What do you want us to buy?

Are there things you'd like to check out of the library that we don't have?  Did you know that you can make specific suggestions about what materials we should add to our collection?

In order to keep our library growing, we are constantly purchasing new books, DVDs, video games, ebooks, and more.  We use all sorts of resources to decide which ones we should buy, but our best resource is YOU!  Of course, we can't guarantee that we'll be able to buy every single suggested item, but your input will definitely help us as we're deciding what purchases to make.

There are a couple different ways you can tell us what you'd like us to buy.  Here in the Children's Department, we have an ongoing list of patron suggestions at the reference desk, so you can just call or stop by.  You can also make suggestions online using our "Suggest A Purchase" form.  Either way, we are excited to find out what you're looking for!

iLearn Preschool: Using iPads to Develop Literacy Skills

That's right, we said iPads!

They're shiny and new, and they're loaded with tons of fun, developmentally appropriate apps for the 3-5 crowd.  We'll be hosting educational sessions for caregiver/child pairs to learn how to interact with iPads in ways that help develop your child's literacy skills.

In today's world, it's important for kids to develop the ability to learn through various mediums, including technology.  As children grow older, touchscreen technology can be used in similar ways to traditional books to develop learning through interactive play.  Reading and interacting with your child (with books OR technological devices) helps them develop a wide range of literacy skills, including language and cognitive skills.  Because kids are touching and "moving things" on the screen, they're also developing fine motor skills and learning in kinesthetic ways.  Our goal is to help parents and caregivers learn how to use technology in the best ways for their children and utilize iPads and other devices to their greatest educational potential.

Interested?  We'll be offering these programs twice a month.  In October, they'll be on Thursday, October 11 and Thursday, October 25, each at 10:15am.  The program is for children ages 3-5 with a caregiver, and adults and kids will work one-on-one, guided by a librarian.  Registration is required (starting 2 weeks before each date) and will probably fill up quickly, so stop in or call us at 617-972-6435!

Comic Books - They're Good For You!

Comic books have been around for a very long time.  Most parents who come in remember reading their own favorite comic books as a child, and a bunch of those characters and series are still around today!  And countless new comic books and graphic novels have come out at various reading levels.  Many of these new books have higher linguistic levels, represent multicultural viewpoints, cover important social topics, and provide opportunities for readers to develop multiple literacies simultaneously.

Occasionally, I hear of parents or teachers who don't want their child reading comic books.  Of course, every parent has the right to choose what they want their children reading, and the responsibility to keep an eye on their child's choices.  It's also important, though, to know that comic books and graphic novels provide special benefits that regular chapter books lack.

Motivation:
An incredibly important - and often overlooked - part of literacy is called print motivation, or the enjoyment of reading.  Kids who think reading is fun will do it more often and will naturally be better at it.  Comic books and graphic novels are especially great for reluctant readers.  They're FUN to read, and they often provide a foundation of enjoyment that will lead to reading other types of books.  Research has found that graphic novels are especially helpful in developing print motivation in boys.  Think of them as a gateway drug to expanded reading.

Reading Comprehension:
Many kids today can read aloud and sound out words, but struggle with reading comprehension.  When you ask them what they've just read, they can't remember.  Research has found that the way graphic novels incorporate words and pictures helps children (especially struggling readers) develop better reading comprehension.

English Language Learners:
The direct relation between words and pictures can be especially helpful for kids who are struggling with the English language.  For non-native English speakers, the colloquial qualities of comic books are also helpful.  Characters in graphic novels tend to use slang and common phrases that are very helpful for kids to learn authentic, everyday English.

Sound interesting?  Want to get your hands on some of these super helpful books?  You're in luck!  Here at the Watertown Free Public Library, we have TONS of graphic novels!  In the children's department, we keep them on the shelves across from the DVDs.  Stop in and check some out today!

Curious about the research I've referenced?  Below you'll find a very small smattering of articles that have been published on this topic.  Feel free to do your own research to find out more!

A Novel Approach: Using Graphic Novels to Attract Reluctant Readers, by Philip Crawford.  Published in Library Media Connection in February, 2004.

Media Literacy, Graphic Novels, and Social Issues, by Gretchen Schwarz.  Published in Studies in Media and Information Literacy Education in November, 2007.

Sequentially SmART--Using Graphic Novels Across the K-12 Curriculum, by Karen Gavigan.  Published in Teacher Librarian in June, 2012.  You can find the full text of this article in our Expanded Academic ASAP database, available in the Research area of our website.

Dive into fall fun at the library!

The school year's started, and that means that a bunch of great programs are starting up again here at the library!  We've got programs for kids of all ages!

STORY TIMES

On My Own Story Time - This program is for four- and five-year-olds to practice their school readiness skills in an independent environment where they are separated from their caregivers (don't worry parents, you're just outside the program room).  We'll share stories, songs, rhymes and crafts that are specifically designed to help kids get ready for school!  It's Mondays at 3:30pm, and requires registration.

Nursery Rhyme Time - Early literacy for our youngest kiddos!  We'll do stories, songs and rhymes for babies who are not walking yet with their caregivers.  The program ends with playtime, where we make developmentally appropriate toys available for babies to interact with each other.  Check it out on Tuesdays at 9:30 or 11:00am (shifted 1 hour earlier than during the summer).

Toddler Story Time - It's back!  During the summer we combined to Family Story Time, but in the school year we have divided up the toddlers and preschoolers so we can focus on developmentally appropriate activities.  This is for one- and two-year-olds who are walking and moving about.  We share stories, songs, rhymes and lots of movement activities.  It's in between Nursery Rhyme Time sessions on Tuesdays at 10:15am.

Preschool Story Time - These programs are designed for preschoolers and features stories, songs, rhymes and a craft for kids with growing attention spans.  Don't miss it on Fridays at 10:15am.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUNGER KIDS

Music Programs - At various times throughout the month, we bring in fantastic musicians to the library!  Music helps your child develop early literacy skills through their listening skills and phonological awareness.  And, of course, it's fun!  Musicians come in on a variety of days to accommodate all different schedules, and include Music with Lenka, town favorite Ed Morgan, and Tempo Time with Regina!  Check our online calendar of events or call 617-972-6435 to find out specific dates and times.

Craft Programs - Throughout the school year we have various craft programs for all ages, including little ones.  Crafts encourage artistic expression, and also develop small motor skills in the hands.  Again, check our online calendar of events or call to find out more.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR OLDER KIDS
Kids in elementary school aren't left out once school starts!  Each month we do a few things just for school-aged children.  As always, check our online calendar of events or call for specific information.  Here are a few programs we do often:

Dog B.O.N.E.S. - This reading program gives kids in grades K-5 the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading aloud to trained therapy dogs!  Check out a previous blog post or our most recent WFPL Newsletter to find out more about the benefits of this amazing program!

Craft Programs - Crafts for older kids are usually a little more sophisticated and allow for a little more creative expression.  Your child will love the feeling of accomplishment they get from creating their own piece of artwork!

And we are always coming up with new ideas for fun school-age programs.  For example, in September we're having a Pirate Party (September 19 at 3:30pm - call to register) and a performance of the Chinese Dulcimer Guzheng Youth Band (September 29 at 2:00pm)!

So as the school year starts gearing up, be sure to incorporate trips to the library into your schedule.  And as always, if you have any questions, just ask!

Be Ready for Back to School

It's almost that time again - school starts next week!  Ready or not, it's time to prepare for getting up early, doing homework, and diving into those after school activities.  We've got a few helpful tips to help you be ready for school!

• Gradually move towards waking up and going to bed earlier.  Over the summer, most kids stay up and sleep in a little (or a lot) later than they do during the school year.  If you wait until the night before the first day of school to go back to an earlier bedtime, kids will still be used to the later bedtime and won't be tired yet.  They may have trouble sleeping if the routine changes suddenly.  Likewise, waiting until the first day of school to get up early could leave your child groggy and grouchy.  Help them gradually adjust to the school routine rather than going "cold turkey."
• Clean out that backpack.  There's nothing worse than finding a stinky, moldy sandwich the night before school starts.  The earlier you clean out last year's backpack, the more time it'll be able to air out before the first day of school.
• Take advantage of back-to-school shopping deals.  We agree, those back-to-school ads start way too early!  Though you've probably been spending most of the summer tuning them out, now is the time to pay a little closer attention.  Also, some teachers send students lists of supplies they should have before school starts, so keep an eye out for teacher suggestions.
• Maintain an up-to-date family calendar.  Include after-school activities, sports, play dates, vacations,  family occasions, and even grown-up plans.  If everybody's activities are listed in one place, it's much easier to know where everyone is!  Though your smartphone may be a great resource, you're pretty much the only one with easy access to it, so keep this calendar in a visible place in the house where everyone has easy access to everybody's schedule.
• And of course, don't forget about those Summer Reading lists!  Before summer started, we worked with the Watertown Public Schools to develop suggested reading lists for kids entering preschool through grade 5.  There's still time to do some last minute reading from those lists!  You can check them out on our website, or come on in to the Children's Department where you'll find them conveniently all shelved together in the Summer Reading section.  And feel free to ask us for advice on other good books to round out summer vacation.

Looking for other tips and ideas?  Check out some of these resources:

• USA.gov - The official site of the U.S. Government has some helpful tips.
• NASP - The National Association of School Psychologists offers ideas to help your child be emotionally and psychologically ready for school to start.
• HealthyChildren.org - This site is put together by the American Academy of Pediatrics and great information about safety, bullying, and developing good study habits.

And remember, even though Summer Reading at the library is over, we'll start a whole array of programs for all ages in the fall!  Check out our online calendar of events to find out when all the fun will happen!

On My Own Story Time: It's almost time to sign up!

Attention parents of four- and five-year-olds!  Summer Reading may be over, but we're already preparing to dive right into our school year programming!  One of our favorite programs is On My Own Story Time.  This program is for kids ages four and five, and it's designed to help them learn school readiness skills.  Children will participate in fun, curriculum-based activities all centered around stories, songs and crafts.  They'll learn important literacy skills that will help them be ready to start school.

Additionally, unlike our regular PreSchool Story Time programs, children attend this program without their parents or caregivers.  (Don't worry grown-ups, you get to hang out just outside the program room.  You won't be far away!)  It's excellent practice for kids to separate from their grown-ups and to experience something much closer to an independent classroom experience.

On My Own Story Time goes for 4 weeks, and we do ask that kids try to attend all 4 sessions. The program requires registration, and registration begins on Monday, August 27.  You can register here at the library in-person, or you can call us at 617-972-6435.

This is a program you won't want to miss!

2900 Total Summer Reading Hours!!!

Well folks, today was the last day of Summer Reading.  Following an amazing program with the Museum of Science, we held our Wrap-Up Party.  Tons and tons of kids and parents came to find out how many total hours we read this summer, and whether or not we reached our ultimate goal of reading 2000 hours and donating a pig to Heifer International.

The kids were anxiously awaiting the final count announcement.

And GUESS WHAT?!!

YOU DID IT!

Together, the kids of Watertown read a total of 2900 hours this summer!  That's well over our goal, so we will ultimately be donating ducklings, geese, rabbits, AND a pig to help families in need around the world!  You should all be proud of your incredible reading achievement!

 To celebrate, we ate a delicious cake!

But kids, don't stop reading!  You can stop in at the library any time and pick up your reading log, which you can now take home with you.  You can keep reading and keep recording those hours and fill up your log on your own.  How many hours can you read before school starts?