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Cooking up early literacy skills with your kids!

January 09, 2018

Cooking and literacy go hand in hand. Even the most basic recipe requires not only the ability to read, but to follow directions measuring ingredients and preparing them accordingly. Not only does cooking promote literacy, but many different kinds of literacy: of course reading and writing, but also math, science, technology, nutrition, health, culture and historical literacies, as well as culinary literacy, which is increasingly at risk with today’s kids. In this article we will show you how cooking can foster early literacy and highlight both library programs which combine cooking and literacy and ways to use your local public library’s resources to do this on your own.

These Tips Will Teach You How to Finish Over 50 Books a Year

January 04, 2018

For the last ten years I’ve finished 65–80 books a year. I’m not saying that to show off, I know people who read over 100 books a year without a second thought. The fact that reading combines entertainment, education, and inspiration is just one of the reasons many successful people make it a habitual activity. Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me if you read 20 or 90 books per annum as long as the books you experienced gave you a thrill. In the end, it’s not about how many books you’ve finished — there will always be someone who read more — as much as making the best of your life. Here are my tips to help you get more reading in:

Hi My name is Cassandra O’Neill and I’m an author, avid reader, and I love libraries.

December 29, 2017

Hi My name is Cassandra O’Neill and I’m an author, avid reader, and I love libraries. I have my first book coming out in October that I co-authored with Monica Brinkerhoff. The book is called Five Elements of Collective Leadership. We are passionate about collective leadership and on a mission to bring it to the world.

Exhausted by Political Turmoil? Turn to Unifying Power of Our Libraries!

December 27, 2017

Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or somewhere in between, we can all agree that political discussion in the United States is not where we want it. Discord appears to reign supreme, regardless of the topic, with pundits, fake news, and loud-mouthed politicians spoiling it for everyone. There is, however, a topic that I believe we can all agree on: The greatness of our nation’s public libraries!

How to Work out of a Library (No Matter What Size Town You’re In)

December 20, 2017

Whether your local library is in the heart of a big city or nestled in a small town, it is likely a great place to get some work done. Libraries are open to all, they come equipped with wifi and business amenities that freelancers, independent professionals and entrepreneurs need, and they provide a quiet place to focus. Here’s an overview of working out of your local library, no matter what size town you’re in:

How Young Adult Fiction Helps Teens Better Understand Their Mental Health

December 19, 2017

I was a teen who sometimes felt too panicked to function. Parties felt like minefields, my future seemed fragile, and the ways I could fail on a daily basis numbered near infinite.

A Librarian’s Guide to Choosing the Right Book for You!

December 18, 2017

There’s no question that reading is important — it educates, inspires, entertains, and so much more. But with thousands of books published every week, how does a reader (especially one that is just getting into reading) decide which one to pick up? This question often occurs for me both because of my work as a librarian and because I am a reader myself! So how does one choose what to read?

Homeschool resources that extend the curriculum and build community

December 11, 2017

“You blew $150k on an education you could have gotten in $1.50 in late fees from the library.” This quote, from the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting, has become a favorite among homeschooling circles. And it’s absolutely true: not only are public libraries the perfect free resource for books, periodicals, movies, music and other library materials, but many libraries have specific collections to assist homeschooling families, including how-to manuals, textbooks and educational kits.

A Day in the Life of a Small Business Specialist

December 06, 2017

When you think of librarians, you might imagine the friendly and hard-working staff who provide readers’ advisory, host programs, and answer reference questions at your local library. These staff members are tasked with the important work of providing for their particular community and they do it well.

Vital Ways Libraries Help Teens Become Themselves (beyond books)

December 05, 2017

When it comes to ages, there is no group more maligned than teens. After all, they tend to be self-absorbed, emotionally erratic, and they speak a language older folks don’t understand! Still, I like them. Teens are in a constant process of self-discovery, they are often keen to try new things, and despite an angsty front, they’re actually softies on the inside. Though I’ve never worked specifically as a teen services librarian, I have had the opportunity to observe the personal growth of many teens as they’ve come through the library. For many of these young people, the library played an important part in their development beyond providing reading material.
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