Blog Post for ALASC – Reading Roundup Maine State Library Annual Conference
From Blogging Assistant, Becky Steenburg
Each April, the Maine State Library hosts a day-long conference in Augusta for librarians in all capacities. Partners in this event include the Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL). Also supporting this event are library vendors and other non-profit organizations who share their information in the vendor hall.
Interestingly, Griswold (2002) reported that national bookselling retailers recognize “Maine Literature” as a subject category ranking well above its peers in the number of books that present some form of state literature. There were at least a dozen local authors in-house at this year’s Reading Roundup, many of whom participated as speakers, presenters, and in conversation while signing books.
This day-long conference featured three training sessions, a vendor hall, and a lightning round all-attendee session. Workshops included topics on collection development, overhauling an inherited library, engaging students and patrons, hosting successful author visits, incorporating theater for kids, leveraging data to showcase library impact, collaborating with parks, music, and movement in storytime, and many more.
I attended a school library session about transforming the library space by modifying the Dewey Decimal System as a means of creating a more student-friendly environment. This school librarian has transformed their entire library simply by empowering students to assume agency over sections of the library.
Next, I attended the session on intergenerational programming with picture books. Some of the wonderful local authors shared their field experiences with their books and other books as well. For instance, the book “Chowder Rules: The True Story of an Epic Food Fight” by Anna Crowley Redding has been used to bring the community together with a chowder tasting event. Folks were divided into groups, one for the New York recipe and one for the Maine recipe. They came together for a reading of the book and a tasting. They had a vote on the best-tasting chowder (Maine won, *spoiler alert* just like in the book). Another event brought local chefs together, one providing the Maine recipe and another the New York recipe, and the community was invited for a reading of the book and a tasting. The presenters for this session shared many different books and encouraged the participants to brainstorm intergenerational programs.
The third session I attended was the one on enhancing literacy through theatre, presented by Portland Stage. I loved this one, as Theatre was my undergrad major! They demonstrated the kinds of programs they do with kids, walked us through some of their activities that included ways to express yourself without words, and then internalized these movements while reciting lines. I took this information and used it for the very next Friday’s storytime at the local preschool, and it was a great success!
Finally, there was a lightning talk session (3 to 5 minutes each) with three presenters. I was fortunate to be one of them. One person presented on their work with Diverse Book Finder, unfortunately, I d
o not remember what the other person presented as they went just before me, and I was nervous! I presented a condensed version of my workshop on “Finding Your Voice”. This topic is all about being comfortable with your own voice, speaking, chanting, presenting, and singing.
State book award presentations were another feature of the Reading Roundup conference. Winners were announced for several awards, listed on the Portland Public Library website with links.
State libraries and state or regional library associations are important sources of information and connection. Many of these organizations host lunch webinars, training sessions, conferences, and online information. I encourage you to search out these organizations in your area.
Reference:
Griswold, W. (2002). History + Resources = A Sense of Place. Maine Policy Review, 11(1), 76–84.
