Celebrating National Library Week & National School Library Month

April is a busy month in the library world. Besides celebrating National Poetry Month, we're also recognizing National Library Week (April 10-16) and National School Library Month.

Although we've got events scattered throughout April, most of our "BIG" activities will happen next week. What's the point of School Library Month? According to the ALA, "Every April school librarians are encouraged to create activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in a student's educational career." This year's theme is "Create your own story @ your library" so we're focusing on writing and storytelling activities.

Back in September (How I had time to think about this back in September is beyond me....) I collaborated with our local YA public librarian to plan activities for this week. Up first: an author reception with Ellen Yeomans. Ellen's written a wonderful YA novel in verse called Rubber Houses. It's about a teenage girl whose brother is diagnosed with cancer - many of our students have read it. Conveniently, Ellen lives in Baldwinsville, so she's a "popular author" and a "local author" all rolled into one. I've never been to an author reception, but my YA counterpart, Val, says they're just informal gatherings where people can get books signed, shake hands with the author, and ask questions.

Mark Binder: Author,
Storyteller, Nice Guy

Our second round of events happens on Thursday. It's going to be a crazy jam-packed day, but those are the most fun...right? I'll be hosting my VERY FIRST author visit, sponsored by the PTSA. A little nervous about all the little details coming together, but hopefully it goes smoothly. Mark Binder, an author and storyteller is coming for the day. He'll do a morning assembly with our 8th graders and then hold writing workshops with smaller groups for the rest of the day.

In the evening Student Council is hosting our building's annual Spaghetti Dinner, where members of the community come for plates of spaghetti cooked by staff and students. During the dinner PTSA is sponsoring a Scholastic Book Fair (another first since my time here). Mark Binder, our visiting author, is sticking around, and following the Spaghetti Dinner and Book Fair, he'll do a storytelling presentation at the public library for families.

Cross your fingers and hope that I'm still breathing come Friday morning!

What are you doing to celebrate National Library Week and National School Library Month?

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