Since my first Flow Chart Display at the Clemens Mill branch of the Idea Exchange has been hanging on the wall for a couple months now, I thought it was about time to design a new one. Patrons stand in front of the wall, and answer a series of bright (and sometimes sassy!) questions about… Read More Interactive Readers’ Advisory: Try a New Type of Book Flow Chart
It’s been a crazy month couple months! My libraries have been busier than ever, I currently have 14 books out on my card, and I’m planning programs galore. Now that the weather is warming up I have some big plans in the works. But in the meantime, I’ve been loving a lot of stuff lately.… Read More What I Loved #10: MORE Psychological Thrillers, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Headphone Discos
National Poetry Month Library Display Happy National Poetry Month everyone! Celebrations are held, awards are presented, and most of the world goes on living their lives, oblivious. Many teens may not have had a chance to enjoy poetry (in the traditional sense) outside of English class. and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce… Read More April is Poetry Month: Teen Display
The gift bags are opened, the dresses are for sale, and Neil Patrick Harris is taking a very long nap: the Oscars are definitely over. But the curiosity surrounding this year’s award for Best Picture is not. Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu is an incredible, perception-shattering film (with… Read More Movie Review – Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
When it comes to crafting, there are two types of people: those who want the detailed step-by-step instructions, and those who want the freedom to explore on their own. This month, at the Cambridge Idea Exchange, I made a deliberate effort to include opportunities for both types of people. For the instruction lovers I created… Read More Teen Makerspace Program: Recycle Mania in the Library
Once upon a time I woke up with an idea for a display. A huge flow chart that took up an entire wall, and asked readers questions about their reading preferences. As they worked their way down the chart, they would have to decide for themselves what kind of book they wanted to read, and… Read More Interactive Reader’s Advisory: Flow Chart Display
That awkward time between Valentine’s Day and Freedom To Read week is approaching…which means it’s time for a new display idea! This one’s got a pun, a bunch of snowmen having a snowball fight, and an unconventional way of selecting books. So you know it’ll be a hit. Plus from where I’m stationed in Southwestern… Read More “Got a Case of the Winter Blues?” Library Display
National Poetry Month is approaching, and my library is preparing with a Poem-A-Day contest – the winners of which will be displayed during the month of April. There are three age categories, children, teens, and adults. Guess which one has received the fewest entries. Teens! We decided to run a lunch hour “Poetry Blitz: Inspiration Station”… Read More Teen Poetry Blitz: Inspiration Station in the Library (with free downloadable toolkit!)
This year I made my library conference debut at the OLA Super Conference, and I expect to return for many years to come. It was the perfect combination of so many things I love: meeting new people, learning about innovative library programs, sharing ideas, and of course free books! (Also, Winterlicious, lattes, taking the train,… Read More OLA Super Conference 2015: Think It! Do It!
What I Read Quirk by Hannah Holmes. Ever since finishing my degrees, I’ll admit it, I’ve (kind of) missed studying. I’ve missed pouring my energy and brain power into learning new things and bettering myself. Sure I do that on the job, and in my spare time, but it hasn’t really felt the same. Until… Read More What I Loved This Month #8: Personality Theory, Die Cutter, Donuts, and Dance Parties!
Ontarian Librarian 