Bits and Pieces

I received several bits in pieces in my email account today that are very much worth sharing. 

From ALA Editions, I was reminded of Vanessa Irwin Morris’ new book The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Street Literature. 

Street lit, also known as urban fiction, addresses with unflinching grit the concerns and problems of city living. Controversial in some quarters, it is also wildly popular, and this readers’ advisory by street lit expert Morris

  • Sketches out the rich history of the genre, showing why it appeals so strongly to readers and providing a quick way for street lit novices to get up to speed
  • Covers a variety of subgenres in terms of scope, popularity, style, major authors and works, and suggestions for readers’ advisory
  • Helps improve library customer service by strengthening the relationship between staff and any street lit fans who are new to the library

Emphasizing an appreciation for street lit as a way to promote reading and library use, Morris’s book helps library staff provide knowledgeable guidance.

A free ebook is available for School Librarians/Media Specialists entitled  School Libraries: What’s Now, What’s Next, What’s Yet to Come.   Fifty authors have submitted articles that reflect on what school libraries are doing in the present and new directions they’ll be taking in the future. While there is much to read in this publication, I’m most interested in the section on reading as one of my goals for this year is to research ways to use the library to improve students’ reading literacy.

The ebook is available for free download in three formats:

– PDF for those who want to read it on a desktop/laptop – .mobi for those who want to read it on Kindle software or a Kindle device – .epub for those who would like to read it on Adobe Digital Editions software, iBooks, Sony Reader, the Bluefire Reader app, Nook, and most other eReaders.

While you can find the eBook on Smashwords now; in about 2-6 weeks, Smashwords will send it out to the major eBookstores (including Apple’s iBookstore, Barnes and Noble, Sony Bookstore, and others, although Amazon is in negotiations) for free distribution.   http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96705    (Thanks IBLN for this information!)

If your looking for a new and different fund raiser for your library (or any group for that matter) you might consider contacting your local Barnes and Nobles for gift wrapping opportunities. Each year, Barnes & Noble offers not-for-profit organizations the opportunity to provide gift-wrapping services to our customers for donations.  Barnes & Noble provides the customer, location and wrapping supplies.  All your organization needs are volunteers and a donation jar.

If you’re in Indiana, you need to know about Super Learning in a Super State, pre-packed SuperBowl learning materials include lesson plans for grades K-12 promoting literacy, health and fitness, environmental awareness, community service and character education.

Looking for grants?

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Seventy-five organizations will receive grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to participate in The Big Read from September 2012 through June 2013.

The U.S. Soccer Association provides grants supporting youth soccer leagues in low-income urban communities.  Funding can be used for playing equipment, field surfacing, lighting and irrigation.
Grant range:  $50,000 – $200,000.     Deadline:  November 18, 2011.

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