Win a copy on YA Book Queen. Register now through 21 Apr
First, I’m so excited to tell you that Julie Kagawa’s Immortal Rules trilogy (yes! the entire trilogy!) has been purchased by Palomar Pictures. Her response to the news?
Julie Kagawa
@Jkagawa Guys, if you could see me…my feet are about 6 inches off the ground. Thank you all.#Giddy#theimmortalrulesmovie
Congratulations!
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board, a philanthropic program of State Farm, is accepting applications for youth service-learning projects designed to create sustainable local change in communities across the United States and Canada. Projects must be designed to address the root cause of the following issues: access to higher education/closing the achievement gap, financial literacy, community safety and natural disaster preparedness, social health and wellness, and environmental responsibility.
Applicant organizations must be a K-12 public or charter school, or institution of higher education. Nonprofit organizations also are eligible if they are able to demonstrate how they plan to impact student achievement within the public K-12 curriculum. Grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000. Deadline: 4 May
The White House recently responded to the School Librarian petition. Using the “We the People” portion of the White House website, the response concluded by saying
The Obama Administration remains committed to supporting school libraries and the critical role they play in providing resources and support for all students in their learning, to ensure that all students — regardless of their circumstances — are able to graduate from school ready for success in college and career. Check out this response on We the People
It seems that while some areas are continuing to eliminate school librarians, the state of Texas is struggling to find more people qualified for these positions. In reading about the shortage, it’s interesting to learn how they’re transitioning from book based librarians to being librarians who working with accessing, organizing and working with information, not just books.
Do you know REFORMA? REFORMA is The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to 
Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking and they are busy these days!!REFORMA is
- planning for El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), an annual event held on 30 April. The suggested activities are great ways to celebrate children and books, regardless of the size of the Latino population your library serves.
- currently seeking nominations for the 2012 Librarian of the Year. Award. The award recognizes candidates who have promoted and advocated services to Spanish-speaking and Latino communities including the fulfillment of unmet needs in 2010-2011.
- granting five (5) $500 scholarships for members to attend the 2nd National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (J.C.L.C.) scheduled for September 19 – 23, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more news, program, housing & registration, exhibits & sponsors, and information, point your browser to visit the conference’s website.
YALSA is currently accepting applications for its Teens Top Ten. Let your teens have a voice in selecting top books for teens for the next two years! The Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in sixteen school and public libraries around the country. Find out more and apply!
The Hub has a nice re-cap of this year’s Virginia Hamilton Conference. I usually attend the conference, but for health and professional reasons, couldn’t this year. I’m sometimes disappointed at the lack of diversity at this conference which meets for that very purpose but have always enjoyed the intimate atmosphere and opportunity to network that is provided.
Today, Paula Yoo’s blog says this is her last post. Well for now that is! From today until 7 May, she’s posting daily blogs at the official NaPiBoWriWee site, the site she began for an event called “National Picture Book Writing Week.” Need to get your write on? This may be your perfect opportunity!
Are you participating in World Book Night and if so, where will you be distributing your books? I’ve seen so many interesting places people have chose to distribute books! I have to thank my friend, Maria, for picking up my books
from Kids Ink Bookstore. I’ll be be giving copies of The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks at the Julian Center, a shelter for women here in Indy.
In all this news about libraries, books, and the many ways we access information in this rapidly changing world, sometimes we need to slow down and be reminded of the critical need for continued free and open access for all citizens. Knowledge is power!
