YSS meeting minutes 3/16/2021 2 PM

Attending from the board: Katrina Bilodeau (conference liaison), Caitlyn Clark (member-at-large for Cape Cod and the islands), Lizzy McGovern (president), and Audrey Snowden (secretary)

*Numerous attendees from membership

1. Outdoor programming/summer reading

There are still big concerns about outdoor programming, for safety reasons. Should we sing at outdoor storytimes? Lizzy noted speakers and a lapel mic are helpful things when conducting outdoor programming, but aside from outdoor storytimes and popup libraries, outdoor programming is still limited. Those who are testing programs are requiring registration to keep control of the numbers. For the most part, libraries are finding continued with success with take and makes, although the prep is definitely onerous. The question was raised, how do you keep kids reading all summer, instead of front-loading or back-ending it all?

2. newsletter update

Caitlyn Clark is spearheading the newsletter, using Wild Apricot and sharing tips, book reviews, things that bring joy, and more! Interested contributors should contact her at cclark@clamsnet.org for access to the content generation Google doc. This is for the monthly version--they’re toying with doing a quarterly newsletter that’s more in-depth (articles, etc.), but are currently looking for your contributions for the monthly version. *You may contribute on your own schedule; a one-time contribution is not an automatic monthly commitment.

3. Social Media update from MLA

MLA has decided to put all social media under the MLA umbrella. There’s now only one MLA Twitter. The YSS Facebook page has now been made a Youth Services group under the MLA’s Facebook page.

4. professional development needed (what do Youth librarians want?)

Send any input to Lizzy.

5. teen librarians focus (needing own sub committee or group)

Could we use a subcommittee in YSS focusing on just teens? General response seems to indicate interest, so this will be explored soon. Getting teens involved is a consistent challenge and a recurrent theme. Some successful programming ideas mentioned included subscription boxes (requiring sign-up) and Wicked Henna (mandy@wickedgoodhenna.com). 

6. Another game night (ideas)

Caitlyn has had some good success with Jackbox as a concept, even if it doesn’t pull in the teens. We will explore that. Also, a number of attendees have had success with Kahoot (kahoot.com/plans breaks out costs for home, business, and school memberships, at differing service levels). Katrina noted “we [Northborough] paid $75 for a year’s subscription, which had to be reimbursed.” 

7. Conference update

The MLA annual conference is May 17, 18, 19. Tuesday May 18 is the youth services day, and programming runs from 9-12. Most of the presenters agreed to record their sessions, and the attendance fee will be significantly reduced from previous years.