Newsweek article you shouldn't miss!!

Generation R (R is for Reader) by Jamie Reno is a fascinating look at teen reading trends today.

Read it online at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/136961/page/1

Paddington Bear Turns 50!!!

That lovable bear in the blue coat and red hat turns 50 in 2008.

For ideas on how to celebrate and more, visit the official Paddington Bear web site at:
http://www.paddingtonbear.co.uk/

So, what's your favorite Paddington story?

Online resources for children's literature

Here's two more sites you might want to consider:

Wands and Worlds: fantasy and science fiction for children and teens
www.wandsandworlds.com/blog1/

The Edge of the Forest, a monthly online journal dedicated to children's literature
http://www.theedgeoftheforest.com/

SLP Update from Barb Huntington

Map Added to the Performer Web Page

We have had numerous requests in the past few years for a map that would help people identify performers in certain areas. When I last checked on having a map developed I was told DPI did not want that mounted on the state Web page because of the space it would take. But times and technology have changed, much faster than I realized. Jamie McCanless who manages the Performer Directory for me has developed the map people have been wanting.

Public librarians and staff from other organizations who want to hire performers for their children's programs can now use the new Performer Map to locate potential candidates in their area. This map uses the free Google Maps service. On the map, every city with at least one performer in the Performer Directory has a location marker. Clicking a marker displays its information window, which includes:

* The city name
* An alphabetical list of performer names
* The primary directory category for each performer
* An underlined link to each performer's main directory entry

In the full-size map, the location markers are also listed in order by city name on the left side of the window. Clicking a marker in the city list scrolls the map to the city and displays its information window. The markers are color coded for Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In performer entries of the directory pages, the city/state of the contact line is linked to the Performer Map. Clicking the link displays the city on the map and it's information window.Note: Performers who are represented by a booking agency that is listed as their contact are not included in the Performer Map.

From: April 2008 Monthly Posting for System Youth Services Liaisons

Help Us Redesign the SWLS Youth Services Page

From Leah:

If you have ideas for the type of content you would like to see as the foundation of the YS web page, please share them with me.

In the months ahead, I will be consulting with Nancy Ashmore and Robin Orlandi about revamping the SWLS Web site; we would welcome your suggestions during our process.

Circulating Video Games

If you're thinking about adding video games to your circulating collections, be sure to check out the article in the April issue of School Library Journal.

Author Trevor Oakley, Teen Services Librarian at the Guilderland (NY) Public Library, shares his library's experiences in providing a collection of video games. The top 25 circulating video games is also listed with a brief annotation for each game.

If your library doesn't subscribe to SLJ, I can lend you the System's copy. Just send me an email.

While we're talking about circulating video games, a suggestion was made that the System create a rotating collection of games similar to the Audio Book Circuit. So, here's my questions for you:

1. Is your library interested in a rotating collection of video games?
2. Would you be willing to contribute to the cost of purchasing the games?

Go ahead and leave a comment!

ASKAWAY SPONSORS YOUTUBE CONTEST FOR TEENS

The Wisconsin Statewide AskAway publicity committee is sponsoring a YouTube contest for teens. This is a great opportunity for library youth groups to try something new, get some publicity, and prizes. The committee is looking for original videos between 30 and 60 seconds long (can be longer) that depict the AskAway service in a positive way; why they use and like it. A $150 first prize and a $75 second prize will be offered. Additional details about contest rules and contest forms will be announced soon.

Everyone's help is needed to make this a successful contest. Please talk to your young adult and/or children's librarians at your library. If you are the youth services/young adult/children's librarians please consider having your young adult group enter.

The committee is looking for Young Adult librarians to be judges! No experience necessary. If you want to be a judge in the contest please contact Renee Ponzio at reneep@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.

Please visit the Wiki site at http://askaway.pbwiki.com/FrontPage where you will find tons of information, posters, and other materials to help your library promote AskAway to your patrons. For more information about the contest, contact Renee Ponzio, Chairperson, Statewide AskAway Publicity Committee, at (715) 839-1683 or reneep@eauclaire.lib.wi.us

From Channel Weekly, Vol. 10 No. 27, April 10, 2008