I ran this MP3 Flash Mob event during March Break 2015 as one station at a big exploratory event called Idea Factory. It was one of the zaniest library experiences I’ve had yet – and I loved it! What is it? During an MP3 Flash Mob (popularized by Improv Everywhere), everyone wears headphones, has the… Read More MP3 Flash Mob Adventure in the Library: Zany Programs for Kids!
Ages: Tweens, teens OR 20/30s Duration: 1.5 hours Style: Drop-in Budget: $40 Goal: To provide a silly, surprising, and highly creative atmosphere with no pressure to make something “good.” Summary: A freestyle craft event for tweens and teens (although I think it could run just as well as a 20/30s program). Everyone has access to a pile… Read More Bad Art Night: Library Program Outline
Last year I ran the popular Blind Date with a Book display at the Forest Heights branch of Kitchener Public Library. I created a mixture of adult, teen, and children’s books, and found that they all flew off the shelves! I’ve enjoyed looking through other librarian’s interpretations of Blind Date with a Book on ALA… Read More Blind Date With a Book Library Display- Round Two!
I hear from 20/30s all the time that they struggle to find new friends in the area. It’s hard to leave university behind – where there are countless opportunities to meet people – and join the working world. While many are finding each other on Meetup.com or other library programs, I thought it would be… Read More Friend Speed Dating – Library Program for 20/30s
I’d been looking forward to the day all year- an energy-filled meeting of the library minds! This year was another wonderful day full of so many things that I love: old friends, train rides, good coffee, free books, sparkling wine, and most of all, inspirational conversations about library services. As I sat in each packed session,… Read More OLA Super Conference 2016: The Idea Incubator
What I Read Slade House by David Mitchell Once every 9 years on the last Saturday in October, a specially chosen guest is lured into Slade Alley. They discover a small black door with no handle. When they touch the door it swings open and they discover an impossibly large, impossibly lush garden – and… Read More What I Loved #15 – Graphic Novels, Radio Radio, Pandemic Legacy, and…Diamonds?
It was time to follow up after my Marvel Vs. DC superhero extravaganza display (Marvel circulated twice as much as DC, by the way). With all the superhero TV shows, movies, and general hype, I thought it was a good time to present an alternate option: awesome graphic novels with no traditional superheroes. There’s still… Read More Sick of Superheroes? Graphic Novel Display
At one of my libraries, we have regularly post YouTube videos on our Teen site. It adds content, keeps things interesting, and gives teens a reason to keep checking back. Here are a few of my favourite YouTube videos for teens – some educational, some hilarious, all interesting. These would work great as social media… Read More 13 YouTube Videos For Teens
The flow chart display wall has quickly become one of my favourite work projects. It’s big, bold, and fun. People stand in front of it and laugh to themselves. People wander around the library with their personalized booklist gathering items. People get to participate with a passive reader’s advisory tool. Theme In the past I’ve… Read More Flow Chart Display: Meet Your Next Literary BFF
I can’t believe I didn’t think of this display earlier! It’s such a simple concept. Some kids and teens might not grasp the difference between superhero universes, so this is a cool way to get them thinking about the differences between their favourite heroes. I used coloured printer paper (red for Marvel, blue for DC)… Read More Marvel vs. DC Graphic Novel Display
Ontarian Librarian 