From: Jennings, Kelly <kjennin>
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 16:23:25 -0500

Please excuse this cross post with pubyac. Normally I would respect that CCBC list is a literature discussion only; however, in light of some questions and comments on this list about how we use books with young people, I decided to post here also. This is from my experience in Oklahoma. Delete at this point if you do not want or need.

Last week I posted some titles to ALSC and pubyac that could be used with children and families after tragedies. This was in response to a request from a librarian friend in NYC who wanted to know what we used after the OKC bombing. I am seeing some questions on various lists about continuing programs during this period, the use of books to use or not to use.

I did that list in a hurry to send the info to my friend and didn't explain very well how the materials were used. OKC happened on a Thursday and we normally do not have much programming on for the rest of the week. There was probably some concern in people coming to the Central Library because it is across from the Federal building in Tulsa, but the next week we did keep regular program schedules because parents wanted to keep some sense of normalcy for their kids. Also, the way we act in working with kids, talking to them and listening, gives parents behavior they can model.

The bombing happened during the Week of the Young Child. The community organizations involved in a weekend health fair went ahead with this because the fair involved immunizations etc for the kids and they decided it was a good time to offer info and support to families during this time. We were all so numb.

The list we put together was to help families and friends who lost someone not necessarily a list for kids but to be used with kids. The memorial services and funerals started the next week and parents did have to talk about God, death, heaven, fear, etc.

Booklists were just one type of info. I always tell parents when I do parent programs about library services: you may decide not to use a book directly with your child, but a children's book may help you find the words that you need when talking with your child. Parents were very appreciative and didn't realize some of these resources - not just books -existed.

Have seen questions on listserv from librarians asking about using books that are humorous or have funny passages. Yes, use them. You need to be sensitive with each particular group, but laughter or just a chuckle is sometimes part of the comfort, release and healing. Sounds strange, but we would start to laugh about something, then would feel guilty, then realize that we felt somehow better and would resume with the work that needed to be done.

In relation to what to use in programs, I am one of those librarians that do not follow a strict plan or order when doing my story times. I take a stack of books, introduce them (commercials) and then ask the kids which they want to hear, even preschoolers. If you are not sure what the kids may want to hear, just say: this one has a cat and his friend dog; here is one that is about a frog who is sad; here's one where we can make lots of funny sounds; and so forth.

The idea is to let the children know what they could hear and go from there. They always appreciate the choice. Parents at story time or teachers in the classroom can help with these decisions. You can always quietly query parents before you start your story time. They will also appreciate your concern and realize the time we take in preparing these programs. Hope this helps people who have these concerns.


Kelly Jennings Children's Coordinator Tulsa City-County Library 400 Civic Center Tulsa OK 74103830 918Y6y70 (office) 918Y6y13 (fax) kjennin at tulsalibrary.org
Received on Fri 21 Sep 2001 04:23:25 PM CDT