Swiftie Night at Minocqua Public Library

Used with permission from Jennifer Davis and the September 2023 WI Valley Library Service (WVLS) Newsletter:

On Thursday, August 24, the Minocqua Public Library held a “Swiftie Night.” Below, Teen   Librarian Jennifer Davis shares pre-program planning, how the program unfolded, and the community’s response.

With the end of summer reading approaching, I was looking online for program ideas for the fall   and winter months. I was on Instagram and saw posts from local teens sharing pictures of the (now popular) Taylor Swift friendship bracelets. They had just returned from a Taylor Swift concert and were flying high from the excitement. 

It got me thinking about how many tweens, teens, and even adults have been unable to secure tickets to a Taylor Swift concert.  I had the idea to create a fun and "exclusive" Taylor Swift library event complete with the requirement to register to secure a ticket. I was so excited that I decided to host the event in August. 

I ended up planning "stations" for various activities and crafts that were all Taylor Swift themed and allowed for an area for a dance party as well. Specifically, I planned for the following:

• Taylor Swift Light-Up Photo Frame: I printed two images of Taylor Swift for the kids to cut out. They could then attach the images to both sides of old, clear CD cases that served as "frames". To decorate their frames, ribbons, trims, sequins and gems were also provided. 
• Write Fan Mail to Taylor:  Lavender-colored printer paper and envelopes along with pens and pencils were set out for attendees to write fan mail to Taylor Swift. I found an address online and attendees could either take their letters with them to mail directly, or have the library mail letters on their behalf.
• Taylor Swift Flair: I designed some Taylor Swift fan images in Canva and sized them to be the size of our button maker pins. Attendees had an absolute blast creating pins to wear at the event and to take home. 
• Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets:  Colorful beads, alphabet beads and stretchy string were set out for attendees to make bracelets.

Activities beyond crafts included: 

• Last Kiss Lipstick Game
• Guess Which Taylor Swift Song 
• Red Snacks
• Photo Opp 
• Music + Dance Party

Individuals that came to the event went up to the front desk to get their special event ticket and then went to the closed doors to the program room to line up.  Two teen volunteers secured the entrance, and dressed in jeans, black t-shirts,and sunglasses (and they chose to wear earbuds). They took their parts very seriously! 

The “Swiftie Night” gathered 43 attendees plus 4 teen volunteers. A  photographer from our local newspaper attended to take photos and he ended up staying for the entire program and made every craft!! 

We've had nothing but positive feedback and have had people reach out to thank us for having the program. Putting on this event was so much fun and well worth the work to see the smiles on everyone's faces.