APRIL 2024

Who's Excited for Summer?

Summer Reading is almost here and I am excited to see everyone's calendars, registration posts, crafts and events. I heard great ideas at the SRP workshops! I love this summer's theme and how perfectly it fits with our state - and the Smokey Bear reading challenge. It's going to be a great summer!

I look forward to visiting more libraries this summer and seeing everyone in action. Thank you for the amazing work you do for your communities - it is valuable and appreciated!

Kelly

We had a great time at Hobbs Public Library at our SRP Workshop with Explora! And a wonderful bonus site visit to Woolworth Community Library in Jal to meet with Joyce Pittam.

CALENDAR - Meetings and Events

APRIL Monthly Youth Services Meeting

Drop-In Meeting / Q and A

Friday, April 19, 10:00-10:40am

Zoom Link HERE

This is an informal meeting of YS staff from across the state. Drop in to ask any questions or get assistance accessing any resources.

Youth Services Quarterly Book Club

Next Meeting: April 17 @ 9:00am

Zoom Link HERE

Our next Youth Services Book Club will meet in April,

with Mystery as our chosen genre.

Each attendee will share their chosen title and give a brief overview and review. Share multiple titles if you wish! Meet other YS staff from around the state, learn about new books for yourself and your library.

Our YS Book Club doesn't meet during the summer - next meeting in October!

National Library Week

April 7-14, 2024

Celebrate National Library Workers Day during National Library Week. You can nominate a "Library Star" at National Library Workers Day to give some recognition to those doing the work in their communities.

Get free tools and graphics to help

your library celebrate from the ALA:

ALA Celebrations - National Library Week

Celebrate Dia! April 30, 2024

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/ Book Day)

2024 Free Resources from ALSC

BookLists
Program Database
Free Downloadable Graphics

Pat Mora, the founder of Dia, also has resources on her website: Dia Resources from Pat Mora (graphics, videos, planning help)

NEWS

SRP2024:

Adventure Begins at Your Library

Read the latest CSLP Newsletter Here

The Social Media Toolkit has been released for your use- including great customizable Canva templates this year. Find the link in our Niche Academy module and in the CSLP Newsletter above.

Slogan/Theme Listening Sessions

All CSLP member library staff are invited to contribute thoughts about future summer themes and slogans. Join the national discussion about the Slogan for 2027 (Theme Detective/Mystery) and the Theme for 2028.

Option #1:

Thursday, April 18^th: 1:00 p.m. PDT/2:00 p.m. MDT/3:00 p.m. CDT/4:00 p.m. EDT

Option #2:

Tuesday, April 23^rd: 11:00 a.m. PDT/12:00 p.m. MDT/1:00 p.m. CDT/2:00 p.m. EDT

Adventures in Summer Marketing

The Library of Michigan recently hosted a webinar on best practices in marketing your summer reading program, and tips and tricks for using the social media toolkit, Canva, and other tools.

You can access the recording on YouTube here.

Contact Kelly if you need assistance with the online SRP manual.

Smokey Bear Reading Challenge

All library incentive packs and Adventure pack prizes have been delivered. Please reach out if you have questions!

Access the Forest Service digital toolkit here.

Access the NMSL Smokey Bear LibGuide here.

Early Literacy Calendar Available

Don't forget about the Early Literacy Calendar to distribute to patrons or share out on your website or social media. Visit the Niche Academy course for all months in English and Spanish.

Calendars on display at Hobbs Public Library

@ SEEN ON SOCIAL

Follow libraries around the state to check out programming ideas.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

New Mexico library staff share how they

approach a specific issue within their library.

Ask questions, share your experiences, explore new ideas.

These sessions have been amazing - Please join us for the final spring session!

Engaging with Homeschool Families

Monday, April 22 @ 1:00pm

Brynn Cole, Rio Rancho Public Library

Notes from the Field Registration

Or just join us on the day here on Zoom.

Recordings are posted in the Notes from the Field Niche Academy module.

Note this webinar at 11:00am MT To register use this form

Leadership strategies for building connection and diffusing difficult situations

April 30, 2024, 1:00-2:00PM (MT)

As library staff, our collective morale and goodwill are often eroded by a tidal wave of factors including book challenges, budget constraints, staffing shortages, toxic online discourse, and an increasingly divided culture. This webinar introduces skills grounded in the “Good Inside” approach, and will cover practical strategies to develop empathetic, curiosity-led leadership that assumes good intent in moments of conflict and stress, along with actionable communication skills for connection and cooperation.

Full details and registration - here

These are free workshops to train YOU on the subject matter, so you can then conduct the program at your library. For virtual programs the first 20 registrants receive mailed kits of supplies.

Making - Cardboard

Sunday, April 21, 10 am - 12 pm @ Explora

Interested in Makerspace activities? Use the Maker mindset to cut, carve, and create with cardboard! You’ll explore the unconventional possibilities using simple, common materials.

Full details and to register

Bubble, Bubble

Wednesday, May 8, 2-4pm (Virtual)

Explore the power of surface tension as you try out a variety of wands, build bubble sculptures, create bubble art, and observe colors in bubbles in this STEAM-rich workshop.

Full details and to register

Oceans of Possibilities

Thursday, May 23, 2-4pm (Virtual)

Bring clouds, rain, and oceans to you! Explore a paper mountain watershed, engineer an acequia, and more in this two-hour virtual workshop!

Full details and to register

OPPORTUNITIES

Looking Ahead: Professional Conferences

There are many general and specialized conferences for library staff. Plan ahead to attend! Remember: LSTA funds can be used to send library staff to professional conferences.

ALA Annual Conference - June 27-July 2, 2024, San Diego, CA

ARSL (Assoc. of Rural and Small Libraries) - Sept 11-14, 2024, Springfield, MA

ALSC (Assoc. Library Service to Children) - Sept 19-21, 2024, Denver, CO

ATALM (Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums )- Nov 12-14, 2024, Palm Springs, CA

ALA LibLearnX - Jan 24-27, 2025, Phoenix, AZ

Compiled by Kelly McCabe, Youth Services Coordinator

New Mexico State Library

Email: kelly.mccabe@dca.nm.gov

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