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Written on: January 26th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts, Learning, Learning Journeys
Columbia University journalism professor Dale Russakoff recently wrote this article, which was syndicated to many newspapers including our own News Journal.
In the article, Russakoff discusses the progress that has been made in promoting one of the most vital factors in a child’s educational accomplishment- actively engaged parents or other significant adults- including the current Administration’s ongoing review of Even Start and other programs which support or promote family involvement in education.
Public libraries can be key contributors in supporting not only children’s literacy and learning through programs such as Summer Library Reading, or What’s The Big Idea? but also through formal and informal learning programs that support parental educational accomplishments. Many libraries make adult literacy a programming priority, as well as offering computer training, access to test prep material both in print and online, and simply by providing a safe accessible place for children and parents to explore and learn together.
For parents who are interested in starting an informal lifelong learning connection with their children, State Librarian Annie Norman recommends trying out the question journal, The Curious Life of Me, available at our Learning Journeys website.
Written on: January 25th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
The feature article in this week’s New York Times magazine was a fascinating article about James Patterson’s one-man publishing industry. The internationally best-selling author comes over as very likable in the article, and certainly industrious. I have developed a great affection for him since his launch of a children’s literacy website, Read Kiddo Read. Patterson unashamedly writes for his audience, and while he himself is well-read, doesn’t really have literary pretensions:
Patterson considers himself as an entertainer, not a man of letters. Still, he bristles when he hears one of his books described as a guilty pleasure: “Why should anyone feel guilty about reading a book?” Patterson said that what he does — coming up with stories that will resonate with a lot of people and rendering them in a readable style — is no different from what King, Grisham and other popular authors do. “I have a saying,” Patterson told me. “If you want to write for yourself, get a diary. If you want to write for a few friends, get a blog. But if you want to write for a lot of people, think about them a little bit. What do they like? What are their needs? A lot of people in this country go through their days numb. They need to be entertained. They need to feel something.
Motoko Rich’s article about book clubs v. solitary readers was another interesting read, and included this link to a review site for young adult readers that is worth checking out (if you are a teen- you can’t register if you’re an adult).
Finally, the reviews!
Written on: January 22nd, 2010 by: in Q & A's
*Update 8/26/2011
Click here for direct access to FEMA’s flood map viewer.
The University of Delaware also has information on Delaware floodplains and maps.
Stay safe everyone!
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Q: I will move to Kent or New Castle County from NW Wisconsin in a few months. I want to
avoid areas too close to sea level as well a flood plains or areas near flood plains. Can you direct me to online, free info (preferably map[s]) regarding flood plains in Delaware? A flood insurance rate map (called a FIRM in the business) would be ideal. FEMA web site not helpful because it requires a specific address before it can tell you if property is in a flood plain. I need more general info. Tks.
A: Since Delaware is such a small state you will be able to use the FIRM maps without an address.
Go to the FEMA map website:
1. Select Delaware for the state
2. Select the county you are interested in viewing. Delaware has three: New Castle County (north), Kent County (central), Sussex County (South).
3. Select a community. For this field, you can select a specific city/town OR select the entire county. Selecting New Castle Co*, Kent Co*, Sussex Co*, will give you complete county information.
4. Select “Get FEMA issued Flood Maps” and view the map
Thanks for using Ask a Librarian Delaware. Have a question? Ask us!
Written on: January 21st, 2010 by: in Blog Posts, Reviews
At last week’s American Libraries Association mid-winter conference, a number of award ceremonies took place, including the Caldecott Medal, Newberry Award, and Prinz Awards.
Jerry Pinkney took home the Caldecott Medal for his new young reader book based on Aesop’s fables, The Lion and the Mouse. Set on a vividly-rendered African Serengeti, Pinkney’s wordless retelling is a “classic tale from a consummate artist.”
Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me took home the Newberry Award for 2010. It’s a complex time-travel mystery set in 1970s New York, and is suitable for a preteen and teen reader who can appreciate a complex story with a compelling heroine and a “baffling, heart-pounding conclusion.”
Finally, Libba Bray’s Going Bovine won this year’s Prinz Award for Young Adult literature. It’s a hallucinatory tale that pays tribute to Cervante’s Don Quixote in character and narrative, but is “ambitious, tender, thought-provoking and often fall-off-the-chair funny.”
Reviews of these and many other titles available from the Delaware Library Catalog can be found in the “look inside” tab of each catalog record, by clicking the “N” icon where available to connect to the NoveList database, or by reading library patron reviews submitted via the LibraryThing review feature.
Written on: January 20th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts, Learning, Learning Journeys
Yesterday’s announcement by Governor Markell and Senator Kaufman highlights the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education as an important contributor to local and national economic development and the nation’s future. Executive order 15 creates a STEM Council with representatives from a broad range of government agencies, educational institutions, and private enterprise to work closely with the Department of Education on improving STEM curriculum and educational resources, seeking out sources of financing to support innovative programs, and collaboration with employers.
Public libraries in Delaware have long supported STEM education through the “What’s the Big Idea?” program, an NSF-supported program which is coordinated by the Delaware Division of Libraries and the Delaware Center for the Book. Delaware was a pilot site for this program, which infuses curriculum standards-oriented STEM education concepts into library programs, events, and resources for young children and families. The public and academic libraries in the Delaware Library Catalog have a broad array of resources that support STEM initiatives, including books for children and educators, access to online journals through statewide subscriptions managed by the Division of Libraries. The books listed below, for instance, are targeted at promoting STEM education with girls:
And library patrons can access these STEM-related educational journals- along with hundreds of others:
Written on: January 20th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
Click on the links below to get lists of new items available from the Delaware Library Catalog in various formats:
Please note that we have recently made changes to how eAudiobooks are accessed- you can now use your library card and PIN to download these to your own computer or compatible MP3 device.
Written on: January 20th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
Over the weekend, some access changes have been implemented for NetLibrary unabridged e-audio books. This service allows you to download unabridged audio versions of new and classic books directly to your home PC and in many case, a compatible MP3 player (such as an iPod) to listed to “on-the-go).
To simplify access, new titles loaded going forward can be accessed without logging in and searching for specific titles. Brief and full item records will include a direct link to this title that will be authenticated by your library card number and PIN. This link is the “weblink” icon that looks like a chain, and clicking on this will bring up an authentication screen that asks for your library card number and PIN, then connects you to the download.
Written on: January 18th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
This week’s front page review in the New York Times Book Review was written by Walter Kirn– author of the book that the soon-to-be-Oscar-winning movie Up in the Air was based on. Kirn reviews the new book Day out of Days by Sam Shepard, the iconic actor and playwright, and is deeply impressed by the narrator’s encounters with pit-stop America and the “crackpot vagabonds, working-class survivors and footloose fellow-wanderers” who inhabit it.
Also reviewed this week:
Click on the links above to check availability at any of the Delaware Library Catalog locations or place a hold for delivery to your local library! Have a great new week of reading.
Written on: January 14th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
Today’s News-Journal article documents the response of Delaware’s Haitian community to the terrible tragedy unfolding in Haiti following the massive earthquake on Sunday. The Seaford Library and Cultural Center has Creole-speaking staff members who may be able to assist in locating information and resources (302-629-2524).
The U.S. Department of State’s website provides information about the government’s response to the crisis, including links for giving donations and a phone number to find information about family members on the island (1-888-407-4747).
UPDATE: CNN recently made a searchable missing persons database available at this link.
The site also provides links to reliable relief organizations who are receiving donations and offers of assistance. Unfortunately there are already scam artists and frauds taking advantage of the situation, and numerous rumors that may inhibit responses by various organizations. The Google crisis response page and Poynter.com have additional resources, advice and contact information for those choosing to donate or assist.
UPDATE: The Delaware Black Caucus in partnership with the Delaware Community Foundation has established an earthquake relief fund. Click here to go to the DCF site to make a donation. Delaware State Treasure Velda Jones-Potter will provide fiscal oversight for this fund, which has the support of a broad coalition of Delaware organizations and businesses.
The Middletown Thrall Library in Vermont has created this resource and information page which includes contact information for relief agencies, how to find a reliable organization to donate to, and other useful resources.
Written on: January 12th, 2010 by: in Blog Posts
Recently, Matt Denn wrote about the state’s response to the Bradley child-abuse case on his blog- included last week’s decision to allocate all available victim assistance funds to the case and extend in-home counseling and Spanish-household outreach under the direction of the State’s Department of Services to Children, Youth and their Families.
UPDATED 1/19/10: DSCYF has also created a web-resource related to the Bradley case, which includes links to articles on how to respond to a child’s disclosure of abuse, where to find a trauma counselor in Delaware, and Q&As about trauma and counseling. You can see these resources at this link. The Division of Libraries has also created an online resource guide, and additional contact info and descriptions of services for a number of Delaware organizations providing these types of service can be found at the Delaware Community Resources Exchange wiki.
Most Delaware public libraries offer numerous books and other material related to child abuse therapy, including books targeted to children as well as guides and advice to parents and other family members. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape recommends the following books which are available from Delaware libraries in Kent and Sussex counties:
For kids-
For teens and adults-
Delaware Technical and Community College campus libraries and the Wilmington University collection, newly available to Delaware Library Catalog users, include substantial professional and academic works on the subject. These include the following works recommended by the Veteran’s Administration’s Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders:
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