For America's Libraries United for Libraries to Partner on 'Summer
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THEVOICE for America’s Libraries ISSN 1084-4694 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 6 DECEMBER 2018 United for Libraries to partner on ‘Summer Scares’ program to introduce horror titles as summer reading option BY TRISH MCFADDEN trouble finding titles. And we came up Program Coordinator, United for Libraries with an idea to suggest a list of titles The Horror Writers Association that were vetted by us, the Horror Writers Association. We wanted [the IN THIS ISSUE (HWA), in partnership with United for Libraries, Book Riot, and Library list] to say, “Hey, we’re experts, and President’s Message 2 Journal/School Library Journal, is de- these are good books — here’s a place to start.” News & Notes 3 veloping Summer Scares — a reading program that will provide libraries and The idea was to launch it in con- Around ALA 5 schools with a list of recommended hor- junction with StokerCon — since Framework for Foundations 6 ror titles to include in summer reading. the next one is in May, we thought it would be a good idea to put it in with Tools for Trustees 8 The committee, which includes award-winning author Grady Hendrix Summer Reading. We’ll also be doing Focus on Friends 10 (We Sold Our Souls), will be select- an NPR special focused on the horror Friends on Campus 14 ing three recommended fiction titles in genre around that time, so that will build a great momentum for its release. State Friends Spotlight 15 each of three reading levels — Middle Grade, Teen, and Adult — for a total Good Ideas from the Network 16 United for Libraries: What are some of of nine yearly Summer Scares selec- the criteria the Summer Scares commit- Conference Preview 20 tions. Official Summer Scares des- tee looks for in a book that leads it to Book Club Central 21 ignated authors will also be making becoming a potential recommendation? themselves available to appear, either Book Club Choices 22 virtually or in person, at public and Spratford: We’re looking for, quite Corporate Sponsors & Board of Directors 23 school libraries all over the country, honestly, books with authors who are willing to participate — that’s half the Books for Babies 24 for free. Becky Spratford, author of The program. We want, at the very least, for Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror, the authors to be available to make a is secretary of the Horror Writers’ As- virtual appearance. This isn’t just about TRUSTEE CITATIONS sociation and Summer Scares program how good the book is. The program Nominations for the ALA Trustee coordinator. She’s also a library consul- is more about connecting books with Citation are due Jan. 7. tant, and she reviews horror for Book- potential readers and giving people a page 9 list. Spratford is also a Trustee member chance to interact with horror authors, of United for Libraries. especially the younger readers. To be CELEBRATION TIME able to interact with the author behind United for Libraries: What exactly in- [the story] just makes reading come Find ideas for celebrating your Friends spired the idea for the Summer Scares alive for them. So we really are looking group’s or library’s anniversary. program? page 10 for that interaction between the au- Spratford: Author Grady Hendrix, JG thors, the libraries, and their patrons. We’re making sure that all of the MIDWINTER PREVIEW Faherty, and I were all on a panel to- gether at StokerCon [a popular annual books we’re considering are age-ap- Find out what United for Libraries will horror-based convention] in March. propriate and critically acclaimed, but be presenting at the ALA Midwinter The topic of discussion was, “How widely available, so that they’re easily Meeting in Seattle. do we introduce the horror genre to a accessible to libraries. To ensure that page 20 broader audience?” There are a lot of the list is inclusive and diverse, we are people out there interested, but having continued on page 12 www.ala.org/united 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2161 [email protected] 1 President’s Message Positioning United for Libraries for success My first six community relationships with local of- months serving ficials, and the importance of finding This month, United as president of your “Why,” which I talked about in United for Li- my last President’s Message. After the for Libraries welcomes braries has been end of my talk, I was cornered by a a whirlwind of number of Friends who were excited a new staff member — activity: meeting to learn about United for Libraries. Trish McFadden, who new people, talk- Their excitement and genuine interest ing about United was gratifying. They wanted to share has joined as United for Libraries, and their internal challenges of member en- for Libraries Program listening to con- Skip Dye, United for gagement and retention. We discussed cerns and needs Libraries President various hurdles that all Friends groups Coordinator. She of our members. face — from declining book sales to From retaining members to working recruitment. The first step I did was can be reached at to educate and support trustees, from encourage them to join the United for [email protected]. how to recruit more members to learn- Libraries member community. ing how to do more effective fundrais- These two events echoed a chal- ing: these are all things that United’s lenge that United for Libraries is fac- Welcome, Trish! board is looking to enhance, improve, ing: Recognition. It seems for all those and encourage. that have heard about United for I attended the Association for Ru- Libraries, there are many others who ral and Small Libraries Conference in have not. What can we do together to The United for Springfield, Ill., this past September. I promote United for Libraries? This is a wore two hats: one as Penguin Ran- question that I ask myself consistently. Libraries office dom House (PRH), and one as presi- Just like Friends groups, we face the dent of United for Libraries. This was same challenges: member retention and will be closed my first time as an attendee, though it new member engagement. One way to marked PRH’s third year as an exhibi- tackle this is improvement of our ser- Dec. 24-25 and tor. This was United for Libraries’ first vices and listening to the needs of our year as an exhibitor. I walked back membership. Jan. 1 and 21. and forth from booth to booth. It was Facing the board this next year is very rewarding to hear from a number our task to improve United. We have of libraries who actively use United been listening to members and know for Libraries’ online resources. It was that we need to strive to better support The Voice for America’s Libraries is good to hear about the unique chal- our membership with tools and train- published by United for Libraries: lenges facing small and rural libraries. ing reflecting this “new world” that we The Association of Library Trustees, What did surprise me was that a num- are facing. Advocacy training is vital Advocates, Friends and Foundations, ber of libraries had not heard about for our members. Sharing fundraising a division of the American Library United for Libraries. They didn’t know best practices and insights continues to Association (ALA). about the resources available to them be critical for our members. We have a or the good work United for Libraries unique opportunity to work together. For membership information, call does. We want to hear from you, our mem- (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161, email At the end of National Friends of bers, about how we can better serve [email protected], or visit www.ala.org/ Libraries Week (Oct. 21-27, 2018), I and support you. To do this work, we united. was privileged to be invited to an event need your help. I invite you to become honoring the various Friends of the an active participant in United for Send editorial contributions, articles, Library groups at Cuyahoga County Libraries’ growth. Please reach out to newsletters and news releases (Ohio) Public Library. I spoke about us at [email protected] or directly to me, attention The Voice to [email protected]. advocacy, the importance of starting [email protected]. Peace be to you a conversation, how to start building and yours. The Voice is a copyrighted publication and cannot be photocopied and distributed. 2 www.ala.org/united 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2161 [email protected] News & Notes United for Libraries seeking Literary Landmarks for Children’s Book Week, April 29-May 5, 2019 United for Libraries is seeking dedicated since the program began in with the Children’s groups interested in dedicating a Liter- 1986. Any library or group may ap- Book Council, the ary Landmark™ for a children’s book ply for a Literary Landmark through nonprofit trade author during Children’s Book Week United for Libraries. For more infor- association for (April 29-May 5, 2019). mation about applying for a Literary children’s book In past years, Literary Landmarks Landmarks, including for those during publishers in have been dedicated across the country Children’s Book Week, visit www.ala. North America. for authors of children’s books dur- org/united/products_services/literary- The CBC offers chil- ing this week. Authors honored with a landmarks. dren’s publishers, from independent Literary Landmark dedication include Every Child a Reader is a 501(c) presses to large houses, the oppor- Barbara Park, Virginia Sorensen, Mark (3) literacy charity whose popular tunity to work together on issues of Twain, Margaret Wise Brown, Carl national programs include Children’s importance to the industry at large, Sandberg, Walter Dean Myers, and Book Week, the longest-running liter- including educational programming, Robert McCloskey.