Nancy Ashmore and Robin Orlandi about revamping the SWLS Web site; we would welcome your suggestions during our process.

Circulating Video Games

If you're thinking about adding video games to your circulating collections, be sure to check out the article in the April issue of School Library Journal.

Author Trevor Oakley, Teen Services Librarian at the Guilderland (NY) Public Library, shares his library's experiences in providing a collection of video games. The top 25 circulating video games is also listed with a brief annotation for each game.

If your library doesn't subscribe to SLJ, I can lend you the System's copy. Just send me an email.

While we're talking about circulating video games, a suggestion was made that the System create a rotating collection of games similar to the Audio Book Circuit. So, here's my questions for you:

1. Is your library interested in a rotating collection of video games?
2. Would you be willing to contribute to the cost of purchasing the games?

Go ahead and leave a comment!

ASKAWAY SPONSORS YOUTUBE CONTEST FOR TEENS

The Wisconsin Statewide AskAway publicity committee is sponsoring a YouTube contest for teens. This is a great opportunity for library youth groups to try something new, get some publicity, and prizes. The committee is looking for original videos between 30 and 60 seconds long (can be longer) that depict the AskAway service in a positive way; why they use and like it. A $150 first prize and a $75 second prize will be offered. Additional details about contest rules and contest forms will be announced soon.

Everyone's help is needed to make this a successful contest. Please talk to your young adult and/or children's librarians at your library. If you are the youth services/young adult/children's librarians please consider having your young adult group enter.

The committee is looking for Young Adult librarians to be judges! No experience necessary. If you want to be a judge in the contest please contact Renee Ponzio at reneep@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.

Please visit the Wiki site at http://askaway.pbwiki.com/FrontPage where you will find tons of information, posters, and other materials to help your library promote AskAway to your patrons. For more information about the contest, contact Renee Ponzio, Chairperson, Statewide AskAway Publicity Committee, at (715) 839-1683 or reneep@eauclaire.lib.wi.us

From Channel Weekly, Vol. 10 No. 27, April 10, 2008

Needed: Pringles can lids

From Carol in Dodgeville

I’m busy working on our summer reading club projects and I could use some help. I am going to have a “bug house” project for children to make. I’ve made one out of plastic canvas, yarn, pipe cleaners, and Pringle’s potato chip lids.

If anyone has any Pringle’s potato chip lids that they are not using I would greatly appreciate it if you would send them to me on the van.

My thanks to the person who sent two on Monday’s delivery van.

Gaming in the Library Workshop

Gaming in the Library?? Certainly!

Learn all about gaming at the GAMING PACKAGE WORKSHOP!

DATE: Friday, April 18, 2008
TIME: 9-12
WHERE: SWLS Headquarters

• Hear what other SWLS Librarians have to say about gaming
• Learn about the pros and cons of circulating games
• Learn how to set up the SWLS Gaming Package
• PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!!

RSVP to Jo Anderson by APRIL 14, 2008 (yep, that's this Friday!)

Cool Web site

From MONDAY MEMO 4/7/08

Making Learning Fun - http://www.makinglearningfun.com/Making Learning Fun offers an abundance of printable resources and other ideas for the early childhood educator, home school families, speech teachers and parents. All of the materials are completely free. Visitors to the site will find activities for most of the major holidays, many children’s books, such as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! and If You Give a Moose a Muffin, popular children themes like community helpers, the five senses and colors, and other topics such as nursery rhymes, rainbows, apples, dinosaurs, bats, butterflies, and more. This will be a great time saver for the busy pre-K through grade 2 teacher. (Education World Site Reviews, 4/2/08) - Children’s Event Organizer, LLS & MWFLS Youth Services Update Issue 311, April 2, 2008

WI State Park Passes are Back for SLP 2008!

Here are a few reminders from Barb Huntington on the State Park Passes:

• The passes should only be distributed one per child. That is noted on the pass. The Parks will only accept one pass per child for the whole summer.

• The passes are intended to be distributed at some point after the children have started their reading, not as an incentive to sign up for the programs. They are valid May31-September 5.
  
• The passes should not be put out like bookmarks for families to help themselves. The librarian should write in the child's name and stamp the library's name on the appropriate lines and assure that the pass goes only to the child for whom it is intended.

• There are no age restrictions, so the passes may be used for children birth to age 17.

Thank you for your cooperation. We need everyone to handle these passes the same way to assure that the State Parks are happy with the promotion.

W

Welcome to Streamings--the blog

Hello SWLS Youth Services Librarians!

Hopefully you all have been enjoying our monthly youth newsletter, Streamings. In an effort to make Streamings more timely, it will now be presented as a blog instead of an online newsletter.

Eventually, I hope that some of you will want to post to the blog as well. If you think you'd like to try, send me a comment.

BTW, the calendar will still be on the web site for those of you who use it.