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Summer Reading- Libraries Rock 2018 YALSA Feature

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Summer Reading- Libraries Rock 2018 YALSA Feature

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It's summer learning time and if your library has chosen Libraries Rock as the theme, you'll probably host lip sync battles, rock

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Amber Sternitzke has read 12 books so far this summer.

The Minnesota State University student isn't checking them out from the library or borrowing them from friends, though. She's reading them from her virtual bookshelf, with the e-reader she purchased when school got out in the spring.

"It's so convenient," Sternitzke said, adding that the Barnes & Noble Nook she purchased has been a great investment. "I can carry it in my purse, and if I finish a book, I don't have to worry about lugging around another one."

Lightweight and durable, the slim device can hold an astounding 1,000-plus books, but it only takes up the space of one. With e-ink technology and no backlight, the screen is like a page of a book; it's easy on the eyes, and it can be read in bright sunlight without any glare.

E-readers have been tested at various colleges, and in the fall, universities around the country are set to incorporate Apple iPads into the classroom through pilot programs.

Right now, the number of textbooks available in electronic format is limited by the publisher's discretion and, for local college students, will vary depending on what books their professors choose for their curriculum.

MSU librarian Barb Bergman says the college library is starting to purchase e-books, although she says she is not sure when or how the university plans to make these available to students.

"It's an area that's developing and we will see where it goes," Bergman said. "But like all technologies, it's going to shift and change."

Holding a sleek screen and flipping the page with the press of a button or the swipe of a finger is a different reading experience than classic paperback, but it seems more and more people are picking up on the trend. Amazon recently announced that its e-book sales (for its e-reader, the Kindle) surpassed hardcover book sales.

Although paperback sales still reign supreme by a large margin, Amazon recently dropped the Kindle price from $259 to $189, making it more affordable for people to get in on the e-reader experience. With applications for phones and computers, e-books can be read from just about any electronic device, allowing you to mark pages, search the text and add notes.

Sternitzke had played around with her friend's Kindle before, but after browsing at Nooks in Barnes & Noble, says she prefers the bookstore's version because of its screen and functions.

The convenience may be an attracting point, but these devices offer something that keeps people wanting to read electronically and willing to spend the upfront costs: instant gratification. Using free 3G service or WiFi capabilities (depending on the model), Nooks and Kindles can deliver millions of books to the devices instantly. With e-readers and the simplicity of making the purchase online using just the device, there is no wait time and no book is ever out of stock.

"I'm not patient, so if I want something, I want it right now," said Reid Charpentier, the Mankato Barnes & Noble Bookstore manager. "The books are never out of stock. A lot of people come in here on Tuesday and look for a book for a paper that's due on Friday. But with a Nook, you don't even have to come in; you can just be in your pajamas at home, and you can get the book right away and do your thing."

MSU student and Apple campus representative Jordan Gilgenbach prefers the iPad's many available e-reader applications to the competitors of the full-color touch screen device.

"Essentially it's like getting three e-readers in one device," said Gligenbach of the $500 device that can act as an e-reader with the right applications. With the iPad, users have the ability to download the Amazon and Barnes & Noble applications, in addition to the Apple iBook app, making it easy to shop around for the largest selection and best deals.

Sternitzke has always been a summer reader, but says she finds herself reading more often than usual now that she has her Nook.

"I have found that I have read more of the older selections because you can download them for free, but I have bought quite a few as well," she said.

Right now, the 22-year-old is reading a few books, one of them "Of Mice and Men," a classic choice that she says she probably wouldn't have picked up off a shelf and purchased. But with her e-reader, Sternitzke can switch to "Crank," a modern memoir she's also reading, with just the touch of a button.

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E-readers surpassing hardcover book sales

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Amber Sternitzke has read 12 books so far this summer. The Minnesota State University student isn't checking them out from the library or borrowing them from friends, though. She's reading them from her virtual bookshelf, with the e-reader she purchased when school got out in the spring.

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For the next few months, area children interested in coding will be able to explore the topic through a course at the Martin County Library.

Coding is a subject that has grown in popularity over the last couple of years. It is little more than creating a set of instructions or "software" for a computer to understand in order to run programs. Librarian Amber Sternitzke explained how the Coding Academy will work.

"It's an introductory course," she said. "Kids can come here, and I built a small website that they can enroll in for free online. It has lessons and games and an hour of code activities, and then we'll talk about some of the vocabulary.

"It's almost individualized, because they can do it at their grade level. So even on the website they have activities that are for pre-readers, so they don't necessarily have to be able to read everything and a lot of it is video and game-based oriented and there are skill checks along the way."

Sternitzke has a brief history with coding and computer science, thanks to her own education.

"I went to Minnesota State University for educational leadership and one of my focuses was on digital citizenship, so I built a website and taught a few sessions through a high school organization called Upward Bound," she said. "So we focused on that, and then some computer science careers too."

When asked about funding, Sternitzke said the library received a grant from the Martin County Youth Foundation for 10 Chromebooks, which is why kids need to register for the course.

"Traverse Des Sioux offered a code.org training program at MSU so they brought in a trainer and anyone that was interested was able to take it for free," Sternitzke said. "So I took it and then approached [library director Jenny Trushenski] about filling out grant application to see if we could get the Chromebooks."

Sternitzke said the skill will be useful in the long run.

"There's a shortage of computer coders just because the shift in technology is evolving all the time," she noted. "There's a constant need for computer programmers.

The course is being offered once per month between February and April. Sternitzke said there are just 10 slots available. Those who sign up for the course are asked not to sign up again, so there will be an opportunity for other kids to take part. But showing up for the once-a-month class isn't the end of the training.

"Because I set them up with an account, they can take this and do it at home, it's something they can continue to do," Sternitzke said. "Hopefully in the fall we'll offer it again, but for right now it's February, March, and April. I might offer some teen and tween things this summer so that some of those who are involved in sports can come do it as well."

Those interested in the course can find out more by contacting the Martin County Library in Fairmont. The phone number is (507) 238-4207.

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For the next few months, area children interested in coding will be able to explore the topic through a course at the Martin County Library. Coding is a subject that has grown in popularity over the last couple of years.

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The MLA-CYP UnConference, held this year on March 29th, 2019 at Rochester Public Library in Rochester, Minnesota, is a day filled with learning about youth development, networking, and soaking in every ounce of inspiration and creative juices you can from other youth services librarians!

"Be the person you needed when you were younger." - Ayesha Siddiqi.

One of the key takeaways from this day of learning is that as youth workers, not only should we focus our efforts on programming but also advocating for their presence within the library! Youth should feel welcome and safe when they are at the library. Investing in services for teens is not only important for their development, but also for the future of the library! As youth workers we want to foster a love for the library while also encouraging teens to become invested library users- both today, tomorrow, and in the future!

It is important to offer programming that is relevant and of interest to youth and teenagers, but will also continually foster their growth and development. Including teens in creating their own space, services, resources and programs should be a priority. Teens will feel valued if they are part of the planning process.

The Unconference "brainstorming breakout sessions" offered a multitude of ideas to develop and promote intergenerational programming, creative teen programs, and supporting at-risk youth. Some of the creative ideas that were offered included:

Teen/Adult Craft programs such as Zentangles or Zen Gardens

Read-a-Latte Book Club- offering a space for discussion of all things books, music, movies, and books.. And of course, don't forget the coffee & snacks!

Unplugged Trivia

Create & Play- offering space and materials for youth to create what they want to create or supplying kits, STEM materials etc.

Establishing community partnerships with local businesses and hosting a Teen Job Fair!

Adulting 101 Classes

Mental Health Education Panel and offering Good Books for Tough Topics

As youth workers, we have the privilege to "be the person we needed when we were younger" by providing opportunities, and a safe space for teens to demonstrate their independence, stretch their thinking and offer creative learning experiences that will lead them through their journey of self-discovery and to start planning for their future!

Special thanks to Renee Grassi for planning such a great UnConference day and to our presenters MN Department of Education, Leah Larson, and Tasha Nins for sharing their knowledge of youth development and programming!

This blog post relates to ALSC Core Competency of Professionalism and Professional Development.
Today's guest blogger is Amber Sternitzke. Amber is the Children's & Young Adult Librarian at Martin County Library in Fairmont, MN. She has served with Minnesota Reading Corps and the Upward Bound Program. She loves Mountain Dew, llamas, photography, geocaching, Harry Potter, and reading outdoors!
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you'd like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.

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MLA-Children and Young People's UnConference - ALSC Blog

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The MLA-CYP UnConference, held this year on March 29th, 2019 at Rochester Public Library in Rochester, Minnesota, is a day filled with learning about youth development, networking, and soaking in every ounce of inspiration and creative juices you can from other youth services librarians! "Be the person you needed when you were younger."

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Enhanced Reader's Advisory Presentation for Camp Read-a-Lot

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Enhanced Reader's Advisory Presentation for Camp Read-a-Lot

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Read-a-Latte for Teens is an informal book club that meets monthly to discuss what they are reading/watching/listening to.