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29th Annual Reading Round Up Conference

Conference Details

When: Thursday, April 26, 2018
Where: Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330
Theme: Maine Perspectives: What's Your Story?
Cost: $75.00 (Invoice)

2018 AGENDA

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7:45 - 8:15 | Registration, Book Sales, Vendors, Exhibits

8:15 - 8:30 | Welcome: Stephanie Schott, RRU Committee Chair

2018 RRU Keytnote:
Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald

8:30 - 9:30 | Keynote: "From Heart to Heart:The Power of Story,” Dr. Maragret Read MacDonald
Sharing oral tales is a4,000-year-old tradition that still speaks to the human nature in all of us. These tales are important for both children and adults. Dr. MacDonald is a storyteller and author of over 60 books. MacDonald is truly a triple threat with a Ph.D. in Folklore (Indiana University), Master of Educational Communications (University of Hawaii), and Master of Library Science (University of Washington).

9:45 - 10:45 | Workshop Session 1

The Diverse BookFinder | Pre-K-Grade 3
Dr. Krista Aronson, Bates College; Anne Sibley O’Brien, author/illustrator
The Diverse BookFinder is a circulating collection of multicultural picture books (published since 2002) and an online searchable database and set of tools. This workshop will focus on the unique features of this as well as covering practical techniques for identifying and using racially and culturally diverse titles.
“Awkward” Conversations: Using YA Lit to Engage Teens in Conversations About Sex, Consent, and Healthy Relationships | Grades 6-12
Megan Blakemore, author/librarian, South Portland Schools; Maria Padian, author; Shane Diamond, Speak About It, Inc.; Davonne Pappas, librarian, Mt Desert Island HS
Platonic, romantic, sexual, casual relationships… adolescents think of little else. As educators, how do we provide guidance for them during this consequential, subtle, wonderful, and potentially treacherous time? Our panel will share strategies for using YA novels and dynamic, youth-friendly programming to facilitate discussions.
Cream of the Crop List for Younger Readers | Pre K-Grade 5
Kathy George, Gray Public Library; Melissa Madigan, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth; Jill O’Connor, Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick
Join us as we highlight some of the best books from 2017 for young readers culled from the Southern Maine Book Review Group. We will offer ways to use them in your library classes, story times, and programs.
Inspiring Students to Tell Their Story through Author Visits | Grades K-12
Tamra Wight, author/Ed Tech, Whittier MS; Shannon Shanning, Poland Regional & Whittier MS; Julie Purdy, Whittier MS & HS; Lynn Plourde, author; Suzanne Dix, Auburn Middle School; Lori Patterson, James F. Doughty School
Bringing an author or illustrator into your classroom or school is one of the best way to inspire students to write and share their stories. Our panel will discuss the ins and outs of hosting a successful visit: all school-one book reads, family literacy nights, Twitter chats, and classroom Skype visits.
Graphic Novels & Manga: The Unique Voice of Visual Storytelling | Grades 9-12
Caitlin Johnson, Winslow HS; Crystal Shamas-Douglas, Erskine Academy
Graphic novels and manga series are not just for struggling readers and comic book fans but also for readers in search of a wide range of storytelling styles and artistry. This book talk will present an array of graphic novels and manga to demonstrate this diversity of voice.

10:45 - 11:15 | Book Sales, Vendors, Exhibits / Author Signings (Auditorium)

11:15 - 12:15 | Workshop Session 2

Teaching with Story: Classroom Connections to Storytelling | Grades K-4
Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald
Margaret Read MacDonald,co-author of TEACHING WITH STORY,will teach you to tell several short, audience-participation folktales and discuss ways to connect these to the classroom curriculum or library programming. A hands-on workshop. You leave ready to tell!
Podcasts & Podcasting in the Classroom | Grades 4-12
Jon Graham, Technology Coach, RSU 4; Serena Sanborn, WatervilleCreates!, Education + Outreach Coordinator
Explore podcasts as a rich information source, as well as learn the basics of podcasting. A well-produced podcast can be the basis of a lesson, a way to introduce a topic, or enrichment. Podcasting in the classroom has its own advantages and challenges – one that everyone should be open to exploring and utilizing.
Cream of the Crop for Older Readers | Grades 6-12
Cidney Mayes, Memorial School, South Portland; Kristin Taylor, Biddeford HS; Elizabeth Andersen, Westbrook HS; Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School
Join us as we highlight some of the best books from 2017 for tweens and teens culled from the Southern Maine Book Review Group. We will offer ways to use them in your class, curriculum, book displays, and programs.
Creating LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces in School and Public Libraries | Grades K-12
Susanne MacArthur, GLSEN Southern Maine; Michelle Wyler, Sumner HS; Elizabeth Rowell, Rhode Island College (ret.)
School and public libraries can be safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ patrons and their allies. This workshop will provide background information about LGBTQ students' needs and concerns in grades K-12 as well as sharing ideas about books featuring diversity and LGBTQ voices/characters.
Sensory Sensitive Storytime at your Library! | Ages 3-5
Kate Radke & Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library
Walker Memorial Library has a grant to provide sensory sensitive storytimes specific to kids with sensory processing issues, autism, etc. Learn from our successes and failures as we share how to set up and run your own sensory storytimes and/or make changes to help those with sensory processing issues.

12:15 - 12:45 | Luncheon (Auditorium)

12:45 - 1:30 | Award Announcements for Lupine, Katahdin, Chickadee, MSBA (Auditorium)

1:30 - 2:00 | Book Sales, Vendors, Exhibits / Author Signings (Auditorium)

2:00 - 3:00 | Workshop Session 3

Read all about it! The Value of Informational Texts for Young Children | Birth-Grade 3
Dr. Susan Bennett-Armistead, University of Maine
Young children are constantly seeking information about their world. Informational texts for our very youngest children can look different from what we might select for older children. This session will explore quality informational texts and offer strategies for its use by families.
Sharing Books by Kids: The Power of Youth Publishing | Grades K-12
Molly McGrath, Telling Room; various Maine youth authors
THE TELLING ROOM will take you through the making of a youth-authored book--from the spark of an idea, to the bloom of a story, to publication--and then show you the magic of what happens when you share these books with young readers and writers.
Novels in Verse: New Opportunities | Grades 9-12
Crystal Shamas-Douglas, Erskine Academy; Sylvia Jadczak, Messalonskee HS
Want quick reads that engage busy, reluctant readers? This combination discussion/book talk will highlight novels in verse – an often underutilized, accessible format that will win over all kinds of readers. Curriculum connections for some titles will be shared.
Tell Your Story: Don’t Keep Your Awesomeness to Yourself! | All Ages
Iris Eichenlaub, Camden Hills Regional HS
You’re doing incredible things, but how do people know about it? Learn how to communicate the story of what you are doing with the people who need to hear about it! Spoiler alert, that’s EVERYONE. You’ll leave this workshop with new inspiration for HOW to reach out, WHO to reach out to, and WHY this matters.
New Arrival Literature & "The Welcoming Library" | Pre-K-Grade 3
Kate Cutko, Bowdoinham Public Library; Kirsten Cappy, Curious City
The “I’m Your Neighbor Books Welcoming Library” is a traveling collection of 25 picture books which feature the immigrant, refugee or “new arrival” experience. The collection, its portable shelving and the accompanying resource materials provide a school or library with ready-to-go programming and teaching opportunities. Discover how you can create a community of welcoming by hosting and engaging with this collection.

3:00 - 3:15 | Break (snacks in Auditorium)

3:15 - 4:15 | Workshop Session 4

Who's Afraid of Toddlers? | Birth-Age 3
Rachel Davis, Thomas Memorial Library
Do you dread story times with toddlers? Do you have so many toddlers you feel you can't have an effective story time? Do you feel like you are trying to manage chaos? Then this workshop is for you. Learn simple, easy-to-implement strategies to help you love and look forward to your toddler story times!
Rip Off & Duplicate: Teen Services | Grades 6-12
Melissa West, Kennebunk Free Library
A fast-paced networking R&D session for sharing ideas about successful programs, services, and resources. This is your chance to share successes and ask questions about best practices for serving and empowering teens.
Rip Off & Duplicate: Advocacy | All ages
Samantha Cote, Winslow Public Library; Danielle Fortin, Lewiston Public Library
A fast-paced networking R&D session for sharing ideas about successful advocacy, marketing resources, and public relations. Bring a handout, share your library’s community campaign – anything goes!
Engaging Readers Using the Maine Student Book Award List | Grades 4-8
Diana Marc-Aurele, Bowdoinham Community School; Laura Phelps, Phippsburg Elementary School; Michelle DeBlois, Captain Albert Stevens School; Gigi McAllister, Great Falls Elementary; Jenny Stahl, Glenburn School; Julie Williams, Willard School
The MSBA program aims to expand literary horizons of students in grades 4-8 by encouraging them to read, evaluate, and enjoy a selection of new books before voting for a statewide favorite. Members of the MSBA Committee will share ways in which they use these books to promote reading and engage readers.
Voices of the Kennebec - Partnering to Celebrate Local and Literary History | Grades 4-12
Dawn Thistle, Gardiner Public Library; Debra Butterfield, Gardiner Area MS & HS; David Lessard, Gardiner Area HS
Hear how Gardiner Public Library and MSAD #11 teachers wound up creating new ways to collaborate and inspire young learners. From local author talks, writing workshops, and explorations of local history materials to developing new units for middle school library classes and designing a new high school elective course, their joint efforts are bringing collections and content to students (and vice versa).

4:15 | Adjourn

Conference Committee

Danielle Fortin, Lewiston Public Library | Amy Hand, Camden Public Library | Deborah Ladd, McArthur Public Library | Molly Ladd, South Portland Public Library | Regan Parker, SAD 6 – Bonny Eagle School District | Stephanie Schott, Maine State Library | Donna Wallace, Auburn Public Library

Special Thanks to Maine State Library staff
Elaine Bissonnette, Kimberly Clark, Adam Fisher, Cheryl Ramsay, and Jim Roy