Make Mine Music SLP Workshop Links 2/23/18

This project was funded in part with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services which administers the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Division for Libraries & Technology

It was great to join so many colleagues from the northeastern side of Wisconsin for some fun times surrounding planning for summer ...and contemplating change.

Here are some of the links I shared with you

Summer Learning -  Horizons National video

Summer Library R/Evolution Pinterest Board

Marinak, Barbara and  Linda Gambrell (2016) No More Reading for Junk: Best Practices for Motivating Readers. Heinemann

Summer 2018 Pinterest Board and here is another one from Wisconsin's Miss Pippi!

Wisconsin Library Association

PDF of slidedeck


Idea Sharing from the workshop:

MUSIC

Ukekeles are inexpensive way to invest to create hands-on music with kids

Consider getting a sponsor(s) from small business(es) to sponsor programs or food for events.

Create songwriting books for teens monthly meetings where attendees can work on songwriting skills; once a year open mic night.

Community Outreach – look into non-profit arts group who often need to do community outreach.

Do Dance Party “Rock n Stroller” CDs…highlight your CD collection.

Street party- block street off if your library is small. Or use nearby park.

Work with your schools that do music. Create an instrument petting zoo and ask high school kids to bring their instruments and demonstate how it is played.

Not a singer, no problem..use rhythm.  

Don’t apologize for singing.

Have a kid parade with homemade instruments

Made eggs and spoons to make shaker and added different things to each (rice, noodles, gravel, ) and have kids listen to the difference

Show videos of sound effects being made – “Foley” is name of making sound effects

Sing along to movies (can you say Frozen?)

Make music with sounds of nature or sounds of your town.

Musical selfie – sing or play some notes that are you and put on library FB page

Listen to a variety of music and draw what they hear (jazz; fast, slow,etc)

Lip sync contest

Folk dance/square dance/line dance

Music camp

Create a jingle for the library

Use digital Garage Band to create music with teens

Rap battles with karoake machines

Do a family talent show

ROCKS

Don’t forget rocks

Rocks build– build with rocks – tower, wall, road, balanced rock sculpture

Rock science - layers of the earth; show different rocks

Rock art – polished rocks; kindness rocks; jewelry with rocks

UW-Madison Geology Museum will lend collections if you pick up and drop off

Check with Weis Museum of UW-Fox Valley campus

Use pictures of rocks to make a mosaic

Rock Fashion Week - tweens and teens can make fashion accessories

Starburst Rock Cycle video

Hope you have a great summer!!

If You Build It, They Will Come

Today I was in beautiful Madison WI making mischief around the concept of strategizing effective change and building balance in youth programming. And it wouldn't be November in Wisconsin without a look at the summer ahead and quenching the "hair-on-fire" fear we sometimes feel before we realize there are ways to make summer funner!

Below are links to information cited in the presentation.

Happy reading!

Summer Learning
Get Ready for Endless Summer Reading.
Libraries at the Center of Summer Learning Toolkit

Easing the Stress
Summer Library R/Evolution Pinterest Board - links to many articles and posts that help us re-think how we support kids during the summer.
It's the End (and I Don't Want to Die)
Counting Kids
Going Weekly -Prizeless
Unprogramming webinar and resources

Samples of Summer Learning SLP logs
Weekly cards with experiential choices
Passports to adventure
Summer Reading Booklets
Bingo Cards

Building a Better World Program Ideas
Kids Give Back at Portage Public Library
Food Donations, Adopt an Animal, Charity Challenges
Pinterest Board on Build a Better World Program Ideas - Sharon Goforth
Pinterest Board on Build a Better World - Loch-Wouters

Slide Deck

After our workshop, I hope everyone felt that we got here:

Shaking Up SLP - Workshop Power

Participants share aspirations at the workshop

Change is in the air with SLP. More people are getting outside the box and re-examining the worn-out paradigms of how we engage kids in the summer. These posts look at aspects of SLP and ask us to think bigger, deeper and wider - and share experiences along the continuum for change. 

Today's post is from Leah Langby , the Youth Services Coordinator for the Indianhead Library System, a ten county consortium in northwestern Wisconsin. She is also a savvy, supportive and sharp-as-a-tack library advocate and leader who isn't afraid to open the door and gently offer information that leads to change. She is active in many arenas and is currently chair-elect of YSS, our WLA youth section. Check out the system blog she oversees - Keeping Up with Kids - and get it on your feeds!

Every year in the dead of winter, one of the brightest spots is getting together with youth services librarians from around the region for a face-to-face enthusiasm-and-idea-generating extravaganza, known as the Summer Library Program workshop.  For years, we’ve had a great time at this workshop, laughing together, getting inspired with ideas for projects and programs and promotions.  Having a roomful of youth services librarians is a definite recipe for plenty of energy and collaboration, and talking about the summer programs seems to bring out the best of that.

This year, I wanted to nudge us all along a little bit more, thinking about the Summer Library Program in the context of all of youth services, preventing burnout, and re-thinking some of the things we’ve always done.  Prizes or no prizes?  How much time to spend on those decorations?  How can we simplify?  How can we reach out to our community for collaboration, and to reach kids who might not be getting to the library?  How can we make our efforts intentional and effective?  I wanted to do that, but still maintain the festive, energetic, collaborative and mutually supportive atmosphere that sustains us all through the long winter months.

Some of my colleagues in the state who have been thinking about all of these SLP/youth services issues in a smart way were generous enough to come to my system to talk about some of those big issues.  A HUGE shout-out to Shawn Brommer and Sue Abrahamson for gently and humorously helping us feel mighty, consider our aspirations and our strengths, and think about the “sacred cows” we could consider putting out to pasture.  After a two-hour session exploring our super-hero powers with Shawn and Sue, we had several break-out sessions. 

I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of the amazing librarians in our system who stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park, presenting panels on everything from teen volunteers and programs to collaboration to outreach to stealth programs to the whys and hows of decorations and performers.  Two of the breakout sessions were also hosted by a local maker-space denizen, who showed us some playful ways to interact with problem-solving with kids.  I tried to provide presenters with clear expectations beforehand (this is a new development for me, and it is pretty revolutionary how well it works!).  Almost all of these sessions were about the summer, but also so much more!  It was amazing to tap into the skills, know-how, and experience of the people right here in our system. 

I’ve had more positive feedback from this one workshop/mini-conference than about any other workshop I’ve ever had in my entire 10-year history of planning and implementing workshops (of all kinds).  People were stopping by my office, nearly floating off the floor with excitement about ways they were planning to make their programs last year-round, reach out to their communities, and get more people engaged with the library and reading.  Hooray!  It might be that there is no going back!

How about you? What have you been thinking about summer reading/library program? Join our conversation in the comments, on your blog or as a guest post writer (send guest posts to me lochwouters at gmail dot com). For additional thoughtful posts, stop by the Summer Reading Revolution Pinterest board or read other posts in this series

Shaking Up SLP - Facing Down Fear
Shaking Up SLP - Questions
Shaking Up SLP - Research-iness
Shaking Up SLP - School Power
Shaking Up SLP- Creating the Zen

Putting on Our Big SLP Pants

This is the season of summer library program workshops around the country. Many librarians are beginning to book performers and put the pieces together for the programs and actual summer reading program structure.

I have wondered on this blog before if there is an over-emphasis on the summer library program in our preparation time and system CE offerings. With all the many issues we contend with, is it worth one. whole. workshop. annually (the only youth-oriented workshop some systems offer) to delve into what is an expected annual happening at libraries of every size?

My hard-working colleagues who are system level planners sometimes share my ambivalence. But they are responding to real-world requests from their system member libraries to always have a SLP-oriented workshop.

Is there any way to change this conversation at the grass-roots level among librarians? Is there a way - in our linked and networked world - to do an annual webinar shared by many systems with supporting documentation or blog posts or a shared wiki or space for ideas? In-person workshops could then be focused on other topics of interest/need for youth librarians.

Perhaps I'm dreaming and the demand for SLP workshop is inexorable and inevitable. If it can't be changed, can it at least model what more system workshops are starting to do - have only an hour or two devoted to SLP and the rest to other vital subjects we youth folks need more information or ideas on?

Subjects focusing on:

• Tween programs
• Outreach strategies to schools during the school year
• Creative tours
• Introducing digital content into programs/rooms
• Non-traditional programming models (stealth/DIY/unprogramming)
• Collection development tips
• Managing patron behaviors in youth areas
• Programming for special populations
• Teen programs
• Collaboration models both within the library and out in the community
• Strategic program planning
• Advocacy for youth services
• Preschool programming beyond storyime
• Incorporating STEAM/STEM
• Any of three dozen issues I see questions about on listservs, Twitter, Facebook groups

Getting our summer library work into perspective shouldn't be difficult. I feel there is so much to learn and share that goes beyond what is essentially dressing up our summer efforts in a new thematic pair of pants each summer.

Can we get into those big SLP pants and see beyond these short eight weeks? What do you think?

Graphic courtesy of Pixabay

Idea Sparklers #11 - Fun Notes form the Field

Today I had the pleasure of re-connecting with colleagues at the Wisconsin Valley Library Service. The headquarters are in Wausau and that is where we had our summer reading program and program idea workshop hosted by consultant and friend Kris Adams Wendt.  We had a lively discussion of programs and here they are!

Worm Races - Those libraries following the 2013 CLSP theme of Dig into Reading will want to try these. At Rhinelander (WI) District Library, they've been wowing the kids for 30 years and they are willing to share the how-to's.

Child Development Day - when the school district runs this day to screen rpeschoolers, the library is invited and sets up a table with booklists, books, giveaways and library card applications.  Returns of completed applications to the library tells staff that this is a great investment in time.

Magnetic letters and boards available throughout the children's area encourages wordplay and letter recognition

Read to Rover - therapy dogs arranged through Therapy Dogs International are a huge hit for child readers.

Raffle Ideas - one library has a quilting guild that donates a quilt to raffle off. Another idea is buying a kindle and raffling off chances to win it.

Deer Hunting Celebration - in communities up north where the annual deer harvest is a holiday and occasion, the library has blaze orange costume contests, coloring sheets , deer rack (antlers) contest for most unusual, smallest, biggest and so on. The library knows the community and the community responds!

2-Book Challenge Teen Program - for SLP, kids are asked to read and review two books and hand them in for a big drawing (a guitar; a nook) as well as receive a small prize (food coupon, etc). They can do up to four 2-Book challenges.

Teen Late Nights - the teens play games like scavenger hunt and more after hours. Very popular.

Ballot Box - one of the libraries sets up voting for favorite books during the lection season

SLP Teen Readers -  teens read to the little kids at pajama nights. One special night the little kids were challenged to dress as a superhero and earn a chance to enter a prize raffle twice.

Future Business Leaders Club Teen Volunteers - are a huge help to one library. They ran a book drive for kids and were able to get a huge nember of books donated.

August Community Service - during August, one library always ties a community-wide community service project into the summer reading program. This year they helped spearhead a collection of supplies for kids who are in need when being removed from dysfunctional homes  - pajamas; a stuffed toy, a blanket and a book - all in a pillowcase. They received over eighty sets of these needed items.

It's always a pleasure to travel and hear the great ideas from libraries working at libraries large and small. I learn somethings new every time!

Find more in the Idea Sparklers series: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8  9 10 11

Idea Sparklers #10 - Fun Notes from the Field

Continuing my swing through Kansas, I found myself in the lovely area of Great Bend. I was able to steal away before and after the workshop to immerse myself in two nearby natural areas: Cheyenne Bottoms and the Quivira Wildlife Refuge. The migrating birds were just starting through and, along with the warm welcome from my Central Kansas Library System colleagues and host/consultant extraordinaire Marquita Boehnke and system staff, it made my workshop day special.

Book Relays - held before the library opens, the teams of kids are given lists of books and have to find them and then run back to the next person. A Scholastic Book Fair is also set up at the SLP Kick-off and volunteers make cookies.

SLP Incentives - a local (and generous) woodworker makes big cut-outs from the SLP theme. Each child gets one and decorates with stickers and can bring home at the end of the summer program.

Outside Fun
Outdoor Water Day - held on the front lawn, kids do a sponge relay; a water balloon toss and popsicles are served. As people drive by they are attracted to all the excitement and it is great PR.

Fill big buckets with water and paint and let kids paint outside

Cook hotdogs for kids and let them do sidewalk chalk art.

Popsicles in Gelatin - Get an ice chest and fill with unflaveored gelatin. Stick popsicles inside before it gels. Kids have to reach through to get to their popsicles.

4 H Ambassadors/Actor's Guild/Teen lifeguards - they volunteer to come in to plan games for the library and run them as well. A great way to partner with volunteers to extend fun.

Final Party - was so popular it had to be split into two different days. Found Little Caesers to be generous donor - they not only provided inexpensive pizza but staffed and served it!

SLP Sign-ups - libraries use google docs for sign-up since the doc can be open in multiple locations. Others use gmail form to pop into google docs. Google also has the plus of analytics, plug-ins and easy web-linking to enhance tracking.

Beat the Heat - after programs are over, a movie is run and kids invited to bring pillows. Popcorn is provided. It's a great way for kids to stay cool.

Read to a Dog - a great program for readers.

Book Parties - fun focusing on popular book characters subjects like Captain Underpants or SuperHero Party. Lots of stations and kids enjoy.

Find more in the Idea Sparklers series: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8  9 10 11

Image: 'Fireworks 04'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/53139634@N00/472327992

Idea Sparklers 9 - Fun Notes from the Field

Continuing on my Kansas trip, I had the good fortune to present at the Southwest Kansas Library System in Dodge City.  It was a great afternoon of ideas for programs.  These are little teasers shared that day. I hope they spark your creativity and lead you to add to your program array!

DIY Storytime - because the only storytime presenter needed to be at the workshop, rather than cancelling the session, she asked for a parent volunteer to lead the storytime.  Materials were provided and all the previous great modeling of storytime presentation results in SLP workshop attendance!

T-Shirt Making Nirvana - rather than tie-dye, used simply spray and twisted and tied shirts, sprayed and hung out for 5 minutes and then sprayed next color. Youtube video provides instructions and the teens loved it. Colors still vibrant many washes later!

Teens Work - teens help create craft samples for storytimes. They love putting in the time and it saves staff!

Movie Mania - films shown weekly in 6 weeks series including oldies and previewing brand new DVDs. Popcorn and popularity!

Weekly Craft Days - had trouble getting kids to clean up so put up a chart with the names of kids on it. For every ten times that kids helped with clean-up, they got a surprise. Really motivated them.

Teen Book Trailer Picks - made powerpoints with book trailers of books from Best Books lists. Kids watch and then vote on favorites and the library makes sure to buy them!

Our Library Rocks - 4Her brings in geology collection and talks about it. The staff provides fun treats like River Rock candy; milk chocolate pebbles and Rocky Road ice cream and tells Stone Soup. Kids also get to pick one polished river rock from a little box for every certain number of books they read (nice idea for SLP 2013!)

Annual Summer Lock-in - 8:00 pm-7:00 am; held in the meeting room with two staffers and twenty kids.  Very popular.

TAB Lock-in - held in January just for the teen advisory board and they get the run of the library.

Elementary Age Sleepover - held once every three years for preschool-Grade 4; 7pm-7am. There are a couple of parents. Games are played outside until 9pm; potluck food; inside games; painting and crafts stations, watch mvies and sleep.

Bedtime Stories with Dad -  kids come in PJs with pillows and stuufed animals. Milk and cookies and stories are shared. Kids love bring dad!

Find more in the Idea Sparklers series: 1 2  3 4 5 6 7 8  10 11

Image: 'fireworks'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/85759026@N00/24679599

Idea Sparklers 8 - Fun Notes from the Field

On Friday, I wrapped up my first week of Kansas workshops with a warm welcome from my library peeps at the North Central Kansas Library System headquartered in Manhattan in the beautiful Flint Hills region of the state. Here are some of their ideas to spark your creativity!

Parents as Teachers Programs - this group comes into the library and presents playgroups and activities. It is a perfect pre-literacy partnership.

Learning at the Library series - 4H kids are invited to give their presentations at the library, usually 3-4 kids during an hour. They include a wide range of topics and activities, from dance to information on animals.

Live Animal programs - a story is combined with a visit from a live animal and its caretaker. Lots of information is shared about the animal.

Children's Art Displays - the schools provide art on a bimonthly basis to display. Suggestions were also made to schedule an "art opening" and invite parents and kids to make it a special event.

Read to Your Baby - local pediatricians approached the library and asked if they'd make bookmarks with library info and appropriate books for kids at all the different well baby visits in a young child's life. The partnership was so successful that the doctors now donate funds to help support the SLP program at the library.

Facebook Welcomes - the librarian visits the page of the local military base and when people comment they are new, she invites them to use the library. (That's what I call outreach!)

Quilt Show - he quilters offered to display quilts and they kicked off a display with quilting activities for all ages. Very successful collaboration.

Early Literacy Station - book extension activities are made available to kids that promote different aspects of the six early literacy skills. For instance, with the book Dragon Dancing, there are silk scarves to dance with and masks to play with; rhyming word cards; and letters on dragon scales. For If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, kids had "ingredients" (styrofoam rectangles in butter wrappers) to use to make a "cookie batter".

Annual City-Wide Garage Sale - the library makes sure they participate with a booksale that day so they are in the thick of the fun.

Read to Rover - popular weekly program with very little work and enthusiastic handlers and kids.

After-Hours Teen Program - usually start at 5:30 (doors close at 6pm). Hide-and-seek; golf; sardines (hide-and-seek backwards); wii; trivia game plus pizza and soda. The kids love it. Usually wraps up around 10pm.

Monthly Class Visits to the Library - from a nearby school. Usually the library presents some short, fun activity like hockey with bent drinking straws and cut off paper cups for pucks and staff in hockey jerseys. They tell the kids that this is a special activity time different from quieter times when they come in after school.

More in the Idea Sparkler series here : 1  2  3  4  5  6  7   9   10  11

Image: 'Delerium'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124348109@N01/23621379

Idea Sparklers 7 - Fun Notes from the Field

These are little idea tidbits that have been successfully done at libraries of all sizes in the South Central Kansas Library System. Perhaps some of these will spark ideas for you to develop new programs and initiatives.

Follow a Veterinarian - a local vet donates a half day for a lucky child to observe and shadow them as they work.  It even includes letting the kids observe surgery if they'd like and help in the recovery room (lots of petting).

Knitting Club - parent wanted to start a club so they provided the instruction and materials and worked with kids - and adults - to help them learn. What started out as a six week program was so popular that it continued for a semester.

Creative Bookmark Contest - offered annually. Advertised at the schools. The winning designs are printed up as bookmarks and sent to the child's school as well as given out at the library.

Read to Rover - therapy dogs from the Kennel Club once a month. Kids are given punch cards. If they attend the program three times, they receive a book.

Baby Bags - a bag with early lit. info, a special baby library card registration (to help track who gets cards) and a book are given out to new parents.  At one time t-shirts were included with a library barcode on the back and the phrase, "I'm a Reading Baby".

Paper Chain - as kids finish reading they can add a link for each hour read on one chain or a link for books read on another chain that are on opposite sides of the room. Every 25th link is black so it's easier to count the total (because of course kids always ask!)

Read Your Way to Movies - a book is paired with the DVD in a kit. When they are checked out, the patron can put their name in a drawing to win a movie night at a theater complete with popcorn.

Pages Prowls - the library cat, named "Pages", is featured on small handouts that ask for donations for a special cause (school supplies or food donations) and these little sheets are passed out at high schools. Kids pass them along as well and their is a huge response of adults and kids who don't usually use the library coming in to drop off donations and staying to check out materials.

Laptop Prize - a donor donated three laptops for SLP prizes - decided to make it a family prize and have everyone ready. For kids a chapter equals a book.

Bed in the Library - put a blow-up bed in front of storytime chair and make it up with covers and stuffed animals. Then read bedtime stories and invite kids to play parts from The Napping House or Ten in the Bed on the bed.

Fancy Nancy Tea Party- multi-generational participation. The Red Hat Society provides the tea sets and food; kids come dressed up; cheerleaders are on hand to paint fingernails, do hairstyles and make-up.

Annual Tea Party Fundraiser - each year a new theme and people bring their own decorations to decorate their table with that theme (say, Wizard of Oz). There is music and a suggested donation since this is used as a library fundraiser.

Campout! - with this year's theme, as a reward at back to school time, have a camp-out and campfire and stories.

February = I Love to Read - hold events all month long highlighting books, reading and loving the library.

Origami World - each staff member commits to learning one origami shape - Origami Yoda is a must -. Then kids go around from staffer to staffer and learn to make origami form and do as many as they want.

A Country, A Recipe - for last year's One World, Many Stories theme, a book was picked about each country to share weekly and then the kids made a recipe from that country. At the end, staff made a recipe book for the kids.

Night at the Zoo - the librarian and kids slept over at the monkey house at the zoo. The kids made a youtube video of the experience.


Read more  in the Idea Sparklers series here:   1  2  3  4  5  6  8  9   10  11

Image: 'Lume'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/28998362@N00/5158810718

Idea Sparklers 6 - Fun Notes from the Field

My colleagues from the Northeast Kansas Library System headquartered in Lawrence had fountains of ideas for programming fun that works for them. This multi-type system has libraries serving major urban and suburban areas, medium size communities and small rural communities as well.

Poptropica Program - this popular online game has islands created by authors. The kids vote on their favorite author islands and then a program is created with the kids based on that author and their works. Very popular.

High School Girl Book Club - staff guides the book selection and discussion. There is always an activity associated with each month's program - Hunger Games, read and discuss book and go to movie together; Valentine book discussion and go out to dinner. Began with a non-fiction book on volunteerism and it grew from there.

Lego Club - received donations and went to garage sales. Held once-a-month afterschool for 90 minutes. Lego bricks are put out on sheets and kids free build. Kids help with clean-up and their creations are awesome.

"Semester" Programs- DIY programs are run for a semester once a week after school. I Spy books and scavenger sheet; Tangrams; -Ology books.

Bats in the Courthouse - Kids go on a library-sponsored fill-in the blank scavenger hunt in the Courthouse which gets them to different offices and spaces. Once the courthouse had bats in the belfry so that is the final destination where kids find a rubber bat.

Teen Trivia Night -  kids create the questions based on contemporary and classic books; play pictionary; charades. Kids have questions and three lifelines. Teens loved it)

History Mystery - a local 5th grade history teacher and local history buff annually makes up a local history sheet and the kids have to research it (as does the library staff!).  The kids flock to the library and discover amazing resources.

After-Hours Library Hide-and-Seek - Middle schoolers come into the library and can play hide and seek. A few spots are off-limits. Younger kids who play get flashlights. Librarian gives kids checks for bad behavior. 3 checks and parents get a call. Enough of a deterrent that it keeps the kids playing well!

Kindergarten Invites - Each year in May, every K class comes to the library, gets an introduction to the library and a library card. So popular, the preschool classes are now scheduled to come as well.

Work with the Scouts - there are library and reading badges and it is a great way to reach out to groups. Read a story,  have kids howl like a wolf, make bookmarks, catalog the kids and barcode them and shelve them in an activity.

Reading Thermometer - as recently seen in a VOYA article (cheap things to do for fun). Set a goal of number of pages read, have a thermometer and fill it in as the kids go to the goal. Perfect for all ages.

Nursery Rhyme Olympics - do activities based on nursery rhymes: Jack B. Nimble Jump; Diddle Diddle Dumpling One Shoe Race, etc.

Holiday Gifts-in-a-Jar - Have a few stations with dry ingredients and instructions (brownies; gingerbread, etc) and measuring spoons/cups and let kids create a gift. Stickers are there for the jar as well. Another library does this program with bath salts.

More in the Idea Sparkler series here:  1  2  3  4  5  7  8  9 10  11

Image: 'I've found some...!' http://www.flickr.com/photos/12142259@N00/3880179635


http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2012/04/idea-sparklers-10-fun-notes-from-field.html

Idea Sparklers 5 - Fun Notes from the Field

Ideas today come from our colleagues in the Southeast Kansas Library System, a multi-type system with libraries that serve from very small to medium size communities and rural areas. They rocked the house.

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) - Successful programming means not over-planning and not over-doing.

Special Community Days - have kids create art projects posters and coloring projects and hang them in the windows of businesses onn parade route or where people gather. The child's name is visible and the library name so people see the cool things the library and kids are doing.

Teen Geo-caching - place books/objects around the area near the library and set up a geo-caching program where the teens work to find all the locations.

Every Day is Prize Day - Give kids a stamp when kthey attend programs and then an additional stamp if check out books the same day. 10 stamps earns the kids a larger reward - monster candy bar (or pencil or bookmark or... perfect passive/stealth ongoing program!)

Community Scramble Game - Kids solve the puzzle letter by letter - it keeps them coming in and stimulates their brain cells! A dictionary is available to help them. Whoever finally can't change a letter earns a piece of candy. Simple, effective and fun.

Take-It-and-Make-It Bags - Give out little bags weekly with craft supplies and simple instructions for parent and child to do together. Very popular.

Take-It-and-Make-It Random Bags - same principle as above but more randomized "junk" (qtips, straws, jar lids) saved throughout the year and put in a lunch bag. Kids take home, create something and bring creation back to the library for display.  Another suggestion built on this with 20 random items in a bag and ask kids to make an invention to display. Building further on this, the suggestion was made to ask businesses to donate leftover stuff to really make it cool.

Newsletters- don't underestimate written newsletter delivered not just to schools but businesses and churches. It's a way to reach out and spread the word to library users and non-users.

Grand Opening Ideas - have local authors as guests with their books so people can meet them and discover their books.  Another idea is to partner with local museum to bring in an author and then have an event at the museum as well.

Game Board in the Summer - Kids put their names on object - the more books they read, the higher the object goes. We also discussed doing this between schools or classes or working mutually to reach a goal and create a reward (the librarian does something silly or the Friends of the Library adopt an animal or star)

Create an Essay Contest for Teens - Sent flyers to all middle school students advertising 200 word essay contest on the importance of Black History Month. Got a great response. Asked two professors to judge the essays with the winning essay published in the newspaper.

More in the Idea Sparker series here:   1  2  3  4  6  7  8  9   10  11

Image: 'Sparkler Star'   http://www.flickr.com/photos/29434419@N03/4763133932

Idea Sparklers 4 - Fun Ideas from the Field

Today's ideas come from our youth colleagues at the Outagamie Waupaca Library System. They met for their summer reading workshop at an area nature center and got some great info on bats for the Dream Big theme.

Superbowl Sundae – done in collaboration with the Park and Rec who provided fun kid-friendly football activities/games and local high school who sent players to work with kids.  Library read football stories and helped kids make pennants. A local ice cream store donated sundae makings to wrap up the fun.

Pirate Party – a number of activity stations are set up (tattoo parlor;  walk the plank; toss the cannon balls; fishing game; pirate puzzle; pirate stories)  and kids go from station to station on their own. Successful strategy to engage their interests.

Family Literacy Night – the school district does the planning and it is hosted at the public library. This year the theme was Mo Willems. Kids made nest hats with bird inside; Pigeon book was read and acted out “I’m Invited to a Party”; kids made pig cookies; scavenger hunt with a pigeon button reward. Raffle. Huge crowds.

4K Outreach – school district hosts a night once a year at the library. The library provides the story and the school created the activity stations. Can also be done with Head Start.

Weekly Crafting Bee – library invites adults to bring unfinished craft projects – mostly retirees and stay at home parents. Runs at the same time as storytime and kids come after to watch and learn crafts from the adults.

Spinning the Wheel – alternative to SLP prizes. The wheel has silly suggestions: draw an animal blindfolded; do a silly dance; etc. Kids love it.

Drop Everything – announce it and have an activity ready – kids can play instruments or have another activity to do.

Ocean Drop – a jar with water and some oil in it. Kids drop objects in and watch them slowly drop.

Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese – picture “day in the library life”; invited cheese carver to carve cheese and gave samples away; cheese crackers and used Mo WIllems theme (he put on his blog!) . Also provided a photo album with scavenger hunt items.

Name-O-Saurus – make upnew dinosaur names and let the kids draw and write about them

“Go” Night - run weekly, a staffer plays “Go”, an ancient Chinese game with anyone who shows up. It started in the summer with the multicultural theme. The American Go Foundation provides free supplies and lots of middle schoolers to adults.

Stop at Idea Sparklers #1, #2 and #3  for more ideas from other Wisconsin library system Summer Reading Program workshops.  I'll be visiting Kansas twice in the next month to do Summer Reading Program system workshops and I'll report out more program fun  from there:  5  6  7  8  9  10  11 

Image: 'untitled'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/18426552@N00/3221174610

Idea Sparklers #3 -Notes from the Field

January brought more great ideas to the fore from participants at my Summer Library Programming workshop at the Arrowhead Library System in Wisconsin. There were ideas from last year's One World Many Stories SLP plus great ways to partner with area businesses and organizations.

Backyard Bird Count - held during February, do a bird themed storytimes; kids make toilet paper tube binoculars duct-taped together. There is a website to record bird counts done at the library. Small bird cut-outs are placed throughout the library for adults (and kids) to find.

Stuffed Animal Search – a stuffed animal is put at various small businesses in town with a clue at the library to help kids find out where each one is. A small form at the business can be filled in and brought back to the library and put in a drawing. The animals are then given away at the end of the program.

Passport Game – in the same line as above, kids were given passports with participating business names. The businesses are given 3 clues for kids to guess what country they are representing. The kids have a passport that the business stamps when they guess correctly. If they got all the countries, they received a pencil prize.

Find the SLP Character – a character is hidden in the department. Kids are given 3 oral clues by the staff to find it and earn a high five when they do. The beauty of this is that kids have to interact with staff to get the clue and staff and kids love it.

Trivia Wheel - Kids spin the wheel and land on a country and are asked to do a silly activity – polka; dance like a kangaroo; etc. When they finished they got a hand stamp or tattoo.

4H Partnership – 4 H comes in monthly and presents a free program featuring crafts and a snack with a different theme each time.

Kid Decorators – children decorate large outline shapes relating to the theme during the first week or two of the SLP. This works with large people shapes as well that kids and staff decorate together.

Space Pix – Use Google Earth to print out pictures of different locales in the area. The library provides clues and kids who guess correctly get their names put in a drawing.

Year-round Scavanger Hunts – during slow times or during spring beak make an all-ages hunt on different themes (Edgar Allen Poe – hide ravens around the library). When people get stumped, there are signs: “ If you are stuck, come see your Lifeline at the desk!”

Grades 3-5 Reading Incentive – instead of prize, kids can choose a party ticket (Wii Fun) to attend a fun party with their peers.

Find more in the Idea Sparklers series:  1  2  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11

Image: 'a flowing current'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/63595585@N00/3413370118

Idea Sparklers #2 - Fun Ideas From the Field

Next up in the idea parade from my Summer Library/Programming workshops are the marvelous minds from the South Central Library System in Wisconsin. We got involved in some fun summer ideas and then went crazy on scavenger hunt brainstorming and wild success with poetry.

There is also a mysterious note I have about a Price is Right board incorporating bubble wrap in some way but my poor forgetful brain lost the thread. If you shared that idea and want to flesh it out again for all of us, please share in comments!

• Wall of Dreams – to record books that kids have read.  A penny is donated for every book that is then given to a good cause like Heifer International’s animal adoption program.

• Name a Star – if children reach a certain level of minutes/books read, adopt a star – funded through Friends of Library or other donation.

• August Family Reading Card – to encourage reading beyond the end of the regular SLP, create a 5x5 scavenger hunt bingo card to keep kids reading and using the library.

• Stuffed Animal Sleepover – popular and easy to do.

• Fired Up Reading Program – mini-reading program during three weeks surrounding Fire Safety Week in October. Kids read at least three hours to complete a card. Kid who reads the most gets a ride on a firetruck. Alternative would be to put completed cards in a drawing to select winner.

• Math Literacy Night – School district presenter talks to parents about making games for kids while kids are in another room participating in activities at a number of stations (storytelling; block building; story extensions play)

• Acorn Scavenger Hunt – fifteen acorns are hidden in various spots in the Youth Area. Rhymes that need to be completed are the clues that lead kids to the different acorns. It helps kids learn the library. Kids who find all the acorns have their names put in a prize drawing.

• Picture Clues – Take close-up pictures of objects and features around the library and let the kids see if they can discover where the photo was taken.

• I Spy Scavenger Hunt – kids need to find objects listed. An inexpensive plastic mini-magnifying glass is the prize for all participants.

• Poetry Breaks – during April, drop in to classrooms, announce “poetry Break” and read 1-3 short poems. It’s a five minutes or less visit and a fun surprise.

• Poetry Mic Night – open mic for youth to read poems – their own or others. It has become so popular that it is moving from the library to a school to handle the huge crowds.

Find more in the Idea Sparklers here: 1  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10  11


Image: 'whirligig'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/63595585@N00/3407349475

Idea Sparklers #1 - Fun Ideas from the Field

I am just starting my presentations of 2012 Summer Reading /Innovative Programming Workshops around the state (and out of state too!). With thirteen library systems scheduled,  I expect to see lots of colleagues and hear amazing ideas.  As I go along, I will post "Idea Sparklers" and share a listing of the fun program/display ideas that librarians from libraries small and large shared together.

Although they aren't going to be fleshed out ideas, they will hopefully spark your creativity and get you thinking of new ways to engage kids at your library!

Our first stop is the Winnefox Library System in Wisconsin. Among the ideas shared:

• If You Build It, They Will Come – set up a table and let kids create things out of “junk” (recycled materials). Sometimes a theme is provided or a bag of materials for each child who participates to spark their imagination.

• If You Like Reading Wimpy Kid, Try These – put up a line drawing of the Wimpy Kid near a book cart or shelf and fill it up with “read-alikes”. Kids flock to the shelf and re-stocking the choices is constant

• 40 Book Reading Challenge – after talking to the school staff, library staff learned that reading forty books helps kids maintain their skills over summer break. So kids who take the challenge get a sheet to record books read with rewards at school in the fall for those who both participate and reach their goal.

• “No Girls Allowed” Boys Bash – we all know we can get a lot of girls at library Fancy Nancy and princess parties. This party features underwear flinging from Capt Underpants and other boy activities to give the guys a chance to shine.

• Legos K-3- Put out the Lego sets; read a book to the kids at the beginning and have the kids build a lego based on the theme in the book. Wild success.

• Stained Glass Windows – Using old transparencies, copy outline onto sheet. Outline in permanent marker (careful) and paint with fabric paint. Very popular with kids. With a donation of shiny paper, the kids also created shiny foil outlines to cut out.

• Adult Reading Program – used a “Cootie Bug” theme. As adults reported back they would get a paper “Cootie Bug” piece to build their Cootie on paper. Very popular. Led to a brief discussion of other nostalgia toy themes to use with adults like rubber ducks or Lincoln logs.

Read more in the Idea Sparkler series here:  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10  11


Image: '♥ Love Explosion ♥' http://www.flickr.com/photos/77047514@N00/3115855390

Using Storytelling with Small Groups

I did a storytelling workshop this week on the "One World, Many Stories" SLP theme with librarians from five systems in the southern part of the state.  I wanted to give everyone tips on finding sources for stories, tips on telling and some "can't miss" stories from a few different countries to put in their story bags.

One of the participants blogged later that that while there was good information on handling a beaucoup big crowd, it wasn't very "real-world" helpful for librarians who work with small numbers of kids in storytime - ten or less; or more typically three to five kids, who can be very passive without a crowd to rev them up.  So right!  I skipped that part completely!  So, as a  mea culpa, here are a few tips I use that help when bringing storytelling into storytimes with teeny crowds!

I make it a point in my storytimes to tell a story each and every week.  I believe strongly that kids need more than books and props to excite their imagination.  Stories help them picture the tale on their own.  Magic happens with the use of storytelling no matter how large or how small the crowd. In my years of storytimes, I have kept this practice up whether I have two kids or thirty two and it has always worked.

Although I have some large-cover-your-whole-arm puppets, I don't use these in the intimate atmosphere of storytimes.  I usually tell my stories without puppets or props, letting the magic of the words and the plot carry the tale. That being said, I am also one to make a splash before the story is started to get the kids excited about a form of listening that many of them don't have alot of experience with!

My favorite intro is to put a small prop or puppet that relates to the story inside a bag that I bring out when it is time to tell the story. I reach inside the bag, feel around, do some "oohing" and "aahing" and "Hmmm, what could this be?" before I bring out the prop. This little teasing part gets the kids focused on the what is inside the bag and gets them excited. When the prop comes out, I say, "That reminds me of our story today" and off we go.

Other times I will bring along a finger puppet or two or three to small storytimes and let the kids play with them before or after the story to reinforce the story...or to let the kids engage in story play and re-imagining or telling the story themselves.  When kids are too shy or the group too small to even have them engage in that much play I do a few little retellings of scenes with the puppets and hope that the next week brings more participation.

Small group storytelling can be some of the most rewarding because the stories shared can be quieter and more focused.  Any other tips out there on sharing storytelling with small groups?

Image: 'Day 138' http://www.flickr.com/photos/38451115@N04/4218226857

Splashes & Ripples

I'm just back from the workshop which was for library staffers from not two but three systems (duh)! It was an exhilarating morning. Like all workshops I present, I get far more from the participants than I give. The ideas folks shared were great and I hope to share not just some of the workshop thoughts here but also the ideas that were shared with me!

I always come away from any CE opportunity with ideas on ways to improve or streamline work, creative new programs, solutions to challenges we share in public library children's work, and energy to bring all this into play for my community. Each idea found is like a pearl dropped into water. A splash of insight ("Aha!!") and then ripples upon ripples that lead to other ideas, other thoughts, other paths. We come back to our library and we talk, we share, we think, we build, we grow something new for our families and kids at the library. I mean what could be better?!?

Image: 'Eruption' http://www.flickr.com/photos/24113168@N03/3891599149

Hitting the Road

I have my handouts, my thoughts and a bunch of fun ideas all packed and ready to go tomorrow. I head out on the train to Milwaukee where I'll be doing a workshop for librarians from two southern WI systems on Friday. I get to do two topics in the morning. The first one is on strategizing to keep the fun in summer reading programs. So often we get bogged down in what we've always done. I like to encourage people to experiment and tailor their SLP to their community and give tips on how to keep things fresh year in and year out. Part two is a give and take on way fun programs to do anytime of year with few resources and staff but maximum impact. We'll look at school agers, outreach, "passive" programs, preschool fun beyond storytime and I hope share, share, share. I can hardly wait!

Image: 'Selective Color: Train'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/28284386@N02/2723721661

Stop the Madness

Am I alone in believing that the Summer Library Program is just one small part of what any good library offers to children? There are so many SLP workshops and presentations offered as CE - just seems far out of proportion to the breadth and width of what we really do in children's services year round.

Summer programs are six, eight, ten, twelve weeks long. So what are Children's Librarians doing for the other 40-46 weeks of the year? Just planning, publicizing and running programs, outreach and services for all ages. Just working on creating and maintaining excellent cooperative relationships with schools and community organizations. Just using new Web 2.0 skills to better reach our customers and entice our tweens and young parents to enjoy the library on a whole new scale. Just struggling to work with a stressed out customer base that doesn't always want to see us as on their side. Just providing literacy support and guidance for parents and kids and keeping on top our game by reading the books we recommend. Just advocating for kids and libraries. Just trying to keep up collections of great books for kids in the midst of tight budgets and increased use. Just trolling through blogs, listservs, books, our colleagues brains for new ideas for programs and services. Just managing staff and departments and relationships with colleagues and co-workers.

Our work with kids is so much more than just those summer weeks. I find myself thrilled when I look at a state conference, online webinar or regional workshop and see a topic addressed that deals with what we are involved with beyond summer (see "Just..." above). I need just as much help annually with those issues as with the yearly visits to the SLP well that, let's face it, are really just another way of dressing up the "summer widget".

Don't get me wrong here. I appreciate all the work and effort that goes into summer and, for libraries in the CLSP group, the lead times needed to produce material and put together the massive support that is provided. I just think that Children's folks deal with far more than that and need just as much CE support for the far-ranging topics and age groups we deal with daily. So program planners, please keep that in mind as you plan those learning opportunities for Children's folks. We'll love you for it and become better at our work in the process!