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Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Wisconsin Science Festival Virtual Kickoff Party
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Scoop on Poop 💩
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| Book cover illustrated by Anna Su¨ßbauer |
Melissa Taylor notes in her post on Read Brightly, "Young readers will adore these stinky stories of our grossest yet often hilarious bodily functions: farts and poops. If your kids love potty humor in their picture books, these titles will be their next favorite read-alouds. Because whether it’s people or animals, poops and farts happen."
See her entire list here. [Gross Me Out! Hilarious Poop and Fart Books for Kids. Taylor, Melissa. Brightly blog.]
Then check out the Programming Librarian Interest Group on Facebook for program suggestions! Like this Poop Party post featuring TP races, Poop Shoot, Put the Poop in the Potty, and a photo booth! Or this thread discussing ideas and advice for a poop-themed programs for ages 6-10. From reaching out to local wildlife resources to teach scat identification and pairing it with a storytime featuring similarly themed books to DIY Poop Emoji squishies, this thread includes a ton of great ideas.
Are you on board with a poo themed party or have you already held one? If so, please share your experience! Inquiring minds want to know, how did the poo party go?
Monday, March 11, 2024
Teen Taylor Swift Party
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In a recent SLJ Teen Librarian Toolbox post, the ever clever Cindy Shutts shared her tips and takeaways on hosting a Taylor Swift Party. From friendship bracelets to karoake and photo booths, it a program you can easily replicate!
Click here to read the post!
Monday, September 11, 2023
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.
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!
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.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Noon Year's Eve Party
This year our library threw a Noon Year's Eve Party. (Yep, you read that right, noon.) For those not in the know a Noon Year's Eve Party is a New Year's celebration for families and children. We celebrated ours on Saturday, December 31, from 11:00 - 12:30pm. The major components of the party included:
1. Countdown clock to countdown to NOON! I used THIS one and just had it displayed on a laptop, but you could project it onto a wall if you have the option.2. Plenty of snacks. I offered the masses multicolored goldfish in tiny Dixie cups, fruit trays with dip, cookies, Ritz crackers with cheese cubes, and sparkling white and red grape juice.
3. Crafts! The kiddos (and some grown ups) made Noon Year's Eve crowns and tambourines.
4. Bubble machine with lots of bubble mix. I purchased THIS one and THESE extra bubbles. It was such a hit! We did have to put ours on a large towel after a bit, because it can get a little slick on the table. I would advise, if possible, putting this up higher than we did, as some kids wanted to touch the machine/where the bubbles came out.5. Balloon drop at noon. This was the scariest (for me) part of the whole shindig. I was obviously worried that it wouldn't work, that the net wouldn't release, that the balloons would be static-stuck to the ceiling, etc. HOWEVER, this was a smash with the kids and parents! And, I got to send a bunch of the balloons home with families, helping with the overall cleanup. Tips: I built my own net system and it took about a day, so plan for that, or just purchase one of the many options available on Amazon. Buy a hand balloon pump, trust me. Two words: Static Guard, I sprayed the net with it (and some of the ceiling), before filling with balloons.