Is your Oklahoma library Gaming? The OLA Children and Teen’s Committee (CATs) would like to know.

• Is your library the host and the kids bring in their games, or if you’ve started your own programming.
• What systems and games are you using?

You can contact:

Carla Hickey at chickey AT stillwater.org or

Adrienne Butler at abulter AT oltn.odl.state.ok.us.

The 2007 Summer Reading Workshop bibliography (word document) has been uploaded to the CYA web site. These are the books that were displayed for both children and teens. Download and take a look.

Here is a list of topics discussed during the Ardmore, Checotah and Stillwater workshops.

• Looking for posters of the state emblems, maps of Oklahoma divided by tribe, and old historical maps
• After Hours programs for teens: movies, games, pizza
• Mending graphic novels: are yours falling apart? How do you mend to continue circulation?
• Non-electronic games: cards, magic, Twister, puzzles, etc.
• Getting a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) started, getting them to stay on task
• Advice for buying audio equipment similar to Barnes & Noble for patrons to listen to music and books
• bwibooks.com: Self-playing digital audiobook for public libraries
• Teens can write book reviews and have them in the local paper
• AR Books: Talking with the schools, getting lists and buying the books
• Upstart Reading Patch Club
• Giveway/Prize Ideas: talk to local movie theaters and video stores for movie posters and coupons; tanning beds coupons; Mani/Pedi coupons; Mary Kay makeover (for the representative this is a learning workshop not a selling opportunity)
• Buying multiple copies of a book from the publisher for teen book clubs - are there any deals?
• Looking for free crafting and programming ideas
• Looking for activities for 4th, 5th and 6th graders
• Centennial in the Classroom Units and Activities: a plethora of activities, video, printable handouts for kids to learn about Oklahoma provided by the Oklahoma Centennial Commission
• Handling fighting and juvenile delinquency in the library
• Keeping children and teens interested in summer reading all summer long
• Competing with sports, camps and other teen activities
• Having a boys night and a girls night at the library
• Teen Volunteers and keeping them on task
• Program suggestions: pizza judging contest by getting local pizzerias involved; Amazing Race and getting local businesses involved, pet rock (kids can read to them)
• Oklahoma Humanities Grants: applying for them
• Teens using the library computers and not reading the books: push graphic novels, make new books (before cataloging) a perk for volunteers, AR Books, have teens pull their choices for display, post banned books
• Other programs: Celebrate Chinese New Year, found art, pumpkin decorating, Duct Tape activities, cooking classes, making your own Okie suitcase from a pillowcase
• Pente:(creator is from Stillwater) How to play and here, Rules,
• Patrons complaining that teens are loud: libraries are changing from quiet (sshhh!) to community centers, libraries want teens in the library
• Kansas Heritage Center: Okahoma-related activities
• Program ideas: Happy Birthday Oklahoma party at the end of summer reading, Cowboy week, Circus week,

• I’m back at ODL mid-way through the workshops. The Ardmore, Checotah and Stillwater workshops have yielded a lot of discussion and information. I have posted a list to topics, suggestions and web sites that were mentioned. Check out the forums, people have already started posting questions and suggestions.
• I leave on Monday for Claremore, then Cordell and finally Shattuck. I’m looking forward to meeting and visiting all of you.

• Hey y’all! (I’m channeling Paula Dean, right now) I’m getting ready to start the Summer Reading Workshops. I’m leaving for Ardmore today, the workshop is tomorrow and then to Checotah. I’ll be back at ODL on Friday, but not at my desk.
• Friday is Read Across America Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo. I’ll be helping ODL’s Literacy Office. Also, send a birthday card to The Cat in the Hat. Every card sent RandomHouse donates a book to First Book.
• Monday is the Stillwater workshop.
• If you haven’t already, there is still time and room to sign up. Links to the online registration form and the agenda’s are on the CYA home page.

Looking forward to meeting all you!