Author Archive | Shannen O'Brien

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) has extended the deadline for entries for the 2017 Teen Video Challenge (TVC) to mid-March, so we have extended the deadline for New York State entries. Entries are due to the local public library by February 28, 2017. Entries from the public library are due to the New York State Library by March 3, 2017. Judging takes place from March 4-9, 2017 by a panel of judges provided by the State Library, and the winner and their public library will be notified by March 10.

Any New York State teen aged 13-18 is encouraged to create a short video promoting the fun and benefits of Summer Reading at their public library.  We want to see their interpretation of the 2017 Collaborative Summer Library Program teen slogan “Build a Better World.”  Entries compete for state and national recognition, as well as a $50 gift certificate from Upstart for the sponsoring library of the winning entry.

Show off the creativity of the teens at your library, and send us an entry soon!

Please contact Sharon Phillips, Coordinator of Summer Reading at New York Libraries, at Sharon.Phillips@nysed.gov with any questions.

In spite of being the shortest month of the year, February is a big month for reading. As most people know, February is Black History Month. A good way to brush up on the accomplishments of this community is to pick up a book by an African American author. Below we’ve included a recommended Black History Month reading list for children.

February also happens to be National Library Lovers month! This is an easy ‘holiday’ to celebrate: go to the library like you normally would, and consider volunteering your time. Libraries offer key services to people of all ages in a community, and there’s no better way to participate in a monthly celebration than by giving back to a place that does so much. If you haven’t been to the library lately, be sure to visit your local library to check out their many exciting events and collections.

Finally, the New York State Library’s public floor exhibit this month features print items representative of each of the 45 U.S. presidents, from Washington to Trump. The more modern presidents from John F. Kennedy onward are also represented by periodical covers in the display cases on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center in Albany.

For more about the exhibit, see http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/collections/presidents/.

To check out the children’s recommended reading list, please visit http://bookriot.com/2017/02/01/100-best-childrens-books-for-african-american-history-month/

Across our state, more than one million low-income children eat healthy school lunches on an average school day; however, less than one-third of these students have access to summer nutrition programs. Increasing numbers of libraries are partnering with local anti-hunger organizations and school districts to raise awareness of summer meals. Many even provide summer meals alongside their programming. Join the NYS Education Department and Hunger Solutions New York as they discuss ways to engage your community’s libraries in promoting and serving summer meals through child nutrition programs.

“Connecting Kids and Teens with Healthy Summer Meals: Libraries as Partners”

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

2:00 PM-3:00 PM EST

For more information about the webinar, please visit the following:

https://www.nyla.org/max/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=2129&MenuKey=career

NYLA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NYLA1890/

Mark your calendars and register now at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1026666063272637188

The New York State Archives invites students to enter the 27th Annual Student Research Awards contest. The contest is open to all New York State students in grades 4 – 12 who use historical records in their research projects. Individual students and groups of students may submit projects to the contest. The deadline for entries is July 1, 2017. Three awards will be presented in the fall of 2017 and consist of a framed certificate, a cash award, and an invitation to an awards ceremony in Albany. The contest is designed to encourage students to explore the wealth of historical records available in New York and to engage students with the history in their communities. For additional information and entry form, please see: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/grants/grants_student_sraguidelines.shtml