March
2004
Dear
Fellow Book Lovers:
March
marks the celebration of Women's History Week.
What
does women's history mean to students and young patrons? Do
they understand why this week is celebrated? How is this celebration
relevant to today's culture and society? I suspect most young
readers have no real answers to these questions. Neither do
most of their moms. There are a few images of suffragists
marching for women's right to vote in the streets of New York
and Washington D.C. reprinted in textbooks and nonfiction
works. These images illustrate the long fight for equality
of the sexes. But references to the 19th Amendment, which
gives women the right to vote, are scant in the overall American
History curriculum. This is why it is so necessary to use
this special week as a time to acquaint readers with the contribution
of women to our society in the past and the present. Most
school and public libraries participate in Women's History
Week by displaying books like The
Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter (ages 6-12)
by Bonnie Christensen, and biographies about other famous
women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and
Lucretia Mott. Some libraries show pertinent films, and others
sponsor special book discussion groups. While these types
of programs are always good, I want to suggest that libraries
take the celebration of Women's History a step further by
making it relevant to young people in today's society. Here
are a few ideas:
•Expose young readers
to nonfiction works like 33
Things Every Girl Should Know About Women's History, edited
by Tonya Bolden. Ask them to develop a trivia game using facts
they learn from this book, other books in the library, or
from Internet sites. Plan a special day for girls and their
mothers and grandmothers. Begin the event by playing the trivia
game the young readers developed. Consider giving a copy of
Bolden's book to the winner of the game.
•Identify
local women leaders and invite them to talk to young patrons
about their leadership roles. How long did it take them to
achieve their role? What are their chief responsibilities?
What advice might they offer young girls who are interested
in becoming civic leaders? Encourage the speakers to share
a favorite book from their childhood or teenage years.
•Engage
young readers in a discussion about the personal qualities
it takes to become a leader and to make a difference in society.
Explain the courage and determination of Stanton, Anthony,
Mott and other women leaders. Then ask them to read a work
of fiction where the female protagonist displays these qualities,
thus showing signs of leadership. Have them make bookmarks
that feature these titles for distribution at the circulation
desk. A few titles to consider include:
•Ask
readers to find articles in magazines and newspapers about
the role of women in the military. This may also include stories
about women in the U. S. Military Academies. Then have them
read Rosie
the Riveter by Penny Colman (ages 10-up). Lead a discussion
about how women's roles have changed since World War II. Young
patrons may enjoy developing an illustrated timeline called
Women in the Military—World War II—the War in Iraq .
•Sponsor
a women's career day, focusing on careers that have been previously
dominated by men. This event may be a panel that includes
a woman doctor, lawyer, engineer, business executive, a building
contractor, dentist, professional musician, etc. Allow girls
the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers.
•Invite
the local media to cover the library's Women's History Week
celebration. Encourage them to interview young girls and their
mothers who have participated in the special events.
You
may email me at pscales@scgsah.state.sc.us
.
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