Chavez teacher Librarian, Martha Dyer, hosted a book tasting in partnership with first-grade teacher Sarah Singleton and student teacher, Maria Rosa Fabián. Students previewed six books from Wit and Wisdom's module 1. One of the theme questions they explored was, "How do books change lives around the world?". Students rated each book based on how well its illustrations and text piqued their interest. Mrs. Dyer said students were engaged and she would definitely do it again.
4J teacher librarians love to use Book Tastings as a method to encourage students to try new genres and explore books. High school libraries use them to kick off Book Love, a program used to encourage students to read for fun. Students come to the library every two to three weeks with their lit classes and it's turned out to be a creative and fun way to introduce readers to books they may not explore on their own.
Howard's teacher librarian, Debbie Pfeiffer, puts her own twist on book tastings and places new or overlooked books on different tables. Students pick a random book, open it to a random spot, read it for 3-5 minutes, then give it a star rating on a handout. After writing down the title, author, and/or call number, they switch tables, almost like musical chairs but with books too! Ms. Pfeiffer says the students always find books they're interested in and never knew existed. Students can’t wait to check them out! Even though at first they claim to have seen everything in the library, once students start reading or looking at a book they haven't seen before, they get intrigued and excited about it!
If you're interested in trying a book tasting at your school and need support, contact Amy Page (page_a@4j.lane.edu).
On Wednesday, October 25th, 4J Library Services hosted Siuslaw library staff to tour some of our libraries. Over the day, Siuslaw library staff visited school libraries at Chavez, Churchill, Howard, North Eugene, and Madison, where they explored, asked questions, took pictures, and documented ideas of note they would like to implement in their libraries. It was a rewarding experience for everyone as we made valuable connections and shared learning.
Take a peek into our fun day via the reels Siuslaw district librarian, Jennifer McKenzie, created of our time together.
"National Novel Writing Month is a fun, empowering approach to creative writing. The challenge: draft an entire novel in just one month. For 30 wild, exciting, surprising days, you get to lock away your inner editor, let your imagination take over, and just create! Set your word-count goal for the month and draft your novel right on our site. We'll help you track your progress. Plus, get support from published authors and an international community of fellow novelists. Our Young Writers Program supports under-18 writers and K-12 educators as they participate in our flagship event each November, and take part in smaller writing challenges year-round."
The website provides support, encouragement, and tools to help amplify the voices of emerging writers. Participants are encouraged to set a word goal and work on achieving it by the end of November. The NaNoWriMo website tracks words for writers like Fitbit tracks steps and it's going global! Anyone can participate, teachers, staff, students, parents...let's get writing!
Your Eugene Public Library card provides opportunities to check out a wide variety of games, educational toys, technology and crafts tools and other items for learning, creativity and fun. From specialty baking pans to sewing machines to robotics kits, our Library of Things offers ways to explore new interests, to learn new skills or to borrow instead of buying.
Categories include Arts and Crafts, Baking and Cooking, Board Games, Musical Instruments, Outdoor Games, Science and Technology. Browse the online catalog to place hold requests for pickup. Or visit any library location to find items available for same-day checkout. Browse our Library of Things to place holds: bit.ly/EugLibraryThings
Wordcrafters main mission is to grow writers. They have plenty of youth programs to encourage young authors and help them refine their craft. Find upcoming programs below.
Fiction Fantastic Contest
Our annual Fiction Fantastic Young Writers Contest is now open. Youth that live or attend school in Lane County are eligible to enter this free short story contest. Visit fictionfantastic.org for more information or download this handy PDF to share.
Rainbow Reads Book Club
Rainbow Reads is a young adult LGBTQIA2S+ book group for Lane County teens hosted by Wordcrafters in Eugene in partnership with the Eugene Public Library! For more information about this free program visit here.
For November we're reading Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh.
When: Wednesday, November 8 | 4:30-6:00 PM Pacific
Where: Eugene Public Library, Downtown
Rainbow Read Club members can pick up a free copy of the monthly book at the Eugene Public Library Downtown.
Write Club for Youth
This our monthly writing workshop that runs during the school year and is offered to youth 9 and up. These workshops offer the opportunity for young writers to explore various genres and topics in writing with local teaching artists throughout the year.
November: Playwriting; Just Begin with Jeany Van Meltebeke Snider
Saturday, November 11, 2023
10 AM - 12 PM | ages 9 and up
Join Jeany Van Meltebeke Snider for our November Write club and jump into writing for theatre.
Amy Page, Eugene 4J District Librarian
Email: page_a@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://wakelet.com/@AmyPage5788
Location: 200 North Monroe Street, Eugene, OR, USA
Phone: 541-790-7765
Facebook: facebook.com/4jlibrarymediaservices
Twitter: @AmyPageTL