Tag Archives: authors

Host an author visit – virtually!

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685358132_b71b772ca9In tight economic times, raising funds for an author visit can be a daunting task. It could take years of Book Fairs to save enough money to have a really popular and well-known author. This is where technology can really come to our rescue. The web offers a couple of options for cash-strapped librarians who want to connect kids with authors.

Skype an Author Network – If you’ve watched The Oprah Winfrey Show in the past year or so, you have seen Skype in action. Skype is free software that you can download to your computer and use to make free video calls to anyone else in the world who also has Skype. The Skype an Author Network is growing a list of authors who will do FREE (15-20 minutes) video chats with students. Longer in-depth visits are also available for a low cost fee. Read more about how the Network started in Joyce Valenza’s post about the site.

Teachingbooks.net – Librarians in MISD have another option for exposing students to the authors whose books they are reading. Teachingbooks.net is a subscription service that is available to all MISD teachers and students at school and at home. This fabulous resource offers original movies that allow students to see and hear award-winning writers and illustrators at work in their studios. Although these presentations aren’t interactive like a virtual visit would be, students can learn writing tips directly from their favorite author.

I’m sure there are other ways that librarians are using technology to promote literature and writing. Leave yours in the comments!

Image citation: Brainstorming. Uploaded on July 1, 2007 by MikeOliveri.

Richardson ISD Literary Festival

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Richardson ISD will be hosting their 8th annual Literary Festival on January 29, 2009 from 4:30-6:30.

This year’s festival features Sarah Weeks, author of more than 30 children’s & YA books, including So B. It, Regular Guy and Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash.

Events include a keynote by Sarah Weeks, booktalks of the current 2×2, Bluebonnet, Lone Star and Tayshas lists, author signing, and a book fair where books by Sarah Weeks and others will be available for purchase.

For more information, download the event flyer.

Fall festivities

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There are a several professional development opportunities coming up this fall! Librarians in the north Texas area may want to take advantage of any or all of the following:

Friday, October 17 – Library Expo

This annual event for school librarians takes place in Plano ISD and is coordinated jointly by Plano’s Learning Media Services department and Richardson ISD’s Library Media Services. This year’s theme is Discover the 21st Century Library and the keynote speaker will be John Canuel, Director of Library

Services for Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado. In addition to the keynote, there are always great breakout sessions presented by local librarians, a vendor exhibit — and, as if that isn’t enough — there is great shopping to be had afterwards at the Willowbend Mall across the street! (wink, wink)

More information is available at the Library Expo web site. The event is free for librarians, but they do ask that you register so they will know how many people to expect. Registration begins online September 15, 2008.

Saturday, October 18 – TLA District 5 Fall Meeting

TLA District 5 will host its annual Fall Meeting October 18, 2008 at El Centro College in downtown Dallas. It looks like there are several programs of interest to school librarians, many of which focus on web 2.0 technologies. Online registration is available at the TLA website.

Saturday, November 1, 2008 – Children’s and Young Adult Book Festival

This annual event is held at Sam Houston State University each year. It is often worth the overnight trip to Huntsville to hear the nationally-known authors that will be speaking and autographing their books. Since it is a smaller venue, librarians actually have a chance to visit with the authors a little more. Featured authors this year are: Kathy Appelt, John Green (Looking for Alaska), Patrick Jones, and David Small. Between author sessions there are workshop programs presented by area librarians. Visit the SHSU web site for more information.

Saturday and Sunday, November 1-2, 2008 – Texas Book Festival

If you’re in the mood for a bigger event with more authors, the Texas Book Festival in Austin will meet those needs. Check out the list of authors expected to attend and get more information here.

Image citation: Playing in the autumn leaves, uploaded on October 20, 2007 by [Northeast Photography] and used under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works license.


Jan Brett Library Signs

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If you haven’t explored Jan Brett’s web site before, you are missing out! She has all kinds of fun activities, coloring sheets, games, and other stuff featuring her beautiful artwork – in addition to information about her books.

One of the treats that she offers is a “make your own” section for classroom and library signage and she gives permission to print as many copies as you like. These would be great to use during a Jan Brett author study or any time you want.

Thank you, Jan Brett, for generously sharing your talent with all of us!

Jan Brett coming to Dallas!

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One of our fabulous librarians alerted me to the news that Dallas is one of the scheduled stops on Jan Brett’s Fall tour. This tour is to introduce her new book, Gingerbread Friends. At each stop, they are doing a “party.” Her web site says that tickets are free, but limited, so you may want to call the book store and find out when they will be available. The Dallas party will be at the Borders on Preston Rd. on Thursday, November 6. Mark your calendars – sounds like a lot of fun!