MARCH 2024

Happy Spring!

It's almost Spring, which means Summer and the Summer Reading Program aren't too far behind.

There are many great links in this edition of the newsletter to assist with SRP and general library programming. I am awaiting my shipment of CSLP swag - watch the YS Listserv for opportunities to win!

We are having a great experience with our Transforming Teen Services cohort and I have been working on new partnerships to expand our training opportunities. Please let me know what types of training you would like to see.

Please reach for any questions or concerns - kelly.mccabe@dca.nm.gov

Kelly

We had a great time at Explora for the SRP Workshop - participants got some hands-on time to explore the STEM to read activity kits and Sphero robots.

CALENDAR - Meetings and Events

March Monthly Youth Services Meeting

Drop-In Meeting / Q and A

Friday, March 15 @ 10:00am

Zoom Link - HERE

This is an informal meeting of YS staff from across the state. Drop in, help a colleague, or get some feedback on your own programs.

Our Monday Youth Services Meeting timeslot will be replaced by the new Notes from the Field series - see details below!

Youth Services Quarterly Book Club

Next Meeting: April 17 @ 9:00am

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. Start reading your selection soon!

National Library Week April 7-14, 2024

Get free tools and graphics to help

your library celebrate from the ALA:

ALA Celebrations - National Library Week

Total Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024

New Mexico is in the path of the next Total Solar Eclipse. Check www.timeanddate.com to check the details for your community.

Find eclipse and other activities on the

StarNet Activity Clearinghouse - https://www.starnetlibraries.org/activities/

You can also download the free Eclipse Explorer workbook from the National Park Service - Download PDF Here

Get Ready for 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

Summer Reading is getting close! As you continue your summer reading plans be sure to look at all the resources in the SRP24 Niche Academy Course.

Check out the course here.

The National Park Service has several downloadable Junior Ranger booklets that relate to our Adventure theme. Check them out here - NPS Junior Rangers

You can download the New Mexico Summer Reading Road Trip and the SRP Bingo Card (below) in the Niche Academy course.

Smokey Bear Reading Challenge

New Mexico State Library is registered as a participating partner with the national Smokey Bear Reading Challenge program. You can incorporate this challenge into your SRP, or create a separate program.

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.

"We love these and our patrons love these."

Melanie Ratliff, Director, Fort Sumner 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.

Junior Foodies: Cooking with Kids

Monday, March 18 @ 1:00pm

Melody Bioletti, International District Library,

Albuquerque and Bernalillo County

Engaging with Homeschool Families

Monday, April 22 @ 1:00pm

Brynn Cole, Rio Rancho Public Library

Notes from the Field Registration

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

Creating a person-centered library:

Supporting patrons while avoiding burnout

March 13, 2024, 1:00-2:30PM (MT)

Are you feeling the strain of serving patrons with complex needs? Is your library seeing increased patron behavioral issues and mental health concerns? This session reviews ideas and approaches for how libraries can support both high-needs patrons and staff.

Full details and registration - here

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.

Engineering with Recyclables

Thursday, April 11, 2 pm - 4 pm (Virtual)

Engineer cars, play with plastic proportions, and design musical instruments out of recycled materials.

Full details and to register

Making - Automata

Sunday, April 14, 10 am - 12 pm @ Explora

Interested in Makerspace activities? Use the Maker mindset to make your own automata! You’ll explore the unconventional possibilities using simple, common materials.

Full details and to register

Bubble Bubble

Thursday, April 18, 3 pm - 5 pm (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

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

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

Subscribe to this newsletter here!

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