November 2020: This page was created in March 2020 when the whole world was in lockdown due to the pandemic. It looks like we may be operating in different ways for sometime to come. Resources for continuing to cope with the pandemic and move programs online can be found here. Actual program ideas can be found on its primary targeted groups pages. Coming in 2021--Let's Celebrate--program ideas to celebrate fun national and international days with a focus on make & take and virtual options.
Online Professional Development Opportunities
ALA Recommends Libraries Leave the Wi-Fi On
Scam WarningsWARNING--Scammers are looking to take advantage of you! Some non .gov corona information websites will infect your computer with a virus--No one needs another virus right now!!! Visit the FTC on scams. Be advised that there has been reports in of people coming to your home pretending to be from the Red Cross and advertising they are authorized to do free home tests. This is NOT true! Do not allow them in your home and call your local authorities immediately.
Reaching your community virtually:*Do NOT forget to use the good old telephone to reach out to your patrons. Other methods: mail, local newspapers, e-newsletters, Local cable and radio stations.
*Create a hashtag for families to follow the virtual program offerings. Combating oppression and racism during the crisis: -See Teaching Tolerance for articles and resources. -A small collection of anti-oppressive, anti-racist home school curriculum ideas and resources Movement & Mindfulness: ALA Libraries and COVID 19: Managing Strategies and Stress Suggested Resources from Richard Moniz. The Mindful Librarian https://themindfullibrarian.org/ Charney, M. Contemplative studies LibGuide. UMass Amherst Libraries https://guides.library.umass.edu/contemplative 4-30 S Bryce Kozla Being Trauma Informed during a Pandemic - An Introduction for Library Staff webinar & resources PLA Webinar: Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19: Managing Stress and Anxiety Webinar Handout Resources for those facing grief and mortality by LJ Personal Rejuvenation for Public Innovators from Harwood Institute & Turning Outward Together weekly Facebook Live Series Taking Care of Your Mental Health - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Good’s Guide to Well-Being During Coronoavirus Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity Pressure That Discomfort You Are Feeling is Grief 
Family Engagement-Family Learning-Community DialogThinking ahead to next year, continuing to engage with the families in your community virtually, creating take and make programs and perhaps opening up to in-person programs–here are some resources to inspire you no matter what stage in the game you are at (including thinking about applying for a Summer Learning Grant next year).
Responding to COVID-19: Seven Practices to Guide Funding and Programming ~ Global Family Research Project. Family Creative Learning Facilitators Guide ~ Family Creative Learning How do you know what will engage your families? What do they need? Through Community Dialog. Ask yourself: 1) What audiences in my community are not making full use of library resources? 2) How does my library provide equitable and relevant programming for diverse audience segments? (Latinx, LGBTQ, Homeless populations, etc.) 3) Who in my community has the ear of the groups we wish to serve better? 4) Who are my go-to partners who could help plan and implement a Community Dialogue? StarNet webinar Community Dialogues to Support Equitable Programming, Access, and Action in YOUR Library Presentation Slides | YouTube Recording | Link Bank STEM in Libraries – Collaboration Opportunities ~ StarNet Are you a Guide on the Side or a Sage on the Stage. For more on being the Guide on the Side another great webinar from StarNet STEAM Learning in Public Libraries: A “Guide on the Side” Approach for Inclusive Learning Presentation Slides | YouTube Recording | Link Bank U.S. Department of Education Parent and Family Digital Learning GuideWASHINGTON – On October 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education released a new Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, a resource to help parents and guardians understand how digital tools can provide tailored learning opportunities, engage students with course materials, encourage creative expression, and enrich the educational experience.
“As technology continues to iterate and benefit every part of our lives, all students need more opportunities to leverage the potential of technology in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “We hope families can use the information we release today as many of them are relying on technology more so than ever before and are navigating learning from home.” Digital learning can help families and educators meet the specific needs of individual students, understand a child’s progress, and connect families and students with resources in their school community and beyond. As an increasing number of school systems implement digital learning both inside and outside of the traditional classroom, this guide demystifies digital learning for parents and empowers them to be effective advocates for high-quality digital learning. The Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide includes guidance and best practices for caregivers around topics including:
The guide can be viewed here. 
Online BookclubsHow to Host a Virtual Book Club: 7 Important Tips 10 Ways To Make A Book Club Fun And Not Intense Online Book Club for Girls Thrives During Pandemic 
FREE Digital classes for seniors--presented by seniors
PSS is pleased to announce its partnership with GetSetup, a nationwide peer-to peer, online learning platform providing digital classes on a wide range of topics - for seniors, presented by seniors. PSS’s goal is to dramatically increase the digital capacity of older adults, by improving their skills with their core devices and apps, so we’re focusing on tech-skills classes first, with others to come. All classes are FREE when you access: https://www.getsetup.io/partner/pss We encourage new users to take their New Member Orientation class (found on our landing page) to help you navigate the web site, select and participate in a class and get Customer Support. We look forward to assisting you in growing your digital skills! |
Reliable & Accurate Information About Covid19For reliable information and social media to share with your communities:
Wash Your Hands:
COMIC: A Kids' Guide To Coping With The Pandemic (And A Printable Zine) from NPR.org5 Tips for Embracing Outdoor Learning in Any SettingCopyright, Fair Use and Streaming Storytime
ALSC Virtual Storytime Services Guide *New Living Guide -5/2/20 Pausing to Talk About Copyright and Virtual Storytimes ALSC Blog -4/28/20 Virtual Programming and Patron Privacy from ALSC Children and Technology committee -4/2/20 Webjunction article Youth Programming Goes Virtual—Storytimes, Crafts, Teen Activities, and More with Tips for Making Video Content and Doing Storytimes Online Fair Use: -4/9/20 Reading Aloud: Fair Use document by Deb Baker-Library Director-Manchester Community College, Manchester NH -3/24/20 Programming Librarian article: Online Storytime & Coronavirus -Music Help for Streaming Storytimes! from the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy Copyright and streaming storytime considerations (from our youth librarian friends in Michigan) Developing and Promoting Online Services: -8 tips for teachers, librarians, and and small business. How to make videos during coronavirus -Microtraining: We’re Not Closed — We’re Live! by Novelist -National Endowment for the Arts: Resources to help ensure accessibility of your virtual events for people with disabilities. -Connecting Kids to Books While Your Building is Closed ALSC Blogger Abby Johnson -Virtual Storytimes: Filming Before, During and After COVID-19 Webinar and handouts from the Colorado State Library. Podcast for YOUR CommunityWe have been allowing people to sign into Zoom, stream on Facebook Live, or watch on their own time on Youtube. I believe this is a good option to engage people and educate them on various topics about the community that they live in! Here is our Podcast webpage: http://colebrookpubliclibrary.weebly.com/colebrookpublicpodcast.html
~ Elise Fuller, Colebrook Public Library, Colebrook NH LOOKING FOR VIRTUAL STORYTIME INSPIRATION
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| gpl-takeout-menu-2020.pdf |
Looking for free or discounted books to give away in outreach:
| sources_of_discounted_or_free_books.pdf |