HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 26, 1994TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
M. Rebecca Loader, Library Director
Marsha Tubbs, Children's Librarian
April 26, 1994
MELSA Storytime Workshop
On Tuesday, April 12 and Thursday, Apdl 14, I participated in a workshop sponsored by the MELSA
Children's Interest Group. The workshop titled Children's Storytime Idea Fair consisted of representatives
from van'ous MELgA Library Systems presenting their "best" storytime ideas to be
shared/borrowed/swapped with those in attendance at the workshop.
There were 32 presenters over the 2-day span who performed for approximately 125 professional children's
librarians from the MELSA area.
In my capacity as a presenter, I told the story Sam's sandwich by David Pelham using book props which
I designed and produced. My intent in participating was to leave a positive impression with the MELSA
membership regarding children's services at the Columbia Heights Public Library and to let those same
members know that there had been changes made here at Columbia Heights and to impress them, if
possible, with the type/level of programming provided here.
I am happy to say that all these goals were met. The presentation received rave reviews from those in
attendance, and I was asked by many people for a business card or my name and address here at
Columbia Heights. Several systems asked if I would be willing to produce the sandwich for them.
I had one additional goal for the workshop, I wanted to borrow from the creative efforts of the other
children's librarians and hoped I would be able to find some new ideas to use here at Columbia Heights.
Again, the workshop came through. I have several new ideas to produce here for the upcoming year.
They should give our storytimes an update and a boost for this fall. I also received two booklists (copies
attached) for suggested storytime titles.
All in all the MELSA Storytime Idea Fair was a huge success.
On Thursday, April 21, I attended the Munici-Pals workshop at the Minneapolis-West Holiday Inn. Our
speaker for the evening was Debra Hedlund, who is a District Court Judge for Hennepin County. She
talked about the statistics of crime we have in Minnesota and the fact is that the courts just can't keep up
with them all. Debra is currently involved in a project that she participates in on Monday evenings with a
group of fdends where they will contact people who have fines to pay, or who have a court appearance
to remind them to follow through on these obligations. She claims that some of these people just need a
little attention, they fulfill their obligations and this saves the courts time and money. She then made a plea
to everyone Jr~ tl~e audience to participate in this program. She felt that people need to get more involved
in their community, stating that people who commit cdmes are your friends, neighbors and relatives. The
situation can only improve with volunteers like us who care about the future of our families and community.
Although it wasn't the most upbeat presentation, she told it like it was, and in order to change that
everybody needs to get involved.
Kelly Olson