Season's Readings

Season's Readings greeting cards, mugs and more are now available from the California School Library Association's Library Advocacy Store at http://cafepress.com/csla


Bears, cats, and dogs send holiday greetings. Other cards promote reading and libraries.

Visit the site, do you holiday and 2014 shopping, and invite your friends to do the same!

Library Advocacy Store Adds Products

Travel mugs,dog tags and more have been added to each of the 30+ Library Store sections, including the children's book illustrations, CSLA Logo, and my career and animal characters. You can either go directly to the design you like and open it, or "search" topics such as: mugs, jewelry, purse hangers, playing cards, note cards.

Visit the Library Store at http://cafepress.com/CSLA to browse the art and items, develop strategies for library advocacy, make "wish lists" and place holiday orders.

Sammy Squirrel Reads

For the past three years, I've been taking graphic design classes. In order to practice, I invite middle school students at Borel Middle School to recommend character ideas and which book the character will be reading. The characters were added to a collection of 1" x 4.25" bookmarks.  Kids could use the back of the bookmarks for jotting down due dates when borrowing a book. Or, they simply collected the characters. The bottom line is that my Adobe Illustrator skills improved thanks to those students!

There are now three types of characters: people with heads and books, animals with heads and books, and (most recently) whole body characters. One of the most challenging animal characters was Sammy Squirrel, requested by my friend who specified a question mark-shaped tail and glasses.

In addition to using the characters to practice my craft, they come in handy in two ways:

• Free bookmarks that include the message "Strong Libraries, Strong Students". A carry a half dozen or so with me as conversation starters.
• Images available on the Library Advocacy Store and DesignClass sites, thus providing a small revenue stream to the California School Library Foundation.

Readers' Advisory: The Librarian is IN

Time for a little fun, while making a point.  Librarians tend to shy away from self-promotion, but recommending books is a core part of the job. Get your library a large wall poster and supporting items. Get some attention for what you love to do -- read and recommend books and online resources.

Wall Decal by Reference Desk

Mug on Reference Desk

See the simple image for "Readers' Advisory: The Librarian is IN" - add your own image or keep this reader who can't stop reading -- it must be a good book. Wall decal is fun to place behind or next to the reference desk. Design is by Jackie Siminitus, library advocate.

See cafepress.com/designclass and zazzle.com/JackieDesigns

Season's Readings: Dog and Cat Greetings

Now is the time to shop for holiday greeting cards and decorations. The California School Library Association's Library Advocacy Store has added a lot of new images and products. Here is a sampler of some of the fun items to brighten up the season. Mugs are ideal candy-cane holders, when you and your friends are not sipping hot cocoa.

Big-Eyed Readers Coloring Page

What is the most popular use for the Big-Eyed Readers?  According to those who took the poll, the answer is a kid's coloring page.  What a fun way to get kids and parents thinking about books and reading.  Copies are free and available by writing to the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries at info@csla.net

Other popular uses for the images (according to the poll) is use as headers in library blogs and school newsletters. A PNG image of the four (top) readers is also available from the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries.  The graphic designs are also available on various products at the Campaign's LIBRARY STORE.

BURN BOOKS

Most Americans have read science fiction author Ray Bradbury's book and movie "Fahrenheit 451" in school.  Bradbury is known for lots of great quotes.  The one about burning books is especially timely today, given the steadily shrinking budgets for our academic, public and school libraries.

This is a great conversation starter and appropriate for classrooms, libraries and board rooms. Remind your friends and families about the importance of reading -- pick up a message mug!

Illustrators Galore -- and many more!

Thanks to Patrick Nelson, CEO of Mrs. Nelsons Library Supplies, there are now a dozen illustrators who have donated their art in order to promote libraries and support the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries.  Artwork is now available on mugs, notecards, T-shirts, and more at the Campaign LIBRARY STORE.  New items and artwork is added regularly.  Urge your friends, family and book lovers to visit and shop regularly.  These are wonderful items for gifts and gift baskets, recognition, and simply fun for your collection.

Here are highlights of the four newest artists.  Please be sure to thank them all.  The most recent additions include Steve Gray's two hilarious cow illustrations: Moonlight Cows and Farm Cows.  If you are crazy about cows, these images are especially for you.  Both images say "Read. Know. Grow."

Ben Boos, noted for his Fantasy and Sword illustrations, contributed a fantastic Key and Book image linked with the words "Read. Know. Grow."  Underneath the image is a statement to "save California school libraries."  Yes!  Thank you.  Save us!

Sophie Blackall has given us a beautiful library scene, with a teacher librarian reading to a class of young students.  Across the top, over the tops of the children, are the words "Strong Libraries Build Lifelong Learners"  Yes!  So true.  Tell the story.

Sarajo Frieden has given us a fun tree filled with children, reading.  Words are "Read. Know. Grow." These words are so perfect for all students, all schools, all readers, all lifelong learners.

»	Kazu Kibuishi says Read.Know.Grow.
»	Kazu Kibuishi for Libraries
»	Kazu Kibuishi Rabbit for School Libraries
»	Aliki says Read. Know. Grow.
»	Aliki for Libraries (ALL)
»	Aliki for School Libraries
»	Marianne Wallace READ.KNOW.GROW.
»	Marianne Wallace for Libraries (ALL)
»	Marianne Wallace for School Libraries
»	Panda by Caroline Arnold. Read.Know.Grow.
»	Panda Loves Libraries (ALL) by Caroline Arnold
»	Panda for Strong School Libraries. Art by Arnold
»	Read.Know.Grow. Art by Joe Cepeda.
»	Joe Cepeda for Libraries (ALL)
»	Joe Cepeda for School Libraries
»	Read.Know.Grow. Art by Marla Frazee.
»	Marla Frazee for Libraries(ALL)
»	Marla Frazee for School Libraries
»	David Shannon for Libraries
»	David Shannon for School Libraries
»	California Campaign for Strong School Libraries
»	Brian Selznick for Libraries
»	Brian Selznick for School Libraries
»	Brian Selznick for School Libraries = Strong Stude
»	Moonlight Cows by Steve Gray
»	Farm Cows by Steve Gray
»	Sophie Blackall for Libraries
»	Ben Boos for Libraries
»	Art by Sarajo Frieden

Read. Know. Grow. -- Note Cards that Say it All!

Sending a note card makes more of an impact with legislators and their staff than an e-mail or stack of letters.  In order to focus on youth, reading, and technology, I created a graphic with Adobe Illustrator and uploaded it to CafePress for others who might want to use the "Read. Know. Grow." message on a note card.  

This is good timing for Library Day in the District visits with legislators, Library Lovers' Month (February), PTA thank-yous and requests for donations, student recognition and much more.

Gifts for Library and Book Lovers

The California School Library Association now has a GIFT SHOP for members and friends. Gifts for Library and Book Lovers offers a mix of T-shirts, baby clothes, and drinkware -- Is that a word? Check out the mugs, water bottles, and can coolers.

Themes include:

• Navigating the new...charting the future
• READING FRIENDS
• Read. Know. Grow.

Check it out. Ideal timing for the holidays.

Proceeds go to the "Best Sellers" Campaign for Strong School Libraries.

Gift Guide for Book and Library Lovers - News

Since 2006, the Gift Guide for Book and Library Lovers blog has captured all sorts of fun non-book gift ideas for people who love books and reading.   It started out as an example of how to easily create a web-based list on a tool called "Filamentality"and was later moved to Blogger.  


Each autumn, in time for the holidays:

• Items are checked to see if new gifts are featured. 
• Items are checked to see if the links are still active. 
• New items are added.
• The Gift Guide is promoted widely

New gift ideas are welcome!
Support the California School Library Association Campaign for Strong School Libraries

Duck, Duck, Dewey - Game for Grades K-5

My friend loves ducks. Has had a duck as a pet her whole life. She grew up to be a kindergarten teacher. Every time I see a cute duck toy, I think of my friend. Well, thank-you, UpStart library promotions for introducing the game "Duck, Duck, Dewey". It looks like a fun way to teach the Dewey Decimal Catalog System to elementary school students.

The game includes 10 little vinyl duckies, each dressed differently to represent different subject headings. According to the description in the catalog, the duck representing literature is dressed as Shakespeare, while the duck representing sports and recreation wears a baseball outfit. You can also order an extra set of Dewey Ducks OR a set of design-your-own ducks! My friend will soon get a fun surprise in her mail box! This item definitely belongs on my other blog, "Gift Guide for Library and Book Lovers"and is something fun to "tweet" about.

Library and Book Lovers' Gift Guide - What's New?

Happy holidays to my book-loving friends!

Each year over the Thanksgiving holidays, I update my "Gift Guide for Library and Book Lovers" hotlist. I created it YEARS ago as a lark, when I was demonstrating the power of Filamentality, a free online hotlist builder by AT&T's Education Advocate Team. Check out the categories and collections, then let me know if you know of any additional bookish (not books!) sites that would enhance this list. Categories include: Gifts Fashion Decorations Reading and Library Advocacy Library Foundations & Philanthropy International Reading & Library Programs

New items came from a mix of California art and wine street fairs and suggestions from librarians across North America. Here are a few of the new:

• Recycled Maps into Bound Blank Journals.
• "Bank" books and boxes disguised as books.
• M.L.S.: Melanie's Library Shop

If your library or library FRIENDS' group has a blog that uses AdSense or other fundraising tool, this might be a good hotlist to link to and promote in order to drive more people to your site. If you do that, let me know how it goes. That might be a productive fundraising model. Note: the hotlist is text-only, so it is easy to "select all", "copy" and "paste" into WORD so you can add your own graphics. Enjoy!

BankBOOKS, Banks, and Boxes

Takota Woodworking creates wonderful boxes with old book covers, thus disguising the boxes so you can hide your treasures. I couldn't resist a big red DICTIONARY book/box for my college student's room -- what snoop or thief would ever look in a dictionary? For more info, or to ask when their website will be available, check later on my Book Lover Gift Guide. Woodworker Nancy Templeton said she'd alert me.

Decorative Wood Book "Shelves"

Several years ago, a library conference exhibitor promoted a fundraising program where supporters would buy a wood book spine with their name on it, and the collection of big and small, variously colored book spines would evenually go on a library wall. I loved the idea at the time and just remembered it, so went searching online. I'm getting close. In the meantime, here is a fun fake book shelf that caught my fancy.

Worthington Library Book Panels are decorative wood book spines in a wood book case. There are 3 models. The website says the 'shelves' can be used to disguise a door or secret passageway! Sounds fun.

Another decorative or "faux" book shelf company is The Dummy Book Company. According to their website, "Our faux book products have graced everything from television and movie studios to the finest homes, hotels, yachts and restaurants. We have been featured in numerous magazine and print media publications." This might be a good way to upgrade an eggshell painted wall or walls of a meeting room.

NOTE: Item added to hotlist, Gift Guide for Library Lovers.

Read. Think. Grow.

Richard Moore alerted California school teacher librarians of a new T-Shirt available through cafepress. Theme is "Read. Think. Grow." It comes in several colors and styles.

Read. Think. Grow. goes well with my favorite poem: "The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the smarter you grow. The smarter you grow, the stronger your voice, when speaking your mind or making your choice." The t-shirt summarizes it to a "t."

Library Store @ Los Angeles Public Library

The Los Angeles Public Library Foundation has a great website for their Library Store at the downtown Central Library location.

Categories include gifts for readers, gifts for writers, childrens gifts, library merchandise, autographed books, best sellers, and of course a section on 'I Love L.A.' All Proceeds from the Library Store benefit the Los Angeles Public Library.
Yes, I added this write-up to my "Gift Guide for Library Lovers" hotlist.

Gift Guide for Library Lovers - updated

It's that time of year to think of clever and meaningful gifts for friends, families, and far-away folk. I've checked the links and added new items to my annual "Gift Guide for Library Lovers." Years ago, I created it on AT&T Filamentality, that cool hotlist tool.

This year, you'll see brass storytime statues for your secret garden, new library fashion sensations, and other items to tickle your fancy. Happy holidays! Enjoy!

Teddy Bear T-Shirts and Sewing Circle Stories

Introduce students of any age to sewing, sewing circles, recycling, and holiday projects while listening to a good story. This weekend, I recycled an old T-Shirt by creating a bunch of little Teddy-Bear T-Shirts and ironing on Image Generator designs (a popular web 2.0 destination.)

While hand stitching little T-Shirts, I got to thinking how this might be a good group project for listening to good stories.

One picture book that comes to mind is "Coat of Many Colors" by Dolly Parton, where her mother sewed (with love) a multicolored jacket for her little girl. Great book for any age, but too short. Another short favorite that my husband reminded me about is "Hiram's Red Shirt," a Golden Book along the lines of "a stitch in time saves nine." There are lots of good read-aloud books, including several "coming of age" books about working as a seamstress or needlepoint to earn a living or learning fine needlepoint because that was what young ladies of nobility did!

I asked California School Librarians for book recommendations, and have been getting a good number of titles and age appropriateness. I'll add a follow-up post on those recommended books.

In My Book - a Greeting Card and Bookmark in One

Here's a great new item for my hotlist on Gifts for Library Lovers. It is a series of greeting cards that are also bookmarks. The cards have the common theme, "In my book, ..." and are fun ways to send a message to a favorite book lover or librarian.

According to Robin at Inmybook, "We manufacture a greeting card that perforates to become a bookmark in fifteen literary-oriented styles. In My Book (.com) sells wholesale to libraries and bookstores, and the .net site sells retail to individual customers.

Hey, why not use them for your "thank-you" notes to legislators and others who support libraries? Check it out!