Reading Friends/Listening Cat Mugs and More at LIBRARY STORE

Shop for Mothers Day mugs and more at the California Campaign LIBRARY STORE.  There are more than 20 images to choose from, each with the message "READ. KNOW. GROW."

Images are on mugs, water bottles, keepsake boxes, and a full line of T-shirts for moms and children.  Look for your favorite childrens book illustrator or image.  Start your collection today.

Artists (as of April 2011):

American graphic novelist/illustrator Kazu Kibuishi donated a pink reading rabbit to promote reading and libraries.

2.     Library cat says Read.Know.Grow. Aliki writes and illustrates many well-loved books and has donated two wonderful library cat illustrations. 

3.     Marianne Wallace is a writer and illustrator of children's middle grade non-fiction nature books.  Marianne has donated images of books with sunflowers.  One is a book-as-flower in a pot. Another is a stack of books with sunflowers.

4.     Caroline Arnold's big, beautiful Panda offers words to ponder: Read.Know.Grow.

5.     Joe Cepeda has done illustrations for magazines as well as for children's books. Joe donated a night-time image of young children outside, searching for something… using books to light the way.

6.     Marla Frazee says "There isn't any guessing when it comes to how much, or if, children like a given book. If a book bores them, they will get up and find something else to do." See her wonderful magical reading tree.

7.     David Shannon is an award-winning author and illustrator of many highly praised books for children. "No, David" is a Caldecott Honor book.

8.     Brian Selznick has illustrated many books for children, including Frindle by Andrew Clements, The Doll People by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan. See his image of a child carrying a banner “Strong School Libraries = Strong Students”.

 Moonlight cow and Farm cow illustrations have been donated by Steve Gray in support of libraries. Steve Gray’s cartoon characters have been seen in digital media, broadcast, and print publication.

Sophie Blackall, illustrator of the Ivy & Bean books, supports libraries. See her library storytime art.

Ben Boos has created a powerful key and book illustration with the message, “Read.Know.Grow.” 

Reading in a tree? How fun!  See book Art by Sarajo Frieden in support of libraries.

Spaceheadz illustration by Steven Weinberg in collaboration with Jon Scieszka. 

Sea Captain by Bob Logan carries the message, "Read.Know.Grow." in support of libraries. His newest book is called “ Sea of Bath”.
   
Blue Guys by Michael Slack carries the message: "Read. Know. Grow." See the boy’s imagination as he is surrounded by books and a computer. His recent book, Monkey Truck, is adorably hilarious. You can see his book trailer at vimeo.com/18605836.

Tom Lichtenheld has donated his fun "Duck Rabbit" illustration in support of California School Libraries. 

Make a commitment to check the site weekly to see what has been added.  Each time you promote the Campaign and its LIBRARY STORE, you make another person or persons aware of the importance of strong school libraries.  Proceeds support the public awareness campaign.  Learn more about the issues, the research, and the crisis at http://librarycampaign.csla.net

Save Our School Libraries -- Buttons and More

California, its public school, and its school libraries are having a meltdown. It is a crisis for our kids. So many teachers, programs, and positions are getting challenged to defend themselves in the face of incredible budget cuts and the law that requires balanced school budgets. That means thousands of pink slips go to teachers by March 15th, which means those teachers may or may not have a job the next school year.

In defending school libraries and staff, Marie Slim started a contest for a message and an image for a button. Tom Kahn created a Google survey form. Library supplier and CSLA "Best Seller" for Strong School Libraries, Pat Nelson of Mrs. Nelson's Books solicited several noted children's author/illustrators to design and make available an image. Marie created a School Library Advocacy wiki of the winning themes and images. "SAVE California School Libraries" by Brian Selznick is the winner by a wide margin.

Another popular theme is "Read. Think. Grow. Fund School Libraries". Wonderful versions are illustrated by Aliki and Marianne Wallace and Marla Frazee and are also available for use by library advocates. In all 16 designs were submitted. Here are the winners.

1st Place: Brian Selznick (Hugo Cabret)
2nd Place: Marianne Wallace (Multiple books, multiple flowers)
3rd Place: Marla Frazee (tree with readers)
4th Place: Marianne Wallace (book flower)
5th Place: Marla Frazee (zoom in)
6th Place: Tom Kaun (red, white and blue)

Yes, kudos to Marie Slim, Tom Kaun, Pat Nelson -- and all who voted! Here are some thoughts on what to do with the buttons.

• The colossal 6" button would look nice in each Board Member's and legislator's office -- I'm sure a student or group of students would be interested in giving the buttons to community leaders.
  
• Think big. Would your local grocery stores, book stores, coffee shops, public library, and copy shops be willing to put a big button in their store window? Or even sell the buttons to customers? See what a Canadian public library did to get attention around town. Be sure to invite the store managers to become "Best Sellers" and give them the CSLA handout on the "Best Sellers" Campaign for Strong School Libraries. In that way, they can hear the local news from you and the larger picture of what a strong school library looks like!
• Think different.
• Does your town have a local movie theater that would be willing to include a public service image on the big screen?
  
• Create an animoto or slide show: Line up your local supporters, big and small, including tons of tiny tots, young readers, and young adult readers; pin a large pin on the first in line and take a digital photo; pass pin to the next person and take photo; Repeat. Again. And Again. Each photo should have one or more books in hand or as a backdrop. This could be powerful!
  

It is a treat to be in the company of school librarians and advocates. Go to town on this campaign and make some noise! Go ahead, use the fine designs to creatively and actively advocate for California school libraries. Use the designs to make your own button, poster, t-shirt, billboard -- whatever!

VOTE 4 BEST SLOGAN - Support School Libraries

Redwood High School Teacher Librarian Tom Kahn has done it again. He has set up a way for California school library advocates to vote for their favorite button slogan. He used Google spreadsheet and listed almost 100 choices (see below). Missing slogans include the 3 key messages of the California School Library Association's Campaign for Strong School Libraries:

• Students deserve equitable access to school library resources.
• Library standards provide blueprints for strong school libraries.
• Strong school libraries build strong students, who are life-long learners.

Choose up to three slogans from the following list *

• Save a Library = SAVE A LIFE
• Librarians always go by the book
• Librarians know how to check it out
• Librarians do it silently.
• Question authority. Ask a librarian.
• Libraries = Information Literacy
• School Libraries Combat Plagiarism
• School Libraries Foster Literacy
• School Libraries WORK!
• School Libraries = Good Citizens, Critical Thinkers, Life-Long Learners, Effective Communicators
• School Libraries = Good Citizens
• School Libraries = Critical Thinkers
• School Libraries = Life-Long Learners
• School Libraries = Effective Communicators
• School Libraries Make Connections
• Every student succeeds @ the library
• No use going to class unless you go to the library-- Ray Bradbury
• Equity@your school library!
• School Librarians narrow the achievement gap
• Information Literate@your school library
• Reading Saves Lives -- Save your school library!
• School Libraries Work 24/7
• Don't UnDewey our Kids--Save School Libraries!
• Don't UnDewey our Kids--Keep School Librarians.
• Cut School Libraries = Intellectual Famine
• Love Your Library
• Love Your Librarian
• Librarians Create Readers
• Teacher + Counselor + Books = Librarian
• A Library is not a Warehouse
• Support Literacy, Support Your Library
• Librarians: Planting the Seeds of Literacy
• Librarians Work!
• I love school libraries....and I vote!
• Information, Communication, Technology = School Librarian
• The Library's Legacy: ACHIEVEMENT
• Save Our students, staff and stock the library
• Libraries + librarians = literacy!!
• Libraries: the people's university
• My good looks = my parents; My quest for knowledge=Teacher Librarian
• Good looks=parents; Knowledge=School Librarian
• Who's YOUR Teacher Librarian? *******
• Who's YOUR School Librarian? *******
• Hitch my library to a rising STAR score
• School Librarians: an Endangered Species
• My [or Your] child deserves a school library
• Equal Access: School Libraries
• Cross the Digital Divide @ the School Library
• Improve Literacy; Fund School Libraries
• School Librarians: Information Access Specialists
• Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries
• Librarians or Prisons? You choose
• Spend more on librarians than prisons
• Library Lovers Unite!
• Support your school library---it's long overdue
• Got libraries?
• [heart] Your School Library
• I [heart] My School Library
• Don't shelve your teacher librarian....
• Vote with your feet: Go to the library
• Renew: school library funding
• Remain a literate society: thank your librarian
• Archive Arnold
• California 2010. Fahrenheit 451?
• A book in time saves AYP
• Dis the digital divide: visit your library
• Read across America (and California)
• Librarians: Who you gonna call? CAHSEE busters!
• Call me CAHSEE, but I see a library in your future.
• Friend a school librarian
• Books: the original tweet!
• Remember: the book is always better
• Book Potatoes score high, Couch potatoes live virtual lives.
• Words rule! Learn one today.
• Librarians support lifelong learning. Live a little!
• Your school librarian teaches EVERY student
• School librarians teach EVERY student
• School librarians open doors to infinite knowledge
• School librarians open the doors to infinite learning
• Students count on their school librarian year after year
• School librarians are more than teachers
• School librarians are teachers too
• School librarians hold keys to the doors of knowledge.
• School librarians foster literacy and learning. Keep them in our schools.
• School librarians teach EVERY student
• Read. Think. Grow. Fund School Libraries.
• Save California School Libraries
• Prisons or Libraries- you choose!
• Libraries Lead Learning
• "When I read about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that American society has found one more way to destroy itself." --Isaac Asimov
• Teacher Librarians help students make connections
• Don't discard our libraries!
• iRead - Available @ Your Library!
• Other: