Holiday Tree of Readers Advisory Books

Petaluma High School Teacher Librarian Connie Williams alerted me to this creative way or display reference books -- old, green leather bound sets of the index to journal articles were used to create a Christmas tree. Book Tree WIN is the article name. See http:wins.failblog.org/2011/12/15/epic-win-photos-book-tree-win/


see more WIN - Epic Win Photos and Videos

Do Libraries Lend Fundraising Tools?

We've heard of tool-lending libraries.  Why not fundraising tool-lending libraries?  


Do you know of any libraries or organizations that have fundraising tools like wishing wells/coin tosses to loan to schools & nonProfits for fundraising? 

For example, what would be the reaction to a team of students bringing a wishing well to a Homecoming football game or all home games to collect change for the school library, to "Change the Story" about how the school libraries of the 21st century are different -- books, eBooks, computers, wifi, etc.  Students could be dressed up as literary characters or in school colors.  Or, kick off the coin toss fund raiser with a school library book fair and then take it on the road.  Or rotate the schools.  Keep loaning out the coin toss to drive up public awareness.


Each county or community should get right on this idea.  Make it a New Years Resolution.  We all have extra change in pockets, change purses, jam jars and drawer bottoms.  Other ideas?

Library Quotes

The American Library Association's advocacy site, "I Love Libraries" includes access to a database of library quotes and tips on how to effectively use the quotes. One of the suggestions is to use them for making bookmarks.  Recommendation:  add a link to bookmark templates for WORD and for Adobe Illustrator.


The site also links to its partners, including its "Authors as Advocates" program.  Thanks go to 2010-2011 ALA President Roberta Stevens!  This is a great legacy. The author videos in support of public libraries are well done, with an emphasis on employment resources for the public.  Wish a few videos specifically addressed the plight of school libraries at every level: elementary, middle, high, and higher education.  Hope each new ALA president will keep growing and enhancing the "Authors as Advocates" program.