We have a small group of teen regulars at my library who are hardcore crafters. When I took over/started helping out with teen programming, I started a monthly crafting program called Create & Innovate (that's edgy, mature and modern right?). Each month I plan either a specific craft or go very general and open the … Continue reading Create & Innovate: Giant 3D Snowflakes
One Community, One Book: Mahaska Reads
This past Wednesday saw the conclusion to Mahaska Reads, the first “one community, one book” program I helped organize. This year’s series of events and discussions were based around Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave. I’m pleased to say that it was very well received by the community, and I’m already looking forward to planning … Continue reading One Community, One Book: Mahaska Reads
Love Ain’t For Lovers Anymore
I have to admit, a part of me secretly wants to be a teen librarian – mostly because I really enjoy planning programs. This past week, my Youth Librarian and I collaborated on an “Anti-Valentines Day” party for teens. She came up with the idea, and I said “Let’s do it!” My thoughts being, there’s … Continue reading Love Ain’t For Lovers Anymore
Reading around Twelve Years a Slave
Next Tuesday evening will be the first meeting of the Books & Beer Club I'm hosting with the co-owner of a local bar, The Cellar Peanut Pub. After a surprisingly great response from their social media following, we selected Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave for our first title. I just finished reading this past weekend, … Continue reading Reading around Twelve Years a Slave
The "B" word…
Like with many cities, January is budget time here in Oskaloosa. That means as director I get to put on my number crunching, library advocating hat and do my best to justify the library’s request for funding for the next fiscal year. January, I’ve also noticed, seems to be the time when I get the … Continue reading The "B" word…
Make It & Take It: Wine Glass Snow Globes
Last night I hosted the first of four “Make It & Take It” crafting programs we’re offering at the library this holiday season. The program series invites patrons of all ages to create thrifty crafts – or gifts – for free and take them home. I borrowed the idea from my days at the Lawrence … Continue reading Make It & Take It: Wine Glass Snow Globes
D&D: Adventures in the Stacks
This past summer, with the suggestion of a few Teen Advisory Board members, my Youth Librarian and I started a Dungeons & Dragons group at the library. Now, the only experience I had with Dungeons & Dragons was from my college years, and the story involves me excusing myself to use the restroom and never … Continue reading D&D: Adventures in the Stacks
Author Night (a.k.a. College Night) at the Library
Tip: If you want to ensure your program audience participates in Q&A time, have a college professor offer extra credit to students for attending and asking questions.Tuesday night, we invited YA/middle grade writers Brian Farrey, Wendy Delsol and Kelly Barnhill for an Author Night at the library. Posters in the library and at businesses around … Continue reading Author Night (a.k.a. College Night) at the Library
What I’ve been obsessed with recently
I've been inspired to resurrect this blog by my youth librarian, Liz, who's recently started a second blog, Library Lore. It's been a while, so I thought I'd update with a few things I've been obsessed with recently:Library ConferencesMy ALA book haul!In June/July, I had the opportunity to attend my first ALA annual conference in … Continue reading What I’ve been obsessed with recently
Building a Community of Lifelong Library Users
Yesterday was probably the best day I’ve had so far as director of the Oskaloosa Public Library. It’s summertime, so that means Summer Reading, and we had our Summer Reading Kick-Off party in the library’s new Reading Garden. All through preparation, my staff told me that Summer Reading has always been a big thing in … Continue reading Building a Community of Lifelong Library Users
William the Librarian 