Program Choices
Please return this sheet with your registration.
Within each time slot: (10:15, 11:30 and 1:30), number your session choices 1, 2, 3.
Efforts will be made to place registrants in sessions on a first-come, first-serve basis.
10:15 am
Choice
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STEAM for the Littlest Ones: a Math & Science Story Time for Kids & Families
What’s Next? When Kids Outgrow Sensory Story Times
Late Night Programming
11:30 am
Choice
#
Best Practices in Early Literacy
Piano, Soccer, Ballet, and the Library? How to Attract Elementary-Aged Kids to Your
After-School Programs
Teen Volunteers All Year
1:30 pm
Choice
#
Bilingual Story Times
Open Discussion: Outreach
From Youth Services to Director? And Back Again!
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
9:30 am
KEYNOTE: Compelling Nonfiction Narratives
Marc Aaronson is a professor at Rutgers University’s School of Information and Communication, an
award-winning children’s and YA author, book reviewer, SLJ columnist, editor, historian, and publisher.
He will offer his advice to youth services librarians and staff on how to sift through the many nonfiction books
being published to help you identify the best of what’s available for all ages.
Marc Aronson believes that young people, especially pre-teens and teenagers, are smart,
passionate, and capable of engaging with interesting ideas in interesting ways. He is the
winner of the first-ever Robert F. Sibert Award for his book Sir Walter Raleigh and the Quest
for El Dorado in 2001 and the author of many other nonfiction books, including The Griffin and
the Scientist (with Adrienne Mayor), and Sugar Changed the World: a Story of Magic, Spice,
Slavery, Freedom, and Science (with Marina Budhos), a finalist for the LA Times Book award
and the YALSA best nonfiction award.
Contact information: bookmarch@aol.com
www.marcaronson.com
10:15 am
STEAM for the Littlest Ones: a Math & Science Story Time for Kids & Families
Wondering how to create STEAM-friendly programs for toddlers and pre-k? This program overviews how to do
just that while serving a diverse population, incorporating strong community partnerships, employing bilingual
material, and improving family and early literacy. Creating an effective learning experience for your littlest
patrons is possible with you at the helm!
Chelsea Woods is the tween librarian at the New Brunswick Free Public Library, and a former reference
librarian at the Paterson Free Public Library. She is a current member of the NJLA Young Adult and Urban
Library sections, and the 2015 Chair of the Honors & Awards Committee. She received her MLIS from
Rutgers University in 2013, and focuses her professional efforts on strategic literacy programming for
diverse youth, STEM incorporation, and the improvement of library service in urban areas
What’s Next? When Kids Outgrow Sensory Story Times
Many libraries offer wonderful sensory programs for younger children—but what can we offer for older
children? This presentation will provide ideas and tips for programs that combine literacy, social skills,
movement, and sensory activities to create fun and
dynamic library experiences for slightly older kids with and without special needs—and foster partnerships with
parents, advocates, and community members.
Cassie Runkel began working in public libraries in 2011 during graduate school and never looked back!
She loves serving her community and has a special interest in
programming for kids on the spectrum and with special needs. She is a Youth Services Librarian at the
Ocean County Library’s Brick branch and is an active (and proud!) member of NJLA. She can be reached
by email: cassierunkel@gmail.com.
Late Night Programming
It may sound crazy, but offering programs outside of the library's normal hours can make for some exciting
and well-attended programming! Hear how 4 libraries offer after-hour events for their tweens and teens.
Sandi Cronce is the Head of Youth Services at the Willingboro Public Library. As the Youth Services
Librarian, Sandi provides library services and programming to families and children from birth to 18 years
of age.
Amanda Ort is currently working at the Head of Youth Services at the Mendham Borough Library. She is
currently pursuing her MLIS from Rutgers University and she has her B.S. Ed. in Library Science from
Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. She believes that one of the best parts about working in Youth
Services is enabling her inner child while planning programs for everyone!
Erica Solomon has been a Teen Services Librarian at Piscataway Public Library since 2011, after earning
her MLIS from Rutgers University. She is part of an energetic Teen Department at Piscataway and has
hosted many after-hours events, from gaming to Halloween costume parties. Erica is also an active NJLA
member, serving on various sections and committees including the Young Adult Services Section,
Leadership and Education Subcommittee, and Member Services Committee. Contact information:
esolomon@piscatawaylibrary.org
Christen Orbanus is the Teen Librarian at the M. Allan Vogelson Branch of the Camden County Library
System, where she has worked since 2008. She had hosted 8 (extremely popular!) lock ins for teens
during the 2014-15 school year. Christen's current three favorite things are: Running, Blogging, and Perler
Beads.
Contact information: corbanus@camdencountylibrary.org
11:30 am
Best Practices in Early Literacy
Four libraries were honored this year by the State Library for conducting outstanding early literacy programs.
Cherry Hill Public Library for the Busy Bags Program,
Northfield’s Otto Bruyns Public Library, for the Bring Your Own Baby Program,
Franklin Township Public Library for the Reading Connection Program,
Watchung Public Library for the Mini-maker Art Space Program.
Learn about these exciting programs for the librarians who made them happen!
Sharon Orlando is Youth Services Librarian at Watchung Library branch of the Somerset County Library
System. Also having a background as an early childhood educator and project manager of regional
libraries within the NJ Department of Education, she’s been working for more than 25 years to create
opportunities for communities to engage children and their families at the library. Contact Information:
sorlando@sclibnj.org
Anne Lemay is the Head of Youth Services at the Franklin Township Public Library in Somerset, NJ. In
addition to the MLS, she holds a bachelor’s in Theater Arts from Douglass College and New Jersey Teacher
certifications in Early Childhood Education, K-12 classroom teacher, and K-12 Library Media Specialist. She
is a storyteller, and has taught Traditions in Oral Narration at Rutgers SC&I. Her book, Dog Days & Winter
Ways: Skits to Promote Reading All Year Long, was published by Highsmith Press in 1994, and she is one
of the writers for the annual summer reading manual produced by CSLP, the Collaborative Summer Library
Program.
Aubrey Gerhardt is the Library Director at the Otto Bruyns Public Library of Northfield .Gerhardt has been
the Director for two years, with no previous experience in youth or children's services. She has been
working tirelessly in the past two years to learn more about these areas of public library service. Under the
advice of her four and five year old children, and with an amazingly supportive staff, she has confidently
approached new programing ideas. Contact Information: agerhardt@nflibrary.org
Alia Shields is a Youth Services Librarian at the Cherry Hill Public Library. She holds an M.L.I.S. from
Florida State University in Tallahassee. She most recently presented on non-traditional library collections
during the 2015 NJLA Conference. Her email address is ashields@chplnj.org.
Piano, Soccer, Ballet, and the Library? How to Attract Elementary-Aged Kids
to Your After-School Programs
Attracting school-aged kids to library programs is not as hard as you think. Hear about 2 libraries successful
after-school programs for kids which you can adapt to fit your own library's needs.
Lisa Taylor is a graduate of Texas Woman's University. She is a member of ALA, ALSC, NJLA, and
the NJ School Boards Association. She reviews books for School Library Journal and AudioFile
Magazine, and blogs regularly for the ALSC Blog. She is the current co-chair of ALA Great Websites
for Kids. She puts all of her librarian interests to work for the Barnegat Branch of Ocean County
Library.
Robin Rockman is the Youth Services Librarian at Oradell Free Public Library in Bergen County.
A background in marketing, pop culture, and social networking for new parents, added with a personal
interest in comics and books, books, and more books, plus a hearty dash of bleeding-heart tendencies led
her to find her calling in public librarianship . Reading interests lean towards dystopia, romance, time
travel, and history, especially world war II. She pays dues to ALA, PLA, ALSC, and YALSA, but focuses her
attention on her adopted home state of New Jersey with an active presence in NJLA and BCCLS.
Teen Volunteers All Year
Lots of libraries accept teen volunteers during Summer Reading, but have you thought about expanding your
program into the school year? Learn how 3 libraries are helping teens and helping themselves with
volunteering opportunities all year long!
Stephanie Chadwick is the Teen Librarian at the Middletown Township Public Library in Middletown, NJ.
She graduated in 2014 with her Masters in Library and Information Science, with a School Media
Specialist specialization, from Rutgers University and in 2012 she received her Bachelor of Music in Music
Education from The College of New Jersey. She is also the Children’s Choir Director at her local parish,
and absolutely loves teaching choir and being a librarian!
Mary Ecklund currently works as both the ILS librarian and a teen librarian at the Cape May County Library.
She has been with the Cape May County Library for 2 ½ years, and was the teen librarian at the Old Bridge
Public Library for 5 years prior. She spent five years on the NJLA Summer Reading Committee (working as
Co-Chair for one year), has been a reader for the Garden State Teen Book Awards, presented at the
national Polaris Users Group conference, and has taught marching band, winterguard and drum and bugle
corps for over 10 years.
Saleena Davidson is a graduate of Drexel University and has been committed to teen services since
becoming the YA Librarian at the South Brunswick Public Library in 2003. She has a very healthy TAB
and a solid base of teen support at her library. She was a part of the team that created the TAB Summit
program three years ago and continues to be excited about the program and eager to promote it to
more libraries.
1:30 pm
Bilingual Story Times
According to the US Census, 30.4% of New Jersey’s population – about 2.5 million people - speak a language
other than English at home. Learn how the Fair Lawn and Cherry Hill Libraries have hosted Bilingual Story
Times in multiple languages to best serve their diverse communities.
Alia Shields is a Youth Services Librarian at the Cherry Hill Public Library. She holds an M.L.I.S. from
Florida State University in Tallahassee. She most recently presented on non-traditional library collections
during the 2015 NJLA Conference. Her email address is ashields@chplnj.org.
Kate Nafz has been the supervisor of the Children's Department of the Fair Lawn Library for over twenty
years. She has coordinated story time programs in Spanish, Hebrew, Russian, and, most recently, Hindi.
Kate loves to read books for young people and writes about her favorites on her blog KateOnKidsBooks.
Open Discussion: Outreach
Bring the library outside and bring new users inside...how does your library take on outreach? Join us in
sharing your best and brightest outreach experiences and tips!
This program will be moderated by Carol Simon Levin but the majority of the content will be provided by the
participants.
Carol Simon Levin is a Youth Services Librarian at the Bridgewater Branch of the Somerset County
Library. She is a passionate fan of great non-fiction and biography, particularly those titles that spark
the imagination of young readers.
From Youth Services to Director? And Back Again!
How do you make the jump from children’s/teen librarian to director? What can we learn from those that have
made this transition? Learn how to talk to your director, promote yourself, and support your director.
Kimberly Paone is the Director at the Matawan Aberdeen Public Library, where she has worked since 2010.
Prior to that, she worked in Teen Services (and branch management) at the Elizabeth Public Library.
Kimberly still enjoys reading young adult literature and interacting with young patrons when she can.
Outside of work, she spends her time with her six-year-old son: reading, writing, and going on adventures.
Tammy Lee is the Youth Services Manager at the Bernardsville Public Library. Having returned to her
passion, youth services, after a three year stint as the Director of the Roselle Public Library, she has a
new found appreciation of administrative necessity and is enjoying the creative energy of serving
children, teens and families. Tammy was previously the Children’s Librarian at the Clark Public Library
as well as the Manager of the Children’s and Circulation Departments at the Madison Public Library.