Joliet Reads October Meeting Notes

I attended my monthly Joliet Reads meeting this morning.

To begin, we learned that the school district has started posting children's book reviews on their web site. :)

Second on the agenda was the October Adult Book program at Joliet Public Library about the October Joliet Reads book, The Outliers. Jane Udovich told the group that the program is on October 22, per Linda W-C. I am supposed to get back to the group with the exact time. They will advertise the program through the schools and four people from the committee volunteered to come to the program to assist with it. Jane already has some book discussion questions if they are needed. I told Jane to get hold of Roger or Mary so that they can discuss the program further.

The schools have some interesting plans to use stimulus money (and other money from grants). They are applying for money to purchase the Follett online catalog system for the junior highs. :) I'm not sure, but I think some junior highs still use [shudder] the card catalog. Eeeeeeeeeeeeek! They also have received money to buy additional books for classroom libraries.

Jane U. was surfing the Internet and read that Joliet Central High School received a Target grant to completely re-do their Library Media Center. How cool is that?

The school district is launching a "Caught Reading" program. If a school board member is visiting a school and "catches" a student reading, he/she can give the child a Caught Reading button and will note the child's name. Students will be honored with quarterly or monthly certificates.

We also discussed ideas for after school reading programs, book discussion groups, or even the possibility of Battle with the Books at the junior highs.

People also mentioned adult books that could be good choices for Joliet Reads: Olive Kitteridge, Without a Map, The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Help and Past Imperfect. A school board member also suggested Extra Credit by Andrew Clements for the student list.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 3.