LISNews: Librarian News

Disturbing news out of the Big Apple. It seems that a large number of third graders may be held back because they can't pass the city's standardized reading and math exams. According to the article, "city spent $8 million preparing for the exams, 11,700 of the 80,000 third-graders in New York City public schools failed one or both of the tests." Read More.

Anonymous Patron shares this news item from newkerala.com, "Naughty children in Hyderabad, India, now do not pester their parents for the latest toys in the market. They can play with them in a nearby library, which is providing toys to them. Brainchild of Panna Mehta, an ordinary housewife, this extraordinary idea has come as a boon for not only children, but also for the parents. Mehta thought of this idea when she realised that parents had to spend a huge sum of money almost every month to meet the demands of their children for the latest toys."

I wonder if this could translate to United States public libraries?

nbruce writes "The sub-headline in today's Columbus Dispatch looked a bit startling, "no pets or children under 7" but the story was about unattended children in the Columbus Public Library system. New rules. No children under 7 without a parent or caregiver.

The reporter included a story about a child young enough to have dirty diapers left with siblings and a sack of McDonald's hamburgers while Mama went off to the shopping center.

Now, if the staff can't find the parent within 30 minutes, they will call the police. One mother interviewed for the story said her own limit for leaving children alone at the library is age 14. Other parents (and staff) thought the age limit for unattended children should be set higher."

nbruce writes "Yesterday's Wall Street Journal (April 27) had 2 articles about reading and children in the health section. Those interested in either might take a look.

One reported on a story that poor readers show changes in brain activity after highly intensive reading intervention. Underuse of the left hemisphere results in poor reading skills. After 105 hours of tutoring, the children read more accurately and fluently.

The other reported on a parent training program, designed to save Medicaid costs. The parents of children in HeadStart programs were taught to use research material instead of the emergency room for help for minor illnesses. Prior to training, 69% chose ER as a first source; after training, that was down 32%.

The research training gave the parents confidence to 1) first go to a reference book, 2) learn to define symptoms in reporting it, 3) taught them to use a thermometer, 4) taught them to use OTC medications, fluids and sponge baths, and 5) to call to consult with a medical person.

What to do when your child gets sick is a book designed for readers with low literacy. The goal of the pilot project is to educate 12,000 families by the end of 2005. The program also reduced days missed from work by the parents, which went down by 41%."