I would like to invite you to the 2008 Summer Reading Workshops! In response to your request, the workshops are starting earlier this year*. Among others, topics for the workshops will include:

ideas for craft and programs,
marketing and promotion,
My Favorite Book” photo contest and,
Trick My Book Truck” contest.

The Catch the Reading Bug (children’s) workshop will be 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Metamorphosis at Your Library (young adult) workshop will be 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Here are the locations and dates for the workshops:

•  Tahlequah Public Library (Monday, January 28, 2008)
  • 120 South College, Tahlequah, 918.456.258
• Chickasaw Regional Library at the Hampton Inn (410 Railway Express off of 1-35 behind Two Frogs Restaurant) (Wednesday, January 30, 2008)
• McAlester Public Library (Friday, February 1, 2008)
  • 401 North 2nd Street, McAlester, 918.426.0930
• Minnie R. Slief (Cheyenne) Public Library (Monday, February 4, 2008)
  • 201 S Cearlock Avenue, Cheyenne, 580.497.3777
• Oklahoma Department of Libraries (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)
  • 200 Northeast 18th Street, Oklahoma City, 405.521.2502
• Altus Public Library (Monday, Februrary 12, 2008)
  • 421 N Hudson, Altus, 580.477.2890
• Shattuck Public Library (Friday, February 15, 2008)
  • 101 South Main, Shattuck, 580.938.5104
• Martin Regional Library (Tulsa)
  • 2601 South Garnett Road, Tulsa, 918.669.6340
  • Children’s Workshop 1:30pm – 3:30pm (Wednesday, February 20, 2008)
  • Young Adult Workshop 9am – 12pm (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)

Register here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?
sm=g_2frvGZFl_2fAhbaDN63z9tpg_3d_3d

Your craft, programming, marketing and promotion ideas are always welcome!

*The workshops are, of course, dependent upon the weather. This schedule will be day trips for Melissa and I. The rule will be: if State Government Offices are closed then the workshop will be canceled and rescheduled. Watch the scroll.

See you there!

Adrienne Butler
Youth Services Consultant
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
405.522.3323

It’s Ambassador Scieszka to you. Yes, John Scieszka is the United States first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. I don’t think they could have chosen a better author. Scieszka writes both children’s and young adults, especially for the age when most boys stop reading. The position, created by the Library of Congress, is for two-years and the ambassador will travel the country promoting reading. Jon stated in his interview for NPR, his own experience as an author teaching children to read for pleasure. He is looking forward to challenging the recent NEA report stating a decline in overall reading among young adults. Scieszka sees the importance of non-fiction titles and comic books as being included in good reading habits for kids. This is an exciting time for youth literature.