Jazz Animoto Promo for "Big-Eye Readers"

Animoto music videos -- especially those less than 30 seconds -- are ideal for capturing the attention of the public today! Here is a new fun one that promotes both the "Big-Eye Readers" characters and the Library Advocacy Store.




Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Little Free Library

Here is a wonderful little library movement, started in Minnesota.  Build your own little library or adopt one.
It is called LittleFreeLibrary and it's mission is: 

To promote literacy and the love of reading
 by building free book exchanges worldwide.
To build a sense of community as we share
 skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. 
To build more than 2,510 libraries around the world--more than Andrew Carnegie!

Congressional Hearings on the SKILLS ACT

On October 17, 2011, the American School Library Association (AASL) held a congressional briefing in Washington, DC on "Education Reform and the SKILLS ACT: An Analysis of 21st Century School Librarians and Their Impact on Career and College Readiness".  Presentations were in conjunction with Representative Rush Holt (NJ) and Senator Jack Reed (RI).  


A number of speakers brief members of Congress at Congressional Hearings on the SKILLS ACT: 

• Carl Harvey, school librarian, North Elementary School (Ind.), AASL president
• Donna L. Haye, assistant superintendent, Atlantic City Public Schools (N.J.), an AASL Distinguished School Administrator
• William A. Mayer, university librarian, American University (D.C.), international speaker and leader on the changing face of services in libraries
• Kathy Mortimer, parent from Henrico County Public Schools (Va.) an AASL National School Library Program of the Year
• Connie Williams, National Board Certified Teacher Librarian, Petaluma High School (Calif.), AASL legislative committee chair

The AASL has created a number of supporting documents and videos on the briefings at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslissues/advocacy/briefing.cfm

The bottom line is that there is an important role for strong school libraries from elementary through college, if we want our students to be effective and creative users of information in class, college and careers.  Dollars for job creation should be directed to schools for strengthening school library teams, providing more student access to school libraries and teacher librarians.  It makes sense when you know the story of what 21st century school libraries look like.  See the AASL Standards for 21st Century Learners and individual state standards such as California's Model School Library Standards.

Big-Eye Readers - New Characters

The California Campaign for Strong School Libraries has added two new characters to its collection and thanks to high votes from an earlier poll, it has created a coloring page contest for libraries and any establishment that serves children and loves reading. Print the PDF or png by visiting csla.net and search "Big-Eye Readers".  Suggest new characters by taking the poll.


Another high vote from the poll is the interest in using the individual characters in library newsletters or librarian columns in school or local publications.  All that we ask is that if you use the readers, you properly acknowledge the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries at librarycampaign.csla.net  To request individual images in png format for your publications, contact Library Advocate at info@csla.net

The new Big-Eye Reader characters have been added to the Campaign's LIBRARY [ADVOCACY] STORE.

Paper Sculptures Advocate for Libraries, Words, Ideas

Retired California teacher librarian Jamie Boston alerted school librarians to a mysterious set of paper sculptures left in Scotland libraries, in support of libraries.  Every so often, another intricate piece of library art appeared in Edinburgh libraries, the Scottish Storytelling Center, Edinburgh International Book Festival and other public places. 

One of my favorite designs is a cup of tea and tea bag (right) that has these words: 

To @edbookfest 'A gift' This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas...... & festivals xx

• Teabag filled with cut out letters, on the tag of which are the words "by leaves we live". 
• The cup on the top has a swirl of words which read " Nothing beats a nice cup of tea (or coffee) and a really good BOOK"
• On the 'tray' next to the cupcake it says "except maybe a cake as well".

See http://community.thisiscentralstation.com/_Mysterious-paper-sculptures/blog/4991767/126249.html

Monkey King Mug Gene Luen Yang - Monkey King LIBRARY STORE

American Born Chinese graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang features a wild and crazy Monkey King. What a way to wake up with a jolt of java and Monkey King demanding you to Read! Know! Grow! He is such a cool king, and Gene generously donated this image in support of literacy and libraries. Thank you!

Gene Luen Yang is the award winning Author-illustrator/teacher of several comic books under the name of Humble Comics. Check out his website at http://geneyang.com/