Superhero in our midst?

Matthew Cody is a funny guy of this much I am sure. But could he also be a superhero?

 The  residents of Darien young and old, were waiting to meet him at our Summer Reading Finale Party, as my co-worker Marian and I were given the task of picking him up from the train station. I took it upon myself to make him a chauffeur sign with his name emblazoned in bright blue letters as well as the little falling figure on the cover of his Nutmeg nominated book Powerless. If you haven't read it, pick it up and soon as the sequel Super comes out September 25th, 2012.

 I soon found out that one of his super powers is that he is instantly likeable and someone you would want to hang out with. Mr. Cody's presentation eluded to his other super power, the ability to captivate an audience (I am convinced there was mind control involved).

Mr. Cody's presentation was a great multimedia experience filled with tales about his life growing up as a reluctant reader.  His speech was riddled with funny anecdotes that pleased the audience of children and adults. While he may not wear his underpants on the outside (most cool superheroes do), he is every bit the superhero to kids who may be reluctant readers now, adults who are still struggling to enter the reading world and we who are actually reading a book while writing this post.

If you want to meet a genuine person who loves his art and knows his audience invite Matthew Cody to your library, you won't regret it, in fact you might thank me profusely. * Mr. Cody your cape is showing*

Kidlib 2012

Kid lib campers at the ready!

Darien Library has been hosting an  un-conference for the past three. An un-conference is like a large round table discussion in which the participants choose the topics beforehand and then vote which topics they want to formally discuss. Unlike a conference there isn't a panel of experts that speaks but rather a "chapter of librarians", much like a gaggle of geese or a herd of buffalo, that gather and offer advice, insight and ask the tough questions.

This was an amazing year to attend as Rebecca Miller editor of SLJ (School Library Journal) gave an un-speech to kick things off. It was a rousing speech that challenged children's librarians in both the public and school forums to think about what big changes are in the horizon and how we can all serve and collaborate with our communities and populations that we serve as these changes occur.

After Ms. Miller's speech it was time to get down to the reason we were all there: the topics. The topics that received the most votes included: Tablets & Apps, Common Core and Children's Spaces but there were several other topics such as Collection Reorganization, Tech training for staff and STEM programming that were available for discussion.

Discussing during lunch

Each participant had the opportunity to attend three sessions but were also encouraged to pop into other sessions if they were so inclined. I decided to attend Tablets& Apps, Programming for 5 and under and Book clubs, readers theatre and digital storytelling. I should also explain that each group has a facilitator and a note taker. The facilitator kept the session going by posing questions and honing in on the key issues for the session and the note taker, well it's exactly what you think.

Let's get digital, digital!

Several Librarians from the tri-state area participated and it was intimated to me and several staff members that every one walked away with a renewed sense of purpose, great ideas and a new professional network. I walked away with all of those things too! Now if I could just un-gain those few pounds from the fabulous lunch that was provided. I hope to see all of you next year at KidLibCamp 2013.

A month of Sundays

My first month at the Darien Library has been amazing! There's been danger, well the threat of a derecho, that just turned out to be a ton of rain. There's been sweat: I have taken over two very active programs: Toddler Tales and Come on Everybody, which is an all ages program. And you’ve guessed it tears: from laughing so hard at reading Mr.and Mrs. Bunny: Detectives Extraordinaire by Polly Horvath.

Picture from Good Reads

Story time got colorful as Claire Moore (Assistant Head of Children’s Services) and I performed our version of Pete the Cat: I love my white shoes by Eric Litwin for Storytelling at the Pond, which was rained out(derecho,again)and moved inside.

Picture from Good Reads

I also filmed a video for the library as a way to introduce myself to the community. It can be seen here:

Another highlight was a RA (Reader's Advisory) workshop hosted by the children’s library for the Darien staff, as well as local library professionals. This was a great chance for other departments within Darien library to get a chance to experience and learn about the RA interview that happens in the children’s library and for the local libraries to get together and discuss their methods. Content discussed included the three foundation questions,reading levels, clear communication and the just right book. A fun part of the workshop included the role playing exercises (who can resist the role of kid at the library), that afforded the participants the chance to use their newly acquired skills.


Every staff member has been so welcoming and highly professional. The children's staff have really shown me the ropes this first month. From opening and closing procedures, RA, Early Literacy Ipads, to small things like the location of the restroom (highly important) and the best Whole Foods popcorn.

This month has been jam packed with learning tons of new names, staff and patrons, navigating a wonderful small town and finding my way, not just to the restroom but into the library profession.