Getting Rid of Old Card Catalogs?

Julia Fickes stands next to her Empire style dress created using catalog cards and Jane Austen check-out cards for the bodice.

Peacham Library completed the move from the card catalog to a new automated library system. With this transition came the need to dispose of thousands of 3 x 5 catalog cards. Rather than just throw them out, library Director Becky Jensen decided to offer a contest. The “Celebrate Automation with a Creation” program allowed library patrons to take as many catalog cards as they wanted in order to create a project.  Projects could be artistic, literary, funky or  just plain fun!  Patrons took on the challenge and created jewelry, a poem, clothing, a bulletin board, masks, a game, 3D scenes, a fishing pole, and a cat puppet. 

Sixteen entries were received from patrons ranging in age from 4 to 93.  Awards were given for all entries, including: “Best Miniature Work” for an origami crane on a ring; “Best Use of Title Cards” for a cat that was created using cards with such titles as The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (the tail) and the Cat in the Hat (leg);and “Best Literary Piece” for an Ogden Nash-inspired poem.  What won “Best in Show”? Library patrons selected a dress made with catalog cards by thirteen-year-old Julia Fickes. The dress was designed in a style popular in Jane Austin books, with Jane Austen check-out cards used for the bodice.  All entries were on display at Peacham Library in November 2010.

(Article recycled from December 2010 edition of Vermont Department of Libraries Newsletter)

Spring fundraiser

Montgomery Town Library did a new (for them) fundraiser last spring selling flower bulbs. The Library made $500, after they split the profits 50/50 with the local gardening company that supplied the bulbs.

Consider a program that parallels the fundraiser: local gardeners talking using bulbs indoors and out. Hey, we could use some spring color and inspiration about now!

Pull the Grandparents in

The Orwell Library offers storyhours with grandparents. Once a month, an Orwell grandparent reads a book of their choosing to the group. Bringing grandparents in has led to storytimes with therapy dogs and cookie parties. Guitar playing and angora bunnies are coming soon.

For more good ideas for storytimes from Vermont librarians, take a look at Vermont’s Early Literacy Initiative. Librarians in the ELI have posted plans that worked. Each storytime reveals the rationale and offers suggested activities. Woodbury Community Library has an easy plan to encourage print motivation and interest in reading. At one storyhour, each parent and child share their favorite book.