Learn to better utilize picture books in your library’s programming by seeing these books through the eyes of the people who create them!  Register for the ALSC 2010 Annual Conference Pre-conference, Drawn to Delight: How Picture Books Work (And Play) Today, taking place on Friday, June 25, 2010, from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Space is limited; register today to reserve your spot!

Why the ALSC Pre-conference?

* Provides you with a one of a kind look into the world of picturebooks–you won’t find a more in-depth, day-long workshop on the subject anywhere else!

* Learn from more than 15 top authors and illustrators including three Caldecott medal winners, two Caldecott honor winners, one Belpré medal winner, one Coretta Scott King medal winner and one Coretta Scott King honor winner.

* Transfer the knowledge gained back to your library to provide better experiences for young patrons and families reading picture books.

* Hands-on opportunities during artist-lead small group studio sessions taking place throughout the gallery.

* Unbeatable ALSC member rate of $195 for the entire day; this includes: preconference registration, continental breakfast, lunch, evening reception, admission to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and a chance to win original art work by the illustrators.

* If you’re not attending ALA Annual Conference that’s not a problem!  You do NOT need to register for conference to attend the preconference.

Advance registration, separate form ALA Annual Conference registration, is required for the preconference.  Costs are $249 for ALA members, $195 for ALSC members, $180 for retired and student members, and $280 for non-members.  The onsite cost will be $325 for all; advance registration ends May 15, 2010, after which time all registration will be considered onsite.  When registering for ALA Annual Conference, the event code is ALS1.  You do not need to be registered for ALA Annual Conference to attend this Preconference.

For more information, visit the ALSC Web site: www.ala.org/alscevents.  Questions should be directed to ALSC Deputy Director Kirby Simmering at ksimmering@ala.org or 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2164.

ALSC Online Education

Registration is now open for ALSC’s winter Online Education courses!  All five courses begin on Feb. 1 and last four to six weeks, depending on the course.  Course space is limited, so please register early to reserve your spot.  Don’t miss this great opportunity to liven up your library this winter!

Connecting with Tween Readers
Examine the developmental needs and abilities of children ages 10-12, and learn why children of this age group are particularly vulnerable to illiteracy.  Participants will discuss unique activities and programs (including the utilization of currently popular technologies) libraries can offer to keep children on the path to becoming lifelong readers. A primary focus of the course will be studying the literature available for tweens.  The instructor is Edward T. Sullivan.

View more information about Connecting with Tween Readers on the ALSC Web site.

Information Literacy – From Preschool to High School
Learn how to conduct information literacy instruction for children of all ages.  Participants will be encouraged to examine their local schools’ and state’s requirements pertaining to library skills, and to develop methods of using the library to complement those requirements.  The course will include examples of successful programs, and participants will also discuss ways that information literacy instruction can be a useful “outreach” tool.  The instructor is Maryann Mori, director of the Waukee (Iowa) Public Library.

View more information about Information Literacy – From Preschool to High School on the ALSC Web site.

The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future
Discuss the different aspects of the Newbery award, as well as the history of the medal and how it has changed over time.  Participants are given an opportunity to read, discuss and consider past and present Newbery winners with their colleagues from across the nation.  The instructor is Kathleen T. Horning, director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

View more information about The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future on the ALSC Web site.

Reading Instruction and Children’s Books***
This course focuses on the different methodologies for reading instruction and how to determine and interpret grade-level assigned books to effectively assist patrons.  Participants will then evaluate children’s materials for grade-level of reading and develop strategies for clearly communicating this system to parents and teachers.  The instructor is Katherine Todd, adjunct instructor at Manhattanville (N.Y.) College.

View more information about Reading Instruction and Children’s Books on the ALSC Web site.

***This course fills up extremely quickly; there will be a wait list once the course is full.

Series Programming for Elementary School Age
All kids love series books!  That’s why this course will teach participants how to add series clubs to the library in order to get children reading and using the library more. Using trivia, games, music and reading, children will come back for more each week. Series such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Magic Tree House, Spiderwick, Fancy Nancy, Froggy, Curious George and American Girl will be discussed.  The instructor is Lisa M. Shaia, children’s librarian at Oliver Wolcott Public Library.

View more information about Series Programming for Elementary School Age on the ALSC Web site.

Courses are taught asynchronously using Moodle, an online learning community.  A certificate of completion will be sent to participants upon successful completion of the course.  Detailed descriptions and registration information is available on the ALSC Web site at www.ala.org/alsced.  Fees are $95 for personal ALSC members; $145 for personal ALA members; and $165 for non-members.

Questions?  Please contact ALSC Deputy Director Kirby Simmering at ksimmering AT ala DOT org or (312) 280-2164.

December 1, 2009 is the deadline for the following award/grant applications.
Applications for awards and grants are now available on the ALSC Web site at www.ala.org/alsc If you have any questions please contact Linda Ernst, Grant Administration Committee, Chair <lindaern[at]kcls[dot]org>

Association for Library Services to Children

•    Bookapalooza! Each year the ALSC office receives almost 3,000 newly
published books, videos, audio books and recordings from children’s trade publishers for award and notables consideration.  At the end of the year, after the awards have been given out, ALSC selects three libraries to receive a Bookapalooza collection of these materials (estimated to be worth $10,000 each) to be used in a way that creatively enhances their library service to children and families.

•    ALSC/BWI Summer Reading Grant provides $3,000 in financial assistance to a public library for developing an outstanding summer reading program for children.

•    The Penguin Young Readers Group Award provides a $600 stipend, provided by Penguin Young Reader’s Group, for winners to attend their first ALA Annual Conference.  Applicants must have less than 10 years of experience as a children’s librarian and work directly with children.

•    The Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award was established with funding from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, in honor of Maureen Hayes, to bring together children and nationally recognized authors/illustrators.  This award provides $4,000 to fund an author/illustrator visit to a school or public library.