A Spellbinding Response!
When COVID forced the Elizabeth Harris Library; Unadilla, GA, to close their doors this summer, they took a magical approach to reach patrons. Library manager Rhonda Bartlett, and daughter Julianne Bartlett, decided that they would do a daily Facebook live storytime featuring the new illustrated Harry Potter Books. Not only was this an opportunity to connect with patrons, but also offered them the chance to share the library's collection of Potter memorabilia!
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On Saturday We Craft!
The Kamiah and Kooskia branches of Prairie River Library District in rural Idaho are located within 7 miles of each other and often share patrons. Staff from the two branches meet on Saturday to film craft and story time videos. Contents of their take-home craft bags for all ages are demonstrated in the videos and posted once a week. They call it #OnSaturdayWeCraft. The Kooskia library is at the Kooskia Farmers Market each week and gives out 35-50 craft bags to all ages. Kamiah hands them out at the door during curbside.
Here’s the link to their IGTV where the videos for Summer Reading are posted:
Kamiah Community Library
Kooskia Community Library
And here is a link to PDF versions of the slides used in the videos:
Bear Crafts
Paper Characters
Rain Stick
Tissue Paper Silhouette
Zentangle
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How did your library "reimagine" 2020? Please send your photos, ideas, and any informative details to Luke Kralik at: luke.kralik@cslpreads.org I would love to share them in our newsletter.
Looking for some ideas for 2021 to use or share? https://www.pinterest.com/cslpreads/
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Increasingly, public libraries are feeding hungry bodies as well as hungry minds during the summer – and throughout the year. The CSLP’s Child and Community Well-Being committee is developing resources to support and encourage library participation in the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program and other initiatives to help kids and teens stay nourished, active, and healthy when school is out. These resources include the Libraries and Summer Food page on the CSLP website; a Facebook group for news, support, and resource-sharing; and an ongoing series of stories showcasing the experiences of libraries around the country.
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Library Pantries Feed Communities!
By the CSLP Child & Community Well-Being Committee and participating libraries
Last month’s CSLP newsletter featured the story of the Public Pantry at the Woodstock Public Library in Illinois. We asked readers to submit a photo if they host a Little Free Pantry or have a pantry shelf in the library. Check out the gallery of library pantries. You will visit libraries in Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin that are feeding their communities in creative and caring ways.
Many libraries participate in the Summer Food Service Program or provide afterschool snacks. Hosting a Little Free Pantry or pantry shelf is another way that libraries can increase their capacity to meet community needs. Food distribution is certainly a non-traditional library service, yet libraries and food are a great fit. Everyone is welcome at the library, and no one pays admission or is expected to buy anything. The library has always given stuff out for free. There is no stigma to the library. Think about these attributes in terms of providing food to people in need. And think of what libraries gain by participating in food distribution: we directly address hunger and support vulnerable populations, attract new user groups, increase our visibility as a community asset, and position ourselves as an important stakeholder in community well-being.
Interested in hosting a Little Free Pantry or pantry shelf at your library? Check out the full version of this story on the CSLP website to visit the gallery of library pantries and to access a checklist of to-dos before setting up a library pantry.
Please let us know if you establish a Little Free Pantry or pantry shelf at your library. You may contact the CSLP Child & Community Well-Being Committee via jdwyer@library.ohio.gov. Thank you for all the many ways you support your community!
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