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12/16/2014 11:00 PMWhen it comes to being a children's librarian, sharing the name of a certain ballerina mouse has its benefits, says Angelina Carnevale.
"There is definitely a number of the children, when I say, 'Hi, my name is Angelina,' they'll say, 'Angelina Ballerina!' The kids recognize the book, and I have the same name as their favorite ballerina mouse, so they come in knowing my name. It's wonderful-so rewarding," says Angelina, adding that Angelina Ballerina was also her favorite children's book.
Angelina joined the Guilford Free Library (GFL) as children's librarian in late September, replacing Suellen Heinrich. Heinrich retired in July after many years heading up this bright and busy section, located on the main floor (see Heinrich's farewell Person of the Week story at www.zip06.com/guilford).
"I have heard a lot of wonderful things about her, so I have big shoes to fill!" says Angelina. "She definitely put in place a lot of programs that I'm continuing, and then I'm also innovating and bringing in new things-specifically, stuff involving technology and helping kids learn what they're going to need to know in the future."
Come January, the department will offer new Crazy 8's math clubs for kindergarten to 2nd -grade students and grades 3 to 5, she notes.
"It's going to be just fun experiments and things that will help kids who think that math is boring have fun with it and realize math is a real cool experience," says Angelina. "Also, we just got a mini 3D printer for the Children's Department, so in January, we're going to start seeing some programming for kids on how to design and print their own creations, because computer drafting and engineering, those geo-spatial skills, are what kids are going to need, and they might not get that exposure in other places. It's in baby stages right now, but we're looking to get into robotics and coding software and design, and sort of bring those things to the child level, because it can be intimidating."
Angelina grew up in Rhode Island, attended Southern Connecticut State University as an undergraduate, and earned her M.S. in library sciences from the University of Rhode Island in 2011. She most recently was in charge of teen services under the Children's Department in the New Haven Free Public Library system. At GFL, Angelina is undertaking an effort to bring the library's 'tween programs into the Children's Department (it was formerly with Teen Programming) and make it really special with "maker" programs including 3D printing and other hands-on, technology-linked opportunities.
"We're going to be introducing some of our new technology options to those in-between programs," says Angelina. "The maker space movement is a pretty fun one, and we're really embracing that in the Children's Department."
Another exciting new opportunity being embraced by the Children's Department also begins in January, says Angelina.
"We also have coming up, from January through June, participation in a statewide project called The Great Connecticut Caper, put on through the Connecticut Humanities [Council]. It's a mystery-the Gillette Castle has been stolen-and Connecticut authors are taking turns writing a chapter of it and illustrating a chapter of it. And every two weeks, we're going to be having a program here, when the next chapter comes out. We'll read it, and there are going to be clues in that chapter and contests and everything, so it's making reading fun and interactive. The Library of Congress ran a nationwide program like this, and Connecticut is the first state to make it a state-level event. So it's a fun new program that we're hoping is going to be successful."
Angelina adds she's very lucky to be surrounded by experienced and enthusiastic staff.
"A lot people who are here on the children's staff have been here for a very long time and they have very valuable experience," says Angelina. "They are fantastic and they're also really open to new things. So my staff is learning 3D printing, they're learning iPads and all of this new technology, because if we don't know it, how can we teach the children? So they're really interested in learning."
Speaking of teaching and learning, Angelina says she hopes the Children's Department is seen as a resource to educators who are working with Guilford's kids.
"If teachers are working on a specific project, they are always welcome to come to the library, or we'll have a class visit or do research. If they call ahead of time, we'll have the books they need ready. We're here to support the schools in whatever they need."
Along those lines, the ever-popular Summer Reading game, which takes into account Guilford Public Schools's required summer reading, will continue, says Angelina.
"I don't think the Summer Reading Game is ever going to go away," she says, smiling. "Summer reading is very important for preventing that summer slide that everyone hears so much about. So we're going to continue it, and right now we're brainstorming up ways to make it even more fun and interesting-so keep an eye out for that!"
Angelina says she hopes everyone in town avails themselves of the materials and programming offered by the library.
"There's certainly the core group of people who just love the library-they're here every day. And I'm sure there are people who have not set foot in the library in years, and I think that's a travesty," says Angelina. "People who think the library is dead or dying are kind of stuck in this image that a library can't change. The library is really the forerunner of change and promoting it in the community. It's not just about adapting to survive; it's changing because it needs to happen, because that is what you need to do to serve your community." "
Angelina's advocacy of public libraries extends to her conviction that everyone should have a library card.
"I will always say people should come to library. Every child should have a library card as soon as they get to kindergarten or sooner. Every adult should have a library card regardless of whether they have children, because there are all sorts of wonderful things going on at the library for all ages."
These days, a library card does much more than check out a book, Angelina adds.
"A lot of people aren't aware of things that you can do at the library and the things you can try out, risk-free, that you might not necessarily have the means to afford. You can come to a computer class or 3D printing class, you can check out DVDs and audio books, you can check out a Kindle-and if you have a Kindle, you can check out [an e-book] for free with your library card. We also offer free passes you can check out with your library card," she says.
The Children's Department's latest offering is a pass for free admission (up to two adults and four children) for the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, for example. Beyond the benefits of having a library card, enjoying one of Guilford's most inviting public spaces is another reason to come to the library, says Angelina.
"Guilford's library is really nice. Everything is beautiful and new, and everyone here is really nice. The community just really comes together around the library, which is pretty fantastic."