We are passionate supporters of public libraries here at Pages Unbound. But there are still awesome services and programs I would love to see libraries provide! Here are ten cool ideas that would g…
Next week marks the start of National Library Week!
Haven't tried a book tasting with your students yet? This fun reading activity is an awesome way to introduce genres in your elementary classroom or library!
There are resources for kids' book tastings, but what about the grown people? Here's a how-to for hosting a book tasting for adults at a public library.
Don't let a short schedule keep you from providing engaging library programming. These 30-minute library lessons are perfect for librarians!
Library musical chairs is a terrific game to promote reading and incorporate technology with Google Form surveys.
The Library Adventure uses affiliate links, see our policies for more information.Kids ages 8 to 12 are often too busy with scheduled activities of their own to make it to library programs in the afternoons or evenings. For librarians who wish to increase attendance at programs for this age group, this can be very frustrating, […]
About seven months ago, I noticed a new trend among public libraries of offering “adulting” programs. When I first saw a posting via social media about this program, my brain screamed, “Where were …
So this is a summer program we’ve been hosting for 5 years now. I’ve always saved this one for the week of 4th of July–the idea being I don’t put too much work into this on…
Whether it's solving the morning crossword puzzle, working out whodunit in a best-selling thriller, or participating in the library's mystery book club, everyone loves a mystery! In 'Hosting a Library Mystery', Elizabeth Karle capitalizes on our delight of the genre through this unique, interactive programming guide.
Newest Arrivals to our Library Check out our newest arrivals by category. Click on the book cover to go straight to the catalog, where you can place yourself on hold for the book. All you need is your library card and password! For more new books, and the New and Upcoming Book List, visitContinue reading →
Librarians: They're smarter than all of us.
Over the last several years, I've done at lot of change up our library space at Stewart. Here's some of my tips to help you rethink your library.
So, you're planning programming for the adults in your library and you're looking to change it up? From time to time, this question is posed on the awesome Programming Librarian Interest Group and librarians respond with lots of great possibilities. I thought I'd compile a list and share. Perhaps some of these ideas might work for your library? Local 1. Local History Talks/Presentations 2. Local History Walk 3. Genealogy DIY Crafts 1. Paper Making 2. Stab Binding Books 3. Christmas Ornaments 4. Shibori Scarves 5. Water Color Scarves 6. Soy Candles 7. Glycerin Soap 8. Beading 9. Altered Books Technology 1. Digital Photography Classes 2. How to Use Facebook/Pinterest/Instagram/Snapchat, etc. 3. iPhoneography (taking and editing pics with iPhone) 4. Intro to Windows 10 Food 1. Cookbook Club 2. Cooking Classes 3. Soup Night / Pie Night (patrons bring in food to share) 4. Rose Hip Jelly Making 5. Downton Abbey Tea 6. Wine Tasting 7. Edible Book Contest Presenters 1. Paranormal/Haunted Presentations 2. Pet Psychic 3. Professional Headshots for Facebook Profiles 4. Discovering New England Stone Walls 5. Falconry 6. Beekeeping and Honey Tasting 7. Yoga 8. Meditation 9. Veteran Author Talks 10. Living History Performances and Re-enacting Educational 1. Car Seat Safety Program 2. Business Networking/Speed Networking 3. Job Prep (Resume writing, Mock interviews) 4. DIY Home Repair 5. Pearl Harbor (75th anniversary in December) 6. Show Great Courses Lectures 7. Interior Design 8. Travel on a Budget 9. Identity Theft 10. Etsy/eBay 11. DIY Bike Repair Gardening 1. Gardening Presentations 2. Plant Swap 3. DIY Terrarium Writing 1. Publishing Your Writing 2. Writing Memoirs 3. Open Mic Nights Fun / Entertainment 1. Family Movie Nights 2. Star Trek Program (50th Anniversary is coming soon) 3. Introduction to Drones 4. Bridge 5. Collectibles & Antiques 6. Plan the Perfect Staycation 7. Mah Jongg 8. Couponning 9. Coloring Books 10. Chinese New Year Places for Partnerships If you are looking to increase your attendance numbers, partnerships are a great way to do so: America Red Cross (for blood drives hosted at libraries) Local Senior Center Local Historical Society Local University (The outreach office may have someone willing to do social media programs) Local Stores (Drones, DIY Home Repairs/Renovations) Additional Reading Want more ideas? Check out: "Adult Programs in the Library" by Brett W. Lear was highly recommended. You can also access PLIG's Program Speed Dating Packet for more great info and ideas. List Source The list above was pulled from these discussions: Discussion #1 and Discussion #2. You need to be a member of the Programming Facebook Group to be able to read them. Thanks to all of the librarians who shared their wisdom!
Lester Public Library, Two Rivers, Wisconsin
April library lessons can bring a high level of engagement, active learning, inspiration and fun to your elementary school library classes!
A monthly library book display is a great way to bring awareness to different topics, seasons, and celebrations. Check out these ideas!
April library lessons can bring a high level of engagement, active learning, inspiration and fun to your elementary school library classes!
This week kicked off a brand new school year at Van Meter as we learned with our administrators, teachers and friends. On Wednesday, we were given some time to connect with the teachers to share information about the library program. As we prepared for this time together, I started thinking about all of the amazing ways that librarians on the Future Ready Librarian Facebook Page have shared. I especially love.... the menus Charles Scardina, Kelsey Erin and... James Allen created. Not only were they filled with wonderful information, they were all so cool too! Jessica and I started brainstorming and decided to put a little twist on ours. We made it like a movie or production by starting it out with... The Van Meter School Library Presents A Special New Feature During The 2018-19 School Year! We then split it into categories tying into thetheme.... Starring, Setting, Acts and Special Features. And of course included all of us as Friendmoji's too. It was such a good exercise to sit down and put all of these skills and thoughts onto paper. And of course, while I did this, I had the Future Ready Librarian framework sitting right next to me so I could reference and tie it into the work we will do with our school community. Then I thought.... After we give them this program, we should create something to get them even more engaged in these ideas. How could we get them thinking about how they will use the information and put it into action to help them in their classroom and throughout their work too? We got it! A ticket! What a perfect tie in to the theme! As you can see on the ticket, we tied in the same theme and lots of the same verbiage as the program. They will even find a little ticket at the bottom of their flyer to encourage them to look for a ticket that.... ..,,will encourage them to think about how we can help and write down their needs to give to us in our library...one more way to get them into the library too. To go along with the movie theme, we attached microwave popcorn... and the big boxes of movie popcorn with red and white yarn. It was so much fun to put these together with the tickets. We put all 70 of these little gifts into a big basket to bring with us. So, Wednesday was the day! The day that Jessica and I were going to kick off this awesome new partnership between us and with all of the teachers, students, administrators and families within our school community. The first impression we made on that day, will have a lasting impact all year long...and into the future. As we finished up meeting and talking with all of the secondary teachers, we made our way down to the elementary library where we had set up a special place for them to come in the afternoon. We put the little ticket packages and the What Your Teacher Librarian Can Do For You posters on each table where the teachers would be sitting. As they arrived at the library, we spoke about all of the special things we can do as their teacher librarian and how we can work together all year long. At the end of our time together, I was so happy to see our friend Amy give us this note. It worked! It was successful in bringing together communities in useful and special ways that will impact our students every single day.
Yep. It's that time of year. Love is in the air. Red roses and cupids abound. And it's time to pick up a blind date with a book. This is a repeat from last year, it was so successful. I guess that makes it a tradition now. I make sure to have selections for all ages, because I think everyone has fun with the idea. Wrapped recommendations include everything from picture books to the popular adult fiction. It's a hit. Give it a try at your library!
More reasons to hide out in a library all day!
If you use Facebook, #22 will make you laugh.
Next week marks the start of National Library Week!
Create your own book tournament bracket, a perfect passive program for any age pitting book against book in the ultimate showdown.
Free library games and resources, including printables, worksheets, and slideshow presentations designed to help kids build library skills.
Grab this free library scavenger hunt and go on a real adventure next time you go to the library.
Applying for library grants is a great way to leverage your library and get more resources. Check out these 10 library grant suggestions!
I want to try all of these.
If you use Facebook, #22 will make you laugh.
Last weekend at Gibson my awesome coworker friend Nicole and I did a library mini golf after hours program for teens and tweens and it was a HIT. We got the idea from this pin but couldn’t fi…
Some school libraries are reinventing themselves as makerspaces, but this Ohio library took a slightly different approach and has seen incredible results.
The most successful displays I've done at my library have been passive readers advisory. For the last five years or so, I’ve done a monthly display of minature books based on the top YA titles checked out in my library system, with the top 10 books getting four readalikes. The Tiny Library is a collection of tiny books based on our most popular titles. Each tiny book contains reading suggestions based on our readalike list. There is a QR code that leads to a Google Form where teens can choose the books they want to pick up from the library.
Amazing Race: Library Edition is a program that I’ve ran twice before. It always brings out a huge crowd – and for those of us who have a small budget – it’s a great program…
A monthly library book display is a great way to bring awareness to different topics, seasons, and celebrations. Check out these ideas!
A Book Tasting Event can give your students the opportunity to sample library books in a fun and festive environment!
In the books I loved to read as a kid, libraries are crazy old buildings full of secrets. The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn sends Anthony Monday all over the library, following obscure clues to u…
The official game board for the Concord Public Library's Bookopoly. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff
You can make the overdue book return process fun! Get ready for some simple tips for collecting library books at the end of the year!
My year as an elementary Specials Rotation Librarian nearly ended my library career. I gave all I had, but it wasn't enough. Here's why...
Blackout Poetry is a great way to celebrate National Poetry Month in April! We set up a table with book pages, markers, and that’s all it took to get the kids creating. The posters hanging …
Haven't tried a book tasting with your students yet? This fun reading activity is an awesome way to introduce genres in your elementary classroom or library!
Print This CraftKids will have fun as they explore the library with our latest addition to the scavenger hunt printables. ... Read More
