Happy New Year everyone! We’re Roaring in the year here on Library Lions with the talented Librarian and Author, Kristen Remenar!

I am a Youth Services Librarian at the Orion Township Public Library in Lake Orion, Michigan

and I blog about picture books on my website. I’m also a national speaker on early literacy and an author. My first picture book, GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA, is from Charlesbridge and it’s illustrated by the award-winning author/artist (and super-cute husband), Matt Faulkner.

My alter ego, Helen Wrath, has a book called DRAW WITH A VENGEANCE: GET EVEN IN INK AND LET KARMA HANDLE THE REST published by Running Press.

The Skinny: Tell us what you love about your work
I love sharing just the right book that makes a kid’s eyes light up! Whether it’s an active toddler in storytime who becomes transfixed by the story I’m reading, or a middle schooler who asks for more books like the one I’d given him, helping to connect readers with books is deeply satisfying.

Library Laughs
One of my favorite programs to do with school-age kids is “The Science of Bubble Gum”. After we read how gum is made and how bubble gum was invented, I ask, “Do you think bubble gum will weigh more or less after it’s been chewed?” We hypothesize, go through the scientific process, test our theories, etc. One year I bought gum base from Glee Gum so we could make our own gum. The kids loved making and tasting our gum, but wow, was it sticky!

A Lion’s Pride of Programs
Our library formed a partnership, Think Link, with our preschools and public schools. One of the services we provide is a book delivery system. Teachers in our district are eligible for a free teacher library card where up to 30 educational items can be checked out for six weeks. Teachers email or call a public librarian with requests for materials. We check out the materials and put them the school’s blue bin at our library. We have volunteers that take the blue bins each week from our library to the school, put the requested materials in the blue bin in the school media center, and bring back to our library any materials from the school bin that need to be returned. Our teachers love it, and our circulation of all kinds of materials for kids has increased!

Think Link bins

Readers Roar
“This place has everything!” Charlie, 1st grade
“Books take me out of myself.” Julia, 10th grade
“Thank you for helping me on my journey.” Tiernan, 8th grade, after a writer’s workshop

One More Roar!
Libraries so purely serve the entirety of our community. Through us, anyone of any age can get unlimited access to information and to entertainment for free.

Let’s Link
Blogs: Kristenremenar.com ReaderKidz.com
Library Website: orionlibrary.org

Facebook: Kristen Remenar

Twitter:@RemenarReads

Thanks again for the interview, Kristen!

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Email Janet via the Contact page on this website to set up an interview.
Note to Authors: If you’re interested in Roaring for Libraries on this blog, contact Janet.