Harris County Public Library
Winner: LaPorte Library Film Committee
David Novosad (left) & Mark Stamps
Nomination: During fall 2003, the children s department of La Porte Community Library brainstormed ways to promote the upcoming 2004 Summer Reading Program (SRP). Due to problems with a large number of latchkey kids in the library after school, Children's Librarian Jerald Stamps and his assistant, David Novosad, searched for a way to promote summer reading and involve some of the latchkey children in a project to challenge their imaginations and foster their latent talents. Stamps and Novosad decided to found the La Porte Community Library Film Committee to create a film to promote the SRP.
Stamps selected some of the most behaviorally challenged children to work on the film. This unique and innovative plan for encouraging reluctant youngsters to spend time reading in the summer was unprecedented. The children's excitement prompted Stamps and Novosad to approach Branch Manager Myra Wilson for permission to undertake the project. They also asked the Friends of the La Porte Community Library to provide funding. All agreed to launch the project and the entire budget proved to be less than $200, a modest sum by any estimation.
By spring 2004, the film committee had completed its final draft of the script and began filming a short promotional film entitled Kool Ride s Library Drive. Final editing of the stop-action sequences was completed in late April 2004 and the film was screened at the monthly Children s Librarian Meeting in May 2004. Children's Specialist for Materials Selection Stephanie Borgman agreed to provide enough funds for each branch to receive a DVD copy of the film for use in the county-wide SRP promotional effort. The film was also attached to HCPL s Kids in the Know website during the summer months and was viewed by children across the country.
This project allowed film committee members to be part of a team and worked to increase the self-esteem of every committee member. Film committee membership became a much-coveted position among La Porte Library s youngster customers.
In May 2004 La Porte Elementary School honored the film committee members at a special initial screening of the film. The children were feted by their peers and school staff. La Porte Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Molly Helmlinger sent a commendation letter to Stamps praising him for the project's innovation and offered her support and whole-hearted cooperation for any like endeavors in the future. According to reports from the parents of the film committee members, more than half of the children have since entered the Odyssey of the Mind Program, a program for gifted students at La Porte Elementary School.
Christine McNew, Youth Services Consultant, Library Development Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, was also supportive of the film committee's effort. She felt that by producing this promotional film, HCPL was on the cutting edge of Texas libraries using technology to foster improved reading skills and student participation in the annual state summer reading programs. She inquired about the possibility of the La Porte Library's film committee producing a 30-second public service announcement for television broadcast to promote summer reading programs across the state. Although the children's department's resources do not allow time for such a production at this time, the film committee has indicated its willingness to consider future possibilities.
A second film, tentatively titled The Lex Files, is currently in production to promote the 2005 summer reading program. This year the children were required to audition for acting roles or to assist in the various tasks needed to complete the film. The 2005 film will contain both live action and digital scenes. The script was created by Stamps, Novosad and film committee members and was completed in January, 2005. Digital photographs of the ongoing production are available upon request.
Winner: LaPorte Library Film Committee
David Novosad (left) & Mark Stamps
Nomination: During fall 2003, the children s department of La Porte Community Library brainstormed ways to promote the upcoming 2004 Summer Reading Program (SRP). Due to problems with a large number of latchkey kids in the library after school, Children's Librarian Jerald Stamps and his assistant, David Novosad, searched for a way to promote summer reading and involve some of the latchkey children in a project to challenge their imaginations and foster their latent talents. Stamps and Novosad decided to found the La Porte Community Library Film Committee to create a film to promote the SRP.
Stamps selected some of the most behaviorally challenged children to work on the film. This unique and innovative plan for encouraging reluctant youngsters to spend time reading in the summer was unprecedented. The children's excitement prompted Stamps and Novosad to approach Branch Manager Myra Wilson for permission to undertake the project. They also asked the Friends of the La Porte Community Library to provide funding. All agreed to launch the project and the entire budget proved to be less than $200, a modest sum by any estimation.
By spring 2004, the film committee had completed its final draft of the script and began filming a short promotional film entitled Kool Ride s Library Drive. Final editing of the stop-action sequences was completed in late April 2004 and the film was screened at the monthly Children s Librarian Meeting in May 2004. Children's Specialist for Materials Selection Stephanie Borgman agreed to provide enough funds for each branch to receive a DVD copy of the film for use in the county-wide SRP promotional effort. The film was also attached to HCPL s Kids in the Know website during the summer months and was viewed by children across the country.
This project allowed film committee members to be part of a team and worked to increase the self-esteem of every committee member. Film committee membership became a much-coveted position among La Porte Library s youngster customers.
In May 2004 La Porte Elementary School honored the film committee members at a special initial screening of the film. The children were feted by their peers and school staff. La Porte Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Molly Helmlinger sent a commendation letter to Stamps praising him for the project's innovation and offered her support and whole-hearted cooperation for any like endeavors in the future. According to reports from the parents of the film committee members, more than half of the children have since entered the Odyssey of the Mind Program, a program for gifted students at La Porte Elementary School.
Christine McNew, Youth Services Consultant, Library Development Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, was also supportive of the film committee's effort. She felt that by producing this promotional film, HCPL was on the cutting edge of Texas libraries using technology to foster improved reading skills and student participation in the annual state summer reading programs. She inquired about the possibility of the La Porte Library's film committee producing a 30-second public service announcement for television broadcast to promote summer reading programs across the state. Although the children's department's resources do not allow time for such a production at this time, the film committee has indicated its willingness to consider future possibilities.
A second film, tentatively titled The Lex Files, is currently in production to promote the 2005 summer reading program. This year the children were required to audition for acting roles or to assist in the various tasks needed to complete the film. The 2005 film will contain both live action and digital scenes. The script was created by Stamps, Novosad and film committee members and was completed in January, 2005. Digital photographs of the ongoing production are available upon request.