Jeni Schomber's DPI Youth Services Weekly Reminders and Resources is an email newsletter chockfull of great resources we've come to rely on. If you are a WI youth library staffer and you don't receive this weekly missive in your email inbox, please contact Jeni (jennifer.schomber@dpi.wi.gov) to be placed on the list!
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Guest blogger Mary Westness, Youth Services Associate at the Hedberg Public Library in Janesville, returns with a post on another fun program they tried.
In June, I hosted a drive-in family Bingo program. It was a lot of fun! Lots of positive feedback.
Here’s the scoop:
We blocked off a portion of our parking lot-this required special permission from my administration AND the city. I asked the library admin first, then we filled out the necessary forms with the city. We borrowed the barricades from Parks and Rec. This process took longer than I expected, so it really came down to the wire to get the word out. My advice: start early if you want to try this and your city requires permission.
Cars drove in and received a packet of printed BINGO cards upon arrival. (Printed from this website) I printed them on colored paper, back to back and made packets of 3 pages (6 cards each) ahead of time. I just handed out markers for them to check off the numbers. I thought chips would be too messy/difficult in the car. We directed them to park in every other stall to allow for distancing.
Our library owns this FM Radio Transmitter. We bought it at the beginning of the pandemic with hopes to provide drive-in programming.
Before the program, we chose a radio frequency that was not already in use in our area. We used https://radio-locator.com/ to be certain it wasn’t taken, and tested it ahead of time with my own vehicle. Patrons were given the frequency upon arrival.
I borrowed a “fancy” BINGO game from a senior living facility in town...The kind with the cage and balls for dramatic effect.*
*sidenote, my family attended the program and my husband told me afterwards that the sound of the cage stirring was REALLY loud compared to my voice and the music, so...cover up your mic while you draw the numbers.
In one hour, we had enough time to play six regular BINGO games. I had them honk their horn if they got a bingo, which was really fun.
I partnered with our adult programmer for this since it was for all ages. He acted as the “car hop” and took a tray of prizes to the winners. We gave away prize books and some stuffed animals That were donated to the library.
We had a lot of positive feedback as people left!
Creating Community Fun YSS blog COVID-19 series
A recent blog post in Teen Services Underground presented a whole slew of ideas on programs that can be done- or adapted - in the outdoors with teens.
Check out agent Casey Chwiecko's ideas here!
Summertime...and the reading is outdoors...
Ready to rock out some super sweet, SUPER HOT outdoor storytimes and other programs? Check out this recent post from ALSC, written by Cassie Chenoweth, Youth Services Librarian II at Cobb County Public Library, on behalf of the ALSC Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee.
Your library system has okayed outdoor storytime for the summer. You’ve read all the posts about best practices, planned a flexible program full of music, dancing, and big books and you’re ready to get started. Before you turn on your headset microphone, make sure you have these items packed in your go bag:
Good luck, and may the weather be ever in your favor!
To add to this list, I'd suggest bringing along a towel or cloth for your face, as well as--depending on how long you'll be outside--having a spare shirt on hand, should you go hog-wild with your Hokey Pokey and can't possibly fathom spending the rest of the day feeling like you've run a marathon in 100 degree heat.
What are your must-haves for staying cool and beating the heat? Tell us in the comments!
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| Pixabay Image |
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| from TSU blog 4/29/21 |
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| Image by press 👍 and ⭐ from Pixabay |
A recent ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) blog post by a member of the Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee breaks down some of the steps in planning.
Stop here to read the helpful planning tips!
The following fun ideas are from the WLVS (WI Valley Library Service) January 2021 newsletter, edited by Jamie Matczak.
Rhinelander District Library and Frances L. Simek Memorial Public Library (Medford) both conducted outdoor storytimes throughout the fall. Denise Chojnacki, Children’s Services Manager at Rhinelander, and Marlene Klemm, Youth Services Coordinator at Medford, share their experiences below.
1) What time of year did you
start outdoor storytime? What was the time of day?
Denise: I started our Books & Blankets Storytime at the end of
August. Luckily, the weather allowed us to go all the way into
November! It was held at 4:00 p.m., to reach some of the school kids, as
well as the littles.
Marlene: We did Fall
Storytimes starting in September and going into November, as weather permitted.
Our storytimes were on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
2) Where did participants sit/gather?
Denise: Participants brought a blanket and sat on the library property
lawn 6 feet apart.
Marlene: Participants
brought their own blankets and chairs to sit on the lawn.
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| Denise Cojnacki and friends |
3) Why did your library decide to do
this?
Denise: This program was chosen because we wanted an in-person
touch. The kids especially need to see a live face and get an in-person
hello!
Marlene: We decided to do outdoor storytimes because of patron requests.
4) What was the
response from participants?
Denise: The
response was really positive. It started out a little small and maxed out
by the last one as we limited it to 10 families. In doing this, we gave
each family a bagged snack, a book to follow along with and to take. We
bagged up scarves or rhythm sticks, craft items, etc. for each family. At
the end of each program, we just gathered everything in a bin and quarantined
it. It worked beautifully.
Marlene: Participants who came were
enthusiastic, but attendance was down from pre-covid regular
attendance.
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| Marlene Klemm and friends |
5) Are there plans to do this in the spring?
Denise: Going forward we are looking into holding these in Rhinelander’s
new dome that was built for high school sports and programs. It's really
large and the school wants the community to use it. If all goes
accordingly, we will hold a storytime there in February or March. Once
the nice weather resumes, we will return to the library lawn.
Marlene: Yes!
We hope to restart this in spring.
6) What would you have changed or what adjustments did you make to the
program?
Denise: At this point, there is nothing I'd change. We've gotten
really good feedback on it, and it also gives us a boost to be with the kids in
a safe, distanced fashion.
Marlene: We
learned to incorporate larger/oversize books as much as possible, as well as
increasing movement/participation. We provided take-home craft kits that
correlated with the themes, too.
For more information on these programs, contact Denise at denise@rhinelanderlibrary.org, or Marlene at mklemm@medford.lib.wi.us.
Creating Community Fun YSS blog COVID-19 series
Creating Community Fun YSS blog COVID-19 series
