A new blogging venture

Although blogging has become a casualty of grad school, it appears that grad school will now also return me to blogging.  My Literature for Children and Young Adults course requires a book review blog.  Perhaps this is one that I can keep up after the semester ends as well.

Join me on an eighteen book adventure this semester.

Sample Program: Teens

Theme:  Banned Books Week

Audience:  Teens (13-18)

Program Elements:

Display/Promotion:

• Purchase 2012 Banned Books Week poster (http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=3777) and display on window.
• Purchase 2012 Banned Books Week buttons (http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=2358) for staff and volunteers to wear and to give as prizes. 
• Blow up and post copies of Library Bill of Rights and portions of ALA Freedom to Read statement. 

         

• Use display shelving to highlight frequently challenged books from ALA lists. Select titles that are located in the YA collection. Create a “jail” over the display to put the books behind bars using thin cardboard tubes or dowel rods painted black or gray. 
• Create “CENSORED” labels and place on spines of challenged books that are not in the display but rather shelved in their usual location.

Events:

Monday, October 1

Freedom of Expression Panel.  This program will require one staff member and one volunteer.  Prior to the program, staff should contact three to five of the following professionals and invite them or a representative of their organization to sit on the panel.  Two debate team members from a local high school will also be invited to participate in the panel.

• Collection Development Librarian, Central Arkansas Library System: Philip Jones, Department Head 501.918.3070 pjones@cals.org 
• School Librarian/Media Specialist, Little Rock School District: Barbara Williams, Director of Instructional Technology and Media Services 501.447.1306 barbara.williams@lrsd.org 
• Board Member, Little Rock School District: Jody Carrieiro, President, 501.447.1000 
• Representative of American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas: 501.374.2660 www.acluarkansas.org
• Faculty Member/Law Professor, UALR Bowen School of Law: June Stewart, Law Library Director 501.324.9444

Each panel member will introduce him or herself and speak briefly on their connection or interest in freedom of speech/censorship issues.  The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will compile a list of questions or topics for the panel to discuss.  Audience members will also be allowed to ask questions.  Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, October 2

First Amendment Film Festival (recommended by ALA website).  This program will require one staff member or volunteer for set-up and clean-up.  The teen center will screen Fahrenheit 451 (1966, G) which deals with censorship. This movie is covered under the library’s public performance license with Movie License USA.  Popcorn will be served.

  

Wednesday, October 3

Discarded Book Crafts.  This program will require at least one staff member and up to three volunteers.  Prior to the program, staff should contact juvenile collection development librarian and ask for any weeded copies of banned/challenged books to be held rather than discarded.  If these books can be set aside each time weeding is done, the books could also be used for future projects or displays.  Staff may also need to go through the discarded book bin outside technical services for frequently challenged titles.  Any discarded books may be used for the activities, but staff should attempt to get titles from challenged lists.  It’s important to stress in the program that these books were not removed from the collection because of banning but because of damage or because they were replaced by new copies.  Staff or teen volunteer should make one or two examples of each craft prior to program.  Due to time constraints attendees may be able to make only one or two of the four offered projects.

Origami crane:

Supplies needed:  Discarded book pages, rulers, scissors, folding instructions 

• Print instructions for making origami crane. 
• Provide rulers and scissors on hand so participants can cut squares of paper from discarded book pages. 
• Staff/volunteers should be prepared to assist teens with project.

Paper flowers:

Supplies needed:  Discarded book pages, pencils/pens, scissors, glue.

• Cut book pages into squares 
• Draw spiral shape onto book pages. 
• Cut spiral leaving a circle in the middle. 
• Starting on the outside, roll the paper around itself, tighter in the middle and looser towards the end. 
• Use a dab of glue at the end of the rolling. 
• The circle from the middle of the spiral goes on the back to finish the flower. Use glue to finish. 

Coasters/Tiles:

Supplies needed:  4 inch tiles from hardware store, Mod Podge, discarded book pages, foam brushes, clear acrylic sealer, felt scraps, permanent markers, dropcloth to protect furniture/floor

• Cut books pages into squares slightly smaller than tiles.
• Apply one coat of mod podge to tile.
• Carefully place book page square onto tile and allow glue to dry.
• Using markers, decorate book page with name drawing/design, or quotation.
• Apply two more coats of mod podge, allowing it to dry in between coats.
• Spray tile with clear acrylic sealer.
• If using as a coaster, glue felt scraps to the back of tile.

Bracelet/Cuff :

Supplies needed:  cardboard rolls from packing and book tape, discarded book pages, Mod Podge, foam brushes, rulers, scissors, permanent markers (optional)

• Cut cardboard roll to desired width (staff may want to do this step ahead of time and offer cuffs of various widths. 
• Make a cut in the roll if it will not fit over the hand 
• Cut book pages into ¾” strips. 
• Wrap strips around cardboard roll and glue. 
• When glue is dry, crafters may color or design with markers. 
• Apply two to three coats of mod podge, allowing time to dry in between coats

Thursday, October 4

Banned Book Trivia from More Teen Programs that Work by RoseMary Honnold.  

Prior to the program, staff members will select 15-20 banned or challenged titles from the ALA’s Banned and/or Challenged Classics list or other appropriate source.  Obtain copies of the titles and wrap each in colored butcher paper and place a “CENSORED” label on the cover.  Write up a two to three sentence summary of each book and one reason that it was banned or challenged and attach it to the front cover as well.

In the program have attendees work independently to identify the book titles based on the description of the book, writing them down.  Give a prize to the person who guesses the most titles correctly.  A gift card to the library’s used book store or a donated book will be first prize.  Consider offering a $5 library card fine waive certificate to second or third place winners.  As each book title is revealed, allow discussion of the challenge or content of the work.

Friday, October 5

First Amendment Film Festival, Part 2.  This program will require one staff member or volunteer for set-up and clean-up.  The teen center will screen Good Night and Good Luck (2005, PG) which deals with censorship/free speech issues. This movie is covered under the library’s public performance license with Movie License USA.  Popcorn will be served.

Saturday, October 6

Banned Books Read-Out and All You Can Read Buffet.  These programs will require two to three staff members and up to three volunteers.  Prior to the program, staff members will contact the drama department at Parkview Arts Magnet High School and invite drama students to prepare selections from banned or challenged titles to read/perform at the library.  The Arkansas Repertory Theater and the Arkansas Art Center Children’s Theater are also potential contacts for readers or performers.  Additionally, YAC members will be asked to volunteer to prepare readings or work at the event.  Staff will provide a list of possible books for the performers if needed. 

The Read-Out will take place in the open study area of the teen center reading room. The tables will be pushed aside and the chairs set up theater style.  The public address system will be set up as well.  Readers and performers will be scheduled to present selections from banned books throughout the day as frequently as every fifteen minutes (depending on the total number of performers).  Participants will also be able to share selections between scheduled performers.

The reading buffet will be set up in the program room of the teen center.  Comfortable seating and floor pillows will be provided.  Snacks and drinks will also be set out in this area.  Teens will be invited to select a book or magazine and read.  Banned or challenged books will be featured in the displays, but patrons will have the freedom to choose whatever reading material best suits them. 

  

Marketing Plan:

Teen center staff will

• Request a press release detailing scheduled activities and promoting Banned Books Week from PR department one month in advance. Staff may offer to write press release for distribution by PR. Optimally, press release will go out to media contacts September 14. 
• Include a preview of Banned Book Week activities on September printed calendar by August 10. 
• Create posters, flyers, and bookmarks promoting Banned Books Week Activities to be posted at the library, in other branches of the library system, and in local middle and high schools. Print materials will be prepared and approved by PR by August 20. Printing and distribution will be completed by August 31. 
• Create individual event listings in the library’s online events calendar by September 10. 
• Designate Banned Books Week events as “featured” events on website to ensure inclusion in system-wide promotions by PR department. 
• Publish printed version of October calendar by September 10. 
• Publicize events on Teen Center Facebook page and Twitter account.

Partnerships:

As mentioned in the program details above, teen staff will reach out to community partners for various aspects of the week’s events.  For the panel discussion, staff will contact the debate team coach at eStem Public Charter School to cosponsor the event.  In this way, attendance by students from the nearby school will be encouraged.  One or two students from the debate team will be asked to sit on the panel, and the coach can assist by moderating.  By involving media specialists and board members from the public school system as well as representatives from the ACLU and UALR Law School, the library will also establish relationships in the community.

Drama students from Parkview Arts Magnet High School have participated in Banned Books Read Outs in the library system previously.  Teen center staff hopes to become a part of the library’s relationship with the school for a successful program and to draw in Parkview students as library patrons.  A relationship between the Arts Center and the Youth Services department already exists and thrives.  Including the Arts Center in the Read Out festivities will further build that relationship.  The Arkansas Repertory Theater has not previously worked with the library, but this opportunity to bring together representatives from theater across the city may be an enticement for them to participate.  Once these partnerships are established, the teen center may be able to call on these groups to assist with this program annually. 

Timeline:

January: 

·         Contact collection development librarians about weeding schedule and saving discarded books for craft projects.  Communicate with technical services department as needed to get the discards.

·         Post a request for used tape rolls to library SharePoint FreeCycle discussion board.

May:

·         Before school dismisses for the summer, contact drama department at Parkview about involvement in the Read Out.  Make arrangements for follow-up in August.

July:

·         Reach out to potential panel discussion members.

·         Contact Debate Coach at eStem (year-round school) about cosponsoring panel discussion event and selecting student panel members.

·         Contact The Rep and Children’s Theater and invite participation in Read Out.

August:

·         Follow-up with panel discussion invitees who have not responded and finalize panel members.

·         Order Banned Books Week poster and any other promotional supplies.

·         Prepare print promotional materials and have them approved and printed.

·         Request press release from PR department.

·         Follow-up with drama department contact at Parkview and finalize involvement.

·         Meet with YAC to encourage their involvement in Banned Books Week.  Assign them the task of creating questions and topics for the Panel Discussion.  Seek volunteers for Read Out performers.

September:

·         Procure craft supplies for discarded book projects.

·         Complete print and online calendars.

·         Create written instruction sheets and sample products for craft activities.

·         Plan refreshments for Panel Discussion and Reading Buffet

·         Procure books and movies needed for Film Festival and Book Trivia.

·         Prepare books summaries for Book Trivia.

·         Meet with YAC to follow up on assignments and recruit volunteers for each program.

·         Prepare for decorating and displays—to be put up on Saturday, September 29.

October: 

·         Showtime!

*Timeline note:  Banned Books Week typically begins in September.  In future years, most of the Marketing plan should be moved up by one month to meet monthly deadlines for event promotions.

Budgeting/Funding:

The Teen Center has a monthly budget of $200 for programming which breaks down to approximately $50 weekly.  There is a reserve for special event programming.  This program can use up to $50 of that reserve.  Promotional materials will come from a separate budget.

Promotional Materials from Youth Services promotional budget:

Banned Books Week Poster                                                  $16

Banned Books Week buttons (18)                                          $22

Total with tax and shipping:                                                $47

Display:

Paper, labels, cardboard tubes, and paint already procured through supply budget at no additional cost         

Food from teen programming budget:           

Panel Discussion (50 people):  Cookies, lemonade, water, Kroger bakery    $30

Read Buffet (50 people):  cookies, pretzels, punch, water:  Kroger              $50

Total                                                                                                     $80

Movies:

Film License is purchased annually and paid in January.  No additional cost for these programs.  Popcorn is purchased in bulk by Youth Services supply budget.  No additional cost.

Discarded Book Crafts from teen programming budget:

Books and tape rolls procured at no additional cost.

Scissors, rulers, foam brushes, felt scraps, and white glue and markers already procured through supply budget at no additional cost.

Tiles:  Lowe’s $.15 per tile  x 30 tiles                                                            $4.50

ModPodge:  dickblick.com 1 Quart                                                               $11.25

Clear acrylic sealer: dickblick.com 1 can                                                        $5.29

Total with estimated tax and shipping                                                        $27                                                                 

Book trivia from October teen programming budget:

Butcher paper for book wrapping already procured through supply budget at no additional cost

Prize:  $20 River Market Books and Gifts gift certificate donated by library friends group (FOCAL) at no additional cost     

Total Cost for 6 programs                                                                               $154

YS Promotional Budget                                                                                  $47

Special Programs Reserve                                                                               $50

Teen Programming Budget                                                                             $57

Evaluation:

Attendance goals for each program:

Panel discussion:  30 not including panel

Film Festival:  20 each day

Discarded Book Crafts:  30

Book Trivia:  20

Buffet and Read Out:  50 not including performers

A printed evaluation will be offered to attendees at each program, asking for an overall rating on a five point scale and allowing space for positive and negative comments.  Participants will also be able to provide contact information about future programs or remain anonymous.

Feedback will be sought from Panel Discussion members, eStem debate coach/team, Parkview drama teacher/performers, Rep performers, and Children’s Theater performers.  YAC members and volunteers will be asked to provide feedback on each event they attend and assist.  Feedback will be reviewed by teen center staff in order to make adjustments in future programs.

Sources:

2012 Banned Books Week Poster: http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=3777

2012 Banned Books Week Buttons:  http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=3772

ALA Frequently Challenged Book Lists: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged

ALA Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/

ALA Freedom to Read Statement: http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement

ALA First Amendment Film Festival:  http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/first_amendment_film_festival/filmfestival

Discarded Book Origami Crane: http://www.origami-fun.com/support-files/origami-crane-print.pdf

Discarded Book Paper Flowers: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2009/12/rolled-flower-gift-toppers.html

Discarded Book Tile/Coaster: http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/01/tile-coaster-tutorial.html

Discarded Book Bracelet/Cuff: http://www.the4yablog.com/2011/04/super-comic-book-upcycle-projects.html

Banned Book Trivia Program:

Honnold, RoseMary. More Teen Programs that Work.  New York:  Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 2005.

ALA’s Banned and/or Challenged Classics:  (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/reasonsbanned)

Sample Program: Elementary Age

Theme:  Origami

Target Audience:  3^rd-6^th grades

Rationale:  Origami books are in high demand in our children’s department, and as a result, we have a quite extensive and relatively new collection of origami books for various skill levels.  The interest also indicates that an origami-themed program will be well-received by patrons. Sullivan (2005) endorses arts/craft programs as entertaining and enriching options for school-age children and further suggests using books to reinforce the craft activity for older children instead of the storytime method of using a craft to reinforce the books.  Craft programs can be a great way to highlight the both the nonfiction and fiction collections.

Day/Time:  During the school year, we have weekly after-school programs on Wednesdays at 4:00, and we have a weekly craft program on Saturday afternoons at 3:00 year round.  This program could be offered at either of these times.  Both programs typically last forty-five minutes to an hour.

Set-up:

• Recruit volunteers to help guide activities. An adult origami club meets weekly at our library. Use that group to find one or two “experts” who can come and demonstrate techniques and provide assistance to the program participants. Ask them to bring a few sample pieces that are more complex to show the participants. Make use of teen volunteers who have listed origami/crafts as one of their interest areas on the volunteer application.
• Promote program on print calendar, on library website’s events calendar, children’s department facebook page, and with print flyer (attached). Contact school media specialist/art teacher contacts about posting flyer in schools.
• Purchase origami paper. A package of 200 sheets is usually around $6 or $7 at most craft stores. If funding is an issue, use colored paper from library supply and cut into squares. Recycled paper with writing on only one side can also be used for most projects.
• Select projects at beginner, intermediate, and advanced level from origami instruction books in collection. Complete a sample of each project chosen. Search youtube for demonstration videos of selected projects. If videos do not exist for the projects, consider making a demonstration video or ask teen volunteers to make a demo video prior to the program.
• Set up a laptop with demonstration videos bookmarked plugged into projector so the demos can be shown on the screen. Set up tables and chairs where everyone can see the screen. If multiple laptops are available, consider having one at each table so that demos can be shown for the different skill levels represented.
• Set each station with appropriate books for each skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced), sample projects, and a supply of origami paper.
• Create a display for fiction/narrative books and books about Japan.
• Assign volunteers and experts to different stations.

Program: 

• Softly play traditional Japanese folk music in the background.  Be sure to tell participants that origami is a Japanese art form.
• As participants enter the room, sort them if possible into beginner or experienced groups and direct them to appropriate tables. 
• Begin by introducing experts from adult origami club and allowing them to show completed projects that they have done. Allow the participants to ask questions of the expert guests. 
• At the beginner table, participants will be guided through a preselected project such as a boat, plane, cup, or fortune-teller. After the first project, beginners can choose to stay at the beginner table and complete another project or go to one of the other tables to choose a more difficult project. 
• At the intermediate and advanced tables, participants can choose a project from one of the books. 
• Volunteers/Experts will demonstrate and assist as needed. 
• Each participant should have time to complete two projects. They can do a third if time permits. Once the projects are complete, we will watch the Scholastic book trailer for The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM-JN6D3cAo&feature=related) and a origami Yoda demonstration from the author Tom Anglebrand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LosgVnBDdjw&feature=related) which the children can follow to make their own Yoda. A page of written instructions to make a more complex Yoda is also available from the author’s website http://origamiyoda.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/yodainstructions.jpg). Make copies of these to send home with the participants. 
• 
• Encourage participants to check out the instructional books or one of the fiction or narrative books that are available or a book on Japan or Japanese art.

Instructional Books:

·         Origami for Everyone: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced by Didier Boursin

·         Origami by Sally Henry and Trevor Cook

·         Origami:  The Fun and Funky Art of Paper Folding by Trhiranut Boonyadhistarn

·         Origami Zoo:  25 Fun Paper Animal Creations by Paul Jackson and Miri Golan

·         Origami Toys:  That Tumble, Fly, and Spin by Paul Jackson

·         Monster Origami by Duy Nguyen

·         Origami for Fun! By Thiranut Deborah Berry

·         Snap Books Origami Series by Mary Meinking and Chris Alexander

·         Origami Tessellations:  Awe-Inspiring Geometric Designs by Eric Gjerde

·         Ornamental Origami:  Exploring 3D Geometric Designs by Meenakshi Mukerji

·         Unit Polyhedron Origami by Tomoko Fuse

Fiction/narrative books with origami tie-ins:

·         The Pirate Girl’s Treasure:  An Origami Adventure by Peyton Leung (picture book with origami demonstration)

·         The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

·         Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angleberger

·         The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger (release date August 2012)

·         Waiting to Forget by Sheila Kelly Welch

·         Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr

·         1001 Cranes by Naomi Hirahara

·         Little Oh by Laura Krauss Melmed (picture book)

·         The Paper Crane by Molly Bang (picture book)

Books on Japan/Japanese Art and Culture:

·         Several volumes from 952 in nonfiction

·         From Painted Scrolls to Anime:  Literature and the Arts of Japan by Patty Ruland

·         Traditional Crafts from Japan by Florence Temko

References

Sullivan, Michael. Fundamentals of Children’s Services. Chicago: American Library Association, 2005.