News & Updates
Summer Reading
We are excited to announce that the manual for the 2025 Summer Reading Program, themed Color Our World, are now available for your libraries! This year's theme celebrates arts and creativity, offering a wealth of engaging resources to inspire both children and families. We look forward to seeing how you bring this theme to life in your communities. Thank you for your dedication to fostering a love of reading and learning during the summer months!
ODL Youth Services works collaboratively with Collaborative Summer Library Program to bring high quality programs, materials, and professional development to Oklahoma libraries.
If you are an Oklahoma Youth Librarian and have questions about Summer Reading, please email Trisha.Hutcherson@libraries.ok.gov.
Upcoming Summer Reading Themes
- 2025: Color Our World – Art
- 2026: Unearth a Story – Dinosaurs
- 2027: Theme – Mystery/Detective/Suspense
Summer Library Presenters
If you are a performer/entertainer interested in presenting your program at public libraries in Oklahoma, learn more.
For Participating Libraries
Sponsored by
Acknowledgements
Requirements for all libraries using any Oklahoma Department of Libraries provided materials
Wording example
This activity was supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Grant, and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
Read for Adventure
Read for Adventure, the statewide literacy program, is continuing through June 30, 2025. Thanks to the OKC Zoo and OG&E, all participating libraries receive a kit that includes: one copy of the Juniper's Butterfly Garden book, 100 OKC Zoo ticket vouchers, posters and bookmarks.
Children who check out Juniper's Butterfly Garden receive a voucher for four guests to visit the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden for FREE!
Reservations are not required for entry into the Zoo, and Read for Adventure vouchers can be redeemed at any Zoo ticket window.
Promote the literacy project on your social media! You can promote the opportunity on your social media channels. Use this Social Media Image.
More information, coloring pages and list of participating libraries: OKCZoo.org/READFORADVENTURE
NOTE: Vouchers expire June 30, 2025
Hunger Free Oklahoma partners to provide Oklahoma children free access to healthy meals. Organizations like libraries serve as “bridges” to resources and helpful services.
Visit Hunger Free Oklahoma for more information.
Youth Services Resources
for library staff who work with youth 0-18
Literacy Programs
Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Literacy Skills- Get Started
Oklahoma Reading Sufficiency
Saroj Ghoting - Early Childhood Literacy Consultant
Betsy Diamant-Cohen - Mother Goose on the Loose Resources
Harvard University - Center on the Developing Child
Idaho Commission for Libraries - Early Literacy Resources
ALSC blog post - Using Evernote for a Storytime Archive
Why and How of Literacy Skills
Johnson County Library - Birth to Six
CELL - Center for Early Literacy Learning - Practices Guides for Practitioners
CELL - Presentations about Early Literacy
CELL - Practice Guides with Adaptations
Corvallis-Benton County Public Library - Early Literacy Newsletters
Choice Literacy - Using Picture Books to Spice Up Vocabulary Instruction
Reach Out & Read - Resources for Families
Suggested Books
Saroj Ghoting's Storytime Share
Nerdy Book Club - Top Ten Wordless Picture Books
Handouts for Parents
CELL - Practice Guides for Parents
CELL - Practice Guides for Parents in Spanish
CELL - Videos for Parents
Resources here
Resources here
Tragedy and disasters can cause an enormous disturbance in a child or teen's life. As librarians we can help. Here are some resources that can guide you in creating programs, book lists, and to help librarians understand how best to provide services to youth.
Book Lists
Anti-Racism Reading Lists and Resources Compiled by Adrienne Butler, updated June 4, 2020
School Library Journal article with trauma bibliotherapy from 2016: Therapy by the Book Therapy by the Book
Programs & Activities
Youth Services Programming During a Time of Crisis: Youth Services Programming in Crisis Toolkit (PDF) is a printable toolkit designed to help public libraries in times of crisis plan programming that creates a sense of normalcy for youth and teens in times of disaster or upheaval.
Capstone Project toolkit designed and written by Jamie Gilmore, Grace Morris, Erica Trotter, and Alexandria Wardrip through the University of Washington's Information School. It was also featured (8/30/17) in The Conversation's article, "Public Libraries can (literally) Serve as a Shelter from the Storm," by Grace Morris, Public Libraries Can Literally Serve as a Shelter from the Storm
Helping Children Cope with a Tragedy
Social Services & Coping
These resources will help you think about how an infectious disease outbreak or pandemic might affect juveniles both physically and emotionally and what you can do to help them cope in times of public health emergencies. National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Elissa Hardy from the Denver Public Library on trauma-informed service in libraries. She’s the on-site social worker for Denver Public Library and is part of the larger trend to staff social workers in public libraries: Libraries and Compassion Fatigue Webinar
Las Vegas PBS put together after last fall’s shooting: Resources Help Families Cope
Early Childhood Investigations recorded webinar: Trauma-Informed Early Education Classroom Design: Designing Child and Family-Friendly Spaces for Recovery from Trauma
The American School Counselor Association: Learn More: Helping Students After a School Shooting Resources
More Resources
Dandelion & Roses: Weeds & Replacements for Children's Books blog post: Resources to Help Children Deal with Tragedy
Active Shooter Resources
Your local law enforcement agency should be your first stop for assistance in planning and training for active shooter situations.
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services Cooperative Directors Association and the Library of Michigan with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. All of the event’s handouts, as well as videos of the presentations can be found here: Securing Your Library in Troubling Times
WebJunction Online Course – Search for Active Shooter Procedure for Libraries
FEMA.gov One Page handout on Active Shooter Procedures
Watch the following video from the Michigan State Police and the Department of Technology, Management and Budget for more information on how to create a plan in the event of an active shooter situation: Active Shooter Preparedness
The September 2016 collaborative training program also involved the topic of safety programs. You can find handouts and information from the event online. Michigan Library Safety Programs
Transforming Teen Services
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Tulsa City County Library System partnered with ALA Young Adult Library Services Association with grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to provide facilitated trainings on teen services. "Transforming Teen Services Project." This project is based on the Aspen Institute's “Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries,” and YALSA’s IMLS-funded “The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action." The intent of the project is for Oklahoma librarians who provide services to teens to highlight their current activities and programs and provide a firm foundation. The facilitation trainings assist to provide the skills librarians need to guide teens to be productive contributors citizens.
One More to Grow! STEM Grant 2016
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries was made available from IMLS through LSTA and the State of Oklahoma competitive grant to Oklahoma Public Librarians who serve youth ages 0 - 18 and were one of the fifty-two (52) recipients of the Lego STEM Grant and the Kid IS the Rocket STEM Grant.
The purpose of this grant was to support STEM programs and activities in Oklahoma libraries. These IMLS funds aim to provide an opportunity for the fifty-two (52) Lego STEM and Kid IS the Rocket STEM grant recipients to extend and enhance their current programs. ODL awarded up to ten (10) recipients at no more than $1,500 each. Less than ten (10) recipients will increase the amount awarded.
Download the grant announcement (PDF).
The Kid IS the Rocket STEM Grant 2015
Rocket Grant Recipients
ROUND 1: $103,628.91 was awarded to Oklahoma Public Libraries. 75 libraries applied and 21 were funded. Of the funded libraries: 12 libraries are system branches: Eastern Oklahoma District Library System, 5 branches; Pioneer Library System, 5 branches; Chickasaw Regional Library System, 1 branch; and Southern Prairie Library System, 2 branches, for a cumulative $57,124.54. Nine municipal libraries were awarded a cumulative $44,706.37. All 75 applicants applied for a cumulative $253,002.11.
ROUND 2: *Additional funding was made available and awarded. **Libraries that were previously capped at $10,000 in round 1 were funded the remaining requested amount. Total additional funds awarded was $53,086.44. The grand total of round 1 and 2 grant funding awarded is $156,715.35.
Lego STEM Grant 2014
48 libraries applied. Of the 48 applications, 36 were awarded to: PLS, 7 branches; MLS, 2 branches; EODLS, 4 branches; and 23 municipal. Total funds spent was $58,216.33.
2016 Read Harder Challenge
A suggested list themes for librarians who serve children and young adults. Each month had a theme and librarians can read any type of book on that theme. Books could be graphic novels, picture books, middle grade, teen, and adult books with teen appeal.
OK CYA Read Harder Challenge (PDF)
Follow ODL Youth Services on Facebook
Questions? Please email Trisha.Hutcherson@libraries.ok.gov.
If you are an Oklahoma librarian and work with patrons age 0 to 18, sign up for the ODL Youth Services updates. Email Trisha Hutcherson with your contact information.
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