It’s December, and that means Santa Claus is coming to our library.
At Mid-Continent Public Library, Kimberly Howard has collected more than a half dozen Santas over the past 16 years. “Finding Santas isn’t always easy,” said Howard, assistant manager in MCPL’s Community Programming Department.
Based on the popular book series “I Survived” by Lauren Tarshis, this program connected STEAM activities to historic events, natural disasters and other topics. Tweens (ages 8 to 12) visited various stations, where they played with a "tornado in a bottle," made aluminum foil boats, learned about sharks and more.
The Tom Green County Library System began a tabletop gaming program three years ago to build community and provide a fun activity for all ages. Out of that program grew the West Texas Table Top Convention (WT3C), an annual library-sponsored event intent on celebrating not only tabletop games, but all aspects of geek culture.
Accountability. Creativity. Support. Coffee. Sometimes all of these elements need to come together to foster a writing environment.
TED talks — Technology, Education, Design — are an international phenomenon where speakers share big ideas in short, inspiring speeches. TEDxYDL (Ypsilanti District Library) is an independently organized event in the spirit of TED talks. The audience hears from local speakers on a variety of topics around the theme "Invent. Create. Change."
MegaMania is an annual event that aims to bring educational aspects of comic book and cosplay culture to youth who may not otherwise have access to large comic cons. Though planned primarily for teens, people of all ages are welcome to attend and explore cosplay opportunities, gaming demonstrations, local author panels, art workshops and more.
Teach grandparents to amaze and entertain their grandchildren with a few simple magic tricks.
At the South Sioux City Public Library, we encourage our staff and volunteers to share their unique talents and interests with our patrons through programs. In my 45 years as an amateur magician, I have found that kids are amazed and delighted by simple magic tricks. Our library has offered kids' magic classes for a while; Magical Grandparents was an outgrowth of that idea.
It all started with a book, "Rad American Women A-Z,"Â featuring profiles of 26 diverse women: artists and abolitionists, scientists and suffragettes, rock stars and rebels. Before long, Oakland Public Library staff came to work dressed as the Notorious RBG, astronaut Sally Ride and activist-author Angela Davis.Â
This is a fondue event for all ages, with melted chocolate and plenty of treats for dipping. Simple and popular.Â
