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The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, held its 2022 national conference Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 in Kansas City. And Johnson County Library youth specialists made the most of the opportunity. 

Fifteen youth information specialists and youth librarians attended the ALSC National Institute workshops, panel discussions and other sessions in downtown Kansas City. It was a rare chance for staffers to attend the ALSC Institute’s national meeting in their own backyard. Participants said it was hugely worthwhile. 

“To be in the same room with librarians who all share a passion for serving children was something truly special,” said Early Literacy Coordinating Librarian Shannon Goebel. “It was such a joy to learn shoulder to shoulder with my fellow colleagues at the ALSC Institute.” 

The Institute holds its national conference every two years. The 2020 conference was virtual because of COVID-19, but this year it drew several hundred attendees in person from across the country. 

“It’s designed for front-line staff that are serving youth,” Goebel explained. “It’s really the world’s largest organization that is dedicated to the support and advancement of library services for children.”  

Staffers heard from wonderful authors and illustrators and got great book recommendations for children and teens. They heard a fascinating presentation about the importance of open-ended play as a literacy skill and how to create enriching playtime activities in the Library. 

They took a tour of The Rabbit hOle, a phenomenal project under construction in North Kansas City. It will be a children’s literature museum, with an immersive experience of walking into a picture book. 

While Library staffers got great ideas from other librarians, they also had a featured exhibition table and shared information about Johnson County Library’s innovations, including the 6 by 6 Ready to Read program and Race Project KC’s Dividing Lines Tour. The Library also had a full-page spread in every attendee’s conference booklet. 

Lisa Nason, who concentrates on early literacy for the Library, said the chance to network with librarians from other cities was wonderful, and the visitors loved Kansas City and Johnson County. 

“One of the first people that came up to us in Vendor Hall was from Boise,” Nason recalled. “She said, ‘I use materials from your online Kids’ page all the time to write blogs and get ideas.’ It’s exciting to think that people all over the country are seeing our work.” 

Youth Services Information Specialist Mary Shortino said the author presentations were particularly thought-provoking. Authors of diverse backgrounds poignantly described how they never saw themselves in literature growing up, but they now write characters like themselves as protagonists in stories. 

“I adore hearing authors talk about their work,” Shortino said. “That’s stuff I can share with kids and families when I’m doing Readers’ Advisory.” 

Youth Information Specialist Tami Thomas said attendees were encouraged to seek out the youngest potential library patrons which they might be missing or forgetting. 

Thomas enjoyed a presentation on rethinking summer reading programs to appeal to reluctant readers. One library system held a nighttime hike that involved the whole community. Another put early literacy activities in laundromats where parents and kids congregate. 

Goebel was grateful that such a large Johnson County Library contingent could benefit from this learning experience. Those participants will share insights with the rest of the youth services staff. 

She also thanked everyone who pitched in to cover those staff slots in the branches. 

“It’s not an opportunity that comes up every day,” she said, “so we are really grateful for everyone who supported the people attending.”  

It’s another grand Throwback Thursday when we encourage you to time travel through Johnson County's history. JoCoHistory is a collaborative presentation of the history from the Johnson County Museum, Johnson County Library and many JoCoHistory partners. Explore historical photographs and documents about the people, places and organizations of Johnson County, Kansas, from the 19th century to the present.

Collection spotlight: Johnson County Museum

About this collection: The Johnson County Museum has a wide range of images dating from the late 19th century to the current day. A major focus of the collection centers on individuals and groups of people in domestic, recreational, scholarly and business settings.

Johnson County Library's Books to Go kits support our early literacy initiative 6 by 6, Ready to Read by making it easy and convenient to bring the Library into your home or early education center. Our Books to Go give you and your child an enjoyable variety of ways to explore ABCs, Bugs, Colors, and more! 

Our 6 by 6, Ready to Read skills are skills children learn before they learn to read. Reading, singing, talking, rhyming, playing with shapes and enjoying playing with books are essential skills for children long before they even start to learn their letters. Reading, singing and rhyming give a child invaluable experience hearing the music and rhythms of the English language. Talking improves a child’s future vocabulary – long before they’re able to mimic the words they hear, the amount of words they are exposed to has a huge positive effect on future enjoyment of reading, grades, and test success. Naming and manipulating shapes helps children identify letters in the future. And playing with books; imitating adults flipping pages, opening and closing books, and moving pages from side to side stimulates motor skill development and teaches children that books are fun. Our Books to Go kits encourage all of these skills, in an easy to grab package ready for your family to enjoy! 

Each themed kit contains a curated selection of books, audio, a DVD and an activity sheet to help foster a love of reading and early literacy skill development. Over 50 kid-friendly topics are available in our Books to Go kits. Whether your child is curious about the seasons, colors, construction, the weather, or needs some help understanding doctors, dentists, having a new sibling or potty training, our Books to Go kits will help you and your child explore topics in a fun way from a variety of angles. Johnson County Library patron Emily, mother of 3 year old Ben, said, “Being able to look at a book together about colors, then sing a song about colors, and then follow the activity sheet’s suggestions, like talking about our favorite colors and colors we see out in the world, really helps us think creativity together and helps my child love our time spent reading even more!” 

Pick up a blue canvas bag at any branch location and get everything you need for hours of fun with your child. You can even place holds on different kits!

This week at the Library, you can join us at:

Library OnDemand – Available anytime you like.

Your doorway into live and archived programs. Arts & Culture, Career & Finance, Community Matters, Writers and more!

Gather at the Table – Tuesday, Nov. 15, 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Conversation allows people to better understand different viewpoints. Friendships and communities are often built by the conversations that happen over a meal. Gather with us to break bread and discuss some of the difficult and controversial topics at the forefront of our thoughts and news. This fall we will discuss the First Amendment and multiple related issues from social media to book bans. All are welcome at any time during this drop-in discussion group. Food and drink are provided.

Reckoning with White Privilege: A Conversation with Brendan Kiely – Thursday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. – noon

Join us at Central Resource Library for a morning conversation with Brendan Kiely, participating virtually from his home in New York. Kiely is the New York Times bestselling author of All American Boys (with Jason Reynolds), Tradition, The Last True Love Story and The Gospel of Winter. His most recent publication, The Other Talk: Reckoning With Our White Privilege will be the focus of the conversation. Signed bookplates will be available following the program. Refreshments will be served.

Maintain Your Ride – Thursday, Nov. 17, noon – 1:30 p.m.

Get your hands dirty and learn to keep your bike in tip-top shape with this free class from Johnson County Library and BikeWalkKC. Live and in-person at the bicycle fix-it stand in front of Central Resource Library, our instructors will teach you how to keep your bike in good working order with a few basic tools and some practical know-how. You will learn how to clean and lubricate your chain, fix a flat, adjust shifting and braking, and basic bike maintenance skills. We’ll also show you how to use the fix-it stand. This is a hands-on class! Registration is required.

Writers Conference Kickoff – Thursday, Nov. 17, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Faculty and attendees will kick off the 7th annual Writers Conference at Central Resource Library with readings that respond to prompts from our conference book, Creative Acts for Curious People: How to Create, Think, and Lead in Unconventional Ways, by Sarah Stein Greenberg.

An evening with Author Anne-Marie Oomen – Friday, Nov. 18, 6 – 8 p.m.

Join us for an evening at Central Resource Library with award-winning poet, memoirist, playwright, and teacher Anne-Marie Oomen for a celebration of her award-winning memoir As Long as I Know You: The Mom Book, winner of AWP’s Sue William Silverman Nonfiction Award. Oomen will give a reading followed by a conversation with local author Virginia Brackett and conclude with an audience Q&A. Representatives from the Johnson County Department of Aging and Human Services will be on hand to offer resources about caregiving and local bookseller Green Door Bookstore will be on-site to sell copies of Oomen’s memoir. A book signing will follow.

And much more happening this week »

Confronting Segregation in Johnson County

The Johnson County Museum’s special exhibition, REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation (on display through Jan. 7, 2023), is a gripping exploration of the history of redlining from its origins to its legacies, which continue to shape our lived realities today. REDLINED tells a national story told with a local focus that reveals how Johnson County both shaped and was shaped by the history of redlining. While the bulk of the exhibit is about the federal policy of redlining from its origins to its lasting legacies, the exhibit also highlights Johnson County’s unique role in each stage of the process, including efforts to combat redlining and its effects. In this post, we are highlighting the work of three Johnson Countians who confronted the system of redlining and, in doing so, changed our community.

It's a new podcast episode!

We are thankful for you our listening audience and for the many good people, ideas and things that fill our lives with coziness and "comfortable conviviality" with feelings of wellness and contentment. We dedicate the episode to warmth and thankfulness. We explore the concept of Hygge, interview two chefs to help you stretch yourself as a home cook and create delicious dishes that will make your Thanksgiving feast more flavorful, and we even interview a turkey.

A big shout out to Chef Brett Dehart who is co-owner/operator of two kitchens at a very popular food hall in downtown Overland Park. Much appreciation to Chef Kolika Simmons who is a chef and food blogger. Many thanks to them for adding their expertise to this episode! And finally, our gobs of gratitude to our gobbling thespian, Brian Berrens who played Larry the Turkey!