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Today I was in beautiful Madison WI making mischief around the concept of strategizing effective change and building balance in youth programming. And it wouldn't be November in Wisconsin without a look at the summer ahead and quenching the "hair-on-fire" fear we sometimes feel before we realize there are ways to make summer funner!
Below are links to information cited in the presentation.
Happy reading!
Summer LearningGet Ready for Endless Summer Reading.
Libraries at the Center of Summer Learning ToolkitEasing the StressSummer Library R/Evolution Pinterest Board - links to many articles and posts that help us re-think how we support kids during the summer.
It's the End (and I Don't Want to Die)Counting KidsGoing Weekly -PrizelessUnprogramming webinar and resources
Samples of Summer Learning SLP logsWeekly cards with experiential choicesPassports to adventureSummer Reading BookletsBingo CardsBuilding a Better World Program IdeasKids Give Back at Portage Public LibraryFood Donations, Adopt an Animal, Charity ChallengesPinterest Board on Build a Better World Program Ideas - Sharon Goforth
Pinterest Board on Build a Better World - Loch-Wouters
After our workshop, I hope everyone felt that we got here:
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| Participants share aspirations at the workshop |
Change is in the air with SLP. More people are getting outside the box and re-examining the worn-out paradigms of how we engage kids in the summer. These posts look at aspects of SLP and ask us to think bigger, deeper and wider - and share experiences along the continuum for change.
Today's post is from Leah Langby , the Youth Services Coordinator for the Indianhead Library System, a ten county consortium in northwestern Wisconsin. She is also a savvy, supportive and sharp-as-a-tack library advocate and leader who isn't afraid to open the door and gently offer information that leads to change. She is active in many arenas and is currently chair-elect of YSS, our WLA youth section. Check out the system blog she oversees - Keeping Up with Kids - and get it on your feeds!
Every year in the dead of winter, one of the brightest spots is getting together with youth services librarians from around the region for a face-to-face enthusiasm-and-idea-generating extravaganza, known as the Summer Library Program workshop. For years, we’ve had a great time at this workshop, laughing together, getting inspired with ideas for projects and programs and promotions. Having a roomful of youth services librarians is a definite recipe for plenty of energy and collaboration, and talking about the summer programs seems to bring out the best of that.
This year, I wanted to nudge us all along a little bit more, thinking about the Summer Library Program in the context of all of youth services, preventing burnout, and re-thinking some of the things we’ve always done. Prizes or no prizes? How much time to spend on those decorations? How can we simplify? How can we reach out to our community for collaboration, and to reach kids who might not be getting to the library? How can we make our efforts intentional and effective? I wanted to do that, but still maintain the festive, energetic, collaborative and mutually supportive atmosphere that sustains us all through the long winter months.
Some of my colleagues in the state who have been thinking about all of these SLP/youth services issues in a smart way were generous enough to come to my system to talk about some of those big issues. A HUGE shout-out to Shawn Brommer and Sue Abrahamson for gently and humorously helping us feel mighty, consider our aspirations and our strengths, and think about the “sacred cows” we could consider putting out to pasture. After a two-hour session exploring our super-hero powers with Shawn and Sue, we had several break-out sessions.
I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of the amazing librarians in our system who stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park, presenting panels on everything from teen volunteers and programs to collaboration to outreach to stealth programs to the whys and hows of decorations and performers. Two of the breakout sessions were also hosted by a local maker-space denizen, who showed us some playful ways to interact with problem-solving with kids. I tried to provide presenters with clear expectations beforehand (this is a new development for me, and it is pretty revolutionary how well it works!). Almost all of these sessions were about the summer, but also so much more! It was amazing to tap into the skills, know-how, and experience of the people right here in our system.
I’ve had more positive feedback from this one workshop/mini-conference than about any other workshop I’ve ever had in my entire 10-year history of planning and implementing workshops (of all kinds). People were stopping by my office, nearly floating off the floor with excitement about ways they were planning to make their programs last year-round, reach out to their communities, and get more people engaged with the library and reading. Hooray! It might be that there is no going back!
Continuing my swing through Kansas, I found myself in the lovely area of Great Bend. I was able to steal away before and after the workshop to immerse myself in two nearby natural areas: Cheyenne Bottoms and the Quivira Wildlife Refuge. The migrating birds were just starting through and, along with the warm welcome from my
Central Kansas Library System colleagues and host/consultant extraordinaire Marquita Boehnke and system staff, it made my workshop day special.
Book Relays - held before the library opens, the teams of kids are given lists of books and have to find them and then run back to the next person. A Scholastic Book Fair is also set up at the SLP Kick-off and volunteers make cookies.
SLP Incentives - a local (and generous) woodworker makes big cut-outs from the SLP theme. Each child gets one and decorates with stickers and can bring home at the end of the summer program.
Outside Fun Outdoor Water Day - held on the front lawn, kids do a sponge relay; a water balloon toss and popsicles are served. As people drive by they are attracted to all the excitement and it is great PR.
Fill big buckets with water and paint and let kids paint outside
Cook hotdogs for kids and let them do sidewalk chalk art.
Popsicles in Gelatin - Get an ice chest and fill with unflaveored gelatin. Stick popsicles inside before it gels. Kids have to reach through to get to their popsicles.
4 H Ambassadors/Actor's Guild/Teen lifeguards - they volunteer to come in to plan games for the library and run them as well. A great way to partner with volunteers to extend fun.
Final Party - was so popular it had to be split into two different days. Found Little Caesers to be generous donor - they not only provided inexpensive pizza but staffed and served it!
SLP Sign-ups - libraries use google docs for sign-up since the doc can be open in multiple locations. Others use gmail form to pop into google docs. Google also has the plus of analytics, plug-ins and easy web-linking to enhance tracking.
Beat the Heat - after programs are over, a movie is run and kids invited to bring pillows. Popcorn is provided. It's a great way for kids to stay cool.
Read to a Dog - a great program for readers.
Book Parties - fun focusing on popular book characters subjects like Captain Underpants or SuperHero Party. Lots of stations and kids enjoy.
Find more in the Idea Sparklers series:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0 Comments on Idea Sparklers #10 - Fun Notes from the Field as of 4/10/2012 12:19:00 PM
These are little idea tidbits that have been successfully done at libraries of all sizes in the
South Central Kansas Library System. Perhaps some of these will spark ideas for you to develop new programs and initiatives.
Follow a Veterinarian - a local vet donates a half day for a lucky child to observe and shadow them as they work. It even includes letting the kids observe surgery if they'd like and help in the recovery room (lots of petting).
Knitting Club - parent wanted to start a club so they provided the instruction and materials and worked with kids - and adults - to help them learn. What started out as a six week program was so popular that it continued for a semester.
Creative Bookmark Contest - offered annually. Advertised at the schools. The winning designs are printed up as bookmarks and sent to the child's school as well as given out at the library.
Read to Rover - therapy dogs from the Kennel Club once a month. Kids are given punch cards. If they attend the program three times, they receive a book.
Baby Bags - a bag with early lit. info, a special baby library card registration (to help track who gets cards) and a book are given out to new parents. At one time t-shirts were included with a library barcode on the back and the phrase, "I'm a Reading Baby".
Paper Chain - as kids finish reading they can add a link for each hour read on one chain or a link for books read on another chain that are on opposite sides of the room. Every 25th link is black so it's easier to count the total (because of course kids always ask!)
Read Your Way to Movies - a book is paired with the DVD in a kit. When they are checked out, the patron can put their name in a drawing to win a movie night at a theater complete with popcorn.
Pages Prowls - the library cat, named "Pages", is featured on small handouts that ask for donations for a special cause (school supplies or food donations) and these little sheets are passed out at high schools. Kids pass them along as well and their is a huge response of adults and kids who don't usually use the library coming in to drop off donations and staying to check out materials.
Laptop Prize - a donor donated three laptops for SLP prizes - decided to make it a family prize and have everyone ready. For kids a chapter equals a book.
Bed in the Library - put a blow-up bed in front of storytime chair and make it up with covers and stuffed animals. Then read bedtime stories and invite kids to play parts from
The Napping House or
Ten in the Bed on the bed.
Fancy Nancy Tea Party- multi-generational participation. The Red Hat Society provides the tea sets and food; kids come dressed up; cheerleaders are on hand to paint fingernails, do hairstyles and make-up.
Annual Tea Party Fundraiser - each year a new theme and people bring their own decorations to decorate their table with that theme (say, Wizard of Oz). There is music and a suggested donation since this is used as a library fundraiser.
Campout! - with this year's theme, as a reward at back to school time, have a camp-out and campfire and stories.
February = I Love to Read - hold events all month long highlighting books, reading and loving the library.
Origami World - each staff member commits to learning one origami shape - Origami Yoda is a must -. Then kids go around from staffer to staffer and learn to make or
January brought more grea tideas to the fore from participants at my Summer Library Programming workshop at the
Arrowhead Library System in Wisconsin. There were ideas from last year's
One World Many Stories SLP plus great ways to partner with area businesses and organizations.
Backyard Bird Count - held during February, do a bird themed storytimes; kids make toilet paper tube binoculars duct-taped together. There is a website to record bird counts done at the library. Small bird cut-outs are placed throughout the library for adults (and kids) to find.
Stuffed Animal Search – a stuffed animal is put at various small businesses in town with a clue at the library to help kids find out where each one is. A small form at the business can be filled in and brought back to the library and put in a drawing. The animals are then given away at the end of the program.
Passport Game – in the same line as above, kids were given passports with participating business names. The businesses are given 3 clues for kids to guess what country they are representing. The kids have a passport that the business stamps when they guess correctly. If they got all the countries, they received a pencil prize.
Find the SLP Character – a character is hidden in the department. Kids are given 3 oral clues by the staff to find it and earn a high five when they do. The beauty of this is that kids have to interact with staff to get the clue and staff and kids love it.
Trivia Wheel - Kids spin the wheel and land on a country and are asked to do a silly activity – polka; dance like a kangaroo; etc. When they finished they got a hand stamp or tattoo.
4H Partnership – 4 H comes in monthly and presents a free program featuring crafts and a snack with a different theme each time.
Kid Decorators – children decorate large outline shapes relating to the theme during the first week or two of the SLP. This works with large people shapes as well that kids and staff decorate together.
Space Pix – Use Google Earth to print out pictures of different locales in the area. The library provides clues and kids who guess correctly get their names put in a drawing.
Year-round Scavanger Hunts – during slow times or during spring beak make an all-ages hunt on different themes (Edgar Allen Poe – hide ravens around the library). When people get stumped, there are signs: “ If you are stuck, come see your Lifeline at the desk!”
Grades 3-5 Reading Incentive – instead of prize, kids can choose a party ticket (Wii Fun) to attend a fun party with their peers.
Image: 'a flowing current' http://www.flickr.com/photos/63595585@N00/3413370118
