ONTARIO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
WHITE PINE BOOK AWARD™ PROGRAM

GETTING STARTED...

Presenting the Program to Staff/Parents

• Speak at a staff meeting; send out a newsletter.
• Emphasize the fun and the voluntary aspect. Launch an upbeat "reading is fun" campaign @ your library™.
• Invite staff to read the books and participate in the reading program. Involve your staff and administration in the launch of your White Pine program.
• Emphasize that the teacher-librarian will co-ordinate the program to ensure that staff do not see it as an extra duty.
• Make White Pine part of your management plan.
• Attend an SCC meeting to promote the books with parents.
• Include a White Pine write-up as part of the newsletter to parents.
• Add White Pine to your library Web page.

Ways to Get Students Interested

• TL goes to TAPS/homeroom and talks about the books.
• TL goes to classes to promote the books (take the books on a cart to visit the classes — not necessarily English classes.
• Use book talks to promote the titles and the program.
• P.A. announcements ( have the principal recommend one of the books he/she has read; various teachers promote a book — students can too)
• We have parent volunteers at our library reading and participating.
• Posters of book covers with invitations to students to get involved.
• Displays of books set up (at least until they are all signed out!).
• Organize a White Pine kick off at lunch in your library; have guest presenters for each of the books. Serve refreshments!!
• Run reading circles at lunch to promote discussion of books; this encourages sharing across grade levels. Invite students to lunch, or for hot chocolate and treats.
• Do in-school draws, and have prizes for the readers.

Logisitcs

• record books read on a tracking sheet (sample formats included)
• use content and discussion questions from the Web site to help track student participation
• hold vote for those who have read the minimum of four books; check the Web site for voting
• plan some sort of celebration in your school/board
• present certificates to participants (some schools make this part of their junior awards program)
• check out the Web site for other ideas

MOST IMPORTANTLY - READING IS FUN!!!!!!!!!