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27th Annual Reading Round-Up of Children’s and Young Adult (YA) Literature Augusta Civic Center, Thursday, April 7, 2016

Agenda

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

8:15 - 8:30 - Welcome

8:30 - 9:30 - Keynote: Gary Schmidt “They Should Have Just Hung Him: Writing for Young Readers in a Diverse and Complex World”
Award-winning children’s and YA author Gary Schmidt looks at the role of a writer for young readers in a culture that is now so complex. He’ll discuss the challenge of addressing tough issues with honesty and sensitivity in these highly charged modern times. Gary Schmidt is an award winning author of nine books for children, including The Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy.

9:30 - 9:45 - Break

9:45 - 10:45 - Workshop Session 1

Author Panel: Diversity is Reality (All ages) ~ Panelists: Dana Alison Levy, Susan Ross, and Padma Venkatraman
Meet a panel of authors who include realistic portrayals of diverse characters in their work. They’ll discuss why they choose to write about multicultural characters and interactions and what responses they have received from readers. Attendees will benefit from hearing first-hand about the impact of diverse literature for young people. Come with questions!
- Newburyport, MA-based author Dana Alison Levy wrote the popular book The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher. Her new book about the Fletchers will be out in May!
- Author Susan Ross, formerly of Lewiston, ME, will be talking about her book Kiki and Jacques, a chapter book about Somali immigrants in Lewiston.
- Massachusetts author Padma Venkatraman writes novels for older children and teens. Her first book, Climbing the Stairs, was shortlisted for the Maine Student Book Award, and she has written a number of award-winning books since then.
White Like Me: Evaluating and Building Diverse Collections in the Whitest State in the Union (All ages) ~ Vicky Smith, Children’s and Teen Editor, Kirkus Reviews
Where does diversity fit in when we’ve been taught to build collections that reflect our communities, and those communities are overwhelmingly white? How do we know what is a “good” diverse book when we do not belong to the culture being depicted? What can the individual librarian do? Vicky Smith, former children’s librarian at McArthur Public Library and current editor of the children’s section of Kirkus Reviews, will address these questions in a session that encourages participants to recognize both their assumptions and the assumptions of those writing the reviews that form the basis of their purchasing decisions.
Welcoming to All: Sensory Storytimes for Children with Autism (Pre K-Adult) ~ Ashley Waring, Children’s Librarian, Reading Public Library, Reading, MA
Learn how to develop programs for children on the autism spectrum. Ashley will give a brief overview of autism as well as tips and techniques that would make any library program more successful for and inclusive of people with autism. Ashley will share sensory storytime ideas and materials that have been successful with her young patrons.
Linking Making and Literacy (Grades K-5) ~ Jennifer Stanbro and Megan Blakemore, Library Information Integrators, South Portland Schools
“Making” is a major trend in libraries, but how can we link making to books and reading? In this workshop, participants will learn about successful programming that encourages students to build and create based on fiction and nonfiction shared in the library. Jen and Megan will show you how to engage diverse learners and help them get more out of reading.
The iGeneration: Get Ready for a New Kind of Library Patron (Pre K-12) ~ Jennifer Lance, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, South Paris
With the arrival of the Internet, social media, and mobile devices, we’re seeing vast changes in the ways students take in information and learn. In this workshop, we’ll examine the key characteristics that define the “iGeneration,” aged 3 to19, and how they impact teaching methods and library services.
Breaking Down the Barriers: Forming School/Public Library Partnerships (Grades K-12) ~Deanna Gouzie McNamara, Children’s Librarian, McArthur Public Library, Biddeford
Form a school/public library partnership that will last! It’s more than just a book club. Re-think the possibilities and develop a productive relationship that works for both organizations. This workshop will discuss some tried and true methods as well as some not-so-traditional ways for schools and libraries to work together. Hear how the McArthur Public Library has partnered creatively with local schools to write grants, host programs and bring authors to our community.

10:45 - 11:15 - Book Sales, Author Signings, Vendors, Exhibits, YSS meeting

11:15 - 12:15 - Workshop Session 2

Some Incredibly Important Books You May Never Have Heard Of (All ages) ~ Gary Schmidt, Author and Professor, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
In many ways, the history of children's books points toward ways in which this field has always seen books for young readers as a vehicle for grappling with cultural questions. Looking at American children's books from 1930 through 1960, we'll explore the ways this field dealt with the social issues of mid-century, and compare them to contemporary children’s literature.
Cream of the Crop List for Younger Readers (Pre K-5) ~ Kathy George, Gray Public Library; Jill O’Connor, North Yarmouth Academy; Cathy Potter, Falmouth Elementary School
Members of the COC Committee will highlight selected titles from the 2016 Cream of the Crop List to help teachers and librarians facilitate deeper connections for students in their reading. COC members will model activities such as book talks, displays, and other creative activities to bring out major book themes.
Dragons in the Stacks: Role Playing Games in Libraries (Ages 12+) ~ Cason Snow, Metadata Librarian/ Cataloger, University of Maine
You don’t have to be tech-savvy or a video game lover to host programs teens will love. This program will introduce online role playing games, explain why RPGs are so effective at holding teenagers' attention, identify their specific benefits, outline how to select and maintain an RPG collection, and demonstrate how they can enhance teen services and be used in teen programs.
Bienvenidos � Welcome to our Library! (All ages) ~ Amanda Goston, Director, Milbridge Public Library; Juana Rodriguez, Mano en Mano/Hand in Hand Program Asst.; Bonnie Blagojevic, Morningtown Consulting
The Milbridge Public Library has been working to connect with families in the community who speak Spanish at home. You’ll hear from the library director, a community member who became a program assistant, and a local consultant who have all worked together to help Spanish-speaking residents learn and enjoy what the library has to offer. Challenges, solutions and resources will be shared on facilitating collaboration with multicultural community groups to improve their members’ access to library resources and programming.
Diversity at Its Best: Story Hour and Book Talk Favorites (All ages) ~ Amy Hand, Camden Public Library
Not all libraries in Maine see a lot of multicultural diversity. However, they deal with diversity and acceptance daily; from economic diversity to different family dynamics to kids trying to find a place to fit in among peers. This presentation will feature some favorite books Amy uses with kids and families to help them manage personal issues and promote acceptance of an increasingly diverse world.
Traveling the World through Story: Using award-winning Global Narratives in Libraries and Classrooms (Grades K-12) ~ Padma Venkatraman, award-winning author from Rhode Island
Use story to captivate readers while helping them enhance their reading, writing, research, and discussion skills. Ready-to-go exercises, lesson plan suggestions (cross-referenced with Common Core Standards), hands-on activities, and discussion guides related to Padmas’ novels, Climbing the Stairs, Island’s End, and A Time to Dance will be shared.

12:15 - 1:00 - Luncheon ~ choose one from the list below and include the number that corresponds with your choice in the “additional information” field on the registration form.

Caprese Focaccia Sandwich- Fresh mozzarella, slow roasted tomatoes, whole leaf basil, arugula and a creamy pesto spread on a fresh focaccia roll. (vegetarian)
California Club Sandwich- Oven roasted chicken breast, crisp bacon, avocado, bleu cheese and scallion spread, lettuce and tomato on a hearty bread.
Robust Italian Sandwich- Ham, salami, and hot capicola thinly sliced with provolone and swiss, lettuce and tomato, red onion, Kalamata olives, banana peppers, oregano, red wine vinegar, olive oil on a hearty baguette roll.
Chicken Cobb Salad- Oven roasted chicken breast, crisp bacon, avocado, bleu cheese crumbles, cherry tomatoes, scallions and hard boiled eggs on crisp greens. (gluten-free)
Greek Salad- Romaine lettuce, ripe roma tomato, feta, red onion, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and Greek dressing. (gluten-free)
Mediterranean Tortellini Salad- cheese filled pasta, red onions, artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, cherry tomato halves in a sun dried tomato vinaigrette served on a bed of greens. (vegan)
No lunch needed.

1:00 - 1:45 - Awards – Lupine, Katahdin, Chickadee, MSBA

1:45 - 2:15 - Book Sales, Author Signings, Vendors, Exhibits

2:15 - 3:15 - Workshop Session 3

Cream of the Crop List for Older Readers (Grades 6-12) ~ Brooke Faulkner, McArthur Public Library, Biddeford; Cidney Mayes, Memorial Middle School, South Portland; Deidre Walsh, Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library, Sanford
Members of the COC Committee will highlight selected titles from the 2016 Cream of the Crop List to help teachers and librarians facilitate deeper connections for students in their reading. COC members will model activities such as book talks, displays, and other creative activities to bring out major book themes.
Serving Homeschooling Families (All ages) ~ Jessica Rollerson, Witherle Memorial Library, Castine and Billie Lou Damon, Paris Public Library
Do homeschooling families want something different than public schooling families? Often the answer is YES! Learn what’s unique about these families as well as trends and preferences in subject matter and teaching approach, including an example of a multi-aged project-based learning library program (Geo-Kids). Join us for an informal discussion about this growing service area.
STEM on a Shoestring (Ages 7-14) ~ Will Brown, Director of Youth Services,Falmouth Public Library
STEM activities don’t have to break your budget! Join Will as he shares a variety of STEM activities for those with little to no programming funds. You will learn about different types of quick and easy STEM activities for kids that are fun, stimulating, and affordable!
LGBTQ Youth in School and Public Libraries: Meeting Them Where They’re At (Ages 12+) ~ Elizabeth Gartley, Library Information Integrator, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland; Harper Chance, Library Technical Asst., Portland Public Library; Emily Rasely, Library Technical Asst., Portland Public Library
Join public and school library staff as they discuss the particular needs of LGBTQ youth and the ways in which libraries can support this underserved and at-risk population through programming and resources. You will learn how to create and facilitate safe spaces for teens of all genders and sexualities, how to incorporate LGBTQ materials into programming already taking place and why this representation is critical even if no one shows up. There will also be time set aside for attendees to share their experiences and concerns in serving this diverse population.
The MARVEL! of NoveList K-8+ (Ages 5-13) ~ Mamie Anthoine Ney, Director, Auburn Public Library
NoveList K- 8+ is one of the best readers advisory sources for students, teachers, parents and librarians, and it’s free as part of the MARVEL! databases. This helpful resource provides a wealth of information that can connect readers with just the right book. The database is curated by book and technical experts who offer a wide range of functions that make using the database easy and fun. NoveList K-8+, covering both fiction and non-fiction,provides great access to reading lists, reviews, appeal factors, award winners, Common Core resources, read-alikes, series information, suggested age ranges and more. It’s a great tool that can be a real time saver.
Poster and Networking Session for Public Libraries ~ Facilitated by Patti Francis, Pownal Elementary School
Join colleagues for a session dedicated to networking and sharing program ideas, professional development experiences, and resource discoveries in an informal open house atmosphere. You’ll be able to view poster exhibits and speak with their creators as well as catch up with happenings at other public libraries.

3:15 - 4:00 - Performers Showcase

4:00 - Adjourn

Conference Committee

Kelley Blue, Portland Public Library; Deborah Clark, Maine State Library; Debora Cleveland, Auburn Public Library; Deanna Contrino, St. Brigid School, Portland; Danielle Fortin, Lewiston Public Library; Patti Francis, Pownal Elementary School; Dorothy Hall-Riddle, Greely Middle School; Cathi Howell, Lincoln Academy, Newcastle; Shannon Schinagl, Maine State Library

Special Thanks
Elaine Bissonnette, Alan Fecteau, Adam Fisher, Jared Leadbetter, Cheryl Ramsay, Jim Roy, and David Warren from the Maine State Library.