Special Projects

The library system has been awarded grants from the national Institute for Museum and Library Services to develop Grove Family Library's teen collection and to introduce "In Motion @ Your Public Library" to all preschool storytime participants. The state government has decided to withhold our payments of federal grant money until the PA budget is resolved, delaying implementation of these two exciting projects.

Just to keep you up to speed, however, Lou Cowles and Grove staff have placed one order for new teen reads with their initial grant payment. So watch for the new items and visti their reorganized Teen Center.

We have appointed Lori Cooley the coordinator of the preschool "In Motion" project, ordered yoga mats from Dunhams at a nice discount, and prepared orders for program and collection materials to support the project. Hopefully, we will still be able to introduce the program this fall in most of Franklin County's libraries.

College Intern Needed

I need one additional English or American Studies major to intern at Franklin County Library System in the coming fall or spring 2009 semesters. The intern would be working with me on book discussion guides for the "American Album" program, creating book discussion totes on American themes for groups of senior citizens, teens and adults. The intern might develop the discussion questions, lead discussions, assist teens in interviewing and recording senior citizens, and in editing videos clips for addition to the library collection.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact me at bdcrouse@fclspa.org.

Thank you.

Federal Grant Approved for New Project!

"An American Album", a new book discussion and local history project is coming to Franklin and Fulton County public libraries. The project, designed by me, was approved for $10,500 in funding under the Library Techology & Services Act from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, for implementation later this year.

American Album is a two-phase project: (1) creating discussion kits of paperback books and study guides on the theme of American History for local groups, then (2) stimulating local senior citizens and teens to work together to digitally videorecord oral history to DVD for local library collections.

During creation and implementation of "Blast From the Past", an American History public library program targeting the families of elementary students, we discovered the plethora of personal memories that came from grandparents attending the programs, their personal stories of World War II, the Great Depression, and much more. Sadly these stories are being lost, as grandparents and great-grandparents forget or pass away.

Phase one of the project will stimulate book discussion groups to ponder their own American History. Phase two will bring teenage techies together with other generations to learn about their heritage, while creating a permanent record of it.

If anyone out there is or knows any teenagers, senior citizens, or adults who may be interested in helping with this project later in 2008 and early 2009, please contact me.