NCompass Newsletter Vol. 11 No. 2 Page 4, July 1, 2002�June 30, 2004 Biennium in Review

Making Space for Teens in Libraries

Kimberly Bolan Taney, author of Teen Spaces: The Step-By-Step Library Makeover, visited Nebraska for a week in May 2004. The Nebraska Library Commission sponsored five presentations to Nebraska librarians across the state. Three were part of the Nebraska Library Association/Public Library Section Spring Meetings. Participants returned home with ideas, enthusiasm, and plans for their libraries. Eight libraries in Nebraska sent photos of their current teen space and received suggestions for improvement. Small groups reviewed the library spaces and shared ideas and suggestions that were compiled and mailed to the libraries following the workshops.

The Nebraska Library Commission supported Nebraska library participation in Collaborative Summer Reading Programs, 2003 Laugh It Up @ your library® and 2004 Discover New Trails @ your library.®

Children’s Services Grants Encourage Innovation

Photos from the Norfolk Public Library illustrate how bilingual programs for children help Hispanic families feel welcome at the library. This program was featured in Library Sparks, November 2004, and Karen Drevo, Youth Services Librarian, credited their Children's Grant for Excellence from the Nebraska Library Commission with helping staff add Spanish language experiences to library programming for children.

The Nebraska Library Commission awarded $78,442 in grants for Excellence in Children’s Library Services from July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2004. These grants for innovative projects for children and young adults in public libraries encourage creative thinking, risk-taking and new approaches to address the problems and needs of children and young adults. For more information see the Commission home page, nlc.nebraska.gov, search on Grants for Excellence or contact Sally Snyder, Nebraska Library Commission Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, 402-471-4003, 800-307-2665, e-mail: Sally Snyder. Grant recipients were:

• Atkinson Public Library

• Auburn Memorial Library

• Battle Creek Public Library

• Callaway, Nigel Sprouse Memorial Library

• Central City Public Library

• Gibbon Public Library

• Gretna Public Library

• Kearney Public Library and Information Center

• Lexington Public Library

• Lincoln City Libraries

• McCook Public Library

• Nebraska City, Morton-James Public Library