|
|
 |
|
January
2026 | |
|
 |
Youth Services Notes |
|
|
From the Library of Virginia
|
|
|
Dial a Story
Every Wednesday, a new story will be shared with listeners across the Commonwealth. From recent picture books and timeless fairy tales to inspiring folk tales and stories that celebrate equity, diversity, and inclusion, there’s always something magical to discover. Our volunteer readers are the heart of this program that offers a unique blend of picture books and telephone technology to boost reading readiness. |
|
|
Dial a Story Books: February 2026
02/04/2026 Grandma’s Hair is Ankle Length / El cabello de Abuela le llega hasta los tobillos by Adriana Camacho-Church
Reader: Laura Geiken
02/11/2026 David Gets in Trouble / David se mete en líos by David Shannon
Readers: Jane Blue and Celia Isbrecht
02/18/2026 A Maleta Full of Treasures / La maleta de tesoros by Natalia Sylvester
Readers: Dana Bomba and Celeste Simon
02/25/2026 Llama Llama Misses Mama / Llama llama extraña mamá by Anna Dewdny
Readers: Lynn Jacobs and Aryn Dagirmanjian |
|
|
|
|
Beanstack Trainings
Remember that Beanstack has a library of upcoming trainings that are available to you.
Save the dates for two Virginia-specific trainings:
March 16 at 2:00 Admin Essentials
April 29 at 2:00 Reports & Data
More information and registration will be coming soon. |
|
|
|
|
|
Take Your Child to the Library Day (Saturday, February 7)
Visit the TYCLD Resources for Librarians page for graphics, planning resources, and activity ideas. Participation is completely customizable – it can be as simple as handing out bookmarks, or as elaborate as a full-day event at your library. Registration is simple and free through this form. When libraries register, they’ll be placed on the national TYCLD map for their community to find.
If February 7 doesn’t work for your library’s schedule, you may celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day on any day in February that you choose. |
|
|
TYCLD is an international celebration that encourages families everywhere to take their children to their local library. TYCLD raises community awareness about the importance of the library in the life of a child, and promotes library services and programs for children and families.
|
|
|
|
 |
Thinking Money for Kids free download
ALA, in collaboration with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation), has released Thinking Money for Kids: Cents-ational Reads to Teach Young People About Money, a free resource guide and booklist for libraries.
Available now as a free PDF download, the guide highlights 40 recommended book titles for kids from birth to grade 8, all selected by the ALSC Quicklists Consulting Committee. Thinking Money for Kids helps libraries build financial education collections and offers an assortment of engaging programming ideas to transform learning about money into memorable experiences. The guide also includes a double-sided, printable take-home guide for library patrons, along with a selection of resources and helpful tips. |
|
|
|
 |
El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)
The 2026 National Día Program Registry is open, and ALSC invites libraries, schools, and community organizations to register their upcoming programs. By using the national registry, program planners help build a searchable database that showcases all types and sizes of programs that highlight El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) and Diversity In Action. The registry also provides a space where planners can share diversity programming ideas with colleagues nationwide.
Look for the 2026 Día reading lists, compiled by the Quicklists Consulting committee -- coming in February! |
|
|
|
2026 ALA Youth Media Awards
The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, digital media, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards on Monday, January 26 in Chicago.
Find a list of all the 2026 award winners and honor selections here. |
|
|
|
|
2026 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Selection Committee is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2026 award is A Sea of Lemon Trees by María Dolores Águila, published by Roaring Brook Press.
The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction was established in 1982 by children's author Scott O'Dell to encourage the writing of historical fiction for young readers.
For more information about Scott O'Dell and the Scott O'Dell Award, please visit https://scottodell.com/the-scott-odell-award. |
|
|
|
|
Your library program can be featured here!
Please submit a photo and description of your favorite program! |
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Important Dates & Celebrations
|
|
|
National and State Conferences 2026 March 2-4: Virginia State Literacy Association (Roanoke) March 12-14: Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (Hampton)
April 1-3: Public Library Association (Minneapolis) October 1-3: ALSC National Institute (Buffalo NY)
October 18-20: Virginia Library Association (Norfolk) November 19-22: NAEYC (Orlando, FL) |
|
|
|