Industry News

"There are 242 schools in the School District of Philadelphia. Only 16 librarians are left standing across that line. And what my [former] city colleagues tell me, is that NO Philadelphia public high schools have certified school librarians," writes Joyce Valenza. "Consider this divide."

At NBC’s fourth annual Education Nation Summit this week, libraries were more visible than in the past. The event strives to engage the public in solution-focused discussion about improving education and preparing American students for the jobs of the future. This year, the summit tackled the question of “What It Takes” to outfit students for success.

Has the maker movement taken hold in your library yet? Starting a maker space is easier—and less costly—than you may think. Technologies such as robotics, digital video production, computer coding, and 3-D printing may garner the most attention, but traditional activities instill the same spirit of invention, collaboration, and critical thinking of the maker phenomenon.

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, when organizations nationwide unite to raise awareness on how, with education and support, bullying can be obliterated from schools and communities. SLJ has compiled a list of tools for educators and parents, which includes advice on collection development, plus news and feature articles highlighting authors’ efforts against bullying.

Follett and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) have announced that applications are being accepted for the 2014 National School Library Program of the Year (NSLPY) Award. The competition is open to K–12 programs that are fully integrated into the school’s curriculum and meet the needs of the changing library environment. The deadline to submit an application is January 1, 2014.

Mary Pope Osborne, children’s literacy advocate and bestselling author of the "Magic Tree House" series, will kick of the first annual Magic Tree House Reading Buddies Week in New York City on Friday, October 11, at the 92nd Street Y, Random House announced today. The week (October 12–19) will be a celebration of reading that pairs younger readers with older, more experienced ones.

The Puyallup Public Library in Washington State celebrated its first annual Festival of Books from September 27-28. In partnership with Fantasium Comics and Valley Arts United, the library hosted a mini-comic convention, the Fandom Dance, an art-inspired poetry contest, and a guest lecture by the acclaimed author Susan Cooper—known for her "Dark is Rising" series and recent Ghost Hawk.

Scenario Learning is offering free bullying prevention resources to every school in October and November. Nominations are open for the American Library Association's Excellence in Library Programming Award until December 1. The Young Adult Library Services Association’s 2014 Young Adult Literature Symposium is now accepting program proposals through November 1. The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee is looking for new members to participate in various capacities.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Monday that he would expand the Chicago Public Library’s (CPL) YOUmedia digital skills program by $500,000 in order to serve 25 percent more teens in 2014. The program teaches web design, digital media production, and programming. The announcement comes just a week after the online expansion of CPL’s homework help program.