For immediate release | September 4, 2012

Fall 2012 ALSC online courses available for CEUs

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) announces the release of the schedule for fall 2012 online courses. Among the fall courses is a new offering by ALSC Past-President Thom Barthelmess, ALSC Core Competencies: Serving Children with Distinction and Commitment. Classes begin Monday, October 1, 2012, and registration is limited.

ALSC is offering two continuing education unit (CEU) certified courses during this session, Out of this World Youth Programming and Series Programming for the Elementary School Age.

The American Library Association (ALA) has been certified to provide CEUs by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET). IACET CEUs are recognized worldwide and indicate that students have completed quality programs that meet the national standard for continuing education and training.

ALSC course CEUs cannot be given retroactively; if you've already taken one of these ALSC courses you are not eligible to receive CEUs. Additional courses may become CEU-certified in the future.

ALSC online courses are designed to fit the needs of working professionals. Courses are taught by experienced librarians and academics. As participants frequently noted in post-course surveys, ALSC stresses quality and caring in its online education options.

The Caldecott Medal: Understanding Distinguished Art in Picture Books (six weeks, Oct. 1 - Nov. 9). For almost 75 years, the Caldecott Medal has been a sign of superior artistry and creativity in children’s picture books, given to only one book every year. With so many children’s picture books published each year, how is the Caldecott Medal-winning book selected? What makes picture book illustration distinguished, and how has that definition changed over time? Learn about the history of the award, how the award has transformed books over time and how to look critically at picture book art. Taught by Kathleen T. Horning, director, Cooperative Children's Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison.



Connecting with 'Tween Readers (four weeks, Oct. 1 - Oct. 26). Marketers and publishers define "tweens" as children who range in age from 8 to 14. For the purposes of this course, "tweens" are 10-12 year olds, children who are in the "double-digit club" but not yet teens. This course will examine the characteristics that make this age group unique; developmental needs and abilities; why children of this age group are particularly vulnerable to illiteracy; and unique activities and programs (including the utilization of currently popular technologies) libraries can offer to keep these children on the path to becoming lifelong readers. A primary focus of the course will be surveying the large body of quality literature available that has particular appeal for this age group. Taught by Edward T. Sullivan, rogue librarian/writer.



ALSC Core Competencies: Serving Children with Distinction and Commitment (six weeks, Oct. 1 - Nov. 9). Children deserve the best in everything, and library service is no different. But what does superior library service to children look like? The ALSC Core Competencies identify the skills, orientations and understandings that children can expect of the dedicated staff in their school and public libraries. We will look at the core competencies in depth, applying them to every aspect of our daily work and using them as a framework to define an individual, professional commitment to creating, providing and championing excellent library service for all children. Taught by Thom Barthelmess, curator of the Butler Children’s Literature Center, Dominican University.

Out of this World Youth Programming (six weeks, Oct. 1 - Nov. 9). If you are like most children’s librarians, you are no doubt faced with the continual challenge of providing programs that are not only fun and appealing, but also highly informative and educational. How do I fit all age levels? What is age-appropriate? How do I make old materials fresh again? Where do I even begin? This course will provide innovative ideas and suggestions on how to plan, promote, execute and evaluate your programs to work for you and your patrons. Taught by Angela Young, MSLS, youth services librarian, Lorain Public Library System. This is a CEU Certified course.

Series Programming for the Elementary School Age (four weeks, Oct. 1 - Oct. 26). Children love series books. Lots of libraries have one-shot series parties or events. This course expands on the one-shot idea and provides the tools necessary to establish series clubs at the library so that more children will read and use the library more often. Using trivia, games, music and reading, children will clamor to come back to the library each week. Series such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Magic Tree House, Spiderwick, Fancy Nancy, Froggy, Curious George and American Girl will be discussed. Taught by Lisa M. Shaia, children’s librarian, Oliver Wolcott Library. This is a CEU Certified course.

Detailed descriptions and registration information are available on the ALSC Online Education site . Fees are $115 for personal ALSC members; $165 for personal ALA members; and $185 for non-members. Questions? Please contact ALSC Program Officer Jenny Najduch at jnajduch@ala.org or 1 (800) 545-2433 ext. 4026.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at www.ala.org/alsc.

Contact:

Dan Rude

Membership/Marketing Specialist

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

drude@ala.org

1-800-545-2433 ext.2164