Public Library News & Notes
Serving Kentucky's Need to Know
December 2014
In This Issue
Spencer County Public Library Presents Kindergarten Readiness Program
KDLA Distributes Junior Maker Lego Kits
Kenton County Public Library Recognized
Annual Fine Forgiveness Week a Success
Use KDLA Book Discussion Kits Creatively
Welcome New Trustees
 
Greetings, and Happy Holidays!
 
This is a very busy time of the year for public libraries, with lots of holiday events and programming taking place. Amid all of the hustle and bustle, take a moment to look over Public Library News & Notes. You'll find inspiration in a holiday food drive, a new idea for using KDLA State Library Services book discussion kits, and read about one library's recent accolades.

Also, I'd like to point out that all of the photos used in the header of this newsletter are actual photos that have been taken in Kentucky public libraries. Some were sent to me directly, and some I mined from your Facebook pages. So keep posting your great photos, and make sure to let me know when you have posted photos that you would like to see featured in Public Library News & Notes.
 
Happy reading,
 
Paige Sexton
Editor
paige.sexton@ky.gov
502-564-1753 
Spencer County Public Library Presents Kindergarten Readiness Program
In an effort to help more children be prepared to enter Kindergarten next fall, The Spencer County Public Library is set to begin a Kindergarten Readiness program starting January 9, 2015. The classes for children going into Kindergarten in 2015 will be held every Friday.

The library expects the program to be especially helpful for children who have never been in a structured setting such as story time at the library, preschool, or bible school.

Skill work involving social, literacy, math/science and motor skills will be developed in the classes.

 

KDLA Distributes Junior Maker Lego Kits

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives received a shipment of 150,000 Lego's as part of a partnership between the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) and the Lego Systems, Inc.  The Legos were part of 15 Junior Maker kits that were distributed to libraries across the state to encourage Junior Maker programs and spaces in public libraries.   

 

"Children's librarians have always spearheaded programs and activities that foster young children's development and as enthusiasm swells for libraries as community maker spaces, it is important that we continue and expand appropriate hands-on experiences for young children," said Starr LaTronica, immediate past president of ALSC. "We're thrilled that through our ongoing LEGO partnership we're able to provide digital and physical tools and inspiration that will allow librarians to deliver age-appropriate 'make' experiences to children."

 

The winning libraries have been using the Junior Maker kits and young library customers have been building with enthusiasm, as this Lego display from the McCreary County Public Library shows.  



Kenton County Public Library Recognized      
 
In November, the Kenton County Public Library received the following distinctions:
  • The Kenton County Public Library received a four star rating from Library Journal. This is the library's second year for this honor.
  • The Covington Library and architects from Design Group won an AIA (American Institute of Architects) Award of Merit for the renovation. 
  • Library Journal recognized the renovation and expansion of the Covington Library in its November 2014 "The Year of Architecture" issue.
 Congratulations to the Kenton County Public Library for these accomplishments. 
 

 

Annual Fine Forgiveness Week a Success

November 17-22 the Marshall County Public Library held its annual Fine Forgiveness Week. Each year the library offers patrons a chance to remove their fines on returned material by bringing in nonperishable food items for Needline, a local organization that helps families in need. This year patrons donated 1,250 items to be distributed across the county during the holiday season.

 

Use KDLA Book Discussion Kits Creatively

The State Library Services division at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives is dedicated to helping Kentucky public libraries with book discussion kits. New kits are being developed, and State Library Services encourages libraries to use the programming kits in innovative and creative ways.

 

One example of a creative use of a book discussion kit would be to have a Text Express teen book discussion kit for a group of book club regulars. This is sure to inspire  great conversations in the book club setting.  To see all of KDLA's programming kits, click here.

 

State Library Services seeks suggestions for new book discussion kit titles and themes. Additionally, if any library has book club kits in their collection that are no longer being used, please let KDLA know, and the kits can be made available to all libraries in the state through KDLA and the KYVL courier service. Contact KDLA to make suggestions or make kits available. 

 

KDLA will be announcing new titles in its book discussion kit collection early in 2015. 

 

                  
Welcome New Trustees

KDLA would like to welcome the following new trustees:
  • Martha Sue Taylor, Nicholas County
  • Wanda Whisman, Wolfe County

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives helps libraries provide equitable access to quality library and information resources and services, as well as helps public agencies ensure that legislatively mandated documentation of government programs is created, efficiently maintained, and made readily accessible. For more information, visit http://kdla.ky.gov or call 502-564-1753.

Please send story ideas and articles for Public Library News & Notes to editor Paige Sexton at paige.sexton@ky.gov or call 502-564-1753.