Youth Services Shout-Out: YSS Blog: A Look Back at Summer 2020

This post by Manitowoc (WI) Public Library Youth Librarian and YSS Board Member Susie Menk suggests that, for all of us, this summer is a win!

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

So most of us have either finished with our summer reading programs or will be wrapping them up soon. It was a very different summer than what we are familiar with, that’s for sure! So how was your summer? Crazy? Stressful? A learning curve? Hard? I’m sure most of us could relate to these terms or others similar to them. But…I suggest it was a great summer!

Why in the world would I say that? Well, we had two summer interns this year and due to less programming we were able to have them shadow many different departments in the library. We even convinced one intern to continue her education by entering an MLIS program!

Since we did quite a number of virtual programs, we were able to collaborate with some local agencies that we might not have in a normal summer. We partnered with the local nature center preserve, Woodland Dunes, several times to present virtual STEAM programs. We collaborated and shared grab-n-go kits, handing out some for their events and they handed out some for our events. We are continuing to partner with them this fall on storytime themes to match their special event weeks. Simply wonderful!

Due to a suggestion on the YSS blog, we held our first ever Book Picnic. Those who attended really enjoyed the break in their day and if gave us a chance to share out our new book bundles. We plan on holding a second one this September at our local small zoo.

All of us have also become quite adept at recording or being recorded on LIVE Facebook and YouTube videos and posting them. As a result our Facebook engagements are higher than they have ever been and we hope to continue that engagement even after things get back to normal.

Some of the other great ideas our youth department implemented were online scavenger hunts throughout our community, partnering with local businesses to offer art instruction with grab-n-go bags, and reaching out to families to help them learn our new Beanstack app. We did all this plus kept up a positive attitude with our patrons that came in to the library. This September we are partnering with local businesses to do a downtown Storywalk®, yet another YSS blog suggestion.

We all took advantage of our extra time to finish yearly goals, do some re-cataloging of our collections as well as weeding and ordering. We kept busy and productive, like any good library staff.

Was Summer 2020 different, crazy and not at all what we expected? Absolutely! Did we rock this summer like we always do? ABSOLUTELY! Yes, this summer was different, but give yourself a pat on the back for staying creative and productive! We rose to the challenge as we always do and from the many positive responses we got from adults and children we did a great job. Take this summer as a win and go into the fall with renewed energy that we are still the best at what we do.

SLP Programming YSS blog COVID-19 series: