Gift Guide for Library and Book Lovers

Gift Guide for Library and Book Lovers
An Internet Hotlist on Gift Guide

created by Library Advocate

Introduction
What do you buy for that book, library, or literature lover in your life? What gifts do you give that go beyond that special book or bookstore certificate? The links below will get you started.

The Internet Resources

Gifts

Art of Reading - book and e-cards - A book about books, this book celebrates the 40th anniversary of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF.) In it, 40 illustrators were asked to re-imagine a favorite book from their childhood. Learn more about the book or send an e-card of one of the many illustrations. See http://www.rif.org/art
Bankbooks, Banks, and Boxes - Takota Woodworking creates wonderful boxes with old book covers, thus disguising the boxes so you can hide your treasures. I couldn't resist a big red DICTIONARY book/box for my college student's room -- what snoop or thief would ever look in a dictionary? For more info, or to ask when their website will be available, see takotawood@sbcglobal.net
Book Lover Sleep Shirts - Two varieties of sleep shirts (one size fits all) for book lovers.
Book Shelves with a Theme - Berkeley artist Jim Rosenau makes book shelves out of old books, by theme. Ideal for recycling fans. Perfect gifts for graduates and long-time readers alike. Visit 'This Into That' online or Jim's studio at 2547 8th St #30, Berkeley, California. See www.thisintothat.com
Bookish Gifts from Bas Bleu - Bas Bleu describes itself as a 'champion of the odd little book and your source for inspired gifts and accessories for readers.' Check out the heading 'gifts/games/stationary.' This year, see items like bamboo cutting boards shaped as books, literate luggage tags, NPR Map, and a Benoīt 'Autumn' Journal. See http://www.basbleu.com
Books in Art - by Jane Kiskaddon - Books are featured in a number of paintings by California artist Jane Kiskaddon. Her website shows two paintings with books: 'RavenBook' and 'SourceBook.' Not shown are several prints similar to 'SourceBook.' See http://janekiskaddon.com/index.htm
Books in Paintings - in air, roadside, everywhere! - Books are often featured in Ted Wen's paintings. This San Francisco-based contemorary artist paints books in the air and everywhere, not just on solid ground. See www.tedwen.com
Born to Read, READ @ Your Library - The Graphics Department of the American Library Association has tons of library and literary gift and promotional ideas. This is the source of Celebrity READ posters, mini-posters, bookmarks, T-shirts, gifts, and more. See www.alastore.ala.org
Bronze Children Statues by Gary Lee Price - Here's another source for outside library sculptures -- children with books, reading themed. See www.garyleeprice.com/products/children
In My Book - 'the greeting card and bookmark in one' - Here's a nice way to send an old fashioned greeting card and give a fun or thoughtful message starting with 'In my book, ....' on a bookmark for longer-term use. Ideal for book club reminder notes, thank-you notes to legislators and others who support libraries, congratulations to special students or educators, or as Valentines Day cards, too. See www.inmybook.com
Library Store @ LAPL - The Los Angeles Public Library Foundation has a great website for their Library Store at the downtown Central Library location. Categories include gifts for readers, gifts for writers, childrens gifts, library merchandise, autographed books, best sellers, and of course a section on 'I Love L.A.' All Proceeds from the Library Store benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. See www.lfla.org/cgi-bin/store/
Library of Congress Shop - Here's a good site to find children's literary characters (Dr. Seuss, Curious George, Corderoy, Madeline, Miffy Bunny, Olivia, Pretzel, Velvetine Rabbit, Where the Wild Things Are), tote bags, an 'ex libris' throw, Librarian Action Figure, and historic book-themed posters and prints. Shop by theme: For Book Lovers. See www.loc.gov/shop
Literary Illustrations on Rubber Stamps, Totes & T-Shirts, Mugs - Have a special children's book in mind? Book illustrations bring back fun memories of the story and its characters. Here's where you can order literary rubber stamps, bookplates, mugs, bookbags, and more. See www.kidstamps.com
Literary Lodgings - Book Birdhouses from Figpickles Toy Emporium. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is my favorite. See them all at www.figpickels.com/liex.html
Paintings with Reading and Book Themes - Deborah DeWit Marchant paints watercolor images of books and reading. Most prints are still available as are gift cards. See www.dewit-marchant.com
Promote Reading - UPSTART reading promotional items - Notecards like the 'Reading Wonderland' Snowman makes a great winter holiday card. Search by theme for bookbags, bookmarks, and more. My high school friend and her daughter teach kindergarten. Both love ducks. So, I sent them each a classroom set of plastic 'Quack Open a Good Book' book bags. They and their students loved the colorful and reusable DUCK bags. My all-time favorite poem on reading starts 'The More You Read, The More You Know...' Search this theme to see the posters, mugs, T-shirts and more at www.highsmith.com Starting in January 2008, visit the site to vote for 'Your Favorite Book of All Time.' NOTE: Upstart promotional items support the 2008 Summer Reading Program theme, 'Catch the READING Bug.' See www.upstartpromotions.com/cslp
Randolph Rose Collection - The library in Zion, Illinois has a statute of two children on a bench, reading. It’s in the lobby. Librarian Nann says everyone likes it – little kids sit on the bench and put their arms around the statues. See www.randolphrose.com
Reading is Life...the rest is just footnotes - Search library supplier Demco by 'learning materials' or 'theme' and see what you find. Lots of fun carpets. Tons of T-Shirts and more by theme like 'Reading is Life...the Rest is Just Footnotes.' Search under 'Library and Reading Promotions' at www.demco.com
Story-Lover Cards and Calendars - Storyteller Jackie Baldwin designs cards and calendars filled with beautiful antique drawings and stories. Categories include fairy tales, nursery rhymes, gardens, and more. See www.story-lovers.com
Storybook Time Outdoor Statues - How fun! See brass statues of Reading Boy, Reading Girl, Little Scholars, and others for your garden. My favorite is 'Dorothy Garden Statue.' See www.gardecor.com/cat-statues-bronze-child-small
Storytime puppets by Mister Anderson's Company - Check out the many puppets that support summer reading or anytime reading programs. Stephanie Stokes says that a 'must have' for any Children's Librarian would be Frog Frenzy the bug-swallowing frog. The Frog Frenzy Activity Set is a cloth frog with a really big mouth that swallows bugs (included) and just about anything else to the accompaniment of buzzing, croaking, and burping sounds. Fill out your buggy menagerie with Digger the Ant, a 16-inch hand puppet who is a natural fit as your Summer Reading Masscot. All are available from Mister Anderson's Company. See www.misterandersons.com
The right to remain silent... 'M' is for Mystery - 'M' is for Mystery bookstore is a treasure for readers who love a good mystery story or enjoy meeting mystery authors. Check out the small but special gift collection including a coffee mug and T-Shirt with words to Miranda rights ('You have the right to remain silent....) or visit the bookstore in downtown San Mateo, California. See www.mformystery.com

Fashion

Altered (Book) Purses by Make It and Take It - More (Book) purses to model. See www.makeitandtakeit.com
Book Purses by Treehugger - Make a fashion statement. Model a book purse. See www.treehugger.com
Cafepress.com library , book, web 2.0 apparel - THOUSANDS of T-shirts and more with library, reading, book, and other themes like 'web 2.0' and 'blogging.' Check it out at www.cafepress.com/buy/library
Fashion for librarians, teachers, & book lovers - Fun and fashionable reading clothes, book totes and tapestry, jewelry, scarves, ties, socks, nightshirts,and more! T-shirt and tote designs by well-known artist/illustrators. Giggle Giggle Quake Duck Doll available (from book 'Click Clack Moo.') See www.stopfalling.com
Literary Lab Coats and Scholarly Scrubs - How can you spot a librarian? A name badge or designated chair behind a reference desk? Why not exchange your tired old sweater for a Literary Lab Coat -- either plain with your title embroidered on it, or patterned? Wish they offered book-themed fabric! Lab coats maintain a professional look, while having useful pockets and such. Scrubs are good for back room operations such as book repair or sorting and shelving in the dusty stacks. See Green Scrubs at www.scrubs.com
What Happens in the Library, Stays in the Library - The Store @ Unshelved Comics has a small-but-sweet library and book lovers collection that includes Unshelved Comic strip compilations, fun T-shirts, and totes. My favorite T-Shirts are: 'What happens in the library, stays in the library,' 'Frequently Asked Questions' and 'Read Responsibly.' Check out the Book Club T-shirts for Men. Site has an RSS feed so you can regularly receive the library comic strip. See www.overduemedia.com/store.aspx

Decorations

Book-Look Art by PaperMosaic - Sausalito, California hosts an annual art show over the Labor Day Weekend. That's how we discovered Susan Seymour and her artwork. Many of her colorful designs look like stacks or rows of books. Check them out at www.papermosaic.net
Wood Book Panels - decorative - Worthington Library Book Panels and The Dummy Book Company offer decorative wood book spines in a wood book case. Their websites says the 'shelves' can be used to disguise a door or secret passageway! Sounds fun. See www.sourceperrier.com and www.DummyBook.com

Reading and Library Advocacy

@ Your Library - California School Library Poster Contest - Each year, Dr. Lesley Farmer and a team of judges hold a student poster contest for the California School Library Association. Theme is '--- @ Your Library.' See winning posters for 2006, 2005, and 2004. Winners of the 2007 (7th Annual) contest were on display at the CSLA Conference in November.
Advocate4Libraries (BLOG) - Library Advocacy ramblings from a long-time California library advocate. See http://advocate4libraries.blogspot.com/
California Young Reader Medal Award - Students Read & Vote - Website description: The California Young Reader Medal (CYRM) program encourages recreational reading of popular literature among the young people of our state. Since 1974, millions of California children have nominated, read, and voted for the winners of the California Young Reader Medal. The CYRM program is sponsored by four statewide organizations committed to books and reading: California Association of Teachers of English (CATE), California Library Association (CLA), California Reading Association (CRA), and California School Library Association (CSLA.) Books are nominated in four categories: Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-6), Middle School/Junior High (6-9), and Young Adult (9-12.) Students may read and vote for books in any and all categories, but they must read all the books nominated in a category to be eligible to vote. Students read the nominated books from July - March and vote for their favorite. Teachers and librarians introduce the nominees to students, often in exciting and innovative ways. They provide ballots for the students, compile vote totals, and submit results to the CYRM committee. CYRM ballots are due by April 1. Ballots, nomination forms, and nominee lists are online at www.californiayoungreadermedal.org/
Donors Choose - school libraries - DonorsChoose.org is a website where teachers and teacher-librarians ASK for something by submitting a brief proposal. Donors search proposals and CHOOSE which one to support. SEARCH 'Library' and see all the projects. See www.donorschoose.org/
Get Caught Reading -- posters, e-cards - Website description: 'Get Caught Reading is a nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read. May is Get Caught Reading month, but the campaign is promoted throughout the year. Get Caught Reading is supported by the Association of American Publishers (AAP.) Launched in 1999, it is the brainchild of former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAP, the industry association representing book publishers.' See www.getcaughtreading.org/
Library Lovers Month - Every month is Library Lovers' Month, although February is designated as such. School, public, college, and private libraries of all types celebrate and recognize the value of libraries. See tons of ideas on How to Love Your Library at www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers/
Personalized Action Figures - Is your favorite librarian or book lover about to retire or get special recognition? Be sure to have your action figure armed with a book or a stack of books! Here is a fun way to make their day... Enjoy! See http://www.andgor.com
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) - Send a fun e-card, visit the RIF Gift Store, or donate in a variety of ways to build a nation of readers. Website description: 'Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most. Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. RIFļæ½s highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8.' See www.rif.org
Vote for Books - Your Favorite Childrens or Chapter Book - Library supplier Upstart Promotions has introduced a contest called 'Vote for Books.' Here is how it works: Starting January 1, 2008, go to 'Vote for Books' and submit your favorite childrens or chapter book. Check back on May 1, 2008 to see if your candidate is in the top eight finalists of each category. Stay involved for 3 rounds of voting during the Fall. Final winners are announced on November 5, 2008. See www.voteforbooks.com

Library Foundations & Philanthropy

California State Library Foundation -- A Treasure Trove - Historic California poster reprints are available through Zazzle.com. Browse through and order reprints and more from a large and growing collection of travel and event posters, and advertisements. A portion of the proceeds benefit the California State Library Foundation. See www.zazzle.com/castatelibrary
Donate to READING is FUNDAMENTAL - Children who don't have books and who don't read regularly are less likely to succeed in school and life. RIF books are new, carefully selected, and are given to children for their own collection. Readers often take books and reading for granted, not even imagining that many families have few (if any) books at home. RIF is a well-respected and worthy program to support. See http://donate.rif.org/
Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries - Support School Libraries! Grants from The Laura Bush Foundation go to needy school libraries across the country to purchase books. In 2006 and 2007, the Foundation's Gulf Coast School Library Recovery Initiative funneled millions of dollars to school libraries in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Texas. See www.laurabushfoundation.org/
Library FRIENDS and Foundations - Give to your local library. Most libraries have a non-profit Foundation or FRIENDS of the Library organization in order to raise funds for library programs, library furnishings and artwork, and special collections beyond the means of the annual library budget. Special friends and family members can be remembered in small and large gifts, ranging from a gift for books (name plate inside book) or larger bequest for programs (i.e., literacy programs like Project READ) or facilities (capital campaign contribution.)
Library Mysteries - Fundraiser - California Mystery Writer Penny Warner offers a series of four mystery plays for library fundraisers (or Friend-raisers.) See her website for how to order the plays/playbooks and reviews from libraries that have enjoyed engaging their community in such a fun experience. See http://www.pennywarner.com/

International Reading & Library Programs

Books for Soldiers - Send books to soldiers that are stationed around the world. Make mail-call days special with a box of new books. See http://booksforsoldiers.com
Humanitarian Aid for the Mind - Sabre Foundation - The Sabre Foundation works with publishers and donors to provide books internationally to needy institutions. According to Sabre's book donation policy, the schools, universities, libraries, and individuals that benefit from Sabre’s Book Donation Program are not regarded as the recipients of aid for whom “any book is better than no book at all.” They are regarded instead as clients with limited resources.' See http://www.sabre.org/
Librarians Without Borders - Librarians Without Borders (LWB) is a non-profit organization created in 2005 in Canada, committed to committed to strengthening libraries in developing regions. It's mission statement says it strives to improve access to information resources regardless of language, geography, or religion, by forming partnerships with community organizations in developing regions. See www.lwb-online.org

Content by Library Advocate, JS8295@att.com
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listgiftguij.html
Last revised Mon Sep 1 6:51:50 US/Pacific 2008