8 Ways to Save Money on Programming

Over at ALA's Programming Librarian blog, Director of Meservey Public Library (Iowa), Chelsea Price has shared some great ideas on how to stretch your programming dollars (without sacrificing sanity or quality).  One of my favorite suggestions is to "mine your community for programming gold," meaning call on neighbors and community members to share their talents at the library.  Check out her other suggestions and ideas HERE.

ALSC Webinar: STEAM Programming in your Library

Wednesday, August 22

11:00AM (Central)

Want to engage school-age kids through exciting STEAM programming in your library but don’t know where to start?  Three recipients of the Strengthening Communities Through Libraries grant are ready to share tips and tricks for partnering with others, selecting materials, outreach to build participation, measuring outcomes, and documenting success.  Many libraries struggle with STEAM programming; this webinar will give you the confidence to start tomorrow.

Instructors:
Maryann Brickey, Children’s Librarian and Branch Manager, Live Oak Public Libraries (Georgia)
Krystal Lancaster, County Librarian, Camden County Public Library (North Carolina)
Melissa Harrison, Media Coordinator, Weeksville Elementary School (North Carolina)

Learn more and register HERE.

Sock Hop

Disclaimer: If you ask children what they think a "sock hop" is, you will be told 99 times out of 100, in descriptive terms, about a sack race.

I am in love with this summer's CSLP Libraries Rock theme.  I have gotten to do genre-themed storytimes (including musicals, sqeeee!), Teen Music Trivia, and tons of other delightful music-based programs.  But last Saturday I capped off July with an all-ages Sock Hop, and it was a blast!  Here's what I did:

1) Food - I had a local bakery do up some cupcakes to fit the Sock Hop color theme I had chosen (white, pink, teal), Pixy Stix, candy buttons, punch, chips, and popcorn.  I can tell you right now that the Pixy Stix and the candy buttons were the favorites of the bunch!

2) Crafts - I had out two crafts: Socktopus and Soda Jerk Hats.  The Soda Jerk Hats I bought plain and in bulk via Amazon, here, and let the kids decorate to their hearts content.  The Socktopus involved purchasing lots of socks with fun patterns, thread, poly-fil, and felt.  Check out the full Socktopus instructions here.


3) Playdough Station - I also set out a table of playdough in themed colors, with cutters and rollers.  This is a great younger sibling option when families with multiple age children attend our larger
programs.  It is also a good sensory experience.

4) Local Royalty - I reached out to my local pageant and requested one of this year's Butterfest royalty to attend the Sock Hop.  My request was granted and in our programming room I had Miss Sparta's Outstanding Teen doing a number of musical activities, including boomwhackers, musical chairs, hula hoops, and more.  There is just something about having a "princess" at an event that makes the kiddos go crazy!

5) Music - I had 50s music playlists playing in our Children's area (where the crafts and playdough were) and in the program room.  Everyone bopped along!

I also encouraged the kids to come dressed in poodle skirts/leather jackets or other 50s garb. Overall, the Sock Hop was a success, with families arriving early and staying late!  Rock n' roll really is here to stay!

Minecraft and Perler Beads

I don't know about you, but the prevalence of Minecraft mania in my library is steady and unabated in enthusiasm.  However, I do not have the capacity at my library to host an actual "playing of Minecraft" event.  Thus, I have been scouring the internet for new and creative ways to harness that enthusiasm in a crafty way.  And I found THIS!  Yes, someone out there in the wonderful world of the web has created Minecraft Perler bead designs.  And then SHARED their genius with the rest of us!  So, here they are, patterns for Perler beads inspired by Minecraft.  Could be used as a stand-alone program or as part of a Minecraft party!

From Minieco.co.uk

Pokemon Go and The Library

So what is Pokemon Go?
Pokemon Go is a free app that has players walking around their communities to find Pokemon in the real world.  The game enables Augmented Reality which means the Pokemon can appear in “real life”.  The more Pokemon you catch, the more you can level up and earn experience points all of which can help you battle for gym domination.

Why should libraries care about Pokemon Go?
Pokemon Go is a great social game and getting people out and moving!  In order to find Pokemon, you have to walk around and visit various places in your community.  You also need to stock up on supplies, which you can do at Pokestops, which many libraries are.  Some libraries are even lucky enough to be a gym, which means even more people coming through your doors as these are places everyone is after!  This is where you can battle Pokemon and gain more points.  Libraries are already doing some great publicity and capitalizing on the games success.

Check out more about Pokemon Go HERE and more about how it can be impactful at your library HERE.