Our Library's New Program

 Last year, we did a year of Book Bingo.

This year, we're challenging our readers all year long. But it's not a reading challenge.

Check out the video here.

January's Challenge is all about crafts.

First, I want to update my knitting skills

I can make scarves and blankets, but I like to create something a *little* harder.

Second, I've seen some awesome looking resin jewelry and other items

Like these bookmarks I found on Esty:

Aren't they amazing?

I think it would be fun to try. I know working with Resin is a challenge, but I did purchase a few molds.

You're more than welcome to join us! It doesn't matter where you live in the world.

Fall Teen Program Ideas

Everything is different this year. And harder. But maybe it will allow for some different kids of programming. It's hard to know exactly what to do.

But that's not all that different from teen services. You never really know what's going to be an amazing program and which one might be a dud.

And it might be a chance to reach more teens, do different types of programs, and try new things.

Some of these ideas might be great cross-over ideas for adults too. As usual, these program ideas are from Pinterest!

Over the summer at my library, we did lots of Take and Make bags. And we'll still do those.

One of the most popular themed bags was our Foodie Fun.

Foodie Fun:
We put bags together with some ingredients that not everyone would have at home.
There are videos on Facebook and our YouTube channel.

We're going to do more of these.

We have six fall recipes planned.

Here's the September one:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/13721973852951063/?nic_v1=1a5oBXwE7

Rock Candy:

I've always wanted to make this with teens, but the timing!

However, if they are making this at home, the timing doesn't matter as much.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371547038014682029/?nic_v1=1a5oBXwE7

Art Bags:

These seem to go pretty well over the summer too.

Book Art would be a fun project - again, the timing is tricky for inside the library, but not for virtual.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/485333297343531718/?nic_v1=1a5oBXwE7

Art Nights:

We haven't done this yet, but I would LOVE to!

Here's a good fall one.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/371547038014619704/?nic_v1=1a5oBXwE7

Spa Night:

This could be a whole series. You do bath salts, face masks, bath fizzies....

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/541628292689003842/?nic_v1=1a5oBXwE7

Pride Month: Book Videos

I've made some videos for my library, check them out. See if your library has some of these books. If not, you can always ask for them to purchase them.

Get Booked:

Get Booked 2:

Children's Books:

Black Lives Matter: Children's Books

Earlier I created these videos for the library - they are new books with Black main characters. 

People and Places: Picture Book Biographies

Books for older readers

Picture Books

Get Booked: Black Lives Matter

Each week, my co-worker Mary and I talk about books. The new episode usually drops on Fridays, but this week we wanted to highlight #OwnVoices and Black Lives Matter books. The episode dropped early.

Check it out:

Of course this is just the starting point for books. There are so many out there. 

If you need recommendations, let me know!

Take Your Child to the Library Day

Yesterday was the 6th annual national Take Your Child to the Library Day. Each year people are throwing bigger and bigger events and getting tons of people coming to the library.

This year, we had a wolf themed event - mostly because it coincided with the wolf track events which we were already planning. The wolf tracks have facts about wolves and then lead to a display on wolf books.

We purchased some fun new books for the event.

Around the room at all the tables, we had wolf stations with crafts:

We had a little library play station

We had a how to draw a wolf cub station for older kids

This one is my favorite - a Wolf Crime Scene where you fill out paperwork on the wolf, creating a story along the way

A arctic wolf craft

Coloring Sheets - All Wolves of course

A wolf mask

The only thing we didn't have was a wolf at the library. Oh, well there's always next year!

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

photo credit: https://heyhoneyblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/sexual-assault-awareness-month.jpg

I created this brochure for my library - for the teen room. I hope to put copies up this month, with a display highlighting these books. While these are only a sample of books that talk about abusive relationships and rape, I chose these because they are in the library.

I also have several romance books on the list, because I like to balance the light with the dark. Also because these show positive relationships.

The second side of the brochure contains Girl Power Songs and information about abuse as well as hotlines to call.

If anyone wants a PDF of the brochure, let me know in the messages and I'll be happy to send it out.

Wish Me Luck!

Today I begin a new journey - as a Youth Services Librarian for the Cragin Librarian in Colchester, CT. I really missed the library world. I've never worked primarily with younger kids and I'm excited about the possibilities. Of course it means, I still get to work with teens!  So many new ideas to explore...

From their Facebook Page

What that means for the blog: 

Not much, although I might be talking more and more about pictures books in round-up type post. I might talk more about Children's books or Children's Librarianship, but mostly things here will remain the same.

What that means for my writing:

Not much, I'll still have some time to write in the mornings, but not the whole day. I might have to lessen my word count goals