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Friday, August 31, 2012

Indigo Launches Annual Adopt a School Program to Replenish 1,000 School Libraries

Indigo Books & Music Inc. IDG
8/30/2012 12:48:00 PM
Indigo Launches Annual Adopt a School Program to Replenish 1,000 School Libraries

- Goal to Give Tens of Thousands of Canadian Kids New Books -

TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - From September 16th to October 6th, Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores from Victoria to St. John's and all points in between, will challenge Canadians to put new books at the top of this country's back to school list. The annual Indigo Adopt a School fundraising drive aims to bring communities together and return 1,000 school libraries to being the vibrant heart of schools with the addition of much needed new books. Since 2009, the fundraiser has put more than 80,000 books into the hands of children at 459 schools across the country. This year, booklovers from coast to coast are encouraged to more than double the number of schools served through the Adopt a School program to date.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Virtual Author Visits in Your Library or Classroom



Virtual Author Visits in Your Library or Classroom

DIRECTIONS FOR AUTHORS ~ DIRECTIONS FOR TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS

Today I tried a little experiment -- I tied authors pages to a Pinterest Board -- started with the "A's" to see how it would work. As long as authors posted a picture on their pages, it was easy to add them to the Board. See it here: Pinterest Experiment


It all started when author Mona Kerby visited Grandview Library in 2008 to talk to 2nd graders about her book Owney, The Mail Pouch Pooch. In 2009, Ms. Kerby visited the class via Skype. The children and their teachers cheered when Ms. Kerby "appeared" on the Smart Board. Ms. Kerby talked about Owney and the process she went through to research, write, and publish the book. Several of the children asked Ms. Kerby questions and the whole group enjoyed waving at and thanking Ms. Kerby for "visiting". The mission of the Skype an Author Network is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual visits. Wouldn't it be great to invite authors into your classroom or library to video chat with students before, during, and/or after reading their books? We are growing a list of authors who want to make that connection with you via Skype. Visit our Skype Overview page to learn more about Skype.


http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/

Friesen Press Self Publishing

FriesenPress is a division of Friesens Corporation, an award-winning North American book printer. We have been in the book business since 1923, and over the decades we have developed close relationships with many of North America's traditional publishers. By capitalizing on these relationships, we have now created an important bridge between the traditional and the self-publishing worlds to the advantage of all independent authors.

CALL 1-888-3-STORY-3
http://welcome.friesenpress.com/canada/

Weinberg Foundation Doubles Baltimore City School Library Project

The Weinberg Foundation uses that list as a basis for choosing project recipients although it also has its own criteria. "We look for a school with a full-time librarian and strong principal support as to how the library can be utilized through the school, not only for instruction but for community involvement," she says.
 
 
The cost and size of the library project varies with the school. The spaces average about 2,000 square feet. The total cost of all construction and programmatic activities runs about $980,000 per library. The foundation contributes, on average, $335,000 per library for capital and operating costs, with a U.S. Department of Education program contributing $360,000 and the city school system $145,000 per library. Partners provide the rest in additional financial and in-kind contributions.

The library project goes beyond the physical. The foundation's funding provides for professional development and to hire an additional staffer at each library to assist the librarian. Partners are providing other services, among them:

• Barnes and Noble, nooks and instructions to teachers on using them in an educational setting;

• Dyslexia Tutoring, teacher training for early identification;

• Enoch Pratt Free Library, management of the Parenting Corner that is being set up in each library, with books on parenting and job search, and access to the Pratt system; and

• Wells Fargo, financial literacy training.
 
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is more than doubling its Baltimore Elementary and Middle School Library Project from the original $2 million commitment to $5 million over the next four years to renovate and/or build libraries at 12 Baltimore City public schools.
 
 

Friday, August 24, 2012

How To Integrate Live Tweets Into Your Presenta-tions

 
 
 
 

Ten Ways to Use Facebook with Learners

1. Set up a dedicated Facebook group for a class

2. Use Facebook Apps

3. Follow news feeds

4. Practice languages

5. Follow figures of interest

6. Use Facebook timeline for a group project 7. Use Facebook questions and polls

8. Use Facebook to send messages and communicate

9. Share multimedia

10. Encourage collaboration

To learn more about how to use Facebook with learners check out this great article:

 

Association of Library Communications and Outreach professionals

This year's conference is scheduled for Sunday October 14, 2012 and Monday October 15, 2012. The two-day annual conference will be held at Arcadia University near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

​​​
The Second Annual ALCOP Conference Brochure is now available and registration is open!

Most librarians spend from six to 21 hours each week motivating students to read.

Remember when you were in elementary school? Often, one of the favorite times of the week was going to the school library to pick out a book to borrow. Later on in middle and high school, the library became a workplace that provided resources for research you were doing or a quiet place to study. Those type of activities are still going on inside school libraries, but there's a lot more too. A survey conducted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education found that three-quarters of school libraries have purchased computers in the last five years and most librarians spend from six to 21 hours each week motivating students to read.

 

Meadows Elementary School library to offer several programs, events this year: book fairs, author visits, literacy programs and sponsorships for the school's Readers Club.

Meadows Elementary School library to offer several programs, events this year
http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/stories/403895-schools-meadows-elementary-school-library-to-offer-several-programs-events-this-year

Shelly Puckett, the librarian at Meadows Elementary School, has another full year of library services planned for the students, according to a press release.

The library will offer bi-annual book fairs, author visits, literacy programs and sponsorships for the school's Texas Readers Club and Boys Only Book Club.

"I am passionate about doing all I can to inspire young ones to read," said Puckett in the press release. "My goal is to make the library a literacy driving force at Meadows and not just a supplemental resource."

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Bookmans’ customers can donate their unused trade credit directly to support library needs within the district.

Bookmans' customers can donate their unused trade credit directly to support library needs within the district. The donation box is located at the store's check-out registers.

The idea originated from Lisa Martin, Coyote Trail Elementary librarian, in 2011. The support of Bookmans and their customers has generated approximately $2,400, to date, in trade credit to MUSD libraries. Librarians throughout the district have used the trade credit to add popular in-demand fiction to their collections, to replace well-loved but damaged or lost books, as well as add non-fiction and additional reference items.
 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The theme of International Literacy Day 2012 is Literacy and Peace

Literacy and Peace


This theme was adopted by the United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD) to demonstrate the multiple uses and value that literacy brings to people.  Literacy contributes to peace as it brings people closer to attaining individual freedoms and better understanding the world, as well as preventing or resolving conflict. The connection between literacy and peace can be seen by the fact that in unstable democracies or in conflict-affected countries it is harder to establish or sustain a literate environment.

Monday, August 20, 2012

TDSRC in Hobbema report


100% volunteer run TD Summer Reading Club at Emineskin Elementary School Library in Hobbema from May 31 to August 22, 2012
Vision of MIYO Education Authority:  Ermineskin school graduates are responsible and caring First Nations People. They will have a strong background in literacy that will prepare them for the world beyond our school walls. Ermineskin School graduates will share their literacy knowledge with others in the modern world. This will allow them to take action and contribute to local and global communities.

Community partnerships and resource contribution: TD Bank Wetaskiwin, Alberta Health Services, COW Bus, Samson High School Music band, Community of teachers,  Learning Links in Calgary, Wetaskiwin Credit Union, Statistics Canada, John Maude Financial, My Preferred Book - IFLA Sister Libraries Connection, http://mypreferredbook.blogspot.ca/, Nutters,  First Book Foundation, Fish and Wildlife, Ermineskin band newsletter, Prairie Tales, Autoparts, AlbertaWorks, Westlock Public Library, TD Bank,  Maskwachis Employment Centre, Facebook page, Ermineskin Social development and recreation department, Ermineskin Mall,  Boston Pizza, and ATCO Gas.  Plus, I am grateful for the support and guidance provided by Toronto Public Library TDSRC Planning Division, Library and Archives Canada, Chinook Arch Regional Library System and Parkland Regional Library.
http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.ca/2012/06/collaboration-bulletin-community.html

Timeline:
          Week of May 31 to June 9: Launch
          Week of June 10-14: Distribution of reading club packages to students, Reading Recommendations
          Week of June 14-21: Collect resources and ideas from teachers
          Week of June 22-29: Prepare for the program
          Week of July 2-4: Set up the area for the program
          Week of July 4-11: First week and reading reward prizes

Program pictures and main learning activities:

Launch, May 31:

Promotion in the school, June:


Program Sessions, July

          Week 1, July 4th: http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.ca/2012/07/july-4-first-week-of-tdsrc.html  Book Brochures
Bookmarks, collage and friendship envelopes. Visit the following page to view the endangered animals collage created from brochures and information materials provided by Fish and Wildlife office. http://aboriginalsummerreading.blogspot.ca/2012/07/week-2-students-creating-collage-about.html
          Week 3, July 18th: http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.ca/2012/07/july-18-third-week-of-tdsrc.html   157 participants and five community partners (COW bus, Screening of Prairie Tales and nutritional literacy presentations by Alberta Health Services.)
          Week 4, July 25th: http://schoollibraryservices.blogspot.ca/2012/07/week-4-july-25-animal-facts-brochures.html Animal fact folds, family hand tracings, door knobs, and leaf prints. First Book Canada donates books for FNs children

After the program
          Thank yous to community partners
          Reading celebrations
          Report distribution

Registration Statistics:
          Week 1: 5 students, 4 parents = 9
          Week 2: 16 students, 6 parents = 22
          Week 3: 60 students, 50 preschoolers, 47 parents = 157 (included 5 community partners COW Bus, Ermineskin Daycare, Merv Leibel from Alberta Health Services, Film makers Zoe and Bailey from Prairie Tales and books from First Books Foundation.)
          Week 4: 18 students, 7 parents = 25

Activity and intensity of use of the library on Week 3 (July 18):
          Books donated: 236
          Books distributed: 196
          Volunteer hours: 48 hours
          Number of total participants: 157
          Number of Community Partners: 5 (Centre for Family Literacy Edmonton, Prairie Tales, Alberta Health Services, Ermineskin Daycare, Maskwachis Employment Centre, Ermineskin Mall, and Ermineskin Band Office)
          Number of bookmarks made: 87
          Number of friendship envelopes created: 41
          Number of documentary films viewed: 6
          Number of books read, reading recommendations and book brochures: 63

Key outcomes:
1.      Promote reading
2.      Access to library services; computers and books
3.      Social opportunity for the community  
4.      Relationship development for staff and stakeholders
5.      Leadership skills development
6.      Literacy links and capacity creation as the program was run by volunteers

Opportunities for the library as a result of the program:
  1. Indigo's Adopt a School program which will give us books
  2. Home visitation library service with Social and Welfare agencies
  3. IODE to provide resources for the breakfast program
  4. A corporate company to provide BBQ fund raiser and a bus
  5. Essential Skills Day celebration at Ermineskin Mall on September 20 at 7:30 am
  6. Reading is an essential skill community coffeehouse on September 21 from 3 to 4 pm
  7. A possibility winter Reading Program from December 1, 2012 to January 21, 2013 in partnership with the food bank and Ermineskin Mall.


Friday, August 17, 2012

September 2, 2012, Party Under the Dome!

 

 

 

September 2, 2012, Party Under the Dome!

Celebrate 100 years with special guests Paul Brandt, Big Sugar and Brett Kissel

 

Countdown to one of the biggest parties of the summer has begun! On September 2, celebrate the 100th birthday of Alberta's Legislature Building with a double feature, a 1912 Family Fair in the daytime and a Centennial Concert and fireworks spectacular in the evening.

 

Family Fair 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

History buffs take note! The day will begin with a re-enactment of the building's 1912 opening ceremony, performed by costumed actors on the Legislature's front steps. The long-awaited time capsule reveal will follow, along with architectural tours of the beloved landmark. Birthday cake will be served of course, as no party is complete without it!

 

The 1912-inspired fair features a penny carnival, magic shows, stilt walkers, antique cars, roving musicians and ATCO Gas's "He's Got the Pipes" centennial variety show. Local artists, including the Running Thunder Dancers, Gateway Quartet, Kayla Patrick, the Keister Family Fiddlers, the NEK Trio, Marie-JosƩe Ouimet Jazz Quartet will keep everyone entertained from the ATCO Centennial Stage throughout the afternoon.

                                  

Centennial Concert 7:00 p.m.

Sure to take the party up a notch or two, live on the ATCO Centennial Stage three of Alberta's best home-grown talents join the party!

 

Brett Kissel

Brett Kissel, a St. Paul native, is a country singer/songwriter who recently toured with George Canyon. Brett remains the youngest ever nominee for a Canadian Country Music Award, having been nominated for a Rising Star award in 2006.

 

Big Sugar

Big Sugar brings their explosive show to the Alberta Legislature Grounds with their larger-than-life-sized rock and reggae sound! Frontman and fellow Albertan Gordie Johnson returns to Edmonton following their 40-city nationwide tour in support of the latest cd Revolution Per Minute.

 

Paul Brandt

Calgary-born, internationally acclaimed country star and local favourite Paul Brandt will be the final act!  Paul recently headlined the Calgary Stampede and is the most awarded male Canadian country music artist in history.

 

A spectacular fireworks display launched from the Legislature grounds will be the evening's grand finale! This family-friendly, unlicensed concert will take place on the south lawn of the Legislature grounds.  Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating and parking is limited so transit is recommended.

          

The official centennial celebrations were launched June 18 with the unearthing of the 100-year-old time capsule from the cornerstone of the Alberta Legislature. More information on Party Under the Dome can be found atwww.assembly.ab.ca/100.

Lacombe Photography Competition

Lacombe Photography Competition

 

Date and Time:

Saturday, Sept 29  10:00 – 5:00

Sunday, Sept 30    10:00 – 4:00

 

Venue: Lacombe Memorial Center - Servus Credit

 

Cost:

Admission to show:        Free

Competition Entry Fee:  $10

 

Further Information / Registration:

Information:  Shirley Flinn 403-782-2967  e-mail: griffon@telus.net

 

Competition entry forms available at Judy's Frames Plus, Lacombe City Hall or from Shirley Flinn. 

 

Registration Deadline:  5:00 p.m., September 24, 2012

 

Photos must be delivered to the LMC (Servus Credit) on Saturday, September 29th, before 9:00 a.m., and will be released on Sunday, September 30th at 4:00 p.m.

 

Organized By: Lacombe Art Endowment Committee

 

Award Presentation:  Sunday, Sept 30, 3:00 p.m.

 

The competition will have the following age categories:

            1.         Youth (Age 17 and under)

            2.         Adult

 

Individuals may enter a total of 4 photographs in the show.  They can be in any of the following artistic categories:

1.  Beautiful Landscapes (Alberta urban or rural)

2.  Flora (plants and flowers) and Fauna (wildlife, pets or farm)

3.  Community (people at work or play / young or old)

4.  Creativity (digitally modified pictures)

 

Awards: Best in Show: $100 cash and Photo to hang in Maria's CafƩ at LMC

 

For each artistic category and each age category:

 

First Place:                Rosette and $25 cash

Second:                      Rosette and $20 cash

Third:                          Rosette and $15 cash

 

The judge of the competition will be Dwight Arthur(www.photek.ca) from Red Deer.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE)

Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (a.k.a. OFRE. Pronounced "offer")

Established in 2009, OFRE is a non-profit organization. Our project grew out of an interest in locally grown food, raising awareness about food security, and establishing urban, local connections with our food.

Vision: The Edmonton capital region is a place where all of the locally grown fruit is used productively to support the health and well-being of the community.

Mission: OFRE will mobilize volunteers to harvest, process, and preserve local fruit. OFRE will get the fruit in the hands, mouths, and minds of people in the Edmonton capital region by fostering community involvement and knowledge sharing.

Values: (SCALE)

Sharing – Distributing of excess fruit to maximize use and minimize waste.

Connecting – Connecting people together to build a strong diverse community.

Access – Allowing anyone, no matter of their income, access to fresh local fruit.

Local - Think local, act local, for sustainable independent solutions.

Education – Empowering people through teaching, learning, and understanding the benefits of locally grown food.

How can OFRE help home owners? Do you have a fruit tree that you don't have the time or the energy to harvest? Are there more berries than you can handle? Do you want to share your fruit tree with members of your community? If the answer is yes, OFRE can help! OFRE will send volunteer pickers to private residences to pick fruit upon request of the home owner.
 
 

Service Design: The Overlooked Part of User Experience

by on 08/02/12 at 3:32 pm

Walking through IKEA over the weekend with two young children was a healthy reminder of what contributes to an ideal customer experience: innovative product design and thoughtful service design. IKEA covers product design with innovative home furnishings that are cost effective. Providing this outstanding product experience is only made complete by wrapping an amazing service experience around it.
 
  1. Connecting website to store design
  2. Maps
  3. Bags
  4. Instore cafeteria
  5. Self checkout

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

FASD Learning Series 2012-2013

 
 
 
Please select all of the sessions you plan on attending. Please note that to receive your certificate of attendance, you will be required to sign in at the beginning of each session. Directions on how to do this will be e-mailed the day before the lecture.*

Evidence-based school-based intervention with students affected by FASD - September 26, 2012
Working with women who have addictions issues - October 24, 2012
Treating co-occuring FASD and conduct disorders in youth - November 28, 2012
Developments in FASD research - December 12, 2012
Restorative justice and its implications for community - January 18, 2013
Aboriginal communities and FASD - February 20, 2013
The Edmonton MILE: Pilot Project - March 20, 2013
 
 
 

http://www.mentormob.com

Creating and editing Learning Playlists is a free and easy process. Not only does it show the world what you know, but it opens your knowledge to people who share your skills so they can help you refine it by adding and editing your Learning Playlist. Each Learning Playlist can be rated, bringing the best ways to learn to the top of the charts.

Creating and editing Learning Playlists opens the door to being able to share your skills and get feedback from those who share your passion.

http://www.mentormob.com

http://www.mentormob.com/categories/browsePlaylists/academic

DC Public Library Participates in Free Summer Meals Program

Literacy isn't the only thing Washington, DC, public libraries offered kids this summer. They also served up some lunch.The DC Public Library is participating in the District's Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP). Eleven libraries will serve lunch from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays to children and teens 18 and younger.   Identification is not required.     The District's Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).

 
This year, 11 out of 25 branches participated in the DC Free Summer Meals Program, providing kids 11,550 boxed lunches that include carrots, sandwiches, and chocolate milk—all fully funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
 

Now in its second year, the public libraries decided to add special programming to the day's lunch— with the topic and activity individually handled by each branch, says Cooper.

Students who are eligible for free or reduced priced school lunches also qualified for the free summer meals —although any child could take part in all branch activities that took place during the 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. slot when lunch was served. While programs varied at each branch, they included reading hours, science programs—and even a chance to play Wii games while snacking on fruit cups.

Although numbers are still being tallied, Cooper says branches have reported seeing more kids since the program launched in 2011—whether that includes coming in early to read or staying after "to appreciate the air conditioning," she says.

Meals are delivered at about 7:30 a.m. at participating branches, says Cooper. And while most libraries don't open until 9:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. depending on the day, library staff must be present to accept deliveries of the boxed lunches. Refrigerators were also purchased with grant money to keep the meals fresh for lunch time.

This year, DC expanded the number of library lunch sites to 11 from seven.

"Just as teachers see kids who are hungry, so too, library staff noticed kids who were hungry," says Cooper. "We're thrilled to be able to feed their bodies as the same time as providing nourishment for their minds."

 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Report on successful community based efforts to recruit and retain





The research project is intended to identify and catalogue First Nations community based initiatives across Canada that target late-entry learners. The focus is on recruitment strategies that target First Nation persons and identifies post-secondary institutions that have been successful in assisting students make the transition to student life and culturally appropriate pedagogy. It will also determine the most effective retention strategies for First Nation clients.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Children’s services have evolved technologically over the last 15 years

The demand has grown for programs for babies and toddlers.  Registering for programs got a lot easier with online sign-ups on the library's website. Forewarned is forearmed, and alphabetical lists could be drawn up and participants' names checked off when the arrived. Email reminders help parents with busy schedules.   The summer reading program has also changed, with the schools, local bookshops and even banks also offering summer reading programs. Denman said the approach to the summer reading program at the library has been simplified. Local charities have benefited from reading contests. This year, children who read or are read to consistently receive raffle tickets with gift cards as the prizes.
 
Nonfiction today is also different, Denman said, with more eye-popping visuals in different formats that young readers enjoy. Also great for the reluctant reader, she said, are graphic novels written specifically for younger readers.

 
 

Saturday, August 11, 2012

CaƱon City School District starting year with new technology

"It also supports the future of learning and literacy for our students," she said. "It is so important to stay current -- libraries aren't just books anymore, technology is integrated and there is the important task to teach students how to utilize all the different resources out there in your library and on the Internet."

Literacy

The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills is a set of procedures and measures for assessing early literacy skills. DIBELS tests reading fluency, phonics development, alphabet recognition and sounds.

The district recently retired the handheld palm units for DIBELS testing that -- with a life expectancy of three years -- were used for seven years. The software wasn't supported anymore, so the district purchased an iPad for each grade in every elementary school. Each iPad cost $378.

"This is the early childhood effort that this district makes," Fry said.

The test administered in the fall sets the benchmark for each student's reading level. Students then are tested again around the middle of the year and at the end of the school year.
 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Alberta Artists! Upcoming AFA Individual Artists Project Grant Deadline!

Individual Artists Project Grant Program

The Individual Artists Project Grant program supports the development of individual Alberta artists, Traditional Aboriginal artists, arts administrators, and artist ensembles by providing a grant for a specific project.

Applications must be complete, as per stream guidelines and checklist requirements, and submitted on the most current application forms.

 

The AFA's latest deadline for applications for the AFA Individual Artists Project Grant program is September 1, 2012! Make sure you visit the AFA website and check out grant guidelines before getting your application together!

 http://www.affta.ab.ca/individual-project-grant-program.aspx

International Day of the World's Indigenous People, celebrated each year on 9 August

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People, celebrated each year on 9 August, marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

ndigenous Media
This year's commemoration is organized under the theme "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices" which encompasses the role of media in supporting indigenous peoples’ models of development that are in accordance with their own priorities, cultures and values. Moreover the theme highlights how the use of media by indigenous peoples, in its traditional and new media forms, enables them to promote their cultures and languages, to transmit their knowledge, and to represent their own views that often may differ from mainstream analyses.

The media are a key to unlock the visions of indigenous peoples of sustainable development. We must harness this power for sustainable development for all.

The power of the media in shaping the lives of individuals and communities is widely acknowledged. Communication and media are the keys to raising awareness, sharing knowledge and supporting a broader debate on indigenous knowledge, culture and values, all of which are conducive to more effective policies and actions.


Timeraiser

Organizations and Volunteers Connect at Timeraiser.


The 4th Edmonton Timeraiser is October 11th at the Transalta Arts Barns. Participants pledge to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours with the organizations they connect with at Timeraiser.Some will pledge more. Their hours become the currency that they can then use to bid on artwork in the silent auction. Successful auction bidders have 12 months to complete their volunteer pledge. When they do they bring the artwork home as a reminder of their goodwill.

Are you with or do you know of a non-profit organization that is seeking volunteers in Edmonton? Do you have skilled volunteer opportunities and are looking to make a match with young professionals in the city? We are looking for a mix of large, small, local and national organizations that are seeking skilled volunteers.

Timeraiser is part volunteer fair, part silent auction, and part night on the town. Throughout the evening, participants meet with organizations and explore the exciting, innovative and meaningful volunteer opportunities available to them.

The three main objectives of Timeraiser are to:
connect organizations to skilled and energstic volunteers

raise awareness about participating organizations in the community


bring together the arts and non-profit sectors to create community connections


The deadline for organizations to apply to participate is August 20, 2012. Organizations can apply online today. For more information, visit www.timeraiser.ca and please circulate this notice to your friends and colleagues in the non-profit community.

WordFest Hiring – Box Office Manager

WORDFEST — Box Office Manager

Job Description:

WordFest is seeking a Box Office Manager to manage in-house ticket sales and box office operations for a seasonal contract position starting in August. This position requires organization, flexibility, excellent communication skills and experience running box office operations.
 

Children's, Young Adult & International Titles Represent Fastest Growing Segments in Library & School eBook Catalogs

ELAND, OH -- (Marketwire) -- 08/08/12 -- OverDrive's industry-leading catalog of eBooks and audiobooks topped 1 million titles in July, with surging demand for eBooks and new publisher partnerships driving unprecedented growth. The fastest growing segments, Children's/Young Adult and International (including popular non-English content), signal exceptional expansion opportunities in library and school markets in the U.S. and overseas. Every day throughout OverDrive's growing network of 19,000 libraries, schools, retailers and device manufacturers (OEMs), millions of readers in 20 countries enjoy popular titles from bestselling authors on Kindle® (U.S. only), iPad®, Nook™, iPhone® and all major eReading devices.
 
OverDrive has recently reached eBook distribution agreements with a wide-ranging group of publishers and digital book aggregators, which join its industry-leading roster of more than 1,000 publishers in 52 languages, including Random House, HarperCollins, Pottermore, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Orca Books, Saddleback, Sourcebooks and Disney Digital Books. New publishers signed in 2012 include:

Holiday House: A favorite publisher for young people, offering popular titles to libraries.
Mango Languages: A fast-growing publisher of foreign language learning materials for libraries and schools.
Kids Can Press: Publishes Paulette Bourgeois' classic Franklin the Turtle in eBook formats.
Amicus Publishing: Offers creative learning materials for young readers, including popular nonfiction leveled eBooks like "Simple Machines" and "What's It Like To Be a Bee?".
Kodansha (Japan): Largest Japanese publisher offers thousands of popular titles via libraries and retailers.
Cloudary (China): Leading publisher of Chinese online literature brings growing catalog of serialized, user-generated eBooks to readers via libraries and retailers.
Santillana (Spain): Publishes Spanish translations of bestsellers like "Eat Pray Love" and the Twilight saga, as well as successful educational and children's titles. Available via retail only.
Mondadori (Italy): Leading publishing group operates trade publishers Edizioni Mondadori, Einaudi, Piemme, Sperling & Kupfer and Electa. Available via retail only.
MintRight (Russia): eBook aggregator distributes Cyrillic translations of international bestsellers like "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" as well as popular Russian authors like Vasily Aksenov. Available via libraries.

 

'Virtual library' offered to schools

Teachers returning to Nebraska classrooms this month will have a new tool they can use to create multimedia lessons for students, state officials said Wednesday.

Gov. Dave Heineman announced that the Nebraska Virtual Library system is now online and ready to use. The library offers more than 20,000 digital resources, including video, audio and interactive programs, free to students and teachers.

The site is part of a larger, statewide educational initiative announced last year. The Nebraska Virtual Partnership was formed to serve students from preschool through college, emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math.

The library contains resources from the Library of Congress, National Archives, PBS NewsHour, NOVA, American Experience, Electric Company and SciGirls.

"This is a significant step forward for the future of education in Nebraska," Heineman said. "The Virtual Library will provide Nebraska teachers and students with enhanced digital resources to enrich teaching and learning."
 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

Click on a funding opportunity to access the description and related forms

A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available here.

The Centre has made changes to the Grants program which allow us to better meet the need for policy-relevant research evidence by funding more grants with short timelines. These grants allow researchers to respond quickly and efficiently to policy-relevant research questions.

Research Grants
Seed Grants - Open Competition
Small Grants - Open Competition (LOI Required)
Training Grants
Doctoral Awards - Next Deadline in Spring 2013
Early Career Transition Award (formerly the Post-Doctoral Award) - Next Deadline in Spring 2013
Other Grants and Awards
Westbury Legacy Award - Next Deadline in Winter 2013
 
 

Next Up Leadership training for youth. It's free.

Wondering if Next Up is for you?

Do you wonder what the future holds for the world? Are you concerned about things like climate change, poverty, public health and education, housing and trade policy? Do you believe that global and local issues are connected? Do you feel that our economic system is focused on profit at the expense of people and the planet?

Do you believe that it is possible for us, as communities, to do things differently at home and abroad, to eradicate poverty, to deal with conflict peacefully, for everyone to have access to good public health and education services?

If you've answered yes to any or all of the above, then this program is for you.

You are:

  • Aged 18–32
  • Passionate about changing the way the world works, and committed to being active on the front lines of social change
  • Certain that there are better ways for us to take care of each other and the planet
  • Willing to take a risk, join a team, and learn more about yourself
  • Someone with leadership qualities (though leadership and activism experience are not necessarily required)
  • Available to commit time to the program between October – April

What level of commitment is required of me and when?

By joining Next Up you're committing yourself to an extraordinarily rigorous and exciting program. The programs run from October to April, and during that time you will:

  • Attend one evening session per week
  • Attend one day-long weekend session per month
  • Connect with community leaders during mutually convenient times
  • Explore and take action on an issue or topic of social change that you're passionate about

Can I apply if I'm in school or working?

Yes. The program was designed with an understanding that the people in it would have a life: work, school, family and many combinations thereof. That's why the sessions take place in the evenings and on weekends.

Where does the program take place?

Next Up BC takes place in Vancouver, BC.
Next Up Edmonton takes place in Edmonton, AB.
Next Up Calgary takes place in Calgary, AB.
Next Up Saskatchewan takes place in Saskatoon, SK.

How much does it cost?

It's free! The cost of the program for participants will be covered entirely by the program. You have to commit, time, energy, curiosity and a desire to change the world.
 
 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Celebrate Teen Read Week with an Art Contest for Teens!

Teen Art Contest
art contest1 News Bites: Celebrate Teen Read Week with an Art Contest for Teens!Create art based on literature: It Came from a Book!, a Teen Read Week art contest, is being launched by The Library as Incubator Project in partnership with Teen Librarian's Toolbox, The Real Fauxtographer, and EgmontUSA. Teens are encouraged to read any book and create an original piece of art in any medium—painting, drawing, photo, sculpture, manga, etc.—inspired by the story. Then, they must take a digital photo of the artwork and submit the photo (or file if it is digital) to trwartcontest2012@gmail.com by September 30. Make sure to read the instructions carefully. Librarians are urged to encourage their teen patrons to enter the contest and can download a poster that contains all the relevant information. Teens can submit their own artwork or librarians can do it for them.
During Teen Read Week—October 14-20, 2012—The Library as Incubator Project will host a digital art gallery of all the entries. Online voting at The Library as Incubator Project is open to the public and will determine the winner. One grand prize winner, to be announced on October 20th, will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, The Library as Incubator Project t-shirt, photograph prints from The Real Fauxtographer, signed copies of books (Crewel by Gennifer Albin, Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, and Divergent by Veronica Roth), and a package from EgmontUSA, including their Teens Top 10 nominated titles.
http://www.slj.com/2012/08/industry-news/news-bites-celebrate-teen-read-week-with-an-art-contest-for-teens/

Youth Skills Camp

Skills/CompƩtences Canada Leads Youth Delegation to China for the 2012 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Youth Skills Camp

OTTAWA, Aug. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Skills/CompƩtences Canada, a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, today announced that it will be leading a delegation of youth, representing skilled trade and technology students and apprentices, to participate in the APEC Youth Skills Camp in China. The purpose of the event is to promote vocational skills training and generate awareness for the importance of skilled trades to economies around the world.

Canada is a founding member of APEC, and its team for the Youth Skills Camp was chosen to represent competitors and past champions from WorldSkills and Skills Canada National Competitions (SCNC), and includes:

  • Michael Christensen, Medallion of Excellence Winner in mechanical engineering design - CAD, WorldSkills London 2011
  • Haley Lonsdale, 5th place winner in the skills category of Restaurant Service, SCNC 2010
  • Hilary Pelerine, gold medal winner in hairstyling, SCNC 2011
  • Adrian Schut, Medallion of Excellence winner in mobile robotics, WorldSkills London 2011

The APEC Youth Skills Camp runs from August 9-19, 2012 with visits to Beijing, Nanjing, Wuxi, and Shanghai. The Canadian group will join 100 students from other APEC economies including the United States, Mexico, China, Russia and Japan. The Camp will include a Youth Forum, field visits to vocational colleges, enterprises and public training facilities, skills demonstration among participants and cultural tours.

"Today's youth are tomorrow's workforce, so by investing in them we are helping contribute to Canada's long-term growth, competitiveness and overall prosperity," said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is helping Canadian youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to compete globally, now and in the future."

About Skills/CompƩtences Canada
Skills/CompƩtences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. Its unique position among private and public sector partners enables it to work toward securing Canada's future skilled labour needs while helping young people and aspiring apprentices discover rewarding careers. Skills/CompƩtences Canada offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trades awareness programs. Many programs highlight digital and essential skills, which are crucial qualifications in most careers of today. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Skills/CompƩtences Canada is the Canadian Member organization of WorldSkills International. For more information about Skills/CompƩtences Canada visit www.skillscanada.com, or call 877-754-5226.

SOURCE: SKILLS/COMPETENCES CANADA

 

GE Foundation

GE Foundation is the philanthropic organization of GE.

We provide grants and invest in initiatives that work to solve some of the world's most difficult problems. In coordination with our partners, we support U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights, disaster relief and community success around the globe.

We also support GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities through employee programs such as the GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program.
 

With strong foundations in math and science, U.S. students are better equipped to succeed and be more competitive.

For more than 50 years, GE Foundation has invested in education programs based on a fundamental premise: A quality education ushers in a lifetime of opportunity, which helps build a strong and diverse citizenry to work and live in an increasingly competitive world. In the United States, GE believes that through efforts to provide a quality education, we can help prepare young Americans — especially those in underserved urban districts — for careers in a global economy.

GE Foundation is addressing this education imperative by supporting high-impact initiatives that improve access to, and the equity and quality of, public education. The Developing Futures™ in Education program (which encompasses the GE College Bound Program) is one such endeavor, created to raise student achievement through improved math and science curricula and management capacity at the schools. The program has been expanded with a grant investment of over $200 million in seven targeted U.S. school districts.

About the Program

School districts use their grants to develop a rigorous, system-wide math and science curriculum and provide comprehensive professional development for their teachers. Through more hands-on instruction, students learn from teachers and GE Volunteers as they work together on special mathematics and science projects involving real-world challenges.

http://www.ge.com/foundation/developing_futures_in_education/index.jsp

 

Win a visit from Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey

How cool is this?

To celebrate the release of the newest Captain Underpants book, Scholastic is offering you the chance to have Dav Pilkey, author of Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers, visit your library!

Click here to enter today http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/SLJ/Info/CaptainUnderpants.csp - contest ends September 15!
 
 

Students to be recognized for summer reading

DANVILLE — Organizers of the Danville school district's Summer Reading Program will celebrate the reading efforts of more than 90 elementary school students at a special event on Tuesday.  

It is open to Danville schools' K-5 students and their families.

Guest reader and retired Superintendent David Fields will read a book to the audience. Then program coordinator Louis K. Morris will award prizes to the program participants in each grade level who earned the most Accelerated Reader points over the summer.   "This program was meant to encourage students to read and keep their minds active over the summer break and not be part of the summer slide," said Morris, the East Park Elementary School librarian.

Research shows that children have the potential to lose 2 to 3 months of reading progress that they made the year before if they don't read over the summer, Morris said.

This summer, 92 students participated in the program, which is 22 more than the previous year.

First-place winners will receive a $50 Walmart gift card, second-place winners will receive a $25 Walmart gift card and third-place winners will receive 10 free Danville Mass Transit bus rides.

Participants in the grade level that read the most book will receive a token for a Dairy Queen treat.

Morris also will present rewards to parents for their participation. Each time they brought their child to the library and read with them, they could enter their name into a jar.

Morris will draw six names at the event, and those people will receive a new book bag filled with school supplies.

"We really wanted to encourage parents to read with their children," he said of the incentive. He said that will show youngsters that reading is important.

Last year, 70 participants read 1,470 books over the summer, Morris said. He plans to offer the program again next year.
 

4 Woodford Girl Scouts collect 4,272 books

Four Girl Scouts and their mothers delivered 4,272 books to the school, where librarian Frances Gulley received them with tears in her eyes.

Collins joined Bailey Bird, 12, and sisters Katelyn Melcher, 10, and Emily Melcher, 13, in spearheading the collection in April. The girls went everywhere — schools, churches, book fairs — to place collection boxes and promote the cause.

It wasn't long before the book drive took on a life of its own, said Bailey's mother, Tonya.

"When the girls started out, they were talking about how many they wanted to collect, and we kind of came up with we would try for 500 to 1,000, and then people kept saying, 'We have more books for you to pick up,'" Tonya Bird said.

The project earned the girls a Silver Award from the Girl Scouts, the second-highest honor a Girl Scout can receive. She said she'd like to work with the school's family resource director, Heather Bryant, to coordinate future projects.
 
 
 
 

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Power Pack program for children

The Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank and the Cincinnati Public Library each want to expand child feeding programs throughout the city. Their proposals follow a Feeding America study that showed over 25 percent of children in Ohio suffer from hunger or food insecurity. Within Hamilton County, Ohio the child hunger rate is just above 21 percent.

The Freestore wants to expand its school year Power Pack program for children. The Power Pack contains 9-12 non-perishable food items like cereal, fruit cups and pasta. It is provided to children so they can have food at their home over weekends when they cannot access the federal school lunch and breakfast program. It's a way to ensure children do not suffer from hunger.


The Power Pack provides children food for weekends during the school year. (photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank)

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/freestore-public-library-seek-to-escalate/