Jacqui’s Friday Five - Issue #3
Here I am – back for another issue of JFF (I always wanted my own acronym … which if we are being technical is actually an initialism).
I don’t know about everyone else, but I am constantly amazed at the wonderful things happening in “LibraryLand”. My cover photo for this week comes courtesy of the Goodwill Librarian, a great page to follow. I love the imagery and am not quite sure which one best describes me – I am currently devouring audiobooks so perhaps I should be an Ear Worm!
So here are my next Friday Five …
3.1. Dementia Action Week: This week is Dementia Action Week (15-21 September). Dementia Australia estimate that there are 433,300 Australians living with dementia and 1.7 million people involved in their care. Libraries across Australia have developed memory kits that are available to be borrowed. These kits contain photographs, books, support material and a range of resources to help trigger happy memories and spark conversation. Some libraries are also running Dementia Support Cafes which serve to bring those suffering with dementia and their carers together with others to provide a supportive social network. For example
3.2. A Place for Curiosity: The Chatham Area Public Library (in Chatham, Illinois) have recently undertaken renovations of their library backyard. As part of the renovations a new installation has been added … a natural kaleidoscope. This simple piece (says me the non-artist) allows visitors to the library to experience the visual work and encourages children to appreciate the beauty of our world. Click here for more
3.3. R U OK … Finding Comfort in Books: We recently acknowledged R U OK Day in Australia (10 September), a day where we are reminded to look out for those in our community who are struggling and to encourage all to reach out to support those who may be experiencing some darkness in their lives. I thought this post from Cockburn Libraries (WA) was particularly special as they took the opportunity to shine a light on books within their collection that support mental health and wellbeing. Click here for more
3.4. Never too young to become an author: Everything Libraries shared a post on their Facebook page from The South Coast News that celebrated two Indigenous teens, just 12 and 13 when they wrote it, who have become published authors of a book aimed at teaching young readers about the Yuin people, a group of Aboriginal peoples from the South Coast of New South Wales. Click here for more
The book is supported by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and can be found on their website with supporting material also available. Click here
3.5. It isn’t what you read to children … but how you read: I have always said that you can read anything to children as long as you make it fun and engaging. (Ian claims he could read the Racing Guide to a child and make it fun). The Teach Read Repeat Podcast recently highlighted a book written for children that does not have a single picture in it but has become a favourite of many teachers. Entitled The Book With No Pictures (written by B.J. Novak) it is not about the pictures but the way the reader draws the children in. It isn’t a new book, having been published in 2014, but it is one that reminds us that engaging children in the written word is so important for future literacy and the enjoyment of reading. Click here for more