A+ Partnership

A+ Meeting, Aug 19,, 10-3 @ GCLS Mullica Hill

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
10 am to 3 pm
(coffee at 9:30; catered lunch included)

Booktalking the Reading Rants Way

With Special Guest Speaker:

Jennifer Hubert, Author of Reading Rants

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Cost: FREE!

Gloucester County Library, Mullica Hill
Directions: http://www.sjrlc.org/directions/GCLS 

Click here for registration form

We invite SJRLC librarians who serve teens from both school (middle and high) and public libraries as well as administrators who fund these services to join us for a great booktalking program, networking lunch, and planning session on services to teens in the Region.  (Librarians from other Regions can register on a space-available basis) We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Hubert will be our guest presenter! Booktalking the "Reading Rants" way!  Booktalking is a tremendous tool for promoting your collection and attracting readers. Join our speaker Jennifer Hubert, author of the website Reading Rants! Out of the Ordinary Booklists for Teens and book of the same title, in a fun, useful, interactive presentation.  You will learn tips and techniques that will help newbie and seasoned booktalkers alike craft successful booktalks that connect young adults with books they will love! Jennifer is a self-described YA librarian, book reviewer, author, quilter and reality TV junkie.  She helps librarians connect with young adults, and helps young adults connect with books they love through her writing, blogging, and presenting. When she's not reading or writing about great young adult books, Jennifer works directly with teens in her position as the Middle School Librarian at the Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School in Greenwich Village in Manhattan. In addition to Jennifer's presentation, we will also hear about the new Teen Spaces at Atlantic City and Camden County Libraries.  There will also be time for you to talk and share with each other. We promise you a day of engagement, sharing, and inspiration! Come as a Team!  Contact your school/public library counterpart and come as a team.  See the "Connecting" section on our wiki (sjrlcaplus.pbwiki.com/Connecting) to find your counterpart.  Network with Others: Connect with school and public librarians who serve teens across South Jersey! Share your accomplishments!  If you've collaborated with your school/public library counterpart on programs or services, you'll have an opportunity to share your success stories.  Tell us about your Teen Space! Help us plan new ideas and services:  What can can we accomplish together in 2009? Be inspired: By our inspiring speaker, and by each other! Click here for registration form --- Earn 5 Professional Development Hours for attending this program ---

SJRLC Teen Spaces Press Release

South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative
10 Foster Avenue - Suite F3   Gibbsboro, NJ 08026  
Phone: 856 346-1222 Fax: 856 346-2839   www.sjrlc.org

NEWS RELEASE                            

December 23, 2008

 

For more information, contact: 

Karen Hyman

856 346-1222, hyman@sjrlc.org

 

Libraries receive $40,000 to develop special ‘Teen Space’

 

The South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative (SJRLC) has selected The Atlantic City Free Public Library and the Camden County Library to receive $40,000 each in funding to create a special Teen Spaces as part of the SJRLC's "A+ Teen Space Demonstration Project".

The libraries will begin working on their Teen Spaces immediately with anticipated grand openings of September 2009.

“Teens can’t be asked to wait, especially in tough financial times, for a fun, free and safe space with access to new and creative technology, room to collaborate, and the kinds of things they want to read,” according to Karen Hyman, Director of the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, which provided matching funds for the project. “At SJRLC, we were tremendously impressed with the libraries' proposals for the outstanding spaces and services that they planned for their teen communities.”

“We are excited to have this opportunity to expand services for teens in Atlantic City,” Atlantic City Free Public Library Director Maureen Sherr Frank said. “We are looking forward to developing a special area with new technology and educational resources in the Main Library to encourage learning, exploration and creativity.”

The Atlantic City Library will be fashioning a 985-square-foot Teen Space which will have a vibrant, colorful and modern look. One of the most visually dramatic aspects of the space will be a large mural designed by graffiti artist Stephen Stuart-Gibson, who will seek teen input and participation in creating a design. There will also be a wall for a teen art gallery.

The Camden County Library will be converting 1245 square feet for use as the Teen Space.   "The space encompasses a significant area of the Vogelson Branch's first floor," said Linda Devlin, Director of the Camden County Library.  "We're excited about expanding our teen services and giving the teens more of the technological tools they need to learn, explore and hone their skills, all in a safe, stimulating space."

At both libraries, the Teen Space will be a casual, teen-only area for teens to gather, and it will include work stations, modern lounge furniture, meeting and program space, music, video and animation technology as well as a quiet zone designed for teens to read, study, or use computers for homework or research.

The SJRLC's public library members were invited to submit proposals for this project. The SJRLC will give $40,000 in funding, including $10,000 of a special grant for their A+ Project from the New Jersey State Library. The Atlantic City Library will provide a match of $35,000, bringing the total devoted to their project to $75,000.  The Camden County Library will provide a match of $35,900 bring the total devoted to their project to $75,900.

The A+ Teen Space Project was made possible with funding from the Atlantic City Free Public Library, The Camden County Library, The South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative and New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.

Word/PDF versions of this release are available at: http://www.sjrlc.org/teenspace/pr

Teen Spirit in the Library - A free webcast from Library Journal

Learn more about creating and maintaining great teen physical and online spaces, and receive guidance in creating programs and events that keep teens coming back to the library again and again. Tuesday, June 10th, 2 PM EDT. www.libraryjournal.com/teenservices

	Polaris Library Systems President and CEO Bill Schickling will lead a one hour webcast which will include a stellar panel of educators, researchers and librarians who are at the forefront of promoting teen services in public libraries.
Topics will include:
Your Teen Area as Their Third Space: Creating a Place Cool Enough to Call Their Own Michele Gorman, Teen Services Coordinator for the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (NC) Teen 2.0: Using New Technologies to Tap Into Teens Jen Maney, Manager of Virtual Library, Pima County Public Library, Tucson (AZ) An Online Oasis for Teens at Maricopa County Library District Christine Pearson, Fountain Hills Library Branch Manager, Maricopa County Library District (AZ) The Intersection of Gaming and Libraries: Where Are We, Where Are We Going? Scott Nicholson, Associate Professor, School of Information Studies at Syracuse University
For expert information and advice, register today!

Teen Volunteer of the Year Award: Winners Announced

The South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative is pleased to announce the winners of the South Jersey Teen Volunteer of the Year award.  The awards ceremony will take place at our Spring Membership meeting on May 21 at the Pine Hill Golf Club.  We hope to see you there!  (details and registration form are available here.)

Outstanding teens honored in 2008 have been critical to the success of their libraries and have initiated and participated in library-sponsored projects that reached out to the entire community.

Awards to the Teen Volunteers of the Year were made possible
through the generous support of EBSCO Publishing.

Winners were selected in four categories: Middle School Library, High School Library, Public Library, and a Special Group Award.  The honorees are:

MIDDLE SCHOOL: Andrew Lee, Voorhees Middle School Library. Andrew was nominated by Dottie Holmes, Voorhees Middle School Library.  Dottie wrote,

Andrew has been our most valuable asset over these three years. Because of logistics, it is hard for students to get to the library every day, but Andrew took the initiative to problem solve the situation so that he could volunteer at the library daily. He was instrumental in setting up and helping to organize our entire fall and spring Book Fair. He has trained new 6th grade library helpers and is incredible when assisting students in using the OPAC, finding materials and working with technology. Over three years, he has gone from being an introverted boy to a more self assured young man who is responsible for many aspects of our programs. Next year, when Andrew moves on to high school, his presence, both in terms of the work that he does and in terms of establishing his individuality will be sorely missed. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Kristina Limcaco, Bishop Eustace Preparatory School Library. Kristina was nominated by Nancy Croce, Bishop Eustace Preparatory School Library.  Nancy wrote,

Kristina is the "quiet type" who gets the job done without fanfare and hype. She has always worked at the library, giving up her 'prep time' to do so. In addition to training, scheduling and supervising volunteer aides, Kristina has volunteered her time and talents to many school and community activities including story hours, creating crafts and decorations, baking, fundraising, and sending donated books to the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. She has a hand in planning all National Library Week activities. In addition, Kristina volunteers four hours every week in the nursing unit at Kennedy Hospital in Cherry Hill. Over the course of four years, her contributions have been many. I sincerely hope that Kristina might be recognized publicly for the library and community service she has performed. 

PUBLIC LIBRARY:  Paul Monroe, Mount Laurel Library. Paul was nominated by Samantha Marker, Mount Laurel Library.  Samantha wrote,

Paul is a funny, charming and gracious teen that any library would Paul is a funny, charming and gracious teen that any library would be thrilled to have as a member. He has been an active member of the Mount Laurel Library Teen Advisory Group since 2006. In addition to being counted on to help at all library functions, Paul led one of the most popular teen events ever held; a pirate-themed "teen lockdown". Paul has volunteered for many library events. When we held our "Funday Sunday", Paul was there to run the scavenger hunt for kids. When we held our Halloween Parade for kids, Paul was there to help lead the parade and hand out candy. He has successfully presented to the Library Board of Trustees on behalf of TAB fundraising efforts. His volunteerism does not end with the library. Paul is an active Boy Scout, and also volunteers time to the Rancocas Nature Center, New Covenant Church and the Sunrise Senior Living Center. His commitment to volunteerism both within the library and the community is exemplary.

SPECIAL GROUP AWARD:  Teen Advisory Board, Swedesboro Branch, Gloucester Co. Library. The Gloucester County Library Swedesboro Branch Teen Advisory Board was nominated by Marge Dombrosky and Teresa Carlton.  Marge and Teresa wrote,

It is impossible for us to pick one teen to honor over any other. The teens on our board are very diverse, and this diversity has enabled them to successfully provide a wide range of activities and services. In just two short years the accomplishments of our teens has been overwhelming! They have started a teen newsletter (distributed at the library and at local businesses), that contains movie/book/music reviews, and promotes upcoming teen activities and library events. They created a highly successful "Battle of the Bands" event for "Locke Avenue Fun Day". They have planned and carried out two Thanksgiving Festivals for youngsters in the community. In conjunction with another volunteer group, the TAB organized a "Teen Night Out" event that offered live music and food. The goal was to provide a fun evening for teens in an area where there are few local activities and more than 80 teens attended! The TAB's contributions -- including "Hug a GI Day", skits for young kids, holiday parades, summer reading events, and more -- are too numerous to list. We are proud of the accomplishments of this diverse group of teens.

There were so many impressive teens nominated it was a truly difficult decision to select a mere few for this year's recognition.  Congratulations to all our winners, and to the nominating libraries. And a big thank you to everyone who nominated a teen volunteer.

 

 

A+ Listserv Welcome Message

Welcome to the A+ Partnership Listserv, which has been created in response to school and public librarians who attended the "A+ Partnership" workshop at the Gloucester County Library in August, 2007 (http://sjrlcaplus.pbwiki.com/Resources).

This listserv fills a unique and useful niche:  The listserv membership consists of South Jersey school and public librarians who serve teens.  For the first time, there is a convenient forum for all SJ librarians serving teens to connect with each other.

WHAT IS THE A + PARTNERSHIP? 

A+ is a partnership between public and school librarians, parents, teachers, guidance counselors, the entire youth serving community and – most especially -- teens themselves.  Our goal is to:

• Foster partnerships between public and school librarians, parents, teachers, guidance counselors, the entire youth serving community and – most especially -- teens themselves to improve the quality of life and safe educational experience of South Jersey teens
  
  
• Increase effectiveness of support services for teens through shared services among public and school libraries and other agencies in the local youth serving community
  
  
• Harness the volunteer power of teens in the school, library and community. (We're planning a "Teen Volunteer of the Year" award with award ceremony to take place in Trenton in the Spring!)

To see more about A+ initiative goals, please see: http://sjrlcaplus.pbwiki.com/About+APlus

CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER

At the A+ meeting in August, and in a subsequent survey, you told us that you would like support in forming relationships and working together more often and more seamlessly to provide great service to your overlapping teen populations.   To facilitate those connections and working relationships, SJRLC has created a resource page (sjrlcaplus.pbwiki.com/TalkingPoints) that will enable you to easily identify your school/public counterpart, and initiate contact (or simply re-connect).

As the first step in kicking off the A+ Partnership program, we are asking everyone to reach out to your school or public librarian counterpart, and set up a meeting to discuss possible partnerships.  We have created a helpful guide for reaching out, available at: sjrlcaplus.pbwiki.com/Talking+points. There are many opportunities to work together to provide a seamless educational experience including:

• Classroom visits as a team.
• Book clubs and Summer reading lists.
• Joint presentations for parents at Back-to-School and College Nights.
• Library card sign-up.
• Outreach programs to at-risk teens and special needs populations.
• Collaborating on volunteer opportunities for kids in the public library and the community (using the library as a safe meeting space.)

If everyone commits to reaching out -- and starts by making one call (or sending one email) -- we can create a truly dynamic community of teen service providers!   To that end, we are asking you to make that call (or email), set up a meeting or a phone call with your counterpart in the school or public library, and then share your experience with your colleagues on our new listserv.

WHAT ELSE WILL BE HAPPENING WITH THE A+ PARTNERSHIP?  LOTS! 

• SJRLC is currently working on putting together a "South Jersey Teen Volunteer of the Year" award.  Our goal is to have an award ceremony in Trenton this Spring.  Stay tuned to the listserv and A+  blog for more information.
  
• SJRLC will continue to update the A+ Wiki (http://sjrlcaplus.pbwiki.com) with your news, updated resources and information about the Teen Volunteer award.  The Wiki will be our central site for all things A+
  
• All information (including this email), and news from the listserv will also be archived on the new A+ blog (http://sjrlc.typepad.com/aplus/).
  
• We will plan on having another annual A+ Partnership meeting this summer, to bring together all librarians who serve teens for a day of programs and networking.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the A+ Partnership, or feel that you've been inadvertently added to this listserv and would like to be removed, please don't hesitate to contact Peter Bromberg at bromberg@sjrlc.org.

 

Thank you!  I look forward to seeing your posts on the list :-)

 

-Peter

Peter Bromberg, SJRLC Assistant Director
Email: bromberg [at] sjrlc.org
Phone: 856 346-1222 
Fax: 856 346-2839
 

A+ Listserv

I've set up a Google Group listserv as a forum to share school/public collaboration news and ideas, best practices, A+ updates, and more.

• There is a signup form available on the Wiki at: http://sjrlcaplus.pbwiki.com/Listserv
  
• Once subscribed you can post to the list by sending email to: sjrlcaplus[at]googlegroups.com

If you have any questions about the listserv, please contact Peter Bromberg at: bromberg@sjrlc.org