Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston held a firefighter themed storytime for children up to age 6.
Other Vermont libraries have invited the town bus (Rockingham), town trucks (Ludlow), or other interesting town services to come and visit. Kids love those vehicles! And towns enjoy local promotion.
Max visits with children at the Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier
Vermont children have enjoyed meeting Maisy, Amelia Bedelia, Curious George, and Rosemary Well’s Max in person. Costume Specialists lends character costumes for promotional use at schools, libraries, and bookstores. To use the costume, the library pays the shipping cost, usually $140. See http://www.costumespecialists.com/childrens_book_characters.html# for a complete list of available costumes and information on how to request a costume.
Both Bennington Free Library and the Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier have borrowed costumes from this company, and both have postitive feedback:
“We have been renting costumes for 10 years from Costume specialists. It’s a great deal. This week Frog and Toad visited our Library. 12 different classes came for an introduction to the library and to meet Frog and Toad. We also had a party for the public. Over 100 people attended. I recommend this kind of programing highly. A good deal for the buck.” -Chris Poggi Children’s Librarian Bennington Free Library
“Just wanted folks to know that we had Max from Costume Specialists here for the week and he was a huge hit. He cost us $140 which included shipping. Fed Ex dropped him off two days early, and arranged to pick him up at the end of the designated time. It was some of the best PR we’ve done. I’ve included a few pictures. It was well worth the money and effort.” - Jane Napier, Kellogg Hubbard Library
Max, outside the Kellogg Hubbard Library, Montpelier
Samantha Maskell, the Youth Services Librarian at the Rockingham Free Public Library recently hosted a successful Sensory Friendly Film Series. They had 11 people and their caretakers at the first film (hand picked to see how it would work), then the same audience as well as a few families with toddlers at the next. The ability to go in and out of the room also worked well, and some people needed to do that in order to take in the experience.
Here is some information on the program from her, as well as the flyer used:
This program is modeled after one that was launched by AMC (www.amcentertainment.com/) and The Autism Society of America (http://www.autism-society.org)
The things that set this film series apart from other film series is how you set it up:
We also provided a Social Story for this event. The idea for the Social Story was provided by a high school teacher who works with autistic youth, they use social stories as ways to prepare some youths for what they’re going to encounter. Our social story is very simple, pictures of the Library, what they can do at the Library, the movie set-up, and the movie schedule.
A 2008 Summer Reading Program brochure with a calendar of events from Rockingham Free Public Library.
The Quechee Library, West Hartford Library, Wilder Library, and Hartford Village Library put together a calendar of all their Summer Reading Program events.
Greensboro Free Library held a program to teach Early New England History (including hands on activities) to young people ages 7-12.
Posted in Children's Programs
Tagged Children's Programs, Greensboro, Greensboro Free Library, history, program, promotion
Vermont 2-1-1 is working closely with the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Emergency Management to help provide public information about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). General questions about H1N1 Flu or other health concerns related to the outbreak can be answered by dialing 2-1-1. Use the Vermont 2-1-1 link to reach other useful medical websites with information on Vermont and the world. The Vermont Department of Health link includes Vermont health alerts as well as good planning advice.
The CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has a long informative webpage on the vaccine, H1N1, and related issues. CDC free resources include public health posters on hand-washing and coughs, which the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock uses in their public restrooms.
Should public libraries ask patrons to leave if they are sick? LibraryLaw Blog says no. Librarians cannot diagnose H1N1. So, post signs, wipe down keyboards, and offer hand sanitizer and kleenex.
The Rockingham Free Public Library last year distributed a notice to parents. The message: if you’re too sick to be at school, you’re too sick to visit the library. Librarian Sam Maskell offers to select materials for pickup and reminds users of the themed bookbags with audio, video, and books. Sam is considering health programming, with a storytime about hand washing (“Germs are Not for Sharing”, by Elizabeth Verdick, “Wash your Hands!” By Tony Ross, or “Don’t You Feel Well, Sam?” by Amy Hest).
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library in Williston held a program with the authors of The Family Geocaching Fieldbook to discuss how to get your family involved with geocaching.
Greensboro Free Library held a chili tasting event for families.
A Fall Programs calendar by South Hero Community Library.
Posted in Calendars, Children's Programs, Programs for Adults
Tagged calendar, fall, programs, promotion, South Hero
