This Wednesday (June 19th) is International Box Day, when people all over the world will be celebrating the cardboard box! Okay, so maybe not. But boxes are truly a fantastic invention. First conceived in 1817, cardboard boxes have been making moving easier for over 200 years. But for librarians, boxes are more than just packaging; they’re an incredibly versatile craft material. So if you need some inspiration for celebrating International Box Day at your library this year, look no farther! I’ve compiled some of my favorite programming ideas for a range of ages as well as storytime selections below.
Category: Programming Ideas
STEM Teaching Begins with Preschoolers!
STEM Teaching and Learning Begins with Preschoolers! So, I was explaining STEM to my dad, a retired physicist. He’s skeptical by nature as any good scientist should be. When I got to the part about teaching it to preschoolers, well, let’s just say I was bombarded by particles. But hear me out – it really DOES start with preschoolers! And I can prove it! Penny Bauder, environmental scientist, teacher and mom of two, points out that “It is never too early to start STEM education, and an ideal way to teach STEM is to go out into nature!” Boston Children’s Museum, too, points out that children have a natural curiosity. STEM is a great way to help 3-5 year-olds to focus and refine their naturally inquisitive behaviors. Linking it up to Summer Reading 2019! Even a pre-schooler can be a NASA citizen scientist! Download and install the GLOBE Observer app…
Tiny Triumphs: Using Ukuleles with Success in the Library
As a ukulele teacher, I have witnessed the power of this little instrument to change lives, and I’m thrilled to see more and more ukuleles popping up in libraries.
Recycle, Reuse, and Imagine!
I’ve been growing a reputation in my system. I am known as the trash collector. It’s not something I ever thought I would be… I haven’t always been the best recycler.
Summer Playlist on the Road
To build participation in Summer Playlist, our twelve-week long summer reading program, we launched a new initiative during 2018. With a focus on reaching new audiences and reducing barriers, we selected five Bookmobile stops in targeted areas of the community to offer hands-on activities and distribute free produce grown by local elementary and high school students. RPL’s Bookmobile Matrix, which takes into account: population density, diversity, areas of low income, transportation barriers, and distance to the library, provided critical information for developing a high-impact schedule for Summer Playlist on the Road. These stops were visited on a two-week rotation throughout the summer for a total of 28 events featuring the following enrichment activities: food-themed storytimes, sidewalk chalk drawings, string art, solar prints, salad spinner art, fish prints, watercolors, art straw sculptures, and coffee filter butterflies. Other Bookmobile stop activities included: new library card registration, checking out books, promoting Summer Playlist,…
Spring Tween Programming Ideas: STEAM!
Hey everyone! Here are some ideas to put in your back pocket for Tween programming at your library.
Play on a Shoestring in the Public Library
Free play is child-directed, voluntary, internally motivated, and fun. It strengthens physical, emotional, social, cognitive, creative skills and fosters communication skills as well. Children talk and listen while they play, and they also read, write, draw, and sing! According to Dr. Karyn Purvis, it takes 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain- unless it’s done with active play. In that case it takes only 10-20 repetitions. Play is truly the work of a child and also a pleasant vehicle for interaction between kids and their grownups.
Earth Day Books for Story Time
Earth Day may have passed but, it’s always a good idea to read some books about our amazing Earth. Many of these books are also great to read in the spring or to share anytime. Here are some of my favorite books to share with story times, school visits, and one on one reads!