Library outreach giveaways don’t have to be just pens, pencils, and keychains. With a little creativity, they can become something families will actually use, enjoy, and remember.
A Little More Swag, A Lot Less Junk
Author: Renee Kitson
Curious Librarians Make Better Librarians
Nothing reveals the limits of your knowledge quite like a conversation with an eight-year-old who has a very specific interest. Mention the wrong Pokémon. Misidentify a dinosaur. Confuse two Minecraft characters. You will find out. And honestly, I love it. Children spend a lot of time asking adults questions. At the library, they ask us where to find things, what they should read next, if their favorite book is available, and whether we have a book about the extremely specific thing they have suddenly decided they need to know everything about. But every once in a while, the roles flip. A child mentions something I don’t know, and instead of having an answer, I get to say: “I don’t know. Tell me about it.” And suddenly, they are the expert.
Don’t Toss That Board Book! Transform It into Something Wonderful
A board book has a pretty clear job. Open it. Read it. Turn the pages. Read it again. And again. And, if you’re a toddler, perhaps taste a corner. Eventually, some of those much-loved books reach the end of their library lives. Pages separate. Bindings break. Copies wear out. The book is withdrawn and headed for the discard pile.
The Hidden Power of Shared Experiences in School-Age Library Programs
Caregivers and children work side by side as they investigate electronic components during a hands-on library program. Photo courtesy of Katie Hom.