PLA: Big on Kids and Technology
Technology, graphic novels, and literacy take centerstage at PLA’s national conference
By Brian Kenney -- School Library Journal, 2/1/2006
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Also in this article: Preconference Alert Thursday, March 23 Friday, March 24 Saturday, March 25 |
The good news about the Public Library Association’s (PLA) National Conference in Boston from March 21 to 25 is that it’s strong on youth services. The bad news? Many of the programs, unavoidably, are offered simultaneously. Luckily, Boston’s Hynes Convention Center is small enough that if one program bombs, you can quickly duck out and try another one. Here’s a list of what looks promising. Check the final program for locations.
The Future of Fantasy (Tuesday, March 21, 8:30 a.m.–noon) has a terrific lineup of publishing professionals that will explore where this popular genre is headed. Early literacy is a hot topic, and The Fun and Facts of Early Literacy (Tuesday, March 21, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday, March 22, 9 a.m.–noon) will explore the importance of early literacy research and how to share it with adults. Both programs require additional registration fees. Just for fun, drop by Nancy “Action Figure” Pearl’s Book Buzz (Wednesday, March 22, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.; open to all conference attendees) for her take on upcoming adult titles.
We want boys to read, and Kathleen Baxter’s Grab Them: Books with Guy (and Gal!) Appeal (8:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.) promises plenty of gladiators and gross stuff. A new twist: Leave No PreSchooler or Toddler Behind (10:30 a.m.– 11:45 a.m.) explores ways to include babies and toddlers, as well as parents and caregivers, in your summer reading program. Want to reach your Spanish-speaking youth? Check out Beyond Bilingual Storytimes (2 p.m.– 3:15 p.m.) for a blueprint to develop bilingual programs. Hear about some successful collaborative programs between public and school libraries at Scratching Each Others Library Backs (4 p.m.–5:15 p.m.).
Not seeing a lot of teens at your reference desk? Learn how to use instant messaging and live chats to search for information at Making Traditional Services Teen Friendly (8:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.). Here’s something new: hear how a peer leadership model can drive effective kids’ services at Children’s Librarians Take Charge (10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.). Take a break from the youth track as David Liroff, vice president and chief technology officer of the WGBH Education Foundation, discusses the impact of the transition to digital technologies (2 p.m.–3:15 p.m.). You Are, But IM (4 p.m.–5:15 p.m.) will highlight more of the trends in teen services with Michele Gorman, Patrick Jones, and Tricia Suellentrop, authors of the popular Connecting Young Adults and Libraries (Neal-Schuman, 2004).
In Using Comic Books to Promote Reading (8:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.), author Phil Yeh will discuss the wide variety of comic books and graphic novels, as well as the creative process behind making comics. Web sites, RSS feeds, and blogs—they’re all important tools in serving youth. Hear the latest from tech gurus Jenny “Shifted Librarian” Levine and Michael “That’s Hot!” Stephens in Community Building Through Your Web Site (10:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m.).
