Monday, September 5, 2011
Seniors in libraries
Let's face it we have an ageing population that have more time than ever to be loyal library devotees.
Some like Westerns, some like Romance, some like more highbrow reading, but most like to park nearby and not walk too far. They like Large Print books, mags about caravan holidays, fishing, and the local seniors newsletter for free events. But this may be a generalisation. Seniors like us cannot be easily categorised. Some like to learn about new techologies, while others are happy to go with those they know.
In order to keep these loyal customers, libraries need to have good lighting, clear signage and comfy chairs in a quiet area. Some hearing loss is made worse by loud competing noises such as the wonderful Children's section activites.Those who no longer drive may need a Home Delivery service.
Please feel free to comment with your own library findings on this topic.
Canadian Guidelines on Library and Information Services for Older Adults can be found on the internet
at the Canadian Library Association site.
Articles about seniors in libraries can be found at
http://www.fracas.com/articles-robertson/ww2-seniors-canada-public-libraries.html
Another article with bibliography and further links can be found here
Some like Westerns, some like Romance, some like more highbrow reading, but most like to park nearby and not walk too far. They like Large Print books, mags about caravan holidays, fishing, and the local seniors newsletter for free events. But this may be a generalisation. Seniors like us cannot be easily categorised. Some like to learn about new techologies, while others are happy to go with those they know.
In order to keep these loyal customers, libraries need to have good lighting, clear signage and comfy chairs in a quiet area. Some hearing loss is made worse by loud competing noises such as the wonderful Children's section activites.Those who no longer drive may need a Home Delivery service.
Please feel free to comment with your own library findings on this topic.
Canadian Guidelines on Library and Information Services for Older Adults can be found on the internet
at the Canadian Library Association site.
Articles about seniors in libraries can be found at
http://www.fracas.com/articles-robertson/ww2-seniors-canada-public-libraries.html
Another article with bibliography and further links can be found here
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Useful book slideshows for teachers writers and librarians
http://www.slideshare.net/jonbard/get-started-writing-picture-books
http://www.slideshare.net/ProfessorNana/picture-books-are-not-dead
http://www.slideshare.net/amybirdwell/picture-books-8724697
http://www.slideshare.net/guest63bc06/checklist-for-evaluating-picture-books-presentation
http://www.slideshare.net/tulikabooks/picture-books
http://www.slideshare.net/digitalbookworld/engaging-readers-in-the-digital-age
How to write your own picturebook
Recently I was asked to talk to a class of students who were writing a children's picturebook for an English assignment. This got me thinking - it may seem simple but getting a picturebook that is a) deemed worth the cost of publishing and b) popular with children, is harder than it seems.
You cannot write any simple story - it has to engage the child reader/listener and be exciting enough to tug at their emotions and imaginations.The design and layout of the illustrations does an awful lot to bring the words to life. I recently judged a picturebook competition and it was fairly easy to tell which books a child would love. Some adults were really writing for themselves, which is another genre altogether..
If you wish to avoid the hassle of finding a publisher and want to publish your own picturebook, there are many POD publishers out there - you will then need to cover your own costs and sell your own books, or simply give them away as presents to friends and relatives. Try local printers, and places that sell photobooks,
and online printers such as lulu.
So here's a slideshow that covers some of the tips needed when writing a picturebook. Happy writing! Happy illustrating too if you can do your own - otherwise please pay that artist friend you are thinking of asking to help you! Creative people are often asked for freebies - surely their work is worth paying for!
You cannot write any simple story - it has to engage the child reader/listener and be exciting enough to tug at their emotions and imaginations.The design and layout of the illustrations does an awful lot to bring the words to life. I recently judged a picturebook competition and it was fairly easy to tell which books a child would love. Some adults were really writing for themselves, which is another genre altogether..
If you wish to avoid the hassle of finding a publisher and want to publish your own picturebook, there are many POD publishers out there - you will then need to cover your own costs and sell your own books, or simply give them away as presents to friends and relatives. Try local printers, and places that sell photobooks,
and online printers such as lulu.
So here's a slideshow that covers some of the tips needed when writing a picturebook. Happy writing! Happy illustrating too if you can do your own - otherwise please pay that artist friend you are thinking of asking to help you! Creative people are often asked for freebies - surely their work is worth paying for!
Blog for creative artists
Creative artists can benefit from tips, interviews and features on blogs.
The blog listed above, Creative Artists Blog, does this and more.
The blog creator regularly features designs found on Print on Demand (POD)
sites such as Cafepress, zazzle, and Redbubble.
The blog also includes links to reviews of these POD sites, and other sites with tips for creative artists.
Art lovers and shoppers also come across this blog, so having an image or interview there may well bring you benefits.
Another tip is whenever possible, embed a slideshow of your work in your sites, as if you earn referrals with your POD seller, you can earn money from people buying after you refer them to products, even if that product is not your own. This is possible at zazzle, for instance, and it may be that blog owners who are in this program are earning money from featuring other people's products on their blog, often working by shopper themes to generate customer interest. This benefits them as well as the owner of the image.
An example of a zazzle flash panel appears below:
Canvas Prints
Make a personalized gift at Zazzle.
The blog listed above, Creative Artists Blog, does this and more.
The blog creator regularly features designs found on Print on Demand (POD)
sites such as Cafepress, zazzle, and Redbubble.
The blog also includes links to reviews of these POD sites, and other sites with tips for creative artists.
Art lovers and shoppers also come across this blog, so having an image or interview there may well bring you benefits.
Another tip is whenever possible, embed a slideshow of your work in your sites, as if you earn referrals with your POD seller, you can earn money from people buying after you refer them to products, even if that product is not your own. This is possible at zazzle, for instance, and it may be that blog owners who are in this program are earning money from featuring other people's products on their blog, often working by shopper themes to generate customer interest. This benefits them as well as the owner of the image.
An example of a zazzle flash panel appears below:
Canvas Prints
Make a personalized gift at Zazzle.
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