Kids Are Customers, Too 2008

KIDS ARE CUSTOMERS, TOO
October 8, 2008

Attendee: Anita Fry, Damascus Library

Turf Valley Resort was the site for the 12th Annual Kids are Customers, Too Conference presented by Maryland Library Association (MLA). I got my registration materials, coffee and visited the vendors.

Our first speaker was Gloria Bartas from Enoch Pratt. She is a children’s librarian who gave us ideas of what to do between reading the books. She used flannel boards, songs, puppets, hats, movement, colors, echo stories, non-fiction facts, element of surprise(what’s in the cardboard box that has a door), and thinking ideas with word endings. She was quite vivacious and kept moving and singing the whole time. She offered good ideas for future programs. I liked her idea for a flannel dog with BINGO spelled on it and you remove a letter section of the dog as you sing the song. I told her about my oatmeal box car for her car program.

My first breakout session was Project LEAP (Learn, Explore and Play)- presented by Jeannine Finton, Harford County Librarian. This program makes science fun and they have kits on different subjects- dead insects, magnifying viewers, microscope, chemistry lab set, antworks habitat, snap circuits, field binoculars, structures and star navigation. These kits check out to patrons and they have had special programs using them in the library. Librarians had science background and found the materials for the kits at good prices. Downfall to me is all the space the kits take up and all the items that have to be checked as they are checked in and out of the library. We’ve been there and done that. I could see teachers making more use of this idea.

Jennifer Holm was the guest author. She wrote- Our Own May Amelia, Penny from Heaven and she and her brother create the Babymouse graphic novels for kids. She writes the words and he illustrated them. She presented a powerpoint presentation of her life as a child and now as a mother of two. She was fun, perky and cute. She is too busy with her family to write another novel and she write about 2 Babymouse titles per year.

I then ate lunch and visited the vendors again.

I chose What’s in My Art Box? for my next session and it was presented by Howard County Children’s Librarians. I thought this might inspire ideas for next year’s summer reading theme, but it was a bit too sophisticated for that. They had a series on artists that they liked and then let the kids try that artist’s style of art. It took many hours to prepare and lots of supplies. I think we were all expecting a box with supplies and something to make and simple, but it was a lot more involved. They presented a powerpoint presentation that wasn’t very organized.

The 2008 Blue Crab Young Readers Awards were given next by Susan Modak- Chairperson. I have a copy of the flier with the winners.
A panel discussion of Effective School and Library Partnerships was the last event. This was interesting and some school librarians really like the public libraries and work with them. The Black-Eyed Susan awards were discussed and that involves both the schools and libraries.

I enjoyed attending this event and will use ideas for future storytimes or programs.