Children's Services Meeting Minutes for August 2004

Date:  August 11, 2004  1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Location:  Belle Isle Library

Attendance:  LaVetta Dent, OUT; Carol Hunter, ED ; Carolyn Abernathy, SO; Cheryll Smith MC, ; Joan Shelton, CH; Alma Brown, WA; Janet Brooks, MS; Julie Mock, MS; Karen Lehr, ED; Lisa Wood, VI; Cheryl Coleman, RE; Kelley Riha, OUT; Jonita White,; Lucie Smith, JN,; Mary Mahan, NP; Dona Morrow, OUT; Barb Johnson, BI; and guest performers

Summer Reading Report – Dana, LaVetta
The library system showed an increase of 440 participants. Discussion: concerns of the medals; publicity of the drawings; need for drawings at libraries; confusion about the drawings and winners at the ballgame, and library presentation at the ballpark. Lisa Wood recommended that libraries have teen volunteers individually bag the medal and tickets together for ease of presenting the awards to the children. (Dana Morrow stressed our program would improve with better communications next year.)

Please send in the sign up cards to Outreach for research on the schools that participated.

Mike Miller, Planning Services, would like the survey boxes sent back to him. Some librarians received an e-mail asking for children/youth to evaluate the program.

Because of Donna Norvell’s illness and absence, others will be handling next year’s ODL Summer Reading Program. Next year’s theme will be “Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds.” MLS’s Teen theme will not be ODL’s theme; it will be “LOL” or “Laugh Out Loud.” Expect the Summer Reading notebooks with program ideas in October. A supplement of presenters will come in January. The artist will be Steven Kellogg. Materials will come from Upstart; and they hope to arrange direct delivery to each library. LaVetta will order 15% more than this years’ numbers.

Summer Programs Discussion
Lisa, VI, presented her favorite programs: 1) Coral Cashion the artist from last year. She performed drawing and pottery classes. The pottery class included a demo with forming post on the wheel, and hands on activities for participants. 2) Susan Phariss and her trained “Riley, the Wonder Dog” 3) Christine Pryor and her “Puppets Por Favor” are available year around. Her show is $175, but she will also perform a less expensive story time, or she can present a puppet workshop.

Alma, WA, discussed ventriloquist, Gary Owen; Kevin Mathey’s “Woodie Guthrie” program, and closing ceremonies.
Concerns for Costume Character, Spoticus: 1) Request a form and a system for ordering Spoticus actor/actress and costume; 2) Costume characters should perform for about 20 minutes because the costumes are so hot. Also, they need a worker to guide them. Spoticus is very appealing to children.

Writing Contest update – LaVetta
The writing contest is cancelled for this year, because of the publicity of opening of the new Downtown Library and the Book Passing Ceremony, etc.

Family Place -- Parent/Child Workshop planning – LaVetta
The next first-time Parent/Child Workshops will be BI and BE. Barb Johnson, BI, announced their session will be Monday evenings. Suggestions for promoting discussion with the guest professional: 1) introducing the professional with an explanation of their purpose to the participants. 2) clear instructions for the professional to talk to everyone. 3) Give participants suggested questions or topics that relate to the topic and professional for the week. These lists can be given as they sign up, at the workshops, or mailed to them. (Alma will e-mail her lists to everyone.)

Pediatrician, Dr. Conkling, was recommended for a professional for Parent/Child workshops or a separate prenatal workshop (“A Talk with a Pediatrician about Your New Born” at WA). Janet, MS, reported that more concept and board books will be ordered with grant money.

Coffee Talk—Kelley Riha
Librarians and Professionals are encouraged to come to the Thursday, August 26 meeting at the Downtown Library pre-function Room. The Friday date was cancelled because of a lack of professionals attending. Kelley encouraged everyone to come meet the professionals, and even book professionals for their upcoming workshops.

Kelley requested that everyone send new or suggested professionals, and explained the professional fees. If the professional is from the OKC-County Health Department, they cannot receive payment, because they perform community service. If the professional is from a private office, discuss a fee with them. When Kelley is asked by a professional if they will be paid, she states that it depends on the individual library’s budget, and that they might receive $50-$75.

“Let’s Talk About It” television program
Kelley Riha requested volunteers to be interviewed by her on Let’s Talk About it. For a few brief minutes present 3-4 books during the interview.

Fran Harbert—Resource sharing
Fran, DC, presented the history and “how-to” of her annual Doll and Stuffed Animal Parade with handouts. Sample awards were passed around.
Presenter Lauren Calloway – Buffalo Soldiers ---cancelled.

Other Topics and Handouts:

1. “Vision” handout for Encyclomedia, Sept. 26. Danyvetta needs requests by Sept. 3, 2004
2. “Stuffed Animals Bring Hope” Handout. Children’s librarians are wanted as volunteer screeners of stories written by storytellers for the memorial stuffed animals project of the National Storytelling Network. See handout for details.
3. Need for Sequoyah Committee volunteers. Janet is going off of YA, and Lisa is going off of childrens.

Presenter Michael Corley
Michael Corley presented, with two other performers, the new program, “Has been Heros,” a thirty-minute, action-adventure show with rock music. CDs or DVD available. Show price is $450, but there are price breaks for multiple shows. Outreach will check into the possibility of a Neighborhood Arts series next year.

Surprise card and gifts for LaVetta and Baby.