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Librarian Spotlight #1

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 17, 2012

April Hayley, MLIS

To kick off TCBR’s new column “On the Shelf,” which shines a spotlight on brilliant children’s librarians, April Hayley, MLIS, graciously  talked to us about becoming a librarian— among other great topics. Do you think you can guess which is the most checked out children’s book at San Anslemo Public Library in California? Read on!

Bianca Schulze: Why did you choose to become a librarian?

April Hayley: I was fortunate enough to discover the magic of reading at a young age, probably before I was out of the cradle. My mother, a librarian, read me stories and sang to me every night before bed and my father made up fairy tales for me. I didn’t discover my calling as a librarian until college one summer, working for the Chicago Public Library (my hometown). My job was to provide library services to children in some of the city’s most neglected and poverty-stricken neighborhoods. Instead of working inside the library, I brought books and literacy activities directly to the young people who needed it most. I visited three playgrounds a day, equipped only with a trunk full of picture books and a quilt to sit on. Once the kids figured out why I was coming around, they always ran over to join me, so eager to read stories, sing songs, and learn something new.Reading opened up new worlds for the kids I met. I could see it as they linked their eyes with mine, and for me that was a powerful, life-changing experience.

Most of the precious children I met that summer had never been exposed to the pleasures of reading, and none of them had ever visited a public library. When I witnessed the joy and curiosity that reading sparked in them, I understood the transformative effect of reading on young minds and I knew I wanted to be a Children’s Librarian. Once I entered graduate school to earn my Masters in Library Science, I had the opportunity to intern in the Children’s Room of the beautiful Mill Valley Library, and I knew I was on the right path; delivering traditional library services within the walls of a suburban public library could be just as fun and rewarding as literacy outreach in the inner city.

BS: Librarians are the ultimate evangelists for reading. How do you encourage students and children to read?

AH: Now that I work at the San Anselmo Library, I am lucky that many of the kids I meet already love to read. There is a culture of reading in San Anselmo that simply does not exist in places whose inhabitants must spend their time dealing with the dispiriting effects of poverty. Of course, I do a lot of work to promote reading for the children, babies, caregivers, and teenagers of our community. I lead several weekly storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers, which are designed to nourish a love of reading that will last a lifetime. It’s important to reach out to new parents and their babies as early as possible to show them how fun reading, sharing nursery rhymes, learning fingerplays, and singing can be. I also lead a book discussion group for elementary school students called the Bookworms, and a poetry club for yo

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 13, 2012

Join the 9 week “Countdown to Ivy and Bean Blog-A-Bration!”

Each week, you can enter to win the weekly featured paperback Ivy and Bean book and 3 sets of Ivy and Bean Mini Notes. During week 9 a Grand Prize Winner will be chosen from all of the previous winners* to receive:

• 

  Grand Prize

  A complete set of Ivy and Bean hardcover books signed by Annie Barrows

• 1 set of Ivy and Bean Paper Dolls
• 1 Ivy and Bean Button Factory
• 1 Ivy and Bean READ Poster signed by Annie Barrows
• 1 set of Ivy and Bean Silly Bandz
• 1 set of Ivy and Bean stickers
• AND – a super-secret really cool prize we’re working on (stay tuned!)

Giveaway begins August 13, 2012, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends August 18, 2012, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Reading level: Ages 6-10

Paperback:120 pages

Week 1

Ivy and Bean: Book 1. The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn’t be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quickIvy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charmingand addictiveintroduction to Ivy and Bean.

About the Author

Annie Barrows is the author of many books for adults, including the bestselling The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but Ivy and Bean is her first series for kids. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two daughters.

Visit: http://www.anniebarrows.com/

About the Illustrator

Sophie Blackall is an Australian illustrator whose previous books include Ruby’s Wish and Meet Wild Boars. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Visit:  http://www.sophieblackall.com/

How to Enter

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• Enter once daily

Giveaway Rules

• Shipping Guidelines: This book giveaway is open to participants with a United States or Canadian address.
• Giveaway begins August 13, 2012, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends August 18, 2012, at 11:59 P.M. PST, when all entries must be received. No purchase necessary. See
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