Public Libraries

Happiness is a new list. For 102 years, NYPL has consistently been producing the same list highlighting some of the best books for kids in a given year.  Now we’re pleased to announce our 2013 list and all the myriad titles it holds.  Admit it.  This is one of the most gorgeous covers on a [...]

Young adult author A.S. King has partnered with school and public libraries in four communities for multi-generational reads of her novels, producing some illuminating experiences and conversations between teens and adults. More towns and cities should try such projects, King and her librarian partners say.

The White House honored 10 connected educators, including SLJ columnist and school librarian, Carolyn Foote. The Chicago Public Library celebrated families and early literacy with its 20th annual "Bookamania 2013: All Families, All Year", a free, daylong children’s book festival.

Essential is what our early literacy programs need to be—especially if we want children’s librarian jobs to be considered necessary community services. Make it your mission this year to increase early literacy services at your site by offering at least one nursery-rhyme-based program a month for ages birth to two years old.

In the past nine months at Gum Spring Library, we have hosted numerous programs, welcomed dozens of authors and presenters, discussed books, watched movies, made crafts, and so much more. We believe we have successfully figured out what our teens enjoy, and what they find less than thrilling. And throughout it all, we've continued to take the time to evaluate, assess, and reflect.

Take a look at the latest round of comments, letters to the editor, and corrections from SLJ's November issue. Librarians give suggestions for NYPL's 100 Great Children's Books list. Could the embrace of technology by librarians be the cause of library budget cuts?

Oh, you lucky bugs.  Do you know what today is?  Today is the first day of Kidlitcon and for those of you still interested in joining (and who wouldn’t be?) you have a last minute chance to be a part of the fun.  Always assuming you’re in the Austin area, of course, but I bet [...]

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has announced that it is awarding $4,329,567 in grants to 20 museums and libraries in 17 communities in order to support the emerging role of these institutions in providing early learning opportunities, especially for low-income families.

Make It @ Your Library, in collaboration with Instructables.com and the American Library Association, has finally launched its searchable website, makeitatyourlibrary.org, for librarians seeking maker space ideas and projects. Make It @ Your Library—an initiative developed through the ILEAD USA program over the past year—aims to help librarians realize maker projects in their own communities at low cost.