How to charge the babies (energy wise)

I have successfully written and performed my first two independent Babygarten classes (a reading, rhyming, and listening storytime for babies 0 to 18 months). Both times I nearly ran out of breath from talking so fast and performing the rhymes (especially the stand up ones). I can never tell if the parents are enjoying what I'm doing except through verbal cues. One parent sighed in relief after we completed our Stand Up Rhymes today. I didn't know if he was relieved to put down his heavy child or if he was tired of it. Parents who don't want to do the stand up rhymes can always sit down, but I may cut back on the number that I do. The last two times two parents (out of 44 and 65 of the class #s) came up and said "Thank you." to me afterward.

My philosophy is to keep the Babygarten as highly energized as possible, but then I'm afraid I get the kids too wound up. I did pull a trick from my co-worker Jennifer and that's to start singing a rhyme as I'm collecting toys to focus everyone's attention back to me so we could do more rhymes. The kids were starting to get restless by the end so I cut a few songs and went straight to the toys. The children seem to be happiest when there's music playing so perhaps more songs? I don't like creating a mellow environment for the babies because I find that boring and it should be reserved for Lullaby Storytimes.

Any advice you, dear reader, can give on how to focus your child's attention or what works best when them when it comes to books, or through your experience with similar storytime formats would be helpful and immensely appreciated.

Huge News

It is with great pride and excitement that I announce my new position as a Library Assistant for the Ashburn Library in Loudoun County, but also the revitalization of this blog!

My start date is July 7th and I just went through my last shift as a Library Page for the Prince William County Public Library System. Everyone on the circulation, youth services, information, and management staff wished me luck on my journey and it was with a heavy heart that I left them. I don't regret my decision accepting another offer a county away but someday I'd like to return to Prince William County work.

My new position is split between working the Circulation Desk and work the Info Desk for the Youth Services department. Now if only I can remember not to tell patrons to search for a book under the last name of the book's main character instead of the author! There is a possibility that I will be responsible for planning storytimes as well as adult programs. I'm being stationed in the largest library in the county so I'm very excited! It is indeed a new beginning for me and I look forward to jumping in with great vigor!

I have a to-do list and a to-read list a mile long. Here it is abridged:

1. Find out about reciprocal borrowing privileges between Loudoun and Prince William County.
2. Join ALA, PLA, & YALSA again.

My to read list on my book shelf currently consists of the following titles:

1. Laurell K. Hamilton - Hit List
2. Jodi Picoult - Harvesting the Heart
3. Ned Vizzini - It's Kind of a Funny Story
4. Yvonne Woon - Dead Beautiful
5. Sarah Dessen - What Happened to Goodbye

The one thing I will miss the most about working for Prince William County Libraries (besides the wonderful staff I've gotten to know over the last year) is the benefit of being on staff grants me absolutely zero fines and late fees.


As How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying would say, "Onward and Upward!"