Events & Pd

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013, 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET Audiobooks are a proven literacy resource, which is why they’ve been used in classrooms for decades. The benefits of listening to audiobooks are many, including enhanced vocabulary, fluency and listening skills.This webinar will feature Tales2Go users and advocates, Shannon Sullivan and Katherine Orlando, who will share what Tales2Go has done to aide their instruction in and out of the classrooms.Archive is now available!

More than 200 people gathered on Tuesday in New York City to toast YA author Sherman Alexie, who was being honored by the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) at its annual “Free Speech Matters” event. NJ librarian Wilma J. Grey was also honored.

The third annual Picture Book Month is currently in full swing, with an ever-expanding array of school displays, Skype sessions, blog posts, and Facebook photo albums bearing witness to this year's festivities. The event—launched by author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas—brings together children and picture book lovers and creators in daily celebrations of the art form.

Librarians from around the country made their way to Austin, Texas, on September 28–29 for SLJ’s annual Leadership Summit. On stage and off, the conference convened key players and collaborators who are shaping a vision for the future of libraries. Here's a snapshot and slideshow of the leadership event.

In just a few weeks, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) will finalize the soft launch of its long-awaited badging program, which aims to provide a uniquely interactive opportunity for skill-building in its seven Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth. YALSA hopes the program will be fully launched by January, Linda Braun, the project’s manager, tells SLJ.

On the blogs, Fuse 8 features a "Book Worm" exhibit at the newly christened National Center for Families Learning, featuring glass creations based on treasured characters and moments from children's literature.

SLJ celebrated Trevelyn Jones, Book Review Editor, who retired after three decades, and more than 100,000 reviews under her helm. The event was held on October 29, and was attended by SLJ and Library Journal staff, representatives from several children’s publishers, and longtime friends and reviewers.

Librarians and book lovers of all ages this week are celebrating the Halloween season by recommending and giving away scary books as part of the All Hallows Read campaign. The brainchild of author Neil Gaiman, the annual campaign is marking its fourth year.

New York City helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of Leroy Brown, boy detective, by proclaiming October 26 “Encyclopedia Brown Day” and hosting a reception at the New York Public Library. The character was the creation of the late Donald Sobol, who wrote the first book in 1963. The series went on to become a staple in classrooms and children’s libraries.