COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND COLLABORATIONS
Manchester Public Library's Bookmobile - Manchester, NH
Photo: MPL
Free Storywalk and Home-Learning & Play Resources
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Ways to reach out and work together: |
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Kirsten Cappy, Curious CIty works closely with educators and librarians to develop children’s book engagement tools. Curious CIty has teamed up with Child’s Play to create free storywalk sign files for libraries (and others) to display in their communities. The current free storywalk is Cat’s Colors by Airlie Anderson. Cat’s Colors Picture Book Play Activity Sheet.
Check out all the Home-Learning & Play Resources too! Fitness Walk
In Kingston NH, the Kingston Public Library created a story trail-fitness trail for their community. Librarians Hayley and Maureen printed out, laminated and hung the fitness station posters after they cleared the trail!
They report that their trail isn't too long, so it's perfect for little legs to walk around (less than half a mile), and it's wide enough to push a stroller too! Along the way, they hung pages of a book for families to read. On these pages are additional snippets of information and fun facts for children to learn. On the trees in between the story pages, they added exercise cards for children to complete, such as 'do 25 jumping jacks' or 'hop on one leg', hoping that would encourage more movement and fun along the way. Create online nature challenges people can complete in their own backyards:*Go Explore Outside-Ways to connect kids with nature in their own backyard.
Mindful LibrariansNovember is often known as the month of Gratitude. Check out the 30 Days of Gratitude Toolkit from the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Moment
Perhaps this would be a great time to hold a De-stressing Program. Who can you partner with in your community to offer a meditation, yoga or mindfulness program? Can you raise awareness to services available to help people in your community to de-stress? How about flyers to resources at your library that promote well-being? Maybe some aromatherapy bookmarks or stress-ball take & make kits might be helpful right now? I don’t need to tell you how many DIY stress ball & mindfulness jar ideas there are on Pinterest. Colleges are great inspiration for de-stressing programs. I saw one college advertise Donuts & Dogs to de-stress at finals. While this idea might have to wait to a time when we can gather once again, you can easily transfer Spa Day DIYs and Coloring Clubs to online and make and takes. One thing this year has taught us is how important outreach and collaboration is–libraries can and should be much more than just a place. Even if your patrons are unable to come into your library in the same way they have in the past, your library can still share resources and host programs that will leave them saying, “That was Just What I Needed”. Virtual Field TripsClassroom teachers are not the only ones using virtual field trips as fun teaching aids. See Virtual Field Trips Under School!
Movement in LibrariesJenn Carson - Author, Librarian, Yogi Check out her site for inspiration. Maybe you would like inspiration for more wellness in your library and make plans for when things return to "normal", see Let's Move in Libraries.
How to Run a Drive-In Library Storytime ProgramWe Can Build A Snowman
Next time a good snow storm is predicted for your community, put out an impromptu snowman challenge. Have them submit their "best" snow creation photos to the library.
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C *See side story Underlined-Click on for linked story Book Box Vending Machine Book Clubs on the Move (example: public housing) Bookmobile* Cars and Coffee Program* Civil Engagement: Civic Lab Issues That Matter Let's Talk-local & global discussion series Cocktails and Coloring Community Garden-Seeds Community Themed Events Let's Move in Libraries Katahdin Gear Library (KGL) at the Millinocket Bike Sharing in Fall River Placemaking-Project for Public Places Special collections & displays for the underserved and underrepresented* Story Walk or Poetry Walk* Storytime-Adult* and Intergenerational* Summer Food* Veterans as Partners 
CSLP-Child & Community Well-Being Committee – Summer FoodThe Child & Community Well-Being committee just released its latest resource (with Luke’s help). The one-page CSLP Summer Meals Talking Points flyer includes brief talking points and a quick to-do checklist. It’s an easy-to-digest introduction for summer meals advocates to share with coworkers, library administration, Board, community officials, and prospective partners. It’s now available for download on the CSLP website. Find it on the Libraries and Summer Food resource list here: https://www.cslpreads.org/libraries-and-summer-food/#resource Or direct download here: 
Whatever summer 2021 is going to look like, meal sites will be needed, and state administering agencies for the Summer Food Service Program are going to start recruiting any minute now. Please consider sharing the Talking Points flyer with your libraries, and let them know there’s much more support and info in the CSLP Libraries and Summer Food how-to guide.
Take it away--Make & Take IdeasFamily Storytime Kits
For some inspiration in developing your own Family Storytime Kits–visit The Orland Park Public Library. They advertise them, “Missing Storytime at the Library? Now you can have Family Storytime from the comfort of your home with our new Family Storytime Kits. You can read, create, dance, and explore with these themed kits using links to ebooks, online music, crafts, and age-appropriate informational resources!” Family Storytime Kits Take & Make STEM Activity Ideas from StarNet http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/163-take-make 
Chopped Virtual Kitchen Challenge
Kimberly Usselman from the Cumberland Public Library in Rhode Island is hosting a Chopped Virtual Kitchen Challenge for kids and tweens 8-14. Based loosely on the popular cooking show, they are challenging kids and tweens to pick up their secret ingredient kit. They have a week to come up with a recipe and use the secret ingredients. Then they will meet by zoom to show off their kitchen creations. They should also take a picture of the dish, post a recipe and of course taste test it for themselves. Templates for flash cards, crafts, plus writing prompts for all ages from Lakeshore Learning https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/resources/free-resources 
*Low or no cost literacy activities via CLiF
Candlewick's downloadable and printable activities. Curious City DPW - KidLit Programming Guides, Classroom Activities & Giveaways!! Lakeshore Learning Free resources including activity and lesson plans, templates, and printables from the educational retailer Lakeshore Learning. Mystery Programs
Creating original murder mysteries in a library: https://programminglibrarian.org/programs/creating-original-murder-mysteries-library Murder in the Stacks resources from Twin Falls Public Library https://tfpl.wordpress.com/cool-ideas/murder-in-the-stacks/ Escape Rooms: Experimenting with Digital Escape Rooms: https://www.infobase.com/blog/featured/experimenting-with-digital-escape-rooms/ Virtual Escape Rooms based on books, for kids, for adults: https://www.vandergriftpubliclibrary.org/online-resources/virtual-escape-rooms/ In Person Escape Room Ideas HERE Stay at home Dungeons & Dragons. Free Material Tips & Tricks TEENS:Virtual programming for teens
Aiden Tyler QuaranTEEN weekly webcast serial at Junior Library Guild Try a Teen Tech Scavenger Hunt--see Tennessee State Library's example. Host a Teen Lunch Zoom. Try a Stress Baking together. The Trevor Project offers accredited life-saving, life-affirming programs and services to LGBTQ youth that create safe, accepting and inclusive environments over the phone, online and through text. | ||||
Reaching Out to underserved and underrepresented people in libraries.
Photo by Tanya Ricker, Youth Services/Assistant Director Pease Public Library, Plymouth NH
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During the spring of 2019, the NH State Library with funding from the Hesed Foundation was able to purchase the Welcoming Library collection from Kirsten Cappy DBA Curious City. This collection is a pop-up community conversation with picture books (complete with discussion questions) featuring New Arrival and New American families. Pictured above is the collection in its wood display case at its first stop in NH - the Pease Public Library in Plymouth NH. Tanya Ricker, Youth Services/Assistant Director stated the visiting collection was a success. The Welcoming Library is booked at various NH libraries until 2021.
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Intergenerational Activities
Generations United manual found at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/pushbullet-uploads/ujzNDwQrsR2-lwTZVh9XzpO2KpViVzhCua55IiDV0Dyg/tried%20and%20true.pdf
PennState Extension Intergenerational Activities Sourcebook found at : https://aese.psu.edu/extension/intergenerational/curricula-and-activities/intergenerational-activities-sourcebook
Shared site programs improve the mood and engagement of elders. Children have increased comfort around persons with disabilities and other elders. Both groups experience a greater sense of purpose.
Possible Challenges:
- Generational and Developmental Differences: Staff will need to be prepared to tap into the participants interest and expertise. They should also be prepared to discuss parenting practices because generational differences can contribute to how elders think children should behave. * No matter the differences, it should always be ok for an adult or child to choose not to join an activity.
- Scheduling: Dealing with snack times, naps and more can make finding an agreeable activity time difficult.
- Physical Space: It should be safe for small children yet appropriate for elders challenged by child-sized furniture. Watch for risks for falling with toys on the floor.
- Supplies: Provide one set of materials for sharing as it supports interdependence among participants.
Creswell Cars & Coffee |
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Su Liudahl, Library Director at the Creswell Library in Creswell, Oregon reports that their Cars & Coffee program is a hit! This low to no cost program not only attracts the guys to a library program but is classy and has high community visibility. Update: This is a nice Outdoor event that could be done with social distancing.
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