This afternoon was full of play at #alsc26 as I learned how to transform my book club into an engaging tabletop escape room for teens and tweens!
Tag: programming ideas
The Return of Pokémon Club!
This summer, I took a break from Pokémon Club at my library to host a creative writing class for middle-grade children. While they had a blast with the writing class, one question kept popping up over the course of the summer: “When does Pokémon Club come back?” They were excited to hear that I was bringing it back this September! In this post, I will share some new additions to my library’s Pokémon Club. Organization of Pokémon Club In my previous posts about the program, I shared how I had different activity stations. Each session had at least three game stations, one craft station, and a watch party station. The program participants enjoyed having a variety of activities to choose from. However, in the sessions that had a smaller attendance, there would be an uneven amount of children at the stations. This time around, I will try working with just…
Passive Dinosaur Programs for Summer Reading 2026!
We are inching closer to Summer Reading and there is so much to do to prepare for all the kids that are ready to Unearth a Story! One of the final touches that I am currently working on is our passive programs for the summer. Passive programs are a great way to engage kids any time your department is open. Here are some passive dinosaur programs that I will be implementing for this year’s summer reading program!
Save Money: Using Low-Cost Library Programs to Maximize Impact
This year, I’m viewing “traditional” New Year’s resolutions through a library lens. So far, we’ve explored ways to exercise more, live life to the fullest, eat healthier, and lose weight. This month, we’re looking at ways to save money. Saving more doesn’t always mean doing less. Instead of budget cuts, let’s talk about intentional spending that creates the most impact. While library budgets are unique and complicated, today’s tips apply to libraries of all sizes and situations. I’ll be looking at ways we can prioritize low-cost and no-cost programming to help stretch your budget and extend your reach.
Discussing Body Safety with Children
In the fall of last year, ALSC blogger Eleanor Howell-Shryock highlighted ways that she models consent in her story time at the library. As she mentioned in her post, this practice comes from the desire to help children learn bodily autonomy and to foster a culture that prevents sexual violence. After reading her article, I also thought about additional ways that the library might support caregivers in having these conversations outside of the library. This is when a local partnership began to take root.
Better with Bingo: Meeting Outcomes Through Game Play
Bingo nights are a sure-fire programming hit! Highly adaptable to themes, literacy tie-ins, and intergenerational fun, these nights are popular and potent for supporting larger library outcomes. Types of Bingo If you want to keep it to the basics, you can play with a standard board with numbers. Add some fun by changing the winning outcome. You can play until players get a bingo, a blackout, borders, and more. If you have the time to dip your toes into theming and literacy connections, you can adapt the board yourself or buy premade sets.
Art Activities for Pokémon Club!
Get ready for Round #2 of Pokémon Club! In December, I wrote about preparing for my Winter session of Pokémon Club and my January post was about lessons learned from my first sessions. I am currently preparing for our Spring program season, which includes more Pokémon Club. In this post, I will share some art activities that I will be incorporating into my upcoming Pokémon Club sessions.
Eat Healthier: Nourishing Curiosity with Library Programming
This year, I’m viewing “traditional” New Year’s resolutions through a library lens. In February, we focused on creating movement-friendly library programs. In March, we explored living life to the fullest with messy play and learning. This month, we’re focusing on the resolution to eat healthier. While libraries may also have opportunities to feed bodies, the work I’m focusing on is feeding minds and growing a child’s natural curiosity.