ALSC Institute Tackles Big Issues

What role can libraries play in reaching out to those who live in poverty? Jodi Pfarr, a transitional housing manager in Minneapolis and national speaker of the educational consulting firm "aha!Process," addressed this issue in an interactive workshop that set children's lives in context and provided practical advice for librarians who work with disadvantaged families.

Sponsored by the Hennepin County Library and the Minneapolis Public Library, Pfarr's "Bridges Out of Poverty" presentation was a provocative and insightful preconference to the 2004 National Institute of the Association for Library Service to Children's (ALSC) held in Minneapolis from September 30 to October 2.

This year's sessions spotlighted "The Topsy-Turvy Tween Years," which addressed the developmental and literacy needs of middle school readers, "The ABCs of OBE," which outlined the basics of outcome-based evaluation of programs and services, and "Building Design: Form, Flexibility, and Function," which examined ways to design creative and practical library spaces for children.

Early literacy consultant Saroj Ghoting also presented an overview of "Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library," an early-literacy initiative sponsored by ALSC and the Public Library Association that focuses on the critical role of parents and caregivers in helping young children develop the skills they need to learn and read.

The conference's special events included a dinner speech by 2004 Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo, who spoke about what it takes to be an artist, and 2004 Newbery Honor Book winner Kevin Henkes, who offered the audience a peek into his creative process.