Saroj Ghoting, Diane Hutchins, Kendra Jones, and Greta Bergquist

Washington State Library’s Diane Hutchins has has returned from the highly successful Supercharged Storytimes tour of Washington State.  Diane was joined by nationally renowned, early literacy consultant Saroj Ghoting.  Ghoting is co-author of the new book, Supercharged Storytimes: An Early Literacy Planning and Assessment Guide.  Also along on the tour was Kendra Jones, one of the Joint Chiefs of the Storytime Underground.   At each site they were joined by guest presenters who had participated in Project VIEWS2.  Workshops were held at 8 libraries (4 west of the mountains and 4 east of the mountains) resulting in the supercharging of 131 library staff.

The workshops were incredibly well received and generated renewed enthusiasm among seasoned storytelling practitioners as well as excitement among the newbies.  Skeptics who were prepared to be underwhelmed left as enthusiastic converts.  But, in addition, Diane came back with a wonderful story about the power of libraries for making connections.

In Richland, as shewas getting ready to check out of the hotel and go to the Richland Public Library for the first workshop held in Eastern Washington, Diane got into a conversation with the hotel desk clerk.  When learning that Diane was a librarian, the clerk talked about her great-grandmother, Doris Roberts, who had been very involved in the local library.  A few moments later, as Diane was looking for the room where the workshop was to be held at the Richland Public Library, she spotted the sign, “Doris Roberts Gallery.”  Wouldn’t you know – that’s where the Supercharged Storytimes workshop going to be held.  Small world, or library connection?  You tell me.

From the desk of Diane Hutchins

What do Project VIEWS, Leave It to Beaver, Yamhill, and the University of Washington iSchool have in common?

Would you believe – Beverly Cleary!

And, would you believe – Beverly Cleary will be celebrating her 100^th birthday next month!  On April 12, 1916, Beverly Cleary first saw the light of day in Yamhill County, Oregon.  This award-winning author of numerous children’s books is an iSchool alum and “mother” of well-known characters including Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins.  In recognition of her many contributions to the world of children’s literature, the iSchool created the Beverly Cleary Endowed Professorship, a position that was once held by Dr. Eliza T. Dresang, who led the groundbreaking research of Project VIEWS.

But – Leave It To Beaver??? Beverly Cleary was asked to write a series of Leave It To Beaver books in the early 1960s by the creators of this well-known television series. Find out what happens when Wally, the Beaver, and Eddie Haskell meet Beverly Cleary by visiting this post on the Collecting Children’s Books blog.

Want to celebrate? Check out some of the special events being held in her honor:

• Celebrate 100 Years of Beverly Cleary: Birthday Party! (Multnomah County Library);
• D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read);
• Oregon Art Beat Special: Discovering Beverly Cleary;
• Walk Old Portland With Ramona Quimby.

Is your library hosting a Beverly Cleary event?  Let us know in the comments.

Want to know more about Beverly Cleary? Go to the Oregon Art Beat’s web site. And be sure to join all of us in wishing Beverly Cleary the best birthday ever!