Readiscover New Mexico

Tag along with Rosita the Roadrunner on her journey to learn about the Land of Enchantment. On the trail, meet Roja & Verde (the Chile Twins), Biscochita (a Smart Cookie), Piñon Jay, Dusty the Tumbleweed, and a town full of prairie dogs who love to read. READiscover New Mexico, a recent theme for the Statewide Summer Reading Program sponsored by the New Mexico State Library, encourages the discovery of the vast cultural, natural, historical, and literary treasures found in our beautiful state. Children, adults and families experience some of these for the very first time by visiting Rosita's ultimate source for information: the library. Featured is a literal example of "poetic license," with an introduction by "Tag" the license plate. Join the fun! Children will love coloring the cast of characters and sharing the adventure with their families. Among many classroom uses, teachers can present the fun story as a bi- or tri-lingual playlet. Enrichment material includes a compilation of the programs, activities, crafts, song parodies, celebrations, and bibliographies devised by the children's librarians who brought READiscover New Mexico to life in public libraries throughout the state. Also featured are riddles, New Mexico trivia, relevant websites, an extensive booklist, several recipes for Biscochitos, instructions for making Star-O-Litos, and a large collection of reproducible artwork. Rosita's Ramble is presented in English, Spanish, and Navajo. Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! Yá'át'ééh! Author KATHY BARCO was Youth Services Coordinator at the New Mexico State Library from 2001-2006. Currently a children's librarian with the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Public Library, she received the 2006 Leadership Award from the New Mexico Library Association. She is co-author (with Valerie Nye) of "Breakfast Santa Fe Style - A Dining Guide to Fancy, Funky and Family Friendly Restaurants." Designer/Illustrator MIKE JAYNES, a Seattle-based graphic artist, has designed and illustrated six summer reading programs for the New Mexico State Library. Both Kathy and Mike grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

This book is a simple, no nonsense telling of New Mexico history and geography for those who are new to the Land of Enchantment and for those who want a quick, uncluttered story based on the theory that history should be fun. For those who want a meatier course, consider it an appetizer, a first course. Maps, a glossary, ideas for teachers, and a recommended reading list are included. There are no footnotes, which should please most people. Studies have proven that readers will learn more from this approach. From the Pleistocene to the Atomic Age, Folsom to Chaco and Cibola, Santa Fe to Raton Pass and Cimarron, Glorieta Pass to Fort Sumner and Lincoln Town, Silver City to Hobbs and Farmington, Columbus to Route 66 and Los Alamos, the trip is fascinating.

"Breakfast New Mexico Style" is a dining guide to more than 100 librarian-endorsed restaurants from Carlsbad to Aztec and Tucumcari to Silver City. Included are recommended reading and after-breakfast activity suggestions.

Those facing censorship challenges can find support and inspiration in this book, which compiles dozens of stories from library front lines.

Including 66 focused snapshots of outreach in action, this resource reflects the creative solutions of librarians searching for new and innovative ways to build programs that meet customer needs while expanding the library’s scope into the community.

Professionals in all areas of librarianship will find inspiration in the essays collected here—each of them innovative tips for increasing circulation, enhancing collections, and improving flexibility. With extensive experience in the nation’s top libraries and media centers, the 73 contributors describe what really works based on their real-world experiences. Organized by subject, the essays offer succinct and practical guidelines for dozens of tasks. Topics include preparing and delivering distinctive presentations; forming a successful grant proposal; hosting a traveling multimedia exhibition; organizing effective community partnerships; writing blogs; hosting authors; creating cybertorials; preserving local culture—and many others.

Join the world of balloons, pancakes, and musical instruments—just a few items to help improve early literacy in the library, the classroom, and at home. Literacy-builders covered range from music and instruments to magnetic letters, alphabet beads, and food. Literacy is a popular topic of discussion among librarians. Especially important is "early literacy," what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. In this book, experienced librarians Kathy Barco and Melanie Borski-Howard share hands-on techniques that they have used to successfully promote early literacy and encourage family involvement. Storytime and Beyond teaches readers how to use "literacy doodads"—inexpensive props that add excitement to storytimes and can be used outside the library or classroom—to enhance the basic components of any early literacy program: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. Many of the doodads can be created as family do-it-yourself projects, and some can be adapted to work with non-readers of any age. Instruments can also be a great way to get children's attention and teach literacy skills, whether it's a drum to beat while reading a story or a maraca for children to shake during a song, and lesson plans for musical storytimes address how to use rhythm, singing, and dancing to make early literacy fun.