Four weeks in, we had a breakthrough. Every kid sat still for the most of the story. Five weeks was even better. Every kid was doing the actions and most were singing along. Yes there are attention challenges, but with a few tricks I was able to get Storytime back on track. Here’s what I suggest:… Read More The Challenges of Post-COVID Storytimes
If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know that I am always hyping books I’ve read before they are published. One of the most common questions I get is “How do you get them?” Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs), are free copies of books that are distributed to stakeholders before the publishing date. And… Read More How to Get and Use ARCs as a Librarian
Oh gentrification. The inevitable machine, the mysterious monster, the impossible crawl. A lot of the time when powerful people talk about gentrification, it sounds the same. Repackaged spooky vagueness, either diminishing the issue or shifting the focus. Variations of “there are so many factors at play it’s impossible to pin down,” or “it’s an issue… Read More Libraries and Gentrification
There are a lot of factors to consider when running a public library’s Instagram account: content, style, captions, frequency of posts, hashtags, stories, and engagement with users. But the most immediately impactful aspect is the quality of your photos. Most of the people who run their library’s social media accounts do not have degrees in… Read More Instagram Tips for Small Public Libraries – Photos
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
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
If you’re going to plan a Christmas party for 100+ librarians, you make it Downton Abbey themed and you put doilies on everything. I was party of a 4 person Staff Christmas Party Planning Committee and we decided to go all out: Downton Abbey style. Like any staff Christmas party, hours of work went into… Read More Downton Abbey Staff Christmas Party
What is a Pop-Up Library? A pop-up library is a temporary collection of materials for patrons to browse and check-out, at a location other than the library. My program, Books in the Park, was hosted over the summer at Victoria Park downtown Kitchener, every other Wednesday from 1-3. Approximately 20 people attended each time, of… Read More Pop Up Libraries: Tips for Success
Ever wondered what your dogs would say if they could speak? Canadian author André Alexis’s apologue (a brief allegorical fable) might shed some light on the matter. In an effort to determine whether or not human intelligence contributes to happiness, Greek gods Apollo and Hermes grant intelligence to fifteen dogs in a Toronto veterinary clinic.… Read More Book Review: Surprisingly dark and enlightening “Fifteen Dogs”
A picture book with no pictures might sound like the total bore, but believe me, it will have you and your audience laughing to tears. The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak (also known as Ryan the Temp from popular sitcom The Office) tricks the reader into speaking in silly voices and saying some… Read More Interactive Picture Books
Ontarian Librarian 