Attention, educators, school media specialists, and librarians of students in grades 2-8: How would you like to read some of the best books of the past couple of years? Attend a workshop to talk about them? Learn about more amazing books? Listen to inspiring and informative speakers? And get continuing education credits (CEUs) for your efforts?

I just described Camp Read-a-Lot, a professional development opportunity offered by Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative. The event is scheduled for August 3 from 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. at the Minnesota State University, Mankato Library. Register and pay the $35 fee (which includes lunch) by July 28 at www.tdslib.org/ camp-read-alot.

Library specialists have preselected 20 books covering grades 2-5 and 16 books covering grades 6-8. Participants must choose to focus on grades 2-5 or 6-8, and they will earn up to 17 CEUs for reading the books in their preselected list and writing a report about how the books could be used in a classroom or library setting. The report must be submitted on or before August 3. Participants will earn eight additional CEUs for attending camp.

Camp day begins with a keynote address by award-winning author Geoff Herbach, who will share his passion for motivating kids to read and helping them develop a lifelong love of reading and books. Herbach, author of the Stupid Fast young adult series as well as �Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders,� teaches writing at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Breakout sessions follow the keynote and include discussions about the preselected book lists; school-public library collaboration; programming success stories; diverse book titles; and aligning lessons to Minnesota State Standards.

Lunch will feature a battle of the books competition with tables competing in book trivia with questions pulled from the preselected book lists.

Early bird and after camp sessions include a tour of the MSU, Mankato library, information about the OverDrive electronic books platform, and an opportunity to start planning the 2018 Camp Read-a-Lot.

Our goals for the camp are multifaceted. They include providing an environment for sharing information about books and expanding reading lists. They also involve meeting a published author, developing practical strategies for using books in classroom and library settings, and connecting with colleagues. Camp Read-a-Lot was designed for library and education professionals who focus on literature, and we look forward to seeing you at this fun and instructive event.