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 I know first-hand that the last thing any public librarian wants to think about during the craziness of Summer Reading programs is planning the next big thing, but according to YA consultant Tasha Squires, now is precisely the time to start thinking about any collaborations you may wish to have with your School Library counterparts.    Her new book, Library Partnerships: Making Connections Between School and Public Libraries lays out the basics for starting and maintaining successful endeavors between Public Librarians and School Library Media Specialists. 

The author includes parallel advice for School Library Media Specialists alongside advice for Public Librarians.  While it may seem more convenient for the book to be arranged in two parts:  one for public libraries and one for schools, integrating these two perspectives adds value to the work.  Squires gives public librarians a view of the obstacles that school librarians face and vice versa. 

Squires’ coverage is thorough – from reminders that not everyone checks their email on daily (or weekly) basis to making sure that your supervisors are on board with your partnership projects before you make a commitment.  While some of these pointers seem obvious, Squires was wise to include them because in the excitement of starting a new collaborative relationship, details can sometimes be forgotten.  She also offers a broad spectrum of general advice on topics such as resource-sharing, school/library visits, and a valuable chapter on technology-based partnerships.    Real-life examples are provided throughout, and chapters on maintaining and ending partnerships provide insight on issues that aren’t usually considered during the initiation of a partnership. 

No matter what stage of collaboration you are in, Library Partnerships provides guidance in an organized manner and includes a thorough index and a recommended reading list.

Library Partnerships: Making connections between School and Public Libraries.  Tasha Squires.  Medford, N.J. : Information Today, Inc., c2009.  ISBN 9781573873628.

8 year-old Maria Keller  started the Read Indeed campaign to get books into the hands of underprivileged children.  Her ultimate goal is to get a million books into kids’ hands by the time she’s 18.   Since 2007, Maria has collected over 7,000 new and used books. 

As children’s librarians, we realize how vital early literacy is to childrens’ later academic success; our belief in this importance is why most of us go to work every day.  Frankly, I’m surprised and impressed that a person this young realizes the importance of Early Literacy and had the vision and drive to initiate such a campaign.  It gives me hope for the future of books and reading. 

Visit Read Indeed for more information on getting books to children who need them.

I am one of the least mushy, least sentimental people I know, so you can imagine my horror when a coworker planned a Hugs and Kisses Storytime for our outreach program.   Allow me to clarify so that you can better understand my position:  I would have to perform this program approximately twenty times in the span of a month, including the song “Skidamarinka.”  If you are unfamiliar with this song, then you should keep it that way. 

Since I disliked the theme so much, I convinced myself that the children would hate it as well.  I was so wrong.  They loved all the books–even the sweet ones that inspired the preschool teachers to tilt their heads and say “awww.”  They loved blowing kisses and giving hugs to the puppets and to each other.  

As I watched the kids have such positive interactions with the stories and songs, I came to love them as much as the children did.  Now, I actually consider including “Skidamarinka” in programs and have since planned a very successful in-house Hugs and Kisses Storytime.  This experience has made me more open to trying books and songs that are outside the realm of my personal taste and comfort zone, especially if they prove popular with the kids.    I will never stop choosing back-up books (just in case), but now I know better that cool and comfortable is not always the way to go with Storytime.

Here are some Hugs and Kisses books that have been successful in my programs:

Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke 

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

The Cuddle Book by Guido van Genechten

Where’s My Hug? by James Mayhew

I Lost my Kisses by Trudie Trewin

Daddy Hug by Tim Warnes

Kiss Kiss by Margaret Wild