Just as I began searching my brain for something to write about in this blog post, I happened across an email from the National Summer Learning Association about Crayola’s Creativity Week, a free celebration of imagination scheduled for January 27 through February 2, 2025. (This really grabbed my attention because I still love to color!) The celebration website offers resources and ideas for sparking children’s creativity including really cool Read Along, Draw Along™ videos that feature children’s authors and illustrators talking about their books, creative process, and techniques.
AASL Connection
I also discovered that the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is a supporter of Creativity Week! Their creativity webpage includes journal articles, a link to an interesting 2011 TED Talk, “Doodlers, Unite!,” which presents the merits of doodling in helping improve comprehension, plus links to other offerings. While the resources there are on the older side, they still could inspire new ideas.
More Creativity Resources from ALSC
If you feel motivated to take a deeper dive into creativity, check out these posts and articles:
Creativity without Rules – This is an informative post that provides an overview of process art programs, their benefits, and tips for those considering starting a similar program.
Thinking Outside the Square: Cultivating Adult and Youth Creativity – This Research Roundup column from the Fall 2023 Children and Libraries (CAL) delves into the nature of creativity, dispels common misunderstandings, and presents techniques for fostering creative thinking in individuals of all ages.
The CAL Winter 2016 Issue was devoted to the topic of creativity, presenting numerous articles written by recipients of the ALSC Curiosity Creates grants sponsored by Disney. From “Young Filmakers’ Sandbox” to “Creating ‘Artopia’ at the Library,” the articles in this issue demonstrate libraries as vibrant hubs of creativity.
In our ever-changing world, it’s essential to nurture creativity in ourselves and others. I hope you are inspired to explore some of the resources shared in this post, and they help spark your creative side.
Laura Schulte-Cooper (she/her/hers) is Senior Program Officer for Communications in the ALSC office. “Spark Creativity” graphic created by author using Canva.