February
2016

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Important Dates

February 29 is the deadline for the this round of Professional Development Grants.  More info here.

Annual Report due to District March 1, 2016. 

PA Forward and Summer Reading, Friday, March 11, 10AM to 3PM. Registration form here. Register by Friday, March 4. (4CEs)

Play K, Tuesday, March 22, James V Brown Library (see information below) 

District Advisory Council Meeting, Wednesday, March 23, 2016, 10AM at Annie Halenbake Ross Library, Lock Haven.

Annual reports due to state, April 1, 2016. 

Save the date!!! Wednesday, April 20, 2016. We're planning a continuing education opportunity for directors and staff that you won't want to miss. Watch for more information soon.

Grocery Shopping Playscape is one of 6 sets available
Play K Program Training
Tuesday, March 22, 10AM to 3PM  James V Brown Library, Lunch provided.

What is Play K? 
It is a program developed by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries to assist libraries in providing quality early learning experiences.  . It is part of the Cruise into Kindergarten initiative.  It is designed to allow families with young children the chance to play and learn the skills children need to be successful in school.  Parents and other family members want the best for their children and the library will be the place they come play, learn and explore.  We are especially interested in reaching children not in a formal PreK program. 
 
The workshop will provide ideas to implement this program no matter how large or small the library's space and staff are.  Each participating library will receive over  $800 worth of materials to bring the program to life in your community. There is also  a guide that shows how to implement the program in one, two, or three ways.  PR materials and information to share with schools are included too.
 
At minimum a table is designated as the Play K center where  the materials are put out at designated times, families are invited in  and they play, learn and explore on their own.  If you have time and staff you can offer circle times  that help children learn social skills like taking turns, as well as other activities they will experience in Kindergarten.  It also models activities for the adults in their lives so that the experiences can be done at home on a regular basis.  The third model shares activities that can be easily added to story time programs.  Each participating library  will receive all the materials needed and six other books with the materials, as well as a sample press release, letter and poster to help advertise the program. 
 
Requirements for participation:
Send at least one staff member/volunteer to the workshop.  
Put the materials provided out at least one day a month.
Purchase 12 picture books (they may already be in the library's collection) that go with the six themes. 
Ask  the adults who bring children to complete a short survey two times in the coming year.  
Complete two short 5-10 minute evaluations in the next year.
 
As it says above the library needs to send at least one person, but they are welcome to send more.  If their children's programming is done by volunteers they are welcome to attend, too.

Please register here.
 

PA Forward and NCLD
Become a PA Forward Library

Between now and May 13th, the North Central Library District members have a chance to participate in a pilot program for PA Forward. This pilot program was developed by a group of 2015 PALS graduates in partnership with the Pennsylvania Library Association and the North Central Library District. A marketing kit has been sent to each library director containing templates for posters, flyers, bookmarks and a rubric explaining how to achieve a PA Forward star. 

So what's in it for your library? 
  • A stronger, more unified voice.
  • Easily market your programs 
  • Bragging rights (Possible mention at the PaLA Conference)
  • Upon achieving a star, NCLD will write a letter to your county commissioners about the program, your library's participation and programs. We'll tell them how awesome you are!
  • NCLD in conjunction with PaLA will issue a certificate for each library achieving a star. 
  • Your library will get regional recognition at the West Branch Workshop in May.
  • NCLD will send a press release to your media outlets explaining you achievement.
It's easy. We're asking you to put the PA Forward brand on the programs your library already does. 

Overdrive Big Read
American Sniper, March 17-31

The next Big Library Read from OverDrive will be American Sniper by Chris Kyle. It will be available to all our library patrons simultaneously from March 17-31.  If you would like to promote this occasion, click here to find information on The Big Library Read in general and a marketing kit and discussion guide for this title in particular. This is a great opportunity to start a community discussion!

NCLD Web Site
More Content Coming Soon

We're planning some changes to the NCLD web site. There will soon be an area specifically for directors, youth services and general resources. A chart of state standards, policy samples and templates, check lists, District Advisory Council information, training resources, richer content for trustees, are all in the works. One of the goals identified in the district's strategic plan is supporting leadership responsibilities by giving you the tools you need to effectively manage your organization. We'll keep you informed of our progress.

Don't Forget the Compendium

Don't miss out on news at the state level. The latest Compendium is packed with information about workshops, webinars, the recent PEW Research Report, library news and more. 
Contact
June Houghtaling
District Consultant
19 E 4th Street
Williamsport, PA  17701
570.326.0536 Ext. 196
"His library was a fine dark place bricked with books, so anything could happen there and always did. All you had to do was pull a book from the shelf and open it and suddenly the darkness was not so dark anymore."